BKSL CH 30

Chapter 30 – “There’s No Way I’d Have Anything Like That!” (Leo’s POV)

Sibel is truly pure and innocent—a woman with a spotless, gentle heart.

Earlier tonight, when Yoti got drunk and started an arm-wrestling match with Rick, he got carried away and suddenly took off his shirt.
And when Sibel saw that up close, she turned bright red and quickly averted her eyes.

Of course she did.
She’s a refined lady who spent her youth learning how to be a princess consort, once engaged to the prince himself.

She’s not used to seeing a man’s bare body—nor would she want to.

…Then again, come to think of it, not long ago, I ended up showing my body to her too, though completely by accident.

I still feel bad about that…

We really need to be more mindful that we’re living alongside women here.

Yoti ended up completely passed out from drinking, so we ended the party there.

But Sibel—her face so red, her eyes darting away in embarrassment—

When I remember that sight, my chest tightens.

She’s so innocent, so sweet.
A truly lovely woman.

I’ve fallen for her all over again.

Someone like her, living among a bunch of men like us—it must be uncomfortable at times.
It makes me feel guilty all over again.

And yet, even then, she smiled and said, “I’m fine,” just to reassure us.
She’s really such a good girl.

I need to remember to thank her properly.

***

“Huh? Where’s Sibel today? That’s rare.”

The next day at lunch, Yoti—who had the day off—came into the dining hall, looking around.

I couldn’t believe how lively he already looked, considering how much he drank last night.

“She’s off this afternoon, remember?”
“Oh, right. …Wait, Captain, you know her work schedule that well?”
“Of course! As Captain, it’s my duty to keep track of everyone’s schedules—”
“Yeah, yeah, sure thing, Captain.”
“I’m serious!”

I usually eat lunch here every day.
Most of the knights are out on duty around this time, so the dining hall tends to be quiet.

Which means—it’s usually a good chance for me to talk with Sibel.
But today, she wasn’t here.

Even on her days off, she often helped serve meals, so it really was unusual not to see her.

“I wonder what she’s doing right now? Maybe I should ask her out on a date.”
“What!?”

I reacted too quickly to Yoti’s teasing words.

“Kidding, kidding! I’d rather not get on your bad side, Captain.”
“…You really are impossible.”

He laughed, clearly enjoying my reaction, twirling a lock of his messy blond hair with his finger.

“Mind if I join you?”
“Sure…”

It was Rick, the new recruit from the capital.

He’d suddenly been transferred to the First Knight Order, after years of studying magic in a neighboring country.
A capable man, by all appearances—but still, it was strange timing.

Why send someone like him here now?

Tori has been peaceful lately.
We haven’t had any monster incidents at all.

If anything, reports said monsters had appeared in the capital for the first time in years just a few days ago.
The Second and Third Knight Orders handled it, apparently, but if such incidents continue, we might be summoned back.

…Although honestly, I can’t help but think this is all happening because Sibel left the capital.

“So, Sibel’s usually here in the dining hall?”
“Yeah. She handles the meals, and even helps out on her days off. She’s hardworking and dependable—right, Captain?”
“Ah—yes. That’s right.”

I half-listened to their conversation, lost in my own thoughts.

Could Rick be a spy sent by Prince Marx?

“She’s well-liked, huh?”
“Who wouldn’t like her? She’s cheerful, kind, always doing her best—and her cooking’s amazing. Oh, and she’s cute, too.
Though I better stop before the Captain starts getting jealous.”
“Yoti!”

Rick glanced at me, nodding slightly, as if confirming something.

“So, Captain—you have special feelings for her, then?”
“That’s not—!”
“Yeah, so hands off, rookie,” Yoti cut in with a grin.
“What!?”
“Gotta warn the newbie. The Captain’s a bit shy, you see.”
“You—honestly…”

Yoti isn’t a bad guy.
Despite his easygoing attitude, he’s a serious fighter—one of the youngest elites in the First Knight Order.

But sometimes, his joking nature drives me crazy.
He’s the same age as my younger brother… though we’ve never really spoken.
Maybe that’s why I treat Yoti like a little brother instead.

Now that I think about it, Rick’s around their age too.

***

“Sibel’s cleaning your room right now, Captain.”
“What?”

It was Elga, who had just arrived carrying a large platter of short pasta.

“I’ll help, Elga.”
“Thank you.”

As Rick began serving the tomato-sauced pasta onto plates, I turned to Elga.

“Sibel’s cleaning my room?”
“Yes. One of the cleaners caught a cold.”
“Is she all right?”
“It’s nothing serious, but she’s resting today just in case. Sibel offered to handle her shift.”
“Ah, I see…”

Usually, we knights do light cleaning ourselves,
but the dorm mothers rotate through rooms for thorough cleaning each day.
So every room gets properly cleaned from time to time.

Sibel really does work too hard.
She could’ve left my room for later—there was no rush.

“She should take a break once in a while… I’ll go check on her. Save me a plate for later.”
“Oh? Is there something in your room you don’t want her to find?”
“Of course not!!”

…At least, I hope not.

I shouted my denial at Yoti, who was grinning mischievously—but now that he mentioned it…

Did I leave any laundry lying around?

The thought of Sibel seeing something like that—

Ugh, how embarrassing.

Not that I’d want anyone seeing that, of course…
but especially not her.