Chapter 13

Rosaline was a very soft person on the inside despite her outer appearance. She was such a person who did not even think of reporting to her superiors even if lower-ranking knights said something she didn’t like and even if they played strange jokes or argued with her. It is said that although she was already promoted, her attitude was still like this. She didn’t seem to have any intention of bearing down on others using her rank. Instead, she would only stare at them when they made remarks that would have resulted in immediate punishment from other senior knights. Her sharp eyes looked a bit menacing, but the man knew. Originally, Rosaline was a person like that.

The blonde man was Nestor Sihorge, the second son of Earl Sihorge. He became an apprentice knight of the Knights of the White Night around the same time as Rosaline, and Nestor’s name was always linked to his brother-in-law. In the eyes of Nestor, Rosaline was a typical knight who filled her lacking swordsmanship with her head. One can use a great tactician if lacking in tactical skills, so the most important thing for a knight is their swordsmanship skills. Nestor increased his self-esteem by comparing himself to Rosaline in every aspect.

[Nestor Sihorge: Nestor of Sea Gorge]

However, when Rosaline was promoted to a lesser knight first, his pride was crushed. Nestor was also promoted to a lesser knight soon, but it was unacceptable for her to take the lead for a day or two.

And this time, Rosaline was even promoted to a senior knight. It was a moment when he questioned the eyes of the commander, whom he admired. Watching His Highness the Prince lead her inauguration ceremony himself, a fire erupted inside of him. These past one or two days, he had been scoffing at the low-ranking knights who had a crush on Rosaline and admired every little thing she did. In contrast, as Nestor looked at her, he only thought that she was getting more and more ridiculous. Rosaline continued to repeat the basic swordsmanship that children of the knight families did when they were eight years old. Her movement was also many times slower than the original moves. How shabby! One should laugh at such ability. How could she get promoted to a senior knight with only that level of skill?

Nestor laughed. There was no such thing as superior knights losing to the lower-ranked knights. All of the senior knights were veterans of hundreds of battles, and there were no women within their ranks. It was not a place for a woman with a fancy haircut to enter. Nestor must make her realize the gap himself. And so he made up his mind.

“We once had each other’s backs, so would you please teach us a few things, Sir Rosaline.”

One could see the lesser knights standing behind Nestor barely swallowing their laughter. Rosaline had been watching them this whole time. ‘What would you say in such a situation? This situation...’

[Still, sometimes there are people who do not know their places because they are blinded by jealousy.]

‘In this case...’

[They will count on Sister’s weakness in swordsmanship to make you fall.]

These were the words that came out of Calyx’s mouth after their fifth battle. Calyx was breathing heavily while on his knees on the floor of the mansion’s training ground. On the nape of the left-side of his neck, Rosaline’s sword shone coldly. Calyx let out a few playful chuckles before giving her a mischievous look.

[You may challenge or fight them, do whatever you want.]

Rosaline recalled a few keywords. ‘Do whatever you want.’ And what else did he say?

[Don’t let them get up again.]

Ah yes, don’t let them get up again.

Rosaline nodded her head. Nestor’s body shook from the sudden rush of cold.

***

Nestor’s face turned red as if it was about to explode. He felt that the many knights surrounding the training ground were also shaken by this result. It looks like Rosaline was lucky enough for her sword to strike right in the center of his, which caused Nestor to lose his grip. But to be so proud of it is just-!

“...continue, please.”

“Sure.”

Rosaline nodded and put her sword into its sheath.

“?”

‘She said ‘sure’, so why did she put the sword back in?’ Nestor’s doubts were resolved as she untied the scabbard from her waist and threw it aside. While he was stunned, Rosaline clenched her fists into a fighting stance.

To Nestor, Rosaline was a much smaller and skinnier human. However, he couldn’t help but feel something. Nestor, who had been at war, knew what it was.

‘It’s pressure.’ His instincts were genuinely wary of this woman. It’s been a long time since he lost his smile. Nestor took a fighting stance, just like her. The watching knights also swallowed their saliva at the tension between the two.

The wind blew. As the air cooled down, a leaf drifted by and passed between the two. The leaf was the same color as Rosaline’s eyes.

That was the last scene Nestor remembered.

***

Due to the events that happened during the hunting competition, the number of Knights of the White Night greatly reduced. After that, the vacancies were hastily filled in an appointment ceremony, but it still took a lot of time to get back on track.

There was not enough manpower to escort the 2nd Prince. The problem is that there are not many people who had the skills to protect the 2nd Prince Ricardis. In the past, he used to be escorted in three shifts, but now he is barely able to be escorted in two shifts. It was a time when the rapid growth of those who have risen to the ranks of senior knights is necessary.

Raymond was looking at the reports of training performance for each group. Deputy Commander Nathan, who had been away for a while, came in with a blank face and sat down.

Raymond asked without taking his eyes off the papers, “What are you doing, Deputy Commander?”

“Sir Rosaline Radwiell is to be placed as an escort of the 2nd Prince.”

“What did you say?”

“Sir Rosaline Radwiell is to be placed as an escort of the 2nd Prince.”

“Yes? No, I didn’t ask because I didn’t hear it properly! No, no, no, no, no! What are you talking about all of a sudden? Sir Rosaline is currently very, very heartbroken... and didn’t I tell you that she hurt her head?!”