169. Beggar Siblings - Permission to Go Out
In the bustling administrative office of the royal guard, a clerical officer let out a disgruntled sigh.
“Again? Sir Noel, isn’t it a bit too frequent for you to be requesting leave?”
In front of the officer stood Leo, smiling awkwardly as he made his request once more.
“...I’m sorry. But I really need to go out next week. Can’t you make an exception?”
However, no matter how handso Leo was, his charm didn’t work on other n. The clerical officer in his early thirties tapped his desk in frustration.
“Sigh... Who wouldn’t want to? Even if you don’t have any duties, constantly requesting leave like this is problematic. We need at least thirty knights to be on duty at the palace at all tis. You don’t have a family, so what’s so urgent?”
After reviewing the overall schedule and duty roster of the royal guard once more, the officer finally snapped.
“I’m sorry, but it’s not possible. No matter how I adjust the schedule, there’s no available spot. Besides, you’ve already taken more than enough leave. In my ten-plus years of service, I’ve never seen a new recruit request leave so often.”
“Hey, don’t be so hard on him. He must have his reasons.”
At that mont, Leo’s senior officer intervened, winking at the clerical officer to calm him down. The two were actually friends from their days as squires together.
Strictly speaking, they were not exactly peers anymore since one beca a knight and the other did not, but such distinctions didn’t matter much between friends. They remained on good terms.
“Then I’ll stay at the palace that day. Will that work?”
“It is possible... but do you really have to go to such lengths, sir? Honestly, even though the disciplinary action has ended, Count Forte is still...”
“Ahem.”
The senior royal guard cut him off. However, Leo had already heard enough.
“Thank you for your help. But... Count Forte? What’s this about?”
“It’s nothing. Just go. Your shift change is coming up soon.”
He walked out of the office, and Leo persistently followed him, asking questions.
“Senior, please tell . What’s going on?”
“Tsk. That guy shouldn’t have said anything... Since you know now, just be careful for a while. Count Forte has been sending requests to look into your background for so reason.”
He advised Leo to avoid the eastern part of the palace where Herman Forte’s office was located.
Leo was stunned.
Why is the Sword Master doing this?
Sure, I made a mistake.
As a royal guard, I had barged into the prince’s office, so it must have been shocking from Count Herman Forte’s perspective.
But still, for a commander of the knights and a leader of the royalist faction, to be this persistent over such a trivial matter seed excessive.
‘...Could he have suspected that my identification is fake?’
Leo groaned inwardly.
Nothing seed to go smoothly. He hurried toward the ‘Corridor of Plenty.’ Still, by the week after next, I’ll be out of Orville...
Despite his mixed feelings, he found solace in one good piece of news.
The day after tomorrow was payday. Finally, he could repay Jenia for all the als and buy Lena a new dress, which lifted his spirits significantly.
*
The Orville Royal Palace beca bustling with activity.
With the news of the prince of the Astin Kingdom visiting, the head maids began driving the maids hard, and unused areas of the palace were opened up.
A few days later, with a cool autumn breeze, Prince Arnulf de Klaus arrived.
Riding a spotless black horse and with his navy blue hair fluttering, he led a procession of hundreds of elite soldiers, attendants, and maids into the Orville Royal Palace.
Leo watched the grand procession with a sense of nostalgia.
I’ve seen this procession twice before. Once buried in the crowd, envying the prince’s status, and once as a re thug, feeling a distant awe as if it was just yesterday.
Wearing a freshly pressed uniform, Leo stepped out of line. As the youngest knight in the Bellita Kingdom, he greeted the prince alongside the commander of the royal guard.
“It’s an honor to et the nobleman of the North. I am Hamlet, commander of the royal guard for the House of Tatian.”
Nobleman. A man of noble birth.
It was not an incorrect title, but it felt sowhat inadequate. However, as Prince Arnulf de Klaus was in the Bellita Kingdom, which looked down on the North as a land of savages, he responded with composure.
“Nice to et you. I am Arnulf de Klaus. Could you also introduce the gentleman beside you?”
Oops!
Imrsed in his thoughts, Leo was startled as if doused with cold water.
If he could, he would have covered the commander’s mouth, but the commander obligingly introduced Leo by his alias.
“This is ‘Noel.’ He is the youngest knight in our Bellita Kingdom, having reached adulthood just this year.”
“...Noel?”
Naturally, Prince Klaus looked surprised.
Noel Dexter. A scenario involving a betrothal and Leo’s father. Why did I use his na? Leo felt like hitting his head against the ground, but it was too late.
The prince spoke.
“How curious. There was a very famous knight nad Noel Dexter in our kingdom as well. As I recall, he was also the youngest knight in our kingdom... What a coincidence.”
“Is that so? If you rember him, he must have been a remarkable knight.”
“Yes. He was renowned for his bravery during the Nine-Day War in Barnaul. All the citizens of Barnaul know him. Haha. Nice to et you, Sir Noel.”
[ Achievent: First eting with the Prince - Gained mild favor from all princes. ]
[ Achievent: t Arnulf de Klaus - Gained mild favor from all nobles serving House Klaus. Gained mild favor from Arnulf de Klaus. ]
The prince extended his hand for a handshake. However, with every word he spoke, Leo felt his heart tighten.
What if they find out my na is fake ─ the worry gnawed at him, but thankfully, the commander of the royal guards seed unfazed.
It appeared that the commander interpreted the prince's astonishnt as him being impressed by having such a young and promising knight among their ranks, so he allowed Leo to proceed with the ceremony.
