“Lukbar, I’m sorry for how mean my knights are acting. Usually, they’re very well mannered. The reason they’re behaving like this is for my sake. I hope you can think of it as their way of showing loyalty and forgive them, okay?”
Everyone’s eyes grew wide with astonishment when they heard what I said. It even caused Scheat, Fackt, and Miaplacidus to wipe their eyes as if deeply overcome with emotion.
“Is she for real? To think the princess is that in tune with how we feel.”
“Indeed, any other liege would be reprimanding us for such behavior.”
“Amazing, defending a bunch of rampaging knights like that! Our princess truly is an angel!”
After hearing the words of his three comrades, a smile flickered across Mirach’s face.
“I wouldn’t expect any less from our wonderful Princess Serafina!”
On the other hand, Lukbar bowed his head low to the ground, his face ashen.
“Your Highness, there’s no need for you to explain their behavior. It’s only natural for them to say bad things about me. I…had misjudged you, and I said horrible things about you both to their faces and within the First Knight Brigade. I am deeply sorry.”
“You said horrible things? Like what?”
Perhaps the reason my knights had been acting so aggressive toward Lukbar was because they didn’t want these “horrible things” reaching my ears. That’s likely why they were insulting him without mentioning anything specific. I was curious about just what it was they were trying to hide, but when I asked that question, my knights reacted with panic.
“P-Princess! That’s not knowledge you need to pursue!”
“Everything Lukbar said was unfounded, so no good will come of hearing it!!”
“Hmm? But if he’s misunderstood me, shouldn’t I clear things up so he doesn’t remain mistaken?”
Lukbar and I had never interacted, so it was only natural that he didn’t know much about me. Given that, if he had gotten the wrong impression, wasn’t it my responsibility to set the record straight? I intently gazed at him as I considered the situation.
When he finally opened his mouth and began to speak, his words sounded slow and disheartened. “I…I may have suggested that you weren’t living at the palace because there was something wrong with you.”
“Hmm? That’s not a misunderstanding; it’s the truth. From when I was born until just recently, I was blind. I was sent to the villa so that I could live in peace.”
“What?!”
“Huh?!”
“No way…”
Seeing how flustered the knights became reminded me that my blindness was supposed to be a secret. I quickly pressed my hands to my mouth, as if trying to shove the words back in.
“Oh! My brothers and sister don’t know that, though. I was told to keep it quiet because others might think it was a sign of weakness. So, uh, please don’t tell anyone, okay?”
All of the knights nodded emphatically, which filled me with relief.
“Princess Serafina,” Mirach piped up, his face full of concern, “may I ask you something that might not be…pleasant? Are your eyes fully healed now?”
Oh, he’s worried about me, I thought.
“Yup! They got all better while Sirius was visiting me at the villa!”
“Thank goodness!” the knights chorused.
They looked so relieved that I couldn’t help but feel guilty for making them worry so much. I was internally scolding myself when Scheat hesitantly posed another question.
“Is there a chance your vision could worsen again? If there’s anything we can do to prevent that from happening, could you let us know in advance?”
“I don’t think that’s going to be a problem. The reason I couldn’t see was because of the Spirit Lord’s Blessing. It’s not like it was an illness.”
My attempt at reassuring the knight that I wouldn’t go blind again was met with confusion.
“The Spirit Lord’s Blessing?”
“But Princess Serafina, you were blind. How could that be called a blessing?”
It was such an obvious question that I couldn’t help but smile as I replied.
“It was The Spirit Lord’s way of helping me connect with the world of spirits. Not being able to see allowed me to understand the spirit language.”
“Ooh!”
“So that’s what that was all about!”
The knights let out a groan. They seemed to finally connect all the dots, and they spoke in unison when they finally understood.
“That’s right! You were making all those strange sounds when you conversed with the First Spirit Lord at his palace!”
In contrast to my knights, who appeared satisfied with my explanation, Lukbar blinked rapidly, clearly confused. However, instead of clarifying things, my knights closed in around him with scowls on their faces. They started speaking in much lower voices than usual, as if they were trying to threaten him.
“Hey, Lukbar. You heard her! Our princess was sent to the villa because she had such an incredible gift that she couldn’t live at the castle!”
“She received the Spirit Lord’s Blessing, a rare endowment that allows her to communicate with spirits. That’s why she was kept hidden in the forest and away from the royal capital—to make sure no one could abduct her.”
“Understood? Then don’t say a word of this to anyone! If the princess’s abilities get out, nothing good will come of it!”
I couldn’t believe the audacity of my knights. Of course, I applauded them for digesting everything I said so quickly, but they were using that information to intimidate Lukbar.
Hmm, I guess my knights are a real bunch of troublemakers, I moaned internally.
It seemed my judgment was spot-on, because Lukbar, pale and visibly shaken by the threats, remained kneeling on the ground, nodding in agreement to all their demands.