Editing Kaze no Kishihime v1c7

'''Chapter 7 - Three Knights and Karin are Honoured with the Audience''' 

The morning after Cendrillon and Karin dueled with Angelo and the Unicorn Guard, then ended up kissing after Cendrillon got completely drunk at the victory celebration…

Enduring a pounding headache, Cendrillon dragged himself into the living room. Last night, after a messenger from the palace arrived and forced the celebration to disperse, he returned home and immediately collapsed into bed.

In the living room, Karin silently gnawed on a piece of bread. Ever since what had happened the night before, she ignored everything Cendrillon tried to say.

“H-hey…”

Cendrillon awkwardly greeted her, while Karin bit her lip, fists clenched on her knees, cheeks slightly red.

This is bad… he thinks I am into men…

That was the misunderstanding Cendrillon arrived at. Well, after the way he acted last night, he could hardly blame her.

At any rate, he had to clear things up.

“Listen, Karin. I was really drunk last night. I am sorry for doing something so disrespectful to you.”

“…………”

Karin silently chewed her bread and turned her face away.

“It is true that I dislike women… but that does not mean I like men. I want you to understand that.”

After saying only that much, Cendrillon began eating his bread as well.

“Th-then…”

Karin asked in a trembling voice.

“Why would you do something like that to me?”

Cendrillon hesitated over how to answer. He had no intention of speaking about his former lover, much less admitting that he mistook the boy before him for the woman from his dreams.

“Well… I was drunk. For a moment, I mistook you for a woman.”

“…But you hate women, do you not?”

“That is true…”

“So actually you really like women after all. Liar.”

Cendrillon replied helplessly:

“…It is not that I like just anyone.”

Karin glanced at him and felt her face heating up again.

After all, he had suddenly done something like that to her. Of course she could not stop thinking about it.

And on top of that, he had touched her chest at the end. Unforgivable…!

But at the same time, the frustration of not being able to get angry openly irritated her even more. A man would not get angry over having his chest touched.

“Karina.”

Cendrillon had definitely said that name.

Could it be… that he really knew her true name?

If he knew, and liked her despite that, was that why he did such a thing?

But if that was true, then her identity as a woman had already been exposed… and surely he would have asked why she was pretending to be a boy.

Yet judging from his attitude, he did not seem to suspect her real identity at all.

So then… was it really another woman’s name?

The thought alone irritated her. Why am I even worrying about something like this? Whatever!

Karin turned away and left the room to head for duty.

“H-hey! I am coming too!”

A flustered Cendrillon hurried after her.

When the two of them arrived at Lord Jebal’s estate, something unexpected awaited them. Vivian suddenly summoned them over and informed them of something almost dreamlike.

“What did you say? His Majesty wishes to see us?”

Even Cendrillon sounded surprised. Beside him stood Bacchus and Narcis, who have also just arrived and been called in.

All of them wore tense expressions. That was only natural—a mere knight being personally summoned by King Philip III was an extremely rare thing.

“That is right. It seems he has something to say about last night’s incident.”

Karin’s face turned pale. Did they anger the king with their duel with the Grand Duke’s Unicorn Guard? Even Cendrillon looked confused.

Watching them, Vivian smiled bitterly.

“Honestly… this is why I told you all to behave yourselves.”

It was possible that everyone present would be punished because of what she had done. Karin stepped forward and declared loudly:

“The duel was proposed by me! The other three only became involved because of me! If there is blame to be placed, then place it on me alone!”

Vivian merely smiled.

“You can tell that directly to His Majesty. Honestly, do not stiffen up so much. What is done is done. I understand His Majesty’s temperament well enough, this might even turn out to be interesting.”

The four of them, together with Vivian, boarded a carriage sent from the palace and headed toward the royal court.

Karin could barely sit still. Her fate was about to be decided. If she displeased the king… wouldn’t everything come crashing down?

With a mixture of admiration and anxiety, Karin gazed at the royal palace she was seeing for the first time. Beyond the gates stretched a vast courtyard. The hedges and trees were  carefully trimmed into the shapes of knights and dragons, and at the center of the circular carriage court stood a fountain rhythmically spraying water into the air.

The palace itself towered overhead with overwhelming grandeur. Streams of water—deeply tied to the royal family of Tristain—flowed down the walls and connected with the fountain below.

