Chapter 58: Deputy Commander Philipp Mayer (1)
“…Huh?”
Or put something in the water? Poison, for example?
Edwin stared at Philip, his face pale.
“Just kidding,” Philip said coldly.
The Deputy Commander's mysterious banter struck a silence between them. As the embarrassment increased, Edwin decided to be brave.
“Um... Sir Philip. Why did you help me earlier?
It was a question that haunted him throughout training.
Phillip glanced at him and replied with succinct sternness: “You had a bad appearance, so I corrected it.”
Completely logical answer.
Edwin felt embarrassed, but he forced a smile. “I-I understand. Thank you! Thanks to you, running has become easier than before.”
Philip stared at the prince thanking him, his expression unreadable.
Is there something on my face?
Confused, Edwin wiped his cheeks with his sleeve.
“Your Highness is very different from what I imagined,” Philip murmured. Then he got up.
“Whatever the leader says, don't let it influence you.” He said as he brushed some grass out of his pants. “He, despite his status, sometimes behaves with a strange childishness.”
See...he heard my conversation with the Duke? Edwin blinked.
Philip added: “As long as you are here, practice hard.” Then he tilted his bangs a little and turned around; He stared with sharp eyes at the young prince. “One does not always have the opportunity to train with the most powerful knights of the empire.”
“N-yes!” I will do my best!”
Edwin jumped to his feet and nodded enthusiastically.
Then Philip turned away towards the rest of the knights—and on the lips of the young vice-commander a slight smile appeared that no one had hardly noticed.
“You seem to really like him.”
The training was over, and someone blocked Phillip's way back to headquarters. It was Jerome Crowner.
He said with apparent resentment: “You are extending a helping hand to that little one after you heard what I said to him.”
Philip replied, not caring or paying attention to his commander’s mood: “And what did you say, Commander?”
"You…!"
Philip sighed: “I have done my duty as a coach, nothing more.” As for you, sir—why did you act in a way that does not suit you?
“What is inappropriate?”
“You get angry because things are not going the way you want... This is childish behavior.”
“W-what? childish?"
Jerome's face flushed. “Little one… if I hadn’t been kind to you—”
Philip interrupted him calmly: “I have been serving under your command for nearly ten years, and I do not remember a day when you were ‘friendly’ to me.”
Jerome laughed in disbelief.
“Even if it is for Prince Adrian,” Philip said very seriously, “I don’t think it is right to use the Third Prince as a shield.”
Jerome gave him a sharp look. Philipp Meyer, this stubborn...
Yes, that is the true nature of the deputy commander of “Gloria”: a twenty-eight-year-old young man with solid principles, who does not cross the lines he draws for himself, and does not let others cross them. A rare knight of justice these days—but, like many justices, he excels at teasing and frustrating people.
“You act as if the truth is yours alone.” Jerome clicked his tongue boredly. “Tch. Enough. “The talk is over.”
“That little one is not my only option,” he muttered. Then he fiddled with his hair nervously: “The Third Prince? I never cared for that little guy at all!”
Philip said calmly: “Is that so?”
"Yes! From now on I will ban him from training—”
“I don't recommend that.”
Phillip raised his voice slightly, just to cut him off. “I don't think you like breaking your promise, sir.”
“Huh?” Jerome's eyebrow rose. “Which promise do you mean?”
“If you weren't there all the time, you wouldn't know. “His Highness Prince Edwin completed all of today’s training.”
“Don't lie. Even the knights found it stressful—”
“And when did I lie to you, sir?”
In front of the seriousness of his deputy's eyes, Jerome was unable to respond. “…Really?”
"Yes."
He had calculated that the boy would collapse or retreat; So he addressed him in a provocative tone.
Jerome remembered what he had said to the prince and was astonished. "unreasonable! How could that miserable foal do all this?!
Philip smiled slightly: “This is what makes me curious as well.” So I would like to monitor it myself.”
