Yearning for Nikolai surged within me.

“I should have taught you how to reclaim Nikolai, Arkanso!”

Blaming Arkanso, I gritted my teeth.

I was the one unable to resist curiosity.

The responsibility was entirely mine.

“Alright. But I’ll use the divine power first.”

“As you wish, Lady Saint.”

Bowing like an actor on a stage with an exaggerated attitude, the wolf bent his waist.

He placed the copper monocle on his right ear and looked at me.

‘What is this? The green smoke?!’

Green smoke wriggled and moved like living creatures through the eyes of Moransia, similar to what I had seen from Susan.

However, the color was much darker.

It seemed to be at least three times more intense.

What could this mean?

‘There was nothing like this before. Is it similar to Susan’s because of some reason? It looks like Nikolai’s entire body is engulfed in the green smoke…’
I barely suppressed a moan.

The wolf, with narrowed eyes, demanded, “Now it’s my turn, Elizabeth.”

I wondered what significant event would unfold just by smelling.

My mind was filled with suspicions and hypotheses about the green smoke.

“Don’t touch a single hair or a corner of my clothes.”

Closing my eyes, I extended my arms. Perhaps I was a bit nervous, thinking that I might regret this moment to death.

Claudia spent a busy day with knight selection and knight training.

Interrogating Lord Brendan and uncovering the corruption of the four major families were tasks she couldn’t stop.

Annoying paperwork followed.

Rejecting the pouring party invitations was one of them.

After bathing and wrapping her wet hair with a towel, a heavy fatigue settled in.

‘Meditation or stretching exercises alone are not enough. The best way to soothe a tired mind and body is…’

Claudia, alone in the room, kneeled down and took out a box hidden under the bed.

Inside was Claudia’s treasure.

It was a hardcover edition of Douglas’s romance novel, “The Red Star of the Empire.”

‘I’ve read it many times, but it’s really excellent. The sentences are flawless, and the psychological expressions are so smooth…!’

Carefully turning the pages, she worried that the precious book might wear or tear.

Although she had a separate copy for collection, she couldn’t handle the appreciation copy recklessly.

Claudia’s face, enjoying her only hobby, lit up with a bright smile like a teenage girl.

If the knights saw her, they would surely be shocked.

‘Our Commander doesn’t smile like that! Ghost, release our Commander!’

Whether they said that or not, Claudia was completely immersed in the male lead trying to kiss the heroine.

With the knocking sound, Claudia’s shoulders jumped.

She couldn’t regain her composure with the consecutive voices.

“Ladia, can I come in?”

“…Douglas?”

“I’m sorry for coming suddenly. If you’re busy, I’ll come back tomorrow.”

“No. Please wait a moment.”

Despite her calm answer, Claudia’s complexion turned pale.

She hid the book under the bed, and her body language, fixing her disheveled clothes, was faster than when she delved into the enemy’s territory.

It wasn’t faster than when she dug into the enemy’s territory, but it wasn’t slow.

“You can come in now.”

A bead of cool sweat rolled down under her loose shirt.

Douglas opened the door with an apologetic expression.

It was the first time he had visited the knight commander’s quarters.

It was also the first time he had come without an appointment, late at night.

Claudia, resolving to stay calm, took a deep breath.

“Shall I get you some water?”

She asked Douglas, who was sitting in the comfortable chair in the reception room.

She regretted not having put tea leaves. If she had, it would have been better not to have a teacup, teapot, or biscuits to accompany.

“It’s okay. I came to ask you a favor.”

Douglas said with a stern expression.
Claudia, sitting on the opposite chair, inclined her body toward him.

A dignified aura and charisma befitting the strongest female knight emanated from her.

“What’s the matter?”

“I want to request your protection for Crown Prince.”

As expected, it was about official business. There was no chance he’d come to see me just because. Claudia replied, turning away from the familiar creaking sound.

“I don’t think I need to get involved.”

“Do you know about Shade Kyung, Radia?”

“I can’t be ignorant. He wields a secret but vicious sword.”

“What is Shade Kyung’s identity?”

“Mind your own business. He’s an unseen human. By any chance…”

Claudia narrowed her eyes. As if confirming her suspicion, Douglas sighed heavily.

“His Highness was attacked. It could have been dangerous without Shade Kyung.”

“That’s not surprising.”

“Our intelligence agent was instructed to cross the border to find His Highness.”

“The border? Why does His Highness have a spy?”

With a bitter smile, Douglas explained briefly.

He recounted the incident at Owen’s atelier that Claudia had heard about.

“When His Highness claimed not to have the spy bird, the intelligence agent quietly withdrew…”

“What do you think, Radia?”

“I’ve never sensed malice from him. It’s not evidence that he didn’t betray, but…”

“I’m worried something might happen before Her Majesty’s inquiry.”

Douglas’s determined face clouded like the overcast sky.

While he was doing a dry wash, Claudia asked him, “Since when have you been a close aide to the Crown Prince, Douglas?”

“I wanted to rise in ranks like you. It’s also good to restore the reputation of the five major families.”

“Don’t kid around.”

“Susan obeys His Highness well. Is it because she pities the young lord trying so hard alone, or does she want to be of help? I don’t know either. I just want to be a strength.”

Douglas was that kind of person.

He couldn’t pass by lonely, sick, or weak people.

The fact that Elizabeth sided with Franz would have played a significant role in his decision.

“You said Elizabeth is pitiful. She may appear splendid, but she is a lonely person. However, you don’t see me, who always sees you as a strong person.”

With a bitter smile, Claudia spoke.

“You don’t need to worry about His Highness’ safety. The Shade clan is much stronger than it appears.”

“Clan?”

“I heard stories from the Inted system. Do you want to know if you’re curious?”