Although some minor incidents occurred…
Fortunately, Her Highness's much-talked-about and eventful unit visit schedule was concluding without any major incidents.
"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."
Especially the Deputy Commander had really worked hard.
No matter how perfunctorily Her Highness looked around the unit, being able to bring the chaotic knight order headquarters to a presentable level within a tight timeframe was largely her功劳.
The Deputy Commander showed truly excellent crisis management skills, as if such events weren't a first or second occurrence, which further raised my trust in her.
Meanwhile, it seemed we had shown Her Highness almost all the facilities within the Black Lion Knights worth boasting about.
So, there's no need to keep Her Highness here any longer.
I also feel sorry for the subordinates who are probably holed up in the headquarters barracks, anxiously doing nothing.
Since everyone has worked tirelessly day and night for several days, I should let them leave early today at least. No matter how resilient knights are, physical and mental fatigue are separate issues.
—Thump, thump
But why has Her Highness been walking silently like that since earlier?
Even considering that the Imperial Princess herself deigned to visit to meet a mere knight commander, ultimately not having a proper conversation with her left me feeling quite uneasy.
Thus, I was just contemplating whether to forcibly create an opportunity after the schedule ended.
—Shiver!
Suddenly, a slight chill ran down my spine.
'What is it?'
Humans possess one sense beyond the five.
Often called the sixth sense.
In ordinary cases, it's treated merely as another term for coincidence or foreboding, but things change upon entering the realm of superhumans.
In critical, life-or-death moments like on the battlefield, this sixth sense sometimes acts as an even more powerful basis for judgment than the five senses.
But for my sixth sense to send even a minor warning signal in a moment as peaceful as this…
It was strange.
However, since it was literally a minor warning signal, it probably wasn't anything major.
Of course, with Her Highness here, I wasn't harboring any complacent thoughts.
Currently, the Black Lion Knights are guaranteed almost absolute safety by the Imperial Royal Guards and perimeter troops I personally selected from commander-level personnel.
Moreover, I am personally guarding Her Highness's side, so the possibility of any dangerous incident is extremely low.
Perhaps it was just a warning signal that some slightly unlucky event might occur today.
No matter how high one's level, the sixth sense in non-critical situations isn't very reliable.
Outside the battlefield, those who rely on their sixth sense all day are commonly called paranoid or suffering from persecution delusions.
Harboring excessive vigilance is not right. Just being aware is sufficient.
Thinking that, I glanced up at the sky; the sun was already past its zenith.
When Her Highness's party first arrived at the guardhouse, it was early morning, so quite some time had passed.
I asked Her Highness, who had been holding the hem of her dress, her face oddly flushed, fidgeting with her fingers.
"Your Highness. With this, the Black Lion Knights inspection schedule is complete. Is there perhaps any place you wish to revisit, or any further questions?"
Then, Her Highness slightly raised her head, looked me straight in the eyes, and showed an enigmatic smile.
"I have no further questions, but there is a place I'd like to see a bit more." "Is that so? Then where else…"
It seems one of the facilities left a particularly strong impression.
'That's understandable.'
The Black Lion Knights' grounds are quite extensive, and there are many eye-catching facilities.
Frankly, I had been a bit disappointed by her excessive indifference to the efforts of me and my subordinates.
With that in mind, I answered as usual, and Her Highness's icy blue eyes continued to stare piercingly into mine.
I'm not particularly accustomed to dealing with women. But I'm not so insensitive as to not recognize a signal of that level.
'Has it come, after all?'
She clearly wants a private audience with me.
I was prepared for this from the start.
"Deputy Commander. You may go in now. Since all scheduled events are over, I alone should suffice for guiding now." "Yes. Understood. Then…"
The Deputy Commander immediately paid her respects to Her Highness and returned to the headquarters barracks with measured steps.
Since hesitating briefly during the inauguration ceremony, she had never once objected to any order I gave.
Also, it was truly fortunate that the meeting between the two women ended reasonably well.
Although they did bicker a bit, judging by Her Highness's not-unpleasant expression, it seems no ill will remained between them.
'Well, the atmosphere towards the end was conciliatory anyway.'
Frankly, I was a bit worried when the Deputy Commander showed an overly assertive attitude before Her Highness.
It would be absolutely unacceptable for my precious subordinate to be taken away on charges of disrespect towards royalty.
"Hehe…"
Once the Deputy Commander was no longer in sight, Her Highness smiled a seemingly very refreshed smile and moved her lips.
"The Memorial Plaza, was it? The place with the lion statue that looks just like you. I'd like to see that place once more." "Yes. Then I shall escort you."
Memorial Plaza.
Though called a plaza, it's more like a sanctuary, a place where no one usually sets foot unless for important events like memorial services or departure ceremonies.
In other words, it was the perfect place for a private meeting.
Listening to the 4th Century Leader's report, I heard that a romance recently sparked between a female knight under his command and a squire, and their secret rendezvous spot was also here.
Well, since they both consented, I only gave light disciplinary action for compromising morals, not any severe punishment.
But it's truly an act that would make former Black Lion knights weep tears from heaven above and below.
But when on earth did Her Highness notice this place? I suppose being royalty gives one a broader perspective than ordinary people.
Just as we were about to enter the very small artificial forest path leading to the Memorial Plaza.
"Give me your hand." "Yes?"
Her Highness uttered a remark that greatly perplexed me.
"The Koko I raise in the separate palace's front yard gives me his hand immediately when asked. Can a person larger than an ogre not understand that?" "A moment. What are you, Your Highness?
—Slap!
Without a chance to say anything, I had no choice but to offer my hand to the delicate Princess, whom I could easily subdue with a flick of a finger.
