Chapter 37

Alvis deliberately created a situation where Filarieta and Elina could talk, but after looking around, he returned to the carriage. It seemed their conversation had ended, as Filarieta and Muse were standing outside the carriage.

"Welcome back, Your Highness."

"Yes. Thank you for keeping watch."

"Don't be so formal. You deliberately left, didn't you?"

Filarieta, who seemed to be saying that she understood his intentions, made Alvis chuckle. Despite being a noble lady, Filarieta's keen observation skills made her a true knight. She must have had some idea of why Alvis and the others had left, and what it meant. But it had to be that way for a knight guarding Elina.

"I appreciate your understanding."

"I don't like that about you. You think everything goes your way."

"You're overestimating me. I don't think that, and... things don't always go as planned..."

Alvis shrugged. He was aware that during his school days, as a student leader, he had managed things well and things seemed to go his way. But that was only within the small world of the school. Outside, it was different. Of course, Filarieta wasn't talking about that.

"Filari! What are you saying to the Crown Prince?!"

"Ah... I apologize, Your Highness."

Reprimanded by Muse, Filarieta looked startled and then bowed her head. She seemed to have realized that she was talking as if they were back in school. Since no one else was around, it wasn't a big deal, but she needed to maintain a proper demeanor in front of others.

"Be more careful in public."

"Understood."

Filarieta's expression suggested that she knew this already, but she hadn't been able to do so just now. She seemed to understand that the fault was hers and didn't say anything more.

"The royal guards are over there. I want you two to join them and follow their instructions."

"Yes, sir."

Nodding to the salutes of Muse and Filarieta, the two hurried off. Once they were gone, Alvis opened the carriage door. Elina and Sara were chatting, and they were laughing together.

"Elina."

"Oh, Your Highness, you're back."

"Yes. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

"No, I'm fine. Sara was here, and Filarieta and the others talked to me."

"I see."

Though he didn't know what they had talked about, Elina's expression suggested that they got along well. Alvis knew Filarieta's capabilities, but Muse's were still a mystery. He had heard that she was one of the best among the female knights, but if he was to make her his personal knight, he wanted someone even better. He would have to test her himself.

"Your Highness?"

"It's nothing. Shall we go?"

"...Yes."

As Alvis led Elina out of the carriage, he walked confidently. Noticing his surefootedness, Elina looked around and asked.

"Have you been here before, Your Highness?"

"Yes. This is a place where I used to come with my colleagues during my time in the knights. Though I only came a few times."

Alvis's career path was unusual. After graduating, he joined the knights, which was fine. But no one had transferred to the royal guards after just a year. When he received the order, Alvis couldn't accept it immediately. He thought it was a favor from his uncle, the king, or his father, Rakwell. It turned out to be a recommendation from the head of the knights, but it took Alvis a while to get over his resentment. At that time, Alvis was also going through a difficult period, avoiding his family even more than before. His parents didn't say much, but his brother often scolded him.

"Really, it's nostalgic..."

He had avoided going back home, but now he couldn't return even if he wanted to. He felt a bit lonely about that. The dukedom was no longer a place he could call home, but it was still important to him, and the people there were important to him. He suddenly thought of his half-siblings. He had attended their wedding, but they hadn't really talked. After graduating from the academy, they had only communicated through letters, and he hadn't seen them in person much.

Soon, they reached a small fountain, and Alvis stopped.

"Elina."

"Yes, what is it?"

"I want to visit the Belphias Dukedom in the capital next week."

"The Belphias Dukedom?"

"Yes. I want to meet my youngest siblings while they're in the capital."

They would be returning to their territory the following weekend, so Rakwell had asked Alvis to try to meet them before then. It would be a long time since Alvis had seen them, and he wanted to meet them before they were separated again.

"Understood. I'll wait for you at the palace."

"No, I'd like you to come with me, Elina."

"Me too?"

"Yes."

Elina's eyes widened in surprise, and Alvis couldn't help but smile.

"I want you to meet them as family. I think Millie and Valeria would be happy about that."

Alvis's half-siblings. Valeria von Belphias, his younger brother, was 14 and would be entering the academy next year. He would then live in the capital, but Millia von Belphias, his younger sister, was only 11 and would still live in the territory. Once Valeria entered the academy, Millia would be alone. She probably had mixed feelings about Alvis getting married. She had heard the circumstances from Rakwell and understood why Alvis had to do what he did, even though he was no longer part of the Belphias Dukedom. That's why he wanted to bring Elina as family.

"Thank you, Your Highness. I would be honored to go with you!"

"It's my request. I appreciate it."

"Yes."

While they were talking, Tylia and the royal guards had finished preparing tea. Alvis sat on the provided seat, and Elina sat next to him.

"I've never had tea like this before."

"Of course. It's not something high-born ladies do often."

"Have you done this many times, Your Highness?"

"Never with a lady. This is the first time I've brought anyone here."

Alvis's words made Elina blush happily. He had never invited anyone, not even during his school days or after joining the knights.

As they enjoyed their tea and chatted about trivial matters, Elina suddenly fell silent. Alvis, wondering if she was feeling unwell, looked at her curiously. She then turned to him with a determined expression, one he had seen before.

"Elina?"

"I was hesitant to ask, but may I ask about Lillian?"

"..."

Alvis was taken aback by the sudden topic. After the incident at the academy, Elina and Lillian had no contact. He hadn't expected Elina to be concerned about her now. When they had talked before, Elina had expressed gratitude, but Lillian hadn't come up since then.

"Why do you want to know about her?"

"I remembered. In the academy courtyard, I saw her having tea like this."

Elina had been chatting and having lunch with Harbara and others in the courtyard. Lillian, Girard, and Harbara's fiancé had been there, enjoying themselves. It was an unusual sight, and some of her friends were indignant, but Elina had felt envious.

"At the time, it seemed so bright and beautiful to me."

"I see..."

"But now, I'm having a good time with you, Your Highness. I can't help but wonder how Lillian is doing."

"Elina..."

Elina didn't seem to blame Lillian. How could someone be raised to have such a nature? Perhaps it was because of Girard as a negative example.

"Even if you know, you might regret it."

"I don't want to be a doll by your side, knowing nothing. I will accept the truth, whatever it may be."

Elina had also asked the Duke of Ritha, but he had deflected, saying she would eventually hear it from Alvis. Alvis sighed deeply. He had three options: tell the truth, lie, or...

"..."

"She is—"

Alvis hesitated, unsure of what to say next.