Linart burst into a chuckle, rubbing his forehead.

“Out again.”

Inside the temporary tent shared by Rosebelia and Vanessa, only Vanessa remained.

‘Did she leave while I was on the other side?’

Earlier, Conrad had called him to a place where there was a wild boar. A wild boar was a ferocious beast known for its larger size and red eyes; it usually attacked humans.

Since wild boars usually move in groups, there might be more near the camp.

‘I should probably stay in camp today…’

Linart sighed softly, pretending to look into another tent. As he approached the gathering of the night watch, Tanel, one of the knights from the Guardian Knights, spoke.

“Deputy Commander, may I speak candidly?”

“What is it?”

“You have feelings for Lady Rosebelia, don’t you?”

“Feelings?”

Linart raised an eyebrow as if questioning what Tanel meant.

“Haven’t you been looking after Lady Rosebelia since we left the monastery? Just now, you were patrolling mainly around her tent. From what I see…”

“Tanel.”

At Linart’s low call, Tanel straightened his back.

“Yes, Deputy Commander.”

“We are here on a subjugation mission. We are currently performing the role of securing the camp while others sleep. So, stop entertaining needless thoughts and focus on your perimeter duty.”

“Understood.”

As Tanel nodded and moved away, Linart sank into his thoughts.

Looking back, Rosebelia always appeared in his line of sight. When at the headquarters of the White Knights, he enjoyed watching her swordsmanship, and during the subjugation…

‘Did I really look after Lady Rosebelia that much?’

Linart, who had been standing still for a while, unconsciously furrowed his brows.

“Do I have feelings?”

“I don’t think I’m sufficient.”

“Huh?”

As he looked up, he saw the deepening color in Ian’s eyes flickering.

“When I’m this close to you…”

Suddenly, Ian stopped speaking and rose. A man’s scream was heard right then.

“I need to go check.”

“I’ll come with you.”

Leading the way, Ian stopped in front of a tall oak tree. Underneath it was a scorpion.

“It’s a scorpion!”

The voice came from above the tree. Glancing up, he saw Neison perched on a branch.

“I’ll handle it.”

“Let me try this time.”

I stared directly into Ian’s wavering eyes. Nodding as if to signal it was okay, Ian stepped aside.

Ignoring the tingling sensation, I drew forth my aura with my sword.

I had to use a considerable amount of aura to defeat the red slime before…

Will this be enough?

Just when the light enveloping the sword became distinct, the scorpion lunged at me, pincers at the ready. I swung my sword.

The scorpion collapsed at a single strike. As I was looking down at it, my vision suddenly started spinning.

“Are you alright?”

Ian wrapped his arms around my waist in a familiar gesture and asked.

“I’m a bit dizzy, but I think I’m fine.”

“I should have just handled it.”

“You’ve seen me practice. I’m quite alright.”

“But still…”

“Look, I’m not even bleeding.”

As I extended my palm to show it was clean, Ian scrunched his eyes and then let out a playful laugh.

“Um… have you two forgotten about me?”

Hearing the voice from above, I sheepishly tilted my head up. For a moment, I had forgotten that Neison was still up there.

“Just come down.”

“I can climb up, but I can’t come down.”

“Shall I catch you?”

As I stepped towards the tree to extend my hand to Neison, Ian, who had moved closer without me noticing, blocked my way.

“I’ll do it.”

“Your Highness, if you show that much disdain… uh!”

Neison, who was late to shut his mouth, gauged the mood between Ian and me.
“Haha, seems like I just spouted nonsense.”

“Never mind. I was going to tell you today anyway.”

I was the one actually surprised by Ian’s words.

Was he going to reveal his identity to me today?

“…Klein is the emperor?”

I couldn’t say that I knew his identity all along, so I feigned surprise.

“I will explain everything.”

In the meantime, Nathan, who had descended, bowed to me.

“You are Rosebelia Winters, correct? My introduction is somewhat late, but I am Nathan, this man’s aide.”

“…So you were his aide.”

At Ian’s gesture, Nathan bowed again and discreetly vacated his spot.

“I didn’t intend to keep my identity a secret. I was going to tell you at the square, but…”

“So, you’re saying you are the emperor of the Fornes Empire?”

“Ian Klein Martinez, that is my real name.”

“…Should I call you Your Highness from now on?”

Ian shook his head firmly.

“You can treat me as you always have. In the White Knight Order, I am strictly your junior.”

“Is it really okay to do that?”

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Ian’s mouth. Then, a soft, low laughter filled my ears.

“Please do so. It’s what I desire.”

While facing his warmly curved eyes, a sudden question popped into my mind.

Even when the curse manifested, you were the same as I knew you, so why were you so cold in the original story?

“There is something I would like to ask you…”

“Go ahead.”

“Why did you call me a monster yesterday? Can I ask why you think that way?”