Chapter 21

When I arrived at the castle, I was immediately summoned by Lord Joshua.

Since Wilhelm had already been sent back to the castle with Kevin on horseback, Lord Joshua must have been informed.

I don’t want to make a big deal out of this, but as a knight, what happened is unacceptable, so some form of punishment is inevitable.

However, I don’t want him to be removed from the choir.

Kevin had already apologized profusely, and if Wilhelm were to leave, I would have to start all over again looking for someone to be the core of the choir.

I’ve heard that the tour is in the fall, so honestly, there’s no time left.

I might have been a bit too strict in my guidance, so I also bear some responsibility. I had to try to persuade him, so I went to the office, tense.

When I entered the room, I could tell Lord Joshua was taken aback.

I immediately bowed my head and apologized, saying, "I’m sorry for causing you worry."

"… I heard from Kevin. I should be the one to apologize. Wilhelm will be stripped of his knighthood and exiled from the territory. I’m sorry, Lady Arie."

"What? No, no way!!"

How can this be? He will even lose his status as a vassal.

While it’s understandable that he should return his knighthood, being expelled from his home is too much.

"My injury is nothing serious! Please don’t give such a harsh punishment!"

"Nothing serious? Your face is swollen. A woman’s face with such… You were thrown from a carriage! Your life was in danger."

"But I’m alive. Besides, the scars will eventually fade. They weren’t even permanent."

"It’s not about the scars. He is a bodyguard. Throwing the person he is supposed to protect is unforgivable. Moreover, you are a priestess. I heard that you ignored the rules of your status and were quite familiar with him. This laxity led to this mistake. It’s not proper for a knight!"

Lord Joshua’s expression changed.

His eyes were filled with intense anger.

I couldn’t meet his gaze and instinctively looked away.

Trying not to be overwhelmed by his presence, I struggled to respond calmly.

"The priestess position is a hereditary knighthood. There is almost no difference in status between him and me. I was the one who wanted to be familiar with him. If there was any laxity, I was also at fault. I wanted to ride on the driver’s seat and have him practice with me!"

"You are from a noble family. And you are a priestess entrusted to me by the central temple. Even if you act casually, Wilhelm should have maintained his self-discipline. If he can’t do that, he shouldn’t hold a knighthood. He should have been trained to do so."

Lord Joshua took a step forward, and I instinctively stepped back.

I realized again that he is a knight.

His presence is overwhelming.

But.

"Even so, he injured you. I’m truly sorry. His exile is the lighter punishment."

"Stop it! I also bear responsibility!"

"Why do you protect him so much?"

Lord Joshua’s eyes were more intense than before, glaring at me.

I didn’t want him to see my fear, so I instinctively looked down.

Ah, he is truly a knight.

And he is the lord of this territory. Even though he is young, he is accustomed to dominating others.

His usual slightly bewildered demeanor is completely different. I could only bow my head.

"During the journey to Gaine, you were quite close, I hear. Do you have special feelings for him?"

"I wanted him to be the core of the choir, so I trained him."

"Is that all?"

My cheeks heated up.

To ask such a thing.

We did exchange casual words, but I wasn’t serious about it.

"If that’s true, then his punishment cannot be changed. You are from a noble family. You are a young lady entrusted to me. I cannot overlook the misconduct of someone who disregards the rules of status."

Are you saying that?

My mind flared up.

The ones who violate the rules of status and ethics, and who demean the temple, are you and your kind!

I wanted to shout it out loud.

But if I let my anger take over and said such things, my pride would be hurt.

I don’t want to dwell on such things and abandon my mission.

"… He has no romantic feelings for me. It’s true that we are around the same age and it was easy to talk to him, so I felt close and wanted to bring him in. I might have led him to misunderstand. Wilhelm has already apologized to me on his knees, so the apology to me is complete."

My voice was trembling.

But I was struggling to suppress my anger and not be overwhelmed by my fear of him.

"I’ve heard that. But failing to perform his duties and being violent towards a woman are separate issues."

"The dismissal from knighthood is understandable. But exile from the territory is too harsh. Please have mercy."

"I’ve said it many times, but you are from a noble family. You are not just any priestess. You are a songstress who could have become a high priestess, a representative of this country. The sin of injuring such a person is severe."

The wound is already there.

An invisible, deep wound.

If it leaves a mark, it will definitely be that one.

You are the one who inflicted it.

Ironically, my lips curled up naturally.

"I am not a high priestess. That’s impossible."

The one chosen was Lady Alicia.

Not me.

To even think such a thing is presumptuous. It’s the mindset of someone who aims to usurp.

"Moreover, as a noble, I have already been given a severance payment and sent here. My status is just a name. I told Wilhelm this, which is why he felt comfortable."

I pleaded with my eyes closed.

"Please, for my sake, have mercy. If you expel him from the territory, his family will also suffer. I don’t have that much…."

I hesitated to use words that belittled myself, but I couldn’t find the right words.

"I don’t have the resolve to make someone I don’t know unhappy because of my own mistakes. I don’t have the value to be protected by my status. Wilhelm is remorseful. If he wishes to change here, allowing him to do so is the duty of a priestess who seeks the peace of the people. Please, give him a chance."

Lord Joshua was silent for a long time. I kept my head bowed during this time.

When I was told to raise my head and looked at Lord Joshua, he was looking at me with a bitter expression.

"… You are too lenient."

It’s no use.

Lord Joshua’s words were cruel.

But this is what a ruler is.

I felt as if I had taken a step into despair.

"But I also bear responsibility. I knew Wilhelm had a short temper and would act rashly, yet I assigned him as your bodyguard. My judgment was too lenient. I underestimated both his character and you."

I felt a glimmer of hope, but Lord Joshua looked very pained.

"This time only. I will revoke the exile from the territory."

Ah.

I felt a wave of relief and almost collapsed to my knees.

Lord Joshua quickly caught me.

"… Are you okay?"

Yes, I’m sorry.

This is the first time I’ve been so tense.

Unable to speak, I nodded, and Lord Joshua said in a low, restrained voice,

"Please don’t take such risks anymore, Lady Arie."

I don’t want to either.

But I couldn’t say it.

Still.

Men’s arms are so hard and thick?

I’m getting a bit flustered. Maybe I’m the one being improper.

When I sat next to Wilhelm, I didn’t notice at all, but being hit by such a large body, I would definitely be knocked over.

I guess I’m still naive.

This is how the confrontation with the demon king ended.