Chapter 3: Your name is Lucretia
Following the guide’s instructions, I stepped into the school building and was directed to complete the dormitory registration in the hallway. A notice on the bulletin board outlined the room assignments.
…So, rooms are divided by social status, huh.
The student dorms comprised two buildings—one for boys, one for girls. Commoners were assigned four-person rooms, viscounts and barons got two-person rooms, and only those from earl families or higher received single rooms.
That meant I’d be in a two-person room. Apparently, you could choose your roommate if you had a preference…
I glanced to the side and met Lugue’s gaze, his eyes fixed on me. Were we thinking the same thing?
“Uh, by the way, Lugue, your family’s noble, right?” I asked, scratching my head. “Sorry, I’m just a backwater baron from the sticks, so I’m not too familiar with noble ranks around here. Mind filling me in?”
“Sure!” Lugue replied brightly. “The Becto family doesn’t own land, but we’re a viscount family.”
“A viscount family without land?”
“Instead of land, the royal family granted us property in the Capital. My father works as a bureaucrat in the Royal Castle, you see.”
“I see. So that’s how some nobles operate.”
“So, um…” Lugue’s voice softened, his cheeks faintly flushed as he looked up at me with those big eyes. “We can share a room, right?”
…Guh. This guy’s just too adorable.
Could my self-control handle living in the same room as him…?
“Oh, i-if you don’t want to, that’s fine!” Lugue stammered, waving his hands. “If you’d rather room with someone else… But, I mean, I’d feel safer with you, Hugh…”
“Lugue, let’s live together!” I declared, dropping to one knee and gently clasping his hands in mine.
“Eek!?” Lugue’s mouth opened and closed in confusion, startled by my sudden move, before he blurted out, “I-I’m not much, but I look forward to living with you!”
He totally botched the line. Tears welled in his eyes, and his face turned so red it seemed steam might escape. Seriously, so cute.
“What are you two doing…?”
A voice cut in, and I turned to see a girl with light reddish-brown hair tied in twin tails, eyeing me with exasperation. Behind her stood another girl with pale blue hair, her expression curious.
“Lilly, Lecty, you both passed too? Congrats!” I said, standing up.
“Yes. Congratulations on passing as well, Hugh,” Lilly replied coolly.
“Passing’s a given, isn’t it?” Lilly added with a smirk. “More importantly, what’s with this little drama?”
“Drama? We were just sorting out our dorm assignment.”
“It looked like a marriage proposal to me,” Lilly said, pressing a hand to her forehead with a sigh.
Well, I did ham it up a bit on purpose. Hopefully, this would keep some of the guys from hitting on Lugue.
“Let me introduce my best friend, Lugue,” I said, gesturing toward him.
“B-best friend!?” Lugue squeaked, then caught himself. “Oh, uh, I mean, nice to meet you! I’m Lugue Becto!”
“Lugue Becto…?” Lilly murmured, bringing a fist to her mouth as if lost in thought. She stepped closer, staring intently at his face.
“Uh, um…?” Lugue, flustered, took a few steps back and averted his gaze.
“Sorry, I thought you looked like someone I knew. Must be a case of mistaken identity,” Lilly said, stepping back.
“Y-yeah, probably…?” Lugue mumbled. “I don’t think the Becto family has much connection with the Puridy family.”
“Oh? I haven’t said a word about being from the Puridy family,” Lilly pointed out, raising an eyebrow.
“Ah…” Lugue clapped a hand over his mouth, realizing his slip-up.
Watching him today, I couldn’t help but think—Lugue’s kind of a klutz.
“Well, someone as remarkable as me could easily be linked to the Puridy family just by the name Lilly,” she said with a confident toss of her hair.
“That’s some serious confidence,” I remarked.
“It’s a fact. I’m quite well-known in high society, you know? Not that a backwater, dirt-poor, diarrhea-ridden baron would understand.”
“I can’t argue with anything except the diarrhea part,” I shot back.
High society was a world I had no connection to. Even for my parents, traveling a month each way for events in the Capital wasn’t practical. We were so far out that we were even excused from sending New Year’s greetings to His Majesty in person—a letter sufficed.
