Chapter 04
“It would be easy for Lefevre to use the blessing as an excuse to do something to me.”
“Sir Procyon.”
Even though he was being cold, I didn’t feel upset at all. Honestly, even if Schloitz suddenly threw me at a monster, I wouldn’t be mad. It was only natural for him to be wary. I felt my eyes soften and silently thanked my mother again.
Good thing I took those special classes to keep a straight face at all times…
“I swear on the honor of House Lefevre—nothing like that will happen.”
Even if Enrico turns out to be some secret villain trying to kill you and take over the military, I’ll lock him up myself and stop him, so don’t worry, Schloitz.
Schloitz was staring at me with an unreadable look, then suddenly leaned in close. My breath caught. His face was really close.
“Give me the blessing.”
A shiver ran down my spine.
I pulled out the Opart I’d kept tucked in my coat and wrapped it around my wrist.
Then, moving at what I felt was the perfect speed—not too fast, not too slow—I lifted both hands and gently cupped his cheeks. He seemed to pause for a moment.
Right. Enrico hadn’t written the details of the new blessing method in the letter he sent Schleuz.
So of course Schloitz didn’t expect this. I didn’t expect it.
I leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
At the same time, I felt something strange.
As my lips touched his skin, it felt like a drop of water had fallen on a calm lake.
Ripples spread gently outward, and just like that, my cold body suddenly warmed up.
It was instant.
A gentle warmth spread all through me.
It felt so comforting… like anyone could mistake it for the touch of a god.
“……”
I slowly pulled away.
I lowered my heels—since I’d had to tiptoe slightly to reach—and understood why all the other commanders had paused after receiving the blessing last week.
It was that same feeling—like drops falling gently on the top of your head—that had just ended.
And I now understood why some of them had stared wide-eyed afterward, as if they’d been kissed unexpectedly.
“…It’s warm.”
“……”
“Is this what getting a blessing feels like?”
The words slipped out before I could stop them.
My whole body really did feel warm—almost moved by the sensation.
I wasn’t expecting an answer.
“It’s similar.”
Schloitz’s voice came from very close to my ear.
That’s when I realized I was still holding his face.
Oh no.
My heart pounded again. I quickly pulled my hands back, trying not to show how flustered I was, and took a step back with a small bow.
Schloitz didn’t look at me for long. He turned and walked back to his desk.
Similar, huh?
That meant he didn’t dislike it.
Knowing that he felt the same sensation somehow calmed me.
It almost felt like I had received a blessing from him, too.
“You may go.”
****
“You’re returning to your quarters tonight? Well, of course, we’re prepared, but… You seemed to get along well with the maids. Are you sure you don’t want to stay longer?”
Schloitz’s aide was quite talkative.
It wasn’t a bad thing. In fact, his constant chatter even in front of Schloitz’s cold personality was kind of nice.
His pink hair reminded me of cherry blossoms.
“Commander Raphael. Good day to you.”
“Good day, sir.”
Some knights passing by greeted him.
Only then did the aide tell me his name—Raphael Clovis.
The knights glanced over at me.
“And… who is this?”
“This is the 1st Commander. Commander Blandea Lefevre.”
Raphael’s words made the knights stiffen in shock.
“Greetings, Commander Blandea!”
“Good day, Commander!”
I gave a polite nod in return, just like Raphael had done earlier.
“This way, Commander Blandea.”
I walked alongside Raphael again.
The knights looked pretty shaken that they hadn’t recognized me right away and greeted me late.
Judging by their badges, they were probably junior officers.
Well, it makes sense.
I wasn’t even wearing my uniform yet.
The formal joining ceremony wasn’t for another three months—when the new sword bearers would arrive.
So it was no surprise they didn’t know my face.
But still, a thought came to me.
I kinda like this rank thing.
Them jumping to attention just because of me…
At the Lefevre estate in the royal capital, sure, I was a noble lady, but all the maids had raised me like a nanny would.
The other staff, too.
They adored and spoiled me—not that I’m complaining.
I loved them dearly.
