Arrogance (1)
Chapter 49
Florya visited the Manor of the Phillip’s County.
Sir Jenkins greeted her with a retinue of servants and escorted Florya inside the manor.
Left standing near the main gate, Ray and Jimy exchanged glances.
“Are you serious, Ray…?”
Jimy smiled faintly as he noticed the split skin on Ray’s cheek.
“So, who exactly made your face look like this?”
Ray touched his cheek and replied with an awkward expression.
“I’ve been appointed as Sir Jenkins’ squire.”
“Squire? You mean a squire as in a squireship?”
“Yes.”
“So that’s why you got slapped?”
“Yeah.”
“Tsk tsk, thirty years ago they used to beat them for half a day with sticks when appointing squires.”
It was said that in the past, squires were tied up and beaten for half a day during their appointment. This practice eventually lessened in intensity due to squires falling ill or even dying, until it was replaced by just a slap.
Jimy tapped Ray on the shoulder while reminiscing about the lost tradition.
“In any case… now you don’t have to hear ‘commoner’ anymore. Congratulations.”
“That’s how it turned out.”
In truth, there wasn’t a clear distinction between commoners and peasants. People without background or with low-status jobs were often lumped together as “commoners.”
Still, as Jimy had mentioned, no one treated squires as commoners.
As Jimy looked at Ray enviously, Ray decided against mentioning the honorary title yet.
‘Telling him early would ruin the surprise.’
It would be more dramatic if Jimy heard the news from the Count himself later on.
Smirking inwardly, Ray glanced back at Jimy.
“By the way, how did you end up traveling with Lady Alesya of Osiris?”
“Well…”
Jimy scratched his arm and briefly recounted the incident at the memorial stone.
After hearing the story, Ray frowned, prompting Jimy to chuckle.
“You threw a knife at a noble and walked away unharmed; you should thank fate.”
“Uh… well…”
Jimy wasn’t wrong.
This was a society based on class distinctions. Even though the noble might have provoked Jimy, throwing a sword indiscriminately was still considered a grave offense. They were lucky it was resolved so easily.
Patting Jimy’s sore back, Ray expressed his gratitude for his efforts.
*
During the reception of Florya by Count Phillip, the knights of both families met in the garden.
This wasn’t an official event but rather a casual opportunity to exchange greetings during downtime.
Osiris sent three knights: Leon, Mendes, and Abensio. Since Leon was currently accompanying Florya, Mendes and Abensio arrived with their squires.
Didier and Jenkins awaited them in the manor, with Ray quietly standing nearby, sporting a dour expression.
‘Why do I always get noticed?’
Having already shown off his swollen cheek following the slap, Ray couldn’t deny being a squire now.
Holding a tray of refreshments, Osiris knight Mendes glanced at Ray’s cheek before asking Jenkins.
“So, it seems the boy has just become a squire?”
“…Yes. He was just appointed today.”
Jenkins nodded while subtly observing Ray’s reaction.
‘Please behave yourself.’
While Ray didn’t usually cause trouble unnecessarily, something about his presence made Jenkins uneasy.
Meanwhile, Mendes was estimating Ray’s age.
He appeared to be around 12-14 years old, which was slightly older than usual given the recent trend of appointing squires at younger ages.
Mendes extended his hand toward Ray.
“Pleased to meet you.”
“Greetings, Sir Mendes.”
After shaking hands, Mendes questioned Ray.
“Are you a noble?”
“I am a commoner.”
“If so, which family are you from?”
Mendes continued naturally.
This wasn’t impolite but a standard inquiry since it was rare for an ordinary commoner to be appointed as a squire. Children born to nobles without titles were typically classified as commoners. These individuals, known as gentry, received semi-noble treatment.
If Ray was appointed as a squire, it was likely because he belonged to the gentry class. Hence, Mendes assumed Ray was part of this group and asked about his ancestral family.
Ray shook his head.
“I have no family to claim. I was fatherless.”
“Hmm.”
Mendes let out a vague exclamation before pressing further.
“Do you at least have a mother? What does she do for a living?”
“Ah, let’s stop here.”
Jenkins quickly interjected before Ray could answer.
A bead of cold sweat trickled down Jenkins’ forehead.
‘This kid will outright declare his mother’s job is prostitution right in front of everyone.’
Ray didn’t feel ashamed of Bella’s profession. To him, Bella was sacred, and her occupation was no different.
Having observed Ray closely over four years, Jenkins was certain:
‘This kid doesn’t care much about his own reputation.’
However, if Bella was insulted, there was a high chance Ray would lose control.
If Ray revealed Bella’s profession here, the knights from Osiris would undoubtedly mock him instead of showing any sympathy.
Jenkins preferred maintaining peace in the moment.
“Even though he’s a commoner, he’s a talented child.”
“Of course.”
Mendes didn’t hide his mockery.
‘Did you take him just because you wanted a commoner? Probably couldn’t find any gentry willing to serve under you, so you settled for someone of humble origins.’
