73

Even with his workaholic reputation, he was still handsome. Lately Mr. Bull had said he’d become much gentler, and his popularity had risen accordingly.

I’d forgotten.

We’d fought recently, so I hadn’t paid attention to his face; at the banquet we were busy making up, so I missed the chance to take him in. Now that the Overseas Asset Concealment Department assignment was over and everyone was dispersing, I felt a little disappointed.

What are the chances I’d ever get to partner with royalty? This is lucky enough.

Thinking it had been a good experience, I left the cheering fainting female officials behind and joined the beginner riding class. At first I was scared, but my assigned horse was gentle and responsive; the rise and fall of my body in the saddle felt fascinating.

“You’re doing well. With steady practice you’ll be riding on your own.”

The knight assigned to help the novice officials offered encouraging words; he looked kindly handsome, and I smiled back.

“Because the teacher was good. Thank you, sir knight.”

“Your disciple’s learning speed is impressive. If you’d like to continue, come visit the Knight Order — you’re almost there. I’ll keep an eye on you.”

“Really? Thank you!”

I slid down from the horse with a bright smile to match his refreshing grin.

They announced there’d be a hunting contest later and were moving horses for participants to use. The knight who’d helped me said he would take part and cheered us on.

“Cornelia! Over here!”

Lukan was sitting on the outdoor steps, waving me over. When I went, people from the Chancellery and the Overseas Asset Concealment Department were mixed together.

“Are none of you taking part in the hunt?”

Diplomat Simon waved his hand.

“Ugh… when you get old your knees ache; you can’t do things like that. Do it and you won’t be able to come to work tomorrow.”

“Right. There’s too much work; I can’t. My stamina…”

Grumbling voices came from here and there — the typical office types who didn’t like exercise.

“Still, most of the Knights are participating, so it’ll be worth watching.”

Reyra, the finance officer, slid up beside me.

“They’re delightful to watch even from the sidelines.”

“Ah, yes…”

Among the other officials, mostly extroverts had taken part in the hunt. I wondered if the Duke had joined, but I was told he had an urgent matter and had returned to the palace. Whatever could be so pressing that he couldn’t attend even a departmental event — leaders really are unreliable.

“Why didn’t Lukan participate?”

He shook his head and shrugged.

“Unfortunately, the gods gave me a flashy tongue but the athletic ability of an ordinary man. I don’t feel like struggling among the knights at a team-bonding event.”

“That’s a reasonable excuse. Did anyone from our department join?”

“Lucius, the first-rank secretary; the new Chancellery head secretary; and a few vigorous assistant clerks.”

“Wha— you mean Tom?”

I frowned at the thought of his greasy hair and a protruding belly that didn’t look like it had ever exercised. Lukan handed out lunch boxes and said,

“Just eat this while you wait. Yeah, I was surprised too. Maybe he joined to impress Reyra, but if that’s the case… he doesn’t have much going for him.”

“I thought his gaze was intense, but people do all sorts of things, so I couldn’t say it wasn’t that.”

The boxed lunches from the central ministry kitchen were expertly made and delicious. I chatted idly with people while we waited for those who had gone hunting.

“They’re back!”

As the appointed time neared, hunters returned one by one carrying game—wild boars, rabbits, foxes. Larger hauls came in carts, and officials gasped at the Knights’ overwhelming skill.

“There’s Tom, the head secretary.”

Where Lukan pointed, I saw a man sweating profusely with a face like he was about to die, as if he’d fought a beast to the death. But at his feet was only a small rabbit.

“Well, at least he caught something.”

That was Lukan’s succinct assessment and mine as well. The judges tallied the game. Tom, perhaps uninterested in prizes, walked toward us with the rabbit. No — on closer look, he was heading straight for Reyra.

“Um…”

I gaped, entranced. He must’ve been exhausted, because instead of showing off, he flopped down before his crush.

Gasp!

I covered my mouth but couldn’t look away. What came next was even more unbelievable: Reyra knelt down and spoke to him.

“Are you all right?”

Startled when Reyra’s face came close, he jerked up and then, cautiously, offered her the rabbit he’d caught.

“Th-this is the rabbit I caught on my first hunt. I wish to present it to the beautiful Reyra, First Rank Finance Officer. Please accept it!”

Normally they’d have cheered, but his reputation was so poor that everyone watched in stunned silence.

“What’s your name?”

“I’m Tom Hank, head secretary of the Chancellery!”

A curve slowly formed at Reyra’s lips.

“Thank you, brave secretary. I’ll gladly accept the rabbit you gifted me.”

She had a servant send the rabbit home, flashed him an enchanting smile, and slowly stood.

Unbelievable. The finance officer…

It was a perfect move. Which man wouldn’t fall for that? As proof, Tom stood there staring blankly at Reyra’s retreating figure.

As everyone struggled to recover from the shock, the judges announced the tally.

“First place goes to… Deputy Commander Girion of the Imperial First Knight Order! He managed to take down a bear nearly intact in a spectacular fashion!”

“Wow!”

I snapped back to attention and applauded. To my surprise, the winner was the knight who’d just taught me. A deputy commander of an imperial knight order teaching beginners in the officials’ area?

He waved, enjoying the moment. Warmly handsome, domestic and gentle, he seemed the sort of man women would like — second only to the Duke in status.

A knight who uses his body is more attractive than a desk-bound gentleman who only shuffles papers.

Thinking that, I applauded the day’s riding instructor even more enthusiastically. He gave a command to someone by the bear cart and had it shifted, making him even more visible from where I stood. Lukan tilted his head beside me.

“But doesn’t that seem like it’s coming more and more toward us?”

He was right. The bear was advancing in our direction.

Why toward me…?

With the cart stopped ahead, Girion of the Imperial Knights knelt on one knee before me.

“May I have the honor of dedicating the glory of first place to a lady?”

For a moment my brain shut down.

“Yes?”

Knight Girion smiled gently at my stunned expression.

“I dedicate the glory of first place to Miss Cornelia.”

I couldn’t comprehend it. We’d just met — why dedicate this honor to me?

Even on a first meeting, I knew enough: this was almost like a confession. It was either “I like you” or “I’m interested — shall we go on a date?”

When I didn’t know what to do, Elysia poked my side.

“Just accept it for now and think it over.”

He’d worked hard and gathered the courage — I shouldn’t embarrass him. I could ask any questions later.

“I’ll gladly accept. It’s an honor.”

Wild cheers and whistles erupted around us. For some reason Lukan standing with me looked pale, but I couldn’t spare attention for that. Girion politely kissed the back of my hand and smiled broadly.

“Please don’t feel pressured. Still, since you hunted so earnestly, may I invite you to a meal?”

I readily accepted the polite invitation; his face lit up.

“I will contact you again soon, my lady.”

With a courteous bow, he slowly returned to his place.

It felt strange. After dealing with idiot men here, this was the first rational romantic interest I’d received — he was a very pleasant man, and my heart fluttered.

Half-hearing an Imperial Palace attendant explain the bear would be sent home as leather, I turned in a daze and bumped into something unexpected.

“Ack!”

I nearly fell backward, but someone caught me. When I opened my tightly shut eyes, the Duke stood there as if he’d always been there.

“Are you all right?”

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

But his expression was oddly hardened — frighteningly unlike the man who’d ridden with us.

Did something happen?