Chapter 10
A Strange Feelings
“Senior Rosebelia?”
That voice—wasn’t he the one who confessed to me before?
What was his name again…
“Simon?”
“You remembered my name?”
Simon’s face brightened immediately as he approached in quick steps.
“Of course I remembered… right.”
“Thank you, senior. It’s an honor.”
He smiled so sincerely that I actually felt guilty for not recalling it right away.
“An honor’s a bit much.”
“But it’s true. I mean it.”
I stared at Simon. The last memory I had of him was when he’d been so nervous his voice trembled, yet now he was smiling so easily—it was almost… cute.
He even reminded me a little of Caden.
He looked much more comfortable now than that time he’d appeared out of nowhere and demanded an answer to his confession.
“You see everything from here, Klein.”
“Looks that way.”
I blinked, glancing between Ian and Simon as they chatted naturally.
Ah—right. Both of them were new recruits this year.
“So, Simon, what brings you to the plaza?”
Simon looked startled. “Ah, Sir Edwin—”
Edwin?
“Edwin’s at the Order right now?”
“Yes.”
A laugh slipped out of me.
When did he go back?
He kicked away such a golden opportunity with Daisy—it was his chance at destiny! Foolish man.
“What did he ask you to do?”
“He said Senior Rosebellia might still be at the plaza and asked me to find you.”
I tilted my head.
“He asked you? What’s Edwin doing?”
“He seemed busy. I overheard him talking with Sir Lucas, so I volunteered to come.”
Busy? Did something happen to Edwin?
“Well, thanks for the trouble. Let’s all head back together, then.”
As I started walking, both Ian and Simon matched my pace, following closely.
“Um…”
“Hm?”
“Why were you with Klein, Senior?”
“Ah—Edwin and I came out together, but I happened to meet this…”
I stopped myself just in time. Almost said Ian.
“This new recruit wandering the plaza. Said he was on an errand for the Captain, so I helped him.”
“I see.”
I realized then that I was walking in the middle, flanked by the two of them.
Ian walked silently, eyes forward, while Simon, catching my gaze, flinched and quickly looked away.
Wait a second—one of them was the guy who mistakenly thought I’d confessed to him, and the other was the guy who actually did confess to me.
Not exactly the most comfortable trio.
“Simon, why don’t you walk in the middle?”
“Huh? Why?”
I handed him a candy instead of answering.
“What’s this, Senior?”
“Something sweet.”
“It looks strange.”
He turned the candy over in his palm, examining it curiously. His expression was so innocent it made him look even younger—more like a little brother than a fellow knight.
Standing next to him, Ian’s tall frame made the contrast sharper. Clearly, they weren’t the same age.
“Go on, try it.”
“All right.”
Simon popped the candy into his mouth without hesitation.
“How is it?”
“Really sweet!”
I couldn’t help but grin. That was about as accurate a description as any.
“Give me one, too.”
“Huh? What?”
Ian’s gaze flicked to my hand, where one last candy lay on my palm.
“You said you didn’t want any—”
Before I could finish, his face darkened noticeably—not anger, exactly, but irritation.
…Was he jealous over candy?
Maybe candy was expensive around here?
“Here.”
He took it wordlessly, slipped it into his pocket, then shot Simon a glance before striding ahead.
“…What’s that about? He’s just leaving?”
“Maybe he needs the restroom?”
I almost said “Definitely not,” but Simon’s serious expression stopped me.
“…Yeah, maybe. Let’s take our time.”
When Simon and I finally returned to the Order, Edwin was already gone.
Lucas said something had happened with his family.
Edwin Holton.
The heir to House Holton. If it was a family matter, then something serious must’ve occurred.
But what?
No matter how I racked my brain, I couldn’t recall anything from the original novel.
Edwin hadn’t even appeared yet by this point.
“So much for reading the novel a dozen times. I still don’t know a thing.”
Emily’s hooves struck the ground softly now. Looking up, I realized we were already at the stables.
I handed her reins to Roy and crossed the garden.
The air grew dim, and when I reached the fountain, a familiar voice called out.
“Sister?”
Caden.
He jogged toward me, sweat glistening on his brow.
“Caden.”
“You’re just getting home?”
He must’ve been training until dark.
“You know Mother doesn’t like that. Shouldn’t you focus more on the family?”
“I want to be a knight like you, Sister. A knight of the White Order.”
His eyes shone with pure, childlike determination—bright as the stars overhead.
“Being a knight’s fine, but you’re supposed to inherit the family name.”
“A knight can still do that, can’t he?”
“…True. But if you must become a knight, what about joining the Royal Guard instead?”
The White Order was a special force—an elite unit that fought wars and hunted monsters.
The Royal Guard, on the other hand, stayed close to the palace. Safer, steadier.
The White Order’s honor was built on danger and blood.
“I still want to join the White Order.”
“If you’re that set on it, at least think carefully.”
He looked so earnest I didn’t have the heart to scold him.
“Sister… could we spar someday?”
“With me? Why?”
“Because you’re the strongest person I know. If another Swordmaster ever appears in the Empire, it’ll be you.”
I snorted softly. Not wrong—but why did he look proud about it?
“You’re too young, Caden. In our Order, there are only a handful who can spar with me.”
I stopped mid-sentence. Not “none,” after all.
There was someone now.
“Sister?”
“Just a few. Do you think you’re ready for that?”
He shook his head, calm and unbothered.
“Maybe not now—but someday.”
“Who’s teaching you these days?”
“Sir Arnold.”
Arnold? Not Schultz?
“Schultz isn’t your instructor anymore?”
“No.”
Strange. Schultz had served our family for decades—and he’d been Rosebellia’s teacher too.
“If Schultz acknowledges your skill, then I’ll spar with you.”
“Understood, Sister.”
His voice was so determined I couldn’t help but smile.
For a fleeting moment, I imagined having a real younger brother in my previous life—would it have felt like this?
My hand almost reached out to pat his head before I caught myself and lowered it.
“Sister?”
I forced a light smile. “Come on, let’s go.”
Elsewhere…
“Your Highness, are you feeling unwell?”
“Me?”
Nathan barely kept himself from blurting, Who else would I be talking to, Your Highness?
Ian looked… off today. Normally composed, but right now his expression was darker than usual.
“You don’t look well, sir.”
Ian parted his lips as if to respond, then closed them again, lost in thought.
Nathan sighed quietly.
When Ian had first declared he’d join the White Order, Nathan was certain the prince wouldn’t last a month.
Three years.
Three years as his aide, and still Ian was a mystery.
Born into privilege, yet indifferent to it. He never clung to anything—neither possessions nor people.
The only thing he’d ever truly held onto… was his sword.
“Nathan, I want to ask you something.”
“Me?”
“Do you see anyone else here?”
Ian’s chin rested lazily on his palm as his half-lidded eyes fixed on him. Nathan straightened up unconsciously.
“N-no, sir. What is it you’d like to ask?”
Ian hesitated, then finally spoke.
“Would you say I… lack presence?”
Nathan blinked. “…Pardon?”
“Do I have no presence?”
The question hung absurdly in the air—like a storm cloud that didn’t know where to rain.
