The Villain Who Will Kill Me Is Too Handsome, It's Troublesome - Chapter 14

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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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Chapter 14.
Artriela observed her subordinates’ faces with careful attention.
They were comrades who crossed blades together every morning in the Training Ground. Whether passing judgment on criminals or dealing with monsters, or even resolving the chaos wrought by black mages, they trusted each other with their lives.
This was the first time she’d failed to read their emotions.
Their jaws had dropped so far they couldn’t seem to close them—that much was clear enough. But why were their eyes swimming with such a confused mixture of sorrow, despair, resignation, and hurt? It was a baffling sight.
“Frail, what’s going on?”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
Even the one who seemed most composed exercised the right to remain silent.
Instead, Frail quickly jabbed his comrades in the ribs. The knights, suddenly alert, began gulping down the tea Bailey had prepared or stuffing cookies into their mouths.
Then they sprang to their feet.
“We should take our leave now.”
“We’ll see you in the Dining Hall!”
The knights scrambled out of the room, though they all still wore those vacant expressions.
“What? Why are they acting like that?”
Were they pouting because she hadn’t overseen their training for the past day or two?
Artriela stared after them with confusion, but her gaze quickly shifted at the sound of Bleo’s laughter.
“Heh-heh, I thought as much.”
“What? Did something happen while I was gone?”
“When those knights saw me earlier, they kept tagging along even though I told them they didn’t need to help. I think I know why.”
These fools.
She’d told them to help the priests with quarters construction, and here they were—slacking off and lurking about instead of finishing the job.
Artriela’s eyebrows pinched with displeasure. But warmth returned to her expression at the sound of a gentle laugh.
“The competition is quite fierce, isn’t it? I’ll need to make considerable effort.”
“What?”
“Your Duke.”
“Oh, right. What does the Duke enjoy? To finally free him from the Misfortune that has plagued him, we’ll need to build him many wonderful memories going forward.”
She’d almost forgotten her purpose because of those idiots.
Artriela retrieved paper and a quill pen, settling in to listen earnestly to the answers. But Bailey looked uncertain.
“Can we really protect our Duke just by doing such things?”
“Negative emotions keep drawing darkness and Misfortune closer. What your Duke needs now is to walk toward the light.”
Bailey’s head turned naturally toward the man beside her.
“Like the Earl perhaps?”
“Well, my brother certainly is so bright that he can’t help but cast light everywhere. Perhaps a little shadow would give him more substance.”
That person really did need some shade to balance things out.
Understanding the analogy, Bailey began explaining Kirien in detail to Artriela.
“He doesn’t seem to have any particular food preferences. He’s never requested anything special.”
He just eats enough to survive.
“As for clothing, he seems satisfied as long as it’s neat and tidy. He prefers cool, neutral tones over vibrant colors.”
“I’ll take charge of his tastes and try to transform them, madam.”
Bleo stepped forward.
This troubled her somewhat. She didn’t think Bleo’s aesthetic would suit Kirien. He was the sort who shone brilliantly without any effort at all.
“His hobby seems to be reading. He also enjoys taking walks through the Garden.”
“Perhaps that’s because accidents happen frequently when he’s around people?”
“Large crowds seem to exhaust him.”
“I see…”
If he was alone too often, his mind would become clouded with stray thoughts. Yet if he was the type to be drained by people’s presence, he wouldn’t easily open his heart to others.
‘Is there anyone whose hobbies are quiet?’
She’d need to find a handful of kindred spirits for him.
“Artriela also enjoys reading, I’m told.”
Bleo interjected from beside her at that moment.
“Really?”
“Yes, when she was young, she practically lived with her nose in a book. I never imagined she’d become a knight who uses her body like this.”
Why did she suddenly have that wistful look in her eyes?
Never mind that she’d been struck by a wooden sword plenty of times.
“How fortunate! Would you perhaps join His Grace for tea from time to time and read together?”
Bailey clasped her hands together with hopeful anticipation.
“Of course. Is there anything else he enjoys? A preference in people, perhaps?”
A friend was necessary, after all. A good friend was worth more than ten blessings.
“Well, I’m not sure…”
Bailey tilted her head in thought, then slowly opened her mouth while gazing steadily at Artriela.
