A Failed Knight Who Went to the Academy To Get Married

029 Negotiations for Each

Train was currently lying face down in the inn room, unconscious.

Well, to be precise, he was pretending to be unconscious.

He simply couldn’t say he had woken up.

After all, the conversation between Princess Shia and Yuril was preposterous.

“I’m planning to make Lord Train a duke eligible for polygamy.”

“So why on earth are you telling me this?”

“You’re going to marry Lord Train, aren’t you, Yuril?”

“I have no such intention.”

“Why not?”

“I’m cursed because I fell in love when I shouldn’t have.”

Yuril explained the curse in a cold voice.

Princess Sia insisted that if it were Train, he could definitely break it.

It was clear that waking Train up now would only complicate the story.

“Anyway, please start leaving. I need to finish treating Train.”

“Oh, are you saying that while trying to keep me in check?”

“I told you it’s not like that.”

“Make your choice. Will you be my enemy or my ally?”

“I’d rather we remain strangers to each other.”

“Does that mean I can have Train all to myself?”

…The conversation between the two abruptly ended.

I was dying to know what kind of expressions they both had.

But as I endured to the very end, Princess Sia finally stood up.

“I’ll quietly return today. I came suddenly, so I can’t stay long.”

“I would appreciate that.”

“Ah, and I’ll also extend my party invitation to you, Yuril.”

“No need.”

“You do know what it means to decline a royal party, right?”

“Are you threatening me now?”

“I’m trying to persuade you. I want to be friends with you, Yuril.”

Princess Shia whispered one last thing before stepping out of the room.

“I’m serious. I won’t give up on you or Train.”

…As the door closed, Train finally let out a sigh he had been holding back.

Yuril, having heard that, teased him.

“Quite the charming princess, isn’t she?”

“……”

“Why not just marry the princess? I’m the only one inconvenienced by you two.”

“……”

When Yuril pressed down on Train’s back with her finger,

Train couldn’t hold back any longer and screamed.

“Ouch! Stop it!”

“I’m telling you clearly, I have no intention of joining Princess Shia’s absurd plan.”

“Me, neither do I.”

“Then hurry up and marry the princess.”

“Don’t make me laugh.”

“…I’ll apply some ointment, so take off your top.”

Yuril silently pressed on his sore spot, and Train spent a time filled with screams.

***

The next morning, at Train’s pharmacy.

Lisbeth, kneeling in front of numerous students alongside Barbara, said,

“I’m sorry for causing such a scene. I will apologize formally.”

To which Yuril responded in a calm voice,

“I will accept that apology.”

Train paused for a moment before interjecting from the side,

“The academy’s needs will be discussed with the principal.”

“If things go well, as promised, I’ll ensure there’s no price discrimination against the academy.”

“And apart from the store compensation, I’ve decided to give you the first floor of this Triane pharmacy.”

“Thank you. I’ll start preparing for business here from today.”

“It’s a bit shameless, but I’ve decided to use the second floor. I need a place for Cat and Muscle.”

“That’s fine. If needed, I might occasionally ask for some help.”

“Sure, feel free to exploit me.”

At that, Cat became irritated from the side.

“Hey! Who said you could decide that on your own!”

“Quiet down. You were released safely thanks to Yuril, weren’t you?”

“I was innocent from the start!”

“Weren’t you also charged with illegal possession of explosives?”

“Ugh…”

And so, the negotiation ended successfully amidst everyone’s applause.

Triane and a few students remained to help clean up Yuril’s store,

but Yuril, seemingly in a bad mood, chased them all out.

In the end, Train resigned himself and went upstairs with Kat and Muscle.

The very reason for building a second floor was simply to assert dominance.

Thanks to that, the second floor was currently just a vast, empty space.

Train said to Kat and Muscle,

“From now on, this room is yours to use as you please.”

Then Kat, excited, looked around wildly and exclaimed,

“Awesome! Can I set up my workshop here?”

“I don’t mind, but what about you, Muscle?”

“Setting up a workshop has been Kat’s long-time dream.”

Suddenly, Kat turned to Train and asked,

“But are we really okay to use this? This shop was originally bought with the students’ money.”

“Lizbeth bought it all as an apology and decided to give it to me and Yuril.”

“Oh my! That’s quite generous.”

Just then, Prince Shiran came upstairs.

He glared at Train for a moment and then spoke in a low voice.

