Chapter 13 - 013 ※ Beware the Immortal in Disguise: Secrets, Suspicion, and Too Much Pretty Armor

[This beautiful kid... where in the world did he find such a child? And what could have happened to her parents? No, more importantly, what kind of connection did he have with them to adopt her in the first place?] Mrs. McRae thought as her mind raced, desperately trying to piece together the mystery that had been unfolding before her eyes. There were too many unanswered questions, and each one led to another, tangled up in a knot she couldn't untie.

Haha... You wouldn't believe it at all if I told you the truth.

[What happened during all the time he was away? What was his secret mission?] she wondered, her curiosity gnawing at her relentlessly. So many questions, so many layers to this story, each one more confusing than the last. What was really going on beneath the surface?

...Me!

[Well, I can't waste any more time thinking about things I have no right to know, nor things that could land me in trouble. I'm just worried about this little kid and about him. And how could I not worry? After all, I can't help but see him as just a little boy, no matter how much time has passed.] Her thoughts continued to race, her concern deepening as she stared at the scene unfolding before her, struggling to contain the worry that bubbled inside her. She had always thought of him as a boy, a young child needing care and protection. But now, the world around him had changed, and it was as if time had blurred the lines between what he was and what he had become.

She stopped in front of a simple carriage, its dark wood polished to a fine sheen, and the golden rims gleaming slightly in the sun. The sight was ordinary, but everything about the moment felt anything but. She stood there, hands clenched together as she tried to push her thoughts aside, but they kept returning to the same question—what kind of future was I facing, and what kind of life had led me to this moment? Five minutes passed before a tall, handsome knight approached, his armor glinting in the light.

"Mrs. McRae, the Emperor sent me to protect you and the child," the knight said with a respectful bow, his voice carrying a sense of duty and professionalism.

Oh, this is good. If Eirwen sent him, he must be skilled.

And I can't help but notice how gorgeous he is, with his curly honey-colored hair, those sapphire eyes that sparkled with an intensity that could cut through steel, and that body—there was no denying it, he was every bit the image of strength and poise. The way he carried himself spoke of discipline, experience, and authority, all wrapped up in a package that was undeniably captivating.

"That's a relief. I know how skilled Sir Gregory is, so I'm at ease now. But we must go." Mrs. McRae spoke, her voice steady but betraying a slight hint of relief that she didn't bother to hide. She had never been one to show vulnerability, but this time, the presence of Sir Gregory made her feel a little safer.

"Yes, Mrs. McRae," Sir Gregory replied, bowing once more with that same professional air, before turning his attention to the carriage.

So, his name is Gregory. It suits him. A knight with a name like that—there was something fitting about it, something that made the entire scene feel more official, more secure.

We entered the carriage, the soft plush seats creaking under their weight as the door closed behind them with a soft thud. The carriage began its journey away from the palace, rolling along the cobbled streets with a rhythmic clatter that almost felt like a lullaby, the sound of wheels over stone filling the space as the outside world seemed to pass them by. The peacefulness of the moment made Mrs. McRae's thoughts drift, her mind wandering back to me, to Eirwen who had adopted me, and to the secrets we all carried.

[She must be Eirwen's illegitimate daughter if that childish guy's trying so hard to protect her.] Sir Gregory thought to himself, his mind spinning with theories. There was something about this whole situation that felt off, something that didn't add up. He could feel it in his gut, that familiar suspicion that made him question everything.

Hoho, what a thought, Sir Gregory. He must be one of Eirwen's most trustworthy knights if he knows his true nature so well.

[But she's too beautiful to be his daughter,] he frowned softly, glancing over at Mrs. McRae. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly on me, though not in a threatening manner, but more in a way that suggested he was searching for answers, trying to decode the truth.

Haha, funny. And you're right. Because I'm not his daughter.

"What's her name, Mrs. McRae?" Gregory asked, his voice full of genuine curiosity, the inquiry almost laced with something more—something that suggested he wanted to understand the mystery surrounding her.

Now you ask, handsome boy?

[I suppose I'll humor you,] Mrs. McRae thought, her lips curving into a small, knowing smile. "His Majesty said it was Evie."

[At least he knows his illegitimate daughter's name.] Sir Gregory scoffed inwardly, his thoughts tinged with skepticism. He wasn't entirely convinced yet, and he was not about to let his guard down until he had answers.

Is that a joke?

"A beautiful name," Gregory commented after a moment, his voice softening, a smile curling at the corners of his lips. "I can't help but notice that she doesn't look like him at all."

[This handsome kid must be thinking that Eirwen's irresponsible enough to have an illegitimate daughter out of nowhere. He must be one of his best friends, but I can see that he doesn't really know my child as well as I do.] Mrs. McRae thought, her tone slightly mocking as she scrutinized Sir Gregory's expression. There was something amusing about the whole thing, as though the knight was attempting to piece together a puzzle with half the pieces missing.

Hahaha, this is amazing. The poor man doesn't even realize what he's gotten himself tangled in.

"That's because she isn't his illegitimate daughter, like you might be thinking, Sir Gregory."

[What? Then why in the world would that bastard take this little girl in? He said she was the new princess of the Empire. What the hell...] Sir Gregory cocked an eyebrow, confusion taking over his features as he tried to make sense of the situation. His mind churned with the new information, but it didn't fit into the neat little box he had created for it.

"Oh, no?" he asked, his voice neutral, though doubt lingered in his tone, a subtle crack in his composure.

His answer didn't quite meet what he was expecting to hear, but at least he had the decency to mask his surprise.

"I thought she was because His Majesty said she was the new princess of the Empire."

Well, at least you're telling her the truth... for once.

Pfft, this time.

[Those kids these days don't know how to tell the truth anymore,] Mrs. McRae scoffed in her thoughts, her eyes rolling slightly as she tried to suppress the urge to speak out loud. It wasn't her place to comment, but she couldn't help it. There was a certain level of entertainment in watching the young knight struggle with a situation he clearly didn't understand.

I don't know anything…

"He adopted her."

[Eirwen adopted a child out of nowhere? She must have something truly special about her, because there's no way he'd do this if she was just some random child. He's not a fool, so there has to be something that he saw in her—something... unique.] Sir Gregory's thoughts grew heavier, a sense of suspicion creeping into his mind as he looked at the child with an intense gaze. There was something about her, something that didn't belong in the world they knew, something that couldn't be ignored.

"What a surprise..." he muttered under his breath, though it was clear that his curiosity had turned into a deep, gnawing suspicion. The child's presence, the Emperor's protection—it all added up to something far more significant than he was willing to admit.

[He must be thinking that Eirwen wouldn't do something like this without a very important reason behind it. But I know that kid better than anyone. I can tell you, without a doubt, that Eirwen would have taken her in even if she were magicless.] Mrs. McRae thought, her mind focused, almost reading Sir Gregory's every expression, every small shift in his gaze. She knew Eirwen's heart better than anyone. And she knew that his decisions, no matter how strange they seemed, always had purpose.

What a divergence of thoughts, for my father's sake.

It may be sad, but like it or not, Sir Gregory is completely right in his suspicions. Eirwen took me in because I'm an Immortal.

We Immortals, in our pure nature, are far too overpowerful, too different from humans. We are not bound by the same limitations. There is something inside us—something that gives us power that can change the course of history. That's why I'm here. That's why I'm not like the others. But whether they know it or not... I've been hiding my true nature all this time.

I wonder if Sir Gregory has any idea just how special I really am.

But then again, maybe he doesn't need to know. He only needs to protect me. To stay by my side, to do as I ask. After all, that's the only thing that matters right now.