With a summons, the sound of knocking echoed against the carriage door.

Knock, knock, knock. It was a precise and orderly rhythm.

The one sitting furthest out, Kallian, opened the carriage door with a calm expression on his face.

“…….”

As the scene unfolded before her, Elliope froze for a moment. It seemed that Emma, who had been taking care of her, and the doctor attending to her felt the same way.

“Gasp.”

The doctor made a startled sound before quickly closing his mouth and looking cautiously at Elliope.

“I greet you.”

The Imperial Knights stood in a straight line around them, watching them. People passing through the main street stopped in their tracks, their eyes widening as they whispered to each other at the sight.

“What’s going on?”

“Why are the Imperial Knights here…?”

“Her Highness the Princess is inside…?”

“What? Really?”

Murmurs of excitement began to ripple like gentle waves.

“I’d like to see her face too.”

“Is there any way to get a glimpse?”

Just as those whispers reached his ears, Kallian shifted his gaze outwards.

As soon as their eyes met, Ruben and the other knights of the duchy moved quickly and in perfect coordination. They immediately blocked the people’s view and prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.

“…….”

A subtle tension filled the air between the Duchy Knights and the Imperial Knights as they stood facing each other. Some of the Imperial Knights stole glances into the carriage where Kallian was sitting.

Meanwhile, Elliope instantly recognised the person standing at the front, the one who had knocked on the carriage door.

‘Knight Commander.’

None other than the Commander of the Imperial Knights himself bowed respectfully. The epaulettes he wore, symbolising the Imperial family, shimmered faintly with a golden glow.

“I heard that you had arrived in the capital, and it seems to be true. It has been a long time since we last met.”

“I see.”

“Congratulations on your return.”

“Ah.”

“The members of the Imperial Knights also rejoice at Your Highness’s arrival.”

At those words, Elliope almost let out a dry laugh.

She had met the Knight Commander before. It was during the ceremony for the Imperial Knights who had been assigned to escort her on her journey north.

“This is how we plan to organise the personnel, Your Highness.”

“…….”

“They are all highly qualified individuals, so you need not worry too much.”

“I trust you have chosen them well, Commander.”

“Of course.”

As he spoke, a hint of annoyance and reluctance flickered in the Knight Commander’s eyes. It was clear that he resented having to take some of his well-trained knights and assign them to guard her, which to him was no different than sending them away unnecessarily.

As for how those knights turned out…

“Why were we chosen? Was it because we came last in the last jousting tournament?”

“Yes. Wait a minute. Isn’t that basically a demotion?”

“Don’t say anything sinister. We’ll be back soon, right?”

“That’s right. It’s the maids who stay in the Duchy, not us.”

Elliope vaguely remembered hearing those whispers outside the carriage just before they left.

After that, though their journey was quiet, the knights occasionally glanced at her with expressions of disapproval and fear.

At a glance, it was clear that they were not the experienced and skilled warriors the Knight Commander had spoken of. Instead, they looked more like personnel who feared being dismissed at any moment.

And besides…

‘If they were really experienced knights, they wouldn’t have let Kallian take me along.’

Elliope suddenly remembered the first time she had met Kallian in this life.

Kallian had walked up to her group without even introducing himself, and without hesitation had picked her up and carried her away.

It had all happened in the blink of an eye – so fast that neither the knights nor the maids had had time to react.

In that moment, as they rode together on horseback, she vividly remembered the searing heat pressing against her body, the firm muscles touching her back,

and the way something firm nestled between the softness of her hips…

‘This is not the time.’

Elliope quickly cut off the thoughts that had begun to wander. Once they had entered her mind, they kept trying to reappear.

To cool herself down, she deliberately put on a cold expression before speaking.

“Is that so, Knight Commander? The knights you sent back then were quite helpful.”

“…….”

“Thanks to them, I was able to meet my husband, so I am truly grateful.”

At her words, the Knight Commander bit his lower lip for a moment.

It was hard to tell if her words were meant as a joke or a subtle rebuke for the way he had treated her in the past.

‘It doesn’t matter how he interprets it.’

Elliope looked down at the Knight Commander with calm eyes.

Kallian had more practical combat experience than most Imperial Knights and was an exceptional warrior. In that sense, it was perhaps only natural that they had been unable to stop him.

Since he was also familiar with the northern mountain paths, it was no surprise that he was able to quickly outmanoeuvre and evade the Imperial Knights.

