Chapter 71

Chapter 71

After that day, the knights of the 1st Division acknowledged Leasis’ talent and efforts. It was only possible thanks to her sincerity.

She was completely integrated into the division. There was no discrimination against her, and she was assigned on both important and small missions.

Having finished organizing some documents, Hizen let out a heavy sigh. Leasis was making him anxious because she had become very busy. He could not see her face and he did not even have a way to contact her, so it was frustrating.

Hizen had recently ordered a hundred roses from a famous flower shop in the capital, which caused him a new headache. He did not know where and when to have them delivered.

His long fingers tapped on the desk.

‘I have to find an opportunity to get out of the Imperial Palace with her.’

Tak tak. Max, who was sitting on the sofa, looked up at the sound. The Commander seemed to be losing his mind unexpectedly again.

Max was lost in thought. He had a hunch that there had been some progress in the relationship between the two. Then we need to accelerate things.

Max cleared his throat and opened his mouth.

“Commander-nim, Miss Leasis…”

“No. It’s not time yet.”

“Yes? What did you say?”

Surprised, Hizen spat out his innermost thoughts, and avoided looking at him embarrassingly. There seemed to be a mountain that could not be crossed even by the strongest knight on the continent. That was a painful ordeal of love.

Smiling softly, Max approached Hizen and handed him a document.

What is this? Max kindly said to Hizen, who asked with his eyes.

“Cooperation request to send to the 1st Division of Imperial Knights… Huh? He’s gone.”

Max laughed as he saw the Commander react like in a wartime situation. He leaned on the sofa and stretched himself.

Is early spring coming? A pink air seemed to float in the ownerless Commander’s office, so he hummed.

The shiny black shoes moved nonstop. He rushed to the 1st Division of Imperial Knights. Everyone was doubting their eyes at the sight of Hizen running to the point of losing his breath.

“Look over there. Count Dratius is running so fast…”

“What, there’s a war!”

“No. He wasn’t like that when we raided the enemy last year!”

What the hell is going on? The members of the Imperial Palace mumbled. The Count seemed to be in such a hurry that only cold blood would come out even with a needle![1]

While puzzling everyone, Hizen’s long legs stopped in front of the entrance of the 1st Division.

‘Here it is. I’m finally here…’

It was the first time they would meet after their first kiss. He did not want to be conscious, but he could not help it. Hizen swallowed his dry saliva nervously and arranged his messy hair with both hands.

However, he belatedly realized that he had left out the earring he had bought to look good to Leasis.

“Ah. This…”

The sound of his pain came out. It was troublesome, but he did not have to necessarily wear it when meeting her.

Hizen flinched as he looked alternately at the entrance of the 1st Division and the road toward the Imperial Elite Knights. It would take about ten minutes to go and come back.

But to see her ten minutes later…

“Count-nim!”

As he turned his head hurriedly, he saw a red-haired girl running from the other side. She was the woman he dreamed of, Leasis covered in dust after finishing her mission.

His blue eyes grew bigger and his face became happy as if he had the world. The corners of his mouth and his hands went up at the same time.

“Leasis! It… It’s been a while!”

Hizen Ben Dratius, you Schwalnon-like guy! Hizen, who stuttered with nervousness, spat out the worst swear words he knew.

Of course, Leasis did not care about anything like that. As always, she arrived in less than five seconds, circled around in front of him and shouted ‘Count-nim, it’s Count-nim!’

She had been tired from the overnight mission until just now, but the exhaustion disappeared completely. The action continued until Hizen patted her head.

She opened her mouth at the warm touch on her head. She felt like she was receiving an unexpected surprise gift. She wanted to ask a mountain of questions, but she brought out the one she was the most curious about.

“What’s going on? Are you here because you missed me?”

Hizen’s mouth tickled because he wanted to answer that it was correct. But it was impossible because of Karma and some other knights walking not too far from them.

These Schwalnon-like guys. Hizen spoke as usual, spitting curses inside.

“No. I have a letter to deliver.”

“Wow. Is there a letter to be delivered by Count-nim himself?”

“Yes.”

It must be some kind of confidential document! Leasis’ expression became interesting. Feeling guilty for some reason, Hizen turned his head with a fake cough.

