At Isolet’s identification, the man who had been sitting perfectly still without the slightest movement finally shifted his gaze.

He was the only one who seemed uninterested in the story of Isolet and Theodore that everyone else was curious about.

Kasimir Hesse Kalansa. A legendary talent who became the youngest Commander-in-Chief ever. A man said to love work more than women.

Isolet quietly recalled her memories. But while rumors about him abounded, he was such a mysterious figure that even in the past, she had only encountered him once. It was so long ago that he looked like a complete stranger.

‘What is this?’

Facing the Commander-in-Chief, Isolet was momentarily surprised.

It was because he had a face that somehow felt nostalgic. As if they had known each other for a long time.

But she soon dismissed that feeling as a misperception.

‘It was just a brief encounter. Must be my imagination.’

It was when she had gone to the military headquarters looking for Theodore.

‘Miss, in that place, you only need to be careful of a man named Kasimir Kalansa.’

A servant had repeatedly cautioned her as she headed to the military headquarters.

But as luck would have it, Isolet had encountered Kasimir even before seeing Theodore.

‘Even if you are the Princess, you cannot pass through here if you are not a soldier.’

Though she couldn’t remember his face, the memory of his cold expression was vivid. Isolet compared his past appearance with his current one.

He still had the same disciplined military bearing as before.

The man who looked like he wouldn’t bleed even if stabbed still gazed at Isolet with a cold face.

His expression remained the same, but there seemed to be something unusual in the eyes that looked at her.

His meticulously sculpted features and sharp impression intensified the chilly atmosphere. His broad shoulders and physique, contrasting with a face more beautiful than most women’s, were impressive.

Isolet extended her hand to him first.

“I heard soldiers greet each other this way.”

At her words, Kasimir’s face changed very subtly.

He merely raised his eyebrows slightly, but the atmosphere around them shifted completely. After quietly looking at Isolet’s outstretched hand, he slowly grasped it.

“Nice to meet you, Lord Kalansa.”

Perhaps because it was a hand that held swords and guns, it felt rough with many calluses.

“Are you saying that Your Highness is interested in the military?”

“Yes. As I told His Majesty earlier, I want to go to the border.”

At the word ‘border,’ everyone sitting there gasped in surprise again. Even though it was the same statement as before, they still couldn’t believe it.

“The border…”

Kasimir closed his mouth as if pondering for a moment. He looked like he was about to refuse.

Isolet quickly added:

“I think it would be dishonorable for a princess to be rejected merely with words by the Commander-in-Chief.”

“…Pardon?”

“I heard you teach that honor is the most important thing for a soldier.”

“You seem to know quite a bit about me.”

Kasimir widened his eyes in slight surprise.

“So shouldn’t you also help me maintain my honor as a princess?”

“How so?”

“I’d like at least a chance to take your test. If I don’t pass, I’ll withdraw honorably.”

Isolet smiled with composure. In truth, she didn’t feel composed at all.

At this, Kasimir turned his gaze toward the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, may I test the Princess?”

A test. It was an excellent pretext. From his perspective, having Isolet, the palace troublemaker, join the military would be quite bothersome.

There was no better solution for dealing with her than a ‘test.’ It was unlikely she would pass Kasimir’s test, and if she failed, he could use that as grounds for refusal.

Moreover, not just anyone could be assigned to the border region.

The Emperor frowned at this.

“No. The border? I had no intention of sending her to the border. That Theodore fellow…”

The Emperor, who had been muttering to himself, quickly changed his stance. Then, with a solemn face, he said:

“Don’t give her special treatment just because she’s the princess.”

“Of course not, Your Majesty.”

Kasimir slightly raised one corner of his lips in a smile.

The Emperor seemed to think that Isolet would withdraw on her own after facing a harsh test.

“Then, since we’re on the subject, how about this evening?”

But Kasimir drove the wedge in firmly.

“This evening?”

The Emperor asked in surprise.

“As it happens, there’s a sword duel at the military headquarters this evening. The timing is perfect.”

“A sword duel? She won’t get hurt, will she?”

The Emperor looked doubtful.

“If one fears getting hurt, how can they call themselves a soldier?”

But Kasimir was very firm. At his words, the Emperor let out a groan.

