Chapter 76
After Tia left the study, some time passed.
Oz finally rose from his seat, letting go of his worries, and headed toward the Knight Order’s office.
“Marquis Donovan! What brings you here? If you had called, I would have come to you.”
Sir Briburn, who had been glancing through some documents, stood up at once, showing no trace of pride, and gestured for Oz to take the seat of honor.
Austin Donovan.
Though he carried the titles of Commander of the Imperial Knights and father-in-law to the Emperor, Sir Briburn remembered him simply as a perfect knight, one who existed once in his life and would exist only once.
“How have you been, Sir Briburn?”
“I’ve been well, thanks to you, Marquis. I’m grateful.”
Even when he returned to the palace after retirement, Briburn never imagined he would see Oz here, in the Knight Order’s office. To meet him like this now felt deeply nostalgic.
“I’m here regarding Princess Tia.”
“Yes. You said it’s about Her Highness…?”
Briburn straightened his spine, a bead of sweat forming on his clenched fist. Had something happened that he wasn’t aware of?
“There’s no need to be nervous, Sir. I’ve come only to relay Her Highness’s request.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“Her Highness wishes to appoint Sir Jerron, the newly commissioned knight, as your personal bodyguard… Do you know why?”
“Sir Jerron… Jerron? How do you know about that?”
“She is the Crown Princess, Sir. Surely, you don’t think she would keep it from you.”
“My apologies. I misspoke.”
Briburn had accidentally spoken out of turn, reminded of the times when he spent moments with Tia like an uncle with his niece.
“That’s fine. So, what do you think of Sir Jerron?”
Briburn rose, returning with a few documents.
He laid before Oz the records from the knight commissioning test and personal information prepared for appointment, then began recounting what he knew.
“His test scores were above average. He sparred with the Marquess of Märchen and lasted several rounds—a notable feat. I’m not sure where he trained, but his stance is quite good. He comes from a commoner background, so I know little of his past, but he is quick-witted, strong, and improving rapidly. A formidable young man.”
“What matters most is whether he is fit to guard Her Highness.”
“He’ll be fine, Marquis. I can guarantee it. I don’t know why she specifically chose Jerron, though…”
“They say he has black hair.”
“Yes, that’s correct. Could that be the reason?”
“Do you think I can know Her Highness’s thoughts? If I could, I wouldn’t be so worried and frustrated.”
“You needn’t worry, Marquis. Her Highness is strong enough to protect herself if needed.”
“Is that so?”
Oz tilted his head. He thought he knew much about her after all these years, yet it seemed there were still parts of his granddaughter he did not know.
“So, those sword lessons weren’t just for the Marquess of Märchen?”
Briburn recalled the day Tia first brought Killian.
“Yes, that was one reason. But since then, Her Highness has continued learning swordsmanship and has reached a proficient level.”
“I see…”
Oz could not ignore the chill tightening in his chest. Tia was always hiding something. Whether intentionally or not, she had an uncanny ability to evade anyone who tried to read her thoughts.
It was also why Oz had not revealed himself as her grandfather.
Though she loved her family, she showed no attachment. Always busy, but no one knew what she was doing. Talented, yet always secretive…
Why, Oz wondered, especially without her mother… It weighed on him.
Unaware of Oz’s inner turmoil, Briburn continued, scratching at his nerves.
“I hear she manifested her aura not long ago…”
Oz froze, hearing this for the first time. Briburn pressed on.
“Since she no longer goes out as frequently as before, Sir Jerron should be capable of guarding her without difficulty.”
“So you believe he’ll manage?”
“Yes, Marquis.”
Oz nodded.
“Very well. Then issue the assignment. Inform Sir Jerron.”
“Yes, Marquis. I shall do so.”
Oz rose from his seat. Though Tia had commanded that Sir Jerron be appointed as her bodyguard, this matter seemed significant enough to report to the Emperor.
He pictured Lovis, a doting father fretting over his teenage daughter’s actions, and sighed.
“Difficult, so difficult.”
He had thought that after all his years and experiences, nothing would be frightening or troublesome—but a son-in-law and granddaughter were… challenging.
Imperial Study.
Sir Ain tensed in the cold-filled room. He held his breath lightly to avoid visible mist from his exhale.
The Empress’s advisor, who had been a mere figurehead, brought news no one could have expected.
“Your Majesty.”
“You’re alert now?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Her Majesty the Empress requests an audience.”
“I see…”
Lovis tensed his jaw. Not long ago, the Empress spent more time with her eyes closed than open.
Suddenly regaining her awareness at this timing? Suspicious, yet there was no reason not to meet.
He resolved to proceed. Considering Tia’s upcoming debutante ball, it might even be for the best.
Cold as it sounded, the Empress existed only as necessary.
“Invite her to tonight’s dinner.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will relay the message.”
“You’ll be busy for once.”
“I shall serve diligently, Your Majesty.”
As Ain left the room after bowing, Lovis covered his eyes with his hands.
“Tiring work.”
“Shall I bring some tea, Your Majesty?”
Lovis waved him off. His chest felt so tight he could hardly swallow.
“You look unwell.”
“How ironic. With only a week until our Tia’s debutante ball… someone who hasn’t emerged in 14 years suddenly opens her eyes now.”
“Nothing will happen, Your Majesty. As you said, 14 long years…”
Ain’s words did little to ease Lovis’s doubts. He knew well the ambitious nature of Marquis Alberto since his Crown Prince days—eager to push his own daughter forward immediately after Cheryl’s mourning period.
And yet… fourteen years. What had been prepared in those 14 years to act now?
Lovis frowned.
“We should assign more personnel to the Empress’s court, Sir Ain.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Ain began noting the personnel for deployment.
“By the way, Your Majesty…”
Meeting Lovis’s gaze, Ain asked, “Why did Her Highness the Crown Princess go to the opposite side earlier?”
“That… that explains it.”
Why Tia sought Oz instead of him—this had been his greatest curiosity until now, but matters concerning the Empress distracted him.
“If you command it, I will find out the reason.”
Lovis looked at Ain gratefully. A sharp advisor had helped him extract the single most important detail from his clouded thoughts.
Tia. His beloved daughter.
No one could take Tia from him.
“It’s fine, Sir Ain. It’s alright now.”
“Then that’s good to hear.”
Ain, reading Lovis’s intent, removed the remaining chill from the room with a faint smile.
At that moment, Oz knocked on the study door.
“May I come in, Your Majesty?”
“Marquis, enter at once.”
Lovis welcomed Oz warmly—his mentor, father-in-law, and now his daughter’s advisor, his family.
“Jealousy is hard to bear, isn’t it?”
“You’re jealous of everything, Your Majesty.”
Oz chuckled as he set down his teacup. He realized it had been a long time since he had smiled like this.
“Even during the annual memorial, I never saw you smile like this. Have you become so carefree?”
“That’s all thanks to my granddaughter, isn’t it, Your Majesty?”
“You say that knowing she is my daughter?”
“Of course.”
“And yet you still say ‘my granddaughter’?”
“What else could I say? Even now, I must call her granddaughter, or I’d be wronged.”
Oz chuckled again.
He still had not revealed his identity to Tia. To admit he was her grandfather, he would have to tell her about Cheryl—and that was… a point too difficult to speak.
For seven years, both Lovis and Oz had postponed it, hoping the other would reveal it first.
The two men sighed, pressing their foreheads with a long exhale.
