Reborn as the Princess' Knight (GL)

Chapter 68: Festival with Vivienne (XXV).

Kein's POV

"Well that was Madam Prisha and Grandma Chio. Who would you like to visit next?"

"I haven't seen Veronica and Matthew in a while..."

Ah right, Veronica... I haven't seen her since the time I went in for a visit and she gave me an adult toy to work with if Rose and I ever- have... sex. "Yeah- we could visit them since they're not too far from here too. If you don't mind, would you also like to stop by my father's art gallery?"

We walked into the streets, hands holding together before seeing two familiar figures walking around who were also holding hands.

That short stature- blonde hair similar to mine but darker, and the tall figure next to him.

"One moment Kein, isn't that your cousin?" (Rose) points out Lenard and Ellis holding some bags while talking to one another, if I would guess they just got out of a store and the label on those bags looked like-

A famous brand of jewelry that sells rings.

That's right I have forgotten they're also partaking in the festival and after all that wedding talk they went ahead and bought rings already?

"Aren't those bags..." (Rose) noticed the bags as well and I nodded.

Whatever she's guessing she most likely got it right.

Back when we were children Lenard has become fond of Rose and has known about their relationship with Ellis but since the tale of her leaving me all those years ago.

Lenard looked like a disappointed mother as we sat through and talked about it back then.

"Does that mean they're getting married?"

I shake my head removing those thoughts.

"Not anytime soon. I have talked to them about their marriage, seeing that the royal family is still holding your engagement in the season they planned to hold a small wedding next year." I explained and she nods, expression looking a little grim now that the subject of her engagement with the crossdressing crown prince has been mentioned. "Would you like to say hi?"

"Would it be alright...? I haven't seen both of them since- I disappeared and... Do they know the things I've done to you?" she asks me, looking a bit worried.

Well... I couldn't exactly lie to her about it.

Considering that almost everyone knew that she was part of royalty that needed to be engaged was a lot. "They know... and I think they're the only ones who don't know you're a princess."

She blinked a few times hearing my words. "Who else knows?"

"Well there's Lord Vincent- but that's a given he already knew from the start." I thought of Lord Vincent and wondered what he's doing right now. The festival is on session and I haven't seen him since we separated from the mission. "I have told father and Veronica about you but... Madam Prisha and Grandma Chio must've known all this time."

I counted each person as I raised a finger. In total we know about five people from our friend group who know about what happened. "Well... That certainly is almost everyone if you don't count big sister Valentina and Gisela."

"If you don't want to say hi it's also alright, we can go ahead and visit Veronica first." I suggested but she tried to look resolved looking at my cousin as his lover was browsing more things at a nearby shop.

"No... Let's go say our greetings. He's your family and surely- he... might understand." (Rose) gripped onto my hand a bit more tightly but I could feel her body shaking a little.

Wow...

I've never seen her this serious before. I mean is it something to be considered serious?

It's just my cousin... who might I add has the heart of a crybaby... as much as I love him he often cries a lot so I don't think he has the spirit to go ham on her.

"Alright let's go ahead and say hi. It's just Lenard he's usually sweet so it'll be just fine-"

Is what I thought... But when we actually went over to say hi- and when the two noticed our presence. Lenard immediately went over to his parental instinct and immediately crossed his arms trying to look intimidating.

He's... Trying but if I'm being honest it looks like he's just pouting.

Ellis on the other hand seemed confused on why his lover was acting like that and I can't really blame him.

Nonetheless he was the first one to greet us with a small nod and a smile, "Milady- it's nice to see you again. I'm glad we've come across you and little Vivienne at the festival." he says, looking over to me and Vivienne.

"Likewise as well Ellis, I see both of you went shopping for rings today." I take a quick look at their shopping bags and he scratches the back of his neck awkwardly holding up the bags.

"Well... the process of buying the rings was a bit awkward, milady. The person who was handling them asked if we were getting these for our girlfriends." (Ellis) mutters sadly with a mix of laughter and I frowned, feeling bad for them.

"Did you tell the person that well- you were getting them for the two of you and not your girlfriends?" I ask Ellis who shakes his head in answer to my question. So they never corrected the person in charge of the jewelry store.

"I wanted to but... Lenard is taking his time to adapt to things. He's ready to tell many of his close trusted people but not yet to the public." (Ellis) walks over to me as we watch Rose and Lenard stare at each other for a moment.

Vivienne who was obediently resting on Rose's shoulder waves her hand slightly at her newfound uncle. "Hewwo uncle!" (Vivienne) happily greets her uncle who fawns at the sight of her new dress that we bought.

Lenard's face softens for a moment waving back in reply. "Hello, Vivienne! You're so cute in that new dress of yours. I'm guessing your moma took you shopping." He reaches to pinch her plumpy cheeks to which he finally notices Rose who was holding her and looked like he didn't take her in nicely.

"Kein... Mind introducing me to this girl?" (Lenard) places a hand on his waist and eyes Rose like a hawk.

