Chapter 37: The Morning of Confessions and Troubled Memories

“I’m sorry. I should have come earlier.”

“…Rahi, what did you do to me? It’s all my fault for being such an idiot…”

“No, that’s not it. It’s that bastard who hit you—none of it is your fault.”

“Hmph, no… He’s blameless. If you think about it, I was the one showing off, and he doesn’t even know I like him…”

“How frustrating—with all that crying, you still want to take his side?”

Lara fell silent, sulking at the slightly angry tone. Rahi sighed deeply before continuing in a subdued voice.

“There’s no one worse than a guy who thinks he can mess with every woman just because he trusts only his own split personality. You’re blameless…”

“Hmmm…”

Though his words were sincere, they couldn’t stop her tears. As Lara bowed her head and began to sniffle again, Rahi stared at her, utterly at a loss.

At that moment, Lara stretched out both her arms. A hand forcefully pressed against his chest, and clutched at his coat without hesitation.

Lara buried her face in his firm embrace and wept quietly, reverting to her habit of crying into her brother’s arms.

Meanwhile, Rahi, pushed backward, eventually collapsed on the floor with a bewildered expression. With Lara now sitting between his long legs and clinging to him, he couldn’t move at all.

Several minutes passed in silence. Gradually, the sobs that had filled the room faded, replaced by soft, steady breathing.

Rahi lowered his head stiffly to look down at his chest. There, his checkered shirt was dampened at the center, and he saw Lara sleeping soundly in a splash of colors.

“…Sigh.”

Rahi let out a sound that hovered between a sigh and a chuckle.

After briefly removing his clumsy round glasses and reverting to his Karlahee persona, he raised a hand from the floor and placed it on his rounded crown. Despite the awkward position that left his hand slightly numb, he nonchalantly ruffled his hair.

‘This is why I can’t really leave even if I want to.’

His coral hair flowed smoothly from his fingertips without a tangle. Karlahee smiled lazily, as if he had no cares in the world.

Lara brushed her cheek against the soft pillow. Today, its texture and scent felt better than usual—clearly, the maidens had taken extra care.

‘But why is it so long?’

Was her pillow always this long as to catch her feet? Realizing something was amiss, Lara opened her eyes. Just as she was about to exhale, she covered her mouth in shock.

On the impeccably smooth, almost glaringly white pillow lay not just a plain surface, but a strikingly handsome face with well-defined features. It was a Dakimakura printed with Lord Robes.

Why was a Dakimakura with Lord Robes here in her bed? Or rather, was this even her bed? Lara abruptly sat up.

She saw Lord Robes wallpaper, a drawer displaying a Lord Robes figure, and every corner of the room decked out in Lord Robes memorabilia. As she stood there dazed in the morning light that bathed the room in whiteness, a knock echoed at the door. A voice she recognized all too well spoke.

“Are you awake?”

“…Rahi?”

Soon, Rahi in his checkered shirt stepped in as Lara slowly blinked her eyes. Realizing her disheveled state as a lady, she hurriedly pulled the blanket up to her neck.

“Uh, why am I here?”

Her long-sleeved saintly dress was the epitome of modesty, but when Rahi noticed her embarrassment, he awkwardly averted his gaze. Fixating on a Lord Robes poster on one wall, he replied,

“Don’t you remember last night?”

“Last night…? Ah.”

“If it brought back any bad memories, I’m sorry. But are you always the kind to fall asleep anywhere so easily?”

“No!”

Lara clutched the edge of the blanket and shouted, as if questioning his perception of her. Realizing she wasn’t in a position to really shout, her voice quickly subsided.

“Last night… that embrace was so cozy… I used to drift off in my brother’s arms when I was little. Not like now, though.”

After softly scratching her cheek, Lara stole a glance at him. His lips curved into a lingering smile.

“Come have breakfast.”

“Oh? Did you prepare it yourself again?”

Lara caught up with him as he stepped out first and inquired. Rahi only grinned in response.

Seated at the dining table, Lara murmured in admiration. The table was laid with a simple vegetable salad, sandwiches, grilled sausages, and a selection of fruits—a pretty sumptuous breakfast spread.

“You’re quite diligent from the morning. I tend to oversleep… I really need to learn from you.”

“Learn? That’s just what happens when someone gets up early—nothing more.”

“Every time, whether yesterday or today, it seems I’m always treated to your meals. I’ll buy you breakfast someday… By the way, why were you in the Imperial City last night?”

