He was a man with his own thoughts.

Therefore, he knew that if he carelessly approached his daughter, there would be no chance of the comfortable relationship he initially aimed for.

So he had even involved Princess Sharl in public events, along with the opportunity of his friend’s older brother.

Thanks to that, he had officially gained permission to have a proper acquaintance today and planned to score points with Nia.

Of course, he thought that it would be even better if the foolish scenario he had plotted with his father actually came true, but that alone was not enough for Airen.

Today, he once again reviewed the dramatic plan he would execute.

“Ah, it’s already this late. What a shame. See you later. Captain. Good work everyone!”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As the hesitating Crown Prince Airen quickly disappeared, Berle who had confirmed his back yelled out.

“From now on, we will check the ranks! To your positions!”

The troop members, at the deputy captain’s word, mounted their horses to move to their designated positions.

However, a seat in the middle was conspicuously empty like a bald spot.

“That seat is… Gilliana! Vernon! His! What are you doing?!”

Upon the steward’s disappearance, they had all swarmed to the podium where Lucia was sitting and had laid down lazily.

“Ah, we’ve already checked five times, that should be enough, Captain.”

“Exactly. The kids probably won’t even notice the difference.”

“I don’t want to, it’s annoying.”

His, who had an exceptionally unpleasant face, seemed to dislike the fact that Nia would arrive while he was with Lucia.

“How can you say such a thing! The kids must be looking forward to it. You should show them your best!”

Diligent Berle yelled at them with incredulous eyes.

“Seriously, show our best at this point? Even if the sky split in two, no one would think well of us.”

“Exactly, read some ugly duckling fairy tales. If the little swan had subdued the ducks with its large build, it could’ve lived life enjoying itself. We too, albeit getting some hate. Hahaha.”

Berle’s face twisted at their leisurely actions.

“What kind of sophistry…! Even after becoming official knights, you people haven’t changed. Why did you even become knights if you’re going to live like this?”

As Berle turned around in real anger, the aces slowly started to get up, sensing the mood.

Lucia, who had been watching the situation, sighed softly.

From her detailed observation in the morning, she thought it was impossible to meet the expectations of the elders.

Could these people, who didn’t even expect a word from others, now be subjects of favor and recognition from many? It was ridiculous.

Lucia carefully started moving.

“Huh? Captain? Where are you going?”

“Surely, you’re not going to see Nia?”

“….”

The aces who had mounted their horses looked at Lucia’s turned back and spoke.

They had sensed something was off, but this was really animallike intuition.

“Are you going somewhere you can’t? Eventually, the kids will come to the training ground and will find out that I am the captain.”

For her, it was a somewhat valid reason.

But at her words, Gilliana’s eyes widened incredulously.

“What are you talking about? Captain! Why do we even bother wearing these suffocating helmets!”

That was true. The introductory performance prepared for welcoming the children today was a cavalry fight, completely covered from head to toe in black armor.

Although she knew this, Lucia couldn’t easily turn her steps back.

Vernon, confused at her demeanor, asked,

“Captain, even if you’re not the captain, there will be many who will warmly welcome you. Why today?”

At that question, she briefly recalled what happened last night.

.

.

.

Reducing the light of the lamp that illuminated the room, the cheerful mother and daughter lay down to sleep.

Even after some time passed, seeing the restless child, their eyes met.

Then, the child spoke hesitantly, as if she had done something wrong.

“…Nia, I can’t sleep. We’re going to the palace tomorrow…”

The child spoke hesitantly, but on her hidden face, a bright, expectant smile was drawn.

Seeing that face, Lucia thought of Mia.

The face she had made happy when she had offered her a job at the palace.

‘Ah, yes. I could have at least shown her around at least once all this time…’
She realized that the children, Mia and Nia, had fantasies about the imperial palace.

And soon blamed her own indifference.

The feeling of missing out one by one like this was a regret that was hard to bear.

Then at that moment.

Nia, who gently tugged at the hem of Lucia’s nightgown after turning her head.

The child was staring intently at her mother with shining golden eyes that could be easily seen even in the dark room.

“Mom is at the palace. So I want to see Mom tomorrow. Because it’s so, so good…!”

“……”

Since when had only one person existed in these clear eyes?

As she met this straightforward gaze, she suddenly felt overwhelmed.