~Chapter 12~
“Captain, the after-party is starting soon. Aren’t you coming?”
Gillian, vice-captain of the 1st Knight Order, peeked into Richard’s office after a short knock. Richard had already washed the sweat from his body and was working again.
“Gillian Brahms, how many times must I tell you—wait for me to answer before barging in?”
Richard frowned at Gillian, who was basically storming into his office as usual.
But Gillian, already inside, just smiled sheepishly and bowed.
“Haha. I come here so often, I forget myself.”
“You’ve been like this since the start.”
“Next time, I’ll definitely wait for your answer before coming in!”
That promise had never once been kept in all the years since they’d joined the Order together. Even after Richard became his superior.
But Richard had never wanted to enforce strict discipline on him, so he just shook his head.
“Come on, leave work for later and join the after-party. Everyone’s waiting.”
“They’re probably just drinking again. Why should I bother?”
“Because it’s not complete without you, Captain. You need to give the toast.”
“The vice-captain can do it.”
“Come on. How could I give the toast when you’re here? Ah—are you sulking because you lost in the duel?”
Gillian asked innocently, as if suddenly realizing. He wasn’t teasing—he truly meant no harm.
But Richard felt more drained than when he was buried in paperwork.
The problem was that Gillian thought Richard’s sigh and hand-to-forehead were signs of embarrassment over losing.
“You’ve lost to Vice-captain Lysa before. It’s not like it’s rare.”
“…That’s not it. Just go.”
“Even a captain can slip sometimes. Knights don’t usually misstep during a duel, but… were you distracted, maybe?”
Unknowingly, Gillian hit every nail on the head.
Richard had been distracted—because Lysa brought up Amelie Garnet mid-duel. His mind slipped, his foot slipped, and he lost.
But that was the last thing Richard wanted to recall.
“…Haa.”
He sighed, annoyed, and stood up.
“I’ll give the toast and leave. The rest is yours.”
“Yes, sir!”
Dragging his feet reluctantly, Richard followed Gillian. At least he wouldn’t be nagged anymore—
Or so he thought.
“You made the right choice. Other orders are partying harder than ever. We can’t look gloomy while they celebrate.”
Even while walking, Gillian’s mouth didn’t stop.
“It’s the same after-party every year. What’s so special?”
“This one’s different. Lady Amelie herself brought drinks!”
“…Amelie Garnet is still here?”
“Yes. She’s been serving her homemade liquor to the knights.”
Amelie Garnet, again.
Her name haunted him—while he watched, while he fought Lysa, and even now.
He’d heard it too many times today.
“I’ve decided to call her ‘Angel,’ too.”
Richard only clicked his tongue at Gillian, who seemed happy to revere her.
“An angel? You’ve never even spoken to her.”
“You know the saying: You know someone by their friends.”
“And?”
“She looked very close to Vice-captain Lysa. Doesn’t that make her worthy of being called an angel? …But wait, Captain, you’re close to Lysa too, so why—”
This time, he was teasing.
But Richard simply smiled back at Gillian’s grin.
“Gillian Brahms. Since you became vice-captain, you’ve had too much free time.”
“Free time? Me?”
“So free your mouth itches. Tomorrow, you’ll patrol the border.”
“…Tomorrow? Right away?”
Only then did Gillian’s face drain of color. His plan to drink all night collapsed thanks to his loose tongue.
“Yes. Tomorrow. You can handle it, can’t you?”
“I was wrong, Captain! Captain, please!”
Gillian wailed, but Richard ignored him and headed to the after-party.
When he arrived, he almost laughed at the sight.
“Another glass here, please!”
“Ahh, Lady Amelie, this is the best!”
The knights were already drunk and cheering, clinking their half-empty glasses. In the middle, Amelie was pouring drinks with the servants.
“C-Captain, you’re here!”
Even the 1st Order knights were the same—every one of them held Amelie’s liquor in hand, staring at Richard like startled rabbits.
It was meant to be a relaxed party even without the captain. But with Richard there, the atmosphere threatened to freeze over.
“Captain! Did you come to give a toast?”
Luckily, one knight spoke at just the right moment to save the mood.
Gillian jumped in, desperate to make up for earlier.
“Of course! Bring the Captain a drink—quickly!”
“I’ll just give a short toast. Any drink is fine.”
Richard refused indirectly, but the knights still handed him Amelie’s liquor.
So, unwillingly, his toast had to be made with her drink.
It was brief, but enough to reignite the knights’ excitement.
“…What nonsense.”
Richard, on the other hand, only felt his fatigue deepen.
And fatigue made him crave the chilled liquor before him.
Red liquid, with cherries and lemon floating on the ice.
He hadn’t wanted to touch anything Amelie Garnet made.
But if something did happen with this drink, he wouldn’t be able to deny her involvement.
Perhaps this could even expose her.
So he raised it and drank.
“Ah! Captain drank!”
Of course, Gillian noticed instantly and brought him another.
“Isn’t it good?”
Richard didn’t answer, only took the full glass.
But he had to admit—it was good.
The cherry aroma was strong, not too sweet, something anyone could enjoy.
“There’s plenty more, drink freely!”
“Angel! Angel!”
Amelie was still surrounded by knights, serving more.
Richard frowned.
Had she ever been so comfortable standing in front of a crowd before?
That doubt reminded him of something else—
— “Richard, you feel it too. Amelie has changed.”
Lysa’s words from their duel replayed clearly.
What he ignored with suspicion, Lysa had stated with certainty.
People don’t change. That had always been Richard’s truth.
But her conviction… and the strange unease he felt…
‘Has Amelie Garnet really changed?’
For the first time, the certainty wavered. Doubt crept in.
Richard’s confused eyes turned back toward where Amelie had been.
“Amelie Garnet is—”
But she was gone. Not a single strand of her blonde hair remained.