“Let’s start over. I’m Lilly Puridy,” she said, offering a slight nod.
“It’s an honor to meet the renowned daughter of the Puridy marquis family…” Lugue mumbled, clearly intimidated.
“Hehe, I’ll let that slide. And this is Lecty,” Lilly said, gesturing to the girl beside her.
“I-I’m Lecty. Nice to meet you, Lord Lugue,” Lecty said softly.
“Oh, uh, could you drop the ‘Lord’ part, please…?” Lugue asked, scratching his cheek.
“Then… Lugue-chan?” Lecty ventured.
“Ugh!” Lugue clutched his chest, staggering back as if struck.
“Uh, Lecty, could you call him ‘Lugue-kun’ instead?” I suggested.
“Huh? But she’s a girl, isn’t she…?” Lecty tilted her head.
“Guh!” Lugue winced again.
“Lecty, sometimes the truth can hurt people,” Lilly added with a teasing smile.
“Gah!” Lugue yelped, crouching down and trembling as if utterly defeated.
“Don’t pile on like that,” I said, shaking my head.
Poor guy… Still, Lilly seemed to have seen through Lugue’s facade and was teasing him on purpose. Was Lugue from an even higher-ranking family than a viscount?
I’d rather not get involved, but if Lugue kept acting like this, I had a bad feeling I’d get dragged into something soon. Oh well, I’d deal with it when it happened. Maybe I could stay this relaxed because I’d gotten somewhat used to controlling my 〈Brainwashing〉 skill, giving me a bit of mental leeway.
“Lugue, it’s fine to be shocked, but shouldn’t we finish the dorm registration first?” I said, nudging him.
“Y-yeah, you’re right! I’ll go do it!” Lugue replied, snapping out of it and dashing off to the teacher handling registrations.
I started to follow, but Lilly grabbed my shoulder. “Hey, are you seriously planning to live with that person?”
“Lilly, I don’t know who Lugue is, whether he’s a girl, or anything else, and I don’t plan to find out,” I said firmly. “So, there’s nothing strange about a baron and a viscount sharing a room as two guys.”
“…Well, since he’s a viscount’s heir, sharing a room is unavoidable,” Lilly conceded. “And considering how attached he seems to you, it might be better for him if you’re his roommate…”
She pulled me around to face her, her sharp eyes locking onto mine. “Listen carefully. Don’t do anything reckless. If you act on a whim and make a move, it’ll bring misfortune to you, your family, and him. Avoid that at all costs, got it?”
“I get it. I wouldn’t make a move on another guy anyway,” I assured her.
“…I’ll trust you, Hugh,” Lilly said, releasing my shoulder.
Looks like I’d gotten myself attached to someone pretty important. If even a marquis’s daughter like Lilly referred to him as that person, his status must be something else… Alright, I’m just gonna pretend I didn’t hear that.
“By the way, don’t you two need to register for the dorms too?” I asked. “Lilly, you’ll get a single room, and Lecty, you’ll be in a four-person room?”
“Oh, right. That’s how it works…” Lecty murmured, looking down anxiously.
As a commoner from the slums, sharing a room with wealthier commoners would likely make her feel out of place.
“Don’t worry, Lecty. You’ll be rooming with me,” Lilly said confidently.
“Huh!?” Lecty squeaked.
“Rooming together? Doesn’t a marquis family get a single room?” I asked, surprised.
“Room assignments are flexible with a marquis family’s influence,” Lilly explained with a smirk. “It’s not like I’m asking for an upgrade. If it’s an issue, I’ll just have an extra bed brought into my room. Though sharing one bed could be fun, don’t you think?”
“W-what!?” Lecty stammered, blushing and hiding behind me.
“Hehe, just kidding, Lecty. Don’t take it so seriously,” Lilly said with a laugh that didn’t sound entirely like a joke.
Lecty seemed to sense it too, peeking out from behind me. “B-but won’t I be a burden…? A commoner like me living with you… Wouldn’t you prefer a single room…?”
“What’s the point of dorm life if you’re alone?” Lilly countered. “The whole appeal is living together, right? And stop putting yourself down. I say you’re worthy, Lecty.”
