Chapter 12. I Don’t Want to Ride a Horse with You

William’s soft voice could be heard through the door.

“I have to attend an audience with the King tomorrow. I’m asking you to secure the residence while I’m away.”

“Even the King seems to have a sense of remorse. He only calls upon you whenever I come to you for my nightmares that have lasted for seven years.”

At Carlix’s sarcastic remarks, William’s sigh was heard.

“Please show your loyalty externally. Do not increase your enemies, even for your own family.”

“It is better to have a pragmatic relationship of giving and receiving benefits than a fake loyalty relationship. After my father was murdered, I had long since abandoned allegiance to the King. I just want to protect my country and my territory. It was my father’s pride and belief, and it was also our family’s mission.”

Carlix suppressed his anger, chewing on each word as if he were swallowing it.

“I still have nightmares of that day every night. I vividly face the sight of my father being attacked by monsters. If the royal family had dealt with it properly, my father wouldn’t have died! He gave everything to the country. However, the King was just an incompetent king who could not even save his loyal servants. How could I swear true loyalty to such a king?”

I remember seeing it in the original. The tragedy of the royal banquet hall 7 years ago. There, it was recorded that the First Crown Prince and high-ranking nobles were killed by demons.

It was said that Carlix’s father also died on the spot.

Surprised by Carlix’s anger and bitter voice, I peered through the cracks in the door.

Is that why he was suffering so much? If it was because of the demons, at least it’s not his fault.

William looked at his friend with compassionate eyes. I only saw Carlix’s back.

His broad back, immersed in darkness, was in danger as if it were about to collapse at any moment.

Bloody bitterness, pain, and unending sorrow came from his shoulder, which was shaking as he tried to control his rough breath.

As William calmly placed his hand on Carlix’s forehead, a soft light came out.

“Carlix, you are still suffering from nightmares. When the hell do you sleep? I thought it was fine for a while, but why didn’t you call me?”

“After returning from the northern border, I was busy with the dukedom’s management. You are also busy going back and forth between the library and the palace.”

“Don’t think that abusing yourself is atonement.”

“William, you have a lot to say.”

Could it be that the reason for his bad personality was lack of sleep? As it turns out, people need a good night’s sleep to have good skin and a good personality.

That’s not what I’m talking about in this case.

The soft light from William’s hand faded.

“I’m sure you won’t have nightmares with this for a while. Consider it a reward for her treatment and protecting her until I come back from the palace.”

I held my breath and listened to William’s polite request.

“What the hell is that librarian for you?”

Carlix asked in a sharp tone.

“I… I’m a sinner to her, where I must atone for the rest of my life.”

William muttered lowly, as if he were confessing to God his deepest sin.

Sin? Why does he have to atone for Erika?

Carlix looked puzzled, but William just smiled bitterly.

After being silent for a while, they soon began to prepare to get up.

Leaving behind their conversation that left only many questions unanswered, I cautiously returned to my room.

When I opened the door, through the window in the thick darkness, the royal palace was shining in the distance.

A magnificent white palace that looks down on everyone from the highest point.

That beautiful building must have stood firmly for hundreds of years, with torches lit throughout the walls.

How many people have fallen to protect that light? Carlix’s father…

Looking at the everlasting splendor, I fell into a troubled sleep.

~*~

“Erika, good morning”.

On the third day of staying at the official residence, I left the room after a long time, enjoying the afternoon sun.

Sir Lloyd of the Shadow Knights greeted with a pleasant smile.

Sir Lloyd was a knight in his early 30s with dark brown hair, but with a flirtatious temperament.

He was also an outgoing person, so I felt like he was a senior at a school who I knew well even though I only saw him for a few days.

“Sir Lloyd is on guard again today. You’re working hard.”

I tried to escape him quickly with a smile, but Lloyd blocked me first.

“You’re wearing a uniform. Are you going to work? I understand that the Royal Library is closed now.”

“It’s hard to stay at my official residence. I’m going to go to the library to check my work in advance. I got permission from the director.”

Sir Lloyd smiled with his eyes as if he knew everything.

“Hmm. Erika, is that all you need to do? Don’t you have a big appointment for lunch today?”

“Appointment?”

I pretended not to know, but Lloyd did not back down.

“What’s wrong with you? Gilbert is already coming this way with the Duke and the little prince. You made an appointment for lunch today, didn’t you?”

In fact, I got a letter from Michael yesterday.

It was a desperate but polite letter about how he wanted to treat me to a meal first to repay the kindness for saving him in the carriage accident.

It was surprisingly mature and beautiful to see for a 10-year-old boy’s handwriting.

I replied that I would go because I was frustrated to stay at my official residence.

“Well, I, Lloyd, will risk my life to serve us safely.”

