“…Then instead of a guard, I’ll stay by your side.”

“What?”

Duke Eustace blinked in surprise, as though caught off guard by her words. His dark eyes, like the night sky, softened with a hint of laughter, gleaming like stars.

“I prefer you over a bodyguard.”

The Grand Duke audibly swallowed, his breath catching in his throat. He opened his mouth to speak but ended up bowing his head with a groan.

‘Did I say something wrong?’ Lila tilted her head, puzzled by his reaction. Peeking through strands of his neatly combed golden hair, his pale ear had turned a deep, rosy red.

“I know you didn’t mean it that way, but it’s a very pleasant and thrilling thing to hear.”

The duke took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. He rubbed his face a few times before looking up again. His expression was calm, as always, but the tips of his ears remained flushed.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Nothing at all.”

Lila looked confused, prompting the Grand Duke to smile faintly. He wasn’t mistaken—her words were likely meant purely for convenience, not sentiment. Yet, he couldn’t help the pounding in his chest.

Calm down.

Grand Duke Eustace closed his eyes and took a deep breath. His heart surged like crashing waves.

“Phew.”

Exhaling slowly, he tried to steady himself. He had dreamed of reuniting with Lila and spending time together for a long time. He couldn’t let his emotions run wild and ruin everything he had carefully built.

“She seems like a blank slate, like a child.”

“A child?”

“Yes. Innocent, yet at times sharp like a seasoned warrior. But she lacks basic common knowledge, except in certain areas.”

“And in other ways?”

“Well… I don’t know if it’s appropriate to say this, but she feels like a doll without emotions.”

Remembering Emma’s report from the previous night helped him regain composure. As Emma mentioned, Lila’s expressions were minimal, giving the impression that she felt nothing at times.

It was likely due to her upbringing as a shadow and a life spent as an assassin. Her once-bright blue eyes now seemed subdued and dark.

After observing her closely over the past few days, he realized that Lila wasn’t devoid of emotions—she was simply unaccustomed to expressing them. Thus, whenever he faced her, he paid close attention to her subtle reactions.

“I don’t remember you.”

“I’ve forgotten everything from the past.”

Unlike him, who retained childhood memories, Lila hadn’t recognized him when they reunited. Her face, as she admitted to having no recollection, was calm—almost detached, as though discussing someone else’s life.

But he couldn’t believe it was truly nothing to her. He suspected that Lila had intentionally erased those memories. Perhaps it was her way of surviving the hellish reality without losing her sanity.

The excitement and fluttering he felt moments ago were now replaced by a profound sense of sorrow. He vividly recalled the moments when her eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky.

“Wait for me, and come get me.”

He had never forgotten the promise they made as children, locking pinkies. How much he had regretted not keeping it. The image of her smiling brightly, like a flower blooming at night, remained as clear as yesterday.

“Don’t cry. I’m fine. It’s not your fault.”

On the day he lost everything and his world crumbled, she had wiped his tears with gentle hands, despite her own pain. From that moment on, Grand Duke Eustace had never forgotten her, not even for a single second.

“Grand Duke?”

Sensing something was off, Lila cautiously called out to him. He blinked a few times, as if waking from a nightmare.

“I apologize. I was lost in thought.”

“…Are you okay?”

The grand duke’s lips moved silently before he finally gave a faint smile.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Lila swallowed the question rising in her throat. It didn’t feel right to pry into what he was clearly trying to hide. In the meantime, the Grand Duke took a sip of his now-cold coffee, masking his expression completely.

“If you find my company preferable to a bodyguard, I’m more than happy to oblige.”

“But aren’t you busy? You’re working most of the time.”

Recalling the massive pile of documents in his office and Elvin’s pale, weary face, Lila hesitated.

“Even if I don’t have time, I’ll make it.”

The grand duke’s casual response would have shocked Elvin. He set his cup down with ease.

“Aren’t you overdoing it?”

“Not at all.”

“If you say so. I’d appreciate your help since I know nothing about the outside world.”

Though relieved, Lila pondered whether being with the Grand Duke might draw unwanted attention. She recalled how Aria reacted upon meeting him yesterday.

“Now, shall we return to the main topic? Your new identity will be that of a martial artist from the Eastern Continent.”

“A martial artist from the East?”

“Yes. While traveling through the empire, you happened to meet one of my knights and, at their request, visited my estate. During your visit, you saved me from an assassination attempt. That’s the story we’ll spread.”

“So that’s why you called me your savior yesterday.”

“Exactly. The narrative will be that, in gratitude for saving my life, I formally invited you and appointed you as a knight under my command.”

While the Western Continent, home to the Esteban Empire, was known for magic, the Eastern Continent was renowned for its swordsmanship. Most people from the East had dark hair and eyes, such as black or deep brown. Several knights in the imperial forces were also of Eastern descent.

“It’s true… Claiming you’re from the East rather than the Empire will make it easier to deceive eyes and ears. What about my name?”

