Chapter 50
“W-Why?”
“Because I made a promise with the Commander, remember? That if I enlisted as the Administrative Officer, I’d support our knight order.”
I shrugged and replied,
“So I sold everything before joining the knight order to secure some funding. Why?”
Truthfully, I had no attachment to dresses or jewelry.
Sure, the original Cassia was the flower of high society and a trendsetter of the Empire.
But that was her taste—mine is different.
To be honest, the clothing in this world—more specifically, the dresses—are…
‘Just way too uncomfortable.’
Long, heavy, and constantly getting in the way as you move—they were incredibly annoying.
That’s why I personally much preferred the Azure Dawn Knights’s trousered uniform.
Meanwhile, Giscard’s expression turned strangely dark upon hearing my answer…
‘Now what’s with him?’
I literally just said I won’t indulge in luxuries anymore, so what’s the problem?
…Don’t tell me he still doesn’t fully trust me?
What more do I need to do?!
‘That paranoid man!’
So, I casually strung together something that sounded good.
“Before being a princess, I’m a member of the Azure Dawn Knights, you know?”
“…That’s…”
“At the very least, I should wear my uniform. That way I can make a strong impression on the distinguished guests at the tea party, right?”
I proudly lifted my shoulders.
“As if to say, ‘Our knights guard the portal—don’t forget our efforts.’ Something like that?”
What do you think of me? Admirable, right?
With that meaning in mind, I gave him a bright, smiling glance.
Once again, Giscard’s face grew complicated.
It looked like a mix of many emotions—
A bit of guilt, a hint of gratitude…
‘Ugh, I don’t even know anymore.’
How am I supposed to understand the male lead’s delicate feelings?
As I shook my head inwardly—
Suddenly, something caught my eye.
My eyes sparkled as I pressed against the carriage window.
“Wow, look at that!”
Beyond the window, fields of golden wheat swayed like waves.
The farmers, in the midst of harvest season, were moving busily through their work.
Watching them, I felt an odd sense of pride.
‘Thank goodness.’
What if the portal had really broken open this time?
These golden fields would’ve been trampled by the demonic beasts.
The farmers, robbed of their livelihood, would’ve been forced to abandon their homes and wander from place to place.
And we would’ve never seen this peaceful sight again…
“…”
It felt as if a massive stone had dropped onto my chest—my heart suddenly weighed heavy.
I bit down gently on my molars.
Then—
Huh?
My eyes widened.
Off in the distance, some farmers who had spotted the knight order’s carriage were waving enthusiastically.
A few even took off their hats to show respect.
‘In that case…’
I threw open the window.
Ruin was still far off.
So for now, I wanted to share this joy.
Hoping that peaceful days like these would continue for them, I waved back with a bright smile.
The farmers’ waves grew even more enthusiastic.
“Heh.”
I chuckled softly without realizing it.
“You look happy.”
Just then, Giscard suddenly spoke to me.
I gave him a cheerful, eye-smiling look.
“Of course. How could I not be happy when our knights are loved by civilians?”
Come to think of it, even in the original story, civilians generally regarded the Azure Dawn Knights with a sense of familiarity.
Although the Empire’s high-ranking officials, led by the imperial family, and the Northern Command—treated the Azure Dawn Knights with disregard.
To the civilians whose lives were actually threatened by the beasts from the portals, the Azure Dawn Knights were, in many ways, figures of genuine respect.
Feeling excited, I encouraged Giscard,
“You should wave too, Commander!”
Giscard’s face turned uncharacteristically flustered.
“M-Me?”
“Well, who else would I be talking to besides you?”
At my push, Giscard also looked out the window in a daze.
The farmers, gathered in small clusters in the golden wheat fields, greeted Giscard with bright, cheerful faces.
His expression softened noticeably.
And then, together with me, Giscard clumsily waved back at them.
Until the farmers faded far into the distance, disappearing into tiny dots on the horizon. We waved the whole way.
* * *
The Duchy of Diaz was a vast city, surrounded by sturdy fortress walls.
They had deliberately invested heavily in the construction of the walls to shelter the residents inside in times of emergency.
As the safety of the territory’s people was considered the top priority, guards were strictly inspecting everyone at the entrance leading into the duchy.
At that moment, a carriage slowly reduced its speed and approached them.
“Huh?”
The guards widened their eyes in surprise.
Their gaze was fixed on the carriage—more precisely, on the emblem of the knight order displayed on it.
The guards briskly approached the carriage.
“Are you knights from the Azure Dawn Knights?”
Their tone was extremely polite.
“That’s right.”
Giscard nodded and handed over the identification badges belonging to him and Cassia.
The guards, after checking the badges, were visibly startled.
“A-Are you the commander of the knight order?”
While other knights from the northern orders would occasionally visit the Duchy of Diaz for vacations,
Knights from the Azure Dawn Knights almost never came to the duchy.
‘It must be because they’re that upright.’
‘To think they’re this devoted to the safety of the Empire.’
‘Truly, a model for all knights.’
And so, such rumors spread among the people of the Duchy of Diaz.
But in truth, it wasn’t just because they were upright—
It was simply because they didn’t have enough money to travel for leisure in the first place…
The guards, unaware of these behind-the-scenes circumstances, looked at Giscard with eyes glistening with emotion.
Then they bowed respectfully.
“Thank you, Commander.”
“For what?”
A sudden thank you?
Giscard was genuinely puzzled.
Seeing this, the guards gave an awkward smile.
“How could we not know? Thanks to the Azure Dawn Knights fighting on the frontlines, the North remains safe.”
Ah.
Giscard’s face revealed that he had been caught off guard.
What should he call this feeling?
Pushed around by the imperial family, worn down by the Northern Command, barely managing to endure—
To encounter, even like this, a soldier who acknowledged the efforts of the Azure Dawn Knights…
“…Thank you.”
Giscard replied, feeling a little emotional.
“We hope you enjoy your time here in the Duchy of Diaz.”
The guards snapped to attention with a crisp salute.
“Pass!”
A loud cry rang out.
And the carriage began moving again.
Cassia, who had been glancing sideways at Giscard, soon gave him a sly grin.
“Still, looks like you’re feeling a bit better, huh?”
“…Well.”
Normally, Giscard would’ve feigned ignorance just for the sake of it, but this time, he looked genuinely happy.
“Knowing that the work our knights have done wasn’t all in vain.”
After a brief pause, Giscard murmured quietly.
“It’s fulfilling.”
The tips of his ears had turned faintly red.
Cassia gazed at him silently.
That handsome face still looked quite young.
And so, she was reminded once again—
That Giscard, too, was still a young man, not even past his mid-twenties.
How much hardship must Giscard have endured to end up with such indifferent eyes??
Looking at him now, Cassia felt an odd sense of tenderness and sympathy…
“I’m really glad.”
She replied with genuine sincerity.
At her words, Giscard responded with a faint smile.
