The long days of winter came to an end to give way to a radiant, soft spring. The sky was clear, the clouds as white as cotton and the rays of sunshine were warm and comforting. The trees resumed their beautiful colors and the bushes bloomed with flowers again.

Everyone had gathered in the great hall of the capital, dressed in very classy and elegant clothes. The hall was wonderfully decorated with white and red roses everywhere, a pretty tapestry and chairs that were covered with a white silk fabric that was adorned with red embroidery.

At the end of the room, in front of Duke Lobelia who acted as an officiant, stood Elion who was dressed in an official Imperial Knight's outfit which was white in color with silver buttons and embroidery. He was also wearing a pair of black boots and his hair was neatly and beautifully styled.

The young man looked very nervous and very impatient to see his bride as he couldn't hide the smile that adorned his handsome face.

The latter entered the room accompanied by the father of the young knight. She was wearing a gorgeous princess-style wedding dress with silk and sheer chiffon as the sleeves. She was also wearing a very pretty silver-colored jewelry that was adorned with precious stones that her husband had given her previously. As for her hair, it was styled in a lovely low bun and above it was placed a small headband to hang the white veil in it.

Everyone stood up as the bride and her father-in-law walked over to the officiant and the groom. She was extremely beautiful, especially in Elion's eyes who couldn't help but be moved by the sight.

Arriving in front of them, the old man let go of her hand after placing it on his son's. He resumed his place and sat down next to the guests, tears in his eyes with emotion.

The young couple stood up, facing each other while taking each other's hand, a shy smile on their faces with slightly rosy cheeks.

"We gathered here on this beautiful day to celebrate together the marriage of Sir Elion Andvari and his beloved, Emery Salathiel," Angus announced with a smile on his face.

With these words, the duke turned his head towards the young knight and fixed his gaze on him.

"Elion Andvari, will you take Emery Salathiel as your wife and promise to love and cherish her until death do you apart?" he asked.

"Yes, I promise," the latter replied with a loving gaze towards his lover.

After that, the duke turned his head towards the bride.

"Emery Salathiel, will you take Elion Andvari as your husband and promise to love and cherish him until death do you apart?"

"Yes, I do," replied the young girl with rosy cheeks.

"By the sacred bonds of marriage, I declare you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," the duke announced, a very big smile on his face.

With these words, Elion lifted the veil of his beloved and kissed her passionately to the applause of the crowd that was watching them with happiness.

After that, the couple moved towards the exit, followed by the guests who threw red and white rose petals at them while applauding them cheerfully.

Arriving outside, the young bride took her bouquet and turned around to throw it from behind towards her friends. It was Mina that caught it which made her blush hard, something that made the other girls laugh at her while teasing her.

The young lady cast a quick glance towards her fiancé who was standing next to his father and Captain Koraxos. Indeed, Eric and Mina had celebrated their engagement a few days ago, just like Azusa and Matthew.

After that, Elion held out his hand to his wife to help her get on the beautiful carriage that was waiting for them to take them back to their beautiful little house.

A little bit away from where the scene took place, stood two people, each of them wearing a black cape that covered their face and head.

"Soren," one of the two women called.

"What?" the other asked in a bored tone.

"How does it feel to see this? Your little sister getting married without having any family members by her side?" she continued.

"She thinks I'm dead anyway..."

"But that's not true... You're still alive and well-"

"Hastia! Where exactly are you going with these questions and statement of yours?!" exclaimed the young woman angrily.

"I just want you to see the truth. Nothing more. You gave up everything, including your little sister to join the the Grand Master's side. Why is that?"

"You know very well why I'm doing this..."

"I know but I don't quite understand your reason..."

"He saved me, Hastia... If he wasn't present at that moment, I would have perished just like my parents..."

"But he's using you for his own plans, Soren... He didn't do this for you..."

"I don't care about that..."

The old lady looked at her friend with indifference before asking her another question.

"Do you love him?"

The young brunette's eyes widened in shock as she listened to her friend's words.

"What?! Who are you talking about?!"

"I'm talking about the Grand Master. Do you have feelings for him?"

"Of course not, Hastia... It's gratitude and loyalty... Nothing more... Anyway, I've never seen him... How do you expect me to fall in love with someone I've never seen?"

"I thought maybe that was the case."

"Come to think of it, your situation is not that different from mine, Hastia."

"What do you mean?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You joined the Grand Master's side to gain power too, didn't you?"

"It's not the same thing, Soren."

"How isn't that the same thing?" she wondered.

"For you, your family didn't abandon you. But it wasn't the case for me... You had the choice... I didn't..."

Soren let out a long sigh before turning around as qhe walked in the opposite direction of the Great Hall.

