My Soulmate Is I (Patreon)

Chapter 10: Lotte's Confession

(Night)

"Night, I have something I want to ask of you."

The next day, before I could even initiate a conversation about Lotte's identity, she unexpectedly spoke first.

"Tomorrow, the Duke of this country will come to speak with Lotte. Lotte hopes that Night can accompany her and stand by her side. Will Night stand by Lotte's side?"

Lotte's eyes were filled with hope and plea, which left me momentarily silent.

"... Are you planning to tell me your true identity?"

"Night is Lotte's knight, and Lotte won't hide anything from Night. Lotte wants to believe in Night."

Trust is a heavy burden.

A girl's trust is the heaviest.

So, what should I do?

Looking around, we were seated on a bench in a corner of the Baron's mansion. There was no one else nearby.

I pulled Lotte over to sit beside me before speaking, "Then, tell me about your identity and experiences, Lotte. I am Lotte's knight, and I will stand by your side."

A happy smile appeared on Lotte's face, and she tightly hugged me, leaning against me. After a moment, she began to speak:

Lotte is the third princess of the Green Kingdom.

Although she said that, the Green Kingdom had already been annihilated.

The capital city was captured, the entire territory was occupied, and only pockets of resistance remained within the country.

This was due to a joint invasion by three other kingdoms.

Why these three kingdoms united to invade the Green Kingdom, Lotte wasn't sure. She was still young and didn't understand many things. It wasn't until the enemy forces reached the capital that she realized the crisis.

Later, the palace guards helped each royal family member escape the capital, hoping to keep the flame of restoration alive. Lotte was protected by a female guardian named Ines and managed to escape the pursuit, crossing the borders and arriving in the Duchy of Dorg.

Ines had a history with Vittok von Krodahl, the Baron, as they had once been companions in an adventurer party. So, when they were escaping the capital, she immediately thought of Baron Krodahl.

Attempting to restore a nation by oneself was an impossible task. Therefore, after consulting with Lotte, Ines truthfully revealed Lotte's identity to Baron Krodahl, hoping to receive his assistance.

Or perhaps, she hoped for the aid of the Duchy of Dorg.

Baron Krodahl didn't disappoint Ines's trust. Despite Lotte being just a princess of a fallen kingdom, he still received her with the dignity befitting a princess. He carefully established contact with the upper echelons of the kingdom. Several months later, he decided to focus on Duke Lilein's, or Li Lin, as they called him, as the potential ally. After an open and sincere conversation, he locked in his target.

Duke Lilein's response was that he would personally come to Vittok Town to meet Lotte and negotiate with her.

Well, Father was truly Father. He hadn't treated Lotte like a child just because she was one. Although it made me want to tease him, it was also his way of showing respect to Lotte.

That being said, negotiating with a five-year-old was a bit shameless, wasn't it? I despise you for that, Father.

"So why did you want to jump out of the window that day? Did the Baron imprison you?"

"Except for going to school, Lord Vittok and Ines never let me leave the house. They said it was too dangerous. Even when I went to school to avoid suspicion, Ines would secretly follow me."

"Well, that's normal. They're concerned about your safety. You're still being pursued."

"But how am I going to meet the destined knight for Lotte like this?"

"... Huh?"

I looked at Lotte with a puzzled expression.

Lotte, however, looked at me with shining eyes and said earnestly, "My mother said that when a princess is in distress, a knight will come to save her. She also said that if it's me, my knight will become my hero and save everything. When we were last separated in the capital, my father also said that I must find the destined knight, so that I can save the country. Night, you are Lotte's knight. You will definitely become Lotte's hero and help me, save me."

... What should I say at this moment?

Facing a five-year-old girl, I couldn't even scold her properly – though I'm only eight myself, my mental age is more mature, multiplied by two.

After all, I've lived twice as long.

... But that's not important.

Sighing, I finally had to say, "Well, you're right. I am Lotte's knight. I will definitely help you, protect you, and save you. So, Lotte, don't try to find another knight in the future. Having me as your knight is enough, okay?"

Regardless, I should prevent her from making such dangerous moves in the future.

In response, Lotte was filled with excitement. "Of course! Lotte's knight is only Night! There won't be anyone else other than Night! Lotte won't acknowledge anyone else either!"

I get it, I get it. There's no need to be so worked up. You can look for another knight when you grow up.

I patted Lotte's head to comfort her emotions while also starting to think about another matter.

Now that I knew Lotte's identity, what exactly was my female self (Yue) Father planning?

I'm sorry, Father, but this time, I'm afraid I have to oppose you.