The Amber Knight's Vow to the Saint's Left Hand - Chapter 1.5

Lynette Celies appeared to be quite adept at socializing.

Her parents and siblings greeted her warmly, and in response, Lynette wore that perfect smile of hers, offering subtle nods and gestures, smoothly continuing the conversation with well-timed responses.

No one would think that she lacked emotion after seeing her like this. She would fit in at a ball without any trouble, effortlessly becoming the center of attention like any proper young lady in high society.

On the other hand, Quill…

He clumsily rolled the finger bowl, confused a knife for a spoon, and choked when suddenly addressed. His father gave him an exasperated look while his mother tried to ease the tension, saying, “It’s just that he’s so excited with such a wonderful partner.”

Excited? More like I’m about to collapse.

The meal at the townhouse felt unsettling, especially when his fiancée, whose true feelings he couldn’t discern, was there. Trying to enjoy dinner under these circumstances was an impossible task.

Everyone at the table knew Lynette had no emotions, yet time passed peacefully. Sitting at the table, which felt like a miniature version of a ball, Quill chewed the fish, feeling as though he was eating sand, swallowing the food down with difficulty.

He had been thinking of the herb-roasted chicken they were having at the knight’s quarters that night. He suddenly longed for the familiar atmosphere of the mess hall.

“Why don’t you stay here at the mansion for a while?”

Quill, startled by his father’s suggestion, accidentally inhaled water and began to cough loudly. Lynette, sitting beside him, tried to pass him a napkin, but Quill waved it away with his right hand, using his own napkin to clean up instead.

“There’s night watch duty, and it takes a lot of time to get to the barracks from here.”

“However, spending time with Miss Lynette is important too.”

“There could be sudden beast hunts. It’s not ideal to come directly here after a hunt, and I can’t predict the time I’ll return.”

As a black knight, Quill’s duties were unpredictable, and no matter how much he helped others, it was always dirty work. Covered in bl00d and bodily fluids, injuries were common. Black knights usually lived at the barracks.

With the blessing of the saint, future hunts would likely decrease, and some knights might switch to living at home. However, Quill didn’t want to bring any taint into the Langbart family home.

His father surely knew about Quill’s stance on this. He hadn’t expected him to comment on where he lived at this stage. Could this be a side effect of the engagement?

“Surely you’ll stay here tonight, right?”

Even his mother was pressing him. After his life as a knight had settled down, there hadn’t been much pressure to stay at the family home, so Quill couldn’t think of a polite way to refuse.

Looking out the window, he saw the deep blue sky of nightfall.

Maybe I should have left earlier, he thought, beginning to rise. But just then, Adèle’s voice called out.

“Big Brother, I helped with the dessert tonight. I hope it’s to your liking.”

Sharp-eyed as always. Now that his sister had told him not to leave, there was no way out. Quill slumped his shoulders.

“I’ll return to the barracks in the morning.”

Across from him, Lars shook his shoulders with suppressed laughter. Next to him, his sister-in-law, Hilde, spoke up.

“In that case, we’ll all have breakfast together tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it.”

Even my sister-in-law has turned against me. When Quill looked at Hilde, desperate for support, he was met with the warmest of smiles.

He sighed as he looked up at the high ceiling, a habit he had grown used to. The height of it still unsettled him. He longed for a ceiling that felt lower, more oppressive.

“If everyone is concerned for me and trying to keep Quill here, please, don’t worry about it. I didn’t get engaged to interfere with a knight’s duties,” Lynette said.

Unexpectedly, he had found an ally.

Lynette glanced around the table and then turned her face toward Quill.

“Quill, please return to the knight’s quarters tonight. I’m sorry for taking up your time.”

Quill felt a strong sense of guilt.

Adèle’s cold gaze weighed heavily on him. It was as though he could hear her words: You’re making your fiancée worry like this. Big Brother, how could you?

“Tomorrow morning will be fine,” he muttered, his voice barely a whisper.

It was a completely defeated response, soft enough that Lynette might not have heard, but she picked it up clearly. She responded with a quiet apology, and Quill felt himself shrink even further.

The awkwardness was palpable, but Lars stepped in to ease the situation.

“If I don’t push him like this, my brother won’t even come near the mansion. He’s really using Miss Lynette as an excuse, truth be told.”

Lynette placed her hand over her mouth in surprise and then smiled brightly.

“I’m glad I could be of help.”

With that simple phrase, the atmosphere in the dining room lightened, and dessert was conveniently brought in.

Quill swallowed the strawberry torte, which Adèle had helped prepare, praising it as he ate. He endured the dinner until the very end, feeling the tightening pressure in his chest as the evening wore on.