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Riftan’S POV - Under The Oak Tree - Chapter 23
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“I’ll be able to eat and drink something good for the whole month.” Hebaron walked up to a horse behind him and murmured in an expectant voice.
Riftan took a deep breath as he entered the castle. It was a return after almost 10 years. Now that a familiar place appeared in his field of vision, old memories awoke in his mind.
He looked around, neatly arranged shrubs and colourful flowers in full bloom lined the pathway in a neat and orderly manner. As he passed through the stunningly beautiful garden, the Château of the Duke of Croix emerged.
“I have heard of the reputation of this place, but still it is astonishing.” Even Uslin, belonging to a prestigious family, looked up at the splendid fortress and exclaimed in admiration.
They dismounted their horses, handed the reins to the servants and walked up the marble steps in a row. Passing through an oval doorway that reached 20 kbet (about 6 m), they came to a hall lit by thousands of candles spread out inside the enclosure.
Riftan looked up and looked around. It was a landscape that seemed to bring together all the luxuries that common people could only imagine. A huge chandelier sprayed light from the vaulted ceiling, the hallway had dozens of glass windows, and golden armour lined the white plaster walls. As he walked down them with a half-tired face, an arrogant voice echoed over his head.
“I heard the news of victory. After having had many hardships.”
The Duke of Croix was slowly descending the stairs with the guards.
“The Royal Knights arrived first last night and are taking a rest. I will also give them a room, so for today relax. “
“Thank you for your consideration.” Triden stepped forward and said politely.
The Duke de Croix looked at them as if they were nothing and then shook his head at the standing maidens.
“Show the guests to their rooms.”
Dozens of maidens descended the stairs, tapering terrifyingly without losing order. As they walked through the great hall following his guidance, a group of noble ladies suddenly appeared before their eyes watching them from the first floor and smiling.
“Were they wives of the knights who came to attend the banquet?” Riftan frowned with a feeling of disgust as he felt like he was being entertained.
At that moment, a woman at the end of the corridor caught his attention.
He stopped walking. She was hidden in a place where the light did not reach, so he could not see her face in detail, but he could clearly see that her hair was as dark red as red wine.
Suddenly, he swallowed dry saliva, feeling as if his grip tightened. As he walked towards her without knowledge, the woman slipped behind the pillars, showing signs of embarrassment.
“Sir Calypse, where are you headed?” Gabel Laxion asked him firmly and with a puzzled expression.
Riftan was barely conscious and turned around. “… Nowhere.”
It may or may not be her. Either way, what does it matter? Riftan was still struggling with his memories from 10 years ago. But even when he entered the room and took a break, his feelings of anxiety did not fade.
Annoyed, he shook his head and opened the window wide. In a moment, he watched a cart of horse dung or firewood being dragged across a wide yard. Suddenly, looking at the scene, he thought of the dramatic changes he had made to his life. When he fled he could not imagine that he would return as a knight.
“May I come in for a moment?”
He was preoccupied with his thoughts when he heard the commander’s voice from outside the door. Riftan slowly opened the door.
At that moment, Triden, who was dressed in an elegant and distinguished suit, looked him up and down and sighed deeply.
“I knew he would dress like that, what am I surprised about?”
Riftan looked at his attire and narrowed his eyes. The dark blue tunic, black trousers and long-collared cowhide boots were among the nicest and cleanest of his clothes. He raised an eyebrow at his boss as if questioning him. Triden shook his head.
“Are you going to the feast in the banquet hall?”
Riftan snorted, leaning a shoulder against the door.
“I don’t think so. Don’t you know I’m uncomfortable around nobles?”
“Calypse, this is a victory feast. No matter what anyone else says, you’re the leader of a group that defeated the invaders from…”
“The person who organised the banquet doesn’t believe it.”
The commander made a stern expression at the cynical response.
“I have already repeated it many times, but I am thinking of handing over the position of Knight Commander to you. This also means that you will have responsibility for all the duties that come with it, as soon as the succession ceremony is over and you have to deal with the nobles. So today I cannot make excuses for you not to attend.”
“I am not fit for the post of commander. That post is for those with a more appropriate status…”
“Now, are you saying you will ignore the rules of the Knights?” Triden spoke in a harsh tone.
