25. Regarding the Queen
[Elias]
There are two ways to become a Knight in this country.
First is to gradute from a Knight training school and pile up several years of experience as a Squire. Another one is to be recognized in military exploits and usual conduct as a soldier and receive a referral from the top brass of the Knight Order.
However, they say it’s almost impossible to become a Knight through the latter method. This is because a Knight must be both skilled in military arts and also possess social manners that will not be disgraceful as a representative of the country. The standards are frighteningly high. Therefore, majority of the Knights are made up of aristocrats who received military arts training and academic lessons from a young age.
Among them, I am one of the very few examples of commoners who passed a Knight training school. But as expected, discrimination due to the status of one’s family certainly exists. My daily life at school was by no means peaceful.
I finally graduated after great pains. I became a Squire and two years later, I turned twenty years old. Even though I became a Squire, I am haunted by my social status. It is to the extent that I cannot count the unjustified fault-findings from my seniors either. Even so, the current Knight Leader is not concerned with social status. It was mostly rumored that he give promotions to capable personnels.
I did not want to be deemed as someone who cannot accomplish his job, so I exerted effort more than anyone else.
Therefore, I despaired the moment I was told to become the personal attendant of the Empress Consort due to arrive for the marriage.
That day, I was told by my immediate superior to go report to the Knight Leader’s room. A direct summon from the Knight Leader is either a good or bad thing.
I don’t recall making a big mistake but still, I knocked on the door of the Knight Leader’s room while feeling uneasy.
I confirmed an answer from inside and entered the room.
“This is Elias Torazash. I was informed you called for me.”
I saluted to the man admired by all Knights in front of me, Knight Leader Eckart.
“Sorry for calling when you are busy. I summoned you since I had an earnest favor to ask. Well, sit down.”
“Excuse me,” I sat in the sofa in front of Sir Eckart. I felt a little relieved when it seemed like I’m not going to be reprimanded.
“Well then, you are aware that Emperor Leo invited an Empress Consort this time. I want to ask you to look after the personal needs of the Empress Consort.”
Is he telling me to be the personal attendant of a noble lady although I am aiming to become a Knight for the sake of the country and the Emperor? I felt weak from too much shock.
“I do not have any experience on taking care of another person. I also did not study for something like that.”
I put up resistance at the very least. Did he judged me to be so unsuitable to become a Knight?
“Sorry. My words were insufficient. I am not asking you to resign as a Knight. The Empress has special circumstances so I want to place only trustworthy people near her. Therefore, while I say you will be taking care of her needs, your main role is actually a guard. I cannot speak any more of the situation unless you agree to accept this job, but I think no one is even more suitable for this job than you, Elias. Please, will you accept it?”
I become ashamed at myself from a while ago. Since Sir Eckart said that much, I had no reason to decline.
“Thank you very much for evaluating me to that extent. I will accept that mission.”
“I believed you will say so. Well then, I will begin to talk in detail right away, but telling others what I will say after this is absolutely prohibited. If it ever leaked outside, be aware that you can only apologize with your own neck.”
After that, Sir Eckart talked about an unbelievable story.
Who would come up with making a man falsify his gender to become a bride?
“Shane-sama is also close to your age. Please, I want you to offer her support nearby. By all rights, a man must not be allowed to serve as the Empress Consort’s attendant but it would be unwise to appoint a woman in this case. Situations he might be unable to conceal alone might also arise so patch things up skillfully if that happens. Fortunately, Shane-sama has a chronic disease and has to have medicine delivered from her homeland once a month. Because of it, your existence is overcome with the reason that if anything happens, a female attendant will not be able to correspond to it with her weak strength. You may be subject to criticisms once you start this mission but I evaluated your patience, diligence and of course, your skills in military arts highly. That is why I gave you this request. I’m relying on you.”
“Yes. I will devote myself to the best of my abilities.”
I stood up and saluted.
It’s a princess of a country. Just thinking what sort of arrogant noble lady he would be is terrifying but since Sir Eckart asked this far, I decided to accomplish it by all costs.
Finally, the day of Shane-sama’s arrival, the whole country was in a welcoming mood and enthusiasm overflowed more than the usual. The sky cleared up, it was a good day.
For this day, I was taught about the job by the maids and butlers serving His Majesty and in cases of emergency, I also received sword training directly from Sir Eckart. There were people from around me who said some annoying things but I finally developed awareness of my own position so nowadays, I feel like they’re just the fluttering of insects.
