“Deputy Commander. Here is the Knights’ deployment chart for tomorrow’s imperial banquet.”
“Alright. Thank you.”

The knight, Tom, cautiously observed Haren’s reaction.
Everywhere he went, the topic of conversation was the Ameron Ducal Family. Rumors had spread like wildfire—about the appearance of an illegitimate child in the Ameron Ducal Family, how the atmosphere there had shifted, and how the Duchess had collapsed.

“Are you alright?”
“About what?”
“Well… that…”
“Oh, our family? It’s fine. Nothing’s going to change. Tom, are you worried about me?”
“I’m glad to hear you’re okay.”

Seeing Haren’s playful smile remain unchanged, Tom let out a relieved grin.

“By the way, is it true that the Commander will be attending the imperial banquet tomorrow?”
“Oh, where did you hear that?”
“Is it true?”
“Yeah. Why? Is it so hard to believe?”
“Well… no, not really. It’s not surprising since he does attend occasionally, but I was just surprised because he’s actually taking the day off this time.”
“Of course, he should rest. He has a partner, after all. You can’t leave your partner behind and go off to work, can you?”
“A partner? The Commander has a partner?”
“You didn’t know? He’s going with the lady from the Leon County family.”
“No way…”
“Why is that so hard to believe?”
“Well, it’s just… we never even get a chance to meet any ladies, but when did the Commander manage to meet one? This feels like betrayal.”

Tom had every right to feel that way.
Travis Holt was someone who gave his all to both training and work. Watching him, one might wonder if he ever even slept. Naturally, the knights under his command followed his example and trained diligently, leaving no time for romance.
And yet, here was their Commander, heading to the imperial banquet with a lady.
The knights couldn’t help but feel betrayed.

“Well, it couldn’t be helped. Espin fell for the Commander at first sight. If you were as handsome as the Commander, a lady might have followed you too.”
“The lady fell for the Commander because of his looks? Sure, the Commander is good-looking, but he doesn’t exactly seem like the type to be popular with women.”
“Why wouldn’t he be? There are plenty of ladies who admire the Commander.”
“But his expression is always so cold and intimidating. Honestly, wouldn’t someone like me, with a friendlier smile, be more popular?”
“It’s not just about looks. There’s also an air about him. The Commander has a commanding presence. Don’t you get it?”
“Ugh. This is so unfair. We don’t even get to see a lady’s hair, let alone talk to one.”
“Hang in there.”
“Still, Deputy Commander, you’re not exactly one to talk. You don’t have a lady you’re seeing either, do you?”
“That’s true.”
“Honestly, the Commander is lucky. When I saw the lady from the Leon County family, she was so pretty. Cute, too.”
“Ahem.”

At that moment, Travis entered the room, clearing his throat at the mention of Espin.

“You’re here, Commander.”
“Welcome, Commander.”
“Yeah.”
“Commander.”
“Do you have something to say?”
“May I ask you one thing?”
“Go ahead.”
“How did you meet the lady from the Leon County family?”
“What?”
“I heard she’s your partner for the imperial banquet. I’m just curious how the two of you became acquainted.”

Caught off guard by the unexpected question, Travis didn’t know how to respond. Acquainted?

“Ahem. Did you finish writing the report on the last incident?”
“Pardon?”
“The report on the assault case. Is it done?”
“Oh, I’ll get to it right away.”
“Report back in an hour. Stop wasting time on pointless chatter.”
“Yes, sir. Right away.”

Tom hurried back to his desk. Watching him scramble, Haren laughed for a while before following the Commander into his office.

“Commander, it seems everyone is quite surprised that you have a partner.”
“Stop saying unnecessary things.”
“They’re all grumbling about how you’ve been secretly dating while pushing them hard in training.”
“They must have too much free time. Haren.”
“That’s not true.”
“No, they seem very free to me. Here.”
“What’s this?”

Haren glanced at the paper Travis handed him. As he scanned the extensive document, his eyes widened.

“This is…”
“Yes. It’s a report on loan-related complaints.”
“But can we intervene in private contracts?”
“No, we can’t. But their collection practices have crossed the line.”
“You’re right. With reports of violence and even attempted abductions, the situation is serious.”
“Exactly. But so far, these are only individual complaints. The claim that they’re a loan company is just based on the victims’ testimonies—there’s no evidence.”
“If it’s organized crime, the charges would be much more severe.”
“Which is why we need to investigate.”
“Understood. I’ll start by reviewing the report and searching for other victims. There must be more out there.”
“Good. Make sure the company doesn’t catch wind of it. If they disappear, it’ll be a problem.”
“Of course. Do you think I’m foolish enough to let that happen?”

Travis stared intently at Haren, who was smiling confidently.

“Don’t push yourself too hard pretending you’re fine.”

At those words, Haren’s smile faltered.

“If you’re struggling, it’s okay to show it. No one will criticize you for it.”
“You should take your own advice, Commander. Stop trying to handle everything on your own.”

Haren smiled softly, reassured by the fact that at least one person understood him. The burdens he had carried felt a little lighter.

“Stop wasting time and get to investigating. Keeping busy is the best cure for overthinking.”
“Yes, thank you for the extra work, Commander. By the way, have you prepared your outfit for the imperial banquet tomorrow? Please don’t show up in that dull knight’s uniform again.”
“What’s wrong with this uniform?”
“Please. Wear something else. That uniform makes you look even scarier.”
“Judging by how much time you’re spending talking, you must have plenty of free time. I have more tasks for you.”
“I was just about to leave! See you tomorrow, Commander. And please, wear something different!”

Travis felt a headache coming on.
Somehow, word had spread that he was attending the imperial banquet with a partner, and his butler had already prepared dozens of new formal outfits. Judging by how the butler had been secretly matching outfits to him, it was clear he would be forced into one tomorrow no matter what.

“Sigh…”

***

“Well done.”

The day before the imperial banquet, the Viscount hummed in satisfaction as he examined the completed painting.

“I think this outfit will be perfect for tomorrow. It looks luxurious, doesn’t it? Oh, and the Duchess of the Ameron Ducal Family will be attending, right?”
“Yes, I’ve heard she will be.”
“Oh, I was so worried when I heard she had collapsed. Her presence will add weight to my words. Where is he?”
“He’s in the garden.”

Following the Viscount’s orders to paint outside, Orson was sweating profusely under the sun. The tent set up to conceal him made the space unbearably hot, but it was something his younger brother had to endure.

“Will it be finished by the day after tomorrow?”
“Yes, he said it would be.”

The butler’s respectful tone when speaking of Orson made the Viscount’s brow furrow.

“Who told you to show him respect?”
“My apologies.”
“Make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
“Yes.”
“Once the painting is complete, take it to the auction house.”
“Yes. I’ll excuse myself now.”

After leaving, the butler knocked on the door again shortly after.

“What is it now?”
“A guest has come to collect a painting. It’s the person who won the last auction.”
“What? You made sure the tent was secure, didn’t you?”

The Viscount opened the window to check, worried the guest might have seen Orson. Fortunately, the tent was still intact, and access to the garden was restricted, so there shouldn’t be any issues.
Even if that foolish lady did see something, she probably wouldn’t realize anything.

“I’ll meet the guest myself. It was the lady from the Leon County family, wasn’t it?”