The Villain Who Will Kill Me Is Too Handsome, It's Troublesome - Chapter 11
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 11.
Ysiel subtly averted his gaze from his brother’s eyes. Then he clenched his fist and let out a deliberate cough to draw everyone’s attention.
Peter’s eyes remained cold, but Ysiel paid it no mind—he’d endured the Emperor’s censure before.
“Since the party in question wishes it, it would be best if the Duke remain under the temple’s protection, Your Majesty.”
“Very well. There’s no other choice.”
Fighting further would only bring losses. Peter seemed to acquiesce, barely.
“However, if the Duke’s Aura problem is not resolved by the end of the Holy Knight Experience period, the imperial household will handle it ourselves.”
Not every knight could wield Aura.
Even Artiela, called a genius of the sword, had needed two years of serious training to master it.
‘I should have set it for a month.’
He’d written down the time it would take for all those rigid priests to gather in Edelion. Back then, he’d thought Sacred Artifacts could solve everything.
“And no tricks about extending the deadline, understood?”
Peter rose from his seat with a chill in the air, his upper body tilting forward as he stood—then his body went rigid.
His gaze had landed on Artiela.
She had already taken Kirien’s hand again and was patting it. Peter stared at them with burning intensity before turning to Pursell.
“Prepare the imperial family’s private quarters. If anyone’s there, clear it on my authority.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“And Bleo—you’ll undergo the Holy Knight Experience alongside the Duke and report to me on his progress.”
Bleo’s mouth fell open at the sudden assignment.
“Your Majesty? Sending a spy—or rather, a monitor—so openly will make my siblings think……”
that they want to kill me.
Bleo sent a pleading look, but Peter simply gripped both his shoulders and patted them firmly.
“It’s what an imperial advisor does.”
“I was on leave, Your Majesty.”
“Then either do as the Emperor asks, or do it as a friend’s favor.”
“You only call on friendship at times like this……”
Bleo sighed and trailed after the Emperor. Despite his grumbling, he would comply with Peter’s request.
He’d never wish harm on his youngest sibling.
After Bleo left, Count Soltis approached his daughter.
“Artiela, your mother will worry if she hears about this.”
“Father, you trust me and Ysiel, don’t you? This is my destiny and calling as the Holy Sword’s bearer.”
It’s also my responsibility for the choice I’ve made.
“I understand. You must have your reasons.”
Count Soltis moved past his daughter toward Kirien, who sat with guilt written across his face.
“Please, never forget the gratitude you owe my daughter.”
“I will do my utmost to ensure that nothing the Count fears comes to pass.”
Kirien rose from his seat and bowed deeply.
“Father, you’ve been in Edelion for so long—won’t you join me for tea?”
Ysiel immediately linked his arm through the Count’s.
Then he flicked his gaze toward his sister.
“Artiela, why don’t you show the Duke around Edelion?”
“Sure, I will.”
Ysiel sent another signal.
‘Don’t leave his side. Stick close.’
‘Yes, yes, I get it!’
Ysiel seemed to have forgotten that Duke Kirien and Artiela were different genders.
* * *
On the way to the imperial family’s private quarters, Artiela introduced him to the day’s schedule.
“Like the other knights, you’ll start each morning with physical training—running drills in the training yard, strength work, Basic Sword Training, that sort of thing.”
“Understood.”
Kirien took a deep breath and answered. He seemed to be steeling himself.
Artiela pointed to a large building not far from the Holy Knight Order’s quarters.
“That’s the common dining hall. The priests, the knights, the faithful—everyone prepares meals, serves, and cleans.”
“As a novice knight, I should help as well.”
Perhaps it was because someone who usually stayed indoors had walked so much today, or perhaps the spring sun was growing warm. A thin film of sweat had formed on his cheeks.
He’d be more comfortable if he loosened his cravat and undid a shirt button or two. But his high collar fit snugly around his neck, and his sleeves remained properly in place.
Despite having joined the Duke’s household only a few years ago, he had the bearing of someone born to nobility.
“Nobles usually send servants in their stead.”
“Why is that?”
“Well, the Divine loves everyone equally—but only within Edelion’s walls.”
