Chapter 78

#078 The Knight's Honor and the Romance of Middle Age (2)

“I am about to leave His Highness, the Duke of Heathcliff.”

Hm.

“Catherine, you know I love you.”

“Yes, that’s why we can’t be together.”

Huh?

“I don’t understand. Our hearts are one.”

“That’s good. I’ll be able to feel His Highness’s warmth wherever I am.”

“What is this supposed to mean?”

I muttered.

This week’s installment of the hottest topic in Riester, 'Reason and Sensibility and Divinity,' ended there.

I slowly closed the June 1st issue of <Biweekly Riester>.

Due to the limited supply of magazines in the summer palace, I only got to read the latest issue after returning to the capital.

However, Heathcliff still hadn’t properly secured Catherine. What a loser.

“Have you both finished reading? I cried when I saw the last line...”

Sant sniffled from the opposite sofa.

Over the past week, I had observed that Sant was an 18-year-old with abundant sensitivity and tears.

I was worried that he might have been hurt from the hardships he had endured, but after receiving apologies from two of the three Holy Knights and a statement of regret from the other, he had become much brighter.

He often initiated conversations with Crystal and me, just like now.

“The best thing about being in the Empire is being able to read 'Reason and Sensibility and Divinity' in real-time.”

“You’re a fan.”

Crystal muttered from beside me. I pretended not to hear and smiled.

As someone who had been reading <Biweekly Riester> since the first day of my reincarnation, I couldn’t really fault her reaction.

The magazine featured not only the latest news from the imperial social scene but also various contributions, interviews, and lavish illustrations, including serialized novels like this one.

Reading back issues could easily consume an entire day, making it the Empire’s equivalent of Netflix.

I had heard that 'Reason and Sensibility and Divinity' was a hot topic even among commoners who rarely had access to such publications.

“The main characters don’t talk enough.”

“I thought the same thing! It’s driving me crazy. I want to grab Heathcliff by the collar.”

I nodded in agreement as Crystal expressed her thoughts on the latest chapter.

Sant looked at us with a slightly aggrieved expression.

“Still! Since the Duke of Heathcliff saw Jane insult Catherine, I believe they will resolve things in the next chapter!”

Can you really call that an insult? She was just stating facts.

But in a way, it could be seen as a defamation of honor.

I sipped the moringa tea that Bengamin handed me, nodding slowly.

The clear taste, similar to green tea, gently enveloped my mouth.

Crystal grumbled, “It would be better if Jane and Catherine just dated.”

'Reason and Sensibility and Divinity' is a love story about the Duke of Heathcliff, who is caught between his political companion, Lady Jane, and his religious companion, Priestess Catherine.

While he is still engaged to Jane, he has become mentally one with Catherine through a sacred covenant. Recently, Jane, who has learned of the romantic feelings between them, has demanded a breakup.

Catherine tells her, “You are a commoner and cannot satisfy the Duke’s political needs. If you don’t focus solely on his religious cultivation, please leave.”

Her calm demeanor was truly fitting for a character who embodies 'Reason.'

The story, though a common love triangle, was engaging due to the author’s skill.

Before my reincarnation, I hadn’t read 'The Duke of Retreat' even though my brother had promoted it so much. It was a bit amusing to find myself keeping up with romance novels here.

“I hope a Holy Knight appears in the next installment.”

Sir Johann Haines, who had been listening quietly, said.

He had been engrossed in paper folding for the past hour.

“A story about a Holy Knight captivated by a priest’s ether and the priest who falls in love with such a Holy Knight sold well in the Holy Kingdom. Of course, 'The Duke of Retreat' has its own charm.”

When I asked what 'The Duke of Retreat' was, it turned out to be 'Reason and Sensibility and Divinity.' They sure have a way of abbreviating things.

“Wow, teacher. You’re really good at paper folding.”

Crystal marveled at his handiwork.

Haines smiled gently and handed her the finished product.

It was the 'Tyrant Dragon' we had captured during the 'Great Beast Purge,' a T-rex.

“Try moving your hands more diligently, Lady. For a Holy Knight, imagination is as important as ether. You need to be able to quickly visualize various shapes and forms in your mind to maintain your sense in real combat.”

Crystal nodded at his explanation and began to fold her colored paper.

She had been struggling with basic folds, but this time she seemed determined to try something different.

Since I started observing the two main characters’ lessons, there had been significant changes in Haines’ educational approach.

The number of sparring sessions had definitely decreased.

Instead, special ether circulation techniques for Holy Knights and meditation time were introduced, and activities to enhance imagination, like today’s, were added.

Crystal had suggested going to the opera, but my outings were restricted, so that idea was scrapped.

We could just go as a group.

“Prince, the next issue will feature an interview with the author of 'The Duke of Retreat.'”

As he handed a sheet of colored paper to Demi, who had climbed onto my lap, Sant said excitedly.

“The author will also answer questions selected from readers. I’m so excited!”

“That’s interesting. Do you think most readers will side with Lady Jane?”

