Chapter 55

At that moment, the Duke of Diaz doubted his ears.

“What… What did you just say?”

“I said that the administrative officer is a talent too good for our knight order.”

“……”

At that calm reply, the Duke of Diaz could not hide his shock.

Because he knew better than anyone how much Giscard had always found Cassia annoying.

So he had always felt a bit guilty about it deep in his heart, but to think Giscard himself would say something like this.

The duke, rarely hesitant, spoke.

“If you’re just saying that because you’re trying to be nice since I’m Cassia’s uncle… there’s no need to do that.”

But Giscard still gave the same answer.

“No, Administrative Officer Astrid is truly doing an excellent job.”

“……”

Did the sun rise from the west today?

But Giscard took it even further.

“Administrative Officer Astrid is a precious knight of our order.”

His voice was full of trust in Cassia.

And.

“Also… I feel sorry toward the administrative officer.”

“For what?”

“Upon joining our knight order, the administrative officer gave up more than expected.”

Giscard looked sincerely apologetic.

“If possible, I’d like to return everything the administrative officer gave up someday.”

“…Sir Romanov?”

“Of course, for that, I’ll have to work harder myself.”

Giscard added, a little bashfully.

Looking at Giscard like that, the Duke of Diaz felt like he was dreaming.

‘Wait, is that really ‘the’ Sir Romanov?’

The Giscard who couldn’t even hide his disgust at hearing just the ‘C’ in Cassia’s name.

And now he’s speaking about Cassia with such gentle eyes?

The astonished duke couldn’t help but feel a little proud.

‘Looks like Cassia didn’t completely screw up her job after all.’

Enough to draw such praise from that cold, blunt Giscard.

In a way, it was kind of admirable.

With an excited voice, the Duke of Diaz opened his mouth.

“Still, that brat Cassia did do one thing right.”

“What’s that?”

“Joining the Azure Dawn Knights, I mean.”

The duke showed a wide, smiling eye expression.

“So now, doesn’t our Diaz have a solid reason to properly support the knights?”

“If by reason you mean…”

“It’s not a good look for an imperial noble to supply resources to a government-affiliated force.”

The Duke of Diaz shrugged lightly.

“But if an uncle is supporting his niece out of concern for her well-being, that’s a different matter. Don’t you think?”

Ah.

Giscard’s eyes widened.

At the same time, the duke’s smile deepened.

It was a refreshing smile, just like Cassia’s.

“So from now on, we’ll pay more attention to support as well.”

Giscard also responded with a bright smile to those words.

“Thank you for your kindness.”

* * *

A little later.

Having slipped out from the tea time gathering, I let out a long sigh from deep in my chest.

‘Ugh, seriously… I thought I was going to die from discomfort.’

I mean, really, how many people can sit face-to-face comfortably with their ex-fiancé?

Especially when the reason the engagement broke off was entirely your fault.

I glanced back over my shoulder.

Thankfully, by the time I slipped out, Terence seemed very busy chatting with the noble ladies.

‘So, well, we probably won’t run into each other for a while.’

It’s not like I could completely avoid returning to the tea time gathering.

But I was thinking of killing as much time as possible before going back.

Thankfully, there was plenty to see nearby.

Lovely statues placed here and there, and softly blooming flowers.

While I was strolling through the well-tended garden at a leisurely pace,

I saw dainty clusters of purple lavender swaying gently in the warm breeze.

I stopped walking and leaned in to look at the flowers.

‘They’re pretty.’

For some reason, the tiny flowers seemed to be greeting me, which lifted my mood.

But my faint smile only lasted a moment.

Unconsciously, I let out a groan.

“Ugh, I don’t want to go back…”

Looking at those purple blossoms reminded me of someone with violet eyes.

Someone like my ex-fiancé…

“Why don’t you want to?”

“Kyaaa!”

Suddenly, someone asked me a question out of nowhere, and I screamed, startled to the point of fainting.

And the person who had thrown that question at me was none other than…

‘Terence?!’

Why the heck is this guy popping up here again?!

Wasn’t he having a grand time with the noble ladies?

I couldn’t possibly say, “Because it’s awkward seeing you again.”

So I scraped together the safest answer I could.

“It’s just been a while since I attended a social event, so I felt a bit awkward.”

“Your Highness?”

Terence opened his eyes wide in genuine surprise.

“Why that expression?”

“Well, Your Highness used to enjoy social events, didn’t you?”

Terence offered a troubled smile.

Well, calling it “enjoying social events” was a generous way of putting it.

What he really meant was probably something like, “You used to party recklessly day and night”…

With a sulky face, I corrected the way Terence addressed me.

“First of all, I’m not a princess anymore, I’m Administrative Officer Astrid.”

Then I lightly shrugged my shoulders.

“People don’t always stay the same, right? Tastes, preferences, hobbies. People change.”

“Of course, that’s true, but…”

Terence still had a doubtful expression.

‘Still, can a person really change this drastically overnight?’

That’s exactly what his expression seemed to say.

‘Ah, whatever, forget it.’

If he doesn’t want to believe it, then don’t.

I turned my head sharply away.

Then Terence gently changed the subject.

“By the way, may I ask why you joined the Azure Dawn Knights?”

Sigh. This question again?

I’ve heard it so many times, it’s starting to get old…

“To serve my country.”

I replied without batting an eye, and Terence ended up with a sour look on his face.

“Is that so?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

After answering, I shot Terence a sideways glance, eyes burning and lips slightly pursed in a pout.

Because I could pretty much guess what question Terence was struggling to hold back, unable to say out loud.

‘Didn’t you join just to chase after Giscard?’

…He was probably about to ask that.

“Don’t you know what noblesse oblige is?”

So I cut him off in a disinterested tone.

Noblesse oblige.

Joining the struggling Azure Dawn Knights, solving their hardships, and working together from the bottom up.

Also, breathing new life into the reputation of Cassia, who had hit rock bottom—

It was the most effective plan,

And a ready-made excuse for moments like this.

Meanwhile, Terence quietly mulled over my words.

“Noblesse oblige… I see.”

Then he slowly nodded.

“Now that you mention it, it does seem like Administrative Officer Astrid has significantly improved life within the Azure Dawn Knights.”

Huh?

At that unexpected response, I was startled and wide-eyed like a rabbit.

‘He believed it that easily?’

I was sure he’d give me a suspicious look and say, “What’s that troublemaker up to now?”

Wait, maybe not.

Perhaps he never cared what I was doing with my life in the first place?

At the same time, Terence looked at me curiously.

“Why are you so surprised? I may look like this, but I’m also an officer under the Central Command, you know.”

“I mean, I know that, but still…”

“How Administrative Officer Astrid handles her duties is something even our Central Command is paying quite a bit of attention to.”

Terence shrugged his shoulders and then added playfully.

“After all, Your Highness is the first…”

The corners of his mouth lifted refreshingly.

Like a dandelion seed blown by the wind.

It was quite a soft smile.

“The first direct imperial royal to enlist in the harsh terrain of the Northern Command.”

There it is again.

That gaze filled with goodwill—violet eyes recognizing my effort and dedication,

Looking at me with admiration.

Somehow, deep inside, it tickled my heart.

Like a dandelion seed softly landing.

That ticklish feeling… feels so unfamiliar.