Became the Escort Knight That the Princesses Were Obsessed With

1 – 1. Knight Inauguration Ceremony (1)

Hot sunlight pours onto the bed.

Maybe it’s because of the heat, but I manage to open my tightly shut eyes.

“….”

An unfamiliar ceiling comes into view.

It’s not Irina’s palace.

If it were, dust would have been pouring from a hole in the ceiling made by my strike.

“Where is this….”

A shabby bunk bed.

There are clothes hanging around, probably belonging to a roommate who shared this room with me.

Among those clothes is an activity uniform for a candidate student as well.

At that moment, I realized,

This place is a student dormitory.

I quickly sit up.

Anxiety washes over me.

While looking around dazedly, my gaze lands on a mirror hanging on the wardrobe.

And then….

I come face-to-face with myself from childhood,

specifically when I was just twenty and an aspiring knight candidate.

“Is this some kind of flashback?”

I’ve heard that when facing death,

you tend to reflect upon your life up until now.

Is this what’s happening now?

‘This feels too real to be an illusion…’

With trembling heart, I look around the quiet dormitory again.

The shabby beds used by commoner candidates,

and wooden practice swords leaning against the wall…

The atmosphere of our greenhorn days as students remains intact here.

“This is…”

Suddenly, I find a set of uniform that seems out of place with its surroundings.

No affiliation mark has been attached yet on its chest part—

A candidate who took out his uniform in advance—

Usually such day happens only once—

The day one becomes an official knight—”Ha.”

When realizing it’s flashback time; bitter laughter naturally escapes from me

Becoming princess’s knight must have been something regrettable for me

Because becoming her escort twisted my life since then

My gaze drops down to uniform held in hand

As if asking me to wear it; uniform seems bathed in sunlight

‘Should I put it on first?’

Slowly inserting arm into sleeve

Maybe because it’s when i was twenty; body seems little thinner than before

Well at that time i was poor commoner candidate after all

After dressing up and looking at full-length mirror

Music from palace can be heard through window

Source of music beyond window was magnificent star palace

I know that music

How could i not as knight

It’s music announcing inauguration ceremony

Enchanted by familiar melody; stepped out from dormitory

Heading towards star palace; source of music

On way there; usually bustling corridor hallway seems unusually quiet

Upon slowly opening door and entering castle ; lavish tables are lined up in long row

In front of table; candidates in uniform are standing like chess pieces according to ranks

“Vale, over here!”

Cain, my roommate from student days

Thanks to his call; naturally able to join ranks

“What were you doing being this late?”

Brown curly hair and freckles on nose bridge

Seeing his face after long time naturally brings smile on my face

“Seems like I overslept.”

Answered leisurely to his urgent question

“Kid, you should have known when it’s going be nervous night”

Soon royal knights enter set star palace one by one

Golden helmets and splendid epaulettes

Seeing young days of those with whom i fought bloody battles feels strange.

“General Valderian is entering. Everyone, be prepared!”

At the grand words of the Imperial Guard Captain, all knight candidates tense up in unison.

They maintain their stance with utmost concentration, rigidly looking straight ahead.

The clanking sound of iron boots.

A splendid helmet with a lion’s head resting on his hip.

A giant man cloaked in a red cape walks into the palace.

His entrance silences even the bustling Star Palace filled with numerous people.

“Today is the day you have been eagerly awaiting – your assignment day.”

The Grand General, Valderian.

He stands at the center of the table and scrutinizes us intently.

Despite being middle-aged, his gaze is as intense as it was in his youth.

In fact, he even seems majestic like an alpha lion.

‘Old man, you were vigorous back then.’

Five years from now, when civil war broke out over the throne,

I fought for Irina while he stood by the Crown Prince’s side.

At that time I had reached the level of a Swordmaster which allowed my young self to emerge victorious.

Even he must have been low-ranking at this time to be conducting this ceremony.

“When Princesses arrive demonstrate your worth to fullest extent.”

Princesses.

Just hearing about them makes men’s hearts flutter.

Their imminent arrival makes eyes of candidate students sparkle.

“And no matter where you’re assigned serve honorably and do your best. Anyone who requests a transfer will die by my hand.”

He harshly sets down his lion helmet on table

Some knights flinch at that sound

‘Honor….’

Surely it would apply to those in white uniforms – 1st candidate knights

They are proud nobles obsessed with honor

But we are 2nd candidate students dressed in navy uniforms,

Mostly commoners by birth

Our fate isn’t becoming escorts for princesses but rather being banished to remote areas

Best case scenario would be becoming capital defense knights under Valderian

At least then we could stay in capital

Of course these young commoner peers wouldn’t know this fact

Regardless of their backgrounds; their eyes are only filled with princesses

“Hey who do you want to be assigned?”

