The Abandoned Empress Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Chapter 26

“Just in case sothing goes wrong, so of the royal guards and the 1st Knights must remain. However… ”

“You an that all the 2nd Knights and my knights must be dispatched.”

“Yes. In addition, I plan to send all the knights of my family, too.”

“I see. Then, you are probably the only one to stay here, Arkint.”

“Well, the emperor would have wanted a loyal guy like you instead of soone like who is recalcitrant. But you know there are other nobles watching the emperor’s action. Sorry, Kairan. I’m thinking of sending my son instead.”

According to my father and Duke Lars, part of the 1st Imperial Knight, all of the 2nd Imperial Knights as well as all the private knights of the Duke Lars family and my family were mobilized. And my father and Duke Lars had to lead them.

I was afraid that I might not be able to see my father for years in the worst case. What should I do if my father never returns? My anxiety grew more and more when I recalled my father from the past that he never returned despite his saying that he would return soon.

‘Let’s not think about it, Aristia.’

I shook my head slightly. I heard that unfortunate things would happen when I thought about ominous things. ‘But now is different from the past. Daddy will co back safely.’

“Got it. I’m sorry to say this, but Arkint, please take care of my daughter while I’m not here. ”

“Your daughter?”

“Yes. As she is smart, I think she can manage well, but she is still too young, as you know.

So, I hope you can co here and check if she needs any help.”

“Not a problem,”

My father expressed thanks to Duke Lars by nodding and said, “Thank you. Can I ask you one more favor?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“My daughter is learning fencing from these days. She has just learned the basics, so she needs to keep practicing steadily. However, if all the knights here leave, there is no one to coach her. It will be difficult, but can you coach her sotis? ”

“Hmm, I don’t know if I can give her personal coaching. Well, how about asking my second child for that?”

“You an that child of yours who is called a genius of swordsmanship?”

“I’m embarrassed to say so. Anyway, let have him coach her, and sotis let coach together. How about it? My son has had more training than your daughter, so he can help your daughter in one way or another.”

A genius of swordsmanship and Duke Lars’s second son: when I combined the two, one thing ca to my mind. I rembered a man like him. He was a genius who had no rival when it ca to swordsmanship. Unlike Allendis who is a genius in many respects, he only stood out in fencing. His na was Karsane de Lars.

He was the youngest knight ever in the empire who achieved an unprecedented fencing record. n had their coming-of-age ceremony at 18, and a won at 16. He was officiated as a knight at the age of 18 when he ca of age. I recalled there was so strong opinion that the successor of Duke Lars should be his second son Karsane instead of his eldest son, Sir Lars.

‘Who eventually beca his successor?’ I traced my mory, but I couldn’t recall.

“Okay, then. Let’s do that.”

“Good. Then, when are you leaving? ”

“As it’s very urgent, I’m leaving as soon as I’m ready. I think I can leave tomorrow afternoon if I finish organizing the knights.”

“I see. I might not see you off. Be careful! Do not worry about your daughter.”

“Thank you. Then I think I should stop by the Imperial Palace. ”

“Okay. Keiran, I have sothing to tell you for a mont. ”

“Let leave now, sir,” I said and quickly got up.

Sir Lars who ca out of the office with turned and greeted .

“It’s been a while, Tia.”

“Yeah, we haven’t seen each other for a long ti, Sir Lars. ”

“By the way, I hear you are learning fencing?”

“Yes, but I’m only a beginner now.”

“I see. You must have a lot of hard training.”

I smiled slightly at his remarks. I only started it recently, and I would not have told my father to teach if I had thought it was too tough for .

I said goodbye to him and turned, but sothing suddenly ca to my mind.

I looked back at him and said, “By the way, Sir Lars.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“Can you tell about your brother?”

“… ”

Sir Lars didn’t reply. Did I make a mistake by asking about his brother? I felt he was estranged from his brother as they competed over who should succeed his father. Discovering I made a mistake, I hurriedly tried to apologize, but Sir Lars opened his mouth first, “Well, to be honest with you, he is not a bad guy once you get to know him.”

“… If you know, you are not a bad guy. Ah, sir. ”

I tilted my head, watching him greeting my father. Did he say his brother was not a bad guy when I got to know him? I felt uncomfortable, but I couldn’t hold him as he had to help my father.

“Then, please take care until I see you again.”

“Thank you. I hope that you will return safely after completing the mission. Take care, daddy.”

“Sure. I think I’m going to be a little late today, so go to bed first. Sir Lars, let’s go.”

Having said that, my father turned right away. Maybe he won’t co back today because it will take a long ti for him to determine the number and list of the knights to send to each estate.

After saying goodbye to him, I changed into a training outfit and headed to the training field.

In order not to disturb the training of other knights as much as possible, I looked for a place with few knights. I noticed shiny green hair in one corner of the training field.

“Allendis?”

I wanted to call him again, but didn’t. His tight lips, serious eyes and his disciplined posture. I’ve never seen him focusing on training like that over the past two years.

While I was debating whether or not to bother his training, sothing flashed through my mind.

Who is going to coach his fencing? My father asked the duke to coach only, but he didn’t ntion anything about Allendis.

“Aristia? When did you co?”

“Oh, I just got here.” I think I was lost in thought. I didn’t know Allendis had finished training and looked at .

“What happened? You don’t co here around this ti. ”

“Well, I ca back because I had sothing to tell you. ”

“Really?

“I hear Duke Lars stopped by here. You already heard sothing from him, right?”

When I saw Allendis, who smiled bitterly, I guess what he was going to say.

“Are you leaving, too?”

“Yes, that’s what I heard.”

“I see.”

“Maybe your father is leaving, too?”

“Yes, with the knights here,” Allendis said with a worried expression.

“Then, you will be left alone here. Are you going to be okay, Aristia? ”

“I’m alright. As one of the nobles of the empire, I have to do what I’m supposed to.”

“Nonetheless…”

“I’m really okay. Hummm… would you like to go for dinner? If we part today, you won’t see for a while. ”

“Sure, I do. Thanks for inviting .”

‘Did you notice my intention to change the topic?’ Allendis gladly accepted my invitation.

“Is this the first ti we have had a al together? You always have als with your father.”

“Oh, you’re right.”

“Is he busy?”

“Yes, he said he had to leave as soon as possible. He said he was going to organize the formation of the knights today.”

“I see. If that’s the case, I have to leave even without greeting him.”

I nodded slightly and replied, “Let convey your ssage to him.”

“Thanks, Aristia. Ah, this is delicious. I feel it every ti, but your family chef is really skillful.”

“Really? He would love it very much. Let convey your praise to him.”

“Great. It looks like I am not popular in your family. I need to score brownie points.”

I wanted to deny it, but I couldn’t when I recalled what Sir League told the other day.

After he smiled awkwardly, he said, “Okay. All I want is that you don’t like . That’s it.”

“Oh, of course I won’t.”

“I’m glad to hear that. By the way, Aristia, why don’t you ask where I’m going?”