Her Highness, looking curiously at my rough, ugly-looking hand, began examining it this way and that.
"You, your hand is really enormous. Probably twice the size of mine. With these large, rough hands, that night you…" "Your Highness. The joke is going a bit too far."
At that utterly bewildering act, fearing someone might see (though that's unlikely), I tried to stop her with a serious expression.
"Hmph! Why? That night, you grabbed my body, covered my mouth, and even pressed your nose against my hair, sniffing…"
At Her Highness's words, I tightly shut my mouth, unable to say anything.
"I apologize. You may do as you wish." "Hehe…"
It was a hand with only scars and calluses.
An unsightly hand that only ever received nagging from my Master about being stupidly large and thus eating a lot.
It's nothing but an eyesore that shouldn't be shown to someone of Her Highness the Princess's stature.
"Hmm…"
But why is Her Highness placing her white, soft hand on my palm, making a strange nasal sound.
And even looking at it with a somewhat satisfied gaze.
I felt so ashamed I could die.
"Ah! Sir Wolfgang. Your face is red." "Huh? Surely not…" "Oho… So you're not a steel monster after all, but a person. How cute…"
Blushing in front of someone?
Me?
Unbelievable. Her Highness must be misunderstanding something.
All knights are superhumans.
And superhumans can control their bodies to a degree unattainable by ordinary people. Even blood circulation is one of the easiest things to control.
Moreover, one of the things that must never be revealed on the battlefield, along with vital points, is emotional changes. For something as trivial as this, this minor matter…
It seems I'm not in a position to criticize others for being dull.
Probably, the month of rest has unknowingly made me a bit rusty.
However, Her Highness's following words snapped my mind back to attention.
"Sir Wolfgang. I've thought about it for a long, long time since that day, and I think I can never let that night's events pass without consequence."
Because it seemed it wasn't the time to be ashamed over trivial matters.
"I am but humbled. How should I atone for this grave sin?" "Extreme honorifics. I clearly told you not to use them. Speak casually instead." "I apologize."
The words of royalty carry immense power in themselves.
Frankly, if Her Highness felt shame over that day's events and wanted me executed, I would have to ascend the execution block without trial.
To Imperial citizens, the Imperial bloodline wields such absolute authority.
Those with celestial blood have the right to dispose of those who crawl on the earth as they wish.
"I've thought a lot about what to do with you. Even now, just thinking about that day makes my head hot. And my lower abdomen throbs. How could you possibly do that?" "..." "Sir Wolfgang. You couldn't have thought I'd just let it slide, right?" "Yes. That's correct. I will gladly accept any punishment you decree." "Hmm. There are quite a few things I want to do with you…"
Gulp.
I couldn't help but swallow hard under intense tension.
Crimes committed against royalty offer no immunity.
My spoils and gifts, even the three pardons granted by the Imperial family, are practically worthless scraps.
'Is my life over now?'
Was the foreboding I felt earlier, the sixth sense warning, meant to foretell this moment?
Since the war is over, I have no former subordinates whose lives I'm responsible for, and no attachment to family or position.
Only. I feel sorry for the Black Lion knights who have just begun to properly follow me.
What will become of me now?
Looking back, the events of that night were just unlucky, but still, it's not something I can claim was entirely not my fault.
That's why I don't feel wronged. Even if I did, I have no intention of resisting by force. Because I've clearly committed a crime not pardonable by a pardon.
To resist by force after committing such a grave crime is the act of a mere ruffian.
Power exists to defeat enemies on the battlefield, suppress injustice, and protect the weak, not to be wielded freely.
Thinking that, I was gradually preparing my mind when finally, Her Highness's lips parted.
Torture? Execution? Or perhaps, eradication of my family?
Astonishingly, it was none of the three.
"First, hold my hand properly. So I can properly feel your body temperature. Like you're firmly embracing it." "Yes?"
Completely taken aback by the utterly unexpected turn, my mind went blank, but I followed Her Highness's instruction for now.
"Hehe. Why so surprised? I'll ask for much more than this later."
It doesn't seem intended to shame me. What could her intention be?
—Squeeze
"Ah... I'm already starting to feel a bit better. Let's walk together like this for a while." "...I obey."
What on earth does Her Highness want to do?
"Hmm~ No one around. No she-cat. Just the two of us. Perfect."
Judging by her humming, she didn't seem to be feeling anger or displeasure, which was fortunate amidst misfortune.
Thus, half-dazed while tightly holding Her Highness's hand and walking…
Before I knew it, our footsteps had arrived at the destination, the Memorial Plaza.
"This spot is good. We should have our backs to the sunlight for a better view."
Turning her back while looking at the massive black lion statue made of black marble from a distance, Her Highness spoke while firmly holding the hem of her dress with both hands.
I still can't grasp what she wants.
"Because of you, I can't even enjoy my hobby anymore, so a lot of stress has already built up, you know." "I apologize."
Frankly, it's even a bit hard to follow the flow of conversation.
Just what am I experiencing?
"That 'I'm sorry' talk. You'll have to restrain yourself a bit from now on. That's not your role." "..." "Now, then, your first role is... let's start as a spectator, shall we?"
At Her Highness's subsequent actions, I became unable to do anything, even to think properly.
What is this moment I'm experiencing? What is this sight I'm seeing?
Am I perhaps dreaming one of those midsummer night's dreams I've only heard of?
"Haa, haa... D-don't look away."
The Imperial Princess.
Alicia von Diana Solaris.
To a man with whom she shared only one night of bizarre connection, a man of no consequence who has just begun to stand anew on the scars of war and seek new connections.
Hiking up her pure white skirt herself.
She was openly revealing her most precious part as a woman, completely in heat, dripping with transparent, sticky fluid.