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Chapter 55
“That… is a compliment?”
“Growing up too quickly isn’t good. For you, or for your mother.”
At his words, Andion tilted his head with a strange expression. He had tried to be as kind as possible, knowing from Karia’s behavior that she liked the count, but a sympathetic gaze wasn’t something he welcomed.
“Why not? I’ve always believed that a parent’s responsibility is to raise their child until they can take on their own share. If they can fulfill their duties quickly, wouldn’t that leave more time to focus on other things? Human time is limited, after all.”
“What do you mean by ‘human time’?”
Count Lowell clicked his tongue at the philosophical words coming out of a five-year-old’s mouth. What kind of book does a child that age read to speak like that?
He pressed his throbbing forehead and shook his head. This child had amassed such a vast knowledge yet seemed completely oblivious to human emotions.
“Raising a child isn’t a punishment. It’s not homework you get scolded for if it isn’t done on time. Even from how your child behaves in the dining room, you can see how much he cherishes you. Your mother seemed to enjoy the time she spent with you. If you grow up too fast, she might feel a bit disappointed.”
“Are you saying that if I pretend to be a child, Mother would be pleased?”
“You don’t need to pretend. You are already a child. Just… don’t always think about adult matters. Do what you want to do sometimes. Your mother doesn’t mind as much anymore.”
As the emperor’s niece and the daughter of a grand duke—now with a title of her own—how many people in this country could challenge her? This house was Karia’s castle. Everything inside it belonged to her.
She had the right to kick out any visitor she didn’t wish to meet. Just like now.
“The head of the royal knights seems to have nothing to do, huh? Why hasn’t he left yet?”
Karia arrived at the garden in attire that was suitably comfortable, neat, and yet elegant. Soon, the sparring match she had suggested would begin.
Seeing her frown in dissatisfaction, Alcard quickly avoided eye contact and hugged Alice tightly.
“Don’t knights need a mediator during sparring? I was waiting to act as the referee.”
“No one asked you to do that.”
“But look, Alice likes me. She’s holding onto me, saying not to leave. Right?”
“Alice never said that,” Alice said, tilting her head in confusion with her blue eyes wide. Alcard found her reaction adorable but at the same time a bit frustrating because of her honest answer.
Karia glared at the two bumblingly similar people with a dissatisfied expression, then let out a long sigh when she noticed the blue bruise on Alcard’s cheek.
All things considered, this incident had somewhat used him, and staying a bit longer wouldn’t hurt.
Seeing that Karia didn’t ask him to leave twice, Alcard chuckled in relief. At the same time, Higon and Noah appeared from opposite sides of the garden, clad in light armor made for easy movement—more like protective gear than full armor.
“Both seem ready.”
“Of course, Lady. I will dedicate victory to you.”
“-All as Your Highness wishes.”
They bowed to her, then stood in the center of the garden facing each other. Karia gestured to Alcard. He quickly set Alice down and stood between them, reciting the rules of the sparring match.
“Higon Alcestera, Noah Trantes, step forward. The winner of this sparring will determine the employment of Alcestera’s guard. Do not attack unprotected areas such as the neck, wrists, or ankles. Victory goes to the first to surrender or to the one whose upper-body part touches the ground first. Any objections?”
“Yes.”
“None.”
“Then draw your blades. Begin!”
Noah immediately swung his sword down over Higon’s head. The clash of steel rang sharply through the air. Higon stepped back to steady his stance, but Noah did not miss the opening and launched a relentless attack.
‘What is he doing?’
Despite pressing the attack, Noah felt a strange sense of discomfort. He had confidence in his skills, yet why could he not land a single strike?
Noah wasn’t even sparring at full strength. He intended to analyze Higon’s swordplay type and counterattack, but the other seemed to be holding back, as if deliberately letting him win.
The sparring became increasingly clumsy, and a voice laced with irritation finally interjected.
“Stop.”
Karia’s red eyes glinted sharply as she approached. Noah and Higon quickly stopped and Karia snatched the sword from Noah’s hands.
She then pointed the well-sharpened blade at Higon’s neck.
“Are you trying to play with me?”
With her icy tone, Higon immediately dropped to his knees. He didn’t flinch at the blade against his neck, only bowed his head quietly as if ready to endure her wrath.
“I’ve seen you guarding the princess, so I don’t think you’ve broken any bones. Yet you asked for the first chance and present this ridiculous sparring? Do you really mock me? Come to my home and toy with me?”
“No, Your Highness.”
“Or?”
“I am merely following your wishes… to lose, disgracefully.”
Higon raised his head with a complex expression, his face like a dog abandoned by its master. Karia let out a weary laugh.
“Do you not remember what you left me when you were to depart?”
“I remember vividly.”
“Do people so shamelessly claim to care for me? After staying with the princess, have you forgotten what decency is?”
Seeing the tension, Alcard backed away with Alice, puzzled at the situation. What kind of relationship do these two have to cause such a scene?
Karia had recently been more prone to anger, but openly showing it like this was new. Alcard was quite nervous.
However, the two paid no attention to others and continued their conversation in their own world.
“If you wish, strike my neck. I came prepared. Everyone here is yours, and I am merely a knight. Even if you execute me for shameful offenses, no one will know the truth.”
“Ha, are you testing my patience?”
“I am sincere. I have always been your knight, then and now.”
He remained still, bowing his head, as if waiting for judgment. Karia felt a fleeting urge to strike, but his crime wasn’t severe enough.
Suppressing her irritation, Karia returned the sword to Noah. She then gently held Higon’s chin, and as he obeyed, he lifted his head.
“Speak.”
“-Your Highness.”
“You seem to have an excuse. Speak. But it must be a valid reason, or I will punish you severely. You won’t be able to call yourself a knight to anyone ever again.”
A quiet fire burned in Karia’s eyes. Higon, seeing her absolute hostility, felt relieved. She was no longer weak enough to entrust her heart to just one person.
He was immensely pleased by this, though a part of his heart ached for reasons he didn’t understand.
‘It cannot be, Your Highness.’
That day, when the grand duke summoned him and ordered a transfer, Higon had opposed it. It was a clearly unreasonable order.
Originally, he belonged to the ‘Red Falcon’ knights of the grand duke’s household. But guarding the princess fell under the royal knights, not the grand duke. A knight isn’t an object. His refusal was justified.
‘Do people think Princess Karia and I are lovers? No one has ever imagined such a thing.’
‘But the princess seemed to think so.’
‘I’ve told you repeatedly, and yet you still don’t understand? The princess does not like the grand duke’s daughter. She… dislikes her. You only insist this nonsense because you saw the grand duke’s daughter at ease with me!’
For five years, guarding Karia, he remembered every person who troubled his mistress. There were few who could directly harm her because of her royal status, but those few were memorable.
Among them, Princess Servis had persistently picked fights with Karia since childhood, and the major incidents were too many to count.
‘Grand Duke, I may not be eloquent, but Princess Karia always smiles at my clumsy words. Please allow this small amusement for her sake.’
At that time, he was one of the few elements in Karia’s life that brought her happiness. Karia liked him for always initiating conversation and smiling, despite his blunt nature. He knew well how much of her life he occupied.
Of course, guarding the princess was an honor as a knight, but Higon could not leave Karia for such a trivial reason.
If he desired advancement, he could earn it through skill. He was her sole personal guard, so he trained himself relentlessly to be able to protect her at any moment.