“L-Lilly-chan…!” Moved by Lilly’s words, Lecty stepped out, stood before her, and bowed deeply. “I’m not much, but I look forward to living with you…!”
“I swear by the gods to make you happier than anyone else,” Lilly replied solemnly.
…That sounded way more like a proposal than what I did.
As Lilly and Lecty headed off to register, I grabbed Lilly’s shoulder. “Don’t you dare make a move on her, got it?”
“I can’t promise that,” Lilly said with a mischievous grin.
This girl…! I was worried about Lecty, but rooming with Lilly was probably the best option for her. It wasn’t my place to interfere. Sorry, Lecty, you’re on your own.
After that, we completed our dorm registrations without issue. Following the guide’s instructions, we entered a classroom where we were briefed on dorm rules, campus facilities, and the schedule for tomorrow’s entrance ceremony before being dismissed.
Lugue and I headed to the boys’ dorm and stepped into our assigned room.
“Wow! This is our room!” Lugue exclaimed, eyes sparkling.
“It’s way more spacious than I expected!” I added, unable to hide my excitement.
The room was impressively large. Beds and study desks were arranged symmetrically on either side, accompanied by a wardrobe, shelves, a low table in the center, and a U-shaped sofa surrounding it. Even with all this furniture, the room didn’t feel cramped. It even had a shower room and a flush toilet.
As expected of the Royal Academy. If this was the room for viscounts and barons, I could only imagine how luxurious the rooms for earls and above must be.
“Apparently, there was ‘all sorts of stuff’ regarding the room’s furniture and furnishings,” Lugue said vaguely.
“Please don’t tell me the details. It’ll ruin the vibe…” I replied, shaking my head.
This school had way too much “all sorts of stuff” going on.
Finally able to relax, I sank into the sofa. Lugue, meanwhile, started preparing a towel and change of clothes.
“Hugh, I’m gonna use the shower first, okay?” he said.
“Yeah, take your time,” I replied casually, watching him head into the shower room.
Soon, I heard the rustle of clothes, the sound of running water, and Lugue’s contented sighs mixed with a soft hum.
…This is, uh, pretty overwhelming.
Even without Lilly’s warning, I had no intention of doing anything, but her advice definitely reinforced my resolve. Living with a girl was this heart-pounding…? No, wait, Lugue hadn’t been confirmed as a girl yet. If there was even a one percent chance he was a guy, I should treat him as one. Yeah.
Still, were the walls in this room kinda thin…?
“No, wait. I forgot I still had the 〈Ninja〉 skill active,” I muttered, pulling out a hand mirror and switching my skill to 〈Ignition〉. Tomorrow was just the entrance ceremony, but you never knew when someone might check my skill.
After that, I sat on the sofa, zoning out. I must’ve been more tired than I thought, because I might’ve dozed off for a bit.
The sound of the door opening woke me. Lugue walked toward me, drying his hair with a towel draped around his neck.
“Phew, that was a nice shower. Your turn, Hugh,” he said cheerfully.
“Y-yeah…” I managed, my voice catching.
“Hm? What’s wrong?” Lugue tilted his head, puzzled.
What’s wrong? That’s my line.
It wasn’t just that post-shower Lugue looked oddly alluring or that the sweet, osmanthus-like fragrance reached me even from a distance. No, I was stunned for a different reason.
Lugue’s pajamas were a frilly, pale pink negligee. The fabric was so thin you could faintly see his flushed skin underneath. The sleeves only covered half his upper arms, and the hem was so short it left his thighs exposed.
This guy wasn’t even trying to hide his gender anymore, was he!?
◇
It was a dream from my childhood, probably ten years ago. I was around five, running through the fields and mountains of the Pnocis Domain from morning till night. Freed from the work-obsessed life of my previous world, I’d reverted to a childlike state, engrossed in catching bugs or building secret bases every day.
While exploring the forest as usual, I came across a girl sitting alone, on the verge of tears. In the sparsely populated, aging Pnocis Domain, there were no kids my age. Her dress was intricately designed, so I immediately knew she was from outside.
“Hey, what’s your name?” I called out.
Holding back tears, she said she was the daughter of a traveling merchant. I couldn’t quite catch her name. Her hair color and features felt vaguely familiar. For a merchant’s daughter, her dress was awfully fancy, and her speech was surprisingly mature for a child.
