TDSFE 40

chapter 40

2021.06.19

Tesia cleared her throat.

“We can’t stop them from supporting us from behind, can we? Hart is also a Valkyrie member, so if he can help, it’s better that he does. Right, Alex?”

“Uh…”

Alex glanced at Tesia and Rowenhart alternately with a troubled expression. The kiss scene he had witnessed publicly not long ago flashed through his mind. He also thought about the pink romantic signals blossoming between Tesia and Rowenhart, and about his own fate of having to watch it unfold. For example, Tesia and Alex working comfortably in the office when Rowenhart shows up, showering them with sweet dialogue and confirming their affection for each other.

“Ugh…”

Alex let out a short sigh. A grim premonition told him that such things would happen frequently in the future. He had never seen Tesia waver like that. The cold, decisive commander he knew suddenly seemed so enamored of love that it was almost absurd.

“If the commander says that’s the right decision, then it must be so,” Alex muttered.

Anyway, Rowenhart’s participation was decided.

At that moment, the person feeling the greatest sense of crisis was Redford. It was because a message had arrived from the Emperor.

[I want Tesia to announce her engagement to Prince Rowenhart. That girl always makes firm decisions. This time will be no different. I wonder how long I can oppose her will. What do you think, Young Marquis Redford?]

The tone clearly seemed to probe Redford. It was obvious that the Emperor, unable to solve this on his own, intended to use Redford to prevent Tesia’s early engagement. The Emperor had a nasty habit of letting others handle things that might earn Tesia’s dislike. Redford knew this sly habit of the Emperor very well. He had already experienced it.

In the past, before he went abroad to study, Tesia had said she wanted to join the knights. At that time, the Emperor did not want his precious, beautiful sister to suffer as a member of the knight order. He wanted her to live as a sheltered flower in a greenhouse, enjoying only the good and beautiful things—something utterly unsuitable for Tesia. Redford opposed the Emperor’s opinion, but the Emperor pressed him, hoping Redford would persuade Tesia. Knowing Tesia wouldn’t listen to the Emperor, he tried to use Redford as leverage, exploiting his feelings.

“Don’t you like Tesia? The knight order has mostly men. Even in the Valkyrie order, would that be okay for you?”

He never forced Redford outright but constantly reminded him of the disadvantages. Redford almost made the wrong choice, risking Tesia’s wrath on the Emperor’s behalf. It was Eldora who restrained him.

“How can you claim to like Tesia with such a narrow mind? She’s like a divine steed ridden by the Valkyrie knights. How could you ever hold on to someone like her? Redford, with that mindset, just go away.”

Eldora, even then, had been as bold and outspoken as she is now. Thanks to her advice, Redford was able to support what Tesia wanted to do. The Emperor liked to manipulate those around him, and this time, he tried the same trick on Redford.

“Despicable…”

Redford ground his teeth. Yet, the Emperor’s information was useful. The other candidates for engagement were practically irrelevant. Redford didn’t even consider them. The Emperor had truly picked them by appearance, and they were all empty-headed fools. Tesia wouldn’t give them a second glance. The only proper pick by the Emperor was Rowenhart, who had subtly and smoothly ingratiated himself with Tesia. He had become part of her daily life and concerns—something Redford had failed to achieve despite all his efforts.

The letter crumpled in Redford’s hand, and he trembled. Was this what it meant when a rolling stone dislodges another? His mind spun. Moreover, the recent series of disappearances had prompted requests for cooperation from the Umberto family, who had traditionally studied magical formulas and sigils. Redford had inherited that work. Thanks to years of research, the Umbertos possessed numerous magical formulas that could be used in such criminal cases. A junior member of the Umberto family would handle this matter because Redford was already busy with his current duties and heir training.

But just being busy didn’t allow him to neglect the work he had dedicated his life to since childhood. No matter what anyone said, Tesia was Redford’s one and only love. He had persevered with the desire to remain by her side for life. If he confessed, he might even lose his place as her friend. Yet, he couldn’t afford to lose her so easily. He had never fully devoted himself to her, waiting patiently because he respected her decisions. But now, a foreboding sense that it might already be too late crept over him. Redford bit his lip tightly.

Tesia hummed a tune. The spirit of the Estonian people was alive! There was a reason she was in such high spirits. She had requested cooperation from various parties regarding the current matter, and most noble families, including the Umbertos, responded to the Valkyrie Knights’ request. They had stepped forward for the sake of the Estonian Empire. Of course, some surely had ulterior motives, but Tesia chose to think positively.

“Besides, Redford is helping too!”

Tesia and Alex discussed the possibility of an infiltrator within the knights. Yet, finding a spy in the closely-knit Valkyrie Knights was difficult. The knights trusted each other deeply, so suspicion rarely arose. A fresh perspective was needed, and Tesia thought Redford was a suitable candidate. That was why she had come out to meet him at the designated time.

“Didi!”

“Tesia.”

Redford smiled gently. Tesia, waving her hand like sunshine, hadn’t changed a bit since childhood. She still had the same brightness and charm. Redford’s chest tightened painfully. He stepped toward her.

“You were out here?”

“I knew you were coming. I had some private matters to discuss.”

“Private? What is it?”

Tesia looked around and pulled Redford along. This wasn’t something to be done in public. She led him into an empty room, usually used for meetings. Redford perched on a desk while Tesia paced in front of him.

“…Didi. You’re always on my side, right? You won’t betray me?”

“Having to ask me that… Tesia, it’s hurtful. You think I can’t give you more trust?”

“No. I just felt I should check one more time.”

Tesia’s green eyes darkened. Her trust in the Valkyrie Knights was strong—they were comrades who had fought together and could watch each other’s backs. They had risked their lives protecting the Estonian people. She didn’t want to believe that some had diverted their focus elsewhere. New knights joined with aspirations and intentions too. Tesia believed their hearts were no less devoted than their predecessors. Her heart weighed heavily.

“What’s the matter, Tesia? If there’s anything I can do to help, I’ll do it.”

Tesia looked at Redford, her voice subdued but firm.

“I think there’s a spy among the Valkyrie Knights. When checking the routes of the abducted people, they struck when the knights were away. But patrol schedules were issued only to the knights.”

“…So it seems the information leaked outside.”

“Yes.”

Tesia gritted her teeth. It was humiliating—having such a person within her knights and having to confide in Redford felt like ripping out her own flesh. She sighed deeply.

“I love the Valkyrie Knights. But I can’t let the rotten parts fester and corrupt others, Redford. Of course, your magical formulas will help us greatly. But first, I want you to help find the spy.”

Redford regarded her with a complex expression. Tesia’s pressed lips reflected both anger and determination. She wasn’t throwing tantrums, but she was clearly upset and saddened. Redford spoke in a calm voice.

“So, Tesia… does that mean I can include Prince Rowenhart and you in the search scope?”

Tesia’s cheeks flushed and then turned pale. She understood what Redford meant. She knew she wasn’t herself, yet her inadvertent mistake might have given someone an opportunity. Nothing in the world is perfect. And as Redford said, Rowenhart also fell under that scope; he was a Valkyrie member who could access patrol schedules. Tesia hesitated, then nodded firmly. This was not something she could refuse.

“As long as we can somehow solve this, it’s the right thing to do.”