When What's Precious is Threatened
When something precious came under threat, Leo—who had been working at the bookstore—received a letter.
I have something I'd like to discuss, so please come to the principal's office at Lenz Academy whenever you have time.
— Lenz Royal Chamberlain, Felix Ladenburg
The sender was Felix. Their connection had been intense. By sheer luck, Leo had saved his grandson's life, which allowed Elizabeth to enroll at Lenz Academy. In his own way, Felix had provided conveniences for Elizabeth. He'd fired the rude interviewers from her entrance exam and, three years ago, had soothed old Lady Valdek's anger to prevent her expulsion.
Felix wasn't an ordinary principal. He was the head of the Ladenburg ducal house and the royal chamberlain overseeing all major and minor affairs of the court. He had the power to dismiss a mere professor at will and calm even Lady Valdek.
And now, for the first time, he had summoned Leo.
Why does he want to see me? Leo stared down at the letter with a stiff expression. He had a rough idea.
It must be about that king I met before.
The king had offered to introduce a man to Elizabeth, but she'd refused. He was probably calling Leo to the academy because of that—hoping to somehow persuade him into winning her over.
The basis for his thinking was the sender's introduction: Lenz Royal Chamberlain. He'd identified himself as the royal chamberlain while summoning Leo to the school. It meant this had nothing to do with academy matters.
Whatever the case, it wasn't something he could ignore. Leo pulled his coat from the rack and slipped it on.
"Sophia. I have to step out for a bit, so can you watch the store alone for a while?"
"Sure thing! Go ahead without a worry."
Leaving the bookstore in Sophia's care, Leo headed for Lenz Academy. It was a strictly guarded place where outsiders couldn't just wander in. The school gate—the only entrance through its towering walls—was vigilantly protected by armed guards.
As he approached, the guards bowed their heads in greeting. Thanks to the incidents with Elizabeth and Beatrice, Leo had unwittingly become something of a celebrity.
Still, they wouldn't let him pass freely. He needed a reason for visiting.
"I have business at the principal's office." He showed them the letter.
The guards checked the royal chamberlain's seal at the bottom and stepped aside.
"Do you need an escort?"
"Thank you, but no. I've been here once before."
The guard offered to guide him, but Leo politely waved him off.
The academy buildings were mostly tall-ceilinged, giving the whole space a sacred, majestic air. Vast corridors, pillars, enormous windows. True to their royal patronage, everything was refined and imposing.
Leo's shoe heels echoed against the floor. The crisp footsteps rang through the empty hallway. It had been three years since his one visit, but the memory was vivid. He navigated straight to the principal's office with ease and knocked.
Knock knock.
"It's Leo Valentine."
—Come in.
Creeeak.
Leo opened the door. The principal's office looked the same as three years ago. The only difference was that just two people awaited him now. Back then, a dozen or so had crowded the room in chaos; today, it felt eerily empty.
"Have a seat."
Felix sat in the head chair, sipping coffee, while the other man stood by the window, arms crossed and face impassive.
Leo immediately recognized the man as a warrior. The sturdy build, the aura. Like one swordsman spotting another, he could sense it.
More than that.
A Sword Master.
Mana flowed palpably from the man's body. And at a high level, too. Likely from the royal guard.
Sensing Leo's gaze, the man turned his head, their eyes meeting briefly. Yet he showed no reaction. He hadn't detected Leo's mana at all.
And why would he? Leo wasn't just a Sword Master—he was a high mage with Logos. His mana control surpassed most high mages, and hiding it was child's play.
Pretending ignorance, Leo spoke up. "Who's he?"
"A royal guard. I'm the principal, but since I also serve as royal chamberlain, I have protection."
"Got it."
But inwardly, Leo smirked. No ordinary guard would be like this. If a single Lenz royal guard was this strong, he was at least a squad leader. Or more.
Anyway, as Felix had said, Leo sat. The man straightened, his face stern, and spoke.
"I've called you here, Mr. Valentine, to seriously discuss the matter we briefly touched on at the Concord."
As expected. Leo replied immediately. "My daughter already made her decision on that."
"But a father's thoughts might differ. It depends on your resolve, Mr. Valentine."
"I respect my daughter's choice. It's not for me to interfere. Especially not in marriage."
At Leo's firm stance, Felix shifted uncomfortably and set his coffee down with a clink.
The man by the window turned slightly, fixing Leo with his gaze. Silent pressure poured forth.
Leo met the man's eyes steadily, then turned back to Felix.
"For your information." Felix leaned forward, interlocking his fingers with a grave expression. "The young man proposed by His Majesty King Siegfried is none other than Prince Heinrich, his third son."
A faint, triumphant smile crept into his tone at the end. He was confident. Just the name alone would make Leo startle and shift in his seat.
A prince. A prince of the realm. Though third in line with virtually no claim to the throne, he was still royalty. Marrying him would make Elizabeth the first commoner in Eisenwalt history to wed into the royal family.
