The Villain Who Will Kill Me Is Too Handsome, It's Troublesome - Chapter 28

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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 28
There was a hint of envy mixed into the exclamation.
“A… prodigy, isn’t he?”
“Wow!”
“A prodigy has joined the Holy Knight Order!”
“Come on, Duke, just stay here with us!”
The knights who had been watching broke into enthusiastic applause.
A thin layer of white Aura was visibly coating the wooden sword Kirien held—accomplished in a single attempt.
‘I spent a whole year training before I managed that.’
What is this with that Duke?
Was he just pretending to be an idiot?
Suspicion threaded through the envy.
“Is this… correct?”
“Yes, it is. You did wonderfully.”
Truthfully, Artiella hadn’t expected to teach him how to control his Aura within a fortnight. If it hadn’t worked, her plan was to do it herself in front of the Emperor—to control his Aura directly by staying close to him through a betrothal contract and preventing any incidents.
‘I was ready to argue my way through that…’
It felt slightly disappointing, somehow.
Artiella watched Kirien’s white Aura. It pulsed and popped as if seeking her gaze, almost as though it were alive.
Could Aura really behave like that?
The Duke’s Aura was peculiar in many ways. Usually, an Aura resembled its master in color, but his was white. And the way it acted—as if it had a will of its own.
‘Hmm…’
This warranted investigation. It was purely intellectual curiosity.
“Would you like to try cutting the training dummy with that?”
At Artiella’s request, Kirien swung the sword lightly.
The straw dummy fell cleanly apart, as did the wooden one that followed.
“That’s our youngest!”
“Let’s make his official entry official!”
As the knights’ enthusiastic praise poured in, Kirien’s face brightened—dazzling in its radiance, beaming with joy.
The knights didn’t stop praising him, undeterred by the brilliance. The more they spoke, the more positive energy radiated from Kirien.
‘Pairing him with them was a good call.’
At the sight of his vitality, spring itself seemed to bloom at the corner of Artiella’s lips.
“It’s all thanks to the help you’ve all given.”
“Oh, it’s just because our Duke is a prodigy.”
“With skills like these, he could take vice-captain in an instant. Let’s proceed with the official entry.”
“Not at all. I’ve only just managed to coat my sword with Aura.”
Kirien was simply modest. Charmingly so.
“To have learned it all already—remarkable.”
It was then that Peter walked into the Training Ground.
At the same moment, the wooden sword in Kirien’s hand crumbled, and the training dummies around him burst apart. As though they’d anticipated it, the knights quickly ducked low.
Artiella, too, drew her sword and deflected the fragments in another direction. If the Emperor got hurt here, there would be an even greater fuss.
“Oh no, Duke! Are you all right?”
“Ah, yes—I understand how to put Aura into the sword, but I don’t yet know how to withdraw it…”
What? That didn’t make sense. A prodigy capable of succeeding at Aura Infusion on the first try?
Artiella harbored some doubt, but she didn’t let it show.
“Ah, so there’s still work to be done.”
Peter accepted the explanation readily enough.
Better to let him misunderstand than to take him outside under the pretense that Kirien had mastered everything—and besides, Kirien wasn’t the sort of person who would lie.
“Even so, he clearly has talent. It’s a shame it went unnoticed and uncultivated.”
At Artiella’s praise, the expressions of the two men diverged.
Peter still seemed to dislike Kirien.
“But what brings you here? So early?”
“…You said to come…”
“Ah, I see—you came much earlier than expected.”
As both knight and priestess, Artiella’s mornings began early. Breakfast was finished before anyone else’s, and then came training.
So at this hour, the nobility were only just beginning to stir. The Emperor was no exception, really…
Though he had sent affairs to his aide since before dawn.
“Is that so? I was too excited and came early. Being summoned to Edelion for the first time—it’s thrilling.”
“I’ll inform the Holy Saint. She’s been investigating a Black Magic Ritual found on the body of a knight who died yesterday.”
“Is that so? Then I’ll come along.”
Peter positioned himself close beside Artiella, then spoke as he looked at Kirien.
“You’re sweating quite a bit. Go wash up and follow slowly. We’ll head on ahead.”
