Chapter 4

It was still early in the morning when the first prince's appearance to visit Princess Viatora turned the usually tranquil Purple Jade Palace into a flurry of activity.

"It's a crisis, Princess! Prince Alexander has come to visit you!"

"Is it that serious?"

While the maid Seira was brushing out her lustrous golden hair, Viatora tilted her head cutely in the mirror.

"Do you know how many noblewomen and princesses are smitten with Prince Alexander?"

Seira let out a scream-like voice.

"He is tall, with a handsome face. He excels in horseback riding and swordsmanship, and is widely praised for his wisdom and brilliance. Oh... just to be in his presence is like ascending to heaven, and to think he would come here!"

"Our Celtis is smart, kind, and has a face that is beyond reproach."

Viatora replied firmly. After all, he was her pride and joy, a pampered younger brother.

"I'm worried about showing his face to other princesses."

"Please, take your time to worry."

The loyal maid, however, only gave a perfunctory response.

"Still, where did he first take notice of you? You rarely leave the Purple Jade Palace."

Come to think of it, you were on leave that day, Viatora looked at Seira in the mirror.

"I told you I found Mother's diary, didn't I? When Mother was bedridden, Prince Alexander brought her a rare collection of foreign poetry. I found the poetry book by chance the day before yesterday and thought I should return it, so I went to see him with Luna."

To be honest, the poetry book was something Viatora had found in the market a year or two ago and kept because she liked it. It was a pretext she had made up for visiting the first prince, but thanks to it, she was able to meet him. She doesn't deny that she put on a big smile and charmed them, as her status as the fourth princess and her mother's beauty were her only weapons, and she thought it would be a waste not to use them.

"In the end, he said he would give me the poetry book, so I took it back."

That's what I'll say.

"Then, what else did you talk about?"

"About the Emperor and Mother. He listened with great interest."

She didn't mention the bombshell she had dropped and answered humbly.

While getting dressed quickly, Viatora couldn't help but feel her heart flutter. The fact that he came to see her today must mean that the first prince has made up his mind about the matter. I hope he will say he wants to take me. Now, all I can do is pray.

"Are you ready?"

Viatora nodded slightly at Luna's question and looked at herself in the mirror. When she smiled slightly, the girl with a beauty similar to her mother Titti smiled back at her. It's okay, Viatora whispered to herself, as if to reassure herself.

"Still as beautiful as ever."

At Alexander's words, Viatora smiled gently. She didn't bother with modesty, so she ignored that part.

"I'm glad to see you."

Alexander noticed and raised an eyebrow in amusement but said nothing, and instead kissed the hand Viatora offered in a graceful gesture.

When Viatora glanced back, she saw Seira and Luna's eyes sparkling with excitement. There were no young men in the Purple Jade Palace except for Celtis, so they were probably overjoyed by the sudden visit of a handsome prince.

Even Viatora might have felt a flutter in her heart if she could just admire the prince. But now was not the time, and the fact that he somewhat resembled the emperor she had seen before was not a good sign. However, his reputation was worlds apart from that of the emperor. He cared about the people's lives and implemented necessary policies. The character he was known for was not bad either.

After a while, she couldn't bear it anymore and decided to ask boldly.

"So, what brings you here today?"

By indirectly prompting for an answer to her previous response, Alexander, who had been hesitant in front of the maids, seemed to relax a bit and looked at Viatora seriously.

"Before I answer that, can you come with me for a moment?"

That day, the Antore Knight Order was enveloped in an unusual and restless buzz. The first prince had visited to inspect the training, accompanied by a princess of unparalleled beauty.

"You're here too, I see."

When addressed, Amon nodded slightly.

"I heard about the nephew of Luitas."

Amon's eyes were directed at the young knights with concern. The Antore Knight Order was a name Amon had dedicated his life to, and he cherished the order like family.

The three knight orders in the palace, Antore, Rofman, and Reiatto, each consisted of over three thousand full knights and provisional knights who had not yet received knighthood.

Noble children had to join one of the knight orders at the age of twelve, but these three, known as the royal private knight orders, were particularly difficult to join.

Those who joined at twelve spent five years in the barracks, studying and training, and only after receiving the knighthood were they recognized as nobles.

Their paths after knighthood varied, but the bond among the members who had spent their sensitive years from twelve to seventeen living and competing together was strong. For Amon, who had inherited the order, the members of Antore were like family.

"No accidents have occurred yet."

"Then we have time."

Alexander nodded and looked at Viatora standing beside him. Viatora's beautiful golden hair was tousled by the wind, and Alexander gently straightened it with his fingers. The intimate gesture made the members stir.

"Viatora."

Viatora, who was not so dull as to not realize why she was brought here, smiled and looked up at Alexander.

"Please call me Viatora."

"Then, Viatora. Can you recognize the face of the knight you saw in your dream?"

"I think I can recognize him if I see him close. He was a young, blonde knight."

"He has a habit of raising his arm once when he wields a spear. We have one person who fits that description. Can you take a look?"

Amon, who had been training with the members since early morning, interjected.

Soon, a young knight was brought before them, standing nervously and performing the highest form of salute by folding his right arm in front of his chest and bowing his head.

He was a young knight, just over twenty years old. Viatora nodded in response to Alexander's questioning gaze. It was him, the young knight. She remembered the blood-covered eyes, the scream, the thrashing, and the eventual stillness. The vivid memory made her stagger slightly. She had always been sensitive to the sight of blood and the sounds of human suffering. Her fingertips felt cold.

"Viatora."

Alexander, noticing the change, gently held Viatora's waist.

"Don't push yourself, lean on me."

He pulled her closer, and Viatora, without resistance, leaned into his chest. She felt a deep aversion to the dreams that visited her, which showed her every detail, whether she wanted them or not.

When her breathing steadied, Viatora slowly pulled away.

"Are you better?"

Viatora nodded and looked at the knight in front of her. Alexander questioned the knight.

"What is your name?"

The knight performed the highest form of salute again.

"My name is Sais Evbeck."

"This is Princess Viatora."

At the name, Evbeck's face shot up in surprise. A loud murmur spread among the surrounding members. The princess, who had never appeared in public, was being escorted by the first prince, the son of the current emperor's favorite concubine, Titti, whose beauty was still talked about among the people. The meaning was clear.

Evbeck, who had been gazing at Viatora in a trance, finally realized his disrespect and lowered his eyes.

"I want to entrust Viatora's protection to someone I can trust. Can you do it?"

Evbeck looked at Amon Antore, who stood beside him, for confirmation.

"It's the prince's command. Bow to her."

"Hai...!"

By doing this, Evbeck would not have to wield a spear on horseback for a while. Unaware of the relieved exchange of glances between Alexander and Amon, Evbeck blushed and gazed at his new mistress, the beautiful princess, with admiration.