Chapter 88

“Why did Vail’s name suddenly come up? He’s from a collateral faction of the family and has no reason to go to the battlefield,” Agrina questioned sharply.

As Liliana watched Agrina’s sharp tone, she saw a reflection of herself.

No one wants to send their loved one to the battlefield. For Liliana, it was Helio; for Agrina, it was Vail.

“I’m sorry, Agrina, but your opinion doesn’t matter. I’ll discuss this with Vail, and you know better than anyone what his answer will be, don’t you?”

Agrina continued to frown but couldn’t argue against Liliana’s words.

Vail wanted to seize control of House Gabriel. In Liliana’s eyes, he was clever and perceptive, a much more capable person than the current Duke Gabriel.

However, the power held by the main line was so strong that he couldn’t correctly demonstrate his abilities.

His achievements would be recognized if he could significantly weaken the Sagreen Kingdom’s forces in this battle and stiffen the war.

Moreover, being on the same stage as Duke Gabriel would provide an excellent basis for comparison.

Agrina bit her lower lip and lowered her head.

“Your Highness’s judgment is not wrong. If he becomes Duke Gabriel, he must go to war anyway.”

Agrina spoke coldly and pulled her veil hat down low.

While she respected Liliana’s opinion due to her ambitions, the thought of her brother jumping onto the battlefield must have eaten away at her.

Liliana looked at Agrina with pity, and then she, too, put on her veil hat.

“I’ll support Vail as much as I can. I will provide outstanding knights and mercenaries and many resources beyond what one would expect for a small-scale battle. I will also hire several strategists. If Vail fails, it will be difficult for me too.”

Though she spoke as if it were purely business, it was clear that Liliana was trying to comfort Agrina.

Still, Agrina remained silent, and Lady Liston was about to scold her.

Had Liliana not reached out to stop Lady Liston, sharp words might have been uttered.

At that moment, Agrina bowed deeply.

“…Thank you, Your Highness. Extending your hand to my brother was the best choice he made in his life.”

Liliana, with a look of relief under her veil, spoke gently.

“I am always grateful to both you and Vail.”

Agrina courteously attended to Liliana. Liliana pretended to be composed, but her heart was pounding.

If Vail were to die in that battle or suffer an irreparable injury, she feared how she would endure the guilt.

Had Helio’s participation not been at stake, she would never have considered sending anyone to the battlefield to make a name for themselves.

Love is selfish, after all.

Liliana felt strangely estranged from herself.

* * *

The standoff with the Sagreen Kingdom continued, with no solution to the Gathis River problem.

The spirit summoners hired by the Rhenia Trading Company went to the border, where they trained during the day and made spirit stones at dawn.

The knights of House Gabriel often complained that the spirit summoners were lazy.

Since they were working at dawn, it was natural for them to sleep late. Liliana shamelessly responded:

“It is only natural since they are not combat personnel, right?”

Liliana heard that Baron Forman had already been dismissed. No matter how foolish and lacking in leadership Duke Gabriel was, he must have thought this contract was utterly wrong.

However, since the contract fee had already been paid, they had decided to hire additional mercenaries instead of canceling it.

Yet, according to the manager on-site, those mercenaries were also likely to flee at the first sign of battle. It was clear just how poor Duke Gabriel’s reputation was.

While sorting through various documents, Minelli announced Vail’s visit.

“Your Highness, Lord Vail Gabriel requests an audience.”

“Bring him to the office.”

Liliana set her pen down and waited for Vail.

Vail, who had apparently been training diligently recently, looked even more impressive, with his already bronzed skin now even more striking. He bowed deeply and looked at Liliana.

“I greet Your Highness, the Empress Consort.“

“Have you received permission to join the battle?”

Vail nodded.

“Yes, I just came from meeting His Majesty. He readily granted it.“

“That’s a relief. I was worried that His Majesty, wary of House Gabriel, might not like the idea of you earning merit.“

“Is that so?“

“Of course. I have high hopes for you in this matter, Lord Vail. Will you put Duke Gabriel in his place?”

Liliana spoke playfully but then hesitated, covering her lips with her fingertips.

“Oh, was I too familiar? With Agrina around, I have grown close to you, too. My apologies.“

“It’s no problem.”

Vail responded briefly and fell silent, his red eyes filled with contemplation.