But…
I’d been too scared of Lord Baroque to notice before—
Having people get surprised and formally greet me like this felt… kind of nice?
“Here we are, Commander Blandea.”
We’d arrived at my quarters. I blinked in surprise.
The room was bigger than I expected—like a standard noble’s room.
Everything was for one person, but it was still pretty nice.
Sure, it was only a tenth the size of my room back at the Lefevre estate,
but I was more than satisfied.
It was bigger than the place I lived in my past life.
A single bed, desk, chair, wardrobe, drawers, and even two single armchairs and a small table.
“Is it okay?”
“Yeah. I like it.”
The dark wooden furniture looked good quality.
Everything here was nice.
Well, it made sense.
Commanders were well-regarded even in high society.
And the military’s budget was no joke.
It’s massive, according to the novel.
Monsters were a constant threat to people’s lives.
They were death at your doorstep.
The military, who protected the kingdom from such horrors, were special.
If the military fell, the kingdom would collapse.
So it made sense for them to get tons of funding.
“I’m glad. This is a new building, so it’s very clean. I moved in recently myself, and the other commanders seem to like it here too.”
Raphael smiled.
“Then rest well today. I’ll check in again tomorrow.”
“Thanks. Sleep well.”
“You too, Commander Blandea. Um…”
“Yeah?”
“Could you, um… let me out? A man can’t leave the women’s quarters without a lady’s help.”
****
That night.
I lay in bed staring at the dark ceiling.
I wonder if everyone got home safely?
Technically, I didn’t have to return to the military right away.
I could’ve stayed in town longer since I hadn’t had my official initiation yet.
But I didn’t want to waste Enricor’s time.
I told him that once I entered this place, I wouldn’t be coming back out—and I stuck to that.
If he hung around outside the military too long, rumors might spread that would hurt me now that I had to live here.
Enrico, being a clever heir to a powerful house, must’ve understood and gone back.
The maids, knights, and driver who came with me probably left too.
Now I was alone in this huge autonomous military zone.
Now I understand why Enricor sent me so many letters from the academy.
Once my things arrive tomorrow, I was going to write one too.
Can I really do this?
Aside from running fast, I didn’t have many skills.
Honestly, I was worried.
Like Venus said, I had to act timid every day.
Even so, I was determined to do my job and grant blessings properly.
I didn’t want to tarnish the Lefevre name.
As I thought about all this, I slowly closed my eyes and fell asleep.
****
The next day.
When I woke up, it was a bit later than usual.
Well, no one woke me up.
Like Lord Baroque usually did…
Still, I slept well, even in a new place.
I washed up and put on some casual clothes.
“Good morning, Commander Blandea. You’re up early. Have a good mor—morning.”
“Good morning. You too.”
I greeted the knight guarding the entrance and stepped outside.
The weather was nice again.
Petals floated gently through the air.
It was funny how many flowering trees there were in such a grim military base.
So quiet.
There weren’t many people around.
I guessed everyone had gone off to their duties.
I started walking.
The military district was huge.
It would’ve been nice to have a map—but for security reasons, none existed.
Now and then, patrols passed by.
Since I wasn’t in uniform, they tried to stop me.
But I just showed them the temporary ID badge Raphael gave me.
“Where’s the training field?”
“Right this way, Commander Blandea! I’ll escort you!”
It turned out it was easier to get there than I expected.
I’d prepared to get completely lost.
“Do you have any other orders?!”
“Not really…”
“Yes, ma’am!”
“….”
“….”
“…?”
I gave a quick nod at the loud, stiff knights standing at attention.
“You can go now.”
“Understood! We’ll be going, then!”
“We’ll be gooooiiing!!”
My poor ears…
The longer I stayed here, the more the original novel faded from memory.
That was normal, of course.
That’s why I had written everything I could remember since I was little—ever since I could hold a pen.
I read those notes often, so I still remembered the big plotlines and major characters.
I used to think I’d memorized the entire story.
But I hadn’t.
I’d forgotten all the little details…
Like how the knights would start shouting like that just because someone of high rank walked by.
