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VICE High Commander Phil Eva was a commoner before becoming a knight. He was also a doting husband and a loving father. He’d told his family to expect him home around noon tomorrow, as he’d taken the night shift today. Currently, he was heading towards the chivalric order’s barracks, considering taking a nap there until his shift began.
The king’s coronation had turned into a ball, and the high commander was on duty. Phil was scheduled to take his place later in the evening, but his shift hadn’t started yet. Even so, he spotted the honorable high commander racing towards the barracks.
“Commander?” Phil asked, cocking his head. “What’s wrong?”
Usually, High Commander Albert carried out his duties with perfect composure. Despite being over ten years younger than Phil, he excelled at his job. Yet Albert didn’t seem the least bit levelheaded or capable at that moment. His face was red as he sprinted towards the barracks like a racehorse.
“Had a little something to drink, did we?” Phil teased, since even a drop of alcohol could turn Albert’s face crimson. “And while on duty, no less!”
Ignoring the jest, Albert grabbed Phil’s shoulders. “I’ve really done it this time!”
As Albert let forth a shout of intense remorse, his grip caused Phil to sink into the ground.
Easy there!
Phil’s shift wouldn’t begin for another two hours. He would keep Albert company until then. After locking the door to one of the rooms in the barracks, Albert explained the series of events leading up to the present.
“Huh?” Phil asked. “You proposed?”
Albert averted his gaze and nodded curtly, his face flushed. Even his ears were red.
“I had no intention of saying anything,” Albert said. “What the hell was I thinking…?”
The high commander hardly ever swore. He must have been in a great deal of turmoil. That aside, Phil didn’t need to ask who Albert had proposed to. It had been Mary Edigma—the baron’s daughter—who’d worked as a handmaid for the chivalric order.
She was of the women called to the palace for Crown Prince Rizel’s fiancée selection. Regardless, she worked for the knights, as she hadn’t been interested in the prince. Phil spoke about this with a young noblewoman he’d befriended named Nicky, who’d come to the chivalric order with Mary. According to Nicky, Mary harbored feelings for Albert.
Personally, Phil hadn’t gotten that impression when observing Mary. Though she seemed to care about Albert, those feelings didn’t appear to be romantic. On the other hand, Albert thought fondly of Mary, thanks to her hardworking nature.
One day, Albert’s feelings shifted drastically. First, Prince Rizel began visiting Mary. This had merely been a rumor among the chivalric order, and thus, it hadn’t been credible. Yet, around that time, Albert’s behavior had changed. He showed more attachment to Mary than previously. At a glance, this might have seemed like an amicable master-servant relationship, but as Albert’s long-time friend, Phil knew the truth.
High Commander Albert had fallen in love with Lady Mary!
Confident in his belief, Phil relayed this to a trusted subordinate. Consequently, it became a widely discussed topic among the knights.
Later, something occurred, and Mary left to serve as a handmaid for the Rose Duchy. At this point, Albert’s melancholy was plain for everyone to see, not just Phil. That said, the country was in political turmoil at the time. A subsection of knights had assumed the source of Albert’s emotional distress to have been his involvement in the coup.
Incidentally, Phil cooperated with Albert to depose King Grey. When Albert approached him with the plan, Phil readily agreed, since he wanted to create a bright future for his beloved wife and daughter. As a result, a new king was installed, and the high commander would soon receive a peerage. The world had become a much more joyful place. So Phil needed to help Albert find happiness as well.
That being said…
“You really are clueless when it comes to love,” Phil remarked.
Albert didn’t respond.
“You’re popular with women, but you have no idea how to handle them,” Phil went on. “More than a few ladies have mistakenly thought you’d chosen them for a liaison and made a move.”
Phil had known Albert since he was a young knight in the chivalric order. The high commander had been too serious for his own good since his youth.
After Albert became a full-fledged adult, the number of women who came onto him skyrocketed. Phil saw how Albert dealt with these women. To be frank, he’d been terrible at it. Some women misread his signals and barged into his house, expecting a one-night stand. Meanwhile, others tried to sell themselves as potential wives.
Indeed, Albert suffered many painfully embarrassing experiences, but as of late, no one had glimpsed any women in his presence. So, when Albert suddenly fell in love, everyone in the chivalric order was shocked. Phil himself was the most stunned.
“You skipped asking her on a date and went straight for a proposal?” Phil asked.
Albert groaned. “If only I could go back in time.”
Phil increasingly pitied his dashing superior. “All right!” he cheered. “Leave everything to me, boss!”
“Say what?”
“I’ve been wanting to help you find a wife! And you know I always have your best interests at heart!”
As Albert listened to Phil’s excited chatter, he realized what he’d done. He’d been so distraught that perhaps he’d picked the wrong person to confide in. At the same time, Phil was a doting husband who’d married the love of his life. Albert didn’t know who to confide in, if not Phil. Furthermore, he couldn’t imagine anything worse happening than what he’d already done. What kind of fool proposed to a woman out of the blue?
Albert let out a heavy sigh. Mary’s appearance that night was burned into his mind. She’d radiated the beauty of a nighttime fairy bedecked in the most splendorous garments. As the reincarnation of Rosemary, she was the only woman to whom Albert would even consider pledging his loyalty.
Hearing her talk about marrying another man ignited his jealousy, compelling him to propose. Albert couldn’t think of another occasion in which his emotions had so gotten the best of him. The flush still hadn’t left his cheeks. He remained an emotional wreck even after his shift ended for the night.