The next morning, Azusa returned to the palace to visit Luana, given the incident that happened the day before. The two young girls sat down in the small salon in the princess' room to talk about it while having breakfast.

"He's really crazy this guy, I swear!" Azusa exclaimed angrily.

"Calm down, Azu," Luana replied quietly.

"How do you want me to calm down?! That bastard ruined your birthday with his bullshits and lies!" she added, enraged.

"No, he didn't really ruin it-"

"Are you kidding me?! He came to the ball in mourning attire without any sort of shame and dared to spill nonsenses in front of everyone! If his cousin was really that important to him, he wouldn't have come and ruined her daughter's birthday like he did!" she stated, completely annoyed.

"It's nothing, Azu... Really... Don't bother yourself with-"

"It's not nothing, Luana! He's abusing of the emperor's generosity. He must be grateful that His Majesty is letting him alive despite all his evil doings. If it were up to me, I would have killed him a long time ago!"

"It's really okay, Azu. I've already forgotten everything that happened yesterday. Besides, he isn't worthy wasting our time being mad at him. Let's just forget about him."

"If only I had heard him. I would have taught him a good lesson there," she said with a murderous aura.

"Wow, now you're really freaking me out. I don't want my best friend to commit a murder. And by the way, who informed you about that incident, in the first place?"

"Dad, of course. Who else?" she replied, shrugging.

"Ah yeah, I forgot that he was present when it happened."

"He didn't want to interfere since His Majesty was by your side. Although, he was furious."

"Yeah, I understand him."

"He saw and heard all what happened. And when he had enough and wanted to teach that coward a lesson, Sir Koraxos took care of it."

"Took care of it? What did he do?"

"He went to the latter and threatened him," she added.

"He threatened him?! When did that happen?!" the princess asked, surprised.

"Yeah! It was right after you and your father left the main hall. I don't know what he told him exactly, but the duke left the room hastily, his face as white as a sheet from fear," she sneered.

"He must have really scared him."

"I'm sure he threatened to kill him. That'll teach him to say bullshits again!"

"Yeah, you're right."

At those words, the young ladies burst out laughing together. When they calmed down, Azusa gave her friend a teasing look.

"Talking about yesterday, your bodyguard seems to really like you a lot, Luana."

"What? W-what are you talking about?" the latter asked, completely taken aback.

"Don't tell me you didn't notice how he was looking at you! He definitely had stars in his eyes! They were filled with love and adoration!" she exclaimed, teasing her more.

"N-no... I didn't notice at all," she replied, blushing slightly.

"Are you blind or something? And the way he stood up for you? It was so heroic and romantic, oh my god."

"Yeah, I saw that. But that's normal. He's my bodyguard after all and it's his duty to protect me."

"What about the dance?! He asked you to dance with him!" she exclaimed in exasperation.

"Following dad's orders. Yeah, you're right."

"You're going to drive me crazy someday, Lulu."

"Why?" she asked, completely confused.

An icy silence settled in as Azusa gave her best friend an annoyed look.

"Luana... You know very well that the Imperial Knights only enter into a romantic relationship once in their lifetime. They can only be close and intimate with one person. The one they fall in love with. And it's usually love at first sight. And even if their beloved one dies, they cannot fall in love a second time with another person. You already have the example of your father. That's how they are," she explained.

"Yeah, I know all of this very well. But what does all of that have to do with me?"

"You're determined to give me a headache today, aren't you? Lucas Koraxos is in love with you, you dummy! It's obvious!"

"What?! How do you know that?! W-Who tells you he doesn't already have a lover?" she asked, blushing slightly.

"I've told you before... It's impossible! The Imperial Knights can only perform intimate acts with their beloved one," she replied.

"And?"

"God, I love my friend so much but sometimes I want to strangle her... You danced together, Luana!"

"How is a dance an intimate act, smart girl?" Luana asked, annoyed.

"Argh! You know what? Just forget about it! I pity Sir Koraxos for falling for such an oblivious creature like you..."

