Kaze no Kishihime v2e

Although The Grand Duke Eustache committed crimes bordering on high treason, he was not sentenced to death. His many conspiracies had been exposed, but because no charge could be brought proving that he had directly plotted against King Philip III, a capital sentence could not be justified.

Of course, given that he had nearly succeeded in destroying the royal Magic Guard, Philip III could have ordered his execution with a single word. But the High Court, packed with Eustache's allies, and numerous nobles petitioned for clemency, and in the end even the king was forced to yield.

In consideration of his past service, Eustache was stripped of all his offices and most of his wealth, and was exiled to his reduced domain as a mere provincial noble.

He was also forbidden to leave that shrunken territory for the rest of his life.

The Magic Guard, their honor restored, were finally able to return to duty without reservation.

And at Cendrillon's house, a celebration was being held in honor of Karin's knighthood.

"Karin! Congratulations on becoming a chevalier!"

With that cry, Bacchus drained his cup in one gulp.

Cendrillon's room, usually so bare and dreary, was transformed into something unexpectedly festive. Decorations made from paper and clay were scattered throughout the room, and on the wall, painted in large letters, was the message:

Congratulations, Sir Karin!

The table was covered not only with wine, but also with dishes ordered from their favorite tavern.

In front of a cake, Karin sat trembling, her fists clenched tightly on her lap.

Beside her sat the vampire sisters, Dulcinea and Armais.

They had been entrusted to Cendrillon and the others by Philip III as their "prisoners," with the king remarking that they were free to boil them, roast them, or do whatever they pleased.

Naturally, that had only been a figure of speech.

What the king really meant was: if they could be useful, then use them.

Philip III could sense that difficult times were approaching—times so harsh that even demons might have to be turned into tools.

In any case, aside from the inconvenient fact that they needed human blood to survive, the two sisters were gentle and mild-mannered, and so Cendrillon and the others agreed to take them in.

The drunken Bacchus shoved his way between the two vampire girls.

"So, you two drink human blood, huh?"

"Y-Yes..." Dulcinea replied nervously. "But we don't need very much. Just a little."

"Right," the sisters said together, nodding shyly.

Their timid manner was so innocent and adorable that Bacchus's nostrils flared.

"What, just a little? Then drink mine! Oh, but don't overdo it! Ha!"

With that, he dramatically tore off his jacket.

The two sisters recoiled with little gasps.

"What's wrong? Don't be shy!"

"U-Um! Only once in a while is enough! We appreciate the thought, but..."

"That's right!" said Armais. "We can usually get by on sweat."

The moment she said it, she realized she had gone too far and clapped both hands over her mouth.

Too late.

Bacchus's eyes widened, bloodshot with excitement, and his entire body began to tremble.

"...Sweat is enough? In other words... licking? You mean licking sweat? For example, sweat from around... here?"

He stared blankly at his own chest and pointed to it.

"W-What do you mean, 'for example'? We said sweat and nothing else..."

"Don't make me say it out loud!"

Bacchus cried joyfully as he threw his arms around their shoulders.

"Are you two angels?"

"N-No, really! Please forget I said anything!"

"Never mind the details. If it's sweat you need, I've got plenty! As much as you want!"

"Hnnngh!"

He flexed dramatically, spraying sweat everywhere.

Some of it landed on Karin's cake.

Her face twisted with fury, and she kicked Bacchus with all her strength.

"GUWAH!"

"Die, you pervert! Why are you alive?!"

Muttering those words under her breath, Karin continued kicking him, eyes blazing.

Meanwhile, Bacchus, his face melting into bliss, shouted ecstatically:

"Now! Lick my sweat! Lick it! Do it now!"

Dulcinea and Armais shrank back in tears.

Cendrillon, meanwhile, sat apart from the others, quietly drinking with a troubled expression. Narcissus, who had been watching the commotion with amusement, noticed his friend's mood.

"What's wrong? You look gloomy."

"Hm? Ah..."

Cendrillon emptied his cup.

But he couldn't get drunk.

The woman who had delivered the notebook to Philip III remained on his mind. She had been arrested and placed in a carriage. Yet during the transfer, she had vanished as if into thin air. The knight assigned to guard her was later found dead in an alley. Despite Philip III's determined investigation, no trace of the woman was ever found.

There was no doubt in Cendrillon's mind. The woman calling herself Noir was Karina. What he couldn't understand was why she betrayed Eustache and saved them. The question tormented him so much that he could no longer taste his wine.

"Still thinking about that woman?"

At Narcissus's question, Cendrillon gave a silent nod.

"Forget her. Her name wasn't in the notebook at all, was it? She may have been a terrifying woman, but now that Eustache has fallen, she has no reason to interfere with us anymore."

That was true.

