After instructing his assistants to go back first, he walked silently toward the inner palace for a while. Doesnt he want to say something to me? I thought he had something urgent to tell me because he would stop by briefly.

I was puzzled, but I just followed him. Until he entered the garden attached to the Imperial Palace, I was worried how to speak to him who just kept silent.

At that moment I saw two shadows standing in the corner of the garden.

Who are they?

Nobody could enter the garden of the crown princes palace without his permission.

Your Majesty, did you allow someone to enter the garden today?

No, nobody. It looks like theyve got a lot of nerve coming to this garden.

When he responded coldly and stopped, a royal guard approached them silently and identified the intruders.

They are the princess of Lisa and her bodyguard, Your Majesty.

Oh I see. Got it. He frowned slightly.

Princess of Lisa? I didnt hear that she could go in and out of the crown princes palace freely. As far as I know, she was a timid princess who did not go around. With only two more festive days to go, did she decide to be more confident and move around out of impatience?

When I approached the princess who was talking with her bodyguard, the crown prince walking next to me suddenly stopped. I also stopped. When I was wondering why, I heard them having a dialogue.

Now we have only two days left, Ryan.

Youre right, Vera. I know you find it hard to get by here.

What was the name of the princess of Lisa? I tried to recollect it, but I couldnt. Unless they knew someone very well, the nobles wouldnt call them by their first names. Most nobles only remember each others last name and status.

Nonetheless, I felt her name was not that simple. Oh, thats not the issue. The thing is her bodyguard dared to call the princess by her first name.

I felt like I have been walking on thin ice during the past month. If I had known this before leaving the kingdom, I would never have come to this place, no matter how strict the kings order was.

I feel the same way, Vera. If I had known this, I wouldnt have made you suffer like this.

As we have kept a low profile here, everything will be alright after tomorrow. Maybe its fortunate for us, Ryan.

What the hell is she talking about with him now? I felt it was very strange for her to chat with him, looking at him kindly, because she was so timid that she couldnt even make eye contact with anybody. I almost screamed when I saw her smiling shyly, putting her hands on her belly and gently stroking it as if it was very precious.

Oh my god! Is she pregnant?

Lets run away as soon as we get out of the border, Ryan. Lets go hiding in a place that nobody knows for the sake of our baby

You will have a very hard time. Is it okay with you, Vera?

My life in the kingdom was hell. It was you that saved me from that hell. Ryan, Im happy wherever I am with you. I can throw away the status of a royal princess. Its just useless.

Vera

I closed my eyes, watching them hugging each other. Love between a princess and her bodyguard? It could exist in a romance novel, but unfortunately, it was a reality.

Why did the king of the Lisa Kingdom send her here?

Based on the situation, there was no way she would have come here willingly. I dont know why her father sent her here. She must have known it only after she left the kingdom.

Well, whats the point of the King of Lisa knowing her relationship with him? The important thing is the result. Whether the king intended it or not, he sent the pregnant princess to the empire as the crown princes bride candidate. She had been discovered by the crown prince, not by anyone else. This was a terrible development that could escalate into a war between the two countries.

I already felt as if the noble factions were appealing to the emperor to storm and destroy the kingdom of Lisa.

I looked up at the crown prince with trembling eyes. He was nonchalantly staring at the two still hugging each other. I thought even though he would not rage with anger, he would express displeasure, to say the least, but surprisingly, he stood still, with no change in facial expressions until the princess of Lisa and her bodyguard disappeared. His blue eyes became hollow as if he was lost in thought.

I was silent because I felt I shouldnt disturb him. I stood next to him silently, but suddenly something cold touched my face. When I looked up at the sky, I felt something falling on my face again. Rain?

Your Majesty, its raining. How about moving inside?

The raindrops, which were falling one or two drops, quickly began to pour down.

Startled, I slurred because he already took off his coat and covered my head.

Oh, Your Majesty?

Lets go inside, he said, pulling my wrist. I walked quickly after him, struggling to get from under his coat. He is the crown prince of the empire, and Im only a knight. I should not dare to avoid the rain by covering with his clothes, nor should I let him get exposed to the rain.

Your Majesty, Im a knight. As a rule, I am not supposed to avoid rain when I am wearing a uniform. Besides, I cant

In just that?

Whats wrong with my outfit? Ah.

Only then did I remember that I left my jacket behind. When I looked down hurriedly, I could see my white shirt soaked with rain, revealing my naked skin. I blushed.

He put this on me because of this.

When I discovered the reason, I couldnt refuse anymore. I was so embarrassed that I said feebly, with my head down, Thank you, Your Majesty.

Were almost there. Come on in.

Yes, Your Majesty.

When we entered the palace, the servants and the maids came in a hurry. I was in better shape because I put on his coat, but he was all wet to the skin. Water was dripping from his wet blue hair and shirt that got stuck to his upper body. The royal guards standing behind were all soaked to the skin.

After wiping with the dry towel brought by the maids, he said, Let me take a bath. Arrange for her to take a bath, too.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Im fine, Your Majesty.

Are you going to catch a cold? He cut off my words coldly.

He called the attendant and ordered him to go to the 1st Knights Division to bring my clothes. When I watched him give instructions, I just shut my mouth because I knew it was useless for me to refuse. I felt uncomfortable when he repeatedly showed kindness to me, which didnt fit him.

I had a chill when the cold air touched my wet body. The maids approached me as I shivered with cold and wrapped my body with several big towels. After he looked down at me in a pensive mood, he turned his eyes to the royal guards who were standing, drenched to the skin.

You guys, go back and relax.

Were fine, Your Majesty.

Why are you knights behaving like this? If you dont take care of your body well, you cant carry out your mission well, which is a great disservice to the empire. Dont you know that?

Your Majesty, well take your order.

Only

Good. By the way, everyone here should keep mum about what happened a while ago.

Yes, Your Majesty, answered the royal guards with a thrilled voice and left.

How much time passed? The attendant came hurriedly and said the bathroom was ready.

He told me to come to his study after taking a bath. After seeing him disappearing for a moment, I headed to the bathroom where the maid guided me.

When I soaked my body in warm water, my whole body felt warm and relieved.

While trying to pull myself together, I recalled what I saw in the garden.

How is the crown prince going to deal with this matter?

The Lisa kingdom is a country with strong military power. It was evident that if a war broke out, the empire would incur a big damage because the number of knights had been significantly reduced compared to the past as a result of the restructuring of the knights a decade ago. However, the matter was too serious for him to give it a pass.