That morning, breakfast felt more relaxed than usual.
Felt was still half-asleep, propping her chin with one hand while stirring the soup in her plate without actually eating it, while Reinhard sat straight as usual, reading a piece of paper just delivered by a servant—the schedule for the Wise Council meeting promised last night.
Merope, who had been quietly thinking about something since waking up, finally put down her spoon and turned toward Reinhard.
“Oh right, Reinhard,” she said, “if I look for a knight, does it have to be a guy? Or are there special requirements? Since I need to start building influence from now on.”
Reinhard lowered the paper in his hand, slightly surprised to hear that question arise so soon, but quickly returned to his usual calm expression.
“No, there are no requirements regarding that,” he answered.
“A knight can be male or female, anyone willing to dedicate their sword to you and whom you completely trust. The actual requirement is only one—that knight must be truly loyal to the candidate they choose until this selection concludes.”
Felt, who had still been half-asleep, now raised her head, interested in the topic.
“Hey, that’s true too. You’ve just been clinging to us since yesterday. If you want your own influence, you have to get your own people as well.”
“Yeah,” Merope nodded, nervously playing with the hem of her sleeve.
“I realized that last night too. Priscilla-sama and Anastasia-sama already looked like they had a lot of people supporting them yesterday. Crusch-sama too. I… I don’t have anyone besides the two of you.”
“You have me and Reinhard,” Felt interrupted quickly, a bit defensively.
“Yeah, I know, and I’m very grateful for that,” Merope smiled faintly at her, “but Reinhard already said it himself last night, he’s your knight, not mine. So if I’m serious about joining this selection, I have to start finding my own way too, right? It feels bad to keep freeloading.”
Reinhard looked at her for a moment, something resembling faint relief in his eyes—as if pleased to see Merope taking this step of her own will, rather than being pushed.
“In that case,” he said, “I can help introduce a few names to you, if you’d like. Though ultimately, the decision of who you trust must come from yourself.”
“I know a few people too,” Felt added, shrugging, “though most of them won’t want to work for a candidate who doesn’t even have a clear family name like you. You aren’t mad I said that, are you?” This story is hosted at novelping . com.
“No,” Merope shook her head with a thin smile, “that’s true, though. I really don’t have anything except my own name.”
That remark fell lighter than it should have, but both Felt and Reinhard caught something beneath it—the reality that the girl in front of them was truly starting everything from zero, without family, without wealth, without any history to show the world other than the kindness of her own heart.
“Later I want to go out, to find my own knight,” Merope replied.
“Are you sure you can go out alone?” Felt asked.
“Don’t worry! I can just use my power and teleport back here if I get lost,” Merope answered proudly.
“Your power is so practical, I’m getting jealous,” Felt replied, “well, it’s fine I suppose, you can’t really die anyway.”
“But remember, Merope, don’t use your power in obvious places,” Reinhard warned.
“Got it!”
Reinhard sighed softly, slightly softening his recent firm tone.
“I’m still worried about you walking alone. The capital is much busier than any village you’ve ever seen, and not everyone there is as kind as the people you’ve met so far.”
“I promise to be careful,” Merope nodded firmly, her eyes sparkling with hard-to-contain enthusiasm.
“Besides, I’m not as naive as I used to be. I’ve learned a lot from the two of you.”
“Your definition of ‘not naive’ is still a long way off, you know. But fine, try it out first. If anything happens, just run away using that power of yours, don’t be too proud.”
“Ready, Captain Felt!” Merope gave a playful salute, causing Felt to toss a small piece of bread at her, which Merope caught with a cheerful laugh.
Once breakfast concluded, Merope put back on her simple white cloth—the same fabric that had accompanied her since the day she woke up from the seal, with a dark blue cord wrapped around her waist as usual.
She briefly glanced at the row of royal dresses still neatly hanging in the corner of her dressing room, but without hesitation chose to keep wearing that cloth—far more comfortable, and for some reason, always felt like a part of herself she didn’t want to leave behind.
With light steps, she walked out of Reinhard’s Mansion, her heart beating with a mix of nervousness and excitement.
This was the first time since waking from the seal that she was truly walking alone without Reinhard or Felt by her side.
The capital streets were busy as usual—merchants shouting offers, children running between adults’ legs, and occasionally horse carriages passing by with the sound of wheels rumbling on cobblestone roads.
Merope walked slowly, her eyes sweeping every corner with a curiosity that had never truly vanished since her first day awake, though now mixed with a clearer purpose: finding someone, anyone, who might be trusted to stand by her side.
She didn’t know where to start.
There was no knight hall she could just walk into, no list of names to pick from like choosing fruit at a market.
So she just walked, letting her feet take her anywhere, until a small commotion at the corner of an alley caught her attention—the sound of someone clearly being ganged up on, interspersed with curses and rough footsteps.
Without thinking twice, Merope turned toward that alley, her innocence and sincerity once again driving her forward before any fear that should naturally belong to anyone in a similar situation.
…..
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