‘Still…’

Allowing someone to approach the princess’s carriage without even checking their identity and letting them get that close…

‘If it had been Leanne in the carriage instead…’

Would that have been possible?

‘No.’

If it had been Leanne in the carriage, the Knights would never have allowed anyone to approach.

Kallian might have had to use force to break through their guard.

As she had said, from Elliope’s point of view, the Knights’ lax security had actually been a stroke of luck.

‘If I hadn’t been taken by Kallian…’

If she hadn’t seduced him in that hut, her life might have gone on as before.

But that didn’t change the fact that the Knight Commander had been negligent towards her.

“…….”

The Knight Commander seemed to have come to the same conclusion himself, for he was unable to answer and bowed his head belatedly.

It was a gesture of shame, as if he knew he had no face to show. His demeanour was completely different, now filled with humility.

It was Kallian who broke the awkward silence.

“But what brings the commander of the Imperial Knights all the way here? Surely you didn’t come just to offer a simple greeting.”

“That…”

“You wouldn’t have gone so far as to disturb the rest of someone who is unwell just to offer your greetings, would you?”

At Kallian’s sharp tone, the Knight Commander composed himself and suppressed his unease.

“That is correct, Viscount Elsen.”

His voice was even more respectful than before. His manner showed that he had not forgotten that the person before him was none other than the hero of the Empire who had repelled Seor’s invasion.

“His Majesty the Emperor has heard of the arrival of Her Highness the Princess.”

“…….”

“His Majesty has decreed that she must not be allowed to arrive unceremoniously. He has ordered the Imperial Knights to personally escort and guard her all the way to the palace.”

Emma involuntarily hiccupped at the words and quickly covered her mouth with her hand. Meanwhile, Elliope stifled a laugh that almost escaped.

Going so far as to issue an imperial decree ordering the knights to escort her to the palace?

On the surface it seemed like a gesture of respect and protection, but in reality it was a way of making sure they didn’t get lost or take their time.

In other words, it was a clear message urging them to hurry and enter the palace as soon as possible.

“My lady.”

Kallian, who seemed to have understood the hidden meaning as well, turned his gaze to Elliope.

Soon he was leaning forward, whispering just loud enough for her to hear. His low voice brushed gently against the fine hairs of her ear.

“Shall I send them away?”

In all the Empire, only this man would have the audacity to ask if they should simply turn away Imperial Knights sent by the Emperor himself.

Elliope almost smiled, but quickly remembered that the Knight Commander was still standing in front of them, so she quickly composed her expression into a more serious one.

Still, the fact that Kallian had whispered just loud enough for only her to hear showed that he had at least some intention of maintaining proper decorum.

“If you wish, I can refuse their escort.”

“No.”

Elliope whispered in reply. Although she didn’t particularly like the Emperor’s attitude, it also meant that he was in a hurry.

“If that’s the case, the result of the lottery will also be decided quickly.”

Kallian pretended not to care, but Elliope couldn’t help but be disturbed.

Kallian had a name and a title that could be restored. He should not be called Viscount Elsen, but Duke Elsen.

This was not only Elliope’s wish, but also that of those like Dylan and Sien who had served him for so long.

From the beginning, she didn’t refuse the Emperor’s letters or ignore them with a sneer, nor did she fail to bring the items that were meant as a formal gesture to the Imperial family. She did all this for one purpose – to help Kallian.

If she showed the Emperor that she was willing to follow his will, things would go more smoothly.

With that in mind, Elliope decided not to refuse the Imperial Knights’ escort. Having made up her mind, she hardened her expression. Ignoring Kallian, who seemed to be subtly rubbing his palm, Elliope spoke again.

“All right, Knight Commander. I give you permission to escort me.”

“I am truly pleased.”

Immediately, everything around them was in perfect order. Even the doctor, who had been riding in the carriage the whole time, made a quick diagnosis and hurried off to another area.

“But, Your Highness.”

The doctor tilted his head once more before dismounting with a puzzled look on his face. He seemed uncertain about something.

“Uhh…”

The doctor let out a sound that was almost like a groan. It was quickly followed by a clearing of his throat.

“Ahem.”

The Knight Commander glanced quickly at the doctor, as if urging him to speak and leave. The surprised doctor stroked his chin gently before replying calmly.

“No, it’s nothing.”

“Is it something serious?”

“Well… it seems like something I can’t judge too quickly…”

“Is it a serious illness?”

“Nothing like that. It’s just…”

“Your Highness, His Majesty is waiting.”

“I understand.”

Soon the doctor dismounted. The procession began to move again.