Chapter 32

Translator: Yonnee

────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────Chapter 32

Half a year ago—that was when Endymion first found Lily. It was in a small garden with a fountain, which was where she often rested.

“You can’t find it again this time?”

“…Huk.”

Ares finally shed his tears.

Odil, who had spent the night with the succubus last night, had entered the conference room with a tired face. He welcomed Ares the moment he returned from his long-term mission, but he collapsed the moment he shook his head.

There were a few of them left. Two commanders were away and the burden of their work had increased. Even with all of that, they were losing their vitality to the succubus almost every night.

“Commander Odil?!”

“Odil…”

“Haa. Regulus, can you take Odil to the ward?”

“Yes!”

After Regulus carried Odil on his back, Endymion turned to Ares and asked him, ‘You didn’t find it this time again?’ And Ares, who kept crying and crying, seemed to be completely exhausted at this point. Endymion didn’t show it, but he was also having a hard time.

Gasping for breath, Ares rubbed his eyes roughly with the back of his hand and spoke up.

“Eddy. Does that ring really exist?”

“I get what you mean.”

“Did the Lady lie to us… No, I don’t think so. Either she has it and lost it, or the truth is it doesn’t exist but she says it does.”

“There’s no reason for her to lie like that, right?”

Endymion’s determined answer made Ares droop.

“I knew it… That’s right.”

He answered with a gloomy voice. It was strange seeing him like this when he was usually so cheerful and energetic. But not long after the war, he could have gotten tired from having to go on so many long-term missions like this.

“Ares, I think it’s better for you to head back and rest.”

“…Yeah.”

Endymion pushed Ares’ back. As Ares took weak strides forward, Endymion was left alone, sighing.

The succubus didn’t seem to be very interested in Endymion. While they were in the warzone, they slept together often, but after returning to the palace, she didn’t visit Endymion that much anymore.

In fact, he didn’t think much of it. Having a physical relationship with a succubus was definitely a more intensive pleasure than doing it with other women, but that was all it was for him. He wasn’t a weak enough man to be swayed by just pleasure.

But if, because of the succubus, the knights couldn’t keep up the pace with their work, then the story would change.

‘What can I do to make her come.’

While touching his chin briefly, he thought about how he could find the woman. But he didn’t even know where she was in the first place. He didn’t want to visit her recklessly while she was spending the night with Odil either.

Of course, he had no choice but to continue observing the situation, but if it were to persist, then he’d have to do something about it.

Now alone in the conference room, Endymion organized the documents by himself. He then returned to his office, where he was greeted by a silently sobbing Cillien, who was holding up some documents.

“Cillien. If you’re going to cry, go cry outside.”

“Commander… How can you be so mean! I don’t know if I’m a knight or a secretary!”

“Who cares either way? These days, the world has a demand for talented people, so you can be both a knight and a pencil pusher.”

“…Now you’re just saying whatever you want. Hiic, then why the hell did I join the Order of the White Knights!”

“Seeing you have fun and run off your mouth like that, I guess you’re still energetic. Then, take care of all these, too.”

“Uwahh, Commander!”

Smiling angelically, Endymion handed over the documents he brought from the conference room to Cillien. Cillien sobbed faintly, but his boss had spoken and he had no choice but to accept the task.

Endymion sat at his desk and began to go through his own paperwork skillfully.

“Now that I think about it, Regulus—I mean, Commander Regulus doesn’t come often these days.”

Until Cillien had spoken again right now, the office was filled with only the sound of documents being passed to the other and the sound of the signatures being written. Cillien had the habit of becoming talkative when he was feeling drowsy, and as Endymion was used to this, he responded.

“I see.”

“He’s been going back and forth for a while now since he was appointed as a commander. But really, I’m not used to calling him ‘Commander’ yet.”

Cillien then continued to say under his breath, ‘I should’ve followed him…’ Hearing this, Endymion smiled helplessly and pretended not to have heard.

A few months ago, the new ‘Imperial Knight Order’ was organized. When the topic of the commander to be appointed to the post was raised, opposing views were incited. Of course, considering that this was the ‘Imperial Knight Order’, there was only one person in mind for the position—a young man with golden mane-like hair and pumpkin eyes.

“He was so depressed because he was homesick, but… He looks like he’s doing pretty good these days.”

“If you’re interested enough to be watching him like that, why weren’t you more attentive to him while he was still in the White Knightage?”

“I know, I know.”

Cillien laughed bitterly at Endymion’s scathing words. No matter how much the rigidity of hierarchy had been broken down in Ciel, the country was still built on societal class ranks. But then here came a genius named Regulus, who didn’t easily conform and blend in with the knightage—because he was a commoner.

When Regulus became a commander, Emperor Kyren looked at Regulus’ rivals for the position and said this.

”If any of you can beat Sir Regulus, then I would gladly appoint the victor as the next commander.”

And of course, none of the people who fought Regulus won. He became the commander of the Imperial Knight Order like that, and most of the knights who worked day and night like Odil and Endymion didn’t care much that he’s a commoner.