"It's still Rose, Lenard. I'm sure you remember her." I tell Lenard whose expression still fixated on Rose never leaving her sight.

"Hello... Kein's cousin. Lenard, sir it's been a while." (Rose) did a little nervous laughter and feeling Rose's posture became high on alert. I tilted my head in confusion because when did Rose call Lenard, sir?

I don't think Lenard is in a good mood after seeing Rose.

"Oh I remember how much pain she's given you that's for sure." He continues with a scoff and I sigh at the way that he was acting.

"Lenard... That's quite rude. She's here as my date today. We just came over to say our greetings-"

Lenard shakes his head looking irritated. It was one of the many rare times  I could see him being like this. He would usually be a crybaby but this is- on another level of  immaturity from him when it came to my business.

He was acting like an overly clingy parent sometimes, still is. "This girl and I made a deal. She promised to never hurt you in exchange for getting my blessing but that's long broken."

Wait? These two had a deal over something like that? When?! And how come I wasn't informed of this.

"Lenard..."

"W-What? As your older cousin I have the right to make sure you're not dating anyone bad..."

"I know you mean well... but really- what I do with my heart and feelings is up to me. I just want your support, you're family and Rose is already part of that too."

He looked rather conflicted but there was nothing much he could do because I was right.

It's my life and my own romantic choices.

"O-Oh well... Young love... I just hope you two will be well this time, please take care of Kein."

"Um... If I may... I had a good reason for leaving and since... You're part of Kein's most trusted family. I would entrust this to you to keep it a secret as well."

I held Rose by the shoulders and looked around at the many sea of people. "I don't think revealing and talking about yourself in public is a good move..."

"Ah right... perhaps somewhere private next time. We have all the time now that I'm not going anywhere soon..." (Rose) tells Lenard to which he agrees with the suggestion. The academy's private office is probably safer than any street full of people. "When we visit the private academy we can have a talk there. I'll be making a public visit due to my royal duties." she whispered the last part as both Ellis and Lenard overhears.

"P-Pardon...? What duties?"

The cat was out of the bag but we couldn't further explain what it was, putting the words together they quickly figured out that Rose was part of the royal family.

Lenard tries his best not to cry because he was basically being rude to someone of a much higher stature than him- especially if that person was part of the Goldheart royal family.

"Ah- I got you." Ellis tried to hold down my cousin for support when he almost collapsed out of shock.

"I... I was so rude towards her highness..." (Lenard) tells over to himself in a guilty voice. After all they were told to never be rude or make a bad impression towards any high noble family like from the Duke's house and the royal house. "F-Forgive me... father will never let me hear the end of it if he knew what I did."

This kind of mindset was grinded to the bone that if they do anything like it, they would have done the most unforgivable offense ever made.

It's alright Lenard... I've been picking fights with Rose since we were children and I even rejected the first princess and look where that got me. I'm still alive!

"Milady, erm... I think your cousin needs a bit of time to process everything. Would it be alright if we went ahead first?" (Ellis) puts Lenard's arms over his shoulder and nervously chuckles.

"I see you're doing fine after that shocking revelation of the news." I point out Ellis who shakes his head. "Oh I'm very much afraid... No offense at all to your partner but- we... don't know much about etiquette on how we would need to act around her..."

"Oh no-! It's quite fine if you would act the same. I would actually prefer it that way." (Rose) tells them but Ellis looked rather uncomfortable by her words. Lenard was rather stunned by the request-

A royal asking to act someone below her to treat her the same? Never in a million years would they have thought of such.

"It won't be easy after just knowing but we'll try, your highness. If you'll excuse us- I need to get this one some water before heading home." (Ellis) nods of curtsy before excusing themselves as my cousin looked like his soul was about to leave his body.

"I... was so... rude." (Lenard)

It might take him an hour or two before he gets to his senses but hopefully he gets there.

"This is why... I couldn't tell you who I was all those years ago." (Rose) looks into the distance of Lenard and Ellis who walked as they talked looking unsure of themselves. "I was afraid that someday the way you would look at me will change."

"Our silly little banters will be gone, you would start calling me your highness formally, and you would see me no longer as a friend but as a princess you'll be needing to serve." (Rose) looks at Vivienne who listened in to her mother's troubles.

"I already have hundreds of servants but very few I would call close friends. Even at the very least if we didn't end up together back then I was hoping we could have stayed as friends."

With the way she told me all her fears, I understood it all. I imagined myself trying to be formal and distant calling Rose, princess to which I have tried to do when we were in winshern but it didn't work.

I couldn't stay that way. I couldn't have stopped loving her even if she told me to. "You are my princess I'm serving though."

"Kein..."

"Alright, I'm kidding. To me no matter what your status is, you'll always be my Rose and I will be your Kein." I pulled her away from the crowd as we continued to walk. "As long as you'll want to have me I will always be yours."

With a small pout and blush we continued on with our little mission to get to Veronica and hopefully this will be the last one.