At her blunt question, Rahi paused with his fork and knife in hand, and his index finger trembled slightly.

“Didn’t I mention it? I work in the Imperial City.”

“What’s going on?”

“That scribe.”

“Does that mean you meet the Emperor often?”

“Well… occasionally.”

While fiddling with his glasses’ frame, Rahi quickly changed the subject.

“More importantly, Lara, why were you there last night? Where did you get that outfit?”

“Ah… this? It’s the Saintess’s dress. I actually came in her place last night. Surely you must have been disappointed with my appearance, Pea…”

“Not at all! The Emperor wouldn’t be disappointed after seeing you. Maybe you just caught him off guard.”

Realizing his remark might have been premature, Rahi quickly scanned Lara’s expression. She blinked absently for a moment before offering a gentle smile.

“Heh, as always, you’re the only one for me. Thank you. Hearing that really lifts my spirits. By the way, you know Pea? I guess that’s because we work in the same Imperial City…”

Lost in thought, Lara remained silent as Rahi rested his chin on his hand, gazing at her intently.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Yes? What is it?”

“…Do you still have feelings for him?”

Lara managed a vague smile. Though thinking of him still hurt like a needle pricking her heart, her affection for him remained stronger, at least for now.

“It might sound foolish, but… I still think I love him. Though I know I should probably let go someday…”

“If you don’t mind, would you tell me who he is?”

At that earnest question, Lara hesitated. She considered revealing that the man she adored was Pea, but since Rahi already knew him, she decided better not to.

Yet, if she didn’t say anything at all, it might seem like she was drawing a line in the sand. Instead, Lara hinted vaguely.

“I think he’s an officer in the Imperial Guard…”

The Emperor’s right-hand man was known to be everywhere the Emperor went, freely entering the Imperial City, and even had the audacity to speak down to the Saintess—suggesting his high status, perhaps even the head of the Imperial Guard. Although the thought flitted through her mind, Lara chose not to reveal more.

Rahi fell silent, quietly etching the detail of the Imperial Guard into his memory.

* * *

“Commander! We’ve got a big problem!”

“What’s all this racket about this morning? Now, tell me everything with your little lips.”

Diches whispered urgently as he grasped the jaw of a knight who had burst into the study. The knight flinched and pushed away Diches’ firm chest as a warm breath grazed his ear.

“You mustn’t do this… Uh, now head out to the training ground. The condition of the new knights is all…”

“At last, today is the day when a hundred little fledgling chicks fly into my arms.”

“…Huh?”

The knight eyed Diches strangely, but Diches, unfazed, folded his arms and stepped toward the window. Glancing at the training ground outside, he murmured so softly no one could hear,

“…Come quickly into my cage. Let me break those wings so they never fly again…”

‘Not this again…’

Without any attempt to hide his bizarre look, the knight quietly left the study. He then departed from the Knight Order building and entered the training ground.

Early in the morning, the training ground of the Imperial Knight Order buzzed with activity, thanks to 98 women dressed in masculine attire sporting brown wavy wigs.

“Aren’t you Lady Waron? Nice to see you.”

“Oh my, Lady Yulbita Youngae must have been invited as well.”

“There are so many Youngaes here. Being at the Imperial Knight Order for the first time can be a bit nerve-wracking, huh?”

“Indeed. It’s amazing to be here with a face without any makeup.”

“Hohoho, your wig is a bit crooked. That should give you a more natural look.”

“Oh, thank you, Lady Selena.”

Inside the capital’s social hall, familiar connections already formed, so none of them felt any tension. Amidst the warm laughter filling the training ground, the knights retreated to the sidelines with puzzled looks.

The 98 women, more intrigued by the novelty of the setting than by the fact that they were in male attire, chattered excitedly. Some noble Youngaes and ladies had even laid out mats in the center to enjoy an elegant tea time.

Unable to tolerate it any longer, the Company Commander, carrying his sturdy Wooden Sword, stepped forward.

“Attention―!! Fall in―!! What’s with this wild behavior on the holy training ground?! These new recruits are absolutely undisciplined!!”

“Oh my~ look at those muscles.”

One lady placed her hand admiringly on the Company Commander’s strong arm. The Youngaes who had been sipping tea on the mat got up and gathered around him.

Surrounded by these rugged women, he sniffed as a faint scent hovered about his nose.

‘How is it that a guy like me can smell so good… Ah, what am I thinking!’