“It’s not that your acting was poor—it’s that those who know you well could easily guess your intentions. No matter what anyone says, you’re generous to those within your circle.”
Anasha’s words rang true. The Pison household staff were indeed the best suited to care for El. More than that, they were the people my grandfather left behind.
They were precious not only to Anasha but to me as well.
I never intended to cast them out. I only wanted to make it clear who their master was.
Of course, if it hadn’t worked, I might have had to let them go.
El was more important than they were, and if forced to choose, I would have chosen her without hesitation. Fortunately, that choice never came. It was a relief for both El and me.
“Thank you for saving El every time. I don’t know how to repay this debt…”
Anasha’s eyes glistened with tears. I moved to sit beside her.
“Don’t think of it as a debt. Compared to the love my grandfather gave me, it’s nothing. El is his final gift.”
“Thank you… thank you…”
“Just think of El. You’re her mother.”
Clear tears rolled down Anasha’s cheeks. I gently wiped them away. Though she cried, her eyes sparkled with happiness.
“Please, come in, Lady Elient.”
The attendant bowed, opening the door. I took a deep breath and stepped inside.
The palace was chaotic, preparing for war. The first wave of troops had already departed, but a larger force was soon to follow.
Even Sys’s office, as the Crown Prince, was no exception.
“Bee.”
Sys, giving orders to knights with a grave expression, lit up upon seeing me. He dismissed the knights with a gesture and strode toward me.
“You coming to my palace on your own? I’m touched.”
“Am I?”
“Usually, you’re either dragged here or come reluctantly on His Majesty’s orders.”
He wrapped his arms around my waist, kissing my forehead lightly.
“I don’t know why you’re here, but this surprise visit makes me happy.”
“I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Never. You’re always welcome.”
He lifted me effortlessly, and I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck. A satisfied hum rumbled from his throat.
“But what brings you? The Bee I know doesn’t visit without a reason.”
He set me on the sofa, winking playfully.
“Of course, I’d be thrilled if you said you just missed me.”
“I did miss you.”
His eyes widened. Tilting his head, he looked flustered.
“Wait, I think I misheard. Say that again?”
“I said I missed you. What’s strange about that?”
“Haha, nothing! Nothing at all. I missed you, too.”
He hugged me tightly, shaking his head. I returned the embrace, bringing my lips to his ear.
“You’re going to the battlefield?”
His body stiffened.
“Tch, I knew you didn’t come for no reason. Can’t you let me savor the moment? You’re too harsh.”
He clicked his tongue, pulling back.
“Can’t you just say you missed me?”
“I heard you’re leaving Count Lionel behind.”
His face crumpled instantly.
“That guy. The moment he’s out of sight, he runs to tattle to you?”
“Count Lionel is your knight. How could you think of going to war without him?”
The First Prince’s death, the war with Canaan, and Daysha’s rebellion had left the empire in turmoil. To shift the public’s focus, something dramatic was needed.
Like the Crown Prince leading the charge.
After Canaan’s provocation, neighboring kingdoms were showing signs of uniting against the empire. Originally planning to intimidate and demand reparations, the empire now aimed to annex Canaan entirely, making an example for others.
This was the empire’s first major war in years. The commander couldn’t be just anyone, especially with public unrest. A symbolic figure was needed.
Sys, as Crown Prince, was chosen to lead—not only to rally the people but to prove his worth as the next emperor.
Canaan was weak compared to the empire, but war was unpredictable. The battlefield was a place of death, and no one could say who would bleed. Even if the empire won, there was no guarantee Sys wouldn’t be among the fallen.
Swords don’t discriminate.
“I won’t ask you not to go. But take Count Lionel with you.”
“Did he beg you to say that?”
Sys’s face hardened.
This morning, Count Lionel had come to me, bowing despite his dislike, pleading his case.
“Please, Lady Elient.”
“I thought you disliked me.”
“I won’t deny it. I wanted His Highness’s partner to be a haven, someone gentle. You, my lady, aren’t exactly that.”
Unlike others whose attitudes had softened, Lionel remained consistently critical. Yet, his actions were always courteous. Today, though, he spoke with uncharacteristic boldness.
“Honestly, I still don’t like you.”
I smirked, lifting my steaming teacup.
“You must be desperate to ask a favor of someone you dislike.”
My heart wasn’t broad enough to embrace those who opposed me. Even if Lionel’s feelings were mere dislike rather than hostility, I wasn’t inclined to be kind to someone who admitted it, even if he was Sys’s man.
He nodded at my sharp words.
“His Highness ordered me to protect you while he’s on the battlefield. But I want to be at his side, protecting him there.”
This rigid knight didn’t know how to sugarcoat words. Stifling a sigh, I spoke evenly.
“You should…”
I set the teacup down.
“…learn to speak tactfully.”
His eyebrow twitched.
“The battlefield isn’t just where swords clash. The political arena, where tongues wage war, is just as deadly.”
He stared at me, his face stern.
“As His Highness’s knight, shouldn’t you wield weapons suited for any battlefield to protect him?”
His eyebrow twitched again. I lifted my teacup, savoring the cooled tea. He spoke as I set it down.
“As you say, I’m his knight. I’ve trained my whole life to protect him. That’s the best I can do.”
He paused, meeting my eyes.
“I don’t like you.”
“You said that already. This isn’t how one asks for a favor. Provoking me won’t help you.”
Kind words grow tiresome when repeated, let alone unkind ones.
“But I believe no one is better suited to be the Emperor’s consort, the empire’s mother, than you.”
His words surprised me.
Wasn’t his dislike because I wasn’t fit for the role?
“Since His Highness chose you, I, as his vassal, have no right to question it. My duty is to protect him, not oppose his decisions.”
He looked at me steadily.
“The political battlefield isn’t my place. And there, I believe you can protect him better than I can.”
He stood, bowing deeply.
“Protect him in your arena, my lady. I want to protect him in mine. Please, I beg you.”
His rigid yet respectful demeanor made me inwardly click my tongue.
Are all knights like this, or just the ones around me?
I was weak to people like him.
Back in Sys’s office, I met his gaze.
“Lionel didn’t beg. He just reminded me of his duty. You need him on the battlefield.”
Sys sighed, running a hand through his hair.
“Fine. I’ll take him. But you…”
He leaned closer, his golden eyes intense.
“…stay safe while I’m gone. Promise me.”
I nodded, gripping his hand.
“I’ll hold the fort here. You focus on coming back.”
He smiled, pulling me into another embrace.
“I’ll come back to you, Bee. Always.”
The war loomed, but with Sys on the battlefield and me in the political arena, we’d protect each other—and the empire—together.
