Chapter 39

The rainy season had set in, casting a dreary pall over the days leading up to Matthias’s knight exam. Odelliana, her mood as fickle as the weather, watched over his studies with a mixture of anxiety and impatience.

Blair’s delayed reply only added to her growing frustration. As the day of the exam drew near, she found herself increasingly irritable.

“Tomorrow, isn’t it?” Marlena remarked, her voice calm and polite. “A month-long exam. You’ll miss him, won’t you?”

The maid’s sudden talkativeness was unexpected. She chattered on about trivial matters, her tone suggesting she expected to be heard, regardless of Odelliana’s response.

“Don’t worry, my lady,” Marlena assured her. “I’ll care for you in Matthias’ absence. You won’t feel a thing.”

“You’re growing bolder,” Odelliana replied, a hint of amusement in her voice.

“And you, my lady, are growing more generous,” Marlena retorted, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Odelliana sighed. “It’s not generosity. I’ve simply given up on trying to silence you. Even when I ignore you, you persist. What am I to do? Sew your lips shut?”

Marlena grinned. “Perhaps you secretly enjoy my chatter, my lady. After all, you’ve yet to silence me.”

Odelliana sighed, a wry smile playing on her lips. Marlena, the indomitable chatterbox, proved to be a formidable opponent, even for the continent’s most notorious talkers.

Despite the occasional annoyance, Odelliana found comfort in Marlena’s ceaseless chatter. It was the perfect distraction from her own troubled thoughts. Had they met during her days as a mercenary, they would likely have become good friends.

A sudden thought struck her. “How long were you a mercenary?” she asked. Perhaps this woman would recognize her past self.

“Quite a while,” Marlena replied.

“Are there many female mercenaries like you?”

“Hardly any. Mostly men.”

Odelliana hesitated before asking, “Have you ever heard of a mercenary named Lelusha? A female mercenary, like you?”

Marlena shook her head. “Never heard of her.”

Blair had also failed to find any information on Lelusha. If Odelliana had become a knight, it would have been the talk of the century. A prince keeping a female knight by his side was a sensational story.

The answer was clear. “It seems I don’t exist in this era,” she murmured to herself.

Marlena rose abruptly, interrupting the conversation. “I should go,” she said, her tone curt. Then, as if on cue, Matthias entered the room, tray of breakfast in hand. She left without a backward glance.

Matthias had always been a source of irritation for Marlena. She avoided him whenever possible, her disdain thinly veiled. “She still resents you for being assigned to monitor her,” Odelliana observed.

Matthias snorted. “She’s perceptive enough to know it’s best to keep her distance.”

“You didn’t scare her behind my back, did you?” Odelliana asked, a hint of skepticism in her voice.

“If I had, would she still be here?” he countered.

Odelliana chuckled. “Tomorrow you leave,” she said, a note of sadness in her voice. “A month is too long.”

Matthias nodded in agreement. “It’s an absurdly long exam period. A tradition long past its prime.”

The odds of a commoner passing the knight’s exam were slim, a needle in a haystack.

A century ago, during the tumultuous conquest wars, the kingdom, facing a dire shortage of knights, established a system to recruit skilled individuals, regardless of their social standing. This innovative approach allowed commoners and peasants alike to rise through the ranks and prove their worth on the battlefield. Many mercenaries, hardened by years of combat, seized this opportunity to become knights.

However, in the ensuing era of peace, the knight exams had morphed into a tool for the wealthy to reinforce their social status. It had become a means of elevating non-noble families, leaving little room for true commoners to ascend. In a time of tranquility, the need for skilled, common-born knights had diminished.

“Nervous?” Odelliana asked, her voice soft.

Matthias shook his head. “Not really.”

“Good. Just perform as you always do, and the results will follow.”

His skill, honed through years of rigorous training and battle, was exceptional, even for his age. The memory of his single-handed decimation of an enemy camp during the Tribal Suppression War filled Odelliana with confidence.

With Blair’s influence, Matthias was essentially entering the exam as a representative of the Grüsewald family. Though a commoner, he would not face overt discrimination; the examiners would assume he was their protégé.

“While I’m away, please stay safe, Master,” Matthias said, her voice filled with concern.