"Wait, wait. So, if we follow your logic, you and Sir Carter are in the same situation. That is that he's in love with you, that's right?" she asked, teasing her in her turn.

"I-it's not the same thing at all!" Azusa exclaimed, blushing furiously.

"And how is it any different? I clearly saw him turn as red as the color of his hair when he came to ask you to dance with him. I'm not dumb."

"L-let's forget about this topic! Please!"

While trying to avoid her best friend's teasing gaze, Azusa spotted the music box on the nightstand.

"That music box is very pretty," she remarked.

"Oh, that one? Yeah, it is. It's a gift I received for my birthday, yesterday."

"Really? From whom? This person must have a good taste in picking gifts," she asked suspiciously.

"It's Sir Koraxos that-"

"See?! I told you!" she exclaimed in excitement.

"Don't try to change the subject, Azusa!" the princess replied, blushing furiously.

"Is it just now that you noticed I did?"

Azusa burst out laughing at her friend's cute reaction as the later pouted in an adorable way.

"Can I see it?" she asked.

"Yeah, of course," Luana replied with a sigh.

The young lady stood up from her seat and walked over to the nightstand to pick up the small box. As she opened it, the two girls heard a very soft melody emanating from it.

"Sounds like a child's lullaby. It's so soft and sweet. So relaxing," Azusa remarked, smiling softly.

"Yeah... The melody is very pretty and calm. It feels like a dream," the princess replied.

Azusa closed the music box and turned it upside down to examine it closely.

"Oh? Lulu, look at that."

"What is it?"

"There's a little note here under it. It's engraved in gold on a silver plate. Look," she said, handing her the box to see.

"Oh yeah, you're right. I haven't seen it yesterday," Luana replied, taking the box from her hands.

"What's written on it?"

"Let's see..."

┌─────── ∘◦❁◦∘ ───────┐

For the most wonderful
of treasures, a little music box
of your favorite lullaby.

Your mom who loves you
so much.

└─────── ∘◦❁◦∘ ───────┘

The two girls remained standing there, in silence, looking at each other for a long moment, completely confused.

"I think that it's a gift given to him by his mother, Luana," deduced Azusa.

"Yeah, that's what I think too," she replied.

"I heard from Eric that his parents died when he was very young."

"Really?" the princess asked, surprised.

"Yeah. But we don't know when or how it happened," she added.

"So, he's an orphan... I didn't know about that...

"Yeah..."

"What I know now is that I can't accept this gift. I have to give it back to him. It must be one of his mother's memories and it must be very important and valuable to him," Luana decided with determination.

"You're right. But you know what?"

"What?"

"Sir Koraxos could have bought anything and give it to you. It's not hard to find a pretty gift. But the fact that he gave that present to you in your birthday only means one thing."

"Which is?"

"That you are as important to him as this memory of his dead mother is," she said with an affectionate smile.

A long silence settled between the girls as they kept on staring at each other for a moment.

"Oh, I almost forgot. Concerning the tea party that will take place in a few days-" Luana started.

"You're changing the topic here, Luana," Azusa replied, completely annoyed.

"I hope you will be there. At least I won't be bored. All what the other noble ladies do is nastily gossip about others and insult each others. I don't think I can handle these situations alone."

"Yeah, you're right."

"That's why I really insist that you'll be present."

"How could I not be present when you're asking me to? Don't worry, I'll be there for sure," she answered with a smile.

"Thank you."

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

Arthur was in his office with Captain Koraxos sitting in front of each other to review some military and politic documents.

"Do you think the budget allocated to the Imperial Army for this year is sufficient, Lucas?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. At the moment, we're not missing anything given the present circumstances."

"Alright. That's good," he smiled.

A few minutes of silence passed. Arthur continued to review the documents and filter them while Lucas tried to decipher the writing in the mage's diary.

"Still can't do it?" the emperor asked.

"The problem is that I don't even see what language it is. I searched through a lot of books and scrolls without any result," the young knight replied.

"If he encrypted his own diary, it's obviously because the information it contains are very important."

"Yeah, without a doubt."

