The Tyrant Won’t Let Me Go Chapter 65

 

I almost pulled my hand back for a moment as Cedric’s strength seemed to engulf everything in front of me.

 

But instead of biting my hand, Cedric bit down on the sapphire ring on my ring finger with a motion so soft and smooth that it was almost unbelievable.

 

The ring came off in a matter of seconds.

 

A moment later, he popped it into his mouth and grinned mischievously.

 

“Uh, you shouldn’t swallow that!”

 

Then he smirked and pulled the ring out of his mouth.

 

“I know, don’t worry, I’m not trying to steal it.”

 

No, I wasn’t really worried about that.

 

It would be dangerous if he swallowed it by mistake.

 

“Just.”

 

He stepped closer and whispered. And with his thumb, he gently rubbed the engraved ring finger of my left hand.

 

As if trying to erase the marks left by the sapphire ring.

 

“I want this finger still free.”

 

His eyes glowed red, and a pattern of green shone through them.

 

I sighed, watching Cedric stare at it with satisfaction.

 

“Well, what can I do, everyone who finds it will misunderstand, and I can’t even explain it to them anymore.”

 

“Then why don’t we take this opportunity to actually get engaged, so we don’t have to explain to people that we’re not?”

 

Caliberne exclaimed.

 

[Wow, such miraculous logic.]

 

‘Indeed.’

 

Cedric certainly has a cool, level-headed image among the Ministers, so why does he only spout nonsense like this when it makes sense?

 

It’s obvious it’s crap, but the way he says it with such unwavering sincerity makes it seem like it’s not.

 

“Forget it, I’m an idiot for expecting anything from you, go back to practicing.”

 

“Oh, wait, there’s still a bargain.”

 

“You’re not killing time because you don’t want to practice, are you?”

 

“No, I’m not. I just need you to listen to this one thing.”

 

Looking at Cedric suspiciously, he assured me that he would indeed go to practice once we were done talking about this.

 

“Okay, just hold on a second.”

 

He said, squeezing my left hand.

 

Then he casually pulled something out of his sleeve and slipped it on my finger.

 

“There you go.”

 

On my finger, he slipped a diamond ring that looked like it was worth a fortune.

 

It was a reddish, top-quality diamond.

 

“What are you doing now?”

 

“Putting it back in my sleeve.”

 

His nonchalant answer made my bones crackle.

 

“No. I can’t accept this, so take it back.”

 

Cedric hid his hands behind his back.

 

“It’s non-returnable, and even if you take it to the Treasury, they’ll never accept it, and you know it.”

 

“No, really… Is it okay to be so lavish with your gifts to your subjects?”

 

“It’s a common courtesy of a ruler to reward his subjects who do a good job.”

 

And with that, he stood up, heavily laden.

 

“Give me that ring back, or cover the mark of the oath with a ring other than the one I gave you, and I will give you something more expensive.”

 

With that, Cedric left me dumbfounded and went back to practicing, looking immensely satisfied.

 

🗡️

 

“Thank you for coming, Captain Minerva.”

 

Persephine smiled broadly.

 

‘Hehe, you have a lovely smile…’

 

It’s nice, but…

 

“I’m so happy to be able to have tea with you and your majesty.”

 

“I agree, Princess.”

 

Why am I caught between these two?

 

A Knight Commander awkwardly sandwiched between the Princess of a nation and the Emperor of an empire.

 

To others, I’m sure they’ll ask, ‘What kind of combination is this?’

 

‘Why on earth did the princess insist on calling me…?’

 

Of course, I figured she wanted to be close to Cedric.

 

Ackeletta would have put pressure on her to try to build a connection with Cedric.

 

But to put me in a golden opportunity to be alone with him?

 

‘The princess said she wanted me to come, and I couldn’t say no…’

 

Eh, who knows?

 

She must think I’m a good person to invite me.

 

Maybe I should use the princess’s fondness for me to convince her that Cedric here was a harmless man.

 

If I manage to get them to stop fighting, at least there won’t be a war.

 

“It’s very kind of you two to call me here.”

 

I greeted them with an awkward smile, and the princess shook her head and smiled back.

 

“No, as I told the Emperor, I really wanted to call on you, and he graciously granted my request.”

 

“Indeed. And as I always say, Minerva, you’re fit for this place, so don’t feel pressured.”

 

No pressure, but how could it be?

 

So this describes what it’s like to be a subordinate who’s awkwardly stuck in the middle of the room with your boss and one of his most important clients.

 

“By the way, I didn’t realize the princess liked you so much, and you haven’t even met her that long.”

 

“It’s because she’s been so nice to me. She’s been giving me sword lessons.”

 

Cedric raised an eyebrow at Persephine’s answer.

 

“Really?”

 

“Yes. The others have helped a lot, but Captain Minerva has been especially supportive.”

 

“No, I didn’t do much.”

 

It was a bit of flattery, but Persephine smiled broadly and told me not to feel overwhelmed.

