Chapter 224 Rejoice, Sanai!
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(Why… why did it turn out like this?) Ayumu’s eyes rolled white in despair.
After the duel, Second Princess Ronafermia had promised him a “reward.” Ayumu, foolishly hopeful, wondered what treasure or privilege it might be. Instead—
”Rejoice, Sanai! From this day, I name you my personal champion and guard knight!”
His jaw nearly dropped. Wait, what?! That’s not a reward—that’s a punishment game!!
Ronafermia stood proud, lips curled in a self-satisfied smile, watching his face twitch in horror.
”What’s this, Sanai? That sour look! My guard is not a role one can simply beg for—it is an honor I graciously grant you. Be happy! …You are happy, aren’t you? Say you are!!”
She leaned in, pressing him hard, and Ayumu scrambled for an escape.
”O-of course… I am honored beyond words! Truly confused by such sudden grace, you see. I-I would love to accept, it’s just… I am already entrusted by His Majesty with great duties as Lord Keldan and Chief of Development. Surely—”
But he could not say no. Not to the emperor’s daughter. Thus, half forced, Ayumu was branded Ronafermia’s guard knight. A tragedy indeed.
At least, the imperial guards who once gave him cold stares now treated him as one of their own.
Still…
”Sanai, open the door.”
”Ah, yes! At once!”
”Sanai, I’m thirsty. I want a drink.”
”Right away, Princess. Tea or coffee?”
”Can’t you tell? Herbal tea, obviously! ꐦ”
”…Forgive my dullness. Sugar or cube sugar?”
”Sugar? No! Maple syrup, of course!”
That’s not obvious at all!! Ayumu cursed silently, while serving her like a mere errand boy.
Maple syrup from Elandric was rarer and more expensive than sugar, reserved only for royals. Yet Ronafermia poured it lavishly into her tea, stirring with silver spoon before sipping daintily.
Then, as if the sweetness stirred her bitterness, she began to complain.
”Listen, Sanai! Father and Marie are so cruel! They force me every week to eat black bread and barley gruel to ‘learn the poor’s pain’! They claim it’s Aria Religion’s teaching, but I told them it’s disgusting! How does forcing the imperial family to eat such filth help the poor? It’s hypocrisy! Hypocrisy!!”
Ayumu nodded solemnly. She wasn’t entirely wrong. The practice was indeed a custom of Aria Religion, meant to humble the wealthy. He too followed it when required—but for the sake of his neck, he kept silent.
”That must be hard, Your Highness…”
”And then they scolded me for wasting the imperial budget! Outrageous! Look at me, Sanai—I am rare, golden-haired, the chosen Second Princess! I must live in luxury to protect my dignity! You agree, don’t you? Don’t you, Sanai?!”
”…Yes, absolutely…” he mumbled weakly.
From that day on, the image he once held of a graceful, elegant princess shattered. In truth, she was a whirlwind of whims and temper.
The worst came one afternoon.
Ronafermia scowled at the terrace chair prepared for her tea.
”Sanai… be my seat instead.”
Ayumu froze. What?! That’s harassment!! Is she a sadist?!
He cursed her silently, yet when she sat upon his back, the soft weight of her body pressed against him.
Wait… this isn’t… entirely… no! No, damn it! I am not enjoying this!!
Even as his teenage body betrayed him, he bit his lip. I’m not some chair-loving pervert! I swear it!!
Worse still, Ronafermia’s reckless streak knew no bounds.
”Princess! Please, stop! It’s dangerous!!” servants cried as she scrambled up a tree in the palace gardens after a horseback ride.
”Don’t worry! I’m good at climbing!” she laughed, ignoring every warning.
Ayumu ordered blankets and rugs prepared beneath, just in case. And as expected—
Crack! The branch snapped.
With no choice, he threw himself beneath her.
”Guhhh!!”
The princess landed squarely in his arms, flattening him to the earth. Ayumu wheezed, eyes rolling, while she screamed his name.
”Sanai!! Stay with me!!”
Thanks to swift treatment from the royal physicians, he survived without lasting injury. For once, even Ronafermia was scolded by her father, Emperor Rai.
But Ayumu’s misery was far from over.
That very day, he submitted a transfer request to resign as her guard knight. Yet whether blocked by Ronafermia herself, or buried by officials unwilling to anger her, the request was never approved.
And so, his torment continued… to be continued.
Notes:
• Ronafermia – Second Princess, Norfemina’s younger sister. Harassed by Doll’s poems, then slandered with rumors of stable boys. Publicly shamed him, hurled her glove, and forced a duel—pushing Ayumu to fight as her champion. After his win, she claimed it as proof of her virtue. Reminder: fiery, reckless, twists scandal into pride.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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