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Chapter 25
At long last, after an entire week, welcome news arrived at the Princess Palace.
Though, to be honest, the one who delivered the news—Killian—was even more welcome.
If the little prince had his fox in The Little Prince, then I had Killian. And I was already completely tamed by him. Just like the update notifications I used to set for web novels in my previous life, I started feeling happy an hour before Killian even arrived.
While Killian went to change into his training clothes for our sword lesson, I opened Count Tolki’s letter.
As expected, his letter—overflowing with excitement—contained his acceptance.
“Yes!”
I’d read the details carefully later when I was alone. I hurried off to change as well.
Today was a special day.
Today, I was giving Killian his very first sword.
For some reason, it made me feel strangely solemn.
Unfortunately, Adele couldn’t come. She had seemed to be getting better, but apparently she’d come down with a fever.
And because of the five-page letter Marquis Lewendif had sent me, my eyes had nearly fallen out reading it. He was exactly the type of person who looked like he’d enjoy setting impossible exam questions.
I thought Killian would already be waiting at the training grounds.
Instead, he was standing outside my room.
“Tia.”
“Killian? You should’ve gone ahead. If I’d known you were waiting, I’d have come out sooner.”
“It’s okay.”
He smiled.
Oh no.
That nose scrunch.
At this rate I was going to get another nosebleed.
I clamped my nose shut with my fist.
“Tia? What’s wrong? Are you okay? Wait… do I smell?”
“No! No! What are you talking about? Even if you did, it’d smell wonderful.”
“…Huh?”
Killian’s eyes began to tremble.
No! No!
Sure, I was the kind of pe—no, not pervert—the kind of person who wanted to bottle even his sweat into perfume, but…!
“No, don’t misunderstand! I absolutely don’t mean you smell!”
“…Okay.”
“My nose was just itchy. Like I was about to sneeze.”
“…Really?”
“Of course, Killian. I don’t lie. Especially not to you.”
…
That was a lie too.
Suddenly, I realized how terribly I was treating Killian.
Bitterness filled my mouth.
Whether he noticed my guilt or not, he whispered quietly,
“I believe you, Tia.”
“…Yeah.”
“Then shall we go?”
Right.
I forced those thoughts aside and followed after him.
Sir Briven was practically glowing with excitement.
When I showed him the sword I’d received from Nyx, the excitement shining in his eyes was so obvious that Liz almost became jealous… of a sword.
“Princess, wherever did you find this blacksmith?”
“Just by chance? Hahaha. You should start using this forge too.”
“I certainly intend to. The blacksmith’s skill is extraordinary.”
When I handed him the sword and asked him to give it to Killian, Sir Briven immediately waved his hands.
“No, Princess. Absolutely not. You prepared this gift yourself, so you should present it to the young master personally. It’s far too fine a sword for me to hand over in your place.”
“Oh, come on. You were the one who asked me to prepare it. I don’t want to take credit for it. Just tell him it’s a gift from his teacher. He’ll probably train even harder that way.”
“No, I think he’ll work much harder if it comes from you.”
“He might even become a Sword Master on the spot…”
Sir Briven muttered.
In the end, we decided we’d all present the sword to Killian together.
That seemed the simplest way.
And today was that day.
Hehe.
Just imagining Killian’s face when he received it was enough to shatter all the worries and guilt that had been gnawing away at my mind.
Only for a little while, though.
After sword practice, I collapsed onto the floor of the training grounds to catch my breath.
Killian always trained a bit longer than I did.
A little while later, he walked over.
“Tia. The floor’s cold.”
“Hm?”
“Here. Sit on this.”
He took off the top of his training uniform and spread it across the ground.
He was only seven.
There was still a thin tunic underneath, of course…
But why was my face getting so hot?
Afraid my impure thoughts would show, I quickly looked away.
Unable to bring myself to sit on his clothes, I simply stood up instead.
“Tia?”
In the distance, Sir Briven was approaching with the sword box.
“Oh. I’m done resting.”
“…Is it really because I smell?”
There it was again.
Not lingering resentment…
Persistence.
“I told you, you don’t smell. I said you smell wonderful! Wonderful enough that I’d want to turn it into perfume!”
“…Perfume?”
“I mean you’re fragrant enough to make into perfume… Didn’t I already say that? Hahaha! Ah!”
There went my social dignity.
I heard Sir Briven calling me.
But I couldn’t turn around.
I couldn’t even imagine what kind of expression Killian was making.
I bolted.
Running as fast as I could back to the Princess Palace, I shouted at the stunned Liz.