 

When I saw that bright spring sunshine smile, I briefly considered naturalizing as an Ackeletta.

 

But I stopped thinking about it, knowing that if I did, Cedric would come after me with an axe.

 

“I’ve also been going to the lake you took me to the other day, and every time I visit, I feel so refreshed and like my ailments are being cured.”

 

“I’m glad you like it, I go there a lot too.”

 

“Oh, I see. I’ll go with you next time! Felix too!”

 

Looking at his childlike favorite Persephine, Cedric put down his teacup and spoke in a calm voice.

 

“Princess, while I appreciate your kindness to someone I care about, I do wish you would not covet so much adornment.”

 

Cedric looked like he’d been torched in the slightest.

 

Of course, it was so subtle that it would be hard for anyone who hadn’t known Cedric long enough or had a good sense to recognize it.

 

“Your Majesty, the Princess didn’t mean it that way.”

 

“Ah, of course, Your Majesty should come with us, for it is only fitting that you should come with us when Captain Minerva does.”

 

Cedric shifted his stance in an instant at Persephine’s shrewd remark.

 

“I see. The princess is very well-spoken.”

 

“No, Your Majesty.”

 

[Don’t you think those two have a nice little chemistry?]

 

Caliberne, who had been listening to their conversation, turned to me.

 

‘Hmm… I must admit, they seem to be getting along better than I expected.’

 

[Oh, really? That’s surprising.]

 

Caliberne said, in a voice of wonder.

 

[That Princess went from not being able to make eye contact with that Emperor, who looked bloodless and tearless, to now being quite comfortable talking to him].

 

‘That’s right, it’s great.’

 

Now if they could just see eye to eye, that would be wonderful, and if not, so be it.

 

Just getting to know each other makes things so much better.

 

Even though Ackeletta strongly wants Persephine to marry Cedric, they cannot force them to marry against their will.

 

This means that Ackeletta and the rest of the world are not able to criticize the Emperor for not marrying her.

 

If Persephine returns to Ackeletta someday, and tells her that she was treated well by the Empire, it might be possible to make peace without war.

 

‘As long as the Empire doesn’t invade another nation first, that is.’

 

And since Cedric’s contract requires him to speak to me before he conquers another country, it’s highly unlikely that would happen.

 

‘The happy ending is just around the corner.’

 

Let’s just struggle a little bit.

 

The next five years might be a bit of a bumpy ride, but there might be a flowery path afterward.

 

Silently, I repeated to myself with the mind of an office worker dreaming of retirement with a resignation letter in hand.

 

“But I’m worried nowadays, there are many people who covet my master.”

 

“Did His Majesty think I was coveting the Captain?”

 

Wait…

 

I’ve been dazed since I spoke to Caliberne, and I don’t know why this conversation has taken this turn.

 

“It can’t hurt to be careful. There are few teachers as cool and sweet at the same time as Minerva. I’m afraid that means there are a lot of people who want to take advantage of her.”

 

“Excuse me, I’m not calling anyone cute for having completed a coming-of-age ceremony.”

 

I protested in disbelief, and Cedric chuckled.

 

“No, it’s just how I feel about it. And I don’t mean cute, I mean adorable at the same time.”

 

“Honestly, I get it.”

 

Huh?

 

Persephine, why are you looking so serious and defending Cedric?

 

“I’ve never had a teacher who was as cool and cute as she is.”

 

“As expected, the princess is very discerning. I feel like I’ve finally found someone I can talk to.”

 

“I am.”

 

I was about to utter something when I looked at Cedric, whose eyes were twinkling for some reason and who was actively engaged in conversation with Persephine, but eventually shut up again.

 

‘Well, I guess I accomplished my goal, since they seem to have gotten closer.’

 

With that thought, I sipped my tea in silence.

 

🗡️

 

I was heading out to the training field after a tea party with Cedric and Persephine.

 

Behind me, I hear someone’s voice shouting.

 

“We need to find her immediately.”

 

“Yes, the sooner, the better.”

 

Just as I was about to leave the voice alone and walk past it, someone called out in an urgent voice.

 

“Uh, hey!”

 

“Ah! I found it!”

 

And then a voice called after me, pleadingly.

 

“Ca, Captain Minerva!”

 

I whirled around in surprise to see Cedric’s deputies rushing toward me, clamoring to find me.

 

Even more astonishing was the look of relief on their faces when they saw me.

 

It took longer than I expected for them to come running to me, as they rarely run in the palace.

 

And when they were all in front of me, the acting secretary spoke up in a very imposing voice.

 

“Captain Minerva, it is a pleasure to meet you.”

 

“May I help you?”

 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defense, and the Minister of Finance.

 

‘No, I don’t know why these powerful people are speaking to me…’

 

“Captain Minerva.”

 

The Minister of Defense stood beside the Minister of Finance and spoke in a heavy and stern voice.

 

“There is something I must ask of you.”