“First, courageous.”
There’s no shortage of courageous ones. Pick any paladin at random.
“And righteous.”
When it comes to righteousness, the Holy Paladin Order comes to mind.
“Yet humble as well.”
I’d have to exclude those who boast to their comrades the moment their Holy Power or Aura increases. Perhaps a priest would be better?
“Strong enough to protect, and steadfast.”
Damn. All the priests are disqualified.
The remaining candidates could be counted on one hand.
“Perhaps someone with a bright and healthy disposition?”
Yusiel?
People with beautiful souls do tend to understand each other well. Yusiel is quiet, so the Duke wouldn’t feel drained, and our tastes are similar enough.
Artriela nodded earnestly.
“But what does the knight like?”
“Me?”
“Yes, what kind of food do you prefer?”
Bailey’s eyes glimmered with the same radiance as Kirien’s Aura. Under that spell, Artriela found herself answering without hesitation.
“I eat anything. No particular dislikes.”
“My, and flowers?”
“Any flowers are fine. After using Holy Judgment, I always like to look at flowers.”
Bleo chimed in from beside her. “Arti also enjoys small animals. Cute, beautiful, pure things.”
He continued without pause.
“She avoids fragrances since they can interfere with surveillance. For fruit, she prefers a harmony of sweetness and citrus notes. She enjoys desserts, though they’re difficult to find in Edelion, so I’ve frequently brought them for her. Dresses and jewelry hold no appeal — she has little use for them.”
“How kind you are. You truly care for your sister.”
“Of course. I raised her myself.”
What is this?
The two of them seemed to have grown close awfully fast.
“Most of all, I love people more beautiful than myself.”
More precisely, people with beautiful souls.
The moment Artriela moved to correct this, she heard footsteps on the stairs.
“I’m finished.”
Kirien descended slowly.
They were all meant to go to the Dining Hall together for supper.
Artriela rose reflexively and moved toward Kirien. He reached out his hand as though it were the most natural thing, and Kirien’s hand met hers.
“You seem well practiced at escorting.”
Kirien asked gently, noting the fluid grace of her movement.
“I’m a knight, after all. I’ve done it many times.”
“I see…….”
Kirien’s voice grew quieter. Then Bleo added a remark from beside them.
“The Captain of the Holy Paladins was the Holy Maiden’s exclusive ceremonial attendant, wasn’t he?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Ah…….”
A bashful bloom bloomed across Kirien’s face once more.
Though he could not see it, his Aura danced to the rhythm of his heartbeat — thump-thump — with steady restraint, as though he wished not to burden the person holding his hand.
And yet, at the same time, it seemed to amplify the Duke’s beauty.
“Next time, I should like to escort you, Arti.”
“That would be lovely.”
How fortunate to be alive.
Kirien found himself repeating this sentiment once more, though he had lost count of how many times he’d thought it today.
* * *
The Dining Hall of Edelion was already filled with people dining.
“There seem to be quite a few people at the Holy Temple today.”
Bailey observed the bustling crowd with curiosity.
“It’s not usually this crowded…….”
Had rumors spread about how good the food in Edelion’s Dining Hall was?
It was decent enough, but not the sort of thing nobles would go out of their way to eat. Just then, Bleo spoke from behind them.
“Word must have gotten out. The Empire’s two most beautiful men are at the Holy Temple, they’re saying. Everyone probably came to see us.”
Narcissism must surely have been invented with Bleo in mind. He savored the gazes that poured toward him as he stepped into the Dining Hall.
“Duke, it looks like many young ladies have gathered…….”
Kirien had trailed behind Artriela throughout her busy duties, so there were certainly plenty of witnesses. With such unforgettable beauty, they’d come seeking him again.
Artriela, concerned that a situation similar to the past might weigh on him, asked Kirien carefully.
“Will you be all right?”
At that, he drew a long, deep breath.
What was this feeling—as though flower petals were swirling around him, when the lamplight in the Dining Hall had barely trembled at his breath?
It didn’t seem to be something only Artriela had witnessed.
Sounds of distress echoed through the Dining Hall. From everyone, regardless of gender.

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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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