46 . The Knight’s Encounter .
<unedited>
edited: 2/16/23
Translated by Eunie
Edited/Proofread by Para This year, including me, only three people were able to join the main unit of the Knights Order. After the inauguration ceremony ended, we changed to a different venue where a celebration party was held for all the knights. Tiara, Her Majesty, the Queen, and even his lordship, the Regent of this country, who weren't present earlier at the ceremony, are attending the celebration party. …how lavish. It’s not as lavish or gorgeous as the audience room where the ceremony was held, but this place is pretty extravagant too. The audience room was decorated to uphold tradition and express proper formalities. This place is decorated with expensive-looking fixtures and furniture. Even the ceiling is decorated with high-quality drapes. What’s more, there’s a giant champagne tower in the middle of a long table and expensive-looking wine bottles. This time, instead of Pryde-sama, it was Her Majesty, the Queen, who made a congratulatory speech and toast. Since joining the Knights Order, I’ve been swept up by the never-ending need to greet and talk to other people. It’s been so hectic that I haven’t even gotten the chance to have a drink. “Thank you very much. I’m honoured. I’ll try to live up to your expectations.” I’ve been repeating these for the nth time, and I’m starting to get tired of it. Though I’m still not yet done greeting everyone else, I managed to greet my Dad, the Captain, and Clark, the Vice-Captain. But doing that felt really embarrassing. Dad and Clark were smiling and grinning as they slapped me on my back.** I really felt like crying the moment our eyes met. The truth is there’s something else I wanted to say, but I stopped cause it felt like I would just burst into tears. (Eunie: For those who don’t know, slapping someone’s back means expressing one’s praise or approval) Read only on eunietl.weebly.com The moment Dad looked away, I also did the same. I immediately heard Clark laughing, and then he teased, “You guys truly are two peas in a pod.” It annoyed me so much that when no one was looking, I swiftly elbowed his stomach. Well, he should be okay since we’re both wearing armour, but Clark started coughing. Heh. Serves you right. (Para: I'm crying at Arthur's antics.) Then I proceeded to greet Her Majesty, the Queen. But as expected, it made me extremely nervous. And my nervousness worsened when thinking of how this person was Pryde-sama, Tiara, and Stayle’s mother. After I said my greetings, she smiled and said, “I see. So you’re the one who’s been training with Stayle….” It’s not surprising that Her Majesty knows I’ve been training with Stayle since we received approval from her. But thinking about it now, it might have been inappropriate for the First Prince of the country to train with me. It might have even been improper, so I started feeling apologetic and even more nervous. What’s more, cold sweat started pouring down my back when I suddenly remembered Dad’s words from yesterday. About how Stayle’s been influenced by the way I talk and whatnot. “From this point forward, I hope you can continue to get along well with Stayle, Pryde and Tiara.” When I heard her say that, relief immediately washed over me. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com Then I greeted His Lordship, the Regent, and His Highness, the Prince Consort. I felt calmer greeting them. I wonder if it's because they were similar to my Dad, who’s always wearing a straight face. Next is Pryde-sama…and now I’m more nervous than ever. I have seen her almost every day since I started training with Stayle, but whenever I look at her face, my heart is…in danger. Even when she told me to drop all formalities with her, I immediately refused. To me, this person’s existence is like a god. There’s just no way I could ever stop using Keigo with her. After greeting her, she smiled at me and said, “Congratulations, Arthur.” The way she smiled was so dazzling. I thought I’d die on the spot. (Eunie: ? omg sorry I just can’t bahaahhaha ) (Para: He's so cuuuuute.) Afterwards, there’s Stayle…who is really bothersome. That guy’s public facade, his shady smile and the way he talks are exhausting. “Congratulations on this special occasion, Arthur-dono*.” And then he grinned at me. I replied to him in Keigo,* but it’s not even as smooth or on par with his. Now I can’t help but think how difficult it must be as the First Prince. (Eunie: **Dono (どの), is an honorific which roughly means “lord” or “master. But it is less polite than Sama-. “Dono” is also usually used in writing by senior or upper person) It’s just that after Stayle, I have to greet Tiara. When I greeted her using Keigo instead of the usual, she started laughing at me, saying how weird I sounded. Then in a voice audible enough for the three of us to hear, I heard Stayle saying, “Good job, Tiara. Laugh at him more.”
Read only on eunietl.weebly.com The moment he said that I instantly knew he was back to his usual self. There’s still one last person I have to greet, but they're not done talking with the knights, so I decided to step outside first. As I walked around, a knight my age handed me some wine he recommended. So with a glass in one hand, I scanned the area. … I really was able to come all the way here. Words can't express how thankful I am to Dad, who taught someone like me, who had zero experience with the sword, for a year. And to Stayle, who accompanied me in training. I look back at the inauguration ceremony that happened a while ago. In that very same audience room where I exchanged my promise with Pryde-sama, I pledged the Knights Vow in the same place. There was never a day where I forgot the promise from two years ago. If it wasn’t for that person, I wouldn’t be where I am today. That, I am sure of. “Let’s make a promise. I’ll wait for you till I die.” When Pryde-sama did the knighting ceremony, I felt like crying on the spot. I was able to fulfill my promise and return as a knight. When I raised my head, Pryde-sama, who was looking at me back then, seemed to overlap with the Pryde-sama from two years ago. “Aren’t you…strongly…wishing to become strong..!!” I was able to become strong. For your sake, for the things you want to protect…and to protect the people I cherish. With this, am I able to repay you even a little? … Repay you for that great favour you gave me… Read only on eunietl.weebly.com Just thinking about it, I couldn’t help as words started pouring out of me even though we were still in the middle of the ceremony. “...Two years. I made you wait for two years.” I wonder if this person still remembers… The brat who’s nothing but a sham and can only wail and lament at his own helplessness. For this person, what happened back then might have just been an everyday occurrence. Nothing special or notable about it. But even if that’s the case, it doesn’t matter. I will surely fulfill my vows as a knight and my promise from two years ago. I will risk everything for it. While I thought about it, I looked at Pryde-sama, and her eyes widened in surprise. Then… with teary eyes, she smiled at me and answered, “Welcome back…Arthur.” At that moment, I the hairs all over my body stood up. Even now, I still feel the sensation on my skin. She remembers. Pryde-sama still remembers the promise from that time…. Once again, I really do feel like I have finally returned. Of course, I have finally become a knight, but at the same time, it’s not like I’ve become satisfied or complacent. In fact, what’s important is what will happen from here on. As a knight, for Pryde-sama, I will definitely… “...thur-dono. …Arthur-don. … …Hey, Arthur!” **Guii I suddenly felt someone twist my finger in the opposite direction. Startled, I almost dropped my drink. “Ow!!” When I turned around, I saw Stayle. While wearing that shady smile of his and an innocent-looking expression, he said, “Are you alright? You’ve been spacing out. I wonder if there’s something wrong. But… don’t you still have one person left to greet? It seems like he’s almost done with his conversation.” After saying that, he gave me a wink... He only came here to tell me that, but twisting my finger was unnecessary. “Thank you very much for telling me.” After saying thanks, I immediately rushed over to that person. Read only on eunietl.weebly.com … … That person immediately noticed me. He elegantly turned around, smiled and said, “Oh my, you are Arthur Beresford-dono, right? The man from the rumours. Congratulations on your appointment as a knight.” Since we were both holding a wine glass in our hands, we made a toast as I greeted him. “Thank you very much, Prime Minister Gilbert.” Eunie here: i really tried my best to squeeze out one more chapter. i'm tired ?
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