The Amber Knight's Vow to the Saint's Left Hand - Chapter 1.1

It had been a long time since Quill had last visited the Langbart family townhouse.

Due to its inconvenient location on the outskirts of the royal capital and Quill’s own discomfort, he rarely returned. He was content living in the room assigned to him at the knight’s quarters, and the spacious rooms at the townhouse felt unsettling.

He vaguely remembered being called to the house last during a ball in late autumn. The chestnut trees beyond the walls swayed, their pale pink blossoms in bloom. Spring had arrived without him realizing.

As soon as Quill entered the mansion, a sharp, piercing shout reached his ears.

“Honestly! Why are you so late returning!”

From the top of the stairs just beyond the entrance hall, Nicola yelled.

Those in the mansion, from the steward to the gardener, were all considered family. It was a tradition in the Langbart family, and Nicola, though a housemaid, was like an older sister to Quill.

“Is there a problem? I got back just in time for dinner.”

“It’s not just ‘something’! On such an important day, why does Lord Quill have to make an appearance at the knights’ barracks?”

“Because I’m a knight,” Quill replied, somewhat confused.

As a black knight of the Aikrant Kingdom, Quill commanded a squad. He could not understand why he was being scolded for fulfilling his duties.

However, Nicola did not seem pleased with Quill’s answer. She raised her right fist and shook it angrily.

“You were supposed to have the day off, weren’t you?”

“A day off doesn’t mean ‘take a break’ exactly.”

“That’s just a roundabout way of saying you should take the day off! Lord Quill, today is the day you’re supposed to welcome your fiancée, right? She’s already here!”

Nicola hurried down the stairs, circling around behind Quill and starting to push him. Of course, with the difference in their physiques, Quill’s body didn’t budge an inch.

“Come on! Hurry up! The saint is waiting for you in your room!”

“My room, you mean?”

“What are you thinking? She’s in your room! The letter from your father said she’s moving in from the temple!”

Quill began to recall the details. He must have received a letter about it amidst the stack of papers. Perhaps it had been buried beneath some magic books or used as a bookmark. Regardless, it was a done deal now, and there was nothing Quill could do to object.

Feeling rushed, Quill reluctantly began climbing the stairs. It was true that Nicola had stalled him with her long-winded talk, but he didn’t say it out loud. All he needed to do today was meet his fiancée, have dinner together, and exchange pleasantries. That should be enough to fulfill his role.

The saint, as Nicola had mentioned, had been assigned to a room next to Quill’s bedroom at the far end of the mansion. Quill couldn’t help but feel somewhat incredulous that she was placed in the room next to his. However, since he would return to the knight’s quarters the next day, it wasn’t a big issue.

“Miss Celies, it’s Nicola. Lord Quill has arrived!”

At Nicola’s call, a sound from inside the room indicated that someone had moved.

Quill placed his hand on the sword hanging from his waist and motioned for Nicola to step back. He pushed the door open.

Inside, there were furnishings and decorations that made it clear that a lot of effort had gone into preparing the room. A beautifully designed mirror caught the eye, and the canopy bed had been set up just in time. It was clear that the Langbart family was committed to making this work. Quill’s mother, who had half given up on him ever marrying, probably didn’t want to let this opportunity slip by.

A woman sitting in front of the vanity turned as Quill entered. Her long, silver-blonde hair shimmered like threads of high-quality silk, catching the light in waves. She looked at him, and her deep sea-blue eyes met his.

Her skin was so pale that it almost seemed untouched by the sun, and her lips were full and rosy.

She was beautiful. In fact, she was exceedingly beautiful.

Quill immediately assessed his fiancée. He had heard the rumors, but being the saint, she was bound to be overly praised. Still, with her looks, she would be the talk of high society even without her title as the saint.

“Ahhh!”

A high-pitched scream came from right behind Quill.

“I-I’ll take care of it right away!”

Nicola rushed off in a flurry, but Quill knew that Nicola was a competent maid. Even though she was young, Quill felt relieved knowing that she had been entrusted with attending to the saint. He knew that it was safe to leave it in her hands.

Despite Nicola’s hurried exit, Quill was just as confused as Nicola. He couldn’t understand what his fiancée was doing.

Her arms were exposed up to the elbows, and in her right hand, she held a small knife. Bl00d was dripping from the tip of her left thumb, running down her arm in a red line. She held her right wrist against her left elbow, seemingly to prevent the bl00d from spilling onto the floor.

Quill’s mind immediately jumped to the possibility of self-harm.

Was it because she couldn’t bear the unwanted engagement? But, after all, it was she herself who had brought this engagement upon herself, as the Crown Prince had said.

Now that she was here, was it her future in-laws she couldn’t stand, or was it the room she found displeasing?

Perhaps it was the location. The townhouse was far from the commercial district of the capital, and while there was plenty of greenery, it couldn’t be called glamorous.

Or maybe it was the maid. Nicola was competent, but it was true she sometimes appeared a bit restless.

Lost in these disorganized thoughts, Quill approached his fiancée.

He pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped the bl00d from her elbow down to her wrist, then lightly wrapped her left hand, from where the bl00d had originated.

“Miss Lynette Celies, is that correct?”

“Yes. There is no mistake.”

What a thing. Even her voice sounds like a saint’s.