Episode 26
After my enlistment was confirmed, a full knights’ meeting chaired by Antonio was held.
There seemed to be many matters to check since we were setting out tomorrow. Unfamiliar with the situation, I sat quietly in the corner like a misplaced barley sack.
“Um, Captain. If Lady Josephine is going to accompany us, shouldn’t we arrange a carriage first?”
Bartol, the logistics officer, asked hesitantly.
“A carriage? That would inevitably slow us down. By the time we arrive, the entire region of Cassia might be in ruins.”
Nathan added with a pout.
As soon as the carriage was mentioned, the knights began glancing at me with serious faces.
It was clear they weren’t entirely pleased with my enlistment.
After all, I was royalty. To them, that probably meant one more person to wait on. I was likely more of a burden than a help.
I understood their concerns. I was a sheltered noble who only knew of the outside world through books.
But I had made up my mind. I had no intention of treating the knights like servants.
I could eat rock-hard bread and sleep on hay if it meant gaining the strength to stand on my own—free from my hostage status.
And it’s not like I’m entirely helpless.
“I can ride a horse. So there’s no need for a carriage.”
Of course I could ride. It was a basic skill for any royal of Iote.
Granted, I hadn’t ridden in over five years, so I wasn’t sure I’d be as good as I was in my girlhood.
“And I have good stamina. I don’t tire easily, even after long walks. Do I need to prove my riding skills?”
If proof was required, I could provide it.
“Ah, no, that won’t be necessary. I’ll prepare a horse for you, Lady Josephine.”
Bartol scratched his forehead and bowed.
Antonio stood with his arms crossed, expressionless, surveying the knights.
“…If anyone else has an issue with Josephine’s enlistment, speak now.”
A heavy silence followed.
No one brought up any further objections.
Antonio received reports from the knights and made final checks of the weapons and supplies for the mission. After deciding on the meeting time for the next morning, the meeting was adjourned.
As soon as Antonio rose and dismissed the group, I followed closely behind. Now was the time to ask the most important question.
“Did you get the Emperor’s permission? Did he approve of you taking me along?”
“…Yes.”
His response was delayed, and his expression wasn’t reassuring.
“Hmm… Was there some trouble in getting permission?”
“There was no issue.”
“That’s good then… But why was Kallen working in my hotel room? He’s obviously a magic knight of your order.”
Antonio had promised to explain this, and I was determined to get an answer today.
He paused and stared down at me for several seconds. I couldn’t tell if he was choosing his words or avoiding the topic.
“I thought it’d be a good experience for Kallen. He’s a brute who’s never done anything but fight.”
It felt like he was trying to brush it off as a kind of job training.
But I knew Antonio had ties with the hotel’s owner, Marquis Fernandez. And assigning someone like Kallen to me couldn’t have been a coincidence.
“Is that really the only reason? I doubt it was random. If you were trying to observe or guard me, you can just say so.”
My questioning must have been a bit too sharp—Antonio let out a soft chuckle.
“I can’t say that wasn’t part of it, but Kallen’s main mission was…”
Antonio wiped the smile from his face, fixing me with a steady gaze.
“To protect you from the foolishness of my brothers.”
“So, you assigned him to guard me… from the other princes?”
“Yes. I understand that placing someone near you without asking might’ve been unpleasant. If you want, I’ll apologize now.”
Antonio gave a slight bow. A very belated apology.
“…Okay. Just don’t do it again.”
I accepted it grudgingly. After all, he said it was to protect me.
And he had saved me from danger at the banquet.
Right now, he was the only shelter I had.
Still, I wasn’t sure how far I could trust him.
Knowing his secrets made him harder to be at ease with.
I’d have to be careful not to cross certain lines.
*
The final night at the Fernandez Hotel passed.
I woke at dawn and checked the luggage I had packed the day before.
I was worried about not having riding clothes, but by morning, Kallen brought everything I needed—linen tunic, brown riding trousers, a jacket, and leather pauldrons.
“I originally bought these for myself, but I shortened them to fit your height. Just tie the belt tightly around your waist.”
“Thanks. Are you sure it’s okay to just give them to me?”
“I’ve got plenty of money and clothes, so it’s fine.”
According to Kallen, Scorpio was an elite, small-unit order of knights. They hunted monsters across the continent and received huge bounties from local lords.
They had come to the Empire at the Emperor’s request to deal with emerging monsters on the Arkad Continent.
“This continent has a short geological history, so there’s little magic in the land. It’s basically barren in terms of mana, so monster appearances are rare… The recent surge is highly unusual. We plan to investigate while we’re out.”
“I hope I can be of help.”
“Just having you near the Captain is already a big help.”
“…Why?”
“Because the Captain is the calmest I’ve ever seen him.”
“Calm? Are we talking about the same Antonio?”
I was surprised. To me, Antonio seemed fiery, icy, occasionally kind… but unpredictable.
His large frame, sharp eyes, and curt tone made him feel anything but calm.
“Haha. That’s because you haven’t seen what he used to be like. But it’s probably better that you don’t know. You’re not missing out.”
From what Kallen said, Antonio must have been close to a disaster in the past.
I wanted to ask more but held back.
Now Antonio was my mentor and magical source.
I needed to focus on his good side, not dig for flaws.
“Then I’ll see you later at the central plaza in front of the Imperial Palace.”
Kallen reminded me of the meeting spot before leaving.
Looking around the now-empty room, I felt strangely sentimental.
Knock knock. Someone tapped at the door.
Kallen had just left—who else could it be?
When I opened it, I saw my younger sister, Joanna.
“I heard the news, sister.”
“…So you’re still in the Empire.”
I had been too preoccupied to remember that Joanna had stayed after the banquet.
“You really have no sense. If you’re going to align yourself with someone, why the discarded youngest prince?”
“…”
Joanna was clearly questioning my political instincts.
To her, joining the 4th Prince Antonio’s order meant siding with him politically.
She wasn’t exactly wrong, so I didn’t deny it.
Joanna walked into the room like she owned the place, strolling leisurely.
“Actually, I came to thank you.”
“Thank me? For what?”
I had done nothing for her—if anything, I’d caused trouble by disappearing during the banquet.
“Well, I guess I should be glad I resemble you. The 3rd Prince searched all night for you, failed, and then came to me instead.”
“…What?”
“Thanks to you, I had a lovely night.”
