7. The End of Waiting

Alkaid caressed Spica’s arm while lying on his side.

Thanks to being carefully washed while she slept soundly, not a single scar remained on her soft arms.

“holy relics are indeed good.”

In fact, even though the medium of the curse had been removed, Spica’s recovery ability was at an incomprehensible level.

A person who had collapsed for days didn’t even feel hunger, and the swordsmanship displayed with her right arm that hadn’t been able to use a sword for years was enough to devastate an entire room. Something that would make even a haughty priest run away claiming it was impossible.

However, if a holy relic bestowed by a dragon was involved, the story would be different.

〈Our Sister Spica was sick, so of course I stepped in!〉

Though the Crown Prince acting cute after making a deal was extremely annoying, only descendants of the imperial family with dragon blood could draw out the power of holy relics, so he could certainly accept that much credit.

“Now he’ll probably throw a tantrum demanding payment quickly.”

Alkaid slightly frowned his eyebrows. However, there was also a hint of amusement hanging at the end.

Though he found the Crown Prince bothersome, he didn’t hate or despise him. Rather, it was closer to dealing with an annoying younger brother.

Then Spica asked in a cracked voice.

“……What did His Highness ask you to do……?”

“You’re awake.”

“Mmm.”

Spica, who rubbed her eyes, smiled bashfully.

“My eyes are swollen so they won’t open well.”

“I’ll have ice brought.”

“It’s fine.”

“I’m sorry.”

“……?”

Spica’s expression became strange.

‘Was that the behavior of someone who was sorry?’

Making her cry continuously, licking her swollen eyes and sucking up her tears, then making her cry again when they dried.

When Alkaid’s persistent actions came to mind, it seemed she could hear faint warning sounds from somewhere again.

But when she actually placed the ice pack wrapped in soft cloth over her eyes, she felt better immediately. The thought that she should run away also disappeared smoothly like the heat in her eyes that was being soothed.

Spica asked peacefully while lying with her head on Alkaid’s legs.

“What did you promise to do for His Highness the Crown Prince because of me? I want to repay it together with you.”

“It wasn’t something I did hoping for that.”

“I know. But married couples are one body.”

“……”

Alkaid closed his mouth.

From the sudden silence, Spica moved her hand fumblingly. Then thick fingertips overlapped like being drawn by magnets, feeling warm.

Spica giggled and asked.

“Why? Are you embarrassed?”

Even though he had done more embarrassing things.

Of course, Spica was also embarrassed enough that she couldn’t stay still when she recalled yesterday’s events, but since Alkaid was being this cute, she ended up pretending otherwise.

“How are we going to live together for life if you’re this embarrassed? Hm? Hm?”

Spica laughed sinisterly and poked Alkaid’s arm.

From her behavior like a squirrel puffing up its chest fur, he pressed his lips and changed the subject.

“His Highness wants me to take charge of the Royal Guard.”

“Ah…… You’re transferring.”

Though there wasn’t a hierarchy among the imperial knight orders, the Royal Guard, which was like the last bastion protecting the imperial family, inevitably had slightly more special meaning.

For the Crown Prince too, it would be natural to call Alkaid, who had revealed his power after hiding that he was a Sword Master until now, to the center.

“Of course I plan to take Megrez and a few others. I’ll recommend the outstanding ones as candidates for the new Second Knight Order commander.”

“Sir Sobek…… The current Royal Guard Commander isn’t coming to the vacant position?”

“He’ll be busy with family matters for a while.”

Family matters within the Sobek family? Spica tilted her head but didn’t want to know deeply. It was enough that she wouldn’t have to serve Diblin’s brother as a superior.

……The regret that she could no longer work together with Alkaid was also greater.

‘I can’t even be grateful just for confirming this person’s heart, I’m really greedy.’

It was fortunate that her eyes were covered. Otherwise, Alkaid would have immediately noticed Spica’s evident emotions. Instead of congratulating him…

Spica reflected and sat up.

“I truly congratulate you.”

“What are you saying? With a face like we’re parting forever.”

“Wh-what about me!”

She hadn’t hidden it that poorly? Spica was startled and stretched her cheeks.

Alkaid embraced her like trapping her in his arms.

“How am I supposed to lead the dogs of the Royal Guard without my adjutant.”

“Dame Megrez is there.”

“Well. Is it only me who sees her insisting she’ll die from overwork without you.”

It really was something Megrez would do. Spica’s bright smile gradually faded.

