IWTGHFW CHAPTER 19

Episode 19

Seriously, that guy has such annoyingly quick wits.
When Yen mumbled something that could’ve been either an insult or a compliment, Shun tilted his head and asked,

“But why is His Highness the Crown Prince interested in Ail? Don’t tell me His Highness also…?”

“Are you crazy? His Highness is destined to be the future emperor. He doesn’t have time to be interested in women right now. Anyway, if His Highness is also involved, then that means Sir Ron must be interested in Ail, right?”

“…Damn it.”

“Hmph.”

This time it was Yen who smiled in victory. Having traded one win each, the two finally seemed ready to have a proper conversation and adjusted their postures.

“So, what’s the relationship between those two?”

“We’re nothing yet. Don’t know about the future, though.”

“That’s a vague answer.”

“Then why are you investigating Ail? You just said the Crown Prince isn’t romantically interested in her.”

“It’s not that His Highness isn’t interested. It’s just… a different kind of interest.”

“…What the hell does that mean?”

“Woof, woof. If you don’t get it, never mind.”

Yen’s playful answer made Shun mutter a curse under his breath.
If the Crown Prince wasn’t interested in Ail as a woman, then what kind of interest was it?
Watching Shun’s puzzled expression, Yen smirked.

“The royal family has secrets that people like us aren’t supposed to know. That’s all.”

“I told you to stop talking nonsense.”

“I’ll tell you later—when His Highness ascends the throne, or when the Marquis of Metailor joins our side.”

“Forget it. The Captain isn’t interested in political games. Actually, it’s not that he’s not interested—he’s just terrible at it.”

“Then you’ll find out much later. I’m leaving. I’ve got all the info I needed.”

Without hesitation, Yen stood up, brushed the wrinkles out of his pants, and headed out.
Shun’s voice stopped him just as he reached the door.

“By the way, isn’t Ail the same year as you?”

“Oh, really? That’s new. Very interesting.”

Yen replied in the least interested tone imaginable, so Shun added with a hint of provocation:

“She was top of the class, you know. Second place.”

Time flew by quickly, and soon the admission exam was right around the corner.

I was walking around the prepared exam venue, checking to make sure nothing was missing.
Lynolf, who had been loitering nearby for a while, finally seemed to make up his mind and approached me.

When I noticed his presence and looked up, his confident stride suddenly stopped. His eyes darted around awkwardly, unsure where to look. I tilted my head.

“Don’t you have something to say?”

“Ah, well…”

Uncharacteristically hesitant, he fidgeted with his hands and said,

“How many people are taking the exam this time?”

“A little over 200. Exactly 231, but we’ll see on the day—some people might not show up.”

“I see.”

“Is that what you’ve been hanging around to ask?”

“No, it’s just…”

Watching him fidget like a restless puppy made me think of Ron.
He sometimes had that same look when he wanted to say something but wasn’t sure if he should.

I sighed and told him to just say it, whatever it was.

“Ail… are you and the Captain… a couple?”

“…Excuse me?”

“I mean, you came to the city watch together, and I’ve seen you together at the mansion, so… are you dating?”

“No.”

“You’re not?”

“No. Definitely not.”

The Metailor Marquis’ mansion is enormous—dozens of rooms, countless servants.
I figured my presence there would be barely noticeable, but I guess it could be seen differently.

Technically, yes, we live in the same house, but it’s a house on a whole different scale.

When I firmly denied it, Lynolf’s expression noticeably brightened. He tried to suppress his smile as he nodded.

After he left, I finished checking the exam hall and marked “no issues” on my checklist.
On my way back to the office, Lynolf’s question popped into my head again.

“Are you two dating?”

Among the maids, there were sometimes playful polls about who was the most popular man.
My roommate Rose would get all excited about those, and according to her, Ron was hands-down the most popular in the palace.
Well, of course—he had the looks, the build, the family background, the skills.
Even his personality was good. If the word “perfection” took human form, it would be Ron.

Though… he is missing one screw.
But only those close to him knew that, so I’ll let it slide.

