My Knight
The night, filled with the sound of my knight's tears, passed. Morning finally arrived in the world of darkness and silence that had seemed eternal. Lying in bed, tossing and turning, I opened my eyes to the sunlight stabbing at my eyelids.
"Ugh..."
As I sat up and stretched my stiff body, the lingering fatigue from the previous night throbbed in my head. With a hazy mind, I threw off the blanket. Through unfocused vision, the wall clock came into view, pointing to eight o'clock. A small sigh escaped my lips.
"I really didn't get any sleep..."
It had been around three in the morning when I sent Lucy, who had cried herself to sleep, back to her room. Lost in various thoughts, I had stayed awake until just before dawn broke. I must have slept for about two hours at most.
"People are strange... How can someone survive on only two hours of sleep a day?"
Maybe it was because it was morning. Without realizing it, pointless mutterings slipped out. The soft sensation at my feet vanished, replaced by the hard texture of the floor. Staggering briefly under the sudden pull of gravity, I soon made my way toward the bathroom.
—Shhhhh...
As the cold water poured over my body, my dull mind gradually began to regain its vitality. After finishing the shower and drying off, I reached for the neatly folded clothes waiting in front of the bathroom, accompanied by a slight chill. It was the suit Bella had taken yesterday, saying she would wash it. It had been covered in dust and grime, yet now not a single speck remained.
"It's about time... to head back."
I murmured as I slowly changed into the clothes. It felt too soon, considering I had only arrived at the Imperial Palace yesterday. But that had been the original plan from the start. I could stay longer if I wanted, yet my longing to return to the dormitory and see Ariel and Rachel was overwhelming. It had only been a day, but the emptiness was palpable.
"......An empty space, huh."
Perhaps I was relying on those two more than I thought. With a faint smile on my lips, I tied my necktie over the shirt. Just as I finished changing, someone knocked on the door.
—Knock, knock...
—Young Master Lisite, the carriage is ready.
It was Bella's voice from outside. Responding to her call, I moved toward the door.
"I'll be right out."
Adjusting my awkwardly crooked necktie, I opened the door and met Bella's gaze as she stood upright. She turned immediately and began guiding me without hesitation.
"Then, I shall escort you to the audience chamber first. His Majesty is waiting as well."
"I feel bad for making him wait every time."
"This way, please."
I followed behind Bella.
...
"You've arrived."
"Were you well last night, Your Majesty?"
"Thanks to you... Heh heh."
Upon entering the audience chamber, Millium greeted me with his characteristic chuckle. I knelt on one knee and offered a light bow. As expected, Seon, Lucy, and Neria stood lined up beside him. The princesses were one thing, but the crown prince must have been busy with his own duties—yet he had come to see me off. It was somewhat touching.
"Thanks to the Imperial Family's generosity, I was able to stay comfortably. Now, I wish to return to the academy."
"In such a hurry... What a shame. I thought I'd finally have someone to talk to after so long."
"My apologies."
"How many times are you going to say that?"
Millium teased me with a playful laugh. He glanced at Lucy, who wore a bright expression, and then smiled contentedly.
"I'm glad things seem to have worked out well."
"This too is thanks to Your Majesty's grace, is it not?"
"Heh heh... You did exactly as I said. It looks good on you."
"......?"
As I said? What did he mean by that? While I tilted my head in confusion at Millium's meaningful words, fragments of our conversation from the previous night flashed through my mind.
—Take good care of those around you...
—You need to fix everything you've ruined so far.
—If you delay any longer, it might become irreversible.
With a sinking feeling, I asked, "......Did you know everything all along?"
"Heh heh... Well, I did arrange for Seon to tell Lucy about you."
Millium shrugged with a sly smile. I furrowed my brows. To deliberately spread someone's sensitive family matters...
"I'm the Emperor. Who would dare say anything?"
"......"
"Surely you aren't thinking of growling at me just because I had a few private matters discussed?"
"......"
At Millium's subtly infuriating tone, I eventually lowered my head and muttered, "I am merely overwhelmed by Your Majesty's arrangements."
"Heh heh... If it bothers you that much, become Emperor yourself."
