“Second Prince?”

Has he been staying with the Knight Order all this time?

“Yeah, seems like he has something to say to you.”

“…I’ll go.”

Unable to refuse, I rose from my seat, and Ian also stood up.

“Vice Commander, where is the Second Prince now?”

“He’s in the Vice Commander’s office. Why do you ask?”

Fabian asked with narrowed eyes. His gaze at Ian was filled with an unpleasant expression.

“May I accompany you to the Vice Commander’s office?”

“The Second Prince has summoned only Roseberlia.”

“If the Vice Commander permits, I would like to go and formally apologize to the Prince.”

Frowning, Fabian looked at Ian’s face quickly.

“Come to think of it, you were the one who dueled with the Prince earlier.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Fabian clicked his tongue and lowered his head slightly. He even sent a pitiful look to Ian.

While the Commander seemed to know Ian’s status, Fabian seemed completely unaware.

“Yeah, you should have held back a bit. If you’re that sincere about it…”

“That’s why I’m asking, Vice Commander. I’ll apologize to the Prince and leave immediately.”

Fabian, showing his displeasure, didn’t say more. It meant he allowed us to go together.

As Fabian turned toward the exit, I quickly grabbed Ian’s arm.

“What are you doing?”

Ian turned to me, looking at me with affection as if to say there’s no need to worry. A light smile even spread across his face.

“What’s going on? The Prince is waiting, so…”

“I’m going now, Vice Commander.”

With a brisk response, I and Ian left the dining hall. Following behind Fabian, we soon arrived at the main building. Fabian, standing in front of the Vice Commander’s office, gently stroked his neck for a moment and then opened the door.

“Prince, I’ve brought Roseberlia as you ordered.”

Edwin, who had been sitting on the sofa and alternately looking at me and Ian, suddenly stood up. While Enoc, who had been observing us, raised his eyebrows in surprise, Ian calmly surveyed the room. Since Philip, Fabian’s deputy, was absent, only Ian, Fabian, Enoc, and I were present in the Vice Commander’s office.

Ian, appearing satisfied, smiled and approached Enoc.

“I, if you’re going to apologize, do it over there. Why bother coming all the way here…”

“Please leave now.”

“What?”

“It means you should quickly return to the palace, Prince.”

Though the voice was polite and calm, what Ian said to Enoc ultimately meant…

Get out of here right now, okay?
“Klein, are you out of your mind? This person seems to be a friend of the Prince…”

“Why would someone like you, who is in charge of knight training, impolitely demand something from a prince like me?”

“I apologize, Your Highness. Klein, stop and step back. As the Vice Commander…”

I quickly grabbed Fabian’s cape, bowing my head and sending a look that conveyed I shouldn’t interfere any further.

Fabian, as if sensing something strange, narrowed his eyes but willingly stepped back as I pulled.

“Enoc, ignoring my warning might not be a good idea.”

“Enoc? Now, a mere knight dares to use the Prince’s name…”

“Are you flaunting the title of Prince in front of me right now?”

At Ian’s casual question, Enoc seemed flustered, and his mouth twitched in response.

“Are you out of your mind? You were hiding your status here, and now you want me to reveal your identity?”

“It’s just revealing my status. There’s no law that says a prince can’t join the White Knight Order.”

Fabian’s jaw dropped open at that moment as he listened to their conversation.

Was Ian planning this from the beginning?

Perhaps soon, Ian would ascend to the position of Crown Prince, and by then, it would be even more challenging to conceal his identity.

“No, I…”

In an instant, Ian grabbed Enoc by the collar and pulled his face in front of mine.

“Do you believe in just that? Whether I’d be scared if you exposed my identity? Go ahead and spread it. I don’t care.”

“…You don’t care?”

“If you think I’m only relying on that, whether I’d be afraid if you expose my identity… How about we have a real duel right now? If you want, I’m willing to face you anytime…”

“I was just about to leave. I was planning to return to the palace.”

Laughing, Ian released his grip on Enoc, who was desperately catching his breath, and casually swept his disheveled hair back. The gleam in his eyes, as he looked down at Enoc struggling to breathe, was full of triumph.

“Don’t ever set foot here again.”

“…”

“And don’t bother that person. No, it’s better if you don’t even breathe near him.”

Looking at Enoc, who met my eyes while gasping for breath, Ian exited the Vice Commander’s office. Once the situation was settled, Ian went straight to Fabian.

“I apologize for causing a commotion, Vice Commander.”

“That’s… Ian.”

“Enoc is my younger brother.”

Regretfully, Fabian’s adam’s apple, which had been clenched, moved slightly as he wrapped his forehead with his hand.

“Pr, Prince…?”

“Just treat me casually as before.”

With a strange expression, neither laughing nor crying, Fabian quickly extended his hand, desperate for a handshake.

“Oh, no. How could I…”