Henrietta's words made Hayashi Maki's eyes light up.
"As expected of Tristain's princess—decisive," he said with a smile, then gently pressed down on Louise's slightly tense head.
"I'm on Louise's side. I don't know if she told Your Highness that I'm from another world?"
"She did," Henrietta nodded with a smile.
The corner of Hayashi Maki's mouth lifted.
"Since Your Highness is Louise's dear friend—and both of you are of Tristain—I naturally won't let Louise's friend come to harm. But… 'familiar' isn't the most flattering title. Would Your Highness allow me to serve as your knight?"
Louise felt a little sour at that, but didn't overthink it. Becoming the princess's knight was a fine honor.
"Of course. Given Mr. Hayashi Maki's service, knighthood is more than fitting," Henrietta replied gladly. He had Count Mott in the palm of his hand; any noble opposition was meaningless.
She had no intention of offending a man like Hayashi Maki. Though young, she could tell he didn't revere nobles—he treated them like ordinary people. He had "beaten up" a count, frightened him into docility, and sent him running to the princess with praise. That alone spoke volumes of his strength.
"Good. Then I look forward to Your Highness's investiture," Hayashi Maki said, a bit pleased with himself.
To him, dominating the world wouldn't be difficult; he had held back only out of regard for his retainers' feelings. It seemed there was no need to wait any longer.
Before long, Henrietta took a carriage back to the palace—eager to tackle the dossiers. With those nobles' crimes in hand, she could purge the parasites swiftly.
As for Hayashi Maki, he was now under Louise's reproachful stare.
"Bastard! What else have you done? Why keep secrets from me?"
"Nothing. That's all for now," Hayashi Maki said evenly, smiling gently.
"Really~?" Louise eyed him, suspicious.
"Really. If you don't believe me… then I'll do this." He slid an arm around her waist and kissed her. Blushing, she shoved the shameless man away. He scooped her up and set her on the bed.
"You know I could wipe out a country with ease—I just don't bother. And first, I'll take the title of royal knight; then, through merit, I'll become a great noble. That way Louise will matter even more in Her Highness's eyes. It's all to make you admired, Louise—so tonight, you should reward me properly."
For a few seconds, Louise was moved—then she gave him a look of pure disdain. He made it sound so noble, but she was the one who always "paid the price." The lecher was at it again.
After "tutoring" the pure noble lady and settling her to sleep, Hayashi Maki blinked into Matilda's room. He shared the princess's promise; Matilda was thrilled. Then he had her lead him toward the capital's knightly orders.
Tristain's main force, the Griffin Knights, were led by Wardes. He had once courted Louise's second sister, Cattleya, but because of her frail health he gave up—and then "went for the young one," getting engaged to Louise.
A creep if there ever was one. With Hayashi Maki around—who would eventually cross time and meet little Louise—he had no intention of letting Wardes near her. The engagement existed only as an oral agreement between Wardes and Louise's parents. Besides, Wardes was a traitor to Tristain. Hayashi Maki saw no reason to let him keep breathing. He would end it that night.
Thus, when Henrietta reached the palace, she was greeted with terrible news: Tristain's Griffin Knights had been annihilated by an unknown party—half the kingdom's fighting strength gone in an instant. Albion seized the moment, launched a coup, and Prince Wales was killed. Albion then declared war on Tristain.
Henrietta struck like lightning, clearing out treacherous nobles at home, then ascended the throne. Her mother had proposed marrying her into Germania to combine forces against Albion—but with Hayashi Maki, Henrietta found fresh confidence. Tristain accepted the declaration of war.
The war began—and ended—in half a day.
Tristain's Princess Knight, the kingdom's guardian, Duke Hayashi Maki, single-handedly obliterated Albion's airship fleet and annihilated its army. That one battle cowed Albion and the other nations. For his merit, Hayashi Maki was created a duke and granted his own estate.
Matilda's nobility was restored; she was made a countess and served as Hayashi Maki's estate steward. Even Louise received a knighthood.
After the war, Hayashi Maki and Louise naturally returned to the academy to continue their studies—she was only a second-year, after all. In the meantime, Hayashi Maki found time to uproot Gallia's corrupt king and faction; Tabitha reclaimed her true name, Charlotte, and became Gallia's queen.
Gallia and Tristain began building a friendly, cooperative relationship. With Hayashi Maki as the strongest bridge, the two countries would likely never fight again. Hayashi Maki preferred a leisurely life, and he cut away anything that threatened it.
…
Louise opened her eyes and slipped from Hayashi Maki's arms. After a trip to the washroom, she sat at the mirror to brush her hair.
Everything had happened so fast—the war came and went. Her classmate Tabitha had become a queen like Henrietta. Louise herself, thanks to Hayashi Maki and her own performance in the war, had been knighted. She couldn't compare to Hayashi Maki—but she was content. From here, she would keep working, rise in rank, and earn greater honors.
She was daydreaming about the future when the door burst open and a familiar figure strode in.
"...Little pipsqueak Louise—come with me! We're going home!"
"Ah! Sister Éléonore—w-why are you here?" The tall, statuesque blonde—tragically flat of chest—swept her up, tugging her cheeks. The familiar sting brought tears to Louise's eyes.
"Hmph! How dare you ask! A whole war and you didn't come home—you're impossible! You skipped the winter break too—do you even remember the Vallière family? You're coming home now! And that showy familiar—he's coming too!"
Hayashi Maki had barely opened his eyes before Éléonore had tied him with a rope and floated him straight into a carriage.
"And a maid, too—someone for proper service on the road!" she added. Passing Siesta barely had time to blink before Éléonore—who had done her homework—bundled her along as well.
Hayashi Maki slipped the rope, sat across from the girls, and sighed. So—they were going to meet the parents at the Vallière estate.
~~~
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