What mindset should a knight have? While attending the academy and serving as a member of the Imperial Knights, she believed that it was loyalty, but not anymore.
Blind loyalty is useless. Loyalty shines only when serving a worthy lord, and loyalty to a wrong person harms people and brings tragedy.
“Rustica Genesis, come forward.”
“Here I am.”
The chamberlain guided the young sage with proper etiquette.
Lou pulled out the ceremonial sword and walked confidently through the Imperial Lemaire. She had no medals or insignia, not even a sword.
Someone might point fingers at her, calling her a traitor who came to the enemy and received a new induction as a knight. Lou could name more than ten people who would do that.
But she didn’t care. Her steps were light and confident.
Today, in the Imperial Lemaire director’s uniform, worn by the Emperor’s side, there were sages, the president of the Imperial Council, and the chamberlain.
‘It’s not an ordinary seat.’
During the assassination attempt, the proclamation of Lou’s merit, based on her displayed loyalty, was recorded in the stern style unique to the Perseita Empire and solemnly declared. The knight who protected the Emperor by throwing herself today kneels on one knee, and the Emperor takes out the ceremonial sword and taps her on the shoulder.
Sia’s eyes twinkled, and she watched every moment her sister received the induction ceremony without missing a beat.
“Mom.”
This time, Milene, who was moved by the fact that she could be together in this position as a parent, slightly bowed her waist.
“I want to become a knight like my sister.”
“Sure.”
In this house, the words “No, you can’t” or “It’s impossible” were never spoken.
“Starting tomorrow, I’ll work hard, okay?”
“…Yeah.”
They simply showed how to do it. It wouldn’t be bad for both daughters to become knights. Milene wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, lost in thought.
It was the most honorable moment as a knight. A golden chain symbolizing a lifelong knight was hung on her daughter’s shoulder, and a medal was placed on her chest. It was a gift bestowed directly by the Emperor and also meant that Lou was now an honorable member of the Imperial Knights, Imperial Lemaire, serving the Emperor.
“If you force yourself too much as a knight…”
Hayden, who was attaching the medal, warned with a stern look.
“I won’t do that anymore.”
She thoroughly realized that it’s not just about doing your best and putting in effort unconditionally. Unlike the time of the Caleta Empire Knight induction ceremony when her heart was pounding incessantly, now she felt calm and at ease.
“We promised.”
“I’ll keep the promise.”
Hayden smiled at the promise that naturally came with a nod. Now, everything would be over if the Emperor bestowed a sword.
“As a member of Imperial Lemaire, an honorable lifelong knight of Emperor Your Majesty, Rustica Genesis, is also…”
Also? Milene and Eadan raised their heads and looked at the chamberlain. What else is there to say?
“The meritorious act of protecting Emperor Your Majesty’s life, I hereby bestow Kinaana Jangwon and its subsidiary lands.”
Huh? What is that? Where is it? While Lou was bewildered, the chamberlain quickly unfolded a rolled-up paper and presented it to the Emperor to stamp.
Hayden took it, handed it to Lou, and smiled.
“It’s a good thing.”
A good thing? Lou didn’t know what it was for now, but she accepted it with both hands.
“Personal property.”
Ah. Personal property is a good thing. Thanks to Hayden bringing in gold bars, Lou had carefully saved them to support the household, but after hearing some complaints from her parents, she put the Kinaana Jangwon document, which she kept in her personal safe, into her arms.
On the surface, she would be praised as the daughter of the Flach Viscount leading the Imperial faction, but in fact, it was a induction ceremony for a new Southern Sage. Naturally, all the sages attended.
“I didn’t know you would come in person. Thank you. Isn’t it time for you to sleep again?”
After the induction ceremony, Lou approached Dragonlord Meliphius once again, greeted him warmly, and he gave a bitter smile.
“Well, I decided to give up on sleeping. Congratulations. You’ve finally become a knight in Perseita.”
“Thank you.”
“What are you learning these days?”
The sages always pay attention to the education of young sages. Lou talked about the homework given by Ophelia, which didn’t help at all from Hayden but would undoubtedly be helpful from Melipheus.
“Oh, you mean the Northern Sage. Ophelia gave me a quite interesting assignment.”
“I have no idea, and it’s giving me a headache.”
“Recognizing a sage is a very important matter. It allows you to quickly find a successor and respect each other’s strength without crossing boundaries. What does His Majesty say?”
Melipheus pointed to Hayden, who had come running after the induction ceremony, listening to the stories of Sia and Bella. The Emperor was on his knees, listening and responding to each chirp of the children. However, the eldest sister spoke firmly.
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
