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The outfit prepared for me was a nightdress with a heart-cut neckline that left the shoulders bare. The waist was tightly cinched to emphasize the curves, and from there, a frilly, tiered skirt spread out beautifully. The snow-white fabric had a faint bluish tint that gave it an elegant sheen. It looked adorable, totally my style.

Still, just thinking about being subjected to those stares again made me feel heavy inside. Well, emotionally speaking, I’d already bounced back! But still, unpleasant things were unpleasant, right?!

That night’s welcoming event for the delegation took the form of a standing buffet party.

As expected, those unpleasant gazes followed me around again. But Anne-Marie, who stood beside me, seemed to notice how much I disliked Mr. Fourier’s eyes on me, and subtly positioned herself to block his line of sight.

I could already ignore that kind of thing by now, so technically I was fine… but I really appreciated her thoughtfulness!

“Princess?! It really is you, Princess!”

A familiar voice called out from the side.

“Good evening, Miss Raisa. Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Ah! Princess! That outfit! You’re as graceful as ever!!”

(Please stop! I was raised like this, okay?!) Anne-Marie and Miss Elrose were watching from behind, and their gazes were terrifying! (I’m faking it, I swear!)

“The color of your dress suits you wonderfully. Truly stunning, Princess Susie.”

Magritte and Djimon were there too.

(Eek! Magritte, that’s a killer line!)

Djimon was just smiling and nodding cheerfully.

All three of them were dressed in formal knight uniforms, no gauntlets or greaves this time, and their jackets looked finely tailored. They had epaulettes on their shoulders and gold braiding across their chests, definitely formal military attire.

Though it was maybe a tad bit flashy. Kind of Takarazuka-style. Especially with someone as beautiful as Magritte, wearing male clothes looked absolutely perfect! She was practically shining. And then, that line on top of it all.

(Are you trying to sweep me off my feet?!!)

“Perfect timing, Princess. Allow me to introduce our Knight-Commander.”

Magritte brought over a rugged-looking older gentleman. He must’ve been over 180 centimeters tall, with black hair, a mustache, and many scars on his cheeks. The sharpness of his gaze clearly belonged to a seasoned warrior.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Princess Susie of Amukham. I am Chiliarch Cedric Meyers of the Twelfth Mobile Heavy Cavalry. I am in charge of the order on this occasion.”

After introducing himself, Meyers fixed his gaze on me.

(Ah… I like that look. The eyes of a true warrior. The same as those in Amukham. Nothing like that representative’s at all!)

I couldn’t help smiling with genuine delight.

“I am Susie Cloud. I wholeheartedly welcome your arrival.”

When I introduced myself, Meyers murmured, “Oh…” as if impressed.

“As expected of the princess of Amukham. You have strong eyes, unafraid and resolute.”

(Huh? Was that… a compliment?) I tilted my head in confusion.

“Well, you see, my eyes tend to scare people, especially young ladies meeting me for the first time…”

He gave a somewhat bashful smile.

“I don’t think that’s true at all. Yours are eyes full of compassion.”
“Knight-Commander! What’s this?! You’re chatting with a young lady? Seriously?!”

As we laughed together, a startled voice called out from behind me.

“Behave yourself, Kyle! That’s the Princess of Amukham! My apologies, Princess. This is Kyle Irvine, my vice-commander.”

When I turned, there stood a man with flowing blond hair and gentle eyes. His pupils were a clear sky blue, and his nose was beautifully straight.

(Wow… what do I do? He’s gorgeous… Is there a light shining on him from behind or something?!)

“My apologies, Princess. I am Kyle Irvine, senior centurion of the Mobile Heavy Cavalry. It is an immeasurable honor to be granted this audience.”

I was so mesmerized that before I realized it, he had knelt before me, taken my hand, and then… kissed it!

(A k-kiss! A knight! An actual knightly gesture!! It’s a knight! A true knight! From a knight order! Wait… What am I even saying right now?!)

“…My name is Susie Cloud, Sir Irvine. That was quite an elegant greeting. Is this how all knights of the capital greet, I wonder?”

“Please, Princess, grant me the honor of being called simply Kyle. Even my knees bow before your beauty. Ah, how I wish our bond might continue… even through eternity itself.”

(Wasn’t that ridiculously flirtatious?! He’s gripping my hand tighter! And this burning gaze from below… My face is on fire!!)

“Princess! Be careful! Vice-Commander Kyle has a reputation as a ladies’ man!” Raisa warned from behind me!

(I knew it! He’s that type!!)

“He’s the best fighter in the unit, but… when it comes to women… Hey Kyle! You’re overstepping with the princess!”

“What are you saying, Commander? I’m completely serious! That was genuine! Love at first sight!!”

(Pffft!)

“You…”

“Excuse me, milady. Your father requests your presence.”
“Anne-Marie… I understand. I’ll go at once. My apologies, gentlemen, my father calls for me. Please, enjoy the rest of the evening.”

Anne-Marie rescued me with perfect timing.

(I nearly froze up! Ugh, I must be bright red… Are all handsome men like that? Ugh, pretty boys are the worst!!)

“Anne-Marie… thank you. I honestly… didn’t know what to do…”
“He’s a dangerous man… Shall I deal with him tonight, along with that filthy representative?”
“What the heck?! That’s terrifying! Please don’t deal with anyone, okay?!”

***

“Kyle, you went too far! Try remembering your position for once!”
“I’m serious, Commander! I mean it! Give her four or five more years, and she’s going to grow up into an incredible woman! She’ll be the talk of the entire nation! If I don’t make a reservation now, I’ll definitely regret it later!!”
“Reservation? You don’t reserve women… Never mind! Either way, that princess isn’t someone you can take lightly.”
“Huh? What do you mean, ‘take lightly’?”

“I’d heard quite a few rumors on the way here, so I decided to test her a bit.”
“What? What the hell did you do, Commander?”
“When we greeted each other, I let out a bit of killing intent. Nothing much, just enough to make an ordinary girl faint or collapse. Nothing serious.”
“W-What?!”

“I was astonished. Not only did she not flinch, she smiled back at me as calm as you please! To her, my killing intent was no more than a gentle breeze! Incredible! The Princess of Amukham is truly unfathomable!”
“Wh— what the hell were you thinking?! I can’t believe you! You realize she’s the lord’s daughter, right?! You can’t just laugh that off! What were you doing?!”

“Commander Magritteee…”
“I know, I know, Raisa. We can’t just let this commander and vice-commander run loose…”
“We three will do our best to keep things together, Commander!!”
“I’m counting on you, Raisa, Djimon… I’m trusting you both.”
“Trusting Raisa completely might be a little risky, though.”
“Th-that’s so mean, Djimon!!”

◆◆◆◆◆

It was now the morning after the knights arrived in Amukham. Under the clear morning light and the chirping of birds, Amukham House was already bustling with people. It almost felt like the days when the building had been used as a castle.

In one of its rooms, early that morning, tense voices echoed.

“What is the meaning of this…? Do you intend to make do with that level of force? You expect me to send those nobodies alongside the knight order?”
“But Representative Fourier, this is the maximum strength available at present. And they are hardly inferior to any Grade fighters.”
“Hmph! Nobodies without a name or title, what use are they?! The people of the nation do not want such people! Isn’t that right, Representative Fourier?”
“Indeed,” Cameron Fourier nodded sternly at Connor Clarke’s words.