BTVF 12

~Chapter 12~

“My goodness, Sir Ange… did I hear that correctly?”

“I apologize. I’ve never met someone so physically weak from outside, so I failed to show proper consideration.”

As Dana questioned him in disbelief, the knight spoke as if apologizing—but his tone was mocking.

“Isn’t the Madam from the Valois family? A noble house known for producing great knights.”

“So what?” Dana snapped.

He shrugged.

“I’m just concerned. Even someone like Madam, who trained as a knight since childhood, couldn’t endure it… so someone this fragile—”

“Sir Ange, if you say one more word, I will report everything to the Grand Duke.”

Dana stepped forward angrily.

At that moment—

Aria held up a card.

[How old are you?]

“…What?”

The question came out of nowhere.

“I’m twenty-four this year…”

Aria had died at twenty in her previous life.

Even counting that, he was only four years older than her.

She couldn’t help but look at him with pity.

[Health, status, strength—everything you boast about is just luck from birth.]

[In 24 years of life, how little have you achieved on your own that you take pride in such empty things?]

The knight blinked slowly in shock.

He never expected to hear this from a ten-year-old.

When he understood her words—

his face turned red instantly.

‘…You brat!’

His name was Ange Beaufort.

Second son of the Beaufort family.

A knight of the 4th Order—
a group looked down on by others.

He hadn’t even earned his place by skill.

He got in through family influence.

Aria had just exposed his deepest insecurity.

[My body may be sick, but I can take medicine and recover. But I don’t know how to heal your mind. That’s unfortunate.]

“…Pfft.”

Someone tried to suppress a laugh.

Ange turned angrily.

Another knight shrugged as if saying:

‘It’s true—you’re nothing without your family.’

‘You lowborn trash…’

Ange gritted his teeth.

“You talk big—but what have you achieved yourself?”

It was something an adult should never say to a child.

But he was furious.

Aria smiled gently, like looking at a foolish child, and held up another card.

[I’ll grow up trying not to become like you.]

It was a complete defeat.

Everyone in the room was shocked.

They had only seen Aria as cute and innocent before.

But now—

they felt respect and awe.

Especially Dana.

‘Even though she’s noble, she didn’t defend herself with her status… she called titles meaningless.’

That kind of thinking was rare—
especially in a strict class society.

“…What?!”

The knight shouted, then quickly covered his mouth.

“Sir Ange, have you lost your mind?”

“Step back before you insult the young lady further!”

Other knights stepped in.

At that moment—

“…Girl?”

A young voice spoke.

But it carried heavy pressure.

Everyone turned toward the door.

A boy stood there, leaning casually.

His black eyes were unreadable.

But Ange felt like his life was being targeted.

‘Gasp!’

In an instant—

it felt like his head was cut off.

The world spun.

He grabbed his neck.

It was fine.

No wound.

But he clearly felt the illusion of being killed—

just from killing intent alone.

And Lloyd casually tapped his sword as if to show it wasn’t just imagination.

“I—I was wrong—!”

“Repent in front of God.”

“Don’t beg a devil for forgiveness.”

He could kill him in one second.

At that moment—

Lloyd heard a faint rustling sound.

He turned.

Aria was watching.

She shook her head slightly.

As if telling him not to do it.

‘Who do you think you are…’

But his eyes moved to her neck—

wrapped in bandages.

The wound he caused.

His grip tightened on the sword.

But in the end—

he didn’t draw it.

“Interesting way of addressing someone.”

“Pardon…?”

“‘Girl.’ What’s next? Go on. Say more.”

The knight couldn’t speak.

He lowered his head, sweating.

“If you don’t finish your sentence, I might misunderstand… and think you’re tired of living.”

Lloyd waited calmly.

A large jaguar walked around the room.

Everyone seemed used to it—

except Ange, who was trembling.

“Eek!”

When its tail brushed him, he flinched badly.

Finally, he spoke:

“The young lady is completely right.”

“Oh?”

“Yes… I misunderstood her words.”

Pride meant nothing when facing death.

People who care about status become silent when crushed by real power.

Aria looked away, uninterested.

“Then you were wrong.”

“Yes…”

“How will you repay it?”

“…How?”

Lloyd tapped the wall slowly.

Pressuring him.

“…I… I will…”

Lloyd looked bored.

Aria quietly watched him.

Their eyes met again.

For a moment, something flickered in his eyes—

then disappeared.

“I heard the stables are short on workers.”

“I’ll do it!”

“You? A knight working under a stable hand?”

Ange trembled.

‘You want me to clean horse dung?!’

But—

‘If I refuse, I die.’

“Ah, I see. Step down from your title until you reflect.”

“What?!”

“And the one who decides when you’ve reflected…”

He looked at Aria.

“…will be the person you insulted.”

“….”

“Problem?”

“…No. I accept.”

“Then kneel.”

Simple command.

Ange dropped to his knees and bowed his head to the ground.

Lloyd gave Aria authority over his title—

then turned to leave.

But stopped.

He sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

Then walked straight to Aria.

“Are you stupid?”

…What?

“Why did you just endure that?”

She didn’t.

She said everything she wanted.

She only stopped him because she didn’t want blood in her room.

“Next time someone touches you, beat them up. Even if you punch the Grand Duke, I’ll allow it.”

…That’s too much.

‘Isn’t that disrespect?’

Before she could respond—

he took out brass knuckles and handed them to her.

‘Why do you even carry these?!’

“To use while I’m gone, I’ll give you all my authority.”

Why…?

Before she could ask—

he added:

“This is my last consideration. Use it to leave. Find another place to live. Don’t come back to Valentine Castle.”

Then Lloyd left—

with the jaguar.

That was his final farewell—

before leaving for the academy.