Julian's POV


I kept my head down as I ran through the corridors of the castle as I made my way to my room.

What I was doing was certainly strange to His Highness.

But I didn't want His Highness to find out.

When I let go of the hand that was holding my head, I saw brown dye on my hand. I'm sure it got wet and the original silver color came out.

Because I was surprised by what His Highness did, the wolf's ears, which were supposed to be hidden by magic, were now raised.

Perhaps it's not a good idea for me to think so much while running. As I ran and turned the corner, I bumped into someone and landed on my butt.

"Julia? Is that you, Julia?"

"Huh?"

Looking up from where the voice was coming from, I saw a handsome young man with blond hair shining in the light from the window.

If I remember correctly, it's Scott Burke-sama.

He is a member of the Second Knight Order and the captain of my parents' survey team.

I can't believe that he's already back in the royal capital.

Scott-sama lets his subordinate go ahead first, then he grabs my arms to help me stand up.

"I was worried because I didn't see you for so long. What are you doing here? And what are you wearing?"

In this situation I didn't think I could hide it anymore, so I decided to tell him the truth.

"Right now, I'm a member of the Third Knight Order."

"What did you say? A woman... as well as a beastman is a member of the Third Knight Order that's..."

impossible, right?

As he said this, Scott-sama looked down at my head, where the dye was about to fall.

"So that's why you're dressed like that."

"Please, I beg you! Please keep this a secret. Just a little more and I will be able to take the test for cavalry pilots."

I'm sure if I can show them my ability, they'll forgive me,, even if I'm a woman or a beastman. If I can pass the test, then I can bring a cavalry with me back home.

I have to do this because my family needs as many cavalry as possible right now.

"Even if you don't, if you go with me..."

"Then what will happen to my family, to the people of Slough Territory? There's no point in escaping alone! That's why I'm begging you, please don't tell anyone."

As I bowed my head to Scott-sama. The water dripping from my head wets the floor.

"The cavalry test, huh? That's also the reason why I came back to the royal capital. After all, there's a big difference between a knight who has a cavalry and one who doesn't, right?"

Does this man really want to use the cavalry, which is a knight's honor, for his own selfish desire?

Knowing this, I felt ashamed to bow to such a person.

"Julia, how about this then? Let's see how far you can go in the martial arts tournament. If you can beat me, thenI won't tell your secret."

"Really?"

When I looked up, Scott-sama was smiling.

"In return, if you lose to me, you will leave the order of knights immediately and you will have to marry me."

I was shocked.

But I guess it's a given at this point, considering he's been obsessed with me ever since he arrived at my parents' house last year.

That's why I asked him for help after the flood.

I thought that if I could sacrifice my body to save the territory, I'd be okay with it.

But at that time he rejected me and told me that it was impossible.

He told me there was nothing he could do.

So I decided that if no one was going to help me, then I'd have no choice but to get stronger and do something about it.

I put my mask back on and looked up at Scott-sama.

"I understand, if you don't tell my secret, then it's a deal."

He just nodded and smiled at my question.

"Oh, that's right, I almost forgot, just the other day your brother collapsed. I wonder if he overworked himself. He's an important figure in the ruling of the territory, so I came here with a heavy feeling that one day I'll be called back to the territory."

"What did you say?"

The mask I had put on was easily shattered by these words.

"Well, anyway, let's have a good match then, Julia."

Scott-sama then patted me on the shoulder and left laughing.

After that, I went back to my room, not knowing what to think anymore. I then changed my wet clothes, dyed my hair again, and used magic to hide my pointy ears.

Then I looked at my reflection in the mirror and said, "My name is Julian.

"I am Julian. My name is... Julian."

I said these words over and over, as if to convince myself.

Then I closed my eyes and held back the tears that were about to fall.

I have to be strong. I don't want people to be suspicious of me now that I've come this far.

After taking a deep breath and exhaling strongly, I returned to the training ground.

As if waiting for me, His Highness came running up to me, wearing only a T-shirt.

"I'm so sorry, Julian. I didn't expect you to be so surprised by what I did. Please forgive me."

I don't think it's a good quality for a member of the royal family to apologise so easily. But for some reason, this part of His Highness' personality reassures me.

"Don't worry, Your Highness, I was just surprised. I shouldn't have acted so exaggeratedly, please forgive me."

"Well, let's just forget about it; after all, we all have one or two things we're not good at. Oh, right, Julian, as an apology, I'll show you my treasure."

Saying that, His Highness then asked Captain Nils for permission to take me out, and after that, we left the training grounds.

His Highness then took me to the deepest part of the factory.

"What do you think? This is the latest cavalry model, the 'Wolf Rider'!"

When His Highness showed me the latest cavalry model, his face was like that of a child who has just received his new toy. Perhaps that's how he really felt. Then he looked back at me and explained...

The latest cavalry model has jet-black armor with a crimson mane. For some reason, I feel a sense of familiarity with the helmet, which is said to resemble a wolf.

"It's a really beautiful cavalry, isn't it?"

"Yes, the engineering department really gave it their all. Everyone wanted to be involved in creating this guy. That's why this project is a secret, okay?"

His Highness raises his index finger to his mouth and closes one eye like a mischievous child.

I think that's His Highness's way of telling me that I'm now part of his secret.

Still, it's a beautiful cavalry. If I have this, then...

"Would you like to try riding it?"

Did I really look like I wanted to ride this cavalry?

I looked at His Highness, surprised by his question.

"Is it really all right if I ride this? Isn't it part of His Highness' important cavalry?"

"Didn't I tell you? I'll give it to a good knight. Besides, no one will complain if you try to ride it. Besides, I'd like to see this child in action."

I smiled when I saw how excited His Highness was as he crossed his arms.

"Well then, please let me ride this."

"Ok, then let's get ready!"

I felt that His Highness' face was not his when he said that.

It might be disrespectful of me to think so, but it's my honest feeling.

He had such a happy expression on his face, as if a bad friend was making one of his good friends join in one of his mischievous activities.




Notes:

1. In the previous chapter Julian/Julia is always using boku (pronoun used by boys or young men which means I) when she referring to herself even in her monologue but in this chapter she is using watashi (pronoun that is gender neutral which means I).