Twisted Fate of the Knight

The Arrival

"Fine, I won't stop you." I just answered because she is unlikely to find the person she wants to be friends with since I am already here in front of her but I can't say because it would be pointless that I've been disguising myself for years.

After that conversation, she and the Duke seriously looking for this person 'Yesha'. They even hire a guild to look for 'Yesha' s***h me, and she visited all the houses of nobles who have a female knight but then they can't find this person. I feel awkward when they talk about it because I am guilty and surprisingly I am not included in her visit, but I think the reason is that they will make fun of me again because I am a knight without proper status, so I am left to guard the training's of the knights because she was with the vice commander or captain to be her escort.

And today she is resting in searching for the past few days because it has no progress although they already interviewed the owner of the inn that I checked in it's only a few details. It is not really helpful because I’ve been there once and they even ask the dudes that night but still not helpful details aside from seeing me that day and no more. 

We silently looked at the garden since it can make you relax and calm by just listening to the breeze and clean air.

"Lady Miary, you have a visitor." a maid approached her and obviously I heard because I am just standing near her. Well, who is visiting her? I don't think that she has a friend aside from the crown prince or the marquess and Ian is not possible. Who knows who among them, it's either the Crown Prince or Marquess Alfinos maybe.

"Okay, prepare a snack."

"Yes, Lady Miary."

So we went in and went straight to the tea room. The sitting Prince immediately appeared as we opened the door while Marquess Alfinos was standing near the window and Ian was standing near Renz. Why are they here and why do they have to be visiting Lady Miary at the same time. Then, I have no choice to stay outside because I don't want to face the Marquess. I asked her Grace that I'll be just outside the door, then she asked me if why do I have to wait outside then I answered that it's your bonding with them. So, she permitted me to wait outside.

I was just outside the room when I could hear what they were talking about, they just said goodbye for not being together for the past years. The Crown Prince Renz started to tease her and Marquess Alfinos agreed with him while Lady Miary, I think she's making a face right now. I can't hear Ian talking, maybe it's awkward since they are not really close with her.

I opened the door when the maid brought the snacks and I helped to serve them while they are just watching us- err watching me especially the three of them.

"I didn't think that your knight also can do something like this, Miary." Well, you already know who commented on that none other than Marquess Alfinos.

"Well, he is my talented knight and he can also cook." She said while eating the macaroon, while I was surprised that she knows that I can cook when I didn't tell her and didn't see me cook. They looked at her and me. 

"What ???" She asked because they were just looking at her including me.

"Oho~~~ you are really something Avy," Renz commented. "Now, I know why Ian said last time that you will not easily let go of your knight." 

"Oppss-- I'm sorry Avy. The maids tell me to kept it a secret when the last time I visited the kitchen and they eating something good. I tasted the dish and it is really delicious but when I asked who cooked this, they hesitate to mention you since that day you are on day-off." she said that's why I got * facepalm * out of time.

"Ah, It's okay, Lady Miary. It's not a big issue but next time don't spout unknowingly like this, okay?" I said and she just nodded at me and smiled. I avoided it because I am not used to her being like this because she is planning again on something like last time.

I looked at them and the Crown Prince is just smiling at us while the two is seriously thinking of something then Marquess Ronan suddenly looked at me, then a small smile on his lips that's why I frowned. Why did he smile? Don't tell me he's gay?! Oh no! Is he the type of tsundere?!

I went out after that, and still standing outside the door but this time, I was with Ian who is silently standing beside me. The atmosphere is very awkward because I do not know how to talk to Ian. We haven't seen and talked for a long time and then Ian's aura is a bit different or I should say colder aura and poker face so I don't know what he has in mind unlike before that I can still guess what he wants to say. 

I just keep my mouth shut since I can't tell him that I am Avy from his childhood friend and his foster sibling. I know he's being cautious with me because apart from my name though I'm really the only Avy he has known since childhood. I heard they are talking seriously although it's not clear.

"Do you really looking for Yesha?" the Crown Prince asked.

"Wai-t. How did you know I was looking for her?" she answered.

"Well, I have my connections and some of the nobles talking about you that recently you are visiting the noble Houses with a female knight" 

"Hey. How did you also know that I only visited the Houses that have a female knight? Don't tell me, you also did do that?!"

"Absolutely, Lady Miary. He also asked me to help him to look for this Lady 'Yesha' and he even got a portrait of her." Marquess Alfinos said.

"Whatt! Hey, back off Renz even if you are the Crown Prince, I won't let a guy have her even though you are my friend but a no-no."

"Heyy---"

"What the Crown Prince also looking for m---Yesha?!" I unconsciously shouted. when I realized what Ronan said. Ian who is beside me immediately covers his ears and she opened the door with Renz and Ronan.

