Chapter 18

“How could you say that? You could actually rest for a few more days before your audience, but you’re rushing just for my sake. The official even made me promise not to pressure you. So don’t worry and just relax, Elcia.”

When Ian saw through Elcia’s gentle intentions so precisely, her cheeks flushed a rosy pink.

“It, it wasn’t that big a deal. Um… Let me check first.”

The note’s contents were brief.

Elcia Bennett’s request for an audience with the Crown Prince is gladly granted. When you come, be sure to…….

She silently handed the note she’d just finished reading to him.

“Elcia?”

“Ian, read it yourself. Then you’ll understand.”

Ian scanned the note addressed to Elcia.

「Dear Miss Elcia Bennett, congratulations on your return to the Capital. According to Sir Alteon Kypris, Ian Kypris accompanied you on this journey? I’d like to see both you and my old friend in person, so if possible, please come to the Imperial City with Ian Kypris. Any time or day you wish is fine. P.S. – If he feels he has no face to come to the Imperial City, please show him this note, which contains my sincere feelings.」

It was so polite, it was hard to believe it was handwritten by Conrad, who was extremely sensitive to rank and power dynamics. He even used honorifics.

But more than that, Ian couldn’t take his eyes off the words ‘my old friend’. Four years ago, when Ian was banished to Usley Castle, Conrad had personally sent him his own cloak to cover his drunken self. Even if everything had fallen apart, it meant Conrad wouldn’t abandon an old friend like Ian. He hadn’t even repaid that kindness yet……

He forced himself not to cry as he handed the note back.

“…….”

“Ian, congratulations.”

Elcia quietly spoke as she tied the note neatly with its string.

“El…….”

“His Highness the Crown Prince still hasn’t forgotten you.”

That was good, truly good. Elcia thought so, dabbing her stinging nose with a handkerchief. With so many moving things happening, her tears wouldn’t stop.

They barely ate breakfast before boarding a carriage with the official Conrad had sent, heading to the Imperial City. Even though Conrad had shown goodwill, there was still a wait for the audience. But before they could even enter the audience chamber, Conrad, having heard the news, dropped everything and came out to the corridor to meet them.

The Crown Prince wore a very happy expression.

“Miss Bennett, it’s been a long time.”

“How have you been?”

Elcia gave only a short greeting and quickly stepped aside. Conrad grinned when he saw Ian standing behind her.

“…It’s been even longer, Ian Kypris. You’ve returned just as I hoped.”

“Your Highness…!”

“Let’s go in for now… Or?”

Conrad spoke quite casually, but then stopped, his gaze fixed on Elcia’s wrist. Startled, Elcia reflexively lifted her wrist, suddenly realizing why Conrad was staring.

“Ah…….”

It seemed that her wrist, after what happened with Nersian yesterday, had bruised enough to be visible. The bruise was already yellowing, with some spots dark blue; it looked painful to the touch.

‘I should have asked White Bunny to heal it this morning!’

It was a minor injury, but for such an important audience, she should have paid more attention. Elcia regretted it.

“I’ll explain everything inside.”

“Let’s do that.”

Certainly, the warmth that had appeared in Conrad’s eyes when he first saw Ian was now gone. Elcia felt a chill in her chest as she entered the audience chamber.

Ian spoke honestly about what happened with Nersian yesterday, neither exaggerating nor downplaying.

“I told him clearly it was impossible, but he must have thought I was a joke. To cause such trouble in the heart of the Capital as a Holy Knight?”

After hearing everything, Conrad looked ready to strangle Nersian if he were there.

“…Did Sir Nersian target Miss Bennett before as well?”

“It’s fine. I’ll handle that matter myself, so you needn’t worry further. More importantly, Miss Bennett?”

“Yes?”

Conrad, who’d been cold throughout his conversation with Ian, suddenly softened completely. The change was so quick that even a dull person would notice. Elcia nodded slightly and looked at the Crown Prince.

“Even though it was a personal request, thank you for traveling all the way to Usley Castle.”

“No! Um… I’m truly sorry for not reporting for so long. They said it wasn’t good to treat the hand during the winter months, so I only did basic treatment and waited a few months. Since there wasn’t much progress, I had to delay my report.”

“I see. That was a good decision.”

“Actually, for this trip to the Capital, only I was supposed to have an audience with Your Highness, and Count Kypris was just going to quietly visit his family and return. But things changed along the way.”

“I see. Well, I’m glad you both came.”

Ian was quite surprised to see Conrad being so kind and gentle with Elcia.

No wonder—Conrad, as the Emperor’s eldest grandson, was known for his arrogance and sensitivity. Power struggles were always harsh, but Conrad’s vigilance and punishments were especially severe. He constantly put his grown siblings in their place, scolding them harshly, so much so that it was barely worth talking about. Even the Emperor turned a blind eye to it.

Conrad’s strictness extended to the nobility and all Imperial citizens. He might show generous mercy as a member of the Imperial Family, but could turn as terrifying as a thunderbolt in an instant. The cause was always the same: whenever someone crossed the line or tried to infringe on his authority, the consequences were dire.