Leasis reached out slightly and grabbed the hem of his black uniform.

“Will you have one tomorrow, too? I hope there will be one tomorrow.”

Schwalnon-like heart, get a hold of yourself. This is Leasis’ workplace. Hizen put his hand on his wild left chest and closed his eyes tightly.

He heard a sweet voice pouring honey into his ears.

“Tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow. I wish it was every day.”

Hizen could see Leasis smiling shyly as he slowly opened his eyes. He was in a great shock.

Crazy. I’m finally crazy. Was the wind in the Imperial Palace so sweet? Why do I like this gloomy weather so much? Even those trembling little things, including Karma, looked pretty.

But then, Leasis grabbed Hizen’s shoulder. Hizen flinched as if he had been burned by fire due to the unstoppable movement.

Why is she so powerful? His breath and heart trembled at the same time. Leasis looked up at him and said seriously.

“I wanted to ask you something before, Count-nim.”

“Tell me.”

His blue eyes became friendly. Encouraged, Leasis asked the question that had kept her awake during several nights.

“With whom was it?”

“With whom?… What do you mean?”

“Your first kiss.”

Leasis’ low whispering voice was attractive but dangerous. Hizen gulped, and she smiled coolly.

“Who did you do it with? I don’t think it was your first time.”

Hizen got a cold sweat because of her blameful tone.

He first thought it was a joke, but there was no smile on Leasis’ face.

The embarrassment itself. Hizen swallowed only dry saliva because he felt like his mind was spinning. The red eyes in front of him were staring at him, and his spine was chilling.

Fortunately, as Karma’s group got closer, Hizen stood up to them with a happy face.

“Sir Karma! How are you doing?”

“Oh, no! Count Dratius-nim! I see the Count-nim!”

I can’t believe the Count-nim asked me how I was doing. Karma was moved as if he would shed tears right away. Hizen spat out his words as they came to his mind and gave him a crumpled letter.

But he could feel a fierce look from behind his back. As he turned his eyes slightly, he saw red eyes flashing.

For the first time, Hizen felt fear.

*

His official business had ended in an instant. Regretfully, Hizen walked with Leasis to the dormitory.

On the way, Leasis kept asking questions.

“Are you leaving already?”

“I can’t help it.”

Leasis had always been confident, but now her shoulders were a little drooping. She had not seen him in a long time, so it was a shame to go so early.

Hizen faked a cough and looked around with the eyes of a hawk. Fortunately, there was no one. He bent down at the speed of light and kissed her roughly on the cheek.

Mwah.

“I’ll come again. Tomorrow, and the day after tomorrow.”

She had a fever on her cheeks. Hizen smirked as Leasis lowered her eyes slightly. He reached out his hand, regretting that they were only walking side by side.

Body temperature was shared in the hands held together. When Leasis looked at him in surprise, Hizen let out another fake cough. On the way where only weeds were visible, he began to talk nonsense, saying that the flowers were cool.

Would a weed like that be cool? No, maybe it’s pretty. Leasis burst into laughter. She was only holding his hand, but she could feel his nervousness.

Hizen brought up a lot of questions unlike usual. Most of them were about Leasis. He wanted to know more about her.

“When is your birthday?”

“That… I don’t know. The day I entered the orphanage is next month, but…”

Come to think of it, she was from an orphanage. It was clear that she had had a hard time when growing up if she did not even know her own birthday. Hizen’s expression darkened. It was painful to think about how this kind and delicate girl had come to this place by herself.

Leasis smiled, saying it was okay. Hizen hesitated for a while, and said as if he had made a pledge.

“You don’t need a birthday.”

“What?”

“I’m going to make every day more special than a birthday.”

It was really the confidence of the strongest knight. Leasis smiled shyly, thinking he was cute.

It might be a joke, but because Hizen said this, her heart fluttered for nothing.

“Thank you.”

“Now, Leasis. I’ll give you a present today, so close your eyes.”

“What?”

“What are you doing? Close your eyes.”

“Ah… yes.”

Leasis gently closed her eyes. Her heart was pounding with anticipation, but she felt something on her neck, not her lips.

