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~Chapter – 64~
“??”
Ethan’s voice erupted like fire as he glared at Samantha and Merrick, who were staring back at him with shameless expressions.
“I don’t know whose idea this was, but do not interfere with the affairs of the knight order. The whole purpose of this expedition is to maintain discipline while I’m busy handling the Holy Knights’ affairs. If I leave now, their focus will waver.”
Merrick’s face betrayed the struggle of figuring out how to break through his younger brother’s stubborn resolve. After a moment’s silence, he finally spoke.
“The full moon is drawing near. You and Lady Riden need more time together. Stop running off constantly.”
“…”
Samantha, who had been quietly listening, added her voice.
“That child has agreed to accompany you on the expedition for your sake, even though she is frail. This will be a better outcome for both you and her. Tell the knights to enjoy a leave of absence with proper rewards this time.”
“No.”
Ethan’s refusal was absolute, yet Samantha did not budge.
“Why should you oppose it when it’s the knights who are getting a leave of absence? I’ll be the one funding it.”
But Ethan was equally unyielding.
“I am the head of this house, Mother.”
“Yes, you are. The head of the family who avoids nearly all ducal affairs because you believe your days are numbered.”
“…”
“The only reason you’re diligent about the knight order is because it’s the one matter neither Merrick nor I know much about.”
Ethan pressed his lips into a thin line and refused to answer.
Samantha knew her words would wound her son, yet she pressed on mercilessly.
“Stop behaving like a condemned man counting the days until his execution. It’s insufferable to watch. Hard work deserves proper reward.”
“…Mother.”
When Ethan still refused to yield, Samantha snapped irritably.
“Instead of running off to train far away, why not use this opportunity to get closer to Riden at the ducal estate? Will you not? Fine, then your mother might just die!”
And so it had happened.
Ethan, lost in thought, rubbed a hand down his gaunt face before glancing toward the clustered knights.
They were huddled together with broad, foolish smiles, consumed with thoughts of the upcoming reward leave.
“…”
Shaking his head in dismay, he turned his eyes to the training grounds.
At least a handful of knights were still sparring—that offered some consolation.
I’ve worked too hard to see this order fall apart…
Just then, a crowd gathered near the barracks bulletin board.
“Have you heard?”
“They say the reason our expedition was canceled and replaced with leave is because of the Duke’s future bride.”
“Is that true?”
“Of course it is. The Duchess even offered a reward.”
“What reward?”
The knight pointed to a large notice posted on the board.
“This one!”
[During Lady Riden McCurry’s stay at the ducal mansion, any knight or staff member whose name she mentions ‘for good reason’ will receive a special reward. There is no limit to how many times this can occur. Please participate actively.]
Another knight quickly tore the notice down.
“The butler said this was supposed to be removed yesterday, but it was still up.”
A knight who had just learned the news asked in a shocked voice,
“Is this really true?”
“Of course. Just look at them.”
He pointed toward the knights who had been sparring since morning, stripped to the waist and glistening with sweat.
“They heard Lady Riden’s office was set up on the third floor of the annex, so they’ve been—wait, what?”
His words trailed off as every eye naturally shifted to the annex’s third-floor terrace.
There stood the young lady of McCurry, her platinum-blond hair gleaming like the midday moon.
She was speaking with one of the mansion’s maids, and the knights immediately knew: this was Lady Riden McCurry.
At that moment, the knights who had been sparring listlessly also caught sight of her. They gripped their wooden swords once more, their eyes burning with determination.
The two facing each other exchanged a look.
“Sebian! Receive my blade!”
“Hrah! Theo! You’re not even close, Theo!”
“That’s not true, Sebian!”
“No, you’re far from it, Theo!”
They began to shout each other’s names as fiercely as they swung their swords.
On the terrace, Riden turned her attention toward the commotion, visibly intrigued.
The other knights grew increasingly anxious.
“We have to go too!”
“Haah…”
From within the barracks, Ethan released a long, heavy sigh as he watched the spectacle.
Irritation prickled at him as his gaze shifted toward Riden.
There she was, her blue eyes sparkling as they watched the shirtless knights glisten in the sun.
Then her lips curved upward.
Oh no.
She quickly raised her hand to cover her mouth, flustered.
“Haah.”
A surge of frustration and discomfort welled up in Ethan’s chest. Surely it was the knights’ ridiculous antics that had provoked it.
By evening, the knights had gradually dispersed, and the training grounds were once again quiet.
After a brief absence, Riden returned to her office, retrieved a book from the shelf, and sat down at her desk.
The Secrets of the Sacred Touch: A Complete Compendium of Siraka’s Healing Arts
The temple archives yielded little, but perhaps…
She scanned the table of contents, her eyes immediately landing on Chapter 2.
[Chapter 2 – The Sacred Art of Diagnosis: Seeing Illness Through the Eyes of the Soul]
She read with interest, but gleaned little.
The text described how Siraka, blessed with the “eyes of the soul,” could diagnose illness simply by looking into someone’s eyes, but there was no mention of any ordinary human ever possessing such an ability.
Pass.
Hmm?
She was about to skip the next chapter when she noticed the pages were heavily marked with colorful ink stars.
Is this important?
Chapter 3 focused on healing techniques.
Apparently, even some of Siraka’s devout followers had successfully healed others using this method.
Riden’s eyes widened.
“Take the patient’s hand. Inhale deeply, then release the breath through the point of contact… Hmm.”
The instruction to hold hands reminded her of something the original Riden had once said.
Did she read this passage as well?
She had never tried it on Ethan because he had refused her at the time.
But whether it worked or not, there was no harm in attempting it.
As she sat there lost in thought, her gaze fixed on the page, a knock sounded at the door.
“Come in.”
The visitor who entered was an unfamiliar face.
“Good evening. I am Stanley Squat, the vice-captain of the knight order. It is an honor to finally meet you, my lady.”
He was a soft-featured man with brown hair and green eyes.
Startled, Riden rose instinctively.
“I asked Victoria, and she said it wasn’t time for dinner yet.”
“Ah, yes… but might you grant me the honor of dining with you? His Grace is also waiting.”
Ethan?
Riden hesitated for a moment, uncertain of his intent, before answering.
The long wooden tables in the barracks’ dining hall were already filled with knights eating their evening meal.
The sounds of tearing bread to dip in stew, mugs clinking together, and rough laughter filled the air.
Riden’s soft footsteps signaled her entrance.
The moment she peeked her head inside, the boisterous hall fell into sudden silence.
“…!”
A young knight who recognized her immediately leapt to his feet, prompting the others to stand like falling dominoes.
Riden swallowed nervously, her eyes darting.
Wasn’t I supposed to be dining only with Ethan and the vice-captain?
Had she known this was the situation, she would never have come!
Frozen in place and unable to say a word, she could only endure the tense silence.
One knight choked on a mouthful of bread, coughing violently, while Ethan—who clearly hadn’t expected her either—slammed his beer mug down in surprise.
Riden had expected him to say something, anything, but he only stared and blinked.
What is this!
Forcing a strained smile, she quickly said,
“Um, first… could someone give that knight some water?”
A cup of water was passed from hand to hand across the table until it reached the choking knight.
Red-faced, he downed it in one gulp, then bellowed so loudly the dining hall shook,
“Thank you, my lady!! I will treasure this water you have bestowed upon me!!”
Laughter erupted around the room, easing the tension and, finally, Riden’s nerves.
With a bright smile, she greeted them.
“Good evening. My name is Riden McCurry. I was told I was invited to join you for dinner tonight.”
She gave a graceful curtsy.