When I asked what happened, she explained that the carriage she was traveling in with her family had broken down, leaving them stranded. While the adults were repairing it, she got bored, wandered into the forest, and got lost.
For some reason, I decided to show her the secret base I’d just finished building. With no other kids my age around, I was desperate to show it off to someone.
“You made this?” she asked, wide-eyed.
“Yeah! I built it all by myself. Pretty cool, right?” I boasted.
“It’s a very impressive doghouse,” she teased.
“It’s a secret base!” I protested.
We spent the rest of the day chatting about nothing in particular. I complained about being from a dirt-poor noble family in the middle of nowhere, and she grumbled about her days being filled with boring lessons. We bonded over griping about our families, laughing and getting mad together.
At night, I took her back to my family’s manor, keeping our secret base playtime a secret, and explained the situation to my father. He immediately went to the forest, brought her family back, and they stayed at our manor until their carriage was fixed.
For the next three days, I spent every moment with her from morning till night. We swam in the river, read books she brought, and took naps together.
When it was time for her to leave, she was holding back tears again. “Don’t forget me, okay? If we meet again someday, I’ll make you my groom!”
What did I say in response to her confession…?
◇
The morning sun streamed through the window, and the distant chirping of birds stirred me awake. I slowly opened my eyes, my groggy mind confused by the unfamiliar surroundings, still lingering on that nostalgic dream. After a moment, I remembered: I’d passed the Royal Academy’s entrance exam and started dorm life.
That’s right—this was the dorm room where I’d spend the next three years. On the other side of the room, Lugue’s bed… was empty. He must’ve woken up early and gone to the bathroom or something.
Maybe I’ll sleep a bit more…
I tried to roll over, but my body felt oddly heavy, like something was restricting my movement. When I moved my stiff left arm, my palm brushed against something soft. With my free right arm, I felt fabric that wasn’t my blanket and something small but soft and springy.
“…Mmm…” A sweet sigh came from under the covers.
No way. I yanked the blanket off, and silver hair came into view, pressed tightly against me.
Are you kidding me!?
My roommate, Lugue Becto—who I hoped was a guy—was clinging to me, fast asleep.
No wonder I couldn’t move. So, that soft sensation I felt earlier was…!? Sorry, Lilly, I might be done for…
Calm down. Stay composed. It’s fine. Settle down, settle…
As I seriously considered using my 〈Brainwashing〉 skill to tame my riled-up emotions, Lugue stirred with a soft “Nnh…” and slowly opened his eyes.
“Huh, Hugh…?” he mumbled sleepily.
“Uh… morning, Lugue,” I managed.
“Morning… hehe…” Still half-asleep, Lugue gave a goofy smile, closed his eyes again, and snuggled closer, clinging tightly to me.
God, he’s way too cute…!
I’d love to stay like this forever, but my self-control was at its limit.
“Wake up, Lugue. It’s morning!” I said, shaking him gently.
“Morning…? Wait, why is Hugh sleeping with me…?” Lugue mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
“That’s my line! This is my bed!” I exclaimed.
“Huh…?” Lugue groggily sat up, looking around. Then, as if recalling last night’s bed assignments, his face turned bright red, and he scrambled off the bed in a panic. “S-s-sorry, Hugh! I can’t sleep well without hugging something, and after using the bathroom in the middle of the night, I just got a little curious and…”
“So you did it on purpose!?” I cried.
“Thanks to you, I slept like a baby! Thank you!” Lugue said earnestly.
I didn’t know what to do with that gratitude… At this rate, he might turn me into his personal body pillow every night. If that happened, my restraint was gonna snap. Lilly’s warning was starting to feel like a lifesaver—I should frame it.
“For now, after the entrance ceremony, let’s go find you a proper body pillow, okay…?” I suggested.
“Huh!? You’re not good enough, Hugh?” Lugue asked, tilting his head.
“Of course not, you klutz of a roommate!” I shot back.
“Klutz of a roommate!?” Lugue echoed, looking shocked.
Ignoring his expression, I started changing into my uniform. There was still time before the entrance ceremony, but considering the time to eat breakfast in the dining hall, I didn’t have much to spare.
