I, Reincarnate as the Leader of the Villainous Knight Order - Chapter 160: Reporting to Subordinates

Chapter 160: Reporting to Subordinates 

As I offered my elbow to escort her during our walk, Annabella blinked in surprise for a moment. Before she gently placed her hand on my arm. 

Heading toward a spot where flowers bloomed beautifully despite the lingering chill, Annabella began to chuckle softly along the way. 

“Is something the matter?” 

“No… Fufu. Forgive me if this sounds rude, but I never expected Lord Justin to escort a lady so naturally.” 

“Well… I’m still a noble, even if just barely. I’ve learned the basics of escorting a lady.” 

More accurately, my former self—Justin—had indulged in his share of dalliances with women. So I’d gained some level of familiarity…….. but that’s not something I could admit to Annabella. 

The women I’d been involved with had all been straightforward in their intentions. By now, they’re probably all married and living respectable lives as proper wives somewhere

“Well, you may already know, but… I’ve always…” 

Her words startled me. 

Wait, could she have been in love with me all along? 

“…despised you as if you were a snake or a scorpion.” 

“Well… yeah. Before I went to the Taleraan Margrave, I did cause a fair amount of trouble…” 

Even if it’s understandable why she disliked me, did she really have to say it with such a sweet, blushing face as though she were making a confession? 

While secretly taking mental damage, I kept my composure. 

“Yes, but when Lady Diane was nearly abducted, you told me I’d done well… That made me so happy. Until then, whenever I acted recklessly, everyone would worry and scold me. But no one had ever praised me before. After that, I started noticing all the other ways you were considerate. And my impression of you changed.” 

“Ha, so you were aware you were being reckless, huh? Not many noble ladies have the guts to act like you did.” 

I suppose being timid wouldn’t cut it for a palace maid. But her bold and straightforward demeanor is refreshing. 

On the other hand, I’m not fond of noblewomen who silently stare from the shadows. 

“Fufu, Lord Justin is the only one who would say that. Oh, it looks like tea has already been prepared in the gazebo! Let’s not let it get cold.” 

“Agreed.” 

In the pleasantly cool air, warmed by the sunlight, we chatted about various things. And before we knew it, time had flown by. 

When it was time to leave, I was informed that a carriage had been prepared. 

I’d been planning to hail a random street carriage, so this was convenient. 

As I greeted the Count and Countess Charette and boarded the carriage, Annabella joined me. 

Well, since this was the Charette family’s carriage and she’s my fiancée, it’s only natural for her to accompany me. 

“Come to think of it, Lord Justin riding a carriage is unusual, isn’t it? I feel like I’ve only ever seen you in knight’s attire, mounted on that beautiful white horse of yours.” 

“True, when I’m in knight’s attire, that’s how I travel. But riding a horse in these noble clothes would ruin the fit.” 

“My, so Lord Justin worries about such things!” 

“Hold on a second—what do you take me for?” 

I pride myself on maintaining decorum so as not to embarrass myself in front of my subordinates. 

Annabella giggled as I glared at her, a bit exasperated. 

She would never have responded this way when she despised me in the past. 

Since the Charette estate is located in the noble district, it didn’t take long to reach the Third Knight Order’s headquarters. 

Someone must have noticed the obviously noble carriage stopping in front of the barracks. Because a small crowd had gathered by the entrance when I got out. 

Surely, Arnault hadn’t been spreading rumors and gathering people to watch me return, right? 

“Well then, I’ll take my leave here. Though it’s close by, please be careful on your way back.” 

I got out of the carriage, took Annabella’s hand as she stepped down, and brought her fingers to my lips in a polite farewell gesture. 

The crowd behind me murmured in surprise. 

Annabella, too, seemed to notice the onlookers and chuckled softly. 

“Yes, until the formal meeting of our families. Lord Justin, it seems like things will be more challenging for you from now on.” 

“I knew this would happen sooner or later. It just so happened to be today.” 

“What would you do if I said I adore you so much that I truly wanted to marry you?” 

“…What?” 

For a moment, my mind went blank from hearing something so unexpected. 

“Fufu, just kidding.” 

“So, it was a joke… I must admit, the idea didn’t seem all that bad to me, though.” 

“Eh!?” 

I closed the carriage door and instructed the driver to depart. Through the window, I saw Annabella waving. So I waved back as I watched her leave. 

As I turned to head inside, I could hear the sound of multiple footsteps rushing toward me. 

“Captain! What’s going on!? Hey, is that person your fiancée!? She was looking at you with such love in her eyes!” 

The first one to open his mouth was Arnault. 

It seems he’d been curious about my activities ever since I left earlier. 

“Who is she?! Who would fall for someone like *you*?!” 

“What are you saying? Captain is good-looking and pretty popular! Unlike Simon!” 

“What was that!? Say it again, Marius!!” 

And with that, a sudden game of chase broke out. 

“Captain, just ignore those two and tell us what’s going on. Did you really get engaged? Those guys over there can’t focus because they’re dying to know.” 

Gaspard pointed his thumb toward a group of subordinates peeking at us from the entrance. 

It seems the curiosity about the truth wasn’t limited to my unit alone. 

“Alright. It’s almost dinnertime, isn’t it? I’ll explain in the dining hall after I get changed.” 

“Everyone! The Captain says he’ll talk during dinner!” 

As soon as I said that, Arnault ran off to spread the word. 

The group at the entrance disappeared after hearing the announcement. 

That evening at dinner, I officially announced my engagement to Annabella, the maid of Lady Diane. 

Most of my subordinates went out to drink and celebrate. They were calling it a toast to the good news. 

When I returned to my room to change, my heart was oddly loud in my chest. 

From that day on, I started hearing the term “big sis” echo through the barracks. 

I wanted to believe it was all just my imagination.