If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight

“Of course not. I have an image to maintain. I like being worshipped by men, but that doesn’t mean I like men themselves. Let me make this clear: I plan to live gracefully alone, at least until I’m forty, reigning as the goddess of high society.”

“You’re certainly diligent in managing yourself.”

“Thank you for the compliment, Sister Sasha.”

Unlike me, Orlette and Nanaen were accompanied by maids instead of knights. My curiosity was piqued.

“Sister Lette, what about your knight?”

“Crying in bed.”

“…Are you saying you made him cry in bed?”

“That’s not it.”

I was surprised. It had been a long time since I saw Orlette sigh.

“He cries a lot. I guess he’s seen too many horrors—he spends all day sobbing in his room. He said he’s too afraid to leave my chambers, so I left him alone.”

There could be knights with soft hearts. I understood.

“Nana, what about your knight?”

“I left mine in my chambers too. He’s not in a state to be taken anywhere.”

“What do you mean?”

“Don’t even get me started. It feels like I brought in a stray cat instead of a knight.”

That gave me a certain image.

“Is he on a hunger strike or something?”

“Yes. I’m worried. What should I do? I don’t want to behead a prisoner of war from his homeland.”

“Don’t joke like that.”

We chuckled together, but then I suddenly realized—I had forgotten Regen was right behind me. A quick glance confirmed it; his expression was subtle. I hurriedly tried to explain. “The imperial palace is always like this. Just ignore it.”

Nanaen was startled. “Sister, what was that sweet tone just now?”

“…”

“I’m shocked. That’s the first time I’ve heard it. Sister Sasha must have lost her mind.”

“…”

“Try talking like that to Sister Lette. She’d show you what sibling love really means.”

Orlette waved her hand dismissively as if she didn’t even want to consider it. “Enough. Someone might be watching. Let’s stop chatting and go our separate ways.”

“Yes. Stay well.”

“May you have a safe day, Sisters.”

✦

After a brief encounter with the daughters of the emperor, Regen was guided by Sasha on a tour of the main palace. The main palace consisted of a central building and two wing halls on either side.

“The wing halls are where noble officials who serve the imperial family and the empire stay. Most of the main facilities are in the central hall, so most social events and ceremonies are held here.”

An opera theater, a chapel, a banquet hall, a library, and a grand ballroom—everywhere they walked, opulent and magnificent spaces stretched before them. Even the corridors were filled with eye-catching displays. The classic wainscoted walls were adorned with countless paintings and sculptures.

“It’s almost like an art museum.”

“More like a loot museum. These are probably all looted from somewhere.”

“…”

Regen thought that perhaps this princess was the most cynical person in the empire.

“This area is off-limits. It’s the real loot museum.”

“The treasury?”

“Yes. Beyond that door is a collection of stolen war spoils. His Majesty hands out rewards from here when bestowing gifts.”

Sasha turned away, saying it wasn’t a pleasant place. Regen followed a step behind her.

Why was it? The artworks in the corridor were dazzling, yet the sight of the woman walking steadily ahead of him was far more captivating.

“I think we’ve seen enough of the main palace. Let’s go outside.” Sasha stepped out of the building and paused as if considering where to go next. Her lips dyed a lush shade of rose, and she exhaled a white breath.

Now that they were alone in a place free from prying eyes and ears, Regen impulsively spoke. “Sasha.”

“Yes?”

“Were you trying to dominate Sir Jerom?”

“…”

Her pale sky-blue eyes turned to him. That gaze questioned why he was bringing this up now. Still, Regen felt the need to address it.

“I would prefer it if you didn’t.”

“Can you tell me why?”

“It was unpleasant.”

The discomfort of having the one right he possessed violated by another. To put it simply—it was possessiveness.

“Sir Regen, that’s…”

Sasha’s expression wavered slightly as she lowered her gaze. Regen understood what that meant. Guilt.

“That is not Sir Regen’s own feelings.”

“I know.”

It was one of the side effects of mental domination. The imperial family’s authority forcibly instilled loyalty and reverence in its subjects. In the process, it also planted false emotions within Regen. If it were just mild loyalty, he could have brushed it off with sheer willpower. But this was too much. Possessiveness, of all things.

In his 25 years of life, Regenhart Lohengrin had never felt such a thing. And yet, when Sasha had tried to make another knight kneel before her, something within him had stirred. Right now, it was just a ripple. But if it became a raging tide in the future, what then? He had surrendered his freedom and his rights. But at the very least, his emotions had to be his own.

Fortunately, Sasha was an intelligent princess. She understood everything at once.

“Thinking about it… Since these aren’t Sir Regen’s emotions, it’s my responsibility to handle them. Alright.”

“…”

“I’m sorry for making you feel something you didn’t want. I’ll be more careful.” Like a perpetrator taking responsibility for their victim, Sasha made her promise.

“I appreciate your consideration, Sasha.” Regen bowed politely. Thanks to her straightforward acknowledgment, his heart felt lighter.

Possessiveness could never be his emotion. As long as the princess was careful, he would never have to feel it again. Or so he thought.

✦

Seeing all the gardens in the palace was impossible. It was better to visit just one or two unique ones before heading back. A particular place came to my mind.

“Sir Regen, do you like mazes?”

“Mazes?”

“There’s a hedge maze garden. This way.”

We arrived at the place where evergreen trees maintained their vibrant green even in the dead of winter. The red-leafed holly trees, towering well above Regen’s height, were neatly trimmed into sharp, angular walls, forming the maze’s passageways.

“It’s about the size of a small training ground. There are only four entrances—one in each cardinal direction—so you have to navigate carefully.”

It seemed my steps gave away my excitement as I led the way because Regen casually remarked, “This place must hold memories for you.”

“Yes. I once got lost here and nearly froze to death.”

“…”

“I didn’t even know about the left-hand rule back then, so it was really dangerous.”

“…Are you sure that’s a memory you cherish?”

“Yes, because Hamel found me.”

I began reminiscing about my cherished memory—one from when I was nine, not long after I had been officially declared as a princess.

“It was a winter night with no moon. My hands and feet were frozen stiff, and I was starving since I hadn’t eaten anything since lunch. To make things worse, the wind howled, and the branches creaked so eerily that it scared me.”

“…”

“Curling up in a corner, I started feeling drowsy. I thought, ‘Well, that’s good. I’ll just sleep, and when I wake up, I’ll find my way out in the morning.’”

“If you had fallen asleep then, you would have died.”

“Yes. I nearly drifted off forever. But then, someone called my name and wrapped me in a warm blanket. It was Hamel. Honestly, I was shocked. I had assumed I had to find my way out on my own. I never imagined someone would come looking for me… let alone hold me warmly.”

“…”

“It was the first time I had ever been embraced like that. I liked it so much that, after that, I would deliberately hide in the maze every winter. But once Hamel figured out what I was up to, I didn’t have to do that anymore.”

“…”

“That’s why it’s a happy memory for me.”

I still remembered the exact spot where I had hidden. It was when I was about to head there again.

“Did Lady Hamel always come to find you?”

“Yes.”

“Only Lady Hamel?”

“Pardon?”

“What about your dear brother?”

I hadn’t prepared a fabricated memory for that.

“He searched for me too.”

“Doesn’t sound like he hugged you, though.”

“Of course, he did.”

Thankfully, my voice sounded smooth, even to my own ears. I felt relieved that I had spoken without faltering, but for some reason, Regen was staring at me blankly.

“…”

“…”

And then I realized—he was contemplating whether or not he should hug me.