"Where are you going like that?" Hastia asked, very confused.

"The Grand Master asked for us to go back since we're having a meeting with him, remember? I saw what I needed to see here. I want to go back now," the girl replied, turning to look at her again.

"That's true... I completely forgot about that..."

With these words, the two women went on their way without looking back again.

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The leaders of the Grand Master's order gathered in the meeting hall. They sat around the table with their leader at the end of it. The number of empty chairs was starting to increase apparently due to the deaths of Roxy and Velthur and also the absence of the former captain of the Imperial army.

"As you see, my friends, another member of our order has just been eliminated," the Grand Master began.

"Roxy was always too pretentious and self-assured. That's why she ended up getting killed," Dale said mockingly.

"Now is not the time to talk like that about one of the order's members who perished while trying to accomplish his mission. Come on, show a little respect!" Soren growled in displeasure.

"Where is Captain Arminel, Master? Why isn't he with us today?" Hastia asked, confused.

"I sent him on a special mission," Borislav replied.

"I see..."

"Okay... Time to get down to business... Two of us tried to complete the same mission I gave them... But without results... They failed and they paid for it with their life... This time, we won't attack one by one like before," he declared.

"What do you mean by that, Master?" Jonaral asked.

Seeing the latter and his twin brother Dogadar, they look like a single person. They both had pale skin with blond hair and hazel eyes. Their corpulence was not very strong. They were of medium height and lightly muscled.

"What I mean, Jonaral, is that this time, the mission is going to be shared between you and your brother and Marquis Kalmiv," he explained.

The marquis jumped slightly upon hearing these words. He looked up at Borislav curiously.

"What is this mission, Master?" he asked.

"Patience, my friends... I'll explain everything to you in details..." he replied with a smirk.

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Back to the city of Myrefall, Dale returned to his mansion after his reunion with the order was over. He got out of his carriage and entered his house to find himself facing his daughter who was waiting for him at the entrance.

"Good evening, Dad," she greeted with a small smile on her lips.

"Good evening, Cecilia," he answered indifferently.

"I ordered the maids to bring us dinner because I thought you might be hungry. Where do you want to eat?" she asked.

"I don't have time to eat. Where is Roshua? I need him in my office immediately," he replied dryly while walking up the stairs.

The young girl remained frozen on the spot behind him with a pang in the heart. After a few seconds, she walked back to her room without saying another word.

'I understand now why mother left you and abandoned us,' she thought bitterly.

Once Dale walked into his office, someone knocked on the door behind him.

"Come in !" he ordered, annoyed.

It was the young man with red eyes and white hair who entered the room, dressed in his usual attire.

"Good evening, My Lord," he greeted with a bow.

"What good can come to me after a meeting with the Grand Master? I have been given a very important and very difficult new mission," growled the Marquis.

"What's going on, My Lord? What mission are you talking about?" Roshua asked, confused.

"We are going to attack the emperor this time with the army of Jonaral and Dogadar. My mission is to look for the weak points of these cursed Imperial Knights and also their plans... If we manage to discover that, we can eliminate them just like mosquitoes," he explained.

The young man froze on the spot when he heard what his master was saying to him. He swallowed his saliva hard before answering.

"And when is the attack planned?"

"Once I find out their secret. That's why I have to be quick."

"And where is this army at the moment? Are they hiding?" asked the servant curiously.

"They're in their headquarters, training for the big fight... Why are you asking me all of these questions, anyway?" Dale wondered.

"Just to know, My Lord," he replied indifferently.

"I see... The most important thing now, I want you to take care of the mission of discovering the secret of these vermin, Roshua... I'm counting on you and your discretion talents..." he declared.

"I won't disappoint you, My Lord," he whispered, bowing before leaving the room.

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After completing his tasks and responsibilities of the day, Roshua went on his way to his room to rest while passing by Cecilia's.

"Psst! Roshua!" called the latter, whispering.

The young man turned around abruptly to see the young girl who looked at him through the opening of her door. She stuck her head out to get a better look at him, smiling slightly. He walked over to her before bowing.

"Good evening, My Lady," he greeted with slightly rosy cheeks.

"Good evening. You spoke with dad earlier, right?" she asked, curious.

"Yes. Why ?" he wondered.

"What's going on, Roshua? Father had a very serious expression on his face when he came back home today. He was very nervous too," she asked, worried.

The young man sighed heavily before explaining to her what the marquis had told him about his new mission.

Cecilia's eyes widened in shock as she put her hand on her parted lips.

"That's really awful..." she whispered.

"I know... But what can we do?"

After a few seconds of silence, the girl had an idea that crossed her mind.

"Roshua?" she called.

"Yes, My Lady?"

"Can