Lloyd clenched his fist and spoke vigorously, saluting near his heart.

I quickly waved my hand.

“I’m just going to eat lunch, don’t overdo it. ”

Lloyd didn’t pretend to hear it and continued his speech solemnly like a knight in front of the enemy.

“I can’t believe Duke Reinhardt is having lunch with the Lady.”

“I knew the Archduke was not sociable. So why?”

When I asked in a worried tone, Sir Lloyd’s eyes welled up as if he had waited for that question.

He’s really expressive for a knight, he would do quite well as an actor.

Pls read only at pink muffin tl.

“I have been with the Grand Duke since his first participation in the war at the age of 18. He spent his youth defeating monsters and enemy forces, and processing the documents like a machine. When I see the Archduke who is so focused on his work without being able to have a passionate relationship, I feel apologetic and painful as a subordinate.”

Ah, the real workaholic life. Wasting that nice, perfect look.

I nodded vigorously.

“It is truly regrettable that the Archduke never had any relationship with a lady once. Do not worry. Before long, a fateful opponent will appear in front of the Archduke…”

I was going to give a hint that he was going to meet the heroine, Priscia, but Lloyd cut my words off with his thrilled face.

“I believe that that lady is Miss Diel!”

“What?”

I panicked and opened my eyes wide.

“No, I think you’re making a big mistake, it’s not…”

I tried to explain, but Lloyd was already absorbed in his own world.

“I saw clearly at the scene of the carriage accident. The scene in which the Archduke cherishes Miss Erika was touching. How romantic was our Archduke!”

It seems that during the carriage accident, Carlix moved Michael first,and then picked me up and dropped me off in a safe place. I didn’t even remember it because it happened so quickly.

“It was a rescue operation. Anyone would have done it in that situation.”

“The Archduke is the one who does not hold a lady’s hand under any circumstances. Normally, he would have made us do it.”

He’s a very picky guy. Not a pure man.

Lloyd looked around for a moment and lowered his voice. He seemed afraid that Carlix might appear anyway.

“From childhood, the Grand Duke entered the royal palace as a companion to the Crown Prince. At that time, it is said that the ladies of the royal palace loved the Archduke excessively. Since then, I have been told by Director William that he despises meeting with a lady or socializing.”

“Oh, there was a story like that. He must’ve been cute.”

“This is my guess, but…perhaps…”

Lloyd and I put our heads together and got into serious talk.

I really missed seeing Carlix when he was a boy.

He’s a cold-blooded ferocious man now, but he must have been as lovely as Michael when he was a boy, right?

I smiled slightly as I imagined a child Carlix. Then, suddenly, a flash of light came to an end, and the long blade stopped in front of Lloyd’s neck.

“Hey, Grand Duke!”

“Lloyd, did I tell you to protect the official residence or for you to chat with a librarian?”

Carlix, in a pure white uniform, was staring at him with a steady expression of anger.

His black hair and a pure white uniform that slightly exposed his muscular body under the sun made him look like a noble prince of a foreign country.

Lloyd immediately moved away from me and fell to the ground, bowing his head.

“Sorry, Grand Duke. I have committed a great sin. This sin with my life…”

“Wait, you are wrong!”

When Sir Lloyd scrambled to save his life, I cried out in urgency.

“I just had a brief conversation with Sir Lloyd. He was only treating me nicely. The sword is a bit harsh, Grand Duke.”

“Erika, why are you always like that to me? It is quite unpleasant.”

“What are you talking about?”

Carlix put away his sword and looked down at me with an expressionless face.

“You are kind to everyone except me. I am the only one who actually protects and helps you.”

I was embarrassed by Carlix’s words that my ears became hot.

Despite that, I activated my office worker mode and spoke.

“I am always grateful to the Archduke for publicly protecting and helping me as a librarian of the Royal Library.”

As I finished my words, I raised the corners of my lips and smiled as kindly as possible, until the corners of my mouth twitched.

“That attitude is not bad.”

Perhaps he liked it since Carlix’s eyes softened.

“Then let’s leave before it’s too late. Michael is already waiting in the restaurant.”

Carlix turned his body and walked. Of course, there was no carriage that was supposed to be there.

“There you are, Grand Duke. Where is my carriage?”

“Why do you need a carriage? You can ride a horse with me.”

“Are you serious?”

Carlix looked at me with a look on his face as to why I was asking such a pathetic question.

Oh my, my head. My back is also very sore.

Are you going to ride a friendly horse across the capital with the Archduke of the North to a restaurant in the downtown area?

Carlix urged me to get on the horse quickly with a face asking what was the problem. Only Lloyd understood my frustration.

Lloyd had been pleading with a serious expression.

“Miss Erika. You must not ride that horse.”

“Then what else can she do?”

One pushes, the other blocks. What will happen now?