Side Story.1 – Commander, Commander 

“Today, you must smile a lot. What kind of smile was it again?”  

“A warm and kind smile.”  

In the early morning, two people stood facing each other in front of the only library in the capital. They were none other than the famous Marquis of Velarc, Sylvester Amadeus, and his spouse, who also worked as the librarian, Marianne Amadeus.  

One was renowned for his exceptional abilities and looks, paired with an equally remarkable personality, while the other was known for taming this extraordinary man. Even after becoming the Marchioness, she continued her eccentric occupation as a librarian.  

“And don’t forget to speak honestly, using only proper and gentle words.”    

Marianne emphasized the words ‘proper’ and ‘gentle.’ Wrapped in a thick coat, half-buried in its warmth, Marianne’s breath turned white with every word she spoke, dispersing into the cold air. It was hard to believe spring was just around the corner with such frigid weather.  

“I understand.”  

Sylvester nodded with a serious expression.  

“And if you can’t smile, even if it’s forced?”  

“Then I’ll think of you, Marianne.”  

Satisfied with Sylvester’s response, Marianne smiled brightly. Today, there was a reason why she had emphasized kind words and warm smiles to Sylvester.  

“One day a week, from start to finish, you’ll spend it trying to smile more. Oh, and while you’re at it, you should use pretty words too, right?”  

“……What does it mean to use pretty words?”  

“Just half as much as you do with me.”  

Marianne, who rarely made requests or demands, had given Sylvester a task just yesterday. She had framed it as a favor.  

<Smile warmly and kindly throughout the day.>  

<Say only proper and gentle words throughout the day.>  

There was a reason why Marianne had given Sylvester such a task. To put it simply, there was an incident that served as the trigger.  

Marianne had always wondered: Sylvester is such a kind and wonderful person, so why do people find him intimidating, scary, or even unpleasant?  

Then, one day, she stumbled upon the answer to her question. It happened during the appointment ceremony of the new vice-commander of the Imperial Second Knight Order, which also included the Mage Division. Marianne witnessed a scene that left her deeply shocked as she observed the interaction between Sylvester and the new vice-commander.  

The First and Second Knight Orders had welcomed new vice-commanders. The First Knight Order’s vice-commander was a female knight famous for her spear skills, while the Second Knight Order’s vice-commander was a male mage proficient in earth magic.  

The newly appointed vice-commander, Mage Hugh, was seven years older than Sylvester, who had become commander of the knights at a young age. Hugh, now in his tenth year in the Knight Order, had never imagined such a significant promotion.  

Hugh was visibly nervous throughout the ceremony. So much so that when Sylvester spoke to him, his face turned pale as if he were about to faint.  

“How do you feel?”  

After exchanging greetings, Sylvester, with his usual icy expression (though he was merely keeping his mouth shut without much thought), looked down at Hugh.  

“I… Over the past week… I’ve been worrying if I could properly lead the Mage Division alongside such an outstanding commander as yourself. I still have those concerns, but… after the appointment ceremony, I feel a burning determination. I will dedicate my entire being and magical energy to ensure I don’t bring shame to you or the Knight Order…!”  

Hugh babbled on nervously, pouring out his aspirations in response to Sylvester’s simple question about his feelings. Marianne could tell how tense Hugh was. And to such a nervous Hugh…  

“If you dedicate your life and end up dying, no one will thank you. There’s no need to work hard. What I want from you is just to do your job ‘well.’”  

Sylvester said this. A cold silence descended upon the area. Marianne involuntarily opened her mouth in shock. From afar, someone muttered, “He’s telling someone who wants to work hard to just do their job well.”  

The conversation, which had already weighed heavily on Marianne, was cut short after a few more exchanges. It didn’t last beyond three sentences.  

Marianne, who had stepped in to offer Hugh a bright congratulatory message in Sylvester’s stead, signaled to Peter and Erina, who were nearby. Understanding her cue, the two escorted Hugh to the Mage Division members, officially ending the conversation. Hugh, sandwiched between Peter and Erina, looked utterly drained, like a clay doll made by a five-year-old.  

“Sylvester, we need to talk.”  

Marianne immediately dragged Sylvester to the balcony of the banquet hall. Standing at the edge of the empty balcony, Marianne looked up at Sylvester. The face that everyone described as cold softened the moment it met Marianne’s eyes.  

“You told me you personally chose the new vice-commander, right?”  

“Yes, that’s correct.”  

“And you also praised him, saying he was the most diligent and talented mage in the Mage Division. You said Hugh was the perfect candidate for the vice-commander position.”  

Sylvester nodded obediently to Marianne’s words.  

“That’s right.”  

“Then why didn’t you offer him a single word of praise in front of him?”  

“…Was there something wrong with what I said?”  

“Well, it depends on the listener… But usually, when someone says they’ll work hard, you pat their shoulder and encourage them to do so. Telling them not to overdo it and just do well doesn’t quite have the same effect.”  

Sylvester fell silent for a moment, lost in thought.  

“If Hugh has one flaw, it’s that he works too hard. He literally dedicates his life to this country. His loyalty and effort probably got him to where he is now. But that same loyalty and effort could someday bring him down. That’s why I told him he doesn’t need to overdo it anymore. To some extent…”  

Sylvester trailed off, gauging Marianne’s reaction. Marianne wore a peculiar expression.  

“It seems my words came across as strange.”  

“…Yes.”  