"Oops, I'm sorry for the interruption." I bowed.

"Oh, why are you surprised?" He asked me.

"Well, I was surprised that you are also looking for her and I think of how cool she is, that the Crown Prince is looking for her." I hope my reason passed through even though I was nervous to answer because Ronan and Ian were looking at me.

"Hmm, well she is indeed good Avy. I hope you will also meet her," she said and Renz just seconded her comment.

"Then, it would be great if I can meet her too." 

"I also want to meet her since the two of us didn't get to see her personally, right Avy?" Alfinos said with his creepy smile although it's not creepy, for me, it is.

"Y-yeah." I answered awkwardly with a forced smile on my face.

"Lady Miary!!! they said that the Crown Princess has arrived at the Palace before the Lantern Festival. They are calling all the officials-- Greetings to his Highness the Crown Prince." the personal maid of Lady Miary when she opened the door.

"Hey, are you sure?!"

"Yes, your highness." Renz clenched his fists and I saw the serious faces of Ronan and Ian and the worried face of Lady Miary.

"Renz ---"

"It's ok, Miary. Thank you for worrying but we need to be cautious. I'll be leaving, I need to talk with my father." He said before he walked out and the two followed him while thanking her before they totally left the Collins state. I don't know why they reacted like that. Well, it was too early for her to introduce the so-called Crown Princess so as the prophecy that the Church Tower should know the other day and not yet the high Priest Matthew. If I remember, this is not the way they found out or got Ryah the Crown Princess because she was the first one they saw in the Lake of Tower that she dyed her hair with magic so she was immediately taken to the palace, and at that time she acted to be the Crowned Princess because she fell in love with the Crown Prince at the first glance. How cringy but that really happened even though I was cornered so I do not believe that Ryah was the only one who plotted it because she could not just go to the Church tower with her status as Count's daughter.

After they left, Lady Miary prepared also to go to the palace and so I am. We immediately go there with the Duke since a letter has arrived after the Crown Prince left. 

We arrived at the palace and many carriages were there already. We immediately go to the audience room where the officials were gathered. 

"Thank you for gathering even though it is an unannounced meeting. Since I have to tell something as I've to the letters you've received" Then he signed the person who will read the scroll.

"The Prophecy has appeared not long ago that was before the welcome party of the Crown Prince and the Lantern Festival. A lady who has Black hair will be appeared at the Lake of Tower, after the prophecy a lady will appear."

Many whispers can be heard from officials. They were immediately silenced. We just listened quietly. 

"She is currently staying here, and you may also know her since she was a daughter of a Count Cannes." Continuing the speaker. The only wonder is why they are just saying now and at that time I came from the palace and Ronan was also there so it is unlikely that he did not know this and he did not tell Renz they are totally friends and cousins. I think there is something suspicious about Marquess Ronan. Well, it's not my problem but I feel guilty for some reason.

"Ryah Gayle Cannes come in front." They called so he went out the door and walked towards the front. She bowed and greeted his Majesty and the Empress.

"As the Prophecy said that she will be the Crowned Princess for a great future of the empire as the partner of the Crown Prince to lead to its prosperity of the country." He continued as the Crowned Princess confronted us, I have nothing to say because Ryah is beautiful, there is nothing in the book I read about her beauty and she looks very innocent. But I can't fall for that innocent face. I looked at Renz's face and he just looked at Ryah seriously. Oho ~~ hihihi damn. The Crown Prince is looking at her, well it can't help it since she's really beautiful. 

"So, for the duties of the chosen Houses who will assist, the Princess will be delivered tomorrow. You may go now." The emperor said and we left. I looked at her who is silently walking as if she was deep in thought so it was surprising that she was quiet.

~~~ Meanwhile ~~

"Renz she is the Crowned Princess so take care of her while waiting for her maids and helper." the Emperor said to the Crown Prince.

"Yes, your Majesty." He answered before he left the hall.

~~

On our way to the hallway through outside, we met the Crowned Princess. He stopped so we greeted him.

"Greetings to her Highness." we greeted her and she smiled at us.

"Hello, Lady Miary I hope I can be friends with you." 

"Of course, your highness," she answered.

"That's a relief. Thank you."

"It's my pleasure."

"Is he your knight, Avy?" She asked Lady Miary.

"Yes, your highness."

"Hello Avy, I've heard that recently the Crown Prince was fond of you." I felt something is bad when she was talking to me.

"It's not like that your Highness. I was grateful to be useful for his Highness and for the Empire." I just answered while I bow a little since I don't want to face her.

"Is that so?" she said while her tone is saying something and her smile is not saying good.

"Yes, Your Highness." After I answered, she walked over and said goodbye to Lady Miary.

"You are too small of a height for a knight and petit like a woman," she whispered when she passed at me. Just what was that for? 

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