Riftan shut his mouth. It was the unwritten rule of the Remdragon Knights, which was to determine the knights’ rank depending on their ability. Even if he refused to serve as a commander, the other members would not agree.
Finally, Riftan sighed and stepped aside to allow him to enter the room.
“What do you want me to do?”
“First, we should start with the attire.”
He chuckled and motioned to the apprentice waiting in the hallway. Riftan groaned as he looked at the pile of clothes on the boy’s arm. Triden tapped him on the shoulder with a thick palm and burst out laughing.
“Even though you are hopelessly impersonal, don’t you have a beautiful face with a pair of eyes that open wide? You have to make full use of the weapons you have?”
“You want to watch me humiliate myself in front of a lady?” Riftan replied reluctantly.
The commander snorted and set the colourful clothes down in front of him. “You have a bad habit of thinking like that. It is not a humiliating act to dress well and show off your charms in front of noble ladies.”
“May I leave that task to Sir. Nirta? If there is a lady, her eyes will light up.”
Triden sighed. “That fellow can’t handle it. The other day in front of me, he proudly flirted with a lady. The girl’s fiancé was outraged and a disturbing fight almost ensued. If I could, I would like him not to attend the banquet hall today.”
“Then Rikaido…”
“Calypse!” He shouted. “Don’t let me say it again. You can’t take a step back today. You are the number one contributor to the Eastern Front. The Eastern nobles should pay homage to you. I will take this opportunity to keep your name firmly in the minds of the conservative nobles.” With a solemn face, he pulled out some soft silk socks. “So wear them.”
Finally, he could not evade his leader’s command, so he wore shiny socks that extended to his calf and wore a tunic with colourful embroidery. As if the castle wasn’t already full of decorations, the commander even handed him a hat with a feathered trim. Riftan scowled arrogantly as if it was disgusting.
“I’d rather be hung than wear it on my head!”
As if the commander didn’t want to change his mind, he placed the hat on the bed.
Riftan sighed nervously as he looked at himself in the mirror with an unpleasant look. He felt like he was dressed as a clown. However, Triden nodded with a happy smile and satisfied with his appearance.
“Because you’re dressed like this, you’re as handsome as any other man. Now all you have to do is fix those harsh words.”
“…. I’ll try to keep my mouth shut as much as possible.”
Riftan replied bluntly, picked up the cloak the apprentice was holding and slung it over his shoulder. Outside the window, there was deep darkness.
He followed the leader into the banquet hall and looked away. Every corner of the castle glowed brightly.
“How many candles are lit in a single night?”
While he was having such useless thoughts, the commander tapped him on the shoulder and issued a stern warning again.
“From now on, I will introduce you to the influential eastern nobles one by one. I have repeated it a lot, but cut yourself off.”
“I will do my best.”
Riftan sighed and entered the banquet hall. At that moment, people’s eyes flew to him.
Looking at him as if he was staring at something strange, Riftan barely showed a distorted gesture. Hundreds of nobles gathered in the great hall. The commander began to introduce them one by one. Did he really plan to introduce all the nobles to him?
He was completely focused on finding a way to escape, when suddenly the Duke of Croix stood in the middle of the banquet hall. And before his sight appeared a woman in a dark green dress standing next to the duke.
Riftan felt as if he had been knocked on the head. He thought he would meet her, but he had firmly vowed not to give it deep meaning. However, when he saw the redhead, his face went white.
“Will she reach chest height?” She was still small. However, he changed his mind when he ran his eyes over her and stopped at her waist, she seemed to have grown quite a bit. Riftan felt his mouth go dry for some reason and adjusted the robe that was pulled tightly around his neck.
“It would be best to formally greet the Duke of Croix.”
As if feeling nervous, Triden sent a warning glance. Riftan barely nodded.
The commander led him across the banquet hall until he stood in front of the duke.
“Thank you for arranging such a splendid banquet, Duke of Croix.”
“I simply did what deserved to be done for the heroes who defended this land.” The nobleman turned graciously and raised his chin arrogantly.
Riftan turned slowly towards her and forgot to breathe.