Chapter 56
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Cecilia walked behind Jamie. The conversation was completely finished, and he was currently guiding her to Rogerick’s location to create a plausible excuse for Pavel and the other Holy Knights.
“That short Holy Knight earlier, he was the one who suggested bringing Rogerick to the party, wasn’t he?”
“…How did you know?”
Jamie turned around, startled as if he was about to jump. His simple-minded look made Cecilia sigh.
“Every time you show such a foolish expression, I want to kick your shin, so restrain yourself a little.”
“F-Foolish?”
“Don’t pretend this is the first time you’ve heard it. I imagine you hear it often.”
This time he really seemed stung, as Jamie couldn’t say anything and just abruptly turned his head away.
Cecilia continued to walk while scanning her surroundings. She was lucky to have met and recruited Jamie according to her backup plan, but she couldn’t afford to be complacent.
‘I need to consider the possibility that this fool might fail.’
If she obtained the Indulgence, she could resolve Sophia’s problem. And it would also help with the task Cecilia wanted to accomplish: finding the mastermind behind the kidnapping incident.
She almost ran face-first into Jamie’s back when he suddenly stopped. Cecilia was about to frown and chastise him when—
“Oh, Lord Jamie?”
A cheerful male voice was heard. Looking over, a well-built and smooth-looking Holy Knight was grinning.
“L-Lord Ryan…….”
“Who’s the Lady behind you? A friend?”
“That is…….”
Lord Jamie visibly shrank back. Cecilia glanced at him and stepped forward instead.
“I am Cecilia Cissil of the Cissil Viscounty. And you, Lord?”
“Ah, the name of the beautiful Lady is Cecilia. It truly… suits you perfectly.”
Ryan performed a polite bow with an exaggerated flair.
“I am Ryan Fergen, a Holy Knight of this Temple and the heir of the Fergen Barony.”
“Pleased to meet you, Lord Ryan.”
“The pleasure is entirely mine. May I call you Lady Cecilia?”
“…Go ahead.”
He was an annoying man.
She saw his eyes sparkle the moment he spotted Cecilia. It was as if a flower had suddenly bloomed. His brightened face and the way he tried to hastily close the psychological distance were unmistakably those of a man instantly smitten.
She answered curtly on purpose, but Ryan didn’t care at all. Instead, he stepped closer.
“Where are you headed? I’ve been at this Temple longer than Lord Jamie. I shall guide you.”
This was a perfect shield to use at such a time.
“I came to see Lord Rogerick.”
“Ah… Lord Rogerick?”
“She is Lord Rogerick’s lover!”
Unexpectedly, Lord Jamie suddenly blurted out. His expression was somehow triumphant.
‘…This is the bastard, isn’t it? The one who discriminates against the commoner Holy Knights.’
And he, despite being of noble birth himself, harbors an inferiority complex toward Rogerick, too?
Jamie, knowing this, had wielded Rogerick like a weapon. It seemed to be an effective hit, as Ryan’s charming expression cracked for an instant.
But it was fleeting. Like a true noble, he quickly smoothed his face and offered Cecilia his hand.
“In that case, I must take you to Lord Rogerick. Would you grant me the opportunity to escort you?”
“…Very well.”
Cecilia took Ryan’s hand and gave Lord Jamie a slight nod.
“Thank you for your help, Lord Jamie.”
“…Have a safe journey, Lady.”
Cecilia lightly held Lord Ryan’s arm and walked. The long corridor was silent. This building had a rather calm atmosphere, unlike the splendid main building.
“You said you are Lord Rogerick’s… lover?”
“Ah, I am not his lover.”
“But you are certainly on amicable terms?”
“Lord Rogerick is a man who cannot help but gain everyone’s favor.”
“Haha, Lady, your manner of speaking is also charming.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“However, Lady, you would do well to think carefully.”
Ryan’s footsteps echoing in the corridor were exceptionally loud.
“Rogerick Montieux, is certainly a charming man, but… one must look at a man’s potential to properly evaluate him.”
“Potential?”
“Times change. Not everyone stays in the same position forever.”
What the hell is he talking about?
Just as Cecilia’s expression involuntarily crumpled, he smiled sweetly.
“The Cissil Viscounty is an old family, isn’t it? I’ve seen it mentioned in books a few times.”
“Yes… that’s right.”
“I have a deep affinity for such families. There’s a reason for their long lineage, you see.”
“…Is Lord Rogerick’s office still far?”
“Ah, we’re almost there.”
The slightly curving corridor somehow felt endless.
“But in truth, it’s a bit of a stretch to call it Lord Rogerick’s office.”
“Why?”
“This is the Vice Knight Commander’s office, and Lord Rogerick isn’t officially the Vice Knight Commander yet.”
“Why is that?”
“It’s because the Captain has not yet given his permission. His confirmation is being delayed because he is away from his post.”
Is that an excuse?
If he was going to be away, he should have properly selected someone to fill his vacant position and transferred authority. This looked precisely like the Captain ran away because he didn’t want to empower Lord Rogerick.
‘Truly, nothing here is proper.’
Regardless of the action taken against the Cissil family, Cecilia deeply understood why Lord Rogerick had to become the Captain of the Holy Knights of the new faction.
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