Shhhh—

For days, the weather had been overcast, and now rain has poured down since dawn. Emma grumbled about the rain falling on the day of the investiture, of all days.

Lila had been busy since early morning. Today marked her first appearance as Baroness Knox, an exceptionally important occasion. Emma had spared no effort in dressing Lila for the event.

“This way!”

“Careful not to get wet!”

The estate was bustling with preparations for the investiture. The Grand Duke’s mansion was lively both inside and out. Despite the gloomy weather, a steady stream of nobles arrived at the mansion early in the morning. With so many tasks to manage, even Emma, who had been assisting Lila with her attire, was called away.

Now ready, Lila sat on the windowsill, gazing out at the rain-soaked scenery. Although it was midday, the sky remained dark and heavy. Despite the dreary weather, the faces of the bustling staff were bright.

Lila stared at her reflection in the window and forced the corners of her lips upward. It was the smile she had practiced diligently with Emma for this day, but it appeared far from radiant—more like the weather, dark and somber.

“Sigh.“

She sighed softly, staring at her awkward expression. For some reason, she hadn’t felt good since morning.

“If someone stole your magic, it likely happened when you were very young.”

Since hearing from Huon about black magic, Lila had occasionally fallen into inexplicable bouts of melancholy. She was fine around others, but when alone, her mood would often sink.

Perhaps remnants of emotions she had yet to let go of lingered in her heart. Pressing her hand against the dull ache in her chest, Lila couldn’t understand why she felt this way.

“You are not my daughter.”

“I’ve never had a sister like you.”

The Emperor and the Crown Prince didn’t see Lila as family. She, in turn, didn’t consider them family either. She had long since abandoned any expectations of them, so she harbored no resentment or hatred. Yet, for some reason, over the past few days, feelings of frustration and injustice kept bubbling to the surface.

“Sigh.“

Letting herself be shaken like this wasn’t good. Lila exhaled deeply and closed her eyes. As she focused on the sound of the rain, she worked to steady her unsettled emotions, gradually calming the turmoil in her heart.

“Lady Lila.”

Lila, lost in meditation, slowly opened her eyes at the sound of a gentle voice calling her. Standing by the door was Grand Duke Eustace, dressed more splendidly than ever.

“You shine even brighter today.”

When their eyes met, the Grand Duke smiled warmly.

“I think that’s my line.”

‘He’s even more beautiful when adorned.’ Lila marveled inwardly at the sight of Grand Duke Eustace in his ceremonial attire.

Even in a simple shirt and cardigan, he radiated elegance. Now that he was formally dressed, he shone like the soft warmth of spring sunshine. Although it was still raining outside, looking at him felt like watching a rainbow after the rain.

“Aren’t you busy? Isn’t everyone here to see you?”

“There’s nothing more important to me than you, Lady Lila.”

Grand Duke Eustace dismissed the throng of nobles gathered to win his favor as trivial. Observing Lila closely, he looked concerned.

“Are you worried about something?”

“Huh?”

“Your expression doesn’t look good.”

“Oh? No, it’s just…”

Was it that obvious? Lila trailed off, unable to finish her sentence. She had spent years with people who found her lack of expression unnerving, comparing her to a lifeless doll.

But Grand Duke Eustace was different. Even the slightest change in Lila’s expression never escaped his notice. It was astonishing how perceptive he was.

“Is it because of the Crown Prince?”

“That’s part of it. I just feel… restless.”

Her voice grew softer, tinged with uncertainty. She didn’t understand why this persistent unease plagued her.

“I don’t know.”

Unable to articulate her feelings, Lila mumbled weakly. She couldn’t deny that she worried about the Crown Prince recognizing her or about the possibility of the Emperor truly using black magic. But the pressure she felt went beyond those fears.

“Maybe I’m afraid, or maybe I just lack confidence… I don’t know how to describe it.”

Grand Duke Eustace watched her thoughtfully as she struggled to put her emotions into words. Then, he spoke.

“Perhaps you’re just nervous?”

“Maybe… but I just feel off. Strange.”

Lila frowned, as if burdened by discomfort. Although she had expressed a desire for freedom, it seemed she wasn’t yet ready to step out into the world.

“The first flight is always the hardest.”

“Huh? What did you just say?”

“Oh, nothing at all.”

Grand Duke Eustace smiled faintly, as if he had never muttered to himself.

“But more importantly, why are you here?”

In the end, Lila gave up trying to explain her emotions and changed the subject. The Grand Duke, noticing her attempt to divert the conversation, played along without pressing. He tapped the corner of his eye lightly and chuckled.

“Before the investiture, I need to change your eye color, and I also have something I’d like to give you.”

“Oh, right.”

Lila nodded, recalling something she had momentarily forgotten. By now, it had become a familiar routine for Grand Duke to use magic every morning to alter her eye color.

“What are you giving me? Is it that thing behind you?”

Only after hearing the Grand Duke’s words did Lila notice the long box floating behind him. Wrapped in purple velvet, it exuded an air of luxury.