Odelliana smiled reassuringly. “Nothing will happen. Don’t worry too much about my eldest brother. He seems very busy these days. After all the fuss he caused, he’ll likely stay quiet for a while.”

Despite her efforts, Matthias’s expression remained troubled. He collected her empty dishes and stood up. “Well, I need to prepare to leave, so I’ll go now,” he said.

“Alright. Eat well and rest tonight. We’ll see each other tomorrow,” Odelliana replied.

As the sun began to set, Odelliana realized that Matthias hadn’t returned. “Matthias hasn’t come back yet?” she asked Marlena.

“No, he hasn’t been seen,” Marlena replied.

A sense of unease crept into Odelliana’s heart. “Could something have happened?” she wondered aloud.

“Don’t worry too much,” Marlena reassured her. “He’s not the type to get into trouble.”

While Marlena’s words held some truth, Odelliana couldn’t shake her growing concern. Matthias was not one to leave without a word. The possibility that he had simply run off, even at this crucial stage, was unsettling.

“He probably has a lot on his mind with the upcoming month-long absence,” Marlena offered. “He even asked me to keep a close eye on you to ensure your comfort.”

Odelliana raised an eyebrow. “He asked you?”

“Yes, he went over your daily schedule in detail, giving me specific instructions. It felt more like a command than a request,” Marlena admitted, a shiver running down her spine as she recalled his intense gaze.

“A command?” Odelliana repeated, intrigued.

“A command to take good care of you. He drilled it into me all morning before leaving in the afternoon. He seemed unusually tense, as if he was worried I wouldn’t be able to handle the responsibility.”

“I see,” Odelliana murmured. “Even with his exam approaching, he’s still worried about me. Perhaps he doesn’t trust me enough.”

“That’s not what I meant, miss,” Marlena quickly clarified.

“I know,” Odelliana said, her voice soft. “I was just venting.”

Technically, Matthias had been assigned to her as an attendant merely for appearances. However, he had taken his role far more seriously than expected. Despite having no prior experience in servitude, he had quickly become the most capable attendant in the annex.

Odelliana had grown accustomed to Matthias’s meticulous and dedicated care. She had come to rely on his presence, finding comfort in his nurturing attention. For the first time in her life, she experienced genuine devotion. She began to understand the allure of nobility, the privilege of being cared for so deeply.

That boy has become quite a significant part of my daily life, she mused.

While Marlena was a capable attendant, she couldn’t fully replace Matthias’s unique role. His care went beyond duty; it held a special quality.

“When Matthias returns, send him to my room immediately,” Odelliana instructed Marlena.

“Yes, miss,” Marlena replied.

Matthias returned near dinnertime, his absence finally explained. He had disappeared for the entire afternoon, only to return precisely on time to serve her dinner, as if it were his sacred duty.

“Where have you been?” Odelliana asked, her voice tinged with concern.

“I had some urgent matters to attend to,” he replied. “Did you need me, Master?”

“You left without a word. I was worried,” she admitted.

“I apologize. It was urgent, and I didn’t have time to inform you.”

“It’s alright. I’m just relieved you’re safe. That’s all that matters.”

From that day forward, Odelliana remained vigilant, wary of Herrmann’s potential actions. The thought of him storming into the annex or retaliating against Marlena or Matthias kept her on edge.

“I was afraid that cursed brute might have come after you,” she murmured, her voice filled with concern.

Matthias chuckled softly, and for the first time that day, a sense of relief washed over Odelliana. “Rest assured, Master, nothing of the sort happened,” he said.

Odelliana understood that Matthias wasn’t worried about Herrmann. However, later that evening, Marlena returned with unexpected news.

“Your eldest brother was attacked and broke his leg,” she reported, her voice grave. “He had to cancel his travel plans and return home. Both his legs are broken, and he’ll be immobile for a month.”

“What?” Odelliana exclaimed. “Have they identified the attacker?” she asked, her voice tense.

“No, miss. The attack happened so quickly, and the assailant’s face was concealed. The investigation has been difficult,” Marlena explained.

Odelliana fell silent, a chill running down her spine. A strong suspicion began to form in her mind. She knew who the “assailant” might be.