# 26
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Of course, Duke Elad was not one to be affected by opposition from his followers, and as a cold-hearted and ruthless person, he would have rejected such opinions lightly… .
The Duchess, an ordinary woman, could have been different.
Since she had gone to the capital in such a state, it was impossible for the other nobles to treat her kindly as she had ignored and not even welcomed her own followers.
“If stress is really the cause, I will have to stop practicing monasticism.”
However, as the Duchess said, it was impossible for the only princess of the duke family in the empire not to engage in social activities at all in the capital.
*Elad family ← Duchy, Pylos family ← Duchy of Abelos and also known as an independent principality.*
Moreover, even if I ignored the banquets hosted by other noble families, I couldn't do the same for the events held in the Imperial Palace, so I was already worried that I would be bullied by the other noble ladies and wouldn't be able to adapt.
“Oh really? It’s a big deal that Allen refuses to come out.”
That was when I walked out into the yard with a deep sigh.
He heard the Duchess's puzzled voice.
Apparently he heard from the butler that Allen refused to go out today.
“We don't eat together these days... Ah, Diana and Leia are here, and today's outing must be done alone with the girls.”
The Duchess, who found us, spoke brightly, but her expression showed disappointment.
It was normal.
It's been a few days since I haven't seen Allen.
He had been on the fence from the moment Valery's master's betrayal was revealed.
'Well, it must have been quite a shock to witness the true nature of the teacher he trusted before his eyes.'
In fact, when she encountered Master Valery, she immediately noticed that Allen was hiding behind the back cover.
But I was in no position to return it, and since I was going to find out anyway, I thought it would be best to see it in person, so I left it alone.
I was hoping he would join my side and say something when I revealed the identity of Master Valery to the Duke.
“But then again, wasn’t that difficult for the kid to deal with?”
My heart was heavy when I thought of Allen, who had been withdrawn and avoiding me ever since.
“Let's take a look at the beautiful clothes and shoes today. I'll stop by the toy store, so you can choose a lot.”
"amazing !"
When I went out with Diana, who was excited, I saw Tice and several knights standing in front of the carriage.
“Ma’am, Miss, this is Master Sidian, today’s attendant.”
“Please take care of me, Lord Sidian.”
After greeting the Duchess, Tez said cautiously that she wished to speak with me for a moment.
When the Duchess got into the carriage first, trying to appease Diana, who did not want to be parted from me, Theis came up to me and bent his knee.
“Leah, I feel embarrassed and I want to say thank you, when we first met, and again this time... I owe you so much.”
“It's okay, it wasn't a big deal...”
“You may need my help because you are a smart and active child, but if there is anything I can do for you, please let me know, I will definitely return the favor.”
After speaking with serious eyes, Taiz moved his hand towards the decoration hanging on the sword.
I shouted in embarrassment.
“Sir! Please put your father’s belongings away!”
“...um, okay.”
Why in heaven's name is this person so careful not to share this memento whenever he gets the chance?
When I saw Sid withdrawing his hand with a lonely aura, I looked tired.
then.
“Jack, it may be a field trip, but this is your first escort mission, are you going to stay hidden like this? Don’t be shy and come out.”
“...Jack?”
When I looked around at Master's words, Jack, who was dressed as an apprentice knight, slowly walked out from among the knights.
When I blinked in surprise at his clothes, Lord Sidian slapped Jack on the shoulder and said:
“He was so talented that I decided to make him my apprentice. He had just become an apprentice knight, but in a few years he would be officially ordained and become a knight.”
"Awesome! Jack, congratulations!"
I was really surprised and applauded.
After all, Jack was Jack.
The so-called elite course to become a knight usually leads to life as a companion, apprenticeship, and formal ordination.
Of course, there were cases, like Tais, where one earned a title through merit or took a separate entrance examination to become a knight, but the former were overwhelmingly in the spotlight.
“I heard that Rexian Knights in particular have high walls and often end up as escorts.”
I knew he was talented, but it's been so long since I started and I can't believe he already has a teacher.
It was a time when I felt proud that Jack was getting closer to becoming a knight faster because I had gotten rid of Valery's master early.
“Excuse me...”
Jack, who had been looking at the ground the whole time, suddenly spoke up.
"Thank you."
"Huh? What?"
“The thing you did for me last time... It's all thanks to you that I was able to join the Knights here.”
Finally Jack raised his head and looked directly into my eyes.
“Thank you for making me a knight.”
"Yes . … ".
