"Black Lion."
Stroking the forepaw of the massive lion statue made of black marble, the Princess muttered in a tone that seemed somewhat ambiguous.
"I heard Sir Wolfgang hasn't been stationed here as knight commander for very long."
Her voice resonated beautifully, like a nightingale's song.
But the content of the conversation conveyed by that beautiful voice wasn't quite as beautiful.
And the same went for the Princess's conversation partner, the Deputy Commander.
"Strangely enough, this lion statue really seems to resemble Sir Wolfgang's majestic figure. Don't you think so, Dame Agnes?" "Indeed it does. Its imposing and fearsome appearance, yet with a gentle essence within, truly resembles the Commander." "...Hmm, is that so? It seems Sir Wolfgang felt quite sorry for you, who had to shoulder this knight order alone when it was on the brink of collapse." "Yes, that's right. The Commander personally takes good care of me. In fact, just last evening, I even gratefully received a gift of clothing." "Wh-what did you say?! Personally takes care of? Gave you clothes as a gift?"
I really don't understand why every single word they speak seems barbed.
And why is the Deputy Commander phrasing things that way?
It's true that I did introduce her to a tailor for custom clothing earlier than planned, impressed by her dedication in voluntarily working overtime to prepare for the unit's visit schedule.
I even covered the cost and advised that ordering a design as comfortable as possible while adhering to uniform specifications would be better for her health and work efficiency.
So, summarizing, it is a "personal gift of clothing," but saying it that way makes it sound strangely ambiguous.
—Zzt
Moreover, why on earth is the Princess glaring at me with such a terrifying gaze?
Could the anger from that night still remain?
"As you can see, my physique is a bit unusual, so the Commander usually shows a lot of consideration. Unlike the former commander who would tease with just a glance, he's truly a gracious person." "Ah, is that so? That must be quite inconvenient as a knight. It seems very difficult to even swing a sword properly." "As a woman, it's a blessing, but as a knight, it's as Your Highness says." "Then..." "However, I am grateful to have been recognized by the Empire for my skill and dedication. All of this must be due to His Majesty the Emperor's grace."
Listening to the conversation, I felt embarrassed to the core.
It should be a conversation between an excellent female knight who rose to the Deputy Commander position at a young age and the Empire's most precious jewel.
But the actual level was akin to children bickering childishly over petty matters.
"Glory to the Imperial family, eternal loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor." "A-ahem! Let's end this conversation here."
Still, judging by the flow, it seemed the Deputy Commander ultimately won.
Although the content was utterly ridiculous, if they're going to fight childishly anyway, the winning side is better than the losing one.
A baron's daughter who subdued the Empire's Princess. It seemed to fit perfectly as a title for a cheap pulp novel.
"Sigh…"
Really, what a display.
Watching this unfunny spectacle gave me a headache, so I looked up at the sky to catch my breath and thought.
'How on earth did it come to this?'
About an hour ago.
Ironically, despite the entire knight order being in an uproar initially, Her Highness's unit inspection proceeded extremely peacefully and smoothly.
Of course, once the Princess's unit visit schedule was set, the servants and squires had worked through the night.
Eventually, even the knights, who should normally focus all their efforts solely on honing martial arts and tactics without touching miscellaneous chores, were mobilized for unit beautification activities.
But in reality, Her Highness, who came for the inspection, showed surprisingly little interest in the Black Lion Knights' combat power or diligently maintained facilities.
No matter what I showed her, she stuck to reactions that didn't deviate from two templates: 'Wow! That's amazing~' or 'Hmm, I see.' and merely followed me around like a baby bird.
Thus, rather than visiting to criticize the Black Lion Knights' numerous flaws for revenge over that night or to torment me and my subordinates…
It seemed she had come here because she had something to say to me, so I quietly tried to create an opportunity for us to be alone.
It seems the atmosphere started to become strange bit by bit due to a sudden, unexpected situation that arose.
When Her Highness dismissed her escort, saying she wanted to talk with me, and I was about to send back the subordinates who had followed to guide her through the unit…
'Ack…!'
The Deputy Commander, who had been suffering from overwork for days, unable to leave work as she prepared for the unit visit, let out a short scream and collapsed.
Since the Deputy Commander had often complained of chest discomfort and struggled even under normal circumstances, I thought the worst possible situation had arrived.
'Oh no! Are you alright, Deputy Commander?'
So I just hurriedly approached and helped the poor Deputy Commander up, supporting her body.
Thinking back now, it seems the Princess's expression started to stiffen slightly from that moment.
'My, how tired must she be... Shouldn't the Deputy Commander go back and rest now? To overwork a subordinate like this, Sir Wolfgang is quite a harsh superior.' '…That's not it. It seems I've shown an unsightly sight due to my own shortcomings. Everything was done voluntarily by my own choice. The Commander never forced anything upon me.'
And the atmosphere between the two became truly strange roughly after an exchange of that nature.
'Hmm… I see. I spoke out of turn.' 'Out of turn? Not at all, Your Highness. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask me anytime. I have stayed here since my squire days.'
At the very least, I could clearly sense that the conversation being exchanged was by no means pleasant.