“What’s that?”

“It’s a gift for you, Lady Lila.”

“A gift?”

“Yes. I thought it might take longer since it was a rushed order, but fortunately, it arrived today.”

With a flick of his hand, the box floated gently toward Lila, who caught it with a blink of surprise. Despite its size, the box was remarkably light.

“Go ahead, open it,” Grand Duke urged.

Lila hesitated briefly before moving her hands. It had been a long time since anyone had given her a gift.

“This is…”

When Lila opened the lid, her eyes widened. Inside the box were a silver rapier, two small daggers, and a specially crafted belt designed to carry them.

“They’re modeled after the weapons you had when you first arrived. Made of mithril, they should be easy for you to wield.”

“Mithril?”

At the mention of mithril, Lila’s eyes grew round with astonishment. Stronger and lighter than steel, highly resistant to magic, and so rare that only dwarves could handle it, mithril was more precious than diamonds.

“Why…?”

Lila struggled to find the words, her hand faltering. She opened and closed her mouth, eventually biting down on her lip in confusion.

Since deciding to stay with Grand Duke Eustace, Lila had never once picked up a weapon. She hadn’t even asked for the ones Grand Duke had confiscated from her to be returned.

When she resolved not to live by taking others’ lives anymore, her desire to wield a blade vanished as well. It was as if the bold proposal she had made to the Grand Duke on their first day—that she’d kill anyone he wanted—had been a lie. Except for occasionally using aura, she acted as though she’d never held a blade.

“Lady Lila.”

As always, Grand Duke Eustace seemed to sense the feelings Lila couldn’t put into words. He placed his hand gently over her trembling one, patting it reassuringly.

Like a jeweler handling a precious gem, he brushed his thumb across the back of her hand, causing her small frame to flinch. Undeterred, the Grand Duke quietly let his warmth seep into her.

“This sword is not for killing others. It is for protecting yourself.”

“A sword… to protect me?”

“Yes.”

Lila stared blankly at the warm hand covering hers. She had used her blade to hurt countless people—that was the life she had lived. To her, a sword was merely a tool, just as she had been a tool for the Emperor. Nothing more, nothing less.

“I understand that you don’t have good memories of wielding a blade. But you should still be prepared. You never know what might happen.”

“Oh.”

“This isn’t about fighting. You don’t need to dirty your hands. I’ll handle those matters for you from now on… Just use this sword to protect yourself. That’s all I ask.”

Her dark eyes trembled violently. Each word from the Grand Duke pierced her dry, barren heart like soothing rain.

‘A sword not for killing, but for protecting.’

Lila silently mouthed the Grand Duke’s words, gazing at the blade with an awkward expression. The sword was stunningly beautiful.

The hilt of the rapier was adorned with a crow-shaped obsidian centerpiece, surrounded by blue sapphires, shimmering crystals, and black diamonds. The daggers were embellished with turquoise and emerald accents.

“Not for killing… but for protecting…”

Lila muttered to herself, hesitant to touch the blade. When she finally mustered the courage to reach out for it, Grand Duke Eustace took a step back, giving her space. Carefully, with deliberate motions, Lila picked up the rapier.

Although it was her first time holding this particular sword, it felt as though it belonged in her hand, perfectly balanced and familiar. Staring down at the blade, which seemed to glow faintly as if bathed in moonlight, Lila spoke.

“Thank you.”

A heartfelt expression of gratitude slipped from her lips.

“This is the first time… someone has given me a sword and told me I don’t need to kill with it.”

Lila spoke in a cheerful voice, her dark eyes curving gracefully like a crescent moon and her small lips lifting into a soft arc.

“I’m truly happy.”

At the sight of her first genuine smile, Grand Duke Eustace momentarily froze in a daze. Quickly regaining his composure, he mirrored her expression, his face blooming like a flower in full bloom. With a smile still lingering on his lips, the Grand Duke slowly knelt on one knee before her.

“Grand Duke?”

Startled by his sudden action, Lila blinked in surprise. From his reverent position, Grand Duke Eustace gazed up at her.

“Before the investiture, I wish to make a vow to you.”

With a respectful gesture, the Grand Duke took Lila’s left hand—the one not holding the sword—and bowed his head to kiss the back of it.

“To Her Highness Lila Brender Esteban, Princess of the Esteban Empire, the star that illuminates its skies, I, Hubert Brandon Eustace, pledge my loyalty with all my heart. Please, accept this humble servant as your faithful knight.”

“Oh…”

A soft warmth brushed against her hand and then departed, leaving Lila breathless. He was swearing his loyalty to her.

“Though it’s a circumstance forced upon us… I will soon be publicly acting as your loyal subject. Before that happens, I wanted to give you my heart first.”

“Grand Duke…”

“My body and soul belong entirely to you, Lady Lila.”

With his vow completed, the Grand Duke pressed his tidy forehead against the back of her hand.

“Will you take me as your knight?”