Chapter 93: Am I Interrupting Something?
The Imperial Festival, in its first day’s parade, was typically the least significant.
The Crown Guard would begin to deploy their security formations, the priests would prepare for the second day’s offering to the gods, and the Legendary Knights would make preparations for the third day’s “miracle,” while the others planned their strategies to maximize its effect.
The Imperial family and the ceremonial honor guard were the main attraction, a display of royal authority and knightly spirit, meant to reassure the public.
But for the common people, it was a day of celebration, their enthusiasm far greater than on the other two days.
However, with the war over, the first day’s parade had gained more significance. Even two Legendary Knights would be present on the floats.
…Leticia was absent, her place taken by Bai.
Bai had been a recluse lately, her rare appearances always brief, so she had no idea how famous she had become.
After all, she was the youngest Commander in the history of the Knights!
Only nine and a half years old, a full decade younger than the next youngest, Lin Yan. An age when other girls were still playing with dolls!
Although the Empire hadn’t actively promoted this, they hadn’t hidden it either, and rumors about Bai had spread like wildfire through the capital, each more outlandish than the last.
Besides the usual accusations of nepotism and backroom deals, some said she was the Emperor’s illegitimate daughter, Princess Lilia’s younger sister.
Others claimed she was a divine maiden, sent by the gods to save the North Empire, a theory mostly espoused by religious fanatics.
And the most outlandish rumor of all: that she was actually the Legendary Knight Leticia, who had always appeared in full armor, her aged face known only to a select few.
And surprisingly, many believed this, as it was the only explanation for how a nine-and-a-half-year-old girl could be a Knight Commander, and so competent at it.
But no one had guessed the truth, which was even more unbelievable than any of the rumors… a demon, commanding a Knight unit dedicated to fighting demons.
However, the rumors had fueled the public’s curiosity about their young Commander, and hearing she would be in the parade, the crowd had swelled to several times its usual size.
Lilia stood in an inconspicuous spot on one of the floats, listening to the snippets of conversation about Bai, a faint smile on her lips.
“Does Your Highness… like Miss Bai?” Erlya asked, her own spirits lifted by Lilia’s improved health, despite the lingering danger.
Lilia blushed, her smile turning shy. “Like? What’s there to like… she’s just a child. Only nine and a half…”
Thanks to a certain knight’s loose lips, everyone now believed Bai was nine and a half.
“I was just asking,” Erlya said, feigning surprise. “I didn’t realize Your Highness had… such inclinations. You’ll have to wait a few years, though. The royal pardon can’t be used for that.”
Lilia’s smile vanished, and she playfully scolded Erlya. “Erlya, you’re being mischievous again.”
But her cheeks were still flushed, a faint pink blush adding to her already stunning beauty.
And for the parade, she had been meticulously dressed and made up by the court’s best artisans, enhancing her ethereal beauty.
“So beautiful…” Erlya murmured, her gaze fixed on Lilia.
“Hmm?” Lilia asked, and Erlya quickly composed herself.
“Actually…” Lilia said, as if wanting to explain, “my feelings for Little Sister Bai are more… gratitude and admiration…”
“Admiration?” Erlya was surprised. She understood gratitude, but admiration?
“Yes, admiration,” Lilia sighed. “Just like… him. He seemed so close, yet so far away.”
It wasn’t impossible, but the unbridgeable gap between them had prevented any other feelings from developing.
Although Lilia didn’t say his name, Erlya knew she was talking about the knight who had died at Saint Noyes, the one she also admired.
“Your Highness…” Erlya started to say, but Lilia raised a finger to her lips.
“Say no more,” she smiled. “I know. I’ve always known.”
Looking into Lilia’s eyes, Erlya felt as if she understood everything she had been about to say.
Just then, footsteps approached, and two small figures appeared beside Lilia.
“Your Highness, you… am I interrupting something?”
Bai, holding Ara’s hand, had found Lilia on the float and had come to see her, only to walk in on this… intimate moment.
“No, you’ve come at the perfect time,” Lilia said, quickly withdrawing her hand, her smile slightly strained.
“Are you… finished?” Bai asked, her tone neutral, but Lilia sensed a slight awkwardness in her voice…
And how could she not be?
Walking in on the princess and her personal knight sharing a… moment. Bai, the clueless straight man… or rather, straight woman, was at a loss.
But she quickly composed herself.
“We weren’t busy,” Lilia said, her voice gentle, quickly changing the subject. “By the way, Little Sister Bai, would you like to get your makeup done? You’ll look even prettier!”
“Makeup?” Bai looked embarrassed, scratching her head. “A makeup artist approached me earlier. I didn’t refuse, but after looking at me for a while, she said… she couldn’t do it.”