He extended his hand to Artiella.
Accustomed to escorting others but long since forgotten how to be escorted, Artiella simply walked on.
“This way, Your Majesty.”
Peter’s hand, having nowhere to go, found its place again at her side.
But Kirien’s deeply furrowed brow remained. Watching the two of them walk ahead, he drew a long breath.
“Duke, don’t let it trouble you.”
Just then, the Holy Knights approached him.
“Yes…….”
“Believe the rumor that our captain has a fondness for beautiful and handsome people.”
“Hah, yes.”
“But will the captain stay this busy? The furniture needs to be chosen before the barracks renovations are finished.”
With the donation Kirien had made, the Holy Knight Order Barracks was being completely overhauled. Though the building was only five years old, the furniture was still the same pieces from before, and much of it had grown shabby.
“I’ll escort her there personally later.”
“Yes, do bring her. And while you’re at it, she can see how the barracks have improved thanks to the Duke’s generosity.”
“That’s true. But our quarters reek, so she probably won’t want to go in. Better to head to the captain’s room, don’t you think?”
“It smells like flowers there, unlike ours.”
Kirien’s eyes widened, then curved upward with delight.
His mood seemed to improve considerably.
“Go wash quickly and follow her. You’ll be anxious if you’re separated from our captain, won’t you?”
Was this what camaraderie meant?
The Holy Knights had been looking after Kirien generously, though they’d only known him for days. And they understood his situation.
They were far more comfortable than the noble youths he’d briefly exchanged courtesies with through his late father’s introductions. Perhaps this was what it meant to befriend kindred spirits.
“Yes. I understand.”
“Do give serious thought to joining the order…….”
“Hey, the Duke is the head of an entire house, though?”
“So what? He could hold both positions!”
“Does that even make sense?”
“But it would be wonderful. Since the Duke arrived, we’ve had more days to smile.”
“That’s true.”
A smile bloomed at Kirien’s lips.
This was what living truly meant.
Perhaps staying on in Edelion wouldn’t be so bad after all—with Artiella, that is.
* * *
“Welcome, Your Majesty.”
“You’ve arrived?”
A pitiful soul with darkened circles beneath his eyes greeted Peter. Yusiel looked sharp enough, yet there he was.
“Your appearance has deteriorated considerably in just these few days.”
At the Emperor’s greeting, Bleo hastily searched for a mirror.
“Sigh, what kind of vacation is this?”
Watching him tremble, Peter answered with kindness.
“Once this matter is resolved, I’ll grant you a proper holiday.”
“You promised.”
“Yes, you may use the Summer Palace.”
The Summer Palace was reserved for imperial family members with permission. It boasted hot springs and a nearby lake, making it celebrated as a retreat.
Peter saw his aide’s satisfied smile and let out a soft chuckle before turning to Yusiel.
“I hear you have something to discuss.”
Yusiel glanced toward the door.
To check the location of the person trailing after Artiella.
“The Duke is changing into fresh clothes.”
“I see. He’s a principal in this matter anyway, so I’ll wait and speak with him.”
Peter’s brows moved in displeasure.
He’d gone to such trouble to distance himself.
“Atti, how was training today? Didn’t you say we’d work on your Aura technique?”
Even his closest subordinate was looking after Kirien.
“Half a success? I managed to infuse it into the wooden sword, but retrieving it afterward—that’s still far off.”
“Really, into a wooden sword? That’s possible?”
“Seems she has natural talent.”
“Unlike me. If she’d trained with the blade since childhood, she might have become a knight to match you.”
“You’d think. Then there would’ve been fewer accidents, and perhaps her family would still be alive. If that were the case, maybe there’d be another heir, and our children’s wishes could’ve come true.”
Artiella burst into laughter, and Peter’s face hardened.
“If I’m not mistaken, the Duke’s younger brother died of illness, not misfortune. Because of the calamity that calls forth the source of evil…….”
Peter caught himself mid-sentence and clamped his mouth shut.
Even he knew the thought was petty and narrow-minded.
“Your Highness.”
Then Yusiel’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“Are you all right?”
Her blue eyes glowed with divine power, as though piercing straight through Peter.

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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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