Eldarion Imperial Palace, in front of the Supreme Commander’s office.

In front of it, Leon stopped and took a deep breath for a moment.

Then, as if determined, he took something out of his pocket and knocked on the door of the Supreme Commander’s office.

“Oh, have you come, Leon? The timing is good. Just in time, you…”

“Commander Helbert, as of today, Captain Leon Lewins, resigns from the White Knights. I request dismissal.”

He presented something without hesitation, closing his eyes tightly.

It was a letter of resignation.

However, ensuing silence.

Although he expected an immediate rejection, the silence was almost like white noise.

But soon, a familiar voice could be heard.

“…What is this nonsense, Leon.”

Startled, Leon lifted his head at that voice.

“Ah, Father!”

In front of him were a perplexed-looking Supreme Commander, a grimacing Justice, and his father who seemed angry.

But even with such a disappointed face, his determination did not waver, and the letter of resignation was left in front of the Supreme Commander.

“This is really, what are you doing, Leon?”

“Commander of the Imperial Army, Helbert. What nonsense is this? Even if it’s your daughter’s matter, you shouldn’t forget your own duty.”

“Cough…”

‘He will sneak in secretly. Always at times like this. Tsk, tsk.’

Helbert had initially thought of repairing the resignation letter as a favor to Lucia, who was quietly supporting him. However, he held back his appetite because his father blocked his way.

However, even in front of such a firm father, the son did not back down.

“Father, no. Lord Justice. This is my decision.”

“Huh, it’s not funny. When did you say you’d stop being a knight because you wanted to become a knight so much? So, are you going to quit and go to the public country now? Tsk, tsk. I will never allow it, so I’ll take this away.”

Now, in the land of Lucia, the Archis Kingdom.

As his father expected, Leon planned to quit everything and go to the public country with Lucia.

After all, he became a knight because he declared that he would go to war for Lucia at his debutante ball.

If it weren’t for her, there was no reason for the son of a viscount to become a knight.

So, the reason for his unwavering behavior remained the same, but this time, it seemed that an unexpected obstacle would delay him a little longer.

When the disappointed Supreme Commander Fadelin took Leon’s letter of resignation and left, Leon, left behind, turned his steps to his uncomfortable-looking office.

The room right next to the far end of the 2nd floor of the Knights’ building.

‘I worked pretty hard to get that place.’

It was the closest room to the area of the Black Knights and the only director’s office where he could meet her.

Now that the reason for that hard work is gone, he still couldn’t leave the front of her office.

But then,

It was a sound coming from her office.

‘No way. Lucia?’

With joy, he quickly opened the door.

But still, no one was there.
Just a silent stillness and an open window.

The wind blowing in through the window made it sound like something had fallen.

Leon, shaking his head in deep disappointment, slowly looked around her office since he had entered.

True to her personality, there were almost no items in this place, except for the desk where she worked; there was a sofa and a small table arranged like a reception room.

The only indication of her presence was the military uniform she used to change into after sending her child off to school, still hanging there.

But soon, even this won’t be visible.

‘…Watching the sunset together in the public country seems like a lie.’

“There will never be a day when you ask me to go together. Lucia…”

As he said this to her, he murmured while lifting the sleeve of his military jacket onto his hand.

But at that moment,

“Ugh…!”

Certainly, in this empty place, the groan of someone was heard.

And soon, a red-haired child emerged from under the desk, covering their head.

The child, who usually was brave, looked at Leon who had turned around in a hurry with eyes filled with resentment.

It wasn’t the gaze of being caught sneaking into this place but the gaze of the tragic heroine who had gained shock and disappointment from parting with a friend.

“…There will never be a day when you ask me to go together…? Never…?! How can you do this to Ivan?!”

The child spread their arms as if to embrace, turned around a few times in place as if spinning and finally collapsed as if giving up.

Confused Leon, taking a step back, said,

“T-That, it’s not… Ivan, how did you…?”

But the despondent Ivan seemed not to listen to Leon’s excuses.

“Huh, you like Nia’s mom. I can’t believe Ivan. Just wait a little. Ivan will grow up quickly and come to you!”

Now, even Leon was exposed to the child.

Except for her, even ants passing by now knew what was going on.

Leon covered his reddened face with both hands and despaired.

It was just his luck that such a small child had witnessed this embarrassing scene.