The five of us - Nott, Hel, Véronique, Astrid, and I all squish into the typically four-person cart. We decide to put the three smallest on one side… It makes logical sense but… I’m one of them…

Véronique is taller than everyone here. So I shouldn’t feel too bad compared to Hel who’s being sandwiched between Astrid and I. “Height is nothing to a Signet Knight…” His knuckles are shaking from the sheer force he's gripping them together with.

Hel looks level-headed, but his pride is pretty fragile huh?

When Nott and Véronique sit down, they peer at each other. It started off as if it were any other momentary glance one would unconsciously give to their surroundings but… Noticing the other looking at them at the same time, they both narrow their eyes and don’t look away.

Somehow we’ve already turned onto the road, yet they’re still glaring at one another…???

What sort of weird competition is this!? How much pride do you both have, to not want to be the first to break eye contact?? Just stop already, your eyes are getting red from the strain!

“Aha… haha…” Looking over, Astrid is flipping through a catalogue. No doubt in preparation to go shop in town after lunch. Hel is still darkly mumbling something about how Knights only need chivalry and bravery…

“So Hel,” I begin, “I’d love to know more about the Signet Knights.”

He looks up at me with wide, garnet eyes.

Er, did I say something strange?

But then, a luster flashes into his eyes as he straightens up his posture. “Since you already seem to know about the Signet Knight’s greatness, I’ll let you in on one of my favorite tales sung about them throughout our Kindred’s lands. You probably wouldn’t have heard of these since you’re a Human.”

“Hehh~” Curiousity begins welling up in me, as his passion seems to be contagious. “Go on, go on.”

“It was at the height of one of the battles between the Seelie and Unseelie Court over dominion of the seasons. This was before any signs of entreaty were even thought possible, so it was an utter bloodbath. At the time of the Equinox, their Lordships, Sir and Lady Amaryllis were wrapped up in some dispute at Nottral. So some Unseelie scum-” He pauses and scrutinizes at me for a second.

Uh, well I’d be lying if I said it was okay to demean a whole species. But, it’s not as if I’d go out of my way to correct such a thing all the time. I think it would be more realistic to begin with communication after all.

Since I don’t interrupt him, he continues. “The cowards thought it wise to encroach upon Kindred territory while our powerful rulers were preoccupied. However, the King and Queen possessed such great foresight, for they stationed a few of the Signet Knights in our capital of Svittre. There were only three Signet Knights against an army of hundreds. Yet through wit and skill, they were able to overpower them all!”

Wow, he’s getting really into it. His eyes are sparkling like a certain kid brother of mine. “Haha, is that so?”

“That’s right! Two of these Knights were my parents! Without so much as a sword or a lance, they were able to slaughter them all with a single slash of their nails!” Hel even begins mimicking the motions with his arms and adds theatrics to his words.

Unable to help myself, I begin ruffling his hair.

…

Hmn? His eyes widen so much, they look like they’ll just pop right out of their sockets.

Véronique whistles, while Astrid places a few of her fingers on her chest, “Oh my~”

Huh?

Feeling a bad premonition, I slowly turn my head.

Nott’s shoulders are trembling, “B-Beguilling my court again…!”

“A-Ah no, he just reminded me of-”

He grabs Hel by his collar and forcefully throws him onto the ground.

Uwah… So violent.

He then glares at me while I sweat buckets. Placing his hand on my shoulder, I feel the coolness of his grasp even through the cloth. Pushing me over, he plops into the now freed up space…

Er, this is… Even more uncomfortable. I-I’m being squished towards the window…!

Hey you two! Stop whistling and saying “Oh my~~~” even more energetically!

“H-Help…! My poor, fragile bones are being crushed…!”

“Shut up! This is because you eat so much all the time!”

W-WAH!

Look! That was so hurtful even Astrid and Véronique stopped speaking and look positively scandalized!

“H-How could you say that to a maiden?”

“A true gentleman would never hurt a lady’s heart like that no matter how much weight they gained!”

“Yeah! Yeah!” I fervently protest while being crushed against this wall. Huh? Wait a second, what are you implying!? Did I actually gain weight or something!?

“Ugh-!” Nott covers both his ears immaturely, “Just shut up all of you!”