Although there were some minor incidents.
Fortunately, in the end, there were no major accidents, and the Princess's visit to the unit, which had been full of talk and incidents, was coming to an end.
“The schedule is almost over now. You've worked hard, Deputy Commander."
“No. It’s all thanks to your reliable support, Commander.”
“Honestly, what have I done? You did all the actual work.”
In particular, the deputy commander did a great job.
No matter how much the Princess had taken a cursorily look around the unit, it was largely due to her that the headquarters of the Knight Order, which was a mess, could be taken care of to a reasonable standard within the short time.
The deputy commander showed truly exceptional crisis management skills, as if such situations had not occurred once or twice before, and thanks to this, the trust I had in her had increased even further.
On the other hand, it seemed that almost all of the facilities of the Black Lion Knight Order that could be boasted about had been shown to the princess.
So there was no need to have the princess stay here any longer.
It was also pitiful to see my subordinates who were stuck in the headquarters barracks, feeling anxious and unable to do anything.
Everyone had worked tirelessly day and night for several days, so I should let them leave work early today. No matter how strong the knights were, physical fatigue and mental fatigue were separate issues.
— Step, step.
But, why had the princess been walking quietly without saying anything since earlier?
Even though the princess of the empire had come in person to meet a single knight commander, I couldn't eventually have a proper conversation with her, so I was feeling uncomfortable.
That was why I was just contemplating whether I should forcibly make time for a conversation after the whole schedule was over.
— Shiver!
But suddenly, a slight chill ran down my spine.
'What?'
In addition to the five senses, humans have one more sense.
It is commonly referred to as the sixth sense.
In general cases, we just treat it as just another word for coincidence or ominousness, but when we enter the realm of superhumans, the story changes.
In a decisive moment like on the battlefield, where lives come and go, the sixth sense sometimes acts as a more powerful basis for judgment than the five senses.
However, in such a peaceful moment as now, how could my sixth sense even send a warning signal, however trivial it might be?
It was strange.
But it was just a minor warning signal, so it wouldn't be a big deal.
Of course, since the princess was here, I wasn't harboring any complacent thoughts.
Currently, the Black Lion Knight Order was almost guaranteed absolute safety by the Imperial Guard and the commander-level security forces I had carefully selected myself.
Since I was personally guarding the princess's side, the possibility of something dangerous happening was extremely low.
Perhaps it was just a warning signal that something a little unfortunate might happen today.
No matter how high you rise, a sixth sense in an inconclusive situation cannot be trusted that much.
People who rely on their sixth sense all day, even outside the battlefield, are often called paranoid or delusional disorder patients.
It is not right to be excessively cautious. It is enough if you are just aware of it.
Thinking so, I glanced at the sky and saw that the sun had already crossed the mid-sky.
It was early morning when the princess and her party arrived at the guard post, so quite a bit of time had passed.
I asked the opinion of the princess, who had been gripping the hem of her skirt and wriggling her fingers with a strange blush on her face since earlier.
“Princess. This concludes the entire Black Lion Knight Order inspection schedule. Is there any other place you would like to visit or anything else you are curious about?"
Then, the princess raised her head, made eye contact with me, and gave an inscrutable smile.
“I don’t have anything I'm particularly curious about, but there's a place I'd like to look around a little more."
“Is that so? Then where would you like to..."
As expected, it seemed that there was a particular facility that had left a strong impression.
'That's understandable.'
The site of the Black Lion Knight Order was quite large and there were many facilities that stood out.
To be honest, I was a little disappointed that she showed such indifference to the efforts of my subordinates and me.
As I thought so and answered in a delicate manner, the princess's dazzling blue eyes continued to stare into mine.
I was not used to dealing with women. Still, I wasn't so insensitive that I couldn't even recognize such a signal.
'Has it come?'
She undoubtedly wanted to have a private meeting with me.
It was also something I was preparing for from the beginning.
“Deputy Commander. You can go in now. All of the scheduled events have been completed, so I think it will be enough for me to guide her alone.”
"Yes. Understood. Then..."