I put on black pants, a white shirt with blue accents and gold buttons, and tied a red tie. The white and blue reflected the colors of the Reese Kingdom’s flag, and the gold symbolized the royal family—a quintessential Royal Academy uniform. Finally, I draped a black cloak with gold embroidery over my shoulders and glanced back to see Lugue covering his face with both hands… but peeking at me through his fingers.
“Hugh, you’re pretty built, huh?” he said, his voice muffled.
“This is pretty normal, isn’t it?” I replied, shrugging.
This world didn’t have the entertainment or sugary drinks and snacks of my previous life, so I didn’t lead an unhealthy lifestyle. I didn’t specifically train, but moving around in daily life had naturally built some muscle. Still, was it necessary to pretend you weren’t looking while asking that?
“I’ll wait outside. Come out when you’re changed,” I said, heading into the hallway.
It was breakfast time, and other freshmen in crisp new uniforms were streaming out of their rooms. This sight would probably become familiar soon enough.
After a bit, Lugue emerged from the room in his uniform. “So, uh, how do I look, Hugh? Does it suit me…?”
“Yeah, it looks surprisingly good on you,” I said, nodding.
Compared to yesterday’s outfit, this felt less forced and fit him well. He could pass as a cute boy like this.
“‘Surprisingly’ is uncalled for, Hugh!” Lugue huffed, puffing out his cheeks.
“Sorry, sorry,” I said, placating him as we left the dorm.
After breakfast in the dining hall next to the school building, we headed to the entrance ceremony. Entrance ceremonies were the same in any world, it seemed. We freshmen sat in chairs, listening to speeches from important figures.
The only highlight was when Lilly took the stage for the freshman representative speech. As expected of her—she spoke confidently with a clear, dignified voice, without even glancing at any notes. According to Lugue, the representative was chosen based on entrance exam scores, not family background. So, Lilly must be this year’s top scorer.
It made sense. She probably aced the written exam, and I bet she had a powerful skill too.
After the ceremony, we were dismissed for the day. Tomorrow was a rest day, with class assignments and lessons starting the day after.
Back at our dorm room with Lugue, I found a letter addressed to me in the mailbox. No sender was listed, but it was sealed with a wax stamp shaped like a flower crown.
A flower crown… I’ve got a bad feeling about this.
“That’s a letter from the Royal Castle, right…?” Lugue said, peering over my shoulder. “Hugh, what did you do?”
“I don’t have a clue… probably,” I replied, frowning.
Did they find out about my 〈Brainwashing〉 skill…? No, if that were the case, would they really just send a letter?
Either way, I needed to check it. Sitting at the study desk, I opened the envelope with a letter knife. The letter, written in elegant script, invited me to the Royal Castle. Apparently, the royal family wanted to personally hear about my role in taking down a human trafficking ring. It was penned by a deputy knight commander named Roan and mentioned they’d send a carriage to pick me up at 9 a.m. tomorrow.
“The deputy commander Roan wrote it…?” Lugue said, surprised.
“Lugue, you know him?” I asked.
“Well, not personally, but he’s famous. He’s the deputy commander of the Kingdom’s Knights, the strongest knight in the kingdom with the 〈Sword Saint〉 skill. He’s usually pretty lazy, but his handwriting’s surprisingly neat, so he often gets asked to write letters—especially for Prince Lucas.”
“Prince Lucas, the third prince…?” I said, my voice trailing off.
Even a backwater baron like me had heard of him. The third prince, Lucas von Reese. Brilliant mind, exceptional athleticism, well-versed in military strategy and politics—a genius. And a blind prince, born with a disease that took his sight. They say if he hadn’t lost his vision, he’d be the top contender for the throne.
“Probably,” Lugue said, nodding.
“Why would someone like that want to see me…?” I muttered.
I glanced to the side and saw Lugue leaning over my shoulder, practically hugging me from behind, staring intently at the letter.
…No way, right?
“Hugh, can I borrow this letter for a bit?” Lugue asked suddenly.
“Sure, but what for?” I replied, curious.
“Just remembered some errands. Oh, I’m staying at my family’s place tonight. It’s been a while, and I want to see my dad and family!” he said cheerfully.