Nevertheless, Regulus still ran over to Endymion’s office whenever he had some free time. Since Regulus had once been part of the Order of the White Knights, Endymion had been his mentor and a source of moral support.

Signing a document with a graceful script, Endymion pushed up his glasses and spoke.

“It’s good then that he’s adjusting well.”

Unlike his cold expression, he spoke with a soft voice. Cillien, who looked back at Endymion for a moment, nodded and grinned.

As they talked about various topics while going through the documents, time passed and it was noon already.

“Cillien, let’s take a break.”

“Yes! Ah, Commander, you’re not going to have lunch again today?”

“Don’t mind me. Eat unhurriedly and come back. I’ll go get some fresh air, too.”

“I understand. But Commander, if you keep skipping meals like that, it’s not going to be good for your health. You know that, right?”

“……”

“Yes. I’ll come right back.”

At Endymion’s chilly gaze, Cillien turned around right away. After slowly closing the door behind him, his footsteps could be heard moving away.

Endymion sighed. His aide was fairly competent, but the problem with him was that he talked too much.

After taking off his glasses, Endymion lightly stretched his stiff body. The smell of paper and ink was making him dizzy, so it was time for him to get some fresh air.

Walking leisurely out of the building, he suddenly saw Regulus running somewhere. It was exactly as Cillien had mentioned, but he was also curious now after seeing Regulus’ bright expression. Endymion sped up his stride and followed after Regulus.

“Noona!”

How long did he have to follow after him? Endymion was surprised to see Regulus heading towards the library all of a sudden, but then he turned towards a nearby garden. Endymion watched him wave his arms from afar.

And, he saw a maid smiling gently as she waved back at Regulus.

Black hair and red eyes—features that were relatively rare in Ciel. She was a considerable beauty with an exceptionally fair complexion, dark eyelashes and thick lips.

Endymion almost misunderstood Regulus and the maid’s relationship as one between a man and a woman, but he soon found that his guess was wrong.

“Hi, Regulus. You look cheerful today.”

“Right. Commander Ares returned today. He has another mission so he’ll be gone again, but… Still, before he goes, I want to have a match with him for a bit.”

Regulus seemed to have found another source of moral support other than Endymion. He felt a little disappointed by this, but he also thought that this was a relief.

However, at what Regulus said, Endymion watched as the maid’s clear eyes blinked once and then twice. For some reason, it felt like she was uncomfortable. Regulus, who was slow when it came to other people’s feelings, seemed to not have noticed this.

“I see. It’s nice to have a spar, but be careful not to get hurt.”

And right then, she smiled as though she never reacted awkwardly before. Endymion wanted to see her up close somehow. Then, the moment the distance between them was narrowed—

“……”

“What’s wrong, Noona?”

“N-No. It’s nothing…”

Endymion made eye contact with the maid. Her red eyes widened as she was flustered. Endymion had no choice but to doubt what he saw again. Shock, discomfort, awkwardness. They all could be felt from the look in her eyes.

“Regulus.”

“Ack, Commander Endymion!”

Maybe that’s why. Endymion walked towards them casually, as though it was a coincidence. Watching the maid’s expression gradually become crumpled, Endymion couldn’t even think of a reason why she was reacting to him so negatively.

“Did you properly see off Odil this morning?” Endymion asked towards Regulus.

“Yes. I didn’t report it separately because it was simple overwork and stress. He just needs to take a good rest.”

“That’s a relief. But who…”

“Ah, this is Lily Noona! She works in the library, but we met here before and got closer over time.”

“I see. It’s nice to meet you, Miss Lily. I’m Endymion.”

“Yes…It’s nice to meet you, Commander Lucen.”

Observing Lily as she curtsied, Endymion narrowed his eyes. When Ares, Odil and even Endymion himself were mentioned, she replied calmly, but she seemed very uncomfortable.

While she was talking to Regulus, she could smile well, but now her face was stiff. What the hell did he do to her for this… Endymion felt that this was a little unfair.

He knew that his appearance was popular with the ladies. Even when he spoke only a little to them, they blushed or felt shy so they often stuttered. It was the first time he encountered a woman who reacted to him with such a serious expression. Perhaps that’s why he was curious.

“If I have to go to the library in the future, then I’ll have to find you, Miss Lily.”

“Pardon? W-Why?”

The downturned eyes grew wider as she stared at Endymion. Her stuttering voice was trembling. Endymion smiled softly.

“There’s no particular reason. It’s just…”

I’m a little interested.

How much more would her expression distort if he said this aloud? Endymion swallowed these words, but he imagined Lily’s straight eyebrows crumpling terribly while her lips would be pursed mercilessly.

“I don’t know anyone else working at the library.”

“But…”

“Oh, it’s already time for me to head back. Then, Miss Lily, I’ll see you again next time. Regulus, don’t be late.”

“Yes, Commander!”

And with that absurd excuse, he left before Lily could say anything in return. After that day, Endymion occasionally visited the library and began to watch Lily.

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