The deputy commander immediately showed her respect to the princess and returned to the headquarters barracks with disciplined steps.
Since hesitating a bit at the inauguration ceremony, she had never complained about my orders.
Also, it was truly fortunate that the meeting between the two women somehow ended on a good note.
Although they had some arguments with each other, judging from the princess's not-so-bad expression, it didn't seem like it had gone to the point of causing ill feelings between the two.
'Well, there was also an atmosphere of mutual reconciliation at the end.'
To be honest, I was a little worried because the deputy commander showed an overly confident attitude in front of the princess.
It would be absolutely unacceptable if she, my precious subordinate, were to be dragged away for the crime of insulting the imperial family.
“Huhu…”
When the deputy commander was no longer in her field of vision, the princess somehow looked very refreshed, smiled, and moved her lips slightly.
“Did you say it was Monument Square? The place with the lion statue that looks exactly like you. I want to take another look there."
"Yes. Then let me escort you."
* * *
Monument Square.
It was called a square, but it had a strong meaning as a kind of sanctuary, a place where anyone hardly came unless there were important events such as a memorial service or a military ceremony.
In other words, it was the perfect place for a private meeting.
According to a report from the 4th Centurion Captain, there had recently been an affair between a female knight and a squire under his command, and he said that this was the very place where they had their secret meeting?
Well, they said they liked each other, so in the end, no serious punishment was given except for a minor disciplinary action for disturbing public morals.
It was truly something that would have made the previous generation of members of the Black Lion Knight Order shed tears from the heavens.
But when in the world did the princess even keep an eye on this place? After all, is it because she is a member of the imperial family that she has a wider field of vision than the criminal?
Just as we were about to enter the narrow artificial forest road leading to the monument square.
“Give me your hand.”
"Yes?"
The princess made a remark that made me deeply embarrassed.
“Even Coco, who is raised in the front yard of the detached palace, is kind and gives its hand right away when I ask for it, but how can someone who is bigger than an orc not understand that?"
“Wait. What, Princess?"
— Grab!
Before I had time to stop anything, I had no choice but to allow the delicate princess, who could be easily subdued with just one movement of my finger, to take my hand.
The princess began to look at my bumpy, ugly-looking hand, fiddling with it here and there as if it were intriguing.
“You really have enormous hands. I think they’re twice the size of mine. With these large, rough hands, that night you..."
“Princess. Your mischief has gone a little too far."
I tried to stop this embarrassing act with a straight face, afraid that someone might see it, even though I knew it couldn't be possible.
“Hmph! Why? You held me tightly that night, covered my mouth, then put your nose against my hair and sniffed…”
But at the princess's words, I kept my mouth tightly shut, unable to say anything else.
"I apologize. You can do as you please."
“Huhu…”
It was a hand with nothing but scars and calluses.
An unattractive hand that always elicited nothing but nagging from my master that I eat too much because I have ignorantly large hands.
It was nothing more than a hideous thing that should not be seen by someone who was the princess of the empire.
“Haan…”
But why was the princess putting her white and soft hand on my palm and making a strange nasal sound?
Moreover, why was she even looking at me with a gaze that seemed satisfied?
I felt like I was going to die of shame.
“Ah! Sir Wolfgang, your face is red.”
“Huh? No way…”
“Wuhuhu… You're not some steel monster after all, but a human being. So cute…”
Blushing in front of others?
Me?
Unbelievable. Surely princess must have misunderstood something.
Knights are all superhuman.
And superhumans can control their bodies to some extent, to areas that ordinary people cannot reach. Blood circulation is even one of the easiest things to control.
Furthermore, one of the things that should never be revealed on the battlefield, along with vital points, is emotional fluctuations. Just from such a trivial incident...
This, I don't think I'm in a position to criticize others for their dullness.
It seems the month-long break has unknowingly made me a little rusty.
But the princess's next words instantly snapped me back to attention.
“Sir Wolfgang, I’ve been thinking about it for a long time since that day, but I don’t think I’ll ever be able to let go of what happened that night.”
Because it didn't seem like the time to be ashamed of the trivial things.
