Lewd Courtship - Chapter 47 - Voluptas (2)

Having finished changing, Killian stepped out of the dressing room. Since the men’s and women’s dressing rooms weren’t far apart, Rachel’s escort knights lined up in front of the opposite door quickly entered his sight. Rachel and her maid weren’t there, which meant they were probably still in the middle of changing.

‘Ah, if I’m going to apply the medicine, this might be my only chance.’

Suddenly, the reason he had intended to meet Rachel today came to mind. Killian signaled to the attendant holding the ointment. The attendant immediately approached and handed it over.

With the ointment in hand, Killian headed toward the women’s dressing room. At his approach, Rachel’s escort knights exchanged quick glances among themselves.

“I have business with the princess.”

Killian stated his purpose as soon as he arrived. The knights who knew what had happened in the stable yesterday hesitated, unsure whether they should step aside or block him. When one of them cautiously moved aside, the others promptly followed in perfect order, opening a path.

But just then, Kyle, who had only just returned to his duty as guard after training, stared at his fellow knights in shock.

The knights had yielded before the Emperor’s words even though the princess was inside changing. Such a thing was unthinkable for a knight of the kingdom. Kyle held his ground with a stern expression.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty. The princess is currently in the middle of changing.”

Their gazes clashed head-on. Killian, who hadn’t expected to be blocked, raised his brows. Even so, Kyle did not move from his place. A brief silence fell, and the air gradually grew heavier.

It was only then that Killian realized his mistake. Even if it was only to apply the medicine, his behavior had been improper. Just because he had grown accustomed to Rachel’s eccentricities did not mean he should overstep the line himself.

The ointment… I’ll have to find another chance to apply it.

Killian quietly stepped back. At the edge of his vision, he caught sight of Kyle still standing firm. Strictly speaking, that man deserved praise as an escort knight. Had he been a knight of the Empire, Killian would certainly have placed his name on the promotion list.

But Kyle was Rachel’s escort knight, and for some reason Killian found himself oddly displeased with the situation.

Of course, he knew he was the one in the wrong. The knight had merely fulfilled his duty. Even so, he couldn’t shake the faint sinking feeling in his chest.

…Will the princess not come out soon?

Though the matter had been settled, the awkward air did not clear so easily. Killian stood waiting, idle.

Just as he was debating whether to head to the training grounds first, lively noises drifted out from inside the dressing room.

The door soon burst open, and Rachel appeared clad in her sparring clothes. For some reason, she looked overjoyed, smiling brightly as she addressed Killian.

“Let’s go, Your Majesty!”

Her voice was as lively as her radiant smile. Like a gentle breeze sweeping through a heavy room, the atmosphere softened at once.

Killian felt the change and slowly nodded. When Rachel curved her eyes into a smile and took the lead, he naturally followed behind her.

Killian intended to end the sparring match quickly. No matter how skilled Rachel was, she was still a princess. Though his own training had grown sparse recently due to his busy schedule, he never thought he would lose.

Without hesitation, he aimed for a vital point from the very start. The sword he thrust toward her neck carried his intent to decide the match in a single blow.

But Rachel was far faster and sharper than he had expected. Lowering her upper body with agility, she swung her blade toward his side. Killian twisted his body to evade the attack.

Before he could catch his breath, her sword came driving toward his chest this time. He instinctively lifted the back of his blade to deflect it. From that slender frame, where had such strength come from? A tingling sensation surged through his palm as he absorbed the rebound.

“…So your boasting wasn’t a lie.”

“Of course not. I told you I was pretty good, didn’t I?”