“Oh, Prince...”

Actually, I’m on Jane’s side too. I smiled wryly and started paper folding.

Today, Prince Cedric had a schedule, so we were spending time together.

The imperial capital, after the heat wave, had a pleasant climate similar to spring and autumn, allowing us to maintain a refreshing condition both indoors and outdoors.

In the morning, I had a short lesson with Cardinal Boutier.

I was told that it wasn’t yet time for the sanctuary to evolve.

“Prince, you must hatch from the egg.”

This isn’t an egg or <Demian>. It was a teaching that was just out of reach.

-Knock knock

“Come in.”

At that moment, someone knocked on the door of the reception room.

Looking up, I saw a pale Ganel, who rushed into the room.

“Why are you so flustered, Ganel? What happened?”

“Your Highness, the Prince... Huh.”

He seemed to have run from far away, as sweat beaded on his forehead.

Bengamin handed him a handkerchief. Could the Prince have been injured?

“Thank you. The Prince has challenged the young Duke of Blanquer to a duel. The entire palace is in an uproar!”

“What...?”

I was taken aback. It had been quiet for a while, and I didn’t understand what was causing this commotion.

“According to the servants of the Romero Palace, it’s because of the ‘insult to a guest of the royal family’...”

Guest? I quietly retraced the Prince’s logic.

Clearly, the responsibility for the Juliette Palace lay with the owner of the Romero Palace, not me.

But it wasn’t unreasonable for me, staying here, to be considered a guest of the Prince.

Whatever the young Duke said, it didn’t matter much to me, but the Prince’s intervention was surprising.

I felt a bit grateful. Was it okay to feel grateful?

“His Highness is a good student. Teach him one thing, and he understands ten.”

Crystal smiled proudly. It seemed there was something only the two of them knew. Wait a minute.

“Isn’t Blanquer the main house of the Chancellor?”

I asked urgently.

If my memory served me right, Alexandre, the Chancellor, was the eldest son of the prestigious Blanquer Duke’s family.

Bengamin replied with a troubled look.

“Yes, Prince. The current Duke of Blanquer is the Chancellor’s younger brother. The young Duke of Blanquer is the Duke’s son and a cousin to the Prince.”

No... What if he fights with a relative?

*

“The fact that he challenged his cousin to a duel on the day the House of Lords convenes, your heir is quite hot-headed.”

“...”

“It seems he has become quite close to the Prince. I’m glad.”

Aurelia Boutier sipped her coffee gently.

Cedric Riester didn’t touch his coffee, only listening to her.

He didn’t regret throwing the gauntlet.

It was a result of his actions as a knight, not just a prince.

Anyone in his position would have done the same.

Elisabeth, who was present, couldn’t hide her anger, and the nobles trying to dissuade the young Duke also seemed to expect this outcome.

However, he couldn’t avoid the audience with the Grand Mother.

“Your investiture ceremony will proceed as planned at the House of Lords. Don’t worry.”

The Prince nodded slightly.

Just before the advisory meeting of the Riester nobility, a minor commotion had occurred in the imperial palace due to the standoff between him and the young Duke of Blanquer.

Fortunately, the schedule was postponed to this evening instead of another day.

Elisabeth had been unusually talkative a moment ago, hoping her friend wouldn’t be nervous before the meeting with the House of Lords.

The Riester throne was secure, and no one doubted the Prince’s legitimacy.

His investiture as Crown Prince was a mere formality for the House of Lords.

Cedric had been playing the role of the 'perfect prince' since he was very young.

But such efforts didn’t alleviate the burden he felt.

Aurelia quietly observed the young man, who was just 24.

“Blanquer’s young Duke isn’t compatible with you, is he? Will you be alright?”

Her voice was tinged with concern.

Robert Blanquer, while often called a troublemaker in social circles, was an excellent mage.

He was one level higher than Cedric, a 7th-grade mage, and the Prince was at a disadvantage in terms of elemental affinity.

It was natural for him to prioritize the pure ether he received from the priest over the fire elemental ether the Holy Sword supplemented.

“Have you not transformed into ‘Saidi’ since then?”

The Prince’s brow furrowed slightly at the meaningful question.

Only one person called his younger self 'Saidi.' But just now...

“I also knew about the misunderstanding you had. You’re a very interesting child. Has it been resolved now?”

The Prince remained silent.

Since the 'Victory Banquet,' the person in question had been pretending not to know, so the misunderstanding was essentially unresolved.

He decided to focus on conveying the necessary information.

“I conducted an experiment where I deliberately depleted my ether and then separated myself from the Holy Sword.”

“Hmm.”

“I transformed into a child.”

“Oh my.”

The Cardinal’s beige eyes widened.

She thought for a moment, then tilted her head at him.

“So, you can now transform into a child at will. You don’t shrink when you hold the Holy Sword. Is that right?”

The Prince silently sipped his black coffee.

He hadn’t thought about it that way.

But considering the potential value of that form, it was hard to refute.