But……

To Elcia, he was a generous and good ruler.

Even though she’d delayed her report of her own accord, he didn’t scold or rush her at all. That was good for Elcia, but for some reason, Ian felt unsettled. The fact that the Crown Prince treated only Elcia with such special favor pricked at him like a thorn.

It wasn’t as if Ian had any reason to compete with Elcia for the Crown Prince’s affection or favor!

‘Why am I like this?’

“So, Count Ian Kypris’s hand is now completely healed. White Bunny also confirmed there’s nothing to worry about. Maybe it’s because the Count is young and strong that he recovered so quickly…….”

Ian bowed his head in distress.

“Your Highness, I am truly ashamed. I am grateful that you overlooked the trouble caused by my foolish decisions and even sent Miss Bennett to help me.”

“Let’s leave the past behind. Show me your hand.”

Just as he had before the Marquis and Marchioness yesterday, Ian removed his glove and showed his fully healed hand to Conrad. The Crown Prince, satisfied, smiled and clapped his hands for refreshments to be brought.

A plate soon appeared, filled with the sweet chocolate drink Elcia loved—only available in the Imperial Palace—along with thin crepes spread with cream and fruit preserves. She forgot she was in the solemn audience chamber and beamed like a child.

“Wow, it looks delicious!”

“…Elcia!”

Ian whispered a warning, and she quickly pursed her lips and looked around. Conrad burst out laughing.

“Ha ha, it seems you two have grown close after spending autumn and the long winter together. You even call each other by name.”

“We’re just friends.”

“Is that so? Well, I’ve checked on you both, so the first part is done. Miss Bennett, please enjoy.”

“Yes.”

Her eyes were glued to the sweet chocolate in her cup and the tiny marshmallow floating on top. At this moment, the beautifully prepared snacks were more lovable than Ian. Knowing how sweet the chocolate was, Elcia happily drank the now-cooled beverage.

She alone fully enjoyed the sweetness on her tongue. The two men, meanwhile, were only thinking about when to start their second, more serious conversation. When enough time had passed, Ian repeated what he had told the Marquis and Marchioness yesterday, this time before the Crown Prince.

“Your Highness, though my hand is healed, I am still someone who has not atoned for all my past wrongs.”

“Ian.”

“I don’t think it’s right for someone like me, who caused so much trouble, to return to my old position so easily. Please allow me to serve Your Highness and the Empire as an ordinary knight, or even just a soldier.”

Conrad quietly observed Ian, who insisted on starting from the bottom.

Honestly, Conrad hadn’t thought that healing Ian’s hand would mean Ian would immediately return to the Capital and his side. He’d merely trusted in Elcia’s cheerfulness and skill, believing it might be possible someday. It was a pleasant surprise that things turned out better than expected, but he couldn’t simply leave Ian in limbo. Especially since other troublesome matters had arisen, it was necessary to sharpen Ian Kypris as his keen blade once again.

“…Certainly, you are my knight, but your title as the leader of the Tyr Church’s Holy Knight Order was even greater.”

“I’m not saying I want to fight with Sir Nersian over a position just because of what happened yesterday.”

“Of course, I trust you. I have no intention of pushing you back into the Order’s power struggles after all you’ve done for me. So the place you should return to is right by my side.”

At Conrad’s sincere words, Ian bowed his head slightly.

“I am honored by your favor, Your Highness.”

“Then let’s skip the sentimental talk and get to the point, Count Kypris. As of today, you are reinstated as a personal knight of the Imperial Knights. Wasn’t that your original position?”

‘So Ian was always close to His Highness the Crown Prince…’

Not knowing Ian before he became the leader of the Holy Knight Order, Elcia listened intently to their conversation. Since no one told her not to, there was no reason to block her ears.

“Understood.”

“Then, since you’ve returned, I’ll give you your first assignment. It may be a bit awkward for you, but I don’t see any other knight suitable for it, so I’m asking you.”

“What is it?”

“I’ll give you a letter—deliver it discreetly to the High Priest of the Vanir Church. No one but the High Priest must open it, so travel at night.”

Elcia, who had been delighted by the chocolate, felt her heart drop like a stone.

Go to the Vanir Church’s temple? To the place that was like home to Kayla, whom Ian had loved so deeply for so long? Ian had only just managed to overcome his wounds and was struggling to move forward, and now he was to go to a temple that evoked memories of the Saint just by name! Wasn’t that too cruel?

‘According to Sir Seiran, it’s a dangerous secret, so maybe His Highness the Crown Prince knows nothing about it. Then… how can I stop this? Ian is a knight—he can’t refuse his lord’s order. Oh, Elcia! Think!’

“Understood.”

Surprisingly, Ian answered immediately. Elcia, shocked, looked at him, but there was no shadow of sadness on his face. His expression was simply calm.

“And……”

“Yes.”

Conrad looked at the troubled Elcia and spoke.

“Until I give other orders, stay with Miss Bennett. Make sure she accompanies you when you meet the High Priest.”