Marianne sighed inwardly. This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened. Sylvester often spoke without malice, yet others interpreted his words differently.  

Perhaps it was because he tended to skip the preamble and get straight to his point, cutting out the context. It was so different from the gentle demeanor he showed when they were alone.  

“Just as the vice-commander doesn’t need to overwork himself, you seem to need to speak a bit more.”  

Marianne continued.  

“Anyway, you were happy about the vice-commander’s appointment, weren’t you?”  

“Of course.”  

“But you didn’t show it outwardly. Not even a simple smile…”  

“…Do I really have to show it?”  

“Of course! You show it to me, don’t you? You’re talkative and smiley when you’re with me.”  

“Well… That’s because you’re special to me.”  

Sylvester smiled awkwardly. Marianne’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment.  

“…Just half, no, even a quarter of what you do with me. Try it with others.”  

Marianne had held his gaze and taken his hand as she spoke.  

And so, today had come.  

People don’t change easily. But with effort, they can change eventually. Just as Marianne had gained confidence and grown to become someone who could stand proudly beside Sylvester.  

“I hope today is filled with love instead of misunderstandings.”  

Marianne whispered softly as she watched Sylvester’s carriage disappear into the distance.  

***

“Why are you doing this to me?”  

Allen’s face turned pale as he spoke to Sylvester. Sylvester, on the other hand, couldn’t understand his aide’s reaction. He had simply followed Marianne’s advice. After opening the office door, he greeted his aide, Allen, with a bright smile and a warm greeting.  

“Didn’t you hear me?”  

“……”  

“I said, good morning.”  

“Good morning. After that, what else?”

“I said, let’s have a pleasant day today.”  

Sylvester, looking puzzled, answered Allen.  

“You called my name. With a very, very bright smile.”  

Allen rubbed his goosebump-covered arms with both hands.  

“Marquis, are you feeling unwell?”  

Allen asked cautiously. And before Sylvester could respond, he continued.  

“It doesn’t seem like you’re cursed. Then, are you physically ill? No, I think I should contact Madame right away.”  

“I’m fine.”  

Sylvester, now with his usual expression devoid of any trace of a smile, replied to Allen. Seeing his superior return to his familiar demeanor, Allen finally relaxed and let out a sigh of relief. He even laughed out loud, clearly relieved.  

“Oh, my heart almost dropped. I thought something had happened.”  

“…Was it so strange for me to call your name?”  

“Strange isn’t the word—it was terrifying. When you warmly called my name, I felt like my life was in danger.”  

Marianne had emphasized to Sylvester to use kind words and smile more often. He had simply followed her words exactly, so why was Allen reacting this way?  

After some hesitation, Sylvester finally brought up the matter with Allen, sharing what had happened with Marianne. He wanted to fulfill Marianne’s “request” as best as he could, even if it meant seeking Allen’s advice.  

After listening to Sylvester’s story, Allen slowly nodded.  

“Madame truly seems like an angel sent to this land to save a person’s life…”  

Muttering to himself, Allen continued.  

“Now that I hear it, it sounds like a great idea. I mean, I’m pretty perceptive, so I can somewhat grasp what you are thinking, Marquis. But most people can’t adjust to you and end up backing away before eventually running off.”  

“……”  

“Well, for now, just follow Madame’s advice and try to have a pleasant day. If you keep up the ‘Happy Commander Day’ once a week, maybe after half a year, everyone will get used to your smiling face! Just a little bit, though.”  

Allen grinned mischievously, clearly amused.  

“In an hour, you have a guest scheduled. It’s the Count Bern I mentioned before.”  

“……”  

“Good luck with him.”  

Allen gave him a thumbs-up as he spoke. For the first time in a long while, Sylvester felt nervous. It was as if he had become a student again. Although, during his time at the academy, he had never once felt nervous.  

Just as Allen had said, exactly an hour later, a guest arrived at the office. The guest, Count Bern, was not someone Sylvester particularly liked. The man was desperate to secure a position as a Mage Division commander for his youngest son. But at least for today, Sylvester decided not to dislike him.  

Looking at the man, Sylvester recalled his promise to Marianne.  

“Today, you must smile a lot. What kind of smile was it again?”  

“And don’t forget to speak honestly, using only proper and gentle words.”    

Recalling Marianne’s voice, Sylvester smiled brightly at the Count sitting across from him.  

“Greetings, Lord Bern.”  

“……”  

“It feels special to meet you on such a fine day as this.”  

Sylvester spoke, and the hat in the Count’s hand fell to the floor. Come to think of it, Sylvester remembered hearing last autumn about a Duke who had humiliated himself at the Verden Theater after experiencing Sylvester’s smile. Lost in thought, sweat began to form on the Count’s face.  

“It always seemed to rain whenever we met, didn’t it?”  

Ignoring the Count’s reaction, Sylvester finished his sentence with another smile. Meeting Sylvester’s eyes, the Count’s gaze wavered, unable to settle. Sylvester glanced at the Count. While he seemed a bit startled, he didn’t react as oddly as Allen had. Feeling a sense of accomplishment, Sylvester felt proud.  

“It’s nice to see your face in the bright daylight.”  

“…Yes.”  

“Well then, shall we get to the main topic?”  

Sylvester lifted his teacup as he spoke. Watching Sylvester, the Count thought to himself: 

I don’t know what I did wrong, but one thing is certain. Today, I’m going to die.  

Unaware of the Count’s thoughts, Sylvester alone held a satisfied smile on his lips.