I was confused when I saw Jack silently expressing his gratitude even though his ears were red.
To be honest, I was very embarrassed.
but.
'Originally, you are the one who will become the Third Great Knight of the Empire even without me!'
…. Because I can't say that.
She smiled brightly, albeit awkwardly.
For some reason, Jack's ears became redder.
* * *
Duchess Diana and I left the ducal castle in a large, ornate, jeweled carriage.
The carriage I rode last time was amazing, but the real duke's carriage was stunning not only from the outside but also from the inside.
'How can there be no vibration at all?'
The butt was so soft and comfortable that I felt like I could sleep that way.
As I looked around in amazement, the Duchess, who was wiping the chocolate off Diana's mouth, burst out laughing.
I thought I was being too childish, so I quickly straightened up, but my cheeks were burning with embarrassment.
The Duchess then showed a bag of snacks and said.
“Leah, you should eat some too, before we go shopping, you should eat something sweet.”
Oh, I get it!
Knowing a new fact, I quickly nodded and carefully picked up a piece of candy from the pocket she was holding for me and put it in my mouth.
As I rolled the candy into my mouth, the sweet taste spread.
“Oh, you're so cute!”
After tasting the dessert for a while, I was startled by a sudden exclamation and raised my head to see the Duchess with a flabby face.
Of course I thought she was talking about Diana, but she and even Diana were looking at me.
“Noona, you are so cute....!”
Diana's shoulder jumped in surprise at her certain death.
Why on earth did you make such a strange expression?
My face burned brighter than before.
I quickly turned my head, looked out the window and screamed.
“Wow! This must be a really busy area!”
The shopping streets of the duchy looked as sophisticated as those of the capital.
The clean and well-groomed streets were filled with various shops, from street vendors ling snacks and snacks to fancy-looking shops.
After a while, the cart stopped.
As I watched the Duchess gracefully descend from the carriage, accompanied by Tice, I was suddenly surprised to see a hand extended in front of me.
“...Jack?”
“Hold it, because it's loud.”
The cart was certainly tall compared to my height.
However, since there is a platform, I think I can jump off of it.
But Jack was so respectful and mature that I held his hand and said:
“Jack, you really look like a knight, you have a cold aura!”
Oh, you just became an apprentice knight, so you're a real knight.
As I added sheepishly, I could see the tips of Jack's ears perking up.
It was time for me to laugh because I now realized that meant Jack was shy.
“Oh my God Diana!”
The Duchess felt embarrassed and pulled Diana away.
This is because Diana suddenly bites Jack's hand.
Fortunately, he wasn't in too much pain because he had the strength of a four year old, and Jack only frowned a little, but didn't seem to be hurt.
Rather, the problem was Diana, who burst into tears.
“Wow, you are my princess!”
Judging by the general atmosphere, it seemed that Jack was angry that my companion had been taken away.
She quickly reassured Diana, but once she started crying, she wouldn't stop crying.
In the end, the little buzz didn't stop until I bought some cotton candy that looked as fluffy as a cloud and as comfortable as cotton from a street vendor I passed and put it in my hand.
“Diana is yellow, I am pink.”
As Diana specified, I held the cotton candy in my hand and looked at it with some surprise.
“I've never eaten cotton candy before.”
“Hurry up, Noona hehe!”
At Diana's request, who had yellow cotton candy on her lips like a mustache, she quickly took a big bite.
"Oh my God! It's melting!"
I was surprised by the amazing experience of quickly dissolving and disappearing the moment it touched the tip of my tongue.
The Duchess and Lord Sidian, who were watching, burst into laughter and were extremely embarrassed, but the experience of eating cotton candy for the first time was so powerful that the embarrassment quickly passed.
She quickly took a piece of cotton candy and handed it to Jack.
“Jack, try it too.”
“…It’s okay, I didn’t come to have fun, I came to accompany you.”
The resolute way he turned his head seemed as if he had already become an official knight.
'Well, at least he's just a ten-year-old kid.'
I swallowed a laugh and said, “Really? It’s delicious...” I said grimly, and when Jack was surprised by my reaction, he turned his head, and I shoved some cotton candy into his mouth.
Jack swallowed the cotton candy without thinking, and his entire face, starting from his neck, began to turn red.
Diana, who was watching from the side, said, “Noona, hehehe!” When he opened his mouth, I put it in his mouth several times as if I was giving him bird seed.
After walking for a while, a clothing store appeared before my eyes, with colorful and high-quality clothes on display.