Shane-sama’s luggage was delivered earlier than his arrival. I was suprised at its scarcity. I heard that a normal princess would make one room collapse from the amount of her dresses, but Shane-sama’s luggage is not even worth one carriage.
Above all, they included two potted plants with leaves that give off a nice fragrance. It indeed gave the impression of a native of “Capital of Flowers”.
When I diligently brought in the luggage to the room, Lord Kristoff, together with a petite woman, entered the room.
“Elias, this is Princess Shane.”
If Lord Kristoff did not inform me in a low voice, I wouldn’t have noticed at all.
I expected that no matter how much he looked like a woman, in some ways, there will be some parts of him that will make it clear he’s a man. However, if I look closely, only his somewhat low voice gives the feeling that he’s male.
And what suprised me above all, was that he was polite to an attendant like me. In addition, he apologized for having me take care of her personal needs.
There was not the slightest arrogant attitude I expected. Rather, I ended up feeling ashamed for being addressed too politely.
Shane-sama appeared really tired after his first meeting with His Majesty. When I proposed that he can ease up in front of me, I was thrown off balance by her kind smile and gentle words.
“I’m glad he is the Empress Consort,” it seemed natural to think so when I saw that smile.
Since then, drinking tea with Shane-sama became a custom. It was a very pleasant time hearing about Shane-sama’s favorite plants and talking about each of our countries. It seems like the leaves of the potted plant Shane-sama brought from her homeland can be brewed into a drink called “herb” tea.
“Let’s drink together when it grows up,” we promised each other.
I am looking forward to it from now on.
I still do not have the kind of loyalty where I will wager anything to serve Shane-sama. Still, I can somehow feel it’s only a matter of time, judging from Shane-sama’s personality.
Contrary to what I expected, this kind of life may not be a bad thing either.
1. “you can only apologize with your own neck”
– I used the literal translation but 首が飛ぶ can mean “to get dismissed/sacked” but it’s also not impossible to get beheaded in their world.
2. “She’s a princess of a country.”
– I think this is a play on words since the “princess of a country(一国の姫君)” here can also mean “a stubborn princess”.
25. Regarding the Queen
[Elias]
There are two ways to become a Knight in this country.
First is to gradute from a Knight training school and pile up several years of experience as a Squire. Another one is to be recognized in military exploits and usual conduct as a soldier and receive a referral from the top brass of the Knight Order.
However, they say it’s almost impossible to become a Knight through the latter method. This is because a Knight must be both skilled in military arts and also possess social manners that will not be disgraceful as a representative of the country. The standards are frighteningly high. Therefore, majority of the Knights are made up of aristocrats who received military arts training and academic lessons from a young age.
Among them, I am one of the very few examples of commoners who passed a Knight training school. But as expected, discrimination due to the status of one’s family certainly exists. My daily life at school was by no means peaceful.
I finally graduated after great pains. I became a Squire and two years later, I turned twenty years old. Even though I became a Squire, I am haunted by my social status. It is to the extent that I cannot count the unjustified fault-findings from my seniors either. Even so, the current Knight Leader is not concerned with social status. It was mostly rumored that he give promotions to capable personnels.
I did not want to be deemed as someone who cannot accomplish his job, so I exerted effort more than anyone else.
Therefore, I despaired the moment I was told to become the personal attendant of the Empress Consort due to arrive for the marriage.
That day, I was told by my immediate superior to go report to the Knight Leader’s room. A direct summon from the Knight Leader is either a good or bad thing.
I don’t recall making a big mistake but still, I knocked on the door of the Knight Leader’s room while feeling uneasy.
I confirmed an answer from inside and entered the room.
“This is Elias Torazash. I was informed you called for me.”
I saluted to the man admired by all Knights in front of me, Knight Leader Eckart.
“Sorry for calling when you are busy. I summoned you since I had an earnest favor to ask. Well, sit down.”
“Excuse me,” I sat in the sofa in front of Sir Eckart. I felt a little relieved when it seemed like I’m not going to be reprimanded.
“Well then, you are aware that Emperor Leo invited an Empress Consort this time. I want to ask you to look after the personal needs of the Empress Consort.”
Is he telling me to be the personal attendant of a noble lady although I am aiming to become a Knight for the sake of the country and the Emperor? I felt weak from too much shock.