Jerome said sarcastically: “Who was it that insisted on preventing princes from entering the legion?”
“You are the ones who said he was not afraid of the lady, the second consort.”
Jerome's face darkened: “Then the Third Prince really liked you.”
“I do not deny.”
"Wow...what's wrong with you now?" Jerome clicked his tongue again at this unexpected turn. Then he waved his hand in surrender: “Okay, do whatever you want. "I don't want to see that little face anymore."
He turned to the square and added: “Gather the boys.” As long as the prince has endured the training, everyone is fine. "It's time for duels."
“...Yes, sir.”
It seems that this day was a real bad day for the Knights of Gloria.
“Something happened today?”
Edwin returned from training, smiling for no reason, even as I changed his clothes for him.
«Hmm? “A lot happened.”
“Was it a good thing?”
He thought for a moment, then nodded firmly: “Yes!” “It was good!”
“What is it?”
He looked at me with a strange look, then suddenly smiled: “I met someone who looks like you.”
What is this? Did he get hit on the head? It seemed as if his mind was no longer in place.
“...looks like me?” This doesn't sound like much at all. See...did they beat him out?
"Okay. “His features are as cold as yours, but he cares too much.”
Is this a compliment?
I looked silently at the prince as he smiled gently provocatively. It's annoying when he laughs after teasing someone, but it's still better than his previous frustration.
“…Is this alone a good thing?”
He immediately turned to me: “No, there is more!” Although the training load doubled today, I finished it all!”
"truly?"
"Okay! It was very cruel. But I persevered and succeeded! Isn't this amazing?
He was like little puppies wagging their tails seeking praise.
"Yes. I did well." I praised, but I was suspicious.
Just physical fitness, but it's still tough on him...
This is only his second day with the Knights. And yet he joined the double program? Does he have a natural talent?
“Your Highness,” I said, “look here.”
"they?"
He looked at my clenched fist. “Why is it a fist—?”
“Avoid her, please.”
“Huh?”
- Takh!
Unlike what I expected, he took the punch directly and put his palm on his nose. «Ahhh! nasal! This hurts! Why did you do that?!”
“Hmm…weird,” she muttered.
The person with physical talent usually reacts quickly. But, despite the warning, he did not avoid it. Result: not a genius. Maybe he just has high stamina?
«How strange! Why are you hitting me like that suddenly?! He started waving his arms like an angry bird.
I grabbed his flailing fists, pinned him to the bed and wrapped the covers tightly around him.
«Hey! "I can't breathe!"
“The difference between the cold of the night and the heat of the day is huge these days. If you don't pay attention, you'll catch another cold. “Sleep under the covers.”
His eyes widened: “Wait... are you worried about me?”
“You should be back training tomorrow. Save your body.”
“...hard-hearted.”
"What did you say?"
"nothing! You ruined my mood!”
Why does he suddenly feel bad? He was laughing a little while ago.
I watched him pull the hood over his head.
“I apologize,” I said gently. "I didn't mean to spoil your mood."
The pile of blankets moved a little uncomfortably.
She added: “…However, I am glad that today’s things were only good.”
This time the pile didn't move at all. I smiled quietly.
“Good night.”
clink.
Edwin peeked out from under the covers after he made sure I had left the room.
“Hmph, I'm not asleep. Stupid Rachel.” The little prince frowned as he gathered the covers.
“…However, I am glad that today’s things were only good.”
In fact, it wasn't all good. But he didn't say anything so as not to worry her unnecessarily.
He recalled Jerome's veiled threats, and his legs still trembled when he remembered that moment.
But…
Maybe it's okay to be afraid. The prince muttered, staring at the ceiling.
Oddly enough, the bad stuff isn't as heavy as it used to be; Because he knows that there is someone waiting for him in the prince's palace: Emilia, Catherine, and Rachel.
“Ah… sleepy.”
As he remembered their faces, he slowly closed his eyes.
The face of the little prince—who no longer had to sleep sadly—was indescribably calm.