Chapter 1: The Never-ending Night Begins
Nobles generally finished all their official duties in the morning, then took time to relax in the afternoons, often by bathing, taking a nap, horse riding, or simply chatting with their retainers. For that reason, Maximillion usually called for Gerhard in the afternoon. As the sun was about to set, Gerhard visited Maximillion in his private quarters.
“I have come as you requested.”
A week had passed since the ceremony to officially recognize Patrick and Lutz as the Count’s personal craftsmen. Gerhard hadn’t been summoned by the Count since then either.
In other words, I’m about to be dragged into more trouble, I’m sure.
Gerhard had already half conceded to his fate.
“You see, it seems like Princess Listill wants to visit our domain again.” Maximillion waved around an open letter. “It says that she wants to thank us properly for helping resolve the peace talks with the federation successfully. If that was the case, though, I wish she had just said something while we were in the capital.”
“I’m sure that she wants to extend her thanks to the other craftsmen involved, as well. She is a rather gracious and dutiful person, after all.”
Gerhard figured that the person whom Princess Listill wanted to thank most was likely Claudia, but he chose not to mention that. While Maximillion had acknowledged Claudia’s abilities, he was still firmly against her beliefs on allowing royalty to love without concerns for duty or station.
“I have heard that there has been an increase in crime along the roads leading here from the capital as of late. Do you think she will be all right?”
“Yeah, it does appear that way...” Maximillion gave an exhausted smile. “However, she has ten skilled knights accompanying her on the journey here. Far from the road being a concern, I fear that the measures they are taking may even be overkill.”
“Well, that’s reassuring, anyway.”
“I wouldn’t go that far. While the Princess stays here, we’ll have to look after all those knights too.”
“Ah...”
While they were just knights, they s