“Only one maid will be coming with you?”

“They’re palace staff, so they should stay there.”

It made sense. Yet, if she had formed close bonds with any of them, they might have willingly chosen to leave the palace to follow her. Helia could agree that she hadn’t inspired such loyalty, but she hadn’t expected it to be to this extent. Even the one maid who followed her seemed indifferent as if she had been appointed rather than choosing to go herself.

No one stepped forward to accompany her. No one led the way. There wasn’t a tear or even a sad expression. Ruben felt a persistent displeasure at this starkly indifferent farewell.

“The maids at the duke’s manor will attend to you. Are you sure that’s alright?“

“To me, they’re all the same.”

It was a rather heartless statement. Any servant who had served their master for years would likely feel hurt to hear such words, but even then, not a single person’s expression changed.

Ruben found himself reconsidering her relationships with those around her. Did she even see those outside the royal family as people? He wondered how narrow the world must be for someone who allowed only those she favored into her life.

“You have so many belongings.”

Everyone in society knew that Helia never wore the same clothes twice, nor did she wear the same jewelry more than once.

So what had she packed to require so much luggage? Was it jewelry she hadn’t yet worn? Helia snapped at him calmly as Ruben gazed blankly at the stacks of belongings.

“Perhaps your carriage is just too small.”

“…”

“If it’s truly an issue, we can call for a royal carriage. What’s the problem?”

It was a response utterly detached from reality. If they drove a carriage bearing the royal crest around the streets—except for the saints—while the royal family’s reputation was in tatters, they might not be pelted with stones, but eggs, at the very least, would likely be thrown. The monarchy had fallen that low in the people’s eyes. Only the royals, sealed within their palace bubble, seemed unaware of this.

Ruben chose not to tell Helia this truth. It wasn’t to protect her fragile pride. He couldn’t predict what kind of punishment she might enact on innocent people under the charge of treason if she found out.

To her, other lives meant little compared to her safety or honor. That’s how Helia Bailey had always lived.

“I’ll handle the luggage myself.“

“They’re valuable, so be careful with them.”

Ruben didn’t answer her. Instead, he went to the coachman and gave a few instructions, after which the servants began moving more energetically.

Leaving them to their work, Ruben returned to the carriage and casually extended a hand to Helia, who was standing in front of it. Helia stared blankly at his outstretched hand as if she were a child surprised by an unexpected gift.

“What are you doing? Hurry up and get in.”

Ruben urged her on. Only then did Helia take his hand. Even through her gloves, she could feel the warmth of his hand, so intense it nearly burned her fingertips. In contrast, her hand was as cold as ice. Helia quietly took note of this difference, wondering where this disparity came from.

Slowly, Helia stepped into the carriage, with Ruben following to sit across from her. The space between them was so close that their knees nearly touched.

The carriage traveled down a neatly maintained road. Rows of trees on either side cast long shadows, with occasional sunlight filtering through the branches, briefly appearing and disappearing through the window.

Despite his expectation that she would endlessly provoke him, Helia’s eyes were fixed on the view outside. Watching the same scenery pass by, her typically stern face softened, hinting at a hint of enjoyment.

“Ruben.“

“Yes?“

“What day is it today?”

Ruben stared at her at this sudden question. Her gaze implied that she expected an answer, so Helia replied unaffectedly.

“It’s because there are so many people.”

Only then did it dawn on Ruben that Helia had likely never left the royal palace. Yet, for a first outing, her expression was strangely complex. She looked excited, perhaps moved, and on the verge of tears.

“It’s just an ordinary day.“

“Is that so? Then does that mean it’s common for so many people to be bustling around the capital?“

Helia’s voice held a pure admiration.

Today, Helia seemed calm, almost docile. At this rate, Ruben thought sharing this small space with her might not be so bad. Of course, it was a foolish thought.

“What’s this?”

Helia leaned forward and picked something up after it bumped against her feet. It was a novel that Lette had read countless times and adored. She’d made quite a fuss when it went missing; apparently, she’d left it in the carriage the last time she and Ruben attended a ball together.