Seeing that this might never be resolved, Isolet stepped in. She actually thought this was a good development.

“Your Majesty, I won’t get hurt, so please don’t worry.”

“…”

“Then come to the training ground before sunset this evening.”

Kasimir made a quick decision.

The Emperor still looked displeased, but Isolet had no intention of backing down.

“I will do so.”

She exchanged greetings with Kasimir and then bowed to the Emperor.

Having achieved her goal, she felt there was no need to stay any longer.

Thus, Isolet hastily left the place.

She could feel Kasimir’s gaze following her until the end.

*

Time passed quickly. To get a feel for the atmosphere in advance, Isolet set out a bit early. Despite being a princess, she had considerable freedom of movement. Because she would cause trouble whenever something happened, both her guards and ladies-in-waiting had all left her side. So those assigned to protect her usually did not show themselves. Also, they would never appear without special orders. She could head to the training ground alone with a light heart.

“Is this the place?”

The sunset beautifully descending behind the training ground filled her vision. Soldiers in armor seemed to be warming up on the training ground.

The sound of battle cries, the clashing of swords. And the shadows of the darkened soldiers moving with precision against the backdrop of the red sunset.

Just as she was about to enter the training ground, someone recognized Isolet first.

“My goodness, isn’t that the Princess?”

It was a man with a sardonic smile. Of course, he too was dressed in military uniform. Though a soldier, his swaggering attitude was familiar. Isolet immediately recognized who this man was.

“Ah. You’re Theodore’s adjutant. What was your name again?”

As expected, she didn’t remember unnecessary names.

“We met just yesterday, yet you speak as if it’s been a long time.”

Ah. Isolet tilted her head looking at him. Yes, he would have seen her yesterday, but for Isolet, it truly had been a long time. It was due to her memories from before the regression.

“Was that so.”

Then. What was it like? She had been so focused on Theodore that her memories of him were vague.

“Please at least remember my name. I’m Leonard Wellington.”

“Leonard.”

Isolet repeated the name he provided. At the same time, memories of him gradually surfaced. She unconsciously frowned.

“I’ve heard the news. It seems you’re chasing after Lord Theodore again?”

Yes. That attitude. Isolet raised her eyebrows.

Leonard had treated her terribly because she liked his superior. Despite the fact that Isolet was a princess.

Back then, Isolet didn’t want to care whether Leonard behaved that way or not. But now it was different. His disrespectful attitude and tone all bothered her.

It seemed Kasimir had not arrived yet. Isolet glanced around once and quietly opened her mouth.

“Did you know?”

“Pardon?”

People were gathering around. It was because Isolet, a stranger, was among those they always saw.

Perhaps because they were soldiers who always lived closely among themselves, they seemed particularly interested in Isolet.

“You didn’t show proper respect or even greet me. I’m curious if your superior taught you to behave this way.”

“What?”

He looked somewhat flustered. After all, Isolet had never taken issue with his attitude before.

“Or is it that all soldiers like you don’t know how to distinguish their superiors?”

“T-that’s…”

For the first time, Leonard stammered and watched Isolet’s reaction.

“What’s the problem? Or did the imperial family seem amusing to you?”

There was an intimidating force behind her gentle voice. Now Isolet clearly remembered him. Leonard Wellington, who had looked down on her every day.

‘You know what? That princess or whatever. She’s so infatuated with our superior that she doesn’t even care when I treat her however I want.’

‘Ah. Lord Theodore? He doesn’t say a word about how I behave. Rather, he might even like it. I’ve chased her away several times. Given her hints.’

‘Princess? She’s just a stupid woman.’

The past memory was clear. The day she went to find Theodore. She had overheard Leonard’s conversation with his colleagues.

Even in such a humiliating situation, she had simply turned and left. After all, she didn’t want to antagonize Leonard and fall out of Theodore’s favor.

From the looks of it, Leonard hadn’t changed at all since then. Isolet smiled faintly and adjusted her grip on her sword.

It also seemed like an appropriate situation to experiment with ‘Word Command.’

“I came to meet Lord Kalansa, but before that, I need to fix your manners.”

At those words, Leonard’s face turned deathly pale.