“Got it. I’m jealous you can do that living in the Capital,” I said.
“Your home’s in the northeast, right…? Must be lonely,” Lugue said softly.
“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t. But I’m an adult now. It’s a good time to be on my own.”
“…Yeah. But I’d love to visit your hometown someday, Hugh.”
“It’s just mountains and forests,” I said with a shrug.
“That’s why it sounds great! Living quietly in a peaceful place with you sounds fun!” Lugue said, his eyes sparkling.
“I-I see…” I stammered, caught off guard.
Was that, like, an indirect proposal or something…? It was true, though—living a relaxed, carefree life in my hometown with Lugue would definitely add some color to it.
“…Then maybe we can go back together sometime. If you like it, you could even settle there. I’d be happy to have you,” I said.
“Really!? It’s a promise, Hugh!” Lugue beamed with genuine joy, holding out his pinky.
This world had the custom of pinky promises too. When I hooked my pinky with his, Lugue said happily, “May the gods guide this promise!”
◇
The next day, after Lugue went back to his family’s home, I stood at the academy’s front gate, waiting for the carriage.
“Is this outfit really okay…?” I muttered, tugging at my uniform.
The thought of meeting royalty made me nervous. I was wearing the Royal Academy’s uniform, which, according to the school rules I’d checked last night, counted as formal attire for students. It should be fine for an audience with royalty… probably.
“If Lugue were here, I’d feel a bit more at ease…” I mumbled.
Lugue and I had agreed to meet up at the Royal Castle after my audience. I wondered how he could just show up at the castle but didn’t press for details. Probably helping out with his dad’s work or something, right?
About five minutes before the scheduled time, I spotted a carriage approaching from a distance. The driver’s seat was occupied by a knight in white armor with blue accents. Just to be safe, I switched my skill to 〈Ninja〉 in case I needed to make a quick escape. My enhanced vision let me see clearly even from afar.
The knight driving the carriage was a young woman with purple hair tied to the side, her face still carrying a hint of youthfulness. Another knight was inside the carriage.
The carriage stopped in front of me, and the door opened to reveal a middle-aged male knight. His hair was unkempt, his posture slouched, and he sported a scruffy beard, giving off a distinctly lazy vibe.
But my senses, heightened by the 〈Ninja〉 skill, were sounding alarm bells. This guy was strong. No question about it. Even with the 〈Ninja〉 skill, I wouldn’t stand a chance in a fight—not head-on, not even with tricks. The gap in skill and experience was overwhelming. Could this be the kingdom’s strongest…?
“I’m Roan Ashblade, deputy commander of the Kingdom’s Knights. You Hugh Pnocis?” he asked, scratching his beard.
“Y-Yes, sir. Nice to meet you, Deputy Commander Roan,” I replied, straightening up.
“Just Roan’s fine. Unless you’re aiming to join the knights, no need for formalities,” he said with a yawn.
“…Then I’ll call you Roan, sir. I’m set to inherit my family’s estate, so…” I trailed off.
“That’s a shame. With your skills, you’d be welcome anytime, but let me know if you change your mind. Hop in,” Roan said, gesturing to the carriage.
Urged by Roan, I climbed in. The female knight at the driver’s seat called out, “You’re Hugh, right? Name’s Alyssa Swift. Pleasure to meet ya!”
“Hugh Pnocis. Nice to meet you too,” I replied.
“Whoa! You’re surprisingly polite and proper! I figured the guy who single-handedly took down a human trafficking ring would be some rough, hulking brute,” Alyssa said, grinning.
“Uh, really…?” I muttered, unsure how to respond.
“Hey, Alyssa! Quit yapping and get the carriage moving!” Roan barked.
“Got it, Master!” Alyssa replied cheerfully.
“M-Master?” I echoed, confused.
“Don’t mind her, Hugh. She’s always like this…” Roan sighed, slumping back in his seat.
With a sigh, Roan rubbed his forehead, a gesture that spoke volumes about the trouble she caused him.
Still…
Roan was one thing, but Alyssa was no less formidable. Against these two, fighting was out of the question, and even escaping would be a challenge. If they knew about my 〈Brainwashing〉 skill, I’d be finished.