“Liz! Liz! This is terrible! I just became a pervert!”
“…What?!”
“I have to hide! I’m taking a bath! It’s the only way!”
“…What?!”
“If Killian comes, don’t let him in! Got it?”
“…What?!”
Without waiting for Liz’s help, I rushed into the bathroom.
I stripped off my clothes and jumped straight into the tub full of warm water.
Perfume made from sweat…
How could I have said something so unbelievably creepy?
Killian must hate me now.
He already knew I wasn’t exactly refined…
But I’d managed to hide my perverted side until now.
And of all days…
The day I was giving him his sword.
This was the worst.
Seriously, Celestia, you’re hopeless.
I dunked my head underwater, watching bubbles rise as every single one carried another ounce of self-reproach.
“Princess? Oh my! Princess?! Aaah!”
After who knew how long, Liz’s muffled voice echoed from above the water.
Why was she screaming?
She was so noisy.
“What?”
I suddenly lifted my head.
Smack!
My seaweed-like wet hair slapped me straight across the face.
“Ow!”
Well…
That certainly woke me up.
“Are you alright, Princess? You scared me.”
“I was just holding my breath underwater.”
“Let me wash you. It’s time to get out.”
Perhaps sensing how dejected I was, Liz gently patted my shoulders with a soapy towel.
“Did Killian leave safely?”
“Ahaha… well…”
“He said he’s never coming back, didn’t he?”
“Ahaha… that’s…”
“Of course he did… sniff…”
“Ahaha… I don’t think…”
Liz trailed off as she quietly finished washing me.
After drying my hair and helping me get dressed, she said,
“Please wait here. I’ll bring you some warm tea.”
She left the room.
Not long afterward—
“Tia, I’m coming in.”
“…K-Killian?”
“Can I come in, Tia?”
That sneaky little troublemaker.
Liz had let him in anyway.
Trying not to sigh too obviously, I listened as Killian spoke.
“Did you run away because you were embarrassed to give it to me yourself?”
“Huh?”
“The gift. Thank you. I’m really happy.”
…I think there’s been a misunderstanding.
“My teacher told me. He said you personally went to the blacksmith and had the sword made.”
He couldn’t possibly have missed what I’d said earlier.
“You went that far for me. I’m really touched. I’ll train hard and become a wonderful knight.”
…No.
Maybe he really hadn’t understood what I meant.
“Tia?”
If that was the case…
Thank goodness.
I’ll just pretend nothing happened.
“No, Killian. I’m the one who’s happy I could give you a sword.”
“Actually… I have something for you too.”
“Huh? For me?”
I pointed at myself in surprise.
Chuckling softly, Killian nodded.
“Would you stand here? I learned this in a hurry, so I’m not sure if I’m doing it correctly.”
“U-Um…”
I had a bad feeling about this.
The kind that told me I shouldn’t accept whatever was about to happen.
Adele?
Adele!
Where are you?!
“The Empire’s brightest little star, Princess Celestia Mond.”
“…Killian. This…”
“You are the light that illuminates my path, the reason I cherish every day that I live.”
No.
This isn’t right.
“To you, the master of the sword I wield, I swear to devote all that I am until the very last day of my life.”
No.
You can’t say this to me.
His beautiful voice fell silent.
Never would I have imagined that the oath of a knight, spoken by a seven-year-old boy who wouldn’t even have started elementary school in my previous life, could weigh so heavily.
This wasn’t right.
I wasn’t worthy of it.
Being childhood friends would’ve been enough.
Killian lowered himself onto one knee.
Head bowed, he held out the sword containing my very soul with both hands.
Ah…
What am I supposed to do?
And yet…
Even now, seeing my favorite person offering a knight’s oath made me unbelievably happy.
Was I really so shameless?
No.
This wasn’t right.
Wrong was wrong.
I might have no shame.
But I hadn’t lost my reason.
“Killian.”
He raised his head.
Silvery hair cascaded gracefully as he looked up at me.
“I can’t accept your oath.”
“Tia?”
“Become a knight first… then swear it.”
“…Ah… Ah!”
I’m sorry for rejecting your oath with such a ridiculous excuse.
The person who truly deserves your loyalty…
Isn’t me.
I know that.
So how could I selfishly pretend not to?
How could I dare?
“Right. After I become a knight.”
“Then…”
“I’ll swear it again, Tia.”
Killian smiled so brightly it dazzled my eyes.
For some reason…
Today that smile felt like a sharp sword pointed straight at my heart.