Since the Grand Duke had mentioned it was fine to use her name when speaking to the tailor yesterday, Lila felt she probably wouldn’t need to change it. Still, she asked for confirmation. She didn’t mind altering her appearance but didn’t want to hide the name she had just reclaimed.

“You’ll keep your name. Regardless of origin, it’s common to adopt an imperial-style name upon naturalization, so no one will find it strange. Ah, I’ve prepared a surname as well.”

“What is it?”

“Knox. From now on, you’ll be Baroness Lila Knox.”

Lila repeated the name to herself. “Lila Knox.”

“But… a baroness?”

“I intend to use my authority as a Grand Duke to grant you a title. Rewarding a lifesaver with a noble rank is customary.”

“I don’t really need it, though.”

“No, you do. The moment you debut in society and politics, you’ll attract attention—good and bad—from everyone.”

“Really?”

Lila was doubtful as she asked.

“People who want to use you, people who are interested in you, and even enemies… You’ll be surrounded by countless individuals.”

“That sounds overwhelming.”

Her face darkened. Having lived in the shadows, avoiding attention, she felt unprepared for such interaction.

“You can’t hide forever.”

The grand duke’s smile faded, replaced by a serious gaze.

“Just wait a little longer. It’s difficult now, but I’ll ensure that you can stand before everyone not as Baroness Lila Knox but as Lila Brender Esteban.”

“You don’t have to go that far,” Lila replied, flustered. The idea of presenting herself as Lila Brender Esteban had never crossed her mind.

“I only want freedom.”

“That’s exactly why. Living as someone else is no different from living in hiding.”

“Oh.”

“I will return everything you should have had.”

“Will people accept me?” she asked hesitantly.

The citizens of the Empire revered the royal family for their descent from the Great Sage. Golden hair and blue eyes were symbols of strong magic and proof of the Esteban bloodline. Duke Eustace was beloved for that very reason.

“A descendant of the Great Sage with golden hair and blue eyes, the youngest six-circle mage.”

Eustace’s mere existence satisfied the people’s long-held desire. But what about herself? Lila Brender Esteban, with black hair and eyes, was the royal family’s anomaly.

“Have confidence. Not all royals have golden hair and blue eyes.”

“True, but…”

Even with his encouragement, Lila couldn’t relax. While the Esteban royal family had varying traits—silver hair, violet eyes, brown hair, or red eyes—they were all mages. Unlike them, she was different.

Her father, the emperor, and even her twin brother, the crown prince born on the same day, had turned their backs on her. She doubted the Empire would accept her as a princess.

“They will. I’ll make sure of it,” Eustace said confidently. His unwavering blue eyes were filled with gentle affection as he looked at her.

“No matter what anyone says, you are a noble of the Esteban Empire. Just remember that.”

“Alright,” Lila finally nodded after a moment of silence. The Grand Duke’s satisfied expression made her feel a little more at ease.

“The title will act as a shield, keeping unwanted pests at bay.”

“A safeguard, then?”

“Yes. People tend to bow to the strong and trample the weak. No one in their right mind would dare touch a noble with me as her patron.”

If anyone did dare, he thought, he would personally ensure they regretted it. Smiling nonchalantly, he concealed his darker thoughts.

“Your public debut will be at the title conferment ceremony. Until then, you’ll stay at the estate and learn what you need to. Oh, the identity plaque should be ready tomorrow. I asked a dwarf artisan I know to make it… Hmm? Why are you looking at me like that?”

Eustace, excitedly explaining his plans, paused when he noticed Lila staring at him with admiration.

“You’re really smart,” she said, genuinely impressed by his meticulous planning.

“You’re a genius.”

“Haha. Thank you.”

With genuine admiration, Grand Duke Eustace squinted his eyes with a bashful smile.

“Then please praise me with ‘Good job, well done.'”

“How do I do that?”

“You just have to pat my head.”

“Alright.”

It wasn’t a difficult request. Lila rose from her seat and approached the Grand Duke.

“Lady Lila?”

“Hold still.”

Despite being the one to suggest it, Grand Duke Eustace stammered, seemingly unable to believe Lila would actually do it. When she stood and came closer, he appeared flustered.

“Good job, well done―”

Without hesitation, Lila patted his head as he had instructed. At the touch of her hand, the Grand Duke flinched before freezing stiffly.

“Am I doing it right?”

“…Yes.”

The Grand Duke, uncharacteristically meek, answered in a barely audible voice. The more Lila patted his head, the more his head began to lower slightly.

“Good job, well done, my Grand Duke.”

Gaining confidence, Lila earnestly continued, her hands moving deftly. The soft, golden locks glided through her fingers with a silky smoothness that felt pleasant.

‘Ah, he’s blushing again.’

Seeing his ears turn red between strands of hair, Lila murmured to herself. She felt a sudden urge to touch his ears but restrained herself, gently gathering his hair instead.

Lila continued to pat his head until Emma returned to the room to clear the breakfast table.