For now, they didn’t seem hostile. I’d stay cautious, keeping an escape route in mind—though against these two, it was likely futile. I wasn’t giving up without a try, though.
“By the way, who summoned me…?” I asked, suspecting it was the third prince, Lucas.
Roan scratched his scruffy beard, his grin tinged with unease. “Well, up until yesterday, I could’ve told ya, but it’s suddenly classified. Sorry, can’t say here.”
“It doesn’t seem like something that needs to be hidden…” I muttered.
“I agree,” Roan replied, “but a knight’s gotta follow the orders of the royalty they’re sworn to. Let’s just say it’s a surprise for when you get there.”
“Alright…”
The carriage ride to the Royal Castle was filled with lighthearted chatter. Roan, it turned out, had been in the same class as my dad at the Royal Academy. They’d stayed up all night drinking at my mom’s diner and even gotten into a fistfight over her. Honestly, hearing about my parents from Roan was far more interesting than meeting royalty, but the fun ended too soon as the carriage pulled up to the Royal Castle.
“I wanted to hear more about my parents,” I said, reluctant to let the stories end.
“I’ll tell ya more anytime,” Roan promised. “On my day off, we can drink till dawn.”
“Count me in!” I grinned.
“You two are getting along real well, huh…” Alyssa remarked with a wry smile as I followed them into the castle.
Until yesterday, I’d never imagined setting foot in a place like this. The sacred, tense atmosphere was almost overwhelming, perhaps intensified by the ongoing succession disputes. The place was lavish—plush carpets underfoot, vases, urns, and paintings lining the halls, each clearly priceless. Breaking even one would probably bankrupt the Pnocis family like a house of straw. Sweating nervously, I followed them up several staircases until Roan stopped.
“Here we are, Hugh. Your Highness, I’ve brought Hugh Pnocis!” he announced.
“Come on in!” a cheerful voice called from inside.
Roan sighed again, rubbing his forehead, while Alyssa gave another wry smile. I was sweating for a different reason—the voice sounded eerily familiar.
Roan gestured with his chin for me to enter. I stepped into a simple room with just a desk, where a figure stood by the window, dressed in an elegant white gown adorned with blue and gold embroidery. She turned to face me, her glossy golden hair cascading to her waist, her large sapphire-blue eyes giving her a youthful air. A petite girl.
“Welcome… I mean, nice to meet you, Hugh Pnocis,” she said with a smile. “My name is Lucretia von Reese, the seventh princess of this kingdom. Pleased to meet you!”
This seventh princess is definitely Lugue!
I screamed internally, clutching my head. My senses, sharpened by the 〈Ninja〉 skill, were certain: Lugue = Princess Lucretia. Her hair color and length must be altered by some magical tool—hardly surprising for royalty.
I’d had my suspicions. Lilly, a marquis’s daughter, calling him “that person,” his unusual familiarity with the Royal Castle and Academy, the way he wandered the Capital like it was all new despite being born here—it all clicked if he was royalty. I’d considered the possibility, but…
Royalty, really!? I spent a night in the same bed as her! I didn’t do anything, of course! …Well, I might’ve accidentally groped her chest and butt, maybe.
Lilly’s warning hit me with full force. She was right—this was someone I couldn’t afford to mess up with. A wrong move could get my entire family executed and lead Princess Lucretia to a tragic fate.
What do I do…?
For now, she was meeting me as a princess. I had to respond appropriately. Dropping to one knee, I bowed my head and performed the vassal’s salute, thankful my dad had taught me the basics.
“It is my honor to meet you, Princess Lucretia,” I said solemnly. “I am Hugh, son of Mike Pnocis, lord of the Pnocis Domain. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Hehe, you don’t have to be so formal,” she replied, her tone light.
“I must respectfully disagree,” I said, shaking my head, keeping it lowered.
A displeased “Hmph” escaped her lips. I couldn’t treat her like Lugue. What was she planning, appearing as Princess Lucretia? If she pulled a “Surprise, I’m Lugue!” like some prank, I’d be done for…
As I gauged her intentions, Princess Lucretia let out a small sigh. “Raise your head, Hugh Pnocis.”
