A Web of Secrets and Loyalty

Loynin knelt before me. From her demeanor, it seemed she would confess to anything I asked.

“If only Senior Faein were as obedient as you!” I declared to her. “Senior Loynin, do you know how to deal with Senior Faein?”

“Huh?”

“You’ve been her attendant for so long. Surely you know her secrets, her weaknesses, or anything she might be vulnerable to?”

“I’m not her attendant, just her assistant…”

“Enough chatter! Answer this princess’s questions!”

“Ah…” Senior Loynin began to tremble at my rebuke. “I—I truly don’t know, Your Royal Highness. I wouldn’t dare conceal anything from you, but Heavenly Glow Kiori is practically perfect, whether in the academy, the knight order, or the imperial nobility.

Her appearance, figure, character, and strength are all impeccable. Even I, who has studied, fought, and stayed by her side so often, have never found a single flaw! Faein is a perfect girl.

Innumerable men in the imperial capital pursue her. It’s truly a pity she has dedicated herself to the gods, becoming a celibate Temple Knight who will never marry. Half the noble youth of the empire lament this fact.”

“Hmph! You’ve all been deceived by her pure and noble facade! In truth, she’s nothing but a—a—a despicable woman!”

“Eh? Th-that’s impossible! But… Your Royal Highness, there is one strange rumor, though I don’t know if it’s true,” Loynin offered.

“Speak.”

“Among us girls, there’s a private rumor that Senior Faein has an overly close relationship with a junior student, one that goes beyond mere classmates. However, it’s just a rumor. None of my classmates or I have ever actually witnessed it.”

“Who is that girl?”

“I don’t know. None of us have seen it with our own eyes, so how could we know her identity?” Loynin replied.

“Do you know Yukino?” I inquired.

“Yukino? I know her. She’s a girl from a lower grade, very beautiful, but her health has always been poor. She often takes long leaves of absence from school and is a quiet girl with seemingly few friends.

Moreover, just a few months ago, Yukino disappeared. Some say she was too ill to attend school, while others even claim she actually passed away…” Loynin recalled, still kneeling.

“What is Yukino’s relationship with Senior Faein?”

“Eh? Relationship? With Senior Faein? What kind of relationship could they have? As far as I recall, Senior Faein only spoke a word or two to her.”

Observing Senior Loynin’s eyes, it was clear she spoke the truth. She genuinely had no idea about Senior Faein’s connection to Yukino. Of course, the ‘Yukino’ Senior Faein mentioned might not be the same student.

Yet, my intuition told me that Yukino was definitely involved with Senior Faein.

“Very well, I understand. I have other matters to attend to, Senior Loynin. You may return and rest for now.”

“Eh? Your Royal Highness, where do you want me to return to? I—I don’t want to go back to that cold, dark cell. I don’t want to see those terrifying demon guards. Your Royal Highness, could you take me in?

I promise to be utterly devoted to you. You can make me do anything, even… that sort of thing.” Loynin’s fervent plea, her beseeching eyes, and her submissive, devout kneeling posture made me feel her true obedience.

If this was the case, I believed I still needed an assistant like her! After all, in this dungeon, I couldn’t fully trust the loyalty of my subordinates.

“Hmm, very well then, Senior Loynin. Though you are a lowly human woman, considering your unwavering loyalty to this princess, from today forward, you shall follow Beth Daisy and become a member of my personal maid guard.”

“Eh? R-really?” A genuine joy, satisfaction, and relief spread across Loynin’s face, making me wonder if I had been too harsh in calling her despicable earlier.

However, as a princess’s method of governance, constant kindness might not always be the right approach. Didn’t Senior Loynin enjoy being treated this way by a petite girl younger than herself?

If I were too kind to her, she might even betray me. It was a possibility!

“Loynin, from now on, outside these walls, you will be my maid and one of my personal guards. But within my room, you will be… ahem? You understand, don’t you?”

“I understand! Your Royal Highness, you are my goddess! From this day forth, everything I am belongs to Your Royal Highness. Whatever Your Royal Highness commands, I shall obey!”

Loynin prostrated herself at my feet, repeatedly bowing and kissing my toes.