Marquis Monique? Got it. Give him a pass.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I suddenly stiffened. In fact, I was wondering why I didnt hear anybody moving around in this wide hallway. The royal knights were blocking anybody from coming into this area.

I hope he has not seen us.

But it wasnt that important.

Daddy is coming this way? Im in trouble. He would certainly scold me if he saw me with the emperor here.

He giggled, looking at me embarrassed, and said, Stay here. He wont be able to see you behind this pillar.

Yes, Your Majesty.

So, dont ever think about swearing before me, got it? Your father wouldnt want it, either.

But

If you swear one more time, I will kiss you like I did a little while ago.

What?

I suddenly blushed.

After smiling at me who was too embarrassed to respond, He turned around. Staring blankly at the hem of his fluttering blue cloak, I touched my lips unconsciously. I was stunned at the voice of my father coming from behind the pillar where I was hiding.

Im honored to see the Sun of the Empire.

Marquis, its nice to see you here because I have something to tell you.

Please go ahead.

Im sorry for what happened today. I think I pressured your daughter.

No, you didnt, Your Majesty. Im rather grateful for you stopping her from acting impatiently.

Lets not pretend we dont know it. As you have other means, you might have tried to stop her from swearing it anyway.

As if somebody might overhear their conversation, they were whispering. But I could clearly hear them because I was right behind the pillar where they were talking.

tilted my head.

Other means? Is there any way for my father to overcome this situation other than the oath of blood?

I couldnt believe it. My middle name given by Gods prophecy, and my right to the throne of the empress were not something to give up easily. Thats why I wanted to learn swordsmanship and swords so much. By swearing absolute allegiance I wanted to escape the fate of being bound to the imperial family through the chain of succession.

Can I just ask you a favor, marquis?

Yes, go ahead, please.

Based on my interaction with you for a long time, I know your daughters happiness is your top priority. So, you might have wondered if this was the best option, but you concluded that you had to see me because you were surprised that she was determined enough to make the oath of blood. Am I right?

Yes, youre right. Your Majesty.

I think the repercussions will be enormous because of the failed agenda last time and her actions today, but I will do my best to protect her. So please give some time until this matter is solved.

My father kept silent for a moment and said, As many of them witnessed what happened today, I expect they will convene a meeting within a few days. What are you going to do?

To be honest with you

I tried to strain my ears, but I could hardly hear because he lowered his voice suddenly.

What is he going to try to say? How can he overcome the current difficulty when everything is back to square one?

Well, Im going to follow my daughters intentions.

Thats enough. Thank you.

Huh? What did the emperor say when my father reacted like that?

I was very curious, but I couldnt figure out what it was.

I heard the emperor walking away after he was done talking to my father. As if the royal knights were following him, I heard their footsteps fading away. At the same time, I heard him sighing.

I hesitated for a moment. What should I do? Obviously, he would be looking for me here and there. I felt awkward to come out and see him now, but I couldnt keep hiding.

Come out, Tia.

I freaked out at that. How did he know?

I walked up to him in embarrassment. As I suddenly came to the bright out of the dark area, I went blank momentarily, then could see again. I saw my father picking up my hair tie with mixed feelings.

I blushed because I recalled the emperors hugging and kissing me right before my father arrived here.

Lets go back home.

Sure, Daddy.

Id rather be comfortable if he scolded me, but he just looked at me for some time and asked me to go back, handing me the hair tie.

When I returned home in heavy silence, the butler quickly called the house employees.

I had dinner with my father in a breathless silence. I felt like I would have an upset stomach because I swallowed food reluctantly.

The moment I had the nerve to open my mouth, the butler came in carefully and said, Sir, you have a guest.

Guest? At this time? Who is it?

Duke Verita and Duke Lars.

Oh, I see. Let me come down now.

Although I didnt feel like it, I felt I would still want to say hello to him, so I stood up with my father.

As I entered the reception room, the man with green hair, who seemed a bit tired, waved his hand at my father.

I see you again, Kairan.

Ruth, what business has brought you here?

Im sorry to hear that, man. How can you be mean to me as I havent seen you for some time?

Oh, Im sorry if you felt hurt.

Not at all. Actually Id like to have a heart-to-heart talk with you after a long time. Although Im sorry I came here late at night, I hope you can understand as you are an adult, right?

Oh, sure, Duke Verita. Then, excuse me.

After instructing the butler to serve them with snacks and drinks, I returned to my room and opened the book I read a few days ago. Somehow I was distracted while reading it, so I tried to read it line by line, but I still couldnt concentrate.

When I closed the book with a sigh, I heard somebody talking outside the door.

Are they already leaving?

As I went out hurriedly, I saw Duke Verita going out, escorted by the butler.

He smiled at me when I bowed to say goodbye, and said, Its been a while, Lady Monique. Congratulations on being a full-fledged knight!

Ah Thank you, Your Grace.

It was the first time I heard somebody offering congratulations since the ceremony. Because I was so confused by the unprecedented event involving my oath of blood, nobody dared to congratulate me at the time. Even I forgot that I was fully appointed as a full-fledged knight today.

Thanks to you, I watched a very unusual scene. Who knew the emperor, who used to be cold-hearted, was out of his mind? Well, I came here because I was worried about you. Dont worry too much because Im going to appease the emperor.

Thank you, Your Grace.

It must have been very difficult for you in many ways, so take a break. I think it will take some time for me to talk with your father.

Will do, Duke Verita.

After bowing slightly to express gratitude, I headed to my fathers study instead of going back to my room. But no matter how much I tried to focus, I couldnt read the book. I just kept sighing with mixed feelings.

Only

How much time passed?

When I was blankly looking at the book, the butler came to me carefully and said, My lady.

Oh, butler. Whats going on? Anything to say to me?

I would like to report to you that I took out lots of wine bottles from the wine cellar.

Really? Wow, much did they drink?

After being briefed by the butler, I closed the book and stood up. I was bothered by the fact that they drank quite a lot of wine. Although Duke Lars also told me that he would appease the emperor, I felt I would relax if I double checked their condition.

When I knocked carefully and opened the door, I saw three men wining and dining under the soft light. Duke Verita was murmuring to himself, Duke Lars was leaning against his chair, with his legs crossed, and my father lowering his head as if he was lost in something, with his clasped hands on his knees.

I felt I could not interfere in such an atmosphere, so I stopped suddenly.