“I heard everything from Shia. Even about your relationship with the clerk.”

“…I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to deceive you.”

“I know. I’m not blaming you. I don’t have the right to, anyway.”

“Thank you.”

“But just remember this. If I had to choose between you and Shia, I would stand by Shia without question.”

With that, he left the room with a displeased air.

As Train let out a short sigh, Lizbeth and Barbara entered.

“Were you talking about Yuril by any chance?”

“Huh? Oh…”

“We heard it from Princess Shia too.”

“That damn princess, is she kidding me!”

Train snapped irritably, and Lizbeth laughed out loud.

“I knew it. Something seemed off between you and Princess Shia all along.”

Barbara chimed in from the side.

“You should’ve told us earlier! Thanks to you, the mood among those who support you and Princess Shia has gotten weird.”

Traine sighed once again.

“Honestly, in some ways, I’m a victim too.”

“Anyway, I still support your love.”

When Lizbeth offered her hand to Traine,

Traine took it, but asked with suspicion,

“What’s with the sudden gesture?”

“Exactly, it really is sudden.”

After Lizbeth and Barbara exchanged a few words with Cat and left,

Cat stretched and said,

“Alright! Shall we get ready to set up the workshop?”

“Don’t forget we all have to go to Princess Shia’s party the day after tomorrow.”

“Yep.”

“Need any help?”

“Not at the moment. You should prepare a suit to wear for the party.”

“I was thinking of just renting something appropriate from the store.”

“Are you kidding me?”

Cat suddenly grabbed Train’s collar and said with a fierce expression.

“A lead role like you attending a royal party in a rented suit?”

“No, I mean, honestly, it won’t be that noticeable.”

“It’s super noticeable! Especially when the boss oozes class just by standing there!”

“Oozes class…”

“When I say nicely, come back with a proper suit! At least one worth over 5 gold!”

In the end, Train was forcibly kicked out of the room.

Grumbling, he made his way downstairs,

where Yuril was just about to reopen the shop.

“Opening already? You finished preparing quite early.”

Then Yuril, without even looking at Train, replied.

“The ingredients are all ready, and I can tidy up a bit while attending to the customers.”

“The sign still says ‘Train’s Pharmacy’; shouldn’t we change it?”

“The name doesn’t really matter.”

“If you need help, just ask.”

“I don’t need anything, so leave.”

…Ultimately, Train, who was kicked out of the pharmacy, felt a sense of alienation as he stepped out into the street.

“Selling suits for 5 gold each in such a small town.”

That’s when it happened.

Suddenly, someone from behind pressed a dagger to Train’s neck and whispered.

“If you don’t want to get hurt, come quietly.”

Train stiffened slightly and responded.

“Why are you playing such childish games, Master Elford?”

“Unfortunately, this is no game.”

“…What do you want?”

“There’s an urgent matter that requires your assistance.”

“Then you could have just asked. I wouldn’t refuse.”

“Even if it means going against royalty?”

“What?”

Butler Elford exerted more force on his dagger,

and Traine had no choice but to follow him into the dim alleyway.

…After that, no one saw Traine again.

***

On the day of Princess Shia’s party.

The students of the Knight Academy were all tensed up in front of Princess Shia.

Faces properly made up for the first time and dressed in dazzling gowns.

Such beauty was almost wasted on their distorted expressions.

“Excuse me, I’m sorry, but I didn’t quite understand. Could you say that again?”

Elizabeth cautiously extended a letter,

and Princess Shia irritably unfolded it and read.

‘Your Highness, I wish to travel for a few days, so I will not attend the party. -Traine.’

Princess Shia took a deep breath and then asked with a calm smile,

“Are you certain this letter was written by Traine?”

“Yes, the Knights have already confirmed the fingerprints and handwriting.”

“Could it be that you were threatened or taken away by someone?”

“There was no sign of that.”

Princess Shia turned her gaze to Cat and Muscle,

Both shook their heads vigorously as if they knew nothing.

Prince Siran also avoided eye contact, gazing into the distance.

Shia approached Yuril last, smiling gently, and asked,

“Do you not know either, Mr. Yuril?”

“If I had known, I would have captured him myself.”

“…I understand. I’ll trust what you say.”

Princess Shia calmly turned around,

Her body trembling as she muttered.

“Mr. Train… If this is how you’re going to play, then I have my plans too. You better be prepared.”