Ruben hesitated, debating whether to tell her the truth. He dreaded the bickering that would surely follow. He considered claiming it was a friend’s book, but then he changed his mind.

There was no reason to hide it. Everyone in the kingdom already knew how close he and Lette were, even sparking rumors of an engagement. Ruben answered coolly.

“It belongs to the saintess.”

Helia’s eyes narrowed the moment he replied, and her golden gaze flashed dangerously.

She placed the book down, tapping it with her fingers. Then, just as he had expected, she began to mock him.

“Leaving something behind in someone else’s carriage—she must feel quite at home here to be so comfortable.“

“She must have simply forgotten it due to a busy schedule.“

“Or maybe she was doing something forgettable?”

“…”

“You must have been riding around with that girl alone in the carriage like this. I’m sure you both enjoyed it very much.“

“Do not insult the saintess.“

“Oh, so that saintess of yours considers legitimate questions as insults, does she?”

With every word, Helia found a way to disparage Lette, and Ruben felt a wave of irritation he could hardly bear.

She knew well that he cared for Lette, yet she said such things without hesitation. No, it was because she knew. Knowing how much he cherished Lette, Helia brought her up just to get under his skin. She had a particular talent for finding and exploiting others’ most vulnerable and cherished places.

Naturally, revealing anything precious in front of someone like that was impossible. Yet Helia had always found Ruben’s guarded behavior intolerable.

“As royalty, please maintain a dignity that befits your status.“

“How insolent. Do you think I won’t punish you simply because I favor you?“

“I’ll accept any punishment you wish to give, so please refrain from saying harsh things about the saintess.”

Helia snorted disdainfully.

“Clinging to her, aren’t you? Even a mother bird tending her young wouldn’t be this doting.”

“…”

“You must have sworn something to that girl. To always protect her, perhaps.“

Helia’s voice turned sharp, seething with the urge to tear him apart on the spot. She clenched her fists tightly, her hands trembling from barely contained rage, emotions brimming on the edge of spilling over.

Ruben looked at her blankly as if her fury had nothing to do with him, and her hostility couldn’t leave a scratch on him.

“Otherwise, why would you keep frothing at the mouth like this every time?“

Helia’s voice trembled slightly. Oddly, it was clear that in this moment, they both shared a memory—a memory of a promise made long ago when they still thought they were meant for each other.

“—Wait, Ruben. Where are you going?”

The boy ran, holding the girl’s hand as they dashed across the green lawn, keeping just the right pace for her to follow. The girl, running without knowing why, shouted her question, but he didn’t answer. Just as she opened her mouth again to press him, he whispered in a small voice.

“—Somewhere no one else is.”

“—Why?”

“—Because no one else can see.”

Holding her tiny hand, the boy soon led them to the rose garden at the back of the palace. He looked around carefully. No one was in sight. Relieved, he positioned her in front of him. Following his lead but still puzzled, the girl tilted her head.

“—What are we doing?”

“—A pledge.”

“—A pledge?”

“—Yes. A knight’s pledge to his princess.”

The girl’s eyes sparkled as a bright smile spread across her face. A knight pledging to his princess—it was straight out of a storybook. The kind of knight who always appeared when the princess was in danger to rescue her. A knight who would rush to save her, whether kidnapped or trapped in a tower. Her eyes filled with anticipation.

“—So, you’re becoming my knight, Ruben?”

“—Yes.”

Even that brief answer made her heart swell.

The boy, wielding a sword made to match his height, laid it on the ground. The cool feel of the grass reached his fingertips. Overcome with excitement, the girl covered her mouth with her hands.

Then, the boy knelt on one knee. Extending his hand, the girl placed hers on top of it gently. Holding her fingertips, he spoke in a solemn voice.

“—I, Ruben Effenberg, swear to my liege, Helia Bailey, to stay by her side until the world’s end.”