That evening, I was summoned by a messenger from the Royal Palace to report to His Majesty Alfred's office.

　This was my second visit to the Royal Palace, but the level of tension was not as great as the last time, and I couldn't help but breathe every few steps down the corridor.

　The biggest difference, after all, was the presence of His Majesty the King.

　The people working in the royal palace also seemed to be much more relaxed and ready for work than during my last visit.

'(At last, I suppose: ......)

　Led by a kinsman knight of the Dragon King's Knights, we proceeded deeper and deeper into the royal palace.

　Garnett was instructed to wait in the main hall, so I'm going to head to His Majesty's place by myself - technically with the supervision of a kinsman guard knight - but I'm going to head there alone.

　It's the same as the first time I had an audience with him.
　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's had an audience with His Majesty, with Garnett and Felix only halfway through.

　I'm not sure if it's because of the difference between a moving tent and the palace, the heart of the Westland Kingdom, that the tension is much higher this time.

It's a good thing that you're able to have a good idea of what you're getting yourself into. If I taught myself last year, I'd be sitting on my hands).

　The other day, I came to convey my intention to 'approve the establishment of the new Order of Knights and the accompanying knighthood,' and I conveyed that to the Duke of Kingswell, the minister in charge.

　His Majesty was not present at that time, so he was temporarily kept in custody, and then today, he would be able to formally communicate His Majesty's decision.

''Luke of the White Wolf Forest. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. Be careful not to be coarse.

　While almost forgetting to even breathe due to nerves, I step into the office through the door opened by a knight of the Kingsguard.

　A finely crafted desk sits in the center of a room with an interior that could be considered the most luxurious in the royal palace.

　And beyond the pile of papers on the desk sits a figure that radiates a lion's share of dignity.

'Long time no see, Luke of the White Wolf Forest.
It's been a long time, Your Majesty, Alfred.

　Only the canned phrases of greeting are somehow squeezed out without delay.

'I've heard from the Duke of Kingswell. And he also said you helped solve the Night Ripper case.
Because that was ...... kind of a halfway house.
Don't be modest. Coincidence or not, merit must be rewarded properly.

　His Majesty reclined in the chair at his office desk and stroked his fingers over his neatly trimmed beard, which looked more like a part of the mane of a lion than a beard.

　I was under the illusion that it was more a part of a lion's mane than a beard.

　The knight of the Kingsguard, who had been standing upright and immobile behind me, opens his mouth in a calming manner.

''Your Majesty. The time for the meeting is approaching.''
Oops, sorry, sorry. Let's get right to it, Luke of the White Wolf Forest. Let me cut to the chase. I'll tell you about the reward for solving the case some other time.

　I forced a mouthful of raw spit down my thirsty throat.

　When was the last time I was this nervous?
　Maybe it was simply because I didn't know what was going on, but even my first audience hadn't been this bad.

　It's strange - even when I followed Garnett into the evening meeting, I didn't remember any emotions that I could call nervousness.

　More than that, the feelings of impatience, anxiety, and relief after finding Garnett were overwhelmingly strong, and instead of cowering from nerves, I was naturally moving my feet forward.

''The Golden Fang Knights and the Silverwing Knights, the two senior knights competing against each other for a single personnel, was not something I could overlook, even for me.

　His Majesty's well spoken voice echoed through the office.

''The idea of leaving it to the Dragon King of the Kingsguard did not go easily, and I ended up forcing you to make an important decision. I feel bad about that.
...... What a waste of words.
'So, the establishment of the new Order and the knighthood of Luke of the White Wolf Forest and the appointment of a Knight Knight Commander ...... were to be acceptable to this idea. Both are unprecedented, but in my politics, well, it happens all the time.

　Then His Majesty took a magnificently decorated sealed letter from the drawer of his office desk and opened the document that was contained therein.

　No matter how one looks at it, it's a piece of paper that would contain extremely important information. You can't even see the contents through it.

"I have to give you a few things to make the knighthood.

　There was a somewhat joyful smile on His Majesty's mouth.

　It's as if he's happy to give me the things he's about to tell me.

''First of all, the family name. You will be a knight, so it's only natural. There is a suggestion among the vassals that it would be better to match the name of the order, but do you have any hopes?
I don't know if I'd be too good for you to just give me ......

　He was barely keeping his composure, but the tension was about to overtake his mental tolerance at any moment.

'One more thing, being a knight, you need a territory as well.
Ya, you're a fiefdom too: ......
''Since this one will be shared from the territory under our direct control, I'm sorry, we can't ask for your wishes as much as we can for your family name. The only thing we can do is to choose from a list of candidates we have selected: ...... What's wrong, are you okay?　You don't look so good.
No, ...... I was just giddy with too much honor.

　Just like nobles, knights have a 'family name' that is not allowed to ordinary people and hold their own fiefdoms.

　If ordinary people are to use a familiar expression, this is similar to 'payment in kind in advance of reward'.

　Normally, you would get cash as a reward for your work, but the knights are given land as a fiefdom beforehand and use the income earned from it to fund their lives and activities in the order.

It's a very good idea to have a good idea of what you can do with your own money. Of course, you'll be assigned the role you can do, but the territory to fund it is essential.

　I thought I understood it well enough, and was convinced by it.
　But when it comes to reality, it's hard to keep a cool head.

Don't get too worked up about it. "Don't get too worked up about it, it's just an announcement for today. We're just going to work out the details from here.
Okay.
'By the way, if you don't mind me asking, I'd like an answer. You're the Rembrandt's daughter, after all, that's why I'm taking up the offer.

　--Rembrandt's daughter. That is, Alma Argentia and Garnet Argentia.

　Naturally, or perhaps I should say, the matter of the last night party seemed to have entered His Majesty's ears as well.

　As soon as Garnett's existence climbed to the top of the topic, the tension that had been clenching inside my head melted away as if it were a lie, and my body became light in the blink of an eye.

　A smile naturally appeared on my mouth, and I put my reply to His Majesty directly into words.

''Yes, Your Majesty. It's called love(──) weakness(──).
'Hahahahahaha!　You're just like me!　Much better!　Then you wouldn't hesitate to go to the extent of being a knight!

　On that day when I had my first audience with His Majesty, he told me how he became king.

　When the previous king asked for an heir and declared that he would give his daughter and the throne to the one who brought him the artifact he demanded, His Majesty decided that he would take the throne for that princess he had been in love with without knowing her status.

　I never dreamed at the time that I would do the same thing, but--when such a situation arises in front of me, I am surprised at how easily I am able to make up my mind.

I'd love to hear more about that story: ......
Your Majesty, it's time.
...... Sorry, I have a meeting to attend.

　His Majesty Alfred shook his head ruefully and let his large body rise from his office desk.

''If you're going to lead the Order, you'll probably see more of me like this. Let's talk to each other as much as we can at that time.''