“I want to protect you all the time, but… it’s not easy.”

It was a small sapphire pendant. She liked the touch of the thin silver cord on her neck.

It was awkward because it was her first time getting a necklace as a gift, but it was good. She could not take her eyes off the pendant and smiled softly. Looking at it, Hizen seemed like a very sensitive man. Only to her.

Leasis really liked seeing his new side. His previous appearance was also nice, but she was grateful and excited to see him being so affectionate only in front of her.

Before they knew it, the two of them sighed as they arrived in front of the dormitory.

I don’t want to go like this…

“Go in first.”

“No. Count-nim, you go first.”

“No. You go in first.”

“I don’t want to.”

Hizen sighed as he was struggling. There was no woman in the world who was so strong against him. It was good but difficult. Of course the good side was much bigger.

“Listen. It’s because I want to see you more.”

Even if it was only her back. At Hizen’s desperate voice, Leasis nodded.

Her feet were very heavy when she tried to go in. As she turned her head, she saw Hizen waving awkwardly.

‘…Am I seeing wrong?’

As she rubbed her eyes in embarrassment, a friendly voice came to her ears.

“Tomorrow night, I’ll come again.”

* * *

Looking back several times in regret, Leasis climbed the stairs. Still, she was relieved because he had said he would come back the next day.

She kept smiling as she fiddled with her necklace. It was as good as walking on clouds, though it was silly.

Now it did not matter whether it had been Hizen’s first kiss or not. She was just grateful that she could spend a precious time with him.

“Miss Leasis.”

“Oh… Jason-nim. Hello.”

Jason, who was leaning in front of the door, faced Leasis. He spoke with an expression different from his usually playful self.

“Would you spare me a moment, please?”

“Come into the room if you have anything to say.”

“I’m sorry. I’d like to tell you in a proper place.”

Jason’s subtle honey-colored eyes were shaking desperately. Leasis was worried and followed him straight away.

The two headed to the Imperial Palace garden. On the way, Leasis kept fiddling with the necklace.

Jason, who was walking next to her, was puzzled. It was his first time seeing this because she normally did not even wear small accessories. He wondered if she had prepared it because she had become an official knight, but she looked so excited.

He had an ominous feeling. He could see the pendant that Leasis kept fiddling with. The small sapphire was glowing softly, so it was very beautiful.

Jason fumbled through his memory because he had seen it somewhere. Then, he stopped walking, recalling his old memories.

That pendant was a heirloom of the Dratius family, the guardian sapphire. It was one of the treasures that cost several castles. No, it was precious and priceless.

For a moment, his whole body lost strength. The meaning of Hizen gifting his heirloom to Leasis…

“Jason-nim?”

“I’m so sorry, Miss Leasis. Something urgent came up for me. I’ll go first.”

Jason could not face her. He just left with a bitter smile, apologizing.

Leasis called from behind, but he left with his shoulders drooping.

After that, Jason sat alone in the cafeteria and tilted a glass. Owen, who was cleaning the tables, sat opposite him.

“Is it because of Unnie?”

He did not even have the energy to answer. When Jason fiddled with the glass, Owen asked if he was frustrated.

“Didn’t you know that Unnie liked the Count-nim?”

“I knew that. But… I didn’t know that the Commander-nim felt the same way.”

To Jason, Hizen was a proud hero. Even though he spoke harshly, his respect for him was as high as heaven.

He recalled the past while looking at the glass. It was Hizen who had given him great enlightenment as he was forced to hold the sword because of his family.

[Jason. Don’t be so nervous and stand up.]

[…]

[Be thankful that you and I, who are insignificant, can save even one life.]

That was Hizen Ben Dratius, a wonderful knight that men would love. I have no choice but to close my heart now that the hearts of the two are moving together.

Owen, frustrated, said not to give up, but he shook his head.

“Against the Commander-nim… How can I win?”

Jason, with a self-contained smile, drank only alcohol. He took a small ring case out of his pants pocket and put it on the table.

“Throw it away, please.”

Owen picked up the ring case. However, contrary to Jason’s request, she put it in her apron pocket.

TL notes

[1] I suppose this is referring to acupuncture, but I don’t know about it.