“I do not have any experience on taking care of another person. I also did not study for something like that.”
I put up resistance at the very least. Did he judged me to be so unsuitable to become a Knight?
“Sorry. My words were insufficient. I am not asking you to resign as a Knight. The Empress has special circumstances so I want to place only trustworthy people near her. Therefore, while I say you will be taking care of her needs, your main role is actually a guard. I cannot speak any more of the situation unless you agree to accept this job, but I think no one is even more suitable for this job than you, Elias. Please, will you accept it?”
I become ashamed at myself from a while ago. Since Sir Eckart said that much, I had no reason to decline.
“Thank you very much for evaluating me to that extent. I will accept that mission.”
“I believed you will say so. Well then, I will begin to talk in detail right away, but telling others what I will say after this is absolutely prohibited. If it ever leaked outside, be aware that you can only apologize with your own neck.”
After that, Sir Eckart talked about an unbelievable story.
Who would come up with making a man falsify his gender to become a bride?
“Shane-sama is also close to your age. Please, I want you to offer her support nearby. By all rights, a man must not be allowed to serve as the Empress Consort’s attendant but it would be unwise to appoint a woman in this case. Situations he might be unable to conceal alone might also arise so patch things up skillfully if that happens. Fortunately, Shane-sama has a chronic disease and has to have medicine delivered from her homeland once a month. Because of it, your existence is overcome with the reason that if anything happens, a female attendant will not be able to correspond to it with her weak strength. You may be subject to criticisms once you start this mission but I evaluated your patience, diligence and of course, your skills in military arts highly. That is why I gave you this request. I’m relying on you.”
“Yes. I will devote myself to the best of my abilities.”
I stood up and saluted.
It’s a princess of a country. Just thinking what sort of arrogant noble lady he would be is terrifying but since Sir Eckart asked this far, I decided to accomplish it by all costs.
Finally, the day of Shane-sama’s arrival, the whole country was in a welcoming mood and enthusiasm overflowed more than the usual. The sky cleared up, it was a good day.
For this day, I was taught about the job by the maids and butlers serving His Majesty and in cases of emergency, I also received sword training directly from Sir Eckart. There were people from around me who said some annoying things but I finally developed awareness of my own position so nowadays, I feel like they’re just the fluttering of insects.
Shane-sama’s luggage was delivered earlier than his arrival. I was suprised at its scarcity. I heard that a normal princess would make one room collapse from the amount of her dresses, but Shane-sama’s luggage is not even worth one carriage.
Above all, they included two potted plants with leaves that give off a nice fragrance. It indeed gave the impression of a native of “Capital of Flowers”.
When I diligently brought in the luggage to the room, Lord Kristoff, together with a petite woman, entered the room.
“Elias, this is Princess Shane.”
If Lord Kristoff did not inform me in a low voice, I wouldn’t have noticed at all.
I expected that no matter how much he looked like a woman, in some ways, there will be some parts of him that will make it clear he’s a man. However, if I look closely, only his somewhat low voice gives the feeling that he’s male.
And what suprised me above all, was that he was polite to an attendant like me. In addition, he apologized for having me take care of her personal needs.
There was not the slightest arrogant attitude I expected. Rather, I ended up feeling ashamed for being addressed too politely.
Shane-sama appeared really tired after his first meeting with His Majesty. When I proposed that he can ease up in front of me, I was thrown off balance by her kind smile and gentle words.
“I’m glad he is the Empress Consort,” it seemed natural to think so when I saw that smile.
Since then, drinking tea with Shane-sama became a custom. It was a very pleasant time hearing about Shane-sama’s favorite plants and talking about each of our countries. It seems like the leaves of the potted plant Shane-sama brought from her homeland can be brewed into a drink called “herb” tea.
“Let’s drink together when it grows up,” we promised each other.
I am looking forward to it from now on.
I still do not have the kind of loyalty where I will wager anything to serve Shane-sama. Still, I can somehow feel it’s only a matter of time, judging from Shane-sama’s personality.
Contrary to what I expected, this kind of life may not be a bad thing either.
1. “you can only apologize with your own neck”
– I used the literal translation but 首が飛ぶ can mean “to get dismissed/sacked” but it’s also not impossible to get beheaded in their world.
2. “She’s a princess of a country.”
– I think this is a play on words since the “princess of a country(一国の姫君)” here can also mean “a stubborn princess”.