It’s a measure to protect commoners. The nobles know that a single mistake can make life miserable.
“Besides, I’ve never done such work before. The thought of wasting food and breaking dishes is….”
Artiela traced a quiet sacred symbol in the air.
“Fortunately, I have experience, so I can help you well. I was on dish duty when I was young.”
Right—the Duke grew up in an orphanage. Artiela’s eyes narrowed in surprise at the thought of when such a nobleman could have done that.
“For the safety of the dishes, we’ll assign your turn to the later shift.”
She couldn’t risk depleting Edelion’s treasury.
“Ah….”
Kirien’s face flushed slightly. He then whispered in a small voice.
“Wouldn’t it be all right if you were beside me?”
“Pardon?”
“Every time there’s danger, you hold my hand like this….”
By then, Kirien’s hand had found its way into Artiela’s grasp again—right after they’d passed the dining hall where the priestesses volunteering there had gasped in delight.
“Oh, you seemed startled.”
Artiela waved her other hand around Kirien’s face. As she did, his Aura Flare subsided, yielding to the flow of her Aura.
It was curious, really. Just through contact alone, his Aura could be made to obey.
When the difference in power was overwhelming, one could suppress it. Now, it felt like his Aura simply submitted the moment she released even a fraction of hers.
Comrades who’d fought in tandem for years sometimes had their Auras resonate and work in harmony, but this was different.
“Hmm.”
Artiela released his hand.
Just then, as they were passing near the Holy Knight dormitory undergoing repairs, his Aura began to creep out again of its own accord.
“Listen, Duke.”
“Yes, please speak, Lady Artiela.”
“You can call me Ati.”
The corners of Kirien’s mouth lifted in what seemed like genuine pleasure.
But Artiela was too focused on something else to notice. She had a rather difficult favor to ask.
“Would it be all right if I… touched your body in various places?”
“I beg your pardon?”
Kirien felt his face burning for the first time in his life—a heat he hadn’t felt even when the orphanage burned before his eyes.
“I want to confirm whether I can calm your Aura by touching anywhere when it’s urgent.”
This seemed like the optimal moment for such an experiment.
His Aura Flare was already bursting out splendidly, after all.
* * *
Soon Artiela and Kirien arrived at the royal quarters.
Bleo, exhausted, was waiting there.
“You’re late, sister.”
“Sorry, I was running some experiments on the way back.”
“What kind of experiments?”
“Aura Control experiments with the Duke?”
“What kind of experiment made the Duke’s face so red, sister? You didn’t… tackle him, did you?”
At Bleo’s frivolous remark, Artiela tilted her head and smiled brightly.
Bleo found that far more terrifying. He was certain he’d just felt Killing Intent.
“Don’t you dare slack off from this point on. I won’t show you mercy just because you’re family.”
“What? What are you talking about, sister?”
“The Duke at least has an Aura, but you don’t have one. We’ll start with physical conditioning.”
Bleo swallowed hard.
Knowing his younger sister’s capacity for terror, Bleo retreated and moved to Kirien’s side.
“A man with only muscles lacks intellectual refinement and is useless. Wouldn’t you agree, Duke Kirien?”
“I will do as instructed. I’ve entrusted myself entirely to her.”
At these unsettling words, Bleo’s jaw fell open.
Did this guileless Duke even understand what he was saying?
“Hear that?”
His sister’s victory. Bleo plotted his revenge.
“You don’t need to take sides so openly—I can already tell the Duke is utterly enchanted by my sister’s charm.”
It was safer to tease the innocent Duke than to provoke his terrifying sister.
“What? No, it’s not like that….”
The tips of Kirien’s ears turned red. Above his neat collar, a flush crept up his neck.
The impact was certainly better from this angle.
But if he poked any further and the Duke’s Aura Flare spiked again, there might be trouble. His close friend seemed to want the Duke to cause such a scene he’d be expelled from the temple, but Bleo did not.
Bleo waited quietly.
But then.
“Artiela, has the Duke already mastered Aura Control? Is that what you’re saying?”
Why is there only Killing Intent instead of the white Aura Flare?
“Does he have nine lives or something? B. L. E. O. O. R. A. V. E. R. N. I!”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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