No, that statement could be extremely problematic. Even as a joke. How could he say something like that in front of the crown prince, who would inherit the throne? I had to bite my lip and seethe inwardly at Millium's childish provocation. Finding my reaction highly amusing, he teased me a few more times. Only after some time passed was I finally able to leave.
"Well... It's a shame, but it's time to send you off."
"Because there are farewells, future meetings shine all the brighter, do they not?"
"You look strangely pleased?"
"......"
"Heh heh... Just joking, just joking. Anyway, return safely, young master."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I pray for your continued health until we meet again."
"Does that mean you don't want me to be well after that day?"
"......"
"Heh heh... As I said earlier, if it bothers you, become Emperor yourself."
Having been battered by dizzying humor punches until the very end, I left the audience chamber with my pride in tatters. Just as I was about to head toward the carriage to finally leave the Imperial Palace—
"Wait, Raiden...!"
Lucy, who had followed me out, called after me.
***
"Well then, farewell."
With a polite bow, Raiden stepped out of the audience chamber. Lucy, who had been staring blankly in nervousness, finally came to her senses and hurried after him.
"Wait, Raiden...!"
Her voice trembled, perhaps from tension. That fresh, wavering tone rode the wind and caught hold of Raiden's sleeve.
"......Your Highness? Is something the matter?"
Raiden turned his head slightly and responded. His obsidian-black eyes gazed at the girl. Meeting the boy's eyes, the girl flinched and blushed. It was because the events from the night before, in the moonlit garden, flashed through her mind. At the age of eighteen, the memory of clinging to someone and crying so disgracefully was enough to fill her with shame. Moreover, as the Empire's Star who always maintained a dignified and mature demeanor, the backlash was even stronger.
"......"
"Your Highness...?"
"Ugh..."
Lucy let out a groan and took a deep breath. Once her insides had somewhat calmed, she slowly opened her mouth.
"Th... Thank you..."
"Pardon...? What do you mean all of a sudden?"
Raiden responded with a blank, clueless expression. Lucy fidgeted with her fingers restlessly as she continued.
"I mean... A few days ago, during the attack..."
"Ah."
"......I don't think I've properly thanked you yet..."
As Lucy added this, Raiden's previously blank expression shifted into something strange. It was a smile mixed with surprise, relief, and sorrow. Lucy couldn't fully understand the meaning behind those emotions, but she knew one thing: he was quite happy. The girl smiled brightly at the boy who wore a somewhat nostalgic face. Over his figure reflected in her vision, the afterimage of the friend she had played with in childhood overlapped.
Indeed, he hadn't changed. The you from the era I cherished remains just as you were.
The girl murmured this inwardly and laughed aloud.
"Pfft..."
"......?"
"It's nothing. I just suddenly thought of something pleasant."
Shaking her head at the boy with question marks floating above him, she offered her thanks once more, as if for the final time. This time, she did so playfully, with proper courtesy.
"Thank you for saving me."
It resembled the past. Just like the day when the boy and girl had promised a cute master-servant relationship.
"My knight."
Before long, small dewdrops had formed in the girl's blue eyes. The tears sparkling in the golden sunlight were a single bloom of joy offered to her valiant knight. The boy, who had been momentarily dazed, soon accepted the flower of emotion extended toward him and responded.
"I merely did what was expected."
Perhaps both the boy and the girl had longed for the return of their ill-fated connection deep in their hearts. The two carefully unraveled the knot that had been messily tangled. The girl called out softly.
"My liege."
The gentle autumn breeze brushed coolly past them. Amidst the fluttering black and golden hair, the girl gazed at the boy and held her breath.
—Thump...
The girl's heart beat faintly. She seemed unaware of it, yet deep within her delicate heart, a single thread of affection toward the boy was beginning to bloom. Just as the girl was puzzled by her racing heartbeat—
"Well then... I really must be going now."
"Yeah...! See you at the academy."
With a calm voice, the boy turned his back. The girl waved her hand as she saw him off. The liege watched the knight's retreating figure with a smile once more. The knot of their ill-fated connection had been undone. Now, a new kind of knot had been tied around their fingers. A precious connection named destiny. Feeling the thread of fate that bound her to the boy, the girl quietly walked away.