A palace of water…

That was the impression Karin had.

After stepping out of the carriage, the four were not taken to an audience chamber, but instead guided to what seemed to be a back room near the attendants’ quarters.

Passing through a low doorway, they entered a space that resembled a hidden chamber. The walls were draped with layers of satin, and inside stood several chairs and a small desk. Everything was luxurious enough to belong within a palace.

Vivian looked perfectly calm, as though she was here many times before, while Karin felt as if her heart might leap from her chest.

In any case, her fate would be decided within the next few minutes. Even if she angered the king, she at least wanted to stand proudly before him, so she forced herself to straighten her posture.

Beside her, Bacchus and Narcis also looked extremely nervous, while Cendrillon wore the same sleepy expression he always did.

Then, suddenly, the moment arrived.

The satin curtain was drawn aside, and the king appeared.

For the first time in her life, Karin saw Philip III.

The figure of the “Hero King” she has always admired matched her imagination perfectly—a magnificent and imposingly handsome man. Behind him stood a young black-haired man in priestly robes, with a cold and severe expression.

Philip III slowly swept his sharp gaze across the four of them. That alone was enough to make Karin feel as if she might die from tension.

“Vivian, are these the troublesome little hooligans you spoke of? The violent criminals who beat up the poor Unicorn Guards?”

Philip III asked in a strong voice. It was slightly higher-pitched than Karin imagined. Just hearing those words made her feel as though she was cast straight into hell.

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

After Vivian answered calmly, Philip III frowned.

“What audacious fools! To think that knights belonging to ''my'' royal guard would use violence against the Grand Duke’s honored retainers! Apologize to the Grand Duke at once and accept your punishment!”

Karin’s face went pale. She did anger the king!

But just as Cendrillon stepped forward, about to apologize, Karin remembered Vivian’s earlier words:

“Tell His Majesty directly.”

So Karin stopped him.

“Karin?”

Then, gathering her courage, she straightened her back proudly and declared:

“Please direct the punishment at me alone! I was the one who proposed the duel! The other three were only dragged into it because of me!”

At the sight of the beautiful young knight standing there so boldly, Philip III seemed barely able to contain himself. The strict mask he had been forcing onto his face cracked for a moment, and he let out an admiring exclamation.

“What an excellent young person! Well, Grand Duke, what do you think? Do you truly wish to punish such a splendid youth? Hmm? What is your opinion?”

At the word “Grand Duke,” Karin realized that the black-haired young noble before her was none other than Grand Duke Eustache, the Chancellor himself.

The two greatest men in the kingdom stood before her.

Karin bowed deeply to the Grand Duke.

“I sincerely apologize for injuring your guards.”

The Grand Duke gave a bored snort and turned his gaze away from Karin toward Philip III.

“I never intended to punish them in the first place. Interfering in quarrels between knights would only make me appear petty. Besides, was it not Your Majesty who summoned me here demanding apologies?”

“So then, we may call the matter settled, yes? Ah, I would never show favoritism simply because they are my own guards. One cannot set a good example that way.”

“As Your Majesty wishes. Now then, I still have matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave.”

The Grand Duke departed coldly.

It seemed the danger passed, and Karin quietly pressed a hand to her chest in relief. Vivian, Bacchus, and the others looked much the same.

Then, the moment the Grand Duke disappeared from sight, Philip III’s attitude changed completely. Overflowing with excitement, he practically bounced around the room.

“Now then! My brave warriors! Tell me everything about the duel!”

He eagerly demanded every last detail.

Karin and the others were dumbfounded by the king’s sudden change in demeanor. The four of them described the duel, while Philip III repeatedly urged them to go into even greater detail.

Apparently, the king—who was constantly overshadowed by the Grand Duke—was absolutely delighted that his own royal guards defeated the Grand Duke’s retainers. His earlier anger had merely been an act. As he listened, it was as though memories of charging across battlefields in his youth had resurfaced, and he listened with the enthusiasm of a child.

The part he enjoyed most was Karin defeating Angelo.

“Ohhh! So it truly was you who defeated Angelo!”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Though still young, this one possesses extraordinary mastery over wind magic. I heard he danced through the air while cutting Angelo to pieces…”

Vivian spoke as though she had witnessed it herself.

“I too excel in wind magic. I see now—truly the element of heroes.”

Receiving such praise from the king filled Karin with joy.