Wealth, power, honor. All laid out before her.
No one could remain unmoved.
Not even you. Felix was certain of it.
But seeing Leo's icy expression, his words caught in his throat.
"So?"
Leaning forward just like Felix, fingers interlocked, Leo showed not a flicker of surprise. Not even the dismay he'd anticipated.
In the narrowed space between them, Leo spoke in a low, serious voice.
"I told you. I respect my daughter. Noble or royal, if she doesn't want it, that's the end. Even if it were imperial blood, the choice is Eli's."
Felix's fingertips trembled faintly. His grip tightened on the teacup.
Why no reaction? Confusion crept in.
"It's a marriage to a prince, Leo Valentine."
He emphasized carefully once more, but...
"Yes. So?"
The same response left Felix frustrated beyond measure.
His voice rising as if boiling inside, Felix pressed. "Are you even listening? It's marriage to royalty. A once-in-a-lifetime chance!"
"Principal—no, Royal Chamberlain, are you listening to me?"
In stark contrast to the agitated Felix, Leo's voice was cold.
"Tell King Siegfried this."
Leo continued.
"We are grateful for the proposal. As her father, I'm honored you think so highly of Elizabeth."
Polite words, but his tone held not a shred of respect.
"Regrettably, however, we must decline. It's truly unfortunate. Still, I pray His Majesty finds another worthy match for the prince."
"... "
Felix pressed his temple. His head throbbed as if splitting.
Mr. Valentine, you're not wrong. Personally, I like Miss Elizabeth and don't want her forced into anything.
But.
I've been commanded by His Highness. Failure won't end with just me...
Felix had to make this succeed, no matter what. Persuade Leo Valentine so Elizabeth would marry the prince.
That was the king's will. Absolute. Unyielding. No defiance allowed. No failure permitted.
"Did you think you had a choice?"
While Felix agonized, the royal guard—who had been silent—fully turned to face Leo. His tone and expression were menacing, as if ready to draw his sword at any moment.
He wasn't an ordinary royal guard. He was the captain of King Siegfried's secret direct unit, the "King's Shadow."
They never revealed themselves. But everyone knew: the king's most trusted knights, who handled the dirtiest work in proportion to that trust.
Assassinations, torture, incitement, massacres. The blades hidden in the King's Shadow.
Ruthless killers who obeyed any royal command.
Ten years ago, a noble house had exposed the king's true face. The result: annihilation. The entire family vanished soundlessly overnight.
They operated above the law, beyond even the royal guard captain's reach, granted direct authority by the king.
Felix was no exception. The captain's presence meant the king didn't fully trust him—deployed as a watchdog.
"G-Guard."
"Chamberlain. Wait a moment."
An ordinary guard ordering—no, commanding—the chamberlain. He shed his disguise.
And looked down at Leo. With utter contempt.
"They say nobodies make the most noise, and it seems true. Just how inflated is that pathetic pride of yours?"
"No idea what you're talking about."
"Marriage was decided long ago. By royal decree. Your choice doesn't matter."
He drew his sword. A gleaming blue edge.
"But there's one more order. If you show any sign of refusal, make you nod by any means necessary."
The blade hovered before Leo's face. Close enough that a twitch would slice his nose or pierce his eye. The reflection danced across Leo's features.
A deliberate threat. Anyone would flinch with a razor-sharp sword at their nose.
Yet...
...Why is he so calm?
Facing the naked blade, Leo didn't blink. He didn't even glance at it.
He simply stared straight at the captain with emotionless eyes.
Not feigning composure. He truly wasn't afraid.
"By any means, huh..." Leo mulled the words.
His irises shifted slowly. The blue faded, replaced by deep, intense black.
Unaware, the captain sneered. "Yes, by any means. For example..."
He continued.
"You could watch your precious bookstore burn overnight, or all your assets vanish. Your lover's that Quyrhalstein major, right?"
"... "
"Or maybe your sweet, beautiful daughter gets passed around by thugs..."
Before the words finished—the captain met Leo's black eyes.
He gasped sharply.
Clutching his throat, he staggered back in panic.
Clang!
The sword hit the floor.
The captain clawed wildly at his neck, as if checking if it was still attached.
"Guh... Hahk, hahk...!"
As if unable to breathe, he dropped to his knees before Leo and retched violently.
C-Cut... I was cut.
Recognizing the word, his body reacted first. Not actually severed, but convinced it was.
His brain misfired, heart seizing reflexively. Blood flow halted, no oxygen to the head.
Dizziness, suffocation, cold sweat surging up his throat—all at once.
He felt like he was dying. No, he believed he was dead.
I-I'm... alive?
But his fingertips soon realized. He was alive. Not a drop of blood. All illusion.
Terror conjured by the brain.
Breath returned, consciousness cleared. The captain slowly raised his head.
Leo was there.
Still looking down at him.
Only then did he understand. He hadn't survived.
He'd been spared.
This man before him could kill him anytime he wanted.