While lost in thought Cain whispered softly

Fellow commoner; seems excited just at prospect of seeing princesses up close

His face couldn’t hide excitement

Of course I too worked doggedly hard hoping for attention from princesses

Thanks to which despite being lowest rank was able become knight for Irina who’s royalty

But…

Ran fingers over cheek where her tears had fallen

Feels like can still feel sensation

Remembering all memories associated with Irina

Don’t want to become escort for any other princess again

Don’t want repeat those sad moments again

“There’s no point hoping for Princess given my background . It’d be good enough if can stay in capital.”

“Eh- Given your skills you could easily become Princess’s escort.”

Cain retorted somewhat louder

“Enough . I just want live long and thin life”

From noble mtl dot com

Answered Cain’s question by patting his shoulder. But had no choice but to open eyes wide again

Annoying voices could be heard from behind

“Glad you know your place.”

Those in white uniforms – 1st candidate knights

They sneered at us with low voices so Valderian wouldn’t hear

“Lowly commoners like you aren’t worthy of princesses.”

At their attitude Cain grinded his teeth

“Cain, don’t bother with them. We will be the ones at loss.”

I quietly stopped Cain.

Then they started mocking us even more

“Oh, it might be possible. If it’s second princess”

Second…?

News that even commoners can become escorts for princess made Cain’s eyebrows twinkle.

“What, is there problem with second Princess?”

Hesitated momentarily at ‘second’ talk

And then answered while blankly staring into space

“Second Princess is a discarded Princess.”

“Discarded Princess…?”

Except for Irina all other princesses have mothers who are foreign royalty

Thanks to which they have solid support both domestically and internationally

But Irina…

Her mother was a commoner

No one was there to push forward such a half-blooded princess

Once frail Emperor dies she would truly be left alone

“Yes, something like that.”

I gave a bitter smile, patting my colleague’s shoulder.

I wanted to explain more, but the general’s call forced me to close my mouth.

“Everyone, stand in your places!”

The thunderous cry of Valderian.

Following his outcry, we all straightened our postures.

The silence fell upon the Star Palace.

Intense sunlight poured through the ornate stained glass windows.

Then the grand doors opened wide.

First to catch my eye was long golden hair glowing in the brilliant sunlight.

Then came a navy-blue dress and a modest blouse.

A faint sapphire embedded in her chest indicated her high status.

Princess Leah Andalusia, first princess.

Her pale face was adorned with sharp blue eyes.

At 24 years old this year, she looked at the new knights with her long eyes.

As Leah’s lips curled up into a smile, some knights’ lips twitched in response.

She greeted them with an elegant gesture and then calmly took her seat at the table guided by royal knights.

Leah was known as one of most formal and beautiful among royal family members.

But no one knew about ambition hidden behind that beauty.

“Third Princess Lydia Andalusia is entering!”

Someone announced in an awkward imperial language from behind door.

Thereafter woman wearing ruby-colored dress confidently entered palace

Eastern-style knights wearing turbans accompanied her on either side

Third Princess Lydia Andalusia

Unlike Leah’s calm and graceful entrance Lydia’s entry was quite lively

Her footsteps echoed like Middle Eastern music

Whether it be past or future she always remained tomboyish

Lydia scanned men around confidently

And then unceremoniously sat down on second princess’s seat

“Why are kids so skinny this year?”

Lydia who just turned nineteen this year,

She crossed arms alone and scanned knight candidates

“They all look weak.”

All candidate students tried their best to stare into space

But their gazes were magnetically drawn towards two beautiful princesses

It’s natural for men

But why…

My head kept facing towards still closed door

As if waiting for someone

Two princesses were waiting for last protagonist

However grand door remained silent even after long wait

In elongated silence Leah checked time on pocket watch

Lydia yawned with eyes closed

“Shall we start now?”

Valderian sitting at corner of table asked politely

At which Leah nodded with unique thin gaze

“Alright then….”

Valderian cleared throat announcing commencement of ceremony

Matching him all knights put energy into their bodies

However right at that moment

Valderian shut his open mouth again

Because grand door which had been firmly shut opened once again

Dust floated under sunlight

Beyond dust silhouette of delicate woman emerged

No one stood by her side

Not even person who would announce her name existed

However woman carrying briefcase walked confidently into Star Palace

“I apologize for being late.”

Still beautiful silver hair

Modest white dress

And captivating green eyes which attracted everyone’s attention

“I am second Princess Irina Andalusia.”

In palace filled with dozens of knights

Princess introduced herself alone

Moment I saw Irina’s face

Thought that maybe this situation wasn’t a replay of past events crossed my mind

Because her appearance was as vivid as day she died