Honestly, I can’t say I’ve never felt a flutter around him.
Like the day after I was captured by Count Poison and he told me he’d been worried.
Or when he hovered around me like a big dog, eager to help in any small way.

At moments like that, even someone as romance-clueless as me couldn’t help but feel something.

But becoming lovers?
I just couldn’t picture it—holding hands with Ron, kissing him…

The very thought made me shiver. It felt awkward.
Besides, there’s no way a man like Ron would like me.

Right. No way. Why would Ron…?

Lynolf really said something pointless and got me overthinking.
I irritably kicked a pebble on the ground.

The day of the admission exam.

The knight order was bustling for the first time in a while. I let out a small whistle as I looked around.
Just by appearances, everyone seemed incredibly capable.

“Let’s see… 223 people, huh.”

Excluding the inevitable no-shows, 223 names remained on the list.
I took it over to Ron, who was standing by the podium.

He was wearing the order’s dress uniform for the first time in ages—a navy coat that fit perfectly, showing off the lines of his well-built body.

…He really is good-looking.

My heart started to beat a little faster at how dashing he looked. I told it to calm down and handed him the list.

“This is the group assignment for the first test. The numbers in each group are a little uneven, but they’ve already been notified, so it should be fine.”

“That’s fine. The strong will remain, no matter the numbers.”

“Once the first test ends, the second will start immediately, so be ready.”

“Got it. Good work, Ail.”

With those words in his deep voice, a large hand landed on my head, roughly ruffling my hair.
When I gave him a look that said what are you doing?, he cleared his throat and withdrew his hand.

Is that supposed to be another “flutter” moment?
I smoothed my hair, puzzled.

In the first test, Narein was in Group 3.
Although the test was designed to select him, calling him a “pre-selected candidate” wouldn’t be accurate.
The exam would be fair, and if someone more skilled than Narein appeared, that person would pass.

Ron seemed confident in Narein’s skills, but I had my doubts.
The boy who trailed after me at the mansion looked more like a weak kid than a strong fighter.

After Groups 1 and 2 were done, it was Group 3’s turn.

Each group had about 20 people, and the rules were simple:
stay on the stage until the time limit.

When Ron first told me this, I thought it sounded too simple,
but seeing it in action was different.

As soon as the starting bell rang, the participants drew their weapons and charged at each other like they meant to kill.
Knights on standby would step in to pull out anyone in danger,
but even so, the blood-splattered stage was like something out of a gladiator arena.

It was dangerous and straightforward, but effective in picking out the strong from a large crowd.

Group 3 stepped onto the stage.
I glanced at the judges’ table—Ron and Shun.
As captain and vice-captain, they studied the participants with sharp eyes.
When Ron spotted Narein, his red eyes lit up with interest.

Looking back at the stage, I met Narein’s blue gaze directly.
Apparently, he’d been staring at me for a while, because he didn’t look away.
When I gave him a little “fighting” gesture, his eyes curved in a smile.

That kid’s going to be dangerous when he grows up.

“What the hell is that?”

I had assumed knights would all use swords, but actually, any weapon was allowed.
Sir Heffy, for example, despite her sweet pink face, used a giant axe.

So participants could bring their own weapons, as long as they passed a strict inspection beforehand.
Poison or similar tricks were, of course, forbidden.

Ron had praised Narein’s swordsmanship to the skies, so I was sure he’d brought a sword.

Wait… is that a gun?

Instead, he pulled out a long weapon shaped very much like a gun—about the length of his arm.
It was unlike anything I’d seen here before, and the watching knights began murmuring.
Some even snickered, wondering what it was supposed to be.

The other participants also seemed to dismiss him.
Small and seemingly weak already, now he was holding what looked like a useless weapon.

But my expression grew more serious.

It can’t be a real gun, right? Is it even possible he made one from my terrible explanation?

I’m a humanities major—through and through.

Regardless of major, I never served in the military and have zero detailed knowledge about guns.
In Korea, firearms are banned, and I’d never even seen a real one in my life.

The only explanation I’d given Narein was what I’d seen in movies and a very basic rundown of how they worked.
If he really made one from that, then… Narein was a true genius.