If You Devour Poison / Doku wo Kurawaba Sara Made

Chapter 53: The Reward (NSFW)

As soon as the vassals waiting in the audience chamber confirmed that the Crown Prince had been safely retrieved by Sigurd, they rejoiced and praised our loyalty once again. Those nobles and vassals who had gathered beneath the Asbal mansion, clustered together like a swarm of flies, waiting to feast on the gold hidden in the basement, were detained by the Royal Knights sent in shortly after. The ones who had prioritized the interests of their own fiefdoms over the good of the kingdom were placed under house arrest, confined to their lands until a decision could be made regarding their fates.
After his capture, Jolga was finally cleared by the doctor who examined him and declared him free of any issues.
After leaving the audience, and the celebrations along with it, behind, I made my way over to the office where Morino was attending to the affairs of state, normally meant for the Royal Family to handle, to check in on his progress. It was a good thing Peragene had consented to the plan I’d proposed, and as long as her daughter Vanellope was safe, the talks would conclude on a positive note. Afterwards, Jolga and I continued with giving orders to the squads deployed in every direction, one after another, and once we had finished our work there, the only thing left to do was wait. Lutora, who had gone after Count Lowe, and the troops sent out in search of Nasha, had yet to report in.

"...Phew."

A desk had been set up in a corner of the office used by the Knights.
Finishing sorting through a stack of documents, I placed them in a box and turned around, removing the glasses I’d been wearing all day. Doing paperwork at a desk that didn’t suit my body was quite taxing, and as I began rubbing at the muscles along my neck and shoulders with the tips of my fingers, a large palm seized my shoulders, giving the tense muscles a light squeeze.

"Mmm..." I moaned.

The movements of those hands felt relaxing.
As I subconsciously let my voice escape my lips, the gazes of the Knights helping sort paperwork in the office seemed to waver.
These men were in no way short on money— I’m sure they visited brothels and the like— but perhaps it was because this particular sight was so different from their expectations that it revealed a chink in their armor, exposing the innocence of many of the Knights.

"...Are you tired?" Jolga asked.
"A little,” I replied. “It’s very different from training someone from their youth.”

As I rubbed my cheek against Jolga’s palm while he massaged my shoulders, those watching us from around the room were so entranced, it seemed to take their breath away.
It was the first time I had visited the Knight Commander’s office, and it had just the atmosphere I would have expected from a one invested in the art of combat. At best, it could be called efficient, but at worst, it would be boring— a painting on the wall would have done much to improve it, but considering the ones that decorated the corridors of the Royal Palace, perhaps it was wise to leave the walls blank.
A large window sat at the far end of the square-shaped room, overlooking the training grounds below. A heavy desk, designated for the Commander himself, sat against the window, and a low table and two-seater couch stood across from it. On either side, the walls were covered in shelves laden with books and adorned with medals along the tops.
It was a stereotypical military officer’s office.

“I think it’s time for us to take a break, Lord Anderheim,” Jolga said, he then looked at the Knights, “You all as well. Take a break, at this point, all that’s left is to wait for the others to report in.”
“You're right. Good job, gentlemen,” I added.

With our consent given, the soldiers left the office one after another, giving us a last, courteous bow.
Seeing as they were Knights on active duty, it was expected that they would be quick on their feet, but their swift departure might have been attributed to something else. At least, that was how I interpreted it after noticing their red cheeks and the surreptitious glances they sent me.
...There would be even more rumors going around tomorrow, wouldn’t there? Then again, we were behaving like this precisely so there would be rumors.

"...Well, then,” I said the moment the last Knight left the room.