That single sentence carried heavy implications.
“Haha…”
Jenkins maintained a smile despite the slight.
Ray casually picked up a snack while internally scoffing.
It was understandable that the Osiris knights looked down on the Phillip’s knights.
‘It’s all because of that damn oath.’
The Phillip’s knights rarely exposed their true strength externally.
In protecting Titi, it was far more advantageous to keep their power hidden.
Moreover, similar territories to Phillip’s County could barely manage more than a few Expert Knights.
Phillip’s family had maintained excessive military strength to uphold their oath, causing the territory to shrink. Once freed from the oath, it was highly probable they would significantly reduce their knight force.
‘The fact that this system has lasted 600 years is truly impressive.’
Perhaps they were descendants of heroes after all.
Regardless, external forces viewed the Phillip’s knights as mere amateurs who barely reached the level of Experts.
Knights like Jenkins had endured such insults throughout their lives with smiles.
Ray whispered into Jenkins’ ear with a friendly grin.
“Master, shall we exclude them?”
“Please, just stay quiet.”
Jenkins responded sternly.
Of course, Ray was joking.
Though he’d caused numerous issues and received poor evaluations as a result,
Ray also disliked unnecessary conflicts just like Jenkins.
While idly listening to the Osiris side’s chatter, a familiar voice approached from afar.
“Ray!”
Alesya waved alongside Florya as they approached.
Alesya clearly seemed thrilled.
‘Florya came to my manor!’
Despite having a somewhat unpleasant personality, Florya was one of the few peers Alesya had interacted with since childhood.
While Alesya had always visited the Osiris estate, this marked the first time Florya visited the Phillip’s estate.
Alesya had one thing she really wanted to show off to Florya.
Startled by the sudden appearance of the two young ladies, the knights hurriedly paid their respects.
After a quick nod, Alesya proudly pointed at Ray.
“Florya, this fellow is my knight!”
Ray felt a headache coming on.
Although Alesya often sang praises of “my knight,” Ray hadn’t expected her to do so in front of visiting guests.
Still, it wasn’t entirely unpleasant.
It was proof that Alesya trusted and took pride in Ray.
Just, Ray’s status wasn’t exactly something to flaunt.
‘Alesya must know this.’
Alesya wasn’t unintelligent. She acted this way knowing that associating with someone of lower status could invite criticism.
‘Was she encouraged by the count?’
As Ray sighed, Florya fanned herself while inspecting Ray from top to bottom.
“Is this person really your knight?”
“Not yet, but soon enough he’ll be my knight!”
“Is that so?”
At sixteen, Florya had a broader perspective compared to Ray.
Looking down at Ray, Florya repeated a question that had come up earlier.
“Are you a noble?”
Ray shook his head.
“I’m a commoner.”
“From which family?”
“I have no family to mention.”
“…So, you’re not from the gentry class?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
After re-inspecting Ray, Florya smirked behind her fan.
“Alesya, is this person really your knight?”
“Yes!”
“You two seem to suit each other.”
“Really?”
As Alesya blushed happily, Ray groaned.
“Miss Alesya, she’s mocking us.”
“What difference does it make? If she says we suit, then it’s fine.”
Just as Ray’s lips began to curl upward watching Alesya’s cheerful expression, laughter erupted beside him.
“Kuhah!”
Victor, Mendes’ squire, briefly chuckled. Not only did Mendes not reprimand Victor, but he also joined in the laughter before clearing his throat.
Although the laughter stopped immediately, Jenkins’ and Didier’s faces hardened.
Ray glanced at the still-cheerful Alesya, taking a moment to process the situation.
Florya was older than Alesya, and the Osiris County was five times stronger than Phillip’s County.
Yet, Alesya treated Florya with disrespect.
It wasn’t due to ignorance or mistake.
Florya had three older brothers above her, making her chances of inheriting the title extremely slim.
On the other hand, Alesya was the sole legitimate heir of Phillip’s County.
She was destined to inherit the title.
Among those present, Alesya held the highest rank.
True, Florya and Alesya had a long-standing friendship, allowing some playful teasing.
But why were these knights laughing?
Laughter might arise, but one should endure by biting their tongue.
If laughter escapes, one should immediately bow their head and beg forgiveness.
Yet, Mendes stood rigidly, still occupying his position.
And this was happening right in the heart of Phillip’s County, not Osiris County.
‘Being too accustomed to servitude has clouded their judgment.’
Ray spoke up.
“Sir Mendes, it seems you’ve forgotten where you’re standing.”
“What did you say?”
Ray grabbed the plate of refreshments sitting on the table.
“This is Phillip’s County, not Osiris County.”
As the dessert plate moved towards the edge, it suddenly fell to the ground and shattered.
Clang!
With Mendes directly in front, Ray frowned.
His sword, drawn almost instantly, lightly tapped Mendes’ chest armor.
Clang!
“So, stop being arrogant, brat. Before I tear your jaw off.”
