NOVEL NEXT Chapter 216
“I have an interesting story.”
Before heading to find Albrecht, Erwin was the one who sought us out first. He told us that this morning, Albrecht had asked him for advice about his worries.
We felt a strange anxiety upon seeing Erwin’s stern expression, which was in stark contrast to the fact that he claimed to have an amusing story.
“That Albrecht kid definitely has feelings for Cecilia. Right now, he’s conflicted, but with just a little push, he’ll be swayed in no time.”
Surprisingly, it was Emily who lit up at this revelation rather than Cecilia.
“Oh! This is romance, isn’t it? This is how it should be—exciting!”
“…Ugh.”
More than the fact that someone she liked might like her back, it seemed that Cecilia was more concerned about the embarrassing situation they were in right now.
After all, it was the fault of the duo, Ophelia and Emily, who kept chatting about all kinds of risqué topics involving sex and whatnot, bringing an inexperienced girl into the chaos.
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. What do you take my eyes for?”
“…Well…”
“If you say one more word, I’ll draw my bow.”
“…The wise seeker of the Forest assures that this must indeed be the truth.”
It had only been a month since Erwin had mischievously demolished the official residence in Eastern Port. While I had my doubts about Erwin’s judgment, I had no choice but to stay silent as he glared sharply at me.
“Either way, Cecilia and Albrecht already have feelings for each other, don’t they? Can’t they just confess openly and start dating?”
“If only it were that easy.”
Responding to Erwin’s words, I cast a glance at Cecilia. Upon meeting my eyes, she turned her face away, looking like a child who had just broken a plate.
Cecilia confessing first? No way! Not when Albrecht hasn’t even figured out his own feelings yet. Talk about an uncomfortable deadlock!
“…It’s not like Cecilia has the upper hand here…”
“Please don’t say that!”
Emily murmured, while Cecilia shrieked in response.
Given their reactions, it seemed we definitely needed to give them more time alone. However, we had already used the Fireworks Festival as our trump card. I looked at Azar with an expression of someone deep in thought, searching for a solution.
“…We might need a change in perception.”
“A change in perception?”
“For instance, Elliot, what if your wife, the Saintess, woke up the next day, put on makeup, and wore a stunning dress, smiling at you?”
“…Are you possessed?”
“…”
Azar’s lips twitched.
He seemed to have a lot to say but, being a wise person, he managed to retract what he was about to say and adjusted it to my point.
“Normally, men are drawn to a different side of their partner. It’s natural.”
Azar emphasized the last word, “natural.”
While I found it hard to agree with his example concerning Ophelia, there was truth in what Azar said.
Image change. Is it like that “gap moe” thing?
That certainly was a valid argument.
I sneaked a glance at Cecilia. She looked wonderful. Even without much effort, she radiated beauty. If she were to dress up, it would be impossible for even a stiff rock like Albrecht not to be moved.
Looking around, everyone seemed to be in agreement. Although Cecilia wore an expression of injustice, her opinion didn’t really matter here.
“Alright then. Let’s start with makeup?”
Emily grinned and linked arms with Cecilia, dragging her away somewhere. With the strength of a trained knight, it wasn’t easy for Cecilia to shake off Emily’s energetic grip.
Watching Cecilia being helplessly led away, Ophelia spoke up.
“Hey, by the way.”
“What?”
“When I doll myself up, do I look like a ghost?”
“…”
“Hey, answer me.”
It seemed like this side would also require a battle.
—
Sword Saint Albrecht was the heir of Ridensstein.
As he was destined to become the head of the household, Albrecht’s marriage had been arranged by his family long ago. He took it for granted and held no major objections. By the time he was fulfilling important roles in the Order of Knights, it seems a fiancée had been decided for Albrecht.
It was some duke’s daughter. He didn’t know her face or personality, nor would they ever meet, but Albrecht didn’t think much of it.
During that time, he was busy training new knights as the knight commander.
However, just after his engagement was decided, the possessed minions of Plague Lord Vermina killed Albrecht’s subordinates, and his lieutenant Aaron went missing.