“Yes, Your Highness!” I replied, looking up to find her gazing down at me with a composed expression, fully in princess mode.
“I’ve heard of your deeds from the Kingdom’s Knights,” she said. “You single-handedly dismantled a human trafficking ring and saved its captives. A truly remarkable feat!”
“It’s not worthy of Your Highness’s praise,” I deflected.
“Hmph. You should accept compliments graciously,” she chided.
“…But my carelessness got a friend kidnapped,” I admitted. “I only acted to save him. Taking down the ring and freeing the others was just a byproduct.”
“Hugh… you’re too serious and humble,” she said with an exasperated sigh, then smiled. “That’s exactly why I want to reward you.”
A reward, huh? She was clearly hiding her identity, which was… helpful, I suppose.
“Hugh, I shall grant you a reward,” she declared, approaching from the window and extending the back of her right hand. “Hugh Pnocis, I appoint you as my personal knight.”
A knight sworn directly to royalty—the highest honor for a nobleman, a dream every noble boy held at least once. Only those trusted by royalty could receive it, bound to protect their liege until death. The authority surpassed even the Kingdom’s Knights, and the position came with a marquis title. It was likely the greatest reward a royal, short of the king, could bestow.
The moment I took her hand and kissed it, I’d become a marquis, dedicating my life to her. My answer was already decided.
“I respectfully decline,” I said firmly.
“Yes, I look forward to—whaaat!? Why would you refuse!?” she exclaimed, grabbing my shoulders and shaking me, clearly not expecting rejection.
“Well, it’s just…” I began. “As the heir to the Pnocis family, I must return to manage our estate after graduating. I have no siblings or relatives to take over.”
“Then just appoint a governor to manage it!” she countered. “Lots of nobles in the Capital do that!”
“That works for closer territories,” I explained, “but my home is in the far reaches. It took me a month to get here. If something happened, it’d take two months to return at the earliest. That’s not feasible.”
More importantly, a royal knight had to prioritize their liege’s safety above all else. Managing an estate alongside that was impossible. I could abandon my family and let the Pnocis line end with my father, but my goal in this life was a carefree, relaxed existence. I couldn’t become Princess Lucretia’s knight.
And there was an even bigger reason I couldn’t accept her wish.
“I see…” she murmured, sensing my resolve. Releasing my shoulders, she looked down sadly, her expression carrying not just disappointment but a deeper, more poignant emotion.
I wanted to know what lay behind that look, but now wasn’t the time to ask. What I needed to say was…
“I’m sorry, Your Highness,” I said softly. “I have a promise with a friend I cannot break.”
“A promise…?” she asked, her voice curious.
“Yes. I promised to invite him to my hometown someday,” I explained. “I even said he could settle there if he liked it. I can’t become Your Highness’s knight and be unable to return. I hope you understand.”
“…Honestly, you’re just too much,” she said, letting out a small laugh and a sigh. “If you have an important promise, I suppose there’s no helping it. But this puts me in a bind. I called you here, so I have to give you some reward.”
“Meeting Your Highness is more than enough honor for me,” I replied.
“Hmph. Being too humble isn’t good either!” she huffed. “Alright, I’ve decided. Hugh Pnocis, I’ll grant you a reward. Keep your eyes closed until I say so!”
“…Understood,” I said, closing my eyes as ordered.
Even with my eyes shut, the 〈Ninja〉 skill heightened my senses. I could hear, smell, and feel the air shift, tracking Princess Lucretia’s movements perfectly. She stepped closer, bent down, and the sweet scent of osmanthus filled my nose.
A soft sensation brushed my right cheek.
The princess stepped back three paces, covering her mouth with both hands, squirming and hopping in place before finally speaking. “You can open your eyes, Hugh.”
I looked up to see her struggling to maintain a composed expression, her face still flushed, her lips twitching as she fought a grin. She didn’t look “okay” at all.
“Your Highness, what did you just…?” I asked, my voice hesitant.
“Hehe, it’s a secret,” she teased. “I’m not telling you, Hugh.”
I knew exactly what happened, and my face had been burning ever since. But I’d pretend I didn’t notice. She was a princess here, and I wasn’t about to defy absolute monarchy.
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