Alexei looked uncharacteristically flustered, but soon enough, as if he had made up his mind, he took the sword from his sister’s hand. He put the sword to Ekaterina’s shoulder, who was bowing down.
“I, the Duke of Yurinova, Alexei, in deference to my Lady, accept the sword of my beloved sister Ekaterina, and in gratitude for Ekaterina’s devotion, pledge to love and protect her forever and more.”
With the flat side of the sword, he lightly struck her shoulder……except he actually didn’t.
That was not what happened. When Ekaterina looked up curiously to see what happened, her brother’s hand had touched her cheek, and Alexei, who had bent down, kissed her forehead.
“……………………”
Kyaaaaaaaaaaa…
Live! Come on! Don’t blank out! Get yourself together! Stay focused!
While she was thinking of that, Ekaterina was gently pulled up with Alexei taking her hand.
Ekaterina’s POV
“Brother….isn’t the way you just did that different from your usual manners?”
“I’m sorry…I’m sorry, but I can’t hit you. If I were to strike such a slender shoulder with such a rugged object, it would surely break. My heart would be broken if that happened.”
He said in a troubled tone, and I felt as if my soul would fly out.
I wanted to scream, “You’re so cute!” at the top of the mountains of the Alps! I want to shout it out to the Alps! I don’t know why the Alps, but I just wanted to!
I don’t know what I’m talking about!
“……”
3rd POV
When she gestured for him to bow his head, Alexei seemed to think she wanted to ruffle his hair again, so he chuckled and bowed his head.
Placing a hand on his shoulder, Ekaterina instead planted a kiss on Alexei’s forehead.
I’ve done it!
Without revealing her inner thoughts, Ekaterina smiled leisurely.
“I’ve heard that a tap on the shoulder is a good way to remember your vows. If that’s the case, I think this will help me remember even better. This is the manner forward for the Duke of Yurinova’s family, created by my brother.” – Ekaterina
“Well, if you like it, it looks like I’ve created something good.” – Alexei
Alexei bursts out laughing in response.
“It is unheard of for a noblewoman to offer her sword to the head of the knight Order. However, your kind disposition, always wanting to give rather than to take nor be given, that is truly impressive and noble of you. Ekaterina, you are the noblest lady I have ever known.” – Alexei
The May sky was beautifully clear and blue.
The rose garden of Duke Yurinova’s residence was perfectly arranged, without a single leaf or weed, and the colorful roses were in full bloom. As a light breeze blew across the garden, the fragrance of the roses wafted in the air.
A banner with the duke’s coat of arms waved beside the knights on guard wearing their beautiful ceremonial clothes. The water gushing from the polished fountains glistened, creating a small rainbow.
Ekaterina stood beside Alexei, waiting for the carriage of the royal family to arrive.
In front of the main entrance of the Duke’s residence in the Imperial Capital, in the large driveway wide enough to park several horse-drawn carriages side by side, a group of knights lined up in a neat row behind the two, holding up the national flags of the Imperial Kingdom and the coat of arms of the Duchies.
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