In a dark room that reeked of dust and old paper, the Emperor sat hunched over his desk, his green eyes glinting in the lamplight. "The banquet wrapped up nicely," he said, his voice like calm waves. "Wouldn't you agree, Court Mage Syra?"
A man leaned against the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, his silver hair highlighted by a shaft of moonlight. "Indeed, it concluded without incident," replied Syra, his tone as gentle as a breeze. "It seems the Third Prince has changed. He's using his 'amnesia' as a rather effective excuse for his rudeness." The mage paused, then added, "I must admit, I was worried he would execute that knight."
A deafening silence filled the room before the Emperor spoke again. "It seems he's hiding something from me—His own father."
"The thought had occurred to me as well, Your Majesty, Rune Valdren," Syra said.
The Emperor glanced up, a flicker of genuine surprise on his face. "I never took you for the observant type."
"Well, you can never judge a book by its cover~" Syra simply shrugged.
---[Line break]
I opened my eyes to an almost familiar ceiling. How many days has it been since I came to this body? What happened last night—
"Your Highness," Rein's voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, just my morning thoughts." I responded.
"I see."
"Rein," I looked at him, our eyes locked.
"What do you say about becoming my personal knight permanently?" I asked.
He looked at me as if I was an idiot asking a question with an obvious answer.
"Your Highness, if I'm not your knight already, then what have I been doing all this time?"
He looked confused.
"Say what?"
…
"The Emperor simply borrowed me during your slumber, Your Highness." He explained.
"Is that right?"
He nodded.
"Well, that's a relief!"
It felt like a part of my chest became lighter.
"Anyways,"
"What is our plan for today?" I asked.
"His Majesty ordered me to let you rest, Your Highness."
Rest? Why would I rest? I needed a way to defend myself for whatever that may come. This will be a long battle, after all. Even as we spoke, Ranchael was plotting something. I have to prepare for a foreign plot.
"Rein,"
I grabbed his hands.
"Teach me the sword." I said, with a straight face.
Rein scanned my face carefully, searching for any sign of a joke. There was none. His eyes widened slightly as a look of genuine concern took over his features. He was looking at me as if I had lost my mind.
Why does everyone around me have such a reaction???
"Are you sure, Your Highness?" He asked me, his face filled with concern.
"Yes," I replied, my tone firm. His concern was like talking to a wall—it would have no effect on my decision.
"But it'll be troublesome if His Majesty were to fi—"
"He doesn't have to know~" I said, before he could finish.
Rein hesitated for a moment before saying,
"The training rooms are quiet during night time," He had a smile on his face, it was almost like he wanted me to pick up the sword from the start.
"Is that so?" I responded to his indirect way of accepting to teach me.
"It's strange," I chuckled.
"Although my memories are unclear, I feel like the two of us are very close." I added to the phrase.
"A person could lose his brain but his soul won't follow that path." Rein responded.
"Indeed, it seems so."
I had almost forgotten about breakfast when—
—Bang
The door flew open.
"Sir Rein!" A voice that reminded me of silver bells rang.
I turned my gaze to find a girl dressed in a maid outfit, her green hair falling to the length of her waist.
"Lye?" I muttered.
Though, she wasn't nervous. She looked like a mother who was about to scold her child for forgetting to do an important thing.
She placed her hands on her hips. "I asked you to escort His Highness to the dining room!" She shouted.
Rein slowly looked away.
"I apologize," he said.
Lye slowly turned to find a spoiled prince, still in his pyjamas…
That was cringe.
"I apologize, m-my-I mean, Your Highness…! I hope your sleep was pleasant!" There she goes, back to her 'nervous' self. Just when I was starting to enjoy the way she was earlier…
"It's fine," I said. "I hope breakfast is ready."
"Yes, of course!" She quickly bowed, then left.
…
"She is very fond of you, Your Highness." started Rein.
Whaaat?
No way.
"Is that so?" I'll admit, she was cute.
---[Line break]
I sat in front of a row of dishes. All looked luxurious
"Wow… Did you prepare all this?" I sat on my seat in the dining room.
I slowly turned to a figure wrapping herself in the curtains.
"Y-yes, Your Highness…" Lye slowly came out from hiding, her voice spelled 'nervous'.
"You're a great chef!" I exclaimed.
"You were in a slumber for two years and… I wasn't sure what you would like so I… just made it all…" She sounded like someone who had just been defeated in a game.
"Rein, care to join?" I asked.
"I am no more than a knight, Your Highness." He replied.
"Come on, I couldn't finish all these by myself…" It was an order.
Rein slowly sat at the other side of the table as Lye brought him his plate.
"Thank you," he said.
"It's nothing." The greenhead responded, her smile showed no signs of leaving.
I need to ask Rein more about her. She is an interesting one I thought to myself.