The notebook delivered to Philip III had not mentioned Karina even once. She had deliberately omitted herself.

That much was understandable.

But why betray Eustache?

Why save them?

"Don't brood over it too much," Narcissus said. "For now, be satisfied that the clouds in front of us have finally cleared. If she has business with us, she'll come on her own."

Cendrillon let out a long sigh.

"You're right."

And, for the moment, Narcissus was probably right.

There was no point in thinking about it any further. It was something he could never understand. And even if he did understand, it would change nothing. If they met again, he would capture her and make her atone for her crimes. That was all he had to do.

In front of him, Karin was still making a racket with Bacchus and the others. Watching her, a smile rose to his lips before he even realized it. He's a strange one, he thought. To become friends even with vampires...

There was simply something about that knight that drew people in. The wind he summoned was sharp and unforgiving, yet somehow gentle as well. That was probably what had won over those vampires, that mischievous princess—and perhaps himself too.

As he watched Karin, the taste of the wine gradually returned.

Cendrillon tilted his cup and drank. The party finally broke up sometime after midnight.

Once Narcissus left, dragging the thoroughly drunk Bacchus with him, peace at last returned to the room.

Dulcinea and Armais went to return the dishes they borrowed from the tavern.

As Karin began cleaning up, Cendrillon said:

"Congratulations on becoming a knight."

Karin felt her cheeks grow hot.

More than anyone else's words, hearing that from him made her happiest.

"S-So now you admit it, right? That I'm a full-fledged knight."

"Yeah."

After saying that, Cendrillon continued.

"But you've still got a lot to learn. Don't get carried away."

Karin puffed out her cheeks.

Honestly. He always has to add one unnecessary remark.

"Well then, I suppose tomorrow we'll have to start looking for a room."

"Huh?"

Karin blinked.

"Huh? What do you mean, 'huh'? Your room. You're officially a knight now, so you'll be getting a salary. You'll be able to rent a place of your own. Good for you."

Right.

Karin nodded slowly.

Because the vampire sisters were nocturnal and stayed awake all night, they had effectively taken over the sitting room. As a result, Karin had been sleeping in Cendrillon's bedroom.

Cendrillon climbed into bed early and soon began breathing softly in his sleep.

Beside the bed, Karin spread out a bundle of straw and lay down under a blanket, but sleep would not come.

She had finally achieved her dream of becoming a knight. And yet, for some reason, her heart felt heavy.

Then she realized why.

I don't want to leave Cendrillon. Karin sat up and looked at him. Since he was lying on his side facing the wall, all she could see was his back. If he had not descended from the sky that day, she would have burned to death.

When she was little, the knight who had rescued her from the Dragon's Footprint had taught her a charm to summon courage. But she no longer needed that spell.

Because he was here.

A master with a wand.

A swordsman who wielded Blade like a demon.

And a pathetic man still haunted by his former lover.

I... still haven't learned everything I need from him.

Karin took a deep breath and steadied herself.

Then she slowly rose to her feet.

"Hey, Cendrillon."

"...Mmm... huh? What is it?"

"Can I stay here?"

"A-Actually, I mean... even if I do get paid, it won't be much. And there are lots of things I need to buy. A saddle, for one. And I need a new wand too. And, and..."

She couldn't say any more. Emotion suddenly overwhelmed her, and tears welled in her eyes. It had only been a short time, but this room was already filled with memories. And so was the man before her.

"...Mm. Sure."

"Really?"

Karin leaned forward—and Cendrillon suddenly grabbed her hand. In the next instant, he pulled her into the bed.

"W-What?! Not again! You're sleepwalking!"

Cendrillon caught her by the chin and drew her closer. Blood rushed to Karin's face. This idiot! Did he have any idea how much it had taken for her to say those words?

And now he was mistaking her for his former lover again?

She raised her fist, fully prepared to punch him.

But this time was different.

Instead of pressing his lips to hers as he always did, Cendrillon looked at her from inches away and murmured:

"...Mmm... You idiot. Just stay back. You're still not ready yet..."

"Huh?"

"Karin."

He said her name clearly. Karin's cheeks turned crimson. He's dreaming about me… Until now, he had never called her by name even once. Of course, she knew it wasn't love. He didn't even know she was a girl.

But right now, that was enough.

And before she could stop to ask herself why, her heart trembled.

It's just because we're celebrating my knighthood, she told herself.

I drank too much. That's why I'm not thinking straight. Of course this isn't love.

It's not.

And yet, there was a part of her that wanted this. Karin gently cupped Cendrillon's face in both hands, leaned closer, and pressed her lips to his.

Something soft and deeply comforting filled her heart.

And in that dreamlike moment, one calm part of her mind reached a firm decision.

Tomorrow morning...

Whether he was half-asleep or not, she was absolutely going to insist that he had said she could stay.