Chapter 06
* * *
Irein had been out of it since the morning. Or more precisely, since midnight the previous night.
It was all because of the letter in front of her.
A letter sealed with wax bearing the imperial rose emblem of the royal family.
Because of it, all the hopeful scenarios she had carefully built the night before had become completely meaningless.
Knock knock.
“My lady, the new guard knight has arrived to greet you.”
After the knock, Owen, the head butler, spoke respectfully from outside.
It seemed that today was the day Captain Liam of the guard knights was sending the newly appointed knight for introductions.
“Come in…”
Irein set the letter aside and received Owen and the new guard knight as they entered her office.
The newcomer was extremely tall and heavily built, making Owen—who had an average build—look small in comparison.
“Greetings, my lady! I am Cedric Otten, the knight assigned to protect you!”
His voice was as massive as his body.
Cedric, the new guard knight, was excited to meet the head of House Cheynt, who would become his lord.
The founding head of the family had been a Sword Master, and House Cheynt had long commanded the imperial knights.
To serve such a house felt like a dream.
“Alright, Cedric. But my mood is a bit unsettled right now, so lower your voice a little.”
“Ah—yes!”
Irein shut her eyes briefly at the sudden loud greeting.
Cedric was clearly overly excited and full of energy.
“You may leave, Head Butler.”
“Yes, my lady. Please call if you need anything.”
Owen bowed lightly and left the room.
Irein placed Cedric’s personnel file and a blank sheet of paper on the desk, then stared at him in silence.
She said nothing for a long time.
Cedric began to sweat nervously.
“You’re 21, right?”
“P-pardon? Ah, yes!”
It was a simple question, but the long silence made it feel like another interview.
“Coming from a commoner background, you entered the Imperial Swordsmanship Academy on a scholarship and graduated. The Academy must have been harsh with noble students around.”
Ordinary commoners usually attended the lower Capital Swordsmanship Academy and then became knights.
The Imperial Academy was expensive and notoriously hostile to outsiders.
Graduating from there meant he had at least strong persistence.
“I did get into some conflicts, but my instructors were all kind, and I learned a lot. I actually enjoyed it.”
Cedric smiled brightly.
His innocent expression suited his bear-like build.
“You seem like the type who loses interest quickly if your opponent doesn’t react.”
“I’ve been told that before.”
“…Well, that must have been nice.”
She imagined his bullies getting exhausted instead.
“Then why apply to House Cheynt after graduating? Most academy graduates go to the Imperial Knights or the Royal Knights.”
“I… studied imperial history and came to admire House Cheynt. The founding head was a Sword Master! His techniques are still considered the standard even now!”
Cedric suddenly became excited, praising the family endlessly.
Irein felt slightly uneasy at his intense admiration.
“And above all, the knight I respect most is Captain Vanessa.”
“…My mother?”
Irein blinked in surprise.
Her mother, Vanessa, had once led the unified Imperial Guard when it was still a single force, under Empress Tes.
She had played a major role in strengthening the military and suppressing external threats.
“She’s a legend—on the same level as the founding head of Cheynt!”
Vanessa had led many of those achievements, and because of her, the Empire of Pleta was still considered the strongest military power on the continent.
Cedric’s eyes sparkled with admiration.
Irein felt a bit proud.
Vanessa was also her greatest role model.
“Hmm… you do have good judgment.”
“Thank you!”
Though his voice was a bit too loud, he seemed honest and straightforward.
Knights were often stern or cold, but Irein preferred lively, refreshing personalities for her guards.
Perhaps Liam had chosen Cedric precisely because he understood that preference.
Or perhaps she was unconsciously projecting her mother’s image onto them.
“At the Imperial Academy level, I don’t need to test your skills. We’ll just proceed with the contract.”
“A contract? I already signed one with the captain…”
“That’s a different one. You’ll sign a separate one with me. This is the final interview.”
Cedric blinked.
It felt like another round of evaluation, though he had already been accepted.
“You should know—the contract I make isn’t about employment alone. It involves your life. And if you refuse it, you cannot be hired.”
“What…? Then what about the contract with the captain…?”
“You didn’t read it carefully, did you? There was a clause stating that employment may be canceled based on private interviews or agreements with the head of the house.”
Irein smiled as she showed him the contract she had received.
There were so many clauses that most people only skimmed the important parts.
And she knew exactly how to use that.
“…Ah.”
So this is why the instructors said to read contracts carefully…
Cedric was learning the bitter reality of life far too early.
“You don’t need to despair. Everyone here has signed something similar. There are just three rules.”
She began writing on the blank paper.
“First: You must never disclose anything that happens inside House Cheynt. Not even the smallest detail, even if ordered by someone above me. No exceptions.”
“Yes, understood.”
Cedric answered seriously.
“Second: You will do your best in any task I assign, even if it is unrelated to your duties. I assign tasks to the right people, so trust me and do your best.”
“Yes! I will give my all!”
“Good. And third: Always prioritize House Cheynt above everything else. Even if I, the head, am in danger. No exceptions.”
Cedric hesitated.
“…Even if the lady herself is in danger…?”
“That’s what I said. If you ever have to choose between me and the house, you choose the house.”
“But—!”
“No more questions. Answer me.”
Her voice was firm.
Cedric fell silent, deep in thought.
Irein waited patiently.
Most people hesitated at this clause.
Especially knights.
“…Yes. I will do as you say.”
At last, Cedric agreed.
Satisfied, Irein signed the contract and handed it to him.
Cedric also signed.
This time, he carefully read the final clause:
“If any of these terms are violated, the contractor shall pay with their life.”
“Welcome as an official guard knight of House Cheynt.”
She pinned a gold badge shaped like a sword with a sapphire onto him.
A symbol of belonging to House Cheynt.
“I will protect you with my life!”
His voice returned to full volume.
“Then start tomorrow. Come to my office.”
“Ah, tomorrow…”
She had almost forgotten the imperial summons.
A letter ordering her to come to the imperial palace.
“Tomorrow… you’re coming with me to the palace.”
“Yes, my lady!”
“Your first mission is to escort a sick marquis. Support me if needed.”
“My lady, are you unwell?”
Cedric asked worriedly.
Irein struck her chest a few times in frustration.
“Yes. I’m unwell. My chest feels tight right now. So remember that tomorrow—I’m sick.”
“Yes, understood!”
It was a little uncertain, but Cedric’s straightforward nature might actually help.
He was large enough to make her look weaker.
Irein intended to appear as insignificant and unremarkable as possible.