He had nothing else on his mind. In a situation fueled by vengeance, thoughts of marriage were nowhere to be found.
For over a year, he pursued the trails of the possessors and eliminated them. Only after personally dispatching dozens did he learn that his fiancée had passed away from illness.
He felt no guilt.
After all, he hadn’t even heard her voice once. He bore no responsibility for her death.
Still, it was undeniable reality that the engagement had fallen through due to unforeseen circumstances. Albrecht concluded that he would not marry in his lifetime. From the time the mark of the Sword Saint appeared on him, he had even relinquished the head position to his younger brother. The elders of Ridensstein strongly opposed Albrecht’s decision, but at that time, all his interest was solely in his sword.
Training endlessly with his sword as his only companion, nothing could compare to that in a knight’s life.
…At least, that’s what he thought until recently.
“Could you hold my hand?”
To think that Cecilia Ethelgarand, whom he only saw as a fellow knight, would utter such words.
Reflecting back, Cecilia’s behavior that day was oddly peculiar. While she did don armor, she had also drunkenly indulged in a few too many cups. The instances of her glancing at Albrecht surpassed the time spent watching the fireworks. She even ended off with an inexplicable request to hold hands.
Albrecht wasn’t so foolish as to be completely oblivious to her hints. However, due to the ongoing vows he had taken, responding to Cecilia’s request was just about all he could do.
…
For two days following the Fireworks Festival, Albrecht avoided Cecilia. He was conflicted about how to approach her, and that was when Azar arrived to drive the nail in deeper.
“Sir Albrecht, Erwin and I have arranged a dinner. Lady Cecilia will be attending.”
“…Do I really have to go?”
“If you don’t, the Pope will have your head.”
“…”
Once he said that, even Albrecht, no matter how resolute, couldn’t refuse. He well knew Ophelia Meredein’s fiery personality.
So, when dinner time arrived, Albrecht reluctantly donned the old suit tucked away in his closet and stepped into the dining room. The moment he laid eyes on Cecilia sitting opposite him, he was rendered speechless.
All he could manage to say was:
“…You look quite different than usual.”
Cecilia wasn’t in armor. Instead, she wore a glamorous dress with a hint of light blue. The silver-white earrings adorned with shimmering jewels surely matched her hair color.
Every guest in the dining hall was left gaping at Cecilia’s appearance. Even the other women seemed captivated, leaving Albrecht aware of just how foolishly dull his own expression must have been.
Seeing Albrecht’s stunned face, Cecilia shyly smiled, her blushing cheeks hidden as she sat down. The hands she clasped together looked a bit rough for a woman.
Yet Albrecht found himself liking Cecilia’s calloused hands. They were proof of the time and effort she had put in as a knight.
“…Lady Cecilia.”
“You can just call me Cecilia.”
“…Huh?”
At his question, Cecilia hesitated but finally said.
“Today, I’m not Lady Cecilia. I’m just Cecilia, okay?”
…
That was a subtle expression of her wish to be seen as a woman, rather than just a knight. It was a sincere request that he couldn’t turn down. Clearing his throat, Albrecht nodded in agreement.
“Ah, right. Cecilia.”
“…Yes. I look forward to working with you, Sir Albrecht.”
And so, dinner began, though there was no exchange of words between the two.
But that was enough.
Albrecht confirmed Cecilia’s feelings and realized where his own restless emotions were heading.
Here sat not two knights, but a pair of men and women. Albrecht drank, for the first time in years. The effects of the alcohol filled him with a strange warmth.
It was Cecilia who broke the silence first.
“The night view of the capital is beautiful, isn’t it? So many lights.”
“I think the scenery of the Ice Palace is splendid as well.”
“Thank you for saying that. The Ice Palace in summer has its own charm. I’d like to show it to you one day.”
“I’d love to see it.”
Azar’s scheme was a success.
Sure enough, in the weeks that followed, the time spent together multiplied, and as they prepared to leave the capital, the two knights—no, the two lovers—shared a bed together.