Towards the Winter Cabin of Serenity and Madness, Cinderella Runs - Chapter 105
Since there weren’t any knights carrying two heavy suits of armor, Kyden had no choice but to borrow the armor of a trainee knight. This was the armor of a knight who had missed the investiture ceremony.
“….P-please take good care of it and return it.”
Trainee knight Elden said, trembling with a mix of indignation and anger.
He never imagined that someone staying in such a shabby inn would be a knight. It was even more unexpected that this person could end up being his superior.
“I’ll use it well. The armor seems a bit small. Are you on the smaller side?”
“….”
Kyden asked as he inspected the armor, but Elden stayed silent.
“Your shoulders are too narrow. Are you not training your strength?”
Is he doing this on purpose? Elden’s face turned crimson. His pride was wounded, but he forced himself to endure.
He remembered the embarrassing moment he had been knocked out with one blow. Kyden might be lazy, but his skills were undeniable, making it impossible for Elden to challenge him.
“I’m working hard on it.”
“You need to put in more effort. Last time I saw you, your reflexes were seriously lacking.”
“…..”
Elden stayed silent again.
“Anyway, I’ll take good care of it and return it.”
Kyden said, firmly patting Elden on the shoulder. Elden tried to hold his ground, but he stumbled slightly. Kyden raised an eyebrow and clicked his tongue.
“You’re weak.”
Is he really doing this on purpose? Is he trying to embarrass him because he was caught flirting with his woman? Why would a high-ranking knight be interested in a woman working at such a place?
Elden gritted his teeth but couldn’t openly rebel against him. He could only curse him inside.
After all, Kyden was a high-ranking knight set to receive a fief, and in the strict hierarchy of knightly society, insubordination could lead to severe punishment. He had no choice but to swallow his pride.
‘Ugh… I’ve lost.’
He envied Kyden for his superior physique, strength, remarkable skills, and the woman he was interested in. Elden felt defeated in every aspect and swallowed his tears.
Kyden, now fully armored, stepped outside.
A lavish carriage and horses awaited him. A banner embroidered with the Horman family crest draped over the horse’s head.
“Kyden, over here.”
Dyson, who had already mounted his horse, gestured for Kyden to join him. Kyden climbed onto his horse and took the spot next to him.
In front of the carriage rode a knight proudly holding the family flag high. Following behind was a grand procession of knights escorting the carriage.
Both the horses and the knights held their heads high as they made their way to the royal palace.
On the Founding Day, a grand investiture ceremony for nobles and knights took place, with nobles arriving from various regions in luxurious carriages accompanied by numerous knights to showcase their power. However, the number of knights was limited to avoid challenging the authority of the royal family.
The common people gathered to witness this rare spectacle, which could only be seen on Founding Day.
After a long wait, the ceremony began.
The aging Emperor walked out, and the nobles and knights bowed their heads before him. Watching Serley kneel to receive his title, Kyden thought, ‘…how dignified.’
It felt like just yesterday when he had been throwing tantrums, crying about his grandfather smashing things, not allowing him to paint.
‘I wonder when this will end.’
Having attended a knight’s investiture before, he wasn’t particularly impressed by the grandeur of the palace. While Serley seemed elated and excited after successfully completing the ceremony, Kyden stood behind him like a statue.
As Serley received congratulations from the nobles, Dyson nudged Kyden in the side.
“There will be a banquet tonight.”
“Are you going?”
“Yeah.”
Kyden narrowed his eyes. He was relieved that his expression was hidden behind his helmet.
Swords were not allowed in a banquet attended by the Emperor, and the escort knights couldn’t enter the banquet hall, having to remain outside on guard. While nothing particularly unusual would happen inside the palace, he still felt uneasy.
‘Looks like I’ll be coming back late. I should have woken Roel to say goodbye before leaving.’
It seemed he would return only late at night. Although he had anticipated this, he felt anxious, as if he had left an infant alone in an empty house.
What if some strange person bothered her while she was wandering around the hotel? What if she suddenly left without a word? These thoughts made him uncomfortable.
‘If only I could carry her in my pocket.’
Kyden didn’t understand Roel’s feelings. The way she blushed when looking at him was simply due to her shy nature, and her reluctance to push away his persistent affection stemmed from her inability to refuse.
The decision to be with him was also a sign of her feelings.
‘She probably doesn’t hate me, she must have some affection for me…’
But her feelings were unlikely to be as intense, passionate, or greedy as his.
Roel always kept a slight distance, acting cautiously as if hiding her true feelings. If she felt the same way he did, she wouldn’t be so reserved.
‘It probably isn’t love.’
