Chapter 47

Many of those who returned from the mission bore wounds. Some required long-term recuperation, yet it was a mercy that no one had actually died.

To a man, they all maintained that this outcome was a result of Harold risking his own life.

According to Yuno, Harold had challenged a Major General of the Sarian Imperial Army while already covered in wounds, all to ensure their escape. Upon hearing this, Erika felt an overwhelming urge to rush to Harold’s side.

She wanted to confirm his safety with her own eyes. She wanted to express her gratitude.

Harold likely wanted none of that. He might even find her presence a nuisance. Even so, she desperately wanted to directly thank him for saving the people of the Sumeragi—starting with Yuno.

However, she could not act on that impulse immediately.

At that point, only those present at the scene knew Harold had been seriously injured. While it wouldn't be unnatural for Erika to check on his well-being, she had to wait until the Order of the Holy King returned to the Royal Capital at the very least. Going out of her way to visit the Knight Order while they were still on expedition would be like sowing seeds of suspicion against herself.

And so, Erika headed to the Royal Capital ahead of them to wait for his return.

It had been one month since she made that decision and arrived in the capital. Two weeks had already passed since the Knight Order completed their expedition and returned.

"……I suppose we won't be able to see him today, either."

Erika murmured, her expression heavy with distress.

Yuno, standing beside her, had also tucked away her usual soft smile. Since her injuries were relatively light, she continued to serve as Erika’s attendant, but both mistress and servant were currently in low spirits.

Once the news of the Knight Order's return became public, Erika had visited the headquarters every single day to request an audience with Harold, but permission was never granted. Though she had feared the worst, the tone of the gatekeepers suggested he was at least alive.

While that provided some relief, time continued to slip away without any explanation as to why he was being held incommunicado.

According to Yuno’s report, Harold had been wearing a Sarian Imperial military uniform during the expedition. Yuno speculated that this discovery had led to trouble with the Knight Order.

If Harold, a citizen of the Kingdom and a member of the Knight Order, had been caught in an Imperial uniform, suspicion was inevitable—even if the charges were groundless. It was likely taking a long time to prove his innocence.

Thinking of Harold's plight, Erika visited the headquarters again today.

"You again……"

Seeing Erika and her attendant, the soldier at the gate looked exhausted.

For two weeks straight, she had pleaded to see Harold, if only for a moment. She never pushed too hard or stayed too long, but he clearly found her persistence tedious nonetheless.

Feeling apologetic, Erika offered a small bow and stated her business.

"Good day, Lowry-san. May I request an audience with Lord Harold?"

"Sigh…… I've told you many times, I cannot permit an audience with him."

It was another blunt refusal, another day turned away at the gate.

Even if she insisted, it would only cause trouble for Harold. Above all, Lowry had his own professional standing to consider. However, just as she was about to withdraw quietly, a man intervened from the side.

"My, my, what do we have here?"

The man, drawing everyone's gaze, walked toward them with an expression that could only be described as a permanent smirk.

"Is that you, Cody? What do you want?"

"Well, it looked like Lowry-kun was bullying a sweet young girl, so I thought I'd check it out……"

"I was doing no such thing!"

"Joke, it was a joke."

The man called Cody laughed heartily.

Erika observed him, wondering if this was Harold’s superior. Everything about him—his expression, his clothes, the very air around him—felt incredibly loose. Even though she had hidden her face, he was someone to be cautious of since he had spoken with Yuno before, but he didn't seem to have noticed anything yet. Yuno had mentioned that as long as she didn't speak in his presence, he likely wouldn't recognize her, so Erika felt she didn't need to be overly guarded.

As she turned these thoughts over in her mind, Cody finished his banter with Lowry and turned toward Erika. Then, he said something entirely unexpected.

"Well then, shall we go?"

Cody pointed toward the Knight Order Headquarters. He was giving her permission to enter.

"Hey, Cody!"

"Is it truly alright?"

"Of course. After all, you’re Harold-kun’s fiancée, right?"

"Formally, we share such a relationship. How do you know of that?"

"I’m Harold-kun’s boss, after all. Besides, he’s always boasting about his wonderful fiancée—"

"Forgive me, but that is a lie, isn't it?"

"Ah, yes. It is."

Erika cut off Cody’s tall tale. She meant no ill will, but she simply could not imagine Harold bragging about such a thing.

Caught in his lie, Cody admitted it without a hint of shame.

"But it's true that I'm his boss, so why don't we have a little chat? Assuming you have things you want to ask, of course."

"I shall take you up on your kind offer, Lord Cody."

Erika didn't need to hesitate. Lowry seemed to have decided to feign ignorance, muttering, "If anything happens, it's on your head."

Thus, Erika and Yuno were led by Cody into a reception room meant for guests. More than ten minutes passed after he left, claiming he was going to fetch some tea.

Just as Erika was sitting in her chair, wondering if he would return soon, there was a knock on the door. Before she could even respond, an unexpected voice called out from the other side.

"I’m coming in."

The owner of that long-awaited voice stiffened the moment he saw Erika. Despite his usual calm and collected demeanor, he was the type whose agitation showed quite clearly in his posture.

"I heard you were injured, but I am glad to see you are well, Lord Harold."

"Hmph. A disappointment for you, I'm sure."

The sarcasm flew the moment he recovered. It was just like always. In fact, he looked even more energetic than when they had last spoken at the Sumeragi Mansion.

"Not at all."

"Hmph. Fine. What do you want?"