Liliana hesitated, wondering if she was being too familiar again, but seeing Vail’s indecisiveness, she concluded he must have something to say.

“Is there something you want to say?“

“What? Oh….”

Watching Vail stutter uncharacteristically, Liliana raised her eyebrows and burst into laughter.

“What’s wrong? That’s not like you, Lord Vail.”

Vail gazed blankly at Liliana as she laughed out loud at him. His usually composed face turned red, pale, and white again.

Liliana tilted her head, clasping her hands in front of her chest.

“Lord Vail?“

“I apologize, Your Highness.“

“It seems like you have something to say, so go ahead. We may not be friends, but we are comrades on the same ship, right?”

Liliana’s words, intended to lighten the mood, struck Vail painfully. It seemed she didn’t even consider him a friend.

Feeling foolish, Vail hardened his expression. Perhaps if he spoke his mind, he could end this ridiculous situation.

“Your Highness, I have a request.“

“Please, go on.“

“I wish to pledge my knightly oath to you, Your Highness.”

After speaking, Vail lifted his head slightly. Liliana looked incredibly innocent, to her surprise.

Some might call her naive, but Vail thought the word “pure“ suited her better.

After all, she was someone who could smile more warmly than anyone while knowing the existence of the abyss.

Liliana seemed to feel it would be rude to remain silent, so she replied awkwardly.

“Um… I’ve never received a knight’s oath from a noble before. And we are not in a superior-subordinate relationship; we are colleagues.”

Vail found it challenging to determine whether Liliana was politely refusing or simply hesitating because it was unfamiliar.

Reading people’s expressions was usually easy for him, but for some reason, Liliana’s feelings were hard to discern.

“But if I return with achievements from this battle, I will serve Your Highness as my master.“

“Your master…?”

Liliana brushed her cheek with her finger and nodded.

“If someone like you were to assist me, there would be no greater joy. You may offer your knightly vow. But in return, promise to come back unharmed.”

Vail listened intently as each word left Liliana’s lips, carefully and clearly articulated.

She requested his safe return because she was a kind person. If Vail were injured, she would surely blame herself. Even so, he felt a surge of happiness.

Liliana stood and approached him as Vail knelt on one knee without hesitation.

Liliana’s white, slender hand appeared in Vail’s view. He carefully took it as if it were a fragile glass ornament and kissed it.

Even the lightest kiss inevitably made contact. Liliana’s fingers curled slightly at the unfamiliar sensation.

“Your Highness, having pledged my knightly vow, I am forever yours. I will never betray you. So, Your Highness, please do not betray me.”

Liliana noticed that Vail’s face, always so polished and relaxed, looked strangely anxious. Did he honestly long for a chance to prove himself that badly?

Liliana turned to Minelli, who had been observing the entire situation.

“Bring me a handkerchief—the one I ordered most recently.”

In the Carlo Empire, it was customary for a lady to give a handkerchief to a knight after he made his pledge.

“Since this was so sudden, I didn’t have time to embroider it myself.”

“It’s all right.”

Despite Vail’s assurance, Liliana still looked apologetic.

“It will look prettier. And I chose the pattern myself.”

Vail smiled faintly and nodded.

“I am honored.”

He hadn’t expected Liliana to present him with a handkerchief, so he was pleased to receive it.

When Minelli returned with the handkerchief in a small box, Liliana placed it in Vail’s hand.

“Lord Vail, I don’t usually talk about my weaknesses, but I can tell you this: I am not good at betrayal. If I ever let go of the hand I hold with you, it won’t be in a cowardly manner.”

I already know that.

Instead of saying this, Vail bowed politely.

“Lord Vail, now that you’ve made a knightly pledge to me, I’d like to ask something I’ve been curious about.“

“To me?”

Vail found it strange that Liliana would have any questions about him. Liliana nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“From what I’ve seen, you are a pragmatic person, but I’ve never thought of you as someone who only chases power. So why are you trying to seize the main seat of House Gabriel?“

“Is that an important issue for Your Highness?“

“Yes, it is.“

Vail’s heart pounded at Liliana’s firm reply.

“His Majesty has a deep hatred for House Gabriel—a profound one.”

However, as she continued speaking, a chill ran through his body, as if he’d been thrown into a winter sewer.

Even her curiosity about him was ultimately because of the Emperor.

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.