But as someone with no talent for duels with tongues rather than cold weapons, I hadn't realized there was bone in the two women's words.
And now, the present.
Practically, we've almost seen all the unit's major facilities.
Only places a bit awkward to introduce or too trivial to bother inspecting remained.
Thus, while moving along the sparkling clean path without any particular purpose…
Due to the unique route of a unit inspection, where one must sequentially visit as many facilities as possible.
As the journey gradually reached its conclusion, the footsteps of us three naturally returned to the central training ground, the starting point of the itinerary.
'Whew, I'd rather go out and fight. I almost suffocated to death.'
Thinking that such a major event was somehow concluding without any major incidents, I was about to relax a little when…
"This place here. The central training ground is precisely where Sir Wolfgang Knight Commander held his inauguration ceremony."
With that one remark from the Deputy Commander, the conversation inadvertently flowed towards reminiscing about the events during my inauguration ceremony.
"Oh ho, inauguration ceremony… Somehow, it doesn't seem like it ended ordinarily." "Your Highness's intuition is truly at a divine level. It is exactly as you say."
But for some reason, the cold atmosphere swirling between them suddenly became warm and friendly again.
"Ahaha! Really?! That happened?" "Yes. Honestly, the sight of him crawling on the ground in a panic was a bit comical. Although Sir Pietro was my former superior, honestly, he was by no means a respectable figure."
For me, I simply cannot guess the reason. It shouldn't be that amusing a story.
Frankly, thinking about it now, from my perspective, it's just an embarrassing memory.
Yet, I don't know what they find so funny; the Deputy Commander, who rarely smiles unless meeting me privately for regular reports, had the corners of her mouth slightly upturned.
The Princess was even openly covering her mouth while giggling.
Because of that, I had unwittingly become like a sack of barley left behind, merely listening quietly to the conversation from behind.
The Deputy Commander has a very cool and calm personality, unbefitting her feminine appearance.
Excluding unavoidable gender aspects, I had treated her not much differently from the male subordinates until now.
"Truly a manly and respectable person. Sir Wolfgang Knight Commander." "Hmm, so Dame Agnes holds such thoughts after all..."
Seeing her immersed with the Princess in a world I cannot understand, I suppose a woman is still a woman.
The world of women seems truly complex and subtle.
"Yes. That's right. I wish to serve by the current Commander's side with all my loyalty for as long as possible." "I see. I understand your thoughts well."
But listening to it, isn't the content of the conversation quite embarrassing?
I haven't really done much for her yet, but for the Deputy Commander to burn with such loyalty towards me…
Of course, it might just be empty words, but even if so, I'm still only grateful to the Deputy Commander. Honestly, I was even slightly moved just now.
'Right. That's how it is.'
Also, the emotion I felt just now made it even clearer. She is undoubtedly a subordinate I don't want to lose.
Having experienced losing cherished subordinates countless times during the war, I deliberately avoided forming attachments, except for a few subordinates I led during my early officer days.
But now the war is over. Can't I gradually form one deep new connection?
'An excellent subordinate... I must ensure they never leave again.'
Assuming the deep loyalty the Deputy Commander just showed me wasn't empty words but sincerity.
I will do whatever it takes to keep the Deputy Commander by my side.
To ensure she is never hurt.
To ensure she never leaves on her own accord.
'Captain, I'm sorry I couldn't stay with you until the end.'
Second Lieutenant Laurent, who followed Captain Schwarz of the 21st Assault Company, ultimately couldn't be protected.
But Deputy Commander Agnes, who follows Sir Wolfgang, Knight Commander of the Black Lions, will never be let go.
Not until I lose my strength and judgment as a leader.
Or, not until she chooses to leave my side herself.
'This won't do!'
The Imperial Princess, Alicia von Diana Solaris, was currently in a great crisis.
"Well, the schedule is almost finished. You've truly worked hard, Deputy Commander." "Not at all. It's all thanks to the Commander's solid support." "Honestly, what have I done? You handled all the practical work."
Somehow, Alicia was being completely treated as an unwanted guest.
Meanwhile, that ridiculously large-breasted she-cat and Wolfgang von Schwarz, who is still shaking her heart, were having a warm, friendly conversation.
Of course, after conversing, the she-cat didn't seem all that bad. But the subtle emotion she feels now is a completely separate issue.
Clearly, Alicia and Wolfgang weren't in any relationship yet.
But, above all, the person who met Wolfgang first was Alicia.
And that night. Didn't she even allow Wolfgang to see a shameful side of her that she couldn't possibly express in words?
Yet, that audacious man, after doing all sorts of things to the Imperial Princess Alicia without hesitation, has no intention of taking responsibility and is fooling around with another woman.
Right in front of her wide-open eyes.
'Even after I went to all this trouble…'
Overwhelmed by a rising sense of injustice, Alicia felt tears welling up.
The plan had already been ruined long ago.
Moreover, things shouldn't have progressed like this. If it just ends like this with nothing happening…
It would feel as if she, the Princess, is admitting defeat.
Alicia watched the two people walking ahead of her and meaningfully grasped the hem of her dress.
'Is this the only way left, after all?'