I, reincarnate as the leader of the villainous knight order

Chapter 55: Making Friends

The Saintess was introduced to the nobles by His Majesty and greeted them with a somewhat forced courtesy. Hasn’t she grown quite a bit since the first day we met?

Once the introductions were over, the orchestra directly below us started playing softly. The nobles on the lower floor danced and enjoyed light refreshments and drinks.

“Saintess, you should enjoy the soirée down there as well. Vandière, tonight you are entrusted with the duty of both escort and guardian.”

(Note: “Soirée” is a French word that refers to an evening party or gathering.)

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

I gave a knightly salute to His Majesty and offered my hand to the Saintess. Perhaps because it was the second time today, she naturally placed her hand in mine, and we descended the stairs slowly.

Ernest, you have a fiancée by your side, so don’t look at me with envy. Does Ernest perhaps prefer a chestier type like Constant? No, Miss Diane is by no means lacking in that department.

Ah, as a future queen, Miss Diane’s dignified demeanor suits her, but perhaps Ernest’s personal preference leans towards someone to protect, like the Saintess. Miss Diane might not have much height difference with Ernest once she puts on heels.

“So, can you dance?”

“Well… I always end up stepping on my teacher’s feet every time…”

It seems dancing is not her strong suit.

“How about food? There are snacks and drinks over there. As for alcohol… would it be better to abstain?”

“I’ve never tried alcohol before, and the High Priest advised me to avoid it. But I am curious about it.”

Come to think of it, she looks quite young, definitely underage. Instead of alcohol, I guided her to the table with soft drinks.

“By the way, how old are you, Saintess?”

“I turned seventeen this year!”

“Well, then, you should probably wait a few years before trying alcohol. By the time you’re seventeen, you might be attending the Royal Academy in the capital. You might not have to attend for a whole year, though, given your age.”

I picked up a glass of fruit juice with my free hand and offered it to the Saintess.

“Ah, thank you… And about that Royal Academy… Does Captain Justin also…?”

“I used to attend. If you’re a noble, you study there for four years from the age of twelve to sixteen. It’s not uncommon to deviate from the schedule due to circumstances for a year or two. Well… It’s like a microcosm of noble society, so there are many hardships, but also much to learn.”

“Oh… Escorting together… That’s still impossible, isn’t it?”

The Saintess drank her juice despondently. Why is she so attached to me?

“I’m the commander of the Third Knights Division, after all. The Saintess’s protection would naturally be handled by the Holy Knights. Besides, escorts within the Royal Academy are not permitted. Only the royal family has future attendants acting as guards. Feeling lonely, are we?”

It was a reflexive action.

But it seemed like the Saintess was about to jump into my chest… So I had no choice, if something like that happened, it would surely become a rumor. In other words, I just held her back…

“That’s mean, Captain Justin…”

“Ah, no, I’m sorry. I just…”

In the situation, I was in a position where I couldn’t let the Saintess approach me as if I were grabbing her head. Probably because there was about a thirty-centimeter height difference between me and the Saintess, it naturally ended up in a restraining position.

I inadvertently created a situation that could become a rumor in a different sense. While apologizing, I gently straightened out her slightly disheveled hair.

“Well, I guess so… If you’re willing to become friends, then I’ll forgive you. If we’re friends, we can settle this kind of thing playfully.”

The Saintess made a deliberately sulky expression while glancing at me. She came up with an exquisite condition. But if the evil god were to resurrect in the future, the Third Knights Division, which hadn’t fought in the novel since it was destroyed, would be mobilized.

In a sense, it wouldn’t hurt to get along with the Saintess. Moreover, there might be times when I’d need her assistance with recovery magic to help my subordinates.

“Understood…”

As I resigned myself and answered, a loud voice echoed through the venue.

“Vandière! What do you think you’re doing to the Saintess?!”

“Lord Ernest…!”

“Diane, keep quiet! Did you see what that guy just did?!”

The voice belonged to Ernest, who had somehow come down to the hall with Miss Diane. Hey hey, did he use me to regain his reputation after smearing me with false accusations? Instead of quietly listening to Miss Diane, he pointed out what happened earlier as if he had scored a great victory.

I had been acting to avoid unnecessary attention, but Ernest ruined everything. Not only had I already attracted attention with what happened earlier, but now I was drawing even more attention.

Sure, from a distance, it might have looked like I was bullying the Saintess, but there were various ways he could have called me out and told me about it. Oh, did he want people to see him for the sake of restoring his reputation? If that’s the case, it’s disappointing. Just as I thought that, a word was uttered that overturned the situation.

“Stop it! Captain Justin and I are friends!”

Are you really going to drop that bombshell here?