Chapter 21: The Most Princess in the World
My senses, sharpened by the «Ninja» Skill, confirmed that she was none other than Rouge Lucretia. The color and length of her hair could likely be adjusted with some magical tool. It wouldn’t be surprising for royalty to possess such artifacts.
…It was something I had vaguely suspected. The daughter of a marquis, Lily, referred to her as “that person,” and she seemed unusually knowledgeable about the Royal Castle and the Royal Academy. Despite being born in the Royal Capital, she wandered the streets with a sense of wonder.
If it turned out that she was indeed royalty, it would make sense. I had considered the possibility, but…
But is she really royalty?! I spent a night in the same bed as her! Of course, I didn’t do anything inappropriate!
…Well, I might have touched her chest and rear, but still.
…At this very moment, I truly understood the meaning of Lily’s warning. She was certainly someone I couldn’t afford to offend, and if I made a move, it could lead to the execution of my entire family. I could even bring misfortune upon Rouge… Princess Lucretia herself.
What should I do…?
For now, she was meeting me as Princess Lucretia. Therefore, I had to respond with the appropriate demeanor.
I knelt down, bowing my head in a gesture of fealty. I was grateful that my father had taught me this, even if it was just for show.
“It is an honor to meet you, Princess Lucretia. I am Hugh Pnosis, son of Mike Pnosis, the lord of Pnosis Territory. Thank you very much for inviting me.”
“Hehe, you don’t have to be so formal, you know?”
“That’s not something I can do.”
As I shook my head while still bowed, I heard a dissatisfied puff from her, “Muu,” as she puffed her cheeks.
I certainly couldn’t treat her like I did with Rouge. I wondered what she intended by appearing before me as Princess Lucretia. If she suddenly said, “Actually, I’m Rouge!” in a prank-like manner, that would be the worst…
As I pondered her intentions, Princess Lucretia let out a small sigh.
“Lift your face, Hugh Pnosis.”
“Yes!”
When I raised my head, Princess Lucretia was looking down at me with a composed expression. It seemed she had decided to go with the princess mode.
“I’ve heard about your exploits from the Knights Order. They say you single-handedly dismantled a human trafficking organization and rescued those who had been abducted. That’s truly a remarkable achievement!”
“No, it’s nothing worthy of praise from you, Your Highness.”
“Muu. You should accept compliments graciously, you know?”
“…However, due to my carelessness, a friend was abducted. I merely tried to save that friend. The dismantling of the human trafficking organization and the rescue of the captives were merely a consequence of that.”
“Hugh… you’re far too serious and humble.”
Princess Lucretia sighed in exasperation. But then, she smiled immediately after.
“That’s why I wanted to do something in return for you.”
…A return gift, huh? It’s a bit awkward since she’s trying to keep it hidden… Well, at least I’m grateful to know she has the intention to conceal it.
“Hugh, I shall grant you a reward.”
Princess Lucretia slowly walked toward me from the window, extending the back of her right hand in front of me.
“Hugh Pnosis. I hereby appoint you as my personal knight.”
A knight directly serving the royal family. It was the highest honor in the knightly ranks.
It was a position that every noble-born man dreamed of at least once. Only after gaining the royal family’s trust could one be appointed, and a personal knight would protect the royal family until either they or the knight perished.
The power of this position surpassed that of the Royal Knights Order, and upon appointment, one would also be granted the title of marquis. It was likely the greatest reward given to anyone other than the king.
The moment I took Princess Lucretia’s hand and kissed the back of it, I would become a marquis and dedicate my life to her.
My answer was already decided.
“I must respectfully decline.”
“Eh!? W-why would you refuse?!”
Princess Lucretia seemed utterly taken aback by my rejection, grabbing my shoulders and shaking me vigorously as she pressed for an explanation.
Well, it’s because…
“I’m the heir of House Pnosis, so I must return to my territory after graduating from the academy. I have no siblings or relatives I can entrust it to.”
“Then, can’t you just leave the management of the territory to a steward?! All the nobles working in the Royal Capital do that!”
“That might work if it were relatively close, but my family’s estate is in the farthest reaches. It took me a month just to get here. If I received word of any disturbances in my territory, the earliest I could return would be two months after the incident occurred. There’s no way I could make it in time.”
More importantly, a personal knight must prioritize the protection of the royal family above all else, making it impossible to balance that with managing a territory.
I could abandon my family and let House Pnosis die out under my father’s generation, but my goal in this life is to live a leisurely and comfortable slow life. I really can’t become just Princess Lucretia’s knight.
Moreover, there was another reason I couldn’t accept the princess’s wish.
“I see…”
Princess Lucretia must have sensed my resolve. She released her grip on my shoulders and looked down sadly. Her expression seemed to carry a deeper, more painful emotion than mere disappointment.
I wanted to understand what was behind that expression. But that wasn’t something I should convey right now.
What I needed to tell her at this moment was…
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I have a promise with a friend that I absolutely cannot break.”
“A promise…?”
“Yes. I promised to invite them to my hometown someday.”
“Ah…”
“I even went so far as to say that if they liked it, they could move there, so I can’t become Your Highness’s knight and not be able to return. I hope you can understand.”
“…Honestly, you really are something else.”
Princess Lucretia chuckled softly and sighed.
“If you have such an important promise, then it can’t be helped. But I’m in a bit of a bind. Since I called you here, I must grant you some sort of reward.”
“No, just being able to meet with you, Your Highness, is already an overwhelming honor for me.”
“Muu. I think being too humble is also questionable! …Alright, I’ve decided. Hugh Pnosis. I shall grant you a reward. So keep your eyes closed until I say you can open them!”
“…Understood.”
I was anxious about what she might do, but since it was an order, I closed my eyes.
However, my senses were sharpened by the «Ninja» Skill, so even without sight, I could easily discern her movements through sound, smell, and the flow of the wind against my skin.
She drew closer, bending down, and a sweet fragrance reminiscent of osmanthus filled my nostrils.
—A soft sensation brushed against my right cheek.
The princess stepped back a few paces, covering her mouth with both hands, and after some fidgeting and jumping, she finally spoke to me.
“Okay, Hugh.”
When I opened my eyes, the princess was looking down at me with the most composed face she could muster… but her face was still flushed, and the corners of her mouth twitched as if she was struggling to suppress a grin. She looked anything but composed.
“Your Highness, what are you…?”
“Hehe. It’s a secret! I won’t tell you, Hugh!”
I was fully aware of what was happening, and my face was burning with embarrassment.
But I decided to pretend I didn’t notice.
After all, here, she was a princess. I had no intention of defying the absolute monarchy.