‘Is that coming from the training grounds?’

Even though it was early, it didn’t seem like an incident – everyone she’d passed looked far too calm for that. It was probably just the Imperial Knights doing their morning drills.

She paused and listened more closely. Yes, there was no doubt about it. The sound was definitely coming from the training grounds. They were training already, at this hour?

‘Could Ricciardo be there too?’

He was either in the middle of taking the entrance test or had already finished and was practicing by now. The previous day had been taken up with exams, so she had had no opportunity to speak with him. Liton had also disappeared after helping her carry books outside her chambers, so she had no idea how things were going with the knights.

Nevertheless, he already had the deputy-captain’s recommendation, so it likely wouldn’t take long. All he needed was to give a brief demonstration of his skills to the knight commander, followed by final approval from the Emperor.

Ricciardo’s abilities were all but guaranteed by his record at the Brice Swordsmanship Academy. Provided he didn’t make a careless mistake due to nerves, he would undoubtedly pass.

Ailie nodded to herself, a quiet sense of satisfaction warming her chest.

‘If that’s the case… I kind of want to see him.’

After all, he had turned down a teaching position at Brice Academy to accompany her to the Imperial Palace. If he passed the selection process and officially joined the Imperial Knights, she wanted to congratulate him in person.

However, she couldn’t interrupt a test or training session. Perhaps she could watch from a distance without being noticed and call him over once it was finished.

With that thought in mind, Ailie slowly made her way towards the training grounds. The clash of blades grew louder with every step.

By the time she reached the entrance, she noticed several servants and knights gathered in a loose circle nearby, watching the grounds inside.

“Wow…”

Someone nearby let out a breathless murmur. All the onlookers stood with their mouths slightly open, their eyes fixed on the scene before them. They were so engrossed that none of them noticed Ailie standing just behind them.

Perfect. She had only meant to watch quietly and say hello afterwards.

Slipping soundlessly into the crowd, she peered through the open window at the training grounds.

‘…Benate?’

Benate was inside the training grounds.

Out of everyone there, she spotted him first. Startled, she hurriedly averted her gaze.

Beside her, Liton and the knight commander were observing the centre of the grounds. In the middle, a knight and Ricciardo had their swords crossed. It seemed the examination was underway.

—Clang!

Ricciardo, who had been observing the match calmly, seized a single opening with a swift, precise move. The next instant, his opponent’s sword flew through the air, embedding itself with a dull thud in the far corner of the training grounds.

It was flawless swordsmanship.

Applause erupted around them. The defeated knight raised a hand in concession, and several more matches quickly followed.

Each one ended in Ricciardo’s victory.

He overpowered the knights one after another, demonstrating a clear and undeniable difference in skill. Ailie watched, utterly absorbed. At the second hideout, the sheer number of enemies had made him appear under pressure, but in single combat, his ability far surpassed that of an ordinary knight.

Soon, the knight commander stepped forward and declared the trials concluded. The defeated knights extended their hands to Ricciardo in a sportsmanlike gesture of acknowledgement. There was no trace of resentment among them — by any standard, it had been a superb match.

“Excellent work, Prince Alvaro.”

“Thank you for being worthy opponents.”

“Worthy opponents? I was knocked flat the moment we started.”

The atmosphere was warm and friendly, with no hint of jealousy. Ailie applauded Ricciardo quietly.

With skills like that, of course he would succeed.

Planning to congratulate him once things had settled down, Ailie began to step back. Just as she was about to retreat behind a pillar—

“Very well, Prince Alvaro.”

Benate’s voice rang out.

“Thank you for coming all the way to the imperial capital. As I heard, your skill is indeed impressive.”

Even though his words were meant as praise, why did his voice sound so unsatisfied?

Ailie turned her head cautiously and looked back at the training grounds.

At that moment, her eyes met a pair of icy, piercing blue ones.

Benate looked at Ailie briefly, lifted the corner of his mouth in a half-smile, then turned his gaze back to Ricciardo.

“I hear you graduated from the Brice Swordsmanship Academy and even earned an appointment as an instructor. The Duke of Alvaro must be pleased with your growth.”

“You flatter me, Your Majesty.”

“At the same time, a question occurred to me.”

Ailie froze where she stood, watching Benate’s profile as he no longer spared her a glance.

A question? What was he about to say?

“Why is it that someone as capable as you failed to display your true skill last time?”

“That was—”

A murmur rippled through the onlookers.

“Last time” could only mean the ass*ult on the thieves at the second hideout. Was he bringing up Ricciardo’s failure to protect Ailie then?

‘Why?’

That was already in the past.

If he truly wished to assign blame for that incident, it would have made more sense to question Liton, who had been appointed as her guard—not Ricciardo, who had merely accompanied her.

As a flustered Liton tried to interject, Benate cut him off sharply and pressed on.

“Was it intentional? Or did you think the duke’s second son had no need to involve himself directly? If so, were you looking down on the Imperial Palace?”

“Your Majesty, I sincerely apologize for what happened then. But it was not intentional. I had only just graduated from the academy and lacked experience in real combat—”

“Which is exactly my point.”

