Chapter 67

After having a slightly late lunch, Alvis was drinking tea. To avoid disturbing his meal, Elina started her embroidery again. Although it was still far from completion, Elina found joy in the simple act of moving her hands. Now, with Alvis by her side, she was careful not to get too absorbed in her work.

At that moment, she suddenly felt a gaze and looked up to find Alvis looking at her with a tender smile. His expression was so gentle that Elina felt her face growing warm.

"…Sir Alvis, it's a bit embarrassing to be stared at like this."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stare so much."

Although he apologized, Alvis's lips were still curved into a smile, suggesting he didn't really feel bad about it. Seeing him in such a relaxed state made Elina wonder if she could be proud of herself. After their wedding, Elina became Alvis's wife. However, they were not just husband and wife; they were the Crown Prince and his consort. Alvis still had his royal duties, and Elina was given duties as the Crown Princess. For now, since they had just been married, Elina did not leave the Crown Prince's palace. In reality, she couldn't leave because she didn't have a dedicated guard.

Alvis had just informed her that this would change. The guards assigned to her would be the two female knights who had accompanied them recently. One was Filarieta, and the other was a woman named Muse Arby, who was of commoner origin. Elina hardly knew Muse, but she was familiar with Filarieta. It was a relief to have someone she knew rather than a complete stranger.

What concerned her was that Filarieta was an acquaintance of Alvis. They were classmates during their time at the academy and had often crossed swords. Elina couldn't handle swords and was not good at fighting, so she couldn't understand Filarieta's passion for the sword. However, Alvis, who had fought as a knight and continued training even after becoming the Crown Prince, probably felt differently.

Alvis woke up earlier than Elina and practiced in the early morning. Although he had been told in advance, Elina wondered when he started waking up so early. He definitely went to bed later than she did.

According to Alvis, it had become a habit and was not a burden. In fact, he said he could rest more now than when he was with the Royal Guard. While it wasn't necessary for the Crown Prince to train, Alvis genuinely enjoyed it, just like Filarieta.

"Sir Alvis, it's time to return."

"Right."

Eduardo, who had been standing by the wall, called out to Alvis. Alvis had not planned to return to the palace, and it was natural that his work was not yet finished. As Alvis stood up and put on his coat, Elina stopped her embroidery and stood up to see him off. When they reached the palace entrance, Alvis seemed to be deep in thought, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Is something wrong?"

"Ah, no… It's a bit difficult to say, but there's something I need to tell you."

"…What is it?"

It was something difficult to say, which meant it was probably bad news for Elina. However, there was no option to not hear it. If Alvis was going to tell her, she was prepared to listen to whatever it was. She straightened her posture and waited for Alvis to speak.

"Amour, or rather, the House of Amour…"

"Filarieta's family, right?"

"You might have heard, but Amour and I were classmates at the academy. We didn't have a personal relationship, but we crossed swords many times."

Elina had heard this from Filarieta. However, the important point here was that Alvis and Filarieta had interacted at the academy. Elina understood what Alvis was trying to say. It meant that there were people who wanted to make Filarieta Alvis's concubine.

"Filarieta…"

"I don't know what you've heard, but she dislikes me. I'm trying to avoid it for her sake, but I wanted to tell you before anything happens."

"I understand."

Even as a guard, Filarieta's presence could lead to unnecessary speculation. However, Alvis had just been married, and it wasn't likely that anything would happen immediately. He wanted to inform her just in case.

"…If it makes you uncomfortable, I can remove Amour. Her abilities are such that she will rise in rank even without being a guard here."

"Sir Alvis, you trust Filarieta, don't you?"

Being a guard to the Crown Princess was definitely a promotion. The fact that Filarieta could rise without it showed that Alvis recognized her abilities. When Elina asked, Alvis replied with a serious expression.

"Amour is a bundle of ambition. I crossed swords with her recently, and she has become much stronger. She's incomparable to what she was back then."

Alvis's smile made Elina's heart flutter. She knew it was directed at the sword, not Filarieta, but she still felt a twinge of envy.

"Besides, Amour will protect Elina. I can't trust someone who is content with the current situation. The same goes for Arby. That's why I want to entrust Elina to them."

Considering both their current abilities and potential, he had chosen them. Political considerations were not his intention. He could avoid trouble by removing Filarieta, but he trusted them and believed they could protect Elina. Elina felt a bit jealous and became apologetic to Alvis.

"I'm sorry. It's for my sake… but I envied Filarieta a little."

"Amour?"

"I heard that Filarieta became a knight to follow Sir Alvis. And since Sir Alvis recognizes her…"

Alvis's eyes widened in surprise at Elina's words. He seemed genuinely surprised. Perhaps he didn't know that Filarieta had joined the knights to follow him.

"Follow me? I think that's a bit of a stretch."

Alvis chuckled, and Elina decided not to say more. If Alvis didn't know, it wasn't her place to tell him. It should be Filarieta.

"Besides… there's no need to envy her."

"Huh?"

Alvis raised his right hand and gently pulled Elina's head to his chest.

"I don't know what my uncle will say, but at least I only want you."

"Yes."

"Besides, it's not bad to be envied sometimes."

"Sir Alvis…"

They gently pulled away and smiled at each other.