Harold sat down across from Erika. She considered it a victory that he hadn't turned on his heel and walked out. Straightening her posture, she lowered her voice so as not to be overheard.

"I came to confirm your safety, and to thank you for what happened recently."

She glanced at Yuno, who gave a silent, deep bow.

Harold seemed to understand everything from that gesture alone and let out a weary sigh.

"How pointless……"

"I am sorry. I knew it would be a nuisance, but I desperately wanted to see you and tell you myself."

"……"

Harold remained silent.

Erika knew her worry and gratitude were ultimately selfish. Harold had no obligation to accept them, and she didn't expect him to. Even so, it was enough. Just seeing Harold looking well made the journey to the capital feel worth it.

She didn't want to cause him trouble, yet she had prioritized her own emotions. She felt a wave of self-reproach for feeling so overjoyed just because he was listening to her. While happy, she was also struck by how immature she still was—hardly someone capable of being a pillar of support for him.

"Is that all?"

"N-No, um…… it’s nothing."

She instinctively moved to stop Harold as he stood up, but she caught herself. There were no words the current Erika could offer him. She truly felt that way.

She fought the urge to look down, keeping her eyes fixed on him. She refused to look away from the person she was chasing, no matter how distant his back seemed.

"Then I’m leaving. I’m not so idle that I can waste my time on you."

"Thank you very much for sparing your precious time for me."

"If you understand that, then don't bother me. Next time, go through proper channels instead of relying on that suspicious man."

"Yes, I will…… eh?"

Next time? Did that mean she was allowed to come see him again?

Why? She thought he was trying to distance himself from her.

Erika’s mind fell into a state of total confusion. Questions flooded her brain, drowning out her joy. As if he didn't care about her inner turmoil—as if to blow away all her doubts—Harold did something else.

As he passed her, his hand touched her head. It wasn't quite a stroke; he simply placed his right palm lightly on her hair for a moment.

The hand, touched for the first time, was incredibly warm.

"Your rebuke was somewhat useful. I shall praise you for that—Erika."

The prayer she had offered at the mansion, wishing for him to rely on someone. The wish for him to be himself. Had those feelings reached him? Had they given him strength, if only a little?

Without waiting for a response, Harold walked out of the room. The sharp click of the door closing brought her back to her senses.

"……Just now, he used my name? ……!"

Her heart began to race so fast it felt like it might explode. Her face grew so hot she thought she might actually be steaming.

Harold had touched her. He had touched her of his own accord. And he had called her by name for the first time. Not "you," but Erika.

Covering her mouth with both hands, Erika sank to the floor and hid her face. She couldn't let anyone see her like this—not even Yuno. She couldn't let anyone see the tears of joy streaming down a face turned a deeper red than the sunset.

◇

"Since you haven't seen her in a while, you should have flirted a bit more. A man who’s too quick to leave is a man who's disliked, you know?"

Waiting for Harold as he hurried away from Erika was the mastermind himself, Cody. He spoke without a shred of remorse.

Mentally, Harold was roughly Cody’s age, but physically, he was a child. It wasn't the kind of joke you threw at a kid. Harold tried to kick him in the crotch as a retort, but Cody blocked it at the very last second.

"Was this your doing? Stop meddling."

"Ah, back to talking normally? Well, not at all. For two weeks, Erika-chan has been standing at that gate begging to see you. Isn't that devoted?"

Two weeks meant she had been there almost since the moment the expeditionary force returned. While the concern for his safety was partly a formality, Erika was truly something else to go that far just to say thank you. If the rest of the world were more like Erika, it would be a place filled with mercy. Though, it would also be a world where Harold’s chances of survival plummeted.

"Seeing Erika-chan like that, I just couldn't stand it……"

"Shut up. In case you forgot, I'm under house arrest. Don't just drag me out on a whim."

"About that, the verdict is coming down today."

"……I haven't heard anything about this."

"Well, that's because I just told you."

This time, Harold threw a high kick aimed at his face, but Cody dodged it gracefully. Harold clicked his tongue.

"Inform me of important matters in advance, you idiot."

"No need to be so prickly. I explained everything to the Judiciary, and you did take down an Imperial Major General single-handedly. More importantly, you significantly reduced the Knight Order's casualties. Your sentence will definitely be commuted, Harold-kun."

"They might even give you a medal," Cody added, as breezy as ever.

To Harold, however, those words sounded like a massive, neon-lit flag.

(Stop it, you moron, that line is a textbook 'his-sentence-won't-be-commuted' flag—)

The moment that thought crossed his mind, the flag was triggered with terrifying efficiency. A voice called out from behind him.

"You there."

"……Who the hell are you?"

"I am from the Judiciary. You are Harold Stokes, I assume?"

"Yeah."

"……I was told you were under house arrest."

"Personal business. I'm heading back now."

"No, there is no need for that."

The man from the Judiciary stopped Harold as he turned to leave. He pulled a parchment cylinder from his coat, unrolled it, and thrust it toward Harold’s face.

The words written there were devastating.

'Harold Stokes. For the crimes of espionage on behalf of a foreign power, intentionally withholding intelligence regarding the Imperial Army's movement, and the betrayal of your comrades whom you left to die—you are hereby sentenced to death by beheading.'

"This is the official judgment of the Judiciary. The execution is in one week. Until then, you will be detained in the prison beneath the Judiciary. Come with me."

Just as he had cleared one major hurdle, an even bigger death flag was waiting for him.

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End of Part 2 Part 3 begins next time.