Chapter 78
"You look so happy."
"Completely over the moon."
I shot a glare at Sil and Severi, who were muttering something again, and they both covered their mouths with their hands in unison. From beside me, I heard the unsettling phrase "being tamed," so I grabbed Renato's soft cheek with my fingers and pulled.
"Ouch..."
"An unnecessary remark can ruin you, you know?"
"Yesh."
This was something I often did when we were at the fortress, but seeing Renato's two attendants with wide eyes and their raised hands wavering in the air, I shrugged.
Letting go of Renato's cheek as he nodded vigorously, I gently rubbed the cheek I hadn't gripped too hard, then turned to the two confused attendants with a "Well..." to urge them on.
"I'm Hale Auric. My father currently serves as the Knight Commander."
"I'm Snow Baeri. My father serves as a close aide to His Majesty the King."
Being chosen as attendants to the Second Prince, there's no doubt they come from good families.
As I looked at the two of them, I couldn't help but be impressed by the unexpectedly grand titles their parents held, wondering if this was a strategic selection for the future within the queen's faction.
"Pardon me, but you're Celestia Rotisch, correct?"
Before I could introduce myself, Hale asked while seemingly gauging my expression, and I nodded.
"Have we met somewhere before?"
"We haven't exchanged greetings, but I've heard about you from Renato."
"Heard about me...?"
"I didn't say anything weird, okay? Just that you're the person I trust most after my brother, and that Celes embodies the Rotisch family."
"I'm not sure how to interpret that... Well, if that's the case, let's keep this quick. I'm Celestia Rotisch. Senior or whatever, feel free to call me casually."
Though a bit nervous, their clear "Yes" in response made my cheeks soften into a smile.
I finally understood what my older brother Roberto and the others meant when they said underclassmen are cute. They really are.
"Those two over there are my schoolmates. The one with the shady smirk is Silvio, and the one who looks overly anxious is Severi."
"Hold on. What kind of introduction is that!? They'll think I'm some suspicious guy, won't they?"
"As for Sil, that's not a misunderstanding, but I'd like to correct mine. I'm not anxious; please rephrase it as intellectual."
"No, no, no, I'm not shady either, okay?"
"Both of them come from Baron families."
"Celes...!?"
I thought it was a good description capturing their traits, but it was incredibly unpopular with the two of them.
Since Renato and the others will be busy from now on, I decided to wrap things up quickly, brushing off Sil and the others' protests with a smile.
"Even so, these two are excellent individuals who have already undergone field training. They can be reliable at times, so don't hesitate to speak to them."
"I can't tell if I'm being praised or insulted."
"Why not interpret it however you like?"
"Severi is unnecessarily optimistic, isn't he?"
I gave Hale and Snow a firm nod to assure them that, despite appearances, these two are capable, and Snow briefly furrowed his brow before turning to Sil and Severi to speak.
"The colors that Silvio and Severi carry are quite rare, aren't they?"
Is it because he's an attendant, or is it just his personality...?
If one is to live in an unfamiliar place, it's necessary to thoroughly investigate and remain cautious of the surroundings of their master.
As I admired the beauty of Snow's long, slender hair sliding off his shoulder while he tilted his head, I gazed at him, noting how he could ask even difficult questions so calmly.
"That's because our grandfather is from Taurus. As we've told Celes, he was a nouveau riche who paid a huge sum to marry into a fallen Baron family, I suppose."
"I see. I was curious since it's a color I don't often see, and if I've offended you, I apologize."
"There's no need for that. As an attendant to the Second Prince, you should voice any questions you have."
Snow smiled, while Severi remained expressionless.
Sil, who had been watching their calm exchange with amusement, tugged lightly at Severi's sleeve to signal the end of the conversation and waved casually at Snow.
"Hale and Snow are the ones my brother chose as both schoolmates and attendants. Those who become my attendants will enroll in a military school in a remote region rather than the Royal Capital, so I thought the selection would take time, but thanks to my brother choosing them in advance, it was a big help. Plus, the two of them already knew each other through their parents."
"Hale and I were often taken to the castle by our fathers."
"I never imagined I'd become an attendant, though."
If the three of them aren't bound by mere obligation, life here shouldn't be too hard for them.
Living in a dormitory far from a familiar home and family must be tougher than imagined, as I often saw more than half the students lamenting their desire to return home after about six months.
I'm not lonely since I have my grandfather and uncle at the fortress, and my brothers at the military school, which gives me strength, but those from other towns rely on support families to endure their loneliness.
"Not just Renato, but you two as well, rely on me if you need anything."
When I said this to Snow and Hale, for some reason, they looked puzzled. I didn't think I said anything strange, but I pondered and added more words.
"It doesn't have to be me; consulting the assigned instructor is fine too. What I mean is, I hope you'll talk to those close to you before bottling things up. Was that intrusive?"
"It's not intrusive; we were just surprised because we heard from the Second Prince that you're quite strict."
"Strict?"
"Yes, very much so..."
My cheek twitched as Hale averted his gaze, and when I turned to Renato to ask what exactly he had told them, the person in question was smiling brightly.
"I'm not sure what you've heard, but I'm not that strict, so don't worry. Also, I might come across as overbearing or disrespectful toward you or the Second Prince you serve, but this is only within the military or military school context, so please don't take offense."
Even if someone is of higher status, honorifics or polite language aren't required among students; instead, the hierarchy is strict, and respect must be shown to instructors and seniors.
Such explanations are given during the entrance ceremony, but most nobles don't fully understand, often leading to conflicts later. When I explained that there are many differences from the Academy in the Royal Capital where status is everything, the three of them nodded obediently.
"I was thinking of asking Celes about the special class."
"It may have a grand name, but the curriculum is almost the same as other classes. However, depending on your efforts, you might be able to join field training in about six months..."
"And the swordsmanship instructor for that field training is the former Count Tseri, right?"
He's the pinnacle for those aiming to be knights. As a former Knight Commander admired by all knights, it's only natural that Renato would be curious, so I nodded along, but for some reason, his response was cold.
"The former Count Tseri was the one who taught my brother swordsmanship. Before I formally learned swordsmanship, he created a training menu for me at Ransheen Fortress, and even after returning to the Royal Capital, I continued training based on that, so I don't have much direct connection with him."
"...Have you told them about what happened at the fortress?"
I was so surprised by Renato's casual remark that I unintentionally cut him off.
Because I thought it was a secret that the royal family members Rudo and Renato had been to Ransheen Fortress.
"It's fine. They're my attendants, and I believe my brother has also informed those he trusts. Besides, I used the fact that I visited the fortress every year to convince others of my interest in the military school."
No royal had ever enrolled in the military school before. Renato was the first to willingly step into the military, something nobles usually look down on as barbaric, dirty, and a haven for commoners. I was both exasperated and proud of how he managed to convince everyone and enroll.
"Well, on the first day of class, the assigned instructor will give a general explanation, so it's best to ask anything you want to know then."
Realizing it was about time, I stood up. Renato, who whined that he wasn't ready yet, was left to Snow and Hale, and we disbanded there...
Watching Renato look back again and again, I sighed, thinking he was still a child—even though he was the future Knight Commander.