Esellion didn’t easily believe those words.

“One word is enough, Lyselia. If you say you’re in an unwanted situation, I will take you outside the Empire.”

Serben put strength into the hand holding the sword, conveying the meaning that he had his eyes wide open.

Esellion met Serben’s gaze, meaning it was entirely possible.
Lyselia couldn’t help but notice the tension between the two.

“No, not at all… Serben, since this conversation seems likely to be lengthy, it would be better if you vacated the premises.”

Serben looked at Lyselia with a face that seemed eager to jump up.

“Empress, it may be impertinent, but I still don’t know the exact identity of this person. I must first be sure that I can trust the safety of the Empress.”

“Judging by the fact that you entrust your sword, it should be clear that there’s no reason for concern from Esellion, the sovereign of Delarta. Your worries are unnecessary.”

“But, Empress, please consider the decree I received from the Emperor. I cannot leave a place where the Empress and a stranger are together until I am sure. I have not yet ascertained if I can trust the Empress’s safety.”

Esellion silently stood up and positioned himself in front of Serben.

“Speak less.”

“…Excuse me? What did you just say?”

“Lyselia is the mouth of God. Do not speak carelessly and add more words before Him.”

“Ha… Then I am someone who received a decree from the Emperor. I cannot stop my actions unless it is at the Empress’s command, not anyone else’s.”

“Who questions the human status before a god.”

“Oh, it’s embarrassing, but the gods of that country are different from the Empire’s gods.”

“Irreverent. The Empire needs to provide proper education to its knights.”

“Shouldn’t the education for knights involve asking with a sword? Asking verbally would be pointless.”

“Then, I won’t ask anymore. It seems the Empire’s knight education is below standard.”

“How much do you have to ask to make such a hasty judgment?”

Serben unconsciously moved his hand to grasp the hilt of his sword.

Esellion, without a hint of hesitation, followed Serben’s movements with unwavering eyes.

“Draw it. I will give you proper training.”

“What if the person doesn’t have a sword?”

“Stop both of you.”

In the end, Lyselia had to intervene.

“Serben, I will allow you to stay close. However, all other guards should withdraw. They should not hear anything unnecessary. And, Esellion, for now, it’s better if you sit down. We have a lot to discuss with each other, so let’s take it one step at a time.”

Lyselia moved across the study to a place with a sofa and a coffee table.

The two who had been eyeing each other reluctantly eventually followed Lyselia without any other choice.

Firstly, the priority was to reinstate the guards.

Esellion Prince and his entourage consisted of three people. Both of them were extraordinary individuals, or perhaps, the Duke’s residence had been noisy for quite some time.

While the guards led the prince’s party to the reception room and monitored them without an obvious surveillance, in the study, Lyselia and Esellion Prince began a lengthy and intertwined conversation.

“…I just can’t believe it.”

Esellion showed profound confusion in his eyes. Whenever he lowered his head, his soft silver hair swayed messily.
“How can this be… such an absurd thing… that Lyselia is claimed to be the companion of Emperor Elidun… I just can’t…”

The hand, tightly clenched over the fist, trembled thinly on the knee.

“I haven’t fully accepted it yet. I’m gradually adapting.”

Lyselia looked at Esellion with eyes that mixed comfort and sorrow.

“Is that… certain? Why should Lyselia become the companion of a demon? There shouldn’t be any reason at all…”

“Ha…”

At those words, Serben let out a sigh.

To say there is no reason. There were too many reasons. He wanted to show Leskal to the prince who knelt in disbelief.

Then Lyselia would realize why she had to be the companion of destiny.

“I am still looking for that reason.”

“Saying you’re still looking can be equivalent to saying you can’t find it. Haven’t you ever thought that there might be no reason at all? Perhaps someone is deceiving Lyselia.”
“Deception? To what extent will you insult the Empire?”

Serben couldn’t bear it and intervened.

“Are you saying that the current Emperor is deceiving the Empress? That an unrelated person is being deceived as fate? Is that what you mean?”

Lyselia let out a small sigh.

She guessed that the conversation wouldn’t flow smoothly with Serben around.

“Sir Sigress, I will give time to his Excellency Esellion. Just like I did, his Excellency also needs time.”

“I’ll give as much time as needed. However, I, as a Guardian Knight, cannot simply overlook remarks that undermine the relationship between the Emperor and Empress.”

“It’s my duty to convince his Excellency Esellion. There’s no need for the Lord to step in.”

“Still, Empress,”

Lyselia raised her hand, stopping Serben’s words.

“His Excellency Esellion, I understand your skepticism. But I’m only searching for a reason, and I don’t doubt the fact that I am the companion of the Emperor. Reviving by borrowing the body of the Empress is the first reason.”

“…What?”

Esellion’s face looked as if he had been struck.

“Borrowing the body of the Empress to revive… What does that mean?”

Rather, Lyselia didn’t understand that statement.

“I don’t know what you’re asking. Do you, Excellency, not know that the face you are currently looking at belongs to the Empress of the Empire?”

Esellion spoke with his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

“Even if only once… I have seen Lady Lyselia’s face.”

“…?”

“I thought it was an unforgettable face… Especially the violet eyes, the same color as the jewel in the center of the coronation crown, called the Tear of God.”