Benate cut him off abruptly. The murmuring spectators fell silent at once.

Ricciardo fell silent as well. Though he clearly had more he wished to say, he only lowered his head and closed his mouth.

“You are not suited for the Imperial Knights. So stop lingering here and return to the academy.”

“……”

“The entrance examination will be recorded as a failure.”

It was an unreasonable decision.

It was absurd to fail him based on a real battle that hadn’t even taken place during the examination, in which he had faced overwhelming numbers.

And more than that—

‘He knows I’m watching. That’s why he’s doing this.’

She didn’t know what petty impulse had driven him. Perhaps this was just another whim.

One thing was certain: Benate knew she was there. Their eyes had met.

So why was he taking it out on Ricciardo? Why?

Ailie quickly withdrew from the scene. Bursting in now to protest would only spark rumors about the Empress and Prince Alvaro alike.

It would be better to confront Benate directly.

‘I won’t keep avoiding you forever just because I’m afraid of old memories, Benate.’

As she left the training grounds behind, Ricciardo’s voice carried after her.

“I understand, Your Majesty. But I will strive even harder, and one day, I will stand here again before you… so please, wait for me.”

Despite the situation, his voice was calm—too calm for someone who had every right to be angry.

Guilt pricked at Ailie, and she quickened her pace. She didn’t hear what Benate replied. She didn’t want to.

‘I’ll set an appointment tomorrow.’

By then, she would organize her thoughts—so thoroughly that no excuse would hold.

Before Ricciardo left the capital, she intended to set this right.

***

“What’s on your mind, Your Majesty?”

As promised, Sirion had come to examine both Ailie and Breni. He asked the question with a worried expression.

Ailie shook her head and smiled. It was something she would settle tomorrow by speaking directly to the Emperor himself. There was no need to trouble Sirion with it.

“It’s nothing. You don’t need to worry.”

Nevertheless, it seemed her mood had betrayed her. Sirion smiled and nodded, but his gaze lingered on her for longer than usual.

Breni, far less perceptive than Sirion, sipped her tea with a much lighter expression than the day before. Sirion had brought the tea with him — a blend designed to relieve fatigue. He must have been busy brewing it since early morning. This thoughtfulness made Ailie feel grateful.

Breni’s eyes widened as she exclaimed.

“This smells amazing!”

“I’m glad you like it. I was worried it might not suit your taste.”

“May I ask what tea leaves you used? I’d like to tell the other maids.”

“It’s nothing special. This one is from my hometown—”

As the two of them continued chatting, Ailie turned towards the window.

Sunlight poured in beyond the balcony. With winter drawing to a close, some days already felt like spring had arrived. Today, in particular, felt like a proper spring day.

Ailie wanted to step outside for a change of scenery, if only briefly, but Breni needed to rest, so she held herself back. Once Breni had fully recovered, she would undoubtedly want to go out and see the gardens, no matter how much Ailie tried to stop her.

Smiling faintly at the thought, she—

“Your Majesty?”

“Ah—Sirion.”

Her gentle, lavender eyes were fixed intently on her.

She seemed lost in thought and had missed part of the conversation. Perhaps it was the lack of sleep, or maybe her mind had simply been too cluttered since this morning. Either way, her thoughts kept wandering.

Just as she was about to apologize for not listening properly—

“Your Majesty, if you don’t mind… would you care to take a walk in the garden with me?”

Sirion’s suggestion was unexpected.

She had just been thinking about going out for some fresh air, but—

‘Is he reading my mind?’

Or had it really been that obvious on her face?

“Well… on days like this, it’s good to get some sunlight. It should help clear your head.”

“That’s true.”

“O-of course, only if you feel up to it. If you’d rather not, I won’t insist any further—”

She hadn’t intended to refuse, but watching Sirion become flustered and his ears turn bright red as he hurriedly added one explanation after another made Ailie let out a soft, amused laugh.

“I’ll go. Thank you for suggesting it.”

“Ah… really?”

“There’s no reason for me to lie to you, is there?”

Surprise and delight flickered across Sirion’s youthful face. Although he had been the one to suggest it, he looked far happier than expected.

Ailie shifted her gaze to Breni. Although she knew it was necessary for Breni’s recovery, she still felt a little guilty about leaving her behind.

“Breni, will you understand? When the spring flowers bloom, I’ll take you out first.”

“That would make me very happy! Please go enjoy yourself, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you.”

Breni replied cheerfully, with no hint of disappointment.

There was no need to hesitate any longer. Ailie headed to the dressing room with a maid to change into outdoor clothes. Behind her, she could hear Sirion noisily gathering his things and bustling about.

Come to think of it, what did he plan to do with all the books he’d brought yesterday?

‘We didn’t have time then… so they were put into storage.’

Inside the dressing room’s adjoining storage space, stacks of books were piled high. Judging by the librarian’s note, the borrowing period was fairly long—thankfully so.

‘How to Heal the Heart…’

If she’d known books like that existed in the library, perhaps she should have read one at least once in her previous life.

Such idle thoughts drifted through her mind.