‘Me to the Royal Guard? You really never know what will happen in a person’s life.’

The most glorious position. But she couldn’t nod her head.

Far from the Royal Guard, she would have to step down from even her current position.

“Thank you. But I can’t become a Royal Guard knight.”

“Can’t become a Royal Guard knight? There are few people who show such blind determination to protect like you do.”

“……I want revenge.”

On Diblin, who cast a curse so severe that losing her arm would have been preferable.

And on Lepus.

‘Using a child who resembles Heze to harm me, that’s exactly something Lepus would do.’

The boy who tried to run away risking his life. It was natural that the incident that shook the capital came to mind the moment she saw him running out gaunt and without even shoes.

Using a child who had escaped from there meant that Lepus was definitely connected to the child kidnapping incident.

‘Even if I put Lepus on trial, it would be difficult for Senior Sobek to punish him that way.’

Too much time had passed and there was no clear evidence.

To be a bit more honest about her greed, even if she could punish Diblin by law, she didn’t want to. She wanted to break her with her own hands.

“I know I shouldn’t do this as a knight. But……”

“Who said you shouldn’t?”

“……What?”

“Spica.”

Alkaid stroked her cheek like brushing away the darkness that had fallen over Spica’s face.

“I’ll let you have revenge legally.”

……When Alkaid said that, she wondered what on earth he was talking about.

But……

“Atrain? Why are you here?”

Spica turned around from that voice, sharp like her personality.

It was much earlier than the time Alkaid had designated, but even that matched what he had told her in advance.

〈She’ll definitely come early. I’ve never once been the first to suggest crossing swords.〉

His words were correct from the beginning, and they would remain so until the end. 

Controlling her tension, Spica faced her greatest trauma. 

Diblin didn’t like her calm expression.

“What do you mean? I came because Winterhold sent a duel letter.”

The duel letter had the time and date written on it, along with one strange sentence:

Designating Lepus as champion.

‘Who would I pass the confrontation with Winterhold to, pass it to.’

Diblin snorted and crumpled the duel letter.

There was no way she would miss this opportunity. Especially since she had been resentful about being intimidated by Alkaid’s threat just recently.

But what was waiting at the duel location wasn’t Alkaid but a one-armed b*tch.

Those twinkling eyes that couldn’t even use her main ability yet acted like she could accomplish anything. Those eyes that seemed like they had never met an insurmountable wall were disgusting.

To Diblin whose expression was becoming increasingly crumpled, Spica said calmly.

“I am Commander Winterhold’s champion. Where is your champion, Senior Sobek?”

“Well. Seeing that you’re here, I can tell. He must have gone somewhere and died.”

For just a moment, Spica’s fingertips trembled.

It was natural that Lepus would die if she was alive. That meant she knew what he had done. Considering Lepus’s personality, there was a high probability that Diblin was also involved in that matter.

Then the Crown Prince appeared with good timing.

“Aren’t you both here too early? If you were going to do this, you should have written an earlier time.”

“Why is Your Highness in this place……”

Diblin’s expression, which had been asking with a frown, froze just like that. Because of a fact that occurred to her belatedly.

“Come to think of it, this is His Highness the Crown Prince’s private land.”

“You really are quite interested in me. Unnecessarily so.”

“I don’t neglect my duties as an escort knight! I just couldn’t remember quickly because I looked into it recently!”

To the indignant Diblin, the Crown Prince waved his hand indifferently.

“Do you have time to waste energy on this? Anyway, I came as a witness and observer. Hurry up and do it.”

This was always how a crown prince of a country was. Every time he casually passed over everything with eyes that seemed to place everything under his feet, it felt like he was looking down on Diblin.

It wouldn’t be this annoying if he acted like a child befitting his age, but the fact that she had to serve such a person was hatefully unbearable.

Diblin turned her murderous eyes to Spica like venting her anger.

“What are you aiming for? Does it make sense for Winterhold to challenge a duel and then use a champion?”

“Aiming for what. I only came to this place after being designated as champion……”

“Oh ho. Are you trying to attack our family from behind after putting you forward?”

“Our Commander doesn’t do such things!”

Spica broke her calm expression and shouted angrily. The way she hastily drew her sword was full of anger that had been suppressed.

“Your tongue is long, Senior Sobek! If you really want to hear it, I’ll tell you.”

“Tell me what?”

“I requested this duel. To get revenge on you!”