“I am simply fear struck. What should I do about this great sin?”
“Extreme honorifics. I’m sure I told you not to use them, right? Rather, speak informally.”
"I apologize."
A remark by a member of the imperial family carries a great power in and of itself.
To put it bluntly, if the princess wanted to execute me because she felt ashamed because of what happened that day, I would be put on the execution platform without a trial.
For the people of the empire, the lineage of the imperial family exerts such absolute power.
Because those with heavenly blood have the right to dispose of those who crawl on the ground as they please.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about what to do with you. My head still gets hot when I think about it. My lower stomach starts churning. How on earth such a thing can happen?"
“…….”
“Sir Wolfgang, you surely didn't think you could just get away with it, did you? Right?"
“Yes. You're right. I will accept whatever punishment you give me.”
“Hmm. There are so many things I want to do with you, but…”
Gulp.
I couldn't help but swallow my saliva in the extreme tension.
Immunity does not apply to crimes committed against the imperial family.
My spoils of war and gifts, even the three immunity privileges bestowed upon me by the imperial family, were nothing more than pieces of trash.
'Is my life over now?'
Was the ominous feeling I felt earlier, the warning of my sixth sense, intended to inform me in advance of what was happening now?
Now that the war was over, there were no old subordinates for whose lives I must be responsible, and there were no lingering feelings about family and position.
However, I just felt sorry for the Black Lion Knights that had finally started to follow me somewhat properly.
What would happen to me now?
When I thought about it, what happened that night was just unlucky, but in any case, I couldn't say it wasn't entirely my fault.
That was why I didn't feel unfair. Even if it was unfair, I had no intention of resisting it with force. I had obviously committed a crime that could not be resolved with the immunity privilege.
Resisting with force, even after committing such a serious crime, is something that only a gangster would do.
Strength exists to defeat enemies on the battlefield, suppress injustice, and protect the weak, not to be wielded freely.
While I was slowly preparing my mind thinking about it, the princess's lips finally parted.
Is it torture? Execution? Or, the annihilation of the entire family?
Surprisingly, it was neither of the three.
“For now, just hold my hand properly. So I can feel your body heat properly. Like embracing it firmly."
"Yes?"
I was completely dazed by the completely unexpected turn of events, but for now, I followed the princess's instructions.
“Huhu. What are you so surprised about? I’m going to order a lot more from now on.”
I didn't think it was for the purpose of shaming me. What on earth was her intention?
— Grip
“Ah... I’m feeling a little better already. Let’s walk together for a bit like this.”
“…I will follow your orders.”
What on earth did the princess want to do?
“Hmmmm~ There's no one around. No female cat. Just the two of us. It’s perfect.”
Seeing her even humming, it seemed like she wasn't feeling angry or displeased, so at least it was a fortune among the misfortunes.
As I walked, half-dazed, holding the princess's hand tightly.
Before I knew it, she and I had reached the destination, Monument Square.
"This seems like a good spot. You need to have the proper amount of sunlight at your back to see it well."
Looking at the giant black lion statue made of black marble from afar, the princess turned back and spoke, clutching the hem of her skirt tightly.
I still have no idea what she wants.
"Because of you, I've been unable to enjoy my hobbies, so my stress has already built up a bit.”
"I apologize."
Honestly speaking, even following the flow of the conversation was a little difficult.
What on earth was I going through?
"Again, another apology. You will have to exercise a little restraint from now on. That’s not your role.”
“……”
“Hm, then your first role is… just be a spectator for now."
The princess's subsequent actions left me unable to take any action, or even think properly.
What was this moment I was experiencing, what was this sight I was witnessing?
Could it be a midsummer night's dream I had only heard of?
“Ha, ha... d-don’t look away.”
The princess of the empire.
Alicia von Diana Solaris.
To a man who was just one night's strange relationship, and to an ordinary man who had now overcome the scars of war and was looking for a new relationship.
With her pure white skirt lifted up.
She was fully exposing her most precious part as a woman, which was completely dripping transparent and viscous liquid.
If you find something really out place, let me know in the comments.
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