The next day, on the way to the Royal Capital, Carlisle looked at Natsuki Subaru and Rem, who were trailing at the end of the procession. He frowned slightly and turned to Roswaal.
"Lord Roswaal, why are Subaru and Rem coming to the Royal Selection meeting?" he asked in a low voice. "I thought only the three of us would be attending."
Roswaal suddenly reached out and draped an arm over Carlisle's shoulder.
"Car," he drawled lazily. "They are important members of the family too~ It would be far too cruel to leave such lovely girls at home all alone~"
"But the Royal Selection meeting is a formal occasion after all..." Carlisle chose his words carefully. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Subaru awkwardly adjusting her skirt.
"Oh my~" Roswaal suddenly leaned closer. "Is our 'Perfect Knight' worried about some unexpected situation?" He chuckled and tightened his arm around Carlisle's shoulder. "Rem has been working at the mansion since she was very young, and as for Subaru... I truly approve of her~ To simply abandon them..."
Carlisle felt the pressure on his shoulder and sighed helplessly.
"I understand."
It seems he is determined to bring them along...
He took one last look at Rem, who was helping Emilia adjust her cloak, and Subaru, who was excitedly looking around at everything. He thought to himself.
Surely... nothing will go wrong?
Suddenly, a clear female voice broke the silence.
"I finally caught you! Carlisle! Stop right there!"
Everyone turned to look and saw a young girl in a bright yellow dress striding toward them with great energy. Her dazzling golden hair was carefully styled into a noble's updo, shimmering in the sunlight. She presented the perfect image of a young noble lady, if one ignored the gritted teeth on her face at that moment.
"Felt?" Carlisle's eyes lit up and genuine joy appeared on his face. "Long time no see. You look..."
Before he could finish speaking, Felt suddenly lifted her leg and delivered a fierce kick that landed squarely on Carlisle's shin.
Carlisle did not even budge. He did not frown either. Instead, he simply offered a helpless smile.
"It seems... you have some grievances with me."
"Grievances?" Felt's cheeks flushed with anger as she placed her hands on her hips. "When you abandoned me to that Sword Saint, why didn't you tell me what kind of suffering I would have to endure!"
Carlisle tilted his head in confusion.
"Reinhard mistreated you? That should not be the case..."
"That is not the problem!" Felt irritably tugged at the ribbon on her corset.
"Thanks to you, I do not have to steal things anymore. Old Man Rom lives in a house with a garden, and every day we eat delicacies I have never even seen before..."
Her voice suddenly rose.
"But!"
She suddenly jumped up and grabbed Carlisle by the collar.
"Why didn't you tell me that being a Royal Selection candidate meant learning all those cursed manners?!"
Felt gritted her teeth and began to rant.
"How to drink water, how to walk, even how to smile. They even dictate the exact curve of your lips! Are those nobles just bored out of their minds?!"
Subaru could not help but let out a small giggle from the side.
Roswaal, on the other hand, observed the entire scene with great interest.
Carlisle calmly adjusted his disheveled cravat.
"So... you skipped class?"
"That is none of your business!" Felt could not help but tear up slightly. "That red haired female Sword Saint is probably searching all over the Royal Capital for me right now. It is all your fault!"
With that, she raised her leg to kick him again.
"Lady Felt!"
A clear female voice, carrying a hint of helplessness, drifted over.
Felt froze instantly. Her raised leg quickly lowered, and she hurried behind Carlisle like a startled cat, peeking out cautiously from behind him.
Everyone turned to look.
Her fiery red hair resembled blazing flames. A very classic description. Her steps were light and graceful. Even though she wore a formal knight's uniform, there was no sense of cold arrogance about her. Instead, she felt like a kind older sister next door.
If one ignored the faint but reassuring aura of overwhelming power surrounding her.
After Reinhard approached, she first winked at Carlisle. A familiar smile appeared on her face, clearly happy to see her close friend.
However, her gaze quickly shifted to Felt.
"Lady Felt, the Royal Selection meeting is about to begin. Please do not leave my side without permission."
Felt pouted and reluctantly stepped out from behind Carlisle, muttering under her breath.
"I only came to see Carlisle... Why do I have to learn those super boring etiquette lessons for other people?"
Reinhard chuckled softly and reached out to ruffle Felt's head. Her movements were as affectionate as if she were coaxing her own younger sister.
"You still have to learn them even if they are boring. Who told you to become a Royal Selection candidate?"
Felt snorted softly but did not argue further.
Then Reinhard turned toward Emilia, placed one hand over her chest, and bowed slightly.
"Lady Emilia, I apologize for letting you witness such impropriety."
Next she looked at Carlisle. The amusement in her eyes deepened, and her tone became more relaxed.
"Carlisle, you are finally back in the Royal Capital. Felt has been talking about you non stop these past few days. I was almost getting jealous."
"Is that so? Then I am truly honored."
Felt immediately jumped up in protest.
"Who, who was talking about him! I just wanted to scold him!"
Reinhard smiled but said nothing. She simply gave Felt a gentle push on the back.
"Alright. It is time to go, Lady Felt."
Although Felt still looked reluctant, she obediently began walking.
Reinhard waved to everyone. Before leaving, she winked at Carlisle again and silently mouthed two words.
"See you later."
...
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