To think she would actually be praised by the king himself…

“Listen well, my brave warriors. I adore young nobles such as yourselves—strong, spirited, and loyal. From this day onward, continue to stand as my friends. I ask this of you.”

As he spoke, Philip III extended his hand to each of them. The honor of kissing the king’s hand was exceedingly rare, and the members of the Magic Guard nervously kissed the back of it one by one.

“You have all shown exceptional courage and loyalty to me. Therefore, accept this.”

Philip III summoned an attendant and personally handed Karin a leather pouch.

Inside was a heap of gold coins.

Karin bowed deeply.

“Well then… I still have matters to attend to… I must be going now. Ah, yes!”

Apparently remembering something, Philip III called for another attendant.

“Bring Mariana here.”

A young girl of around twelve or thirteen was soon led into the room. She had brilliant chestnut hair and large bright eyes. Yet at a glance, it was obvious she was no ordinary girl. Every movement carried the natural grace and gentleness of someone born to be served by others.

“Father, you called for me?”

The girl lifted her skirt and curtsied politely.

Standing beside Karin, Narcis murmured quietly:

“…Princess Mariana.”

Karin nearly let out a startled yelp. This girl was none other than Princess Marianna, the only daughter of Philip III, said to be showered with endless affection.

“...She’s truly beautiful.”

Bacchys spoke in a tone as if he were witnessing a dream. He looked ready to throw himself to the ground before her at any second, so Karin forcefully stomped on his foot.

Indeed, though she was only just about to turn thirteen, her beauty already stood far above others her age. The princess noticed the knights standing nearby and smiled.

“Father, who are these people?”

“They are the knights who will be serving as your guards starting today.”

At those words, the members of the squad exchanged stunned looks.

They were going to guard the princess?

“You are currently being reorganized anyway, are you not? I cannot yet assign you to serve as my own royal guard, but protecting the princess should pose no problem.”

Then he turned toward Marianna.

“My daughter, did you not say you wanted your own guards?”

“Yes! Because I really dislike that Eustache fellow, so naturally I dislike his guard corps too. Just having them come near me is unpleasant enough, and then they shamelessly ride unicorns on top of that! Besides, shouldn’t unicorns belong exclusively to me? Why would Father ever approve something like that?”

What a blunt princess.

Originally, unicorns were meant to be used only by princesses of the kingdom, generally for royal carriages and similar purposes. However, when Grand Duke Eustache established his personal guard corps, he requested permission from Philip III to use unicorns as riding beasts.

Considering the Grand Duke’s achievements, Philip III had little choice but to grant the request.

“There are various reasons for it. You will understand someday.”

“He’s such an unpleasant man!”

“You must not say such things so loudly. The Chancellor has done a great many things for me and for our kingdom.”

Marianna turned her gaze toward the knights.

The moment she noticed Karin, her cheeks gradually flushed red. Karin’s appearance, beautiful enough to resemble a remarkably handsome young nobleman, seemed to capture Marianna’s heart instantly.

Walking up close to Karin, Marianna tilted her head slightly.

It was a gesture meaning: ''State your name.''

“My name is Karin Désirée de Maillart. It is the greatest honor to be entrusted with the protection of Your Highness.”

Karin spoke with utmost seriousness.

“How wonderful! So your name is Sir Karin? What a beautiful guardian knight! I’ve already taken a liking to you! Father, thank you very much!”

Marianna declared this with a radiant smile.

“But Karin is still only a trainee. Is it truly acceptable to entrust such an important duty to him?”

Vivian said this, and Philip III nodded.

“Did he not defeat Angelo? If he possesses the skill, what problem is there? If he serves well as the princess’s guard, he will surely rise quickly through the ranks. Before long, he should become a proper knight. Work hard.”

Hearing such words from the king himself, Karin felt as though she might float into the sky. At that moment, it felt as though a glorious future was already decided for her.

“Y-Yes! I would gladly give my life for this duty!”

“M-M-M-My name is Bacchus! Thank you so much for this supreme honor!”

Overwhelmed with emotion, Bacchus could no longer contain himself and dropped to his knees at the princess’s feet, tears already streaming down his face. Most people would probably have been frightened by such behavior, yet Marianna, worthy of being a princess of an entire kingdom, merely smiled calmly.
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“I look forward to working with you,” she said.