"If we can decipher it, we might be able to find out how my wife was killed and who did-" he coughed lightly.

"Yeah, that's true."

"You really have to find someone to decipher it, Lucas."

"Yeah, you're right, Your Majesty. I'm searching. But it should be someone that we can trust."

"I know, but... I can't see any-" he started to cough very hard.

"Your Majesty, I think that's enough for today. You need to get some rest now. Your condition is getting worse," Lucas said worriedly as he closed the book and put it on the desk.

"Don't worry, my son. I'm fine," he replied, smiling weekly.

"How can I not when you're in this condition?"

"It will pass. Don't worry about me."

A heavy silence settled between them again. The young captain's gaze was focused on the old cover of the mage's diary, lost in his thoughts.

"Tell me, Lucas," Arthur started.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Do you plan to stay as the Luana's bodyguard?" he asked suddenly.

Lucas was taken aback by the question. He stayed silent for a moment before replying, confusion clear on his face.

"What do you mean, Your Majesty?"

"Well, you already have a lot of responsibilities on your shoulders. Leading the army, training the new recruits, taking care of military documents... And now, there's also the affair of this damned mage and his diary with the indecipherable writing."

"Yeah. I know that, Your Majesty. But-"

"Don't get me wrong, Lucas. What I mean is that in addition to all these responsibilities, there's also your duty as the princess' bodyguard," he added.

"Yeah, I know."

"Don't you think it's a bit too much for you to handle?" the emperor asked sympathetically.

There was an another little moment of silence that Lucas broke with a light chuckle.

"Believe me, Your Majesty. If I had the slightest doubts that I'll be failing in fulfilling my duties, no matter how small and trivial they are, I would have never asked you to appoint me to the position of the princess' bodyguard in the first place."

"I know very well that you are a very responsible person who I can rely on, Lucas. That's the reason why I entrusted you with the duty of protecting Luana. I know that she's in good hands with you," Arthur said with a small smile.

"It honors me, Your Majesty," he smiled back slightly.

The emperor nodded at him as he continued to do his work. As for Lucas, he stood up to leave the office.

"I'm going to take my  leave now with your permission, Your Majesty," he stated as he bowed.

"Of course, Lucas. Go ahead and see you later, my son."

The young captain turned around to walk to the office's door. As he put his hand on the doorknob, Arthur called out to him.

"I have a last question to ask you, Lucas."

The young knight stopped in his tracks and turned around to look at him curiously.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"But I want you to answer me with all sincerity," he added in a serious tone.

"Of course, Your Majesty. I could never lie to you."

"Do you have feelings for Luana?"

The young captain stayed silent as his eyes widened in shock and his body became stiff. He felt cold sweat running down his back.

"Judging by your silence, I guess that what I said is true," he concluded.

"Yes, Your Majesty. It's true," Lucas whispered looking at the ground in shame.

The emperor smiled affectionately at the answer he got as he tidied up the papers in his hands and put them on the drawer.

"I've already had my doubts about this when you asked me to be her bodyguard as soon as you got back from your mission."

Lucas didn't reply as he kept looking at the ground.

"But my doubts were confirmed when you asked me to be her partner for her first dance on her birthday," he added.

Lucas heavy silence made Arthur sigh heavily. The emperor understood that the young man was feeling embarrassed since he got exposed by none other than the father of the girl he loves.

"Lucas, I'm not blaming you for having feelings for my daughter and loving her. Far from it. I, too, was your age and I know what it's like to fall in love. And for us, the Imperial Knights, it's a sacred thing that happens once in a lifetime. It means that it's fate," he added.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Now tell me. When did you fall in love with her? I'm sure it's since a long time and I also know that it wasn't love at first sight considering the fact that you asked to be her bodyguard before even seeing her after coming back from your mission," asked Arthur with an affectionate smile.

Lucas sighed heavily as he felt a huge weight fall out of his shoulders and heart.

"You're right, Your Majesty. I have loved Luana for a long time. A very very long time. But believe me, I loved her at first glance. I really fell in love with her at first sight," the captain replied with a faint lovely smile on his face.