Chapter 37
“What are you thinking? Do you actually have a knight in mind already? Anyway, since they’ll be choosing two, if there’s anyone you want, just say so.”
“Ah, well…”
Velia hesitated for a moment.
‘It’s not the lady’s fault.’
Those were the words Rude had said, even after losing his hand to Baron, the head of the family, while protecting her. Should she take him back as her knight?
She was sixteen, and her future was bound for ruin. If he stood with her, he too would face the same ruin.
At first, she had only wanted to repay the debt she owed Rude by keeping him by her side. Under the title of her bodyguard, she planned to invite the continent’s most renowned swordsmen to train him, until he could rise and make his name famous across the land.
But the more she thought about Rude’s character, the more she realized that having him by her side would put him in danger. He would surely try to protect her until the very end.
Their bond hadn’t even begun, yet deliberately bringing him close again would only do harm.
“No. No one. What do I even know about knights?”
Velia shrugged and shook her head.
“Really? But surely there’s at least one you’ve noticed coming and going. Among the ones who’ve guarded you so far, was there no one you liked? They’re all people I personally selected, so their skill should be solid.”
“They’re all good. You picked them, after all, so of course they’re reliable. The list of duel participants this time, you’ll be making that too, right? I’ll count on you.”
Hearing that, Bedol wore quite a smug expression.
“Of course, of course. Trust me. I’m destined to be the sword of the Arphedi family, after all. Anyway, I’ve already drafted the list of duelists, so I’ll just submit it to Father for approval.”
He shot to his feet.
“You look busy, and well, so am I. I’ll be going.”
“Ah, right.”
“Let’s have a meal sometime.”
He waved and left the room.
Click.
The door shut, and Velia turned around. Looking out over the beautifully kept gardens, she sank into thought.
“Rude must leave this mansion.”
A lonely smile briefly touched her lips, then vanished.
The study was quiet now, with only father and son left behind.
Furnished with the most luxurious appointments, it radiated the dignity befitting the Imperial Palace.
“The Forest of Mist?”
The Emperor, crowned in splendor worthy of the title Sun of the Empire, showed clear displeasure.
“Yes, Father.”
“Are you still trapped in the past?”
Despite the rebuke, Alendo calmly nodded.
“It’s not only my past, is it? It’s a stain on the Empire itself. No, more precisely—a stain upon the Imperial Family.”
His tone was even, but the stubbornness in his eyes made the Emperor let out a weary sigh.
“So the reason the Tower Master keeps frequenting the Empire is this, then?”
Alendo did not bother answering.
“I thought he cultivated ties for the Empire’s benefit…”
“And whichever way you look at it, it is to the Empire’s benefit.”
“Even if it brings nothing but whispers? Ah, my son…”
The Emperor sighed again.
He had named Alendo as Crown Prince, raising him to be the next ruler. And when he thought of the criticisms hurled at Alendo for the incident at the Forest of Mist, his heart ached as well.
“You’ve been investigating in secret all this time. To make an official request now means you’ve found a lead?”
“Yes. So please, allow a team to be dispatched to the Forest of Mist.”
“If nothing comes of it, you gain nothing. That place is dangerous. If you send an expedition and lives are lost, the whole incident will resurface.”
“That is a risk I must bear.”
“And do you understand that risk includes your position as Crown Prince?”
“Yes.”
Their gazes met, unwavering.
The epithet Cursed Crown Prince was a thorn in the Emperor’s heart as much as in Alendo’s.
Eight years ago, on his birthday, the incident had taken place. None pushed harder for the truth than the Emperor himself.
But despite endless investigations, nothing was uncovered—only greater criticism of the Imperial Family. To protect his son, ironically, he had been forced to bury the matter.
“…And what of the Tower Master? Might he become a variable?”
“He’s only curious about the Forest of Mist, so he’s cooperating. Nothing more.”
“Could he not one day draw his sword? This is no less than the Empire’s darkest shame.”
“He has no interest in imperial politics.”
Alendo’s calm, unshaken answers seemed to put little at ease.
“You truly want this investigation?”
“Yes.”
The Emperor pressed his temple and fell silent. Alendo waited, unblinking.
At last, the Emperor spoke.
“Very well. If you are so determined, I’ll allow it. But on one condition.”
“A condition?”
“I’ll permit the Tower Master to remain in the Empire for the investigation. But as long as he stays, the neighboring nations will stir up noise.”
“Indeed. And the condition is to stabilize foreign affairs?”
“No. The condition is—engagement.”
“Engagement?”
Alendo flinched.
“Just imagining the opposition stirring up trouble over the Forest of Mist and foreign disputes already gives me a headache. So, you’ll get engaged. Conduct the investigation under the guise of a knightly exercise, and only after announcing the engagement will it be revealed.”
“Surely engagement isn’t necessary…”
“The Duke of Doltan’s house is not a bad choice. It will help you. The late duke was anti-royalist, but the current one is neutral. He balances well between factions.”
It wasn’t wrong. Yet something unsettled him.
A certain woman’s empty, violet eyes came to his mind. To bind her in such a way… was that truly right?
Besides, the Doltan Duke was not one to be easily read. Though he claimed neutrality, the ties to anti-royalist forces from past generations were not fully severed.
Alendo glanced at his father.
This marriage proposal was as much to test the duke’s stance—whether he would remain neutral, or perhaps shift closer to the imperial faction. It could just as easily end in a swift annulment.
And if that happens…
His brows furrowed.
“Well? Your answer?”
“I…”
“Soon, the duel to choose Lady Velia’s bodyguards will be held. As knights of the proud Arphedi Marquisate, strive to show your best!”
“Yes, sir!”
The knights lined in the training yard roared their reply.
“Before the final training, Lady Velia has prepared something for your efforts today.”
At this unexpected announcement, murmurs spread among the men. Just then, a group of maids entered the yard, carrying baskets. The delicious aroma of food filled the air, making the knights swallow eagerly.
“These are dishes Lady Velia has prepared for you. As you know, she has many duties and could not come in person. Does anyone take offense at that?”
“None, sir!”
“Lady Velia is proud of you all! Be grateful for her kindness and eat well!”
With that, the maids bustled about, distributing baskets of sandwiches.
Why would the lady give such orders herself…
The captain tilted his head. The knights could have arranged this on their own—why summon the maids?
Well, she must simply be considerate of them.
Accepting it as her thoughtful gesture, he opened his own basket and lifted a sandwich, savory and well-made.
The tense atmosphere before the duel softened as the knights eagerly dug into their unexpected feast.
Meanwhile, the maids moved diligently, handing out baskets.
“May I ask your name?”
“Eh? Ah, it’s Rude.”
“I see. I come here often to clean, but I don’t recall seeing you.”
“Oh, yes.”
The maid smiled and passed him a basket.
“Please enjoy.”
“Thank you.”
Rude accepted it, unable to hide the upward curve of his lips.
“A gift from the lady herself…”
Of all the knights present, he was certain no one had awaited this day more than him.
Despite his lowly birth, he had caught the captain’s eye and been brought into the marquisate’s ranks as a child. Among all the knights here, none were of lower birth than him.
He was an orphan, with no family, bullied and shunned by his peers. And to him, Velia had been the one ray of light.
