The King had white, silvery, wispy neck length hair that was unruly yet curled back neatly, as was his beard.
Adjacent him was the Duke of Bearington, wearing a hard and stoic expression.
As I sat before them, the King's pristine robe shifted as he rested his chin on his hand.
Peering at me with glowing, violet eyes, he intoned, "Why you are so adamant on becoming an E-knight, speak your reason."
[…]
I met his gaze and spoke.
=====
"Won't you join your betrothed and the King?"
Not looking up from his studies, Prince Lilith shook his head.
"Why not? Do you not like your betrothed?" his companion enquired.
[…]
"…I don't know," Lilith answered truthfully.
…
"Did she make you uncomfortable last time?" the companion asked, referring to when Lilith visited the betrothed at Baron Clafford's facility. The light in the companion's voice faded. "She's as wicked as I've heard—"
"No," Lilith immediately rebutted, looking up and meeting the companion's eyes. "She is not."
Surprise flickered across the companion's face.
Lilith's eyes widened as well, surprised himself.
"I…I don't know why I…" Lilith stammered before stopping, suddenly recalling what the betrothed said during his visit.
[…when Claire gets better…], she spoke, her voice piercing through the fog, […it would greatly please us if you take a walk with us, if you so wish, your Highness.]
…
"She is…[warm]," Lilith told the companion softly after deep contemplation.
The companion pondered Lilith's answer and reaction before responding just as softly, "I'll judge for myself, little cousin."
║║║║║║║║║║
During Claire and my stay at Baron Clafford's estate, spending time with Winston reminded me of something.
In the game, there was a scene where the heroine asked E-knight Winston whether he thought Dorono would win the war.
E-knight Winston immediately responded with, "Yes."
When queried further on his confidence, E-knight Winston mentioned the might of the two halves of Dorono: King Lilith and the loyalty of his men, and the Divine Temple with its formidable Branch Sect consisting of knights and E-knights.
Though both halves often clashed under a subtle power struggle, together—as one—both would claim victory for Dorono.
Not only that, but among the generals participating in the war, the Millennium General himself—General Os, whom E-knight Winston once fought under, the outcome of which garnered his admiration for the general—was aiding the King at the frontlines.
"Victory is ours," E-knight Winston stated with such conviction that even now I still recalled that scene.
…
If that war were to truly occur in this current life of mine, participating in it was crucial.
That meant I needed to join one of those two halves of Dorono. And since further engaging with the royal family would certainly trigger my end foretold by the game, that left—
"I [greatly] admire E-knights, your Majesty," I answered the King in the present, hoping that reason would satisfy him. "Thus why I strive to become one."
"The royal knights or any prestigious other," the King immediately countered. "Why not serve as one of them?"
…
I had thought about it.
Serving under General Os.
It would bring me closer to the general where I needed to be, yet…the general himself reported to the King and the princes. If one of the princes ordered it, the general would more than likely hand over my head without hesitation.
The Divine Temple, on the other hand, would likely do the same. However, their "complicated" relationship with the royal family—as described vaguely by the game—might give me the sufficient time I needed.
[…]
"They are all admirable," I finally amended. "However, being an E-knight is something I want—no—something I [must] do."
The King raised one eyebrow in surprise. "'Must'?" he repeated.
I nodded silently.
"And if I forbade it?" the King asked after a pause. "You are Lilith's betrothed, after all; the duties of a Branch knight will certainly interfere with that agreement. You will likely forfeit your chance of staying by Lilith's side if you become an E-knight. Is that what you want?"
[Yes], my mind whispered with apprehension.
"…Although unfortunate," I began, not wanting to sound impudent, "…that is something I am willing to accept."
A surprised hum erupted from the King.
"I cannot disobey if you forbid me from pursuing this path, your Majesty," I continued. "However…I will not waver on my decision."
Silence filled the room, and I briefly feared I had disrespected the King.
Then—
"Very well," the King finally said, faint amusement softening his tone for the first time. "An exception will be made for you, Airee. You may continue down this path while [maintaining your position as Lilith's betrothed]."
I dipped my head, quietly exhaling out my tension as I accepted this half-win.
"However," boomed the King, making me straighten once more.
The King's violet eyes met mine, and I froze when his next words triggered a fresh memory of mine.
"Becoming an E-knight is no easy feat," the King spoke solemnly.
I heard his words, yet my attention snagged on the mist suddenly forming behind him.
[Becoming one is difficult], Taz's old words echoed from the mist, squeezing my nerves painfully.
"That feat will go easier were you to use your family name and your betrothment; this, I will not allow," continued the King. "Becoming an E-knight shall be a road you will walk yourself, with your own power."
The mist behind the King coalesced momentarily, and I softly exhaled when I saw the squire.
[…even if you pass…milady, the Branch Academy itself is grueling], Taz continued, his expression indiscernible.
"Should you do what I have disallowed, you will immediately withdraw from the Branch and return to your responsibilities as Lilith's betrothed, never to partake in battle again. If you agree to these conditions…I will accept your decision," said the King.
[Do you still want to be one?] asked Taz.
…
"…Yes…I accept," I answered breathily, dipping my head before the King could notice the sudden sheen in my eyes.
"…Very well," the King uttered with finality.
[We'll support you then, milady], Taz's faint voice whispered near my ear, the last of smiles blossoming in his voice before it faded into nothingness.
I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing the tears to stop as the King welcomed the Duke and I to indulge in the feast laid out before us.
║║║║║║║║║║
After my audience with the King, the Duke—who had been silent all that time—instructed me to return without him as he needed to speak further with the King.
He never once looked at me as he spoke.
…
"This way, m'lady," my guard said, ushering me towards the direction of the carriage that would take me home.
I quietly followed.
…Had I disappointed the Duke…?
"Lady Airee Valguard?" a voice called out in the distance ahead of us.
…
I guess I was just a selfish child dragging the Duke into her own whims after all—
"Airee. Valguard," the voice boomed, jerking me to the present.
I looked up and froze.
There.
Standing before me, in the path, stood a figure strongly resembling the King whom I had just departed from.
Silver hair tied back into a dignified yet unruly ponytail. Silky bangs that could not hide the violet in his eyes.
The blood drained from my limbs.
[Prince Rosen.]