Returning to his position in the lineup, Leo let out a sigh of relief.
Using the alias "Noel" had been a habit for a long ti in the Beggar Siblings scenario.
When he first t Katrina in the old Beggar Siblings scenario, she had asked,
“Is your na Leo too?”
She had suspected his identity because it matched that of Leo from the Betrothal scenario. Since then, Leo had introduced himself as ‘Noel’ to her.
Never did he imagine that this habit would lead to such a crisis.
As his initial shock subsided, Leo found it absurd that sothing as simple as a fake na could have caused such a significant issue, and he couldn’t help but laugh at the thought.
He had narrowly escaped disaster.
*
The welcoming ceremony for Prince Arnulf de Klaus ended quickly.
The prince, who had traveled for several months from the distant North, needed rest, so the first day's schedule involved a light tour of the Orville Royal Palace.
A royal guard was needed to show him around, and Prince Klaus requested 'Noel.' However, whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, his wish did not co true.
Leo had left the palace as soon as the ceremony ended.
Today was the day of the play.
With his pockets now full from his first paycheck, Leo headed toward the market.
‘What would make a good gift...’
He couldn’t buy anything too expensive.
Though he wanted to buy sothing luxurious for Jenia, who had taken care of him and his sister, and for Lena as a token of his gratitude, he needed to save money for his journey to the Conrad Kingdom.
All knights, including royal guards, didn’t receive a substantial amount of money.
To commoners, it might seem like a fortune, but considering the rarity and importance of knights, their pay was actually quite modest.
Knights were essentially honorary positions without life insurance, as their exceptional skills were mostly unused outside of national ergencies like wars.
Sure, a knight could earn a lot by working in the underworld. But doing so would be like using a sledgehamr to crack a nut, and any skilled knight who built a power base in the underworld would eventually attract the attention of the nobles.
The marketplace buzzed with activity due to the prince’s arrival. After wandering around for a while, Leo finally decided on so clothes.
He couldn’t afford a dress, so he chose a few practical outer garnts that would be suitable for traveling, knowing he would soon leave for the Conrad Kingdom.
This one’s for Lena. This one’s for Jenia. The last one’s for .
Leo was confident that Jenia would agree to travel with him. He was more curious about how she would react when she learned he was a prince.
‘Hopefully, she won’t react like Cassia...’
His heart sank.
He rembered Cassia’s pale face and her kneeling, begging for forgiveness for her insolence once she discovered he was a prince. The mory made it hard for him to breathe.
Love? No, this was compassion.
He had never been able to repay her, and the mory of that unresolved relationship clung to him like a shackle.
‘...It will get better over ti.’
Then, he noticed a purple gown.
He was drawn to the soft, cotton garnt and, almost in a trance, he paid for it.
Autumn is here, and it’s getting colder... It would suit Cassia perfectly...
Despite his many rationalizations, Leo took the gown and headed toward Cassia’s shop.
“Hey, aren’t you Jenia’s boyfriend?” soone called out as he browsed shoes in her shop, pretending to look around before leaving the gown behind.
He ran without looking back.
I’m never coming back here, he vowed, as he made his way to the Orange Theatre.
However, the theater, which should have been bustling with people, was surprisingly quiet. He went straight inside to find Jenia and quickly learned the reason.
“The play has been postponed until tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? ...Why?”
“Didn’t you know? The prince from the Astin Kingdom arrived today. Everyone was mobilized for the event, so we postponed it. If we had known he’d arrive early and the event would end so soon, we wouldn’t have rescheduled, but now we have to change tickets and re-advertise.”
“...”
“...Can you co tomorrow?”
Seeing Leo’s serious expression, Jenia asked cautiously. Leo could only sigh deeply.
“...I’m sorry. I have sothing really important tomorrow. I don’t think I can make it.”
He wasn’t lying.
Tomorrow evening, there was a ball.
At that ball, Princess Chloe de Tatian would share a passionate kiss with Gilbert Forte. Feeling humiliated, Prince Arnulf de Klaus would return to the Astin Kingdom imdiately afterward.
He couldn’t miss this event.
For the sake of Lena in the Childhood Friends scenario, he had to prevent Gilbert Forte from joining the capital’s churChapter And for the Siblingless Betrothal scenario, he had to try to prevent the war.
Although he could consider killing Gilbert Forte if he decided to leave Orville regardless of Count Gustav Peter’s help, he had invested too much effort to abandon his plans now.
“Lena will be disappointed...”
Leo felt despondent. As he mumbled an apology, Jenia cheerfully tried to lighten the mood.
“It’s okay. This isn’t the last performance. We’ll have more shows. I’ll tell Lena you couldn’t co. She’ll understand.”
“...I guess so. Oh, here, take this. It’s a gift.”
Leo handed her the clothes.
Jenia smiled brightly, pleased with the gift, and Lena, who was busy practicing on stage, shouted,
“Brother! It’s okay! Haha. I was worried I might ss up, so maybe it’s for the best. Co next ti.”
She comforted him, but his spirits remained low.
I’m sorry, but there won’t be a next ti.
Given that the Sword Master might have figured out his false identity, Leo needed to leave Orville as soon as possible. He couldn’t wait for Lena’s second performance.
Sitting in the audience holding Jenia’s hand, watching Lena practice diligently, Leo made up his mind.
I’ll co tomorrow.
If he ran back imdiately after the ball, he might catch the final act. He hoped to witness Lena’s mont of becoming a saint in .
That would make her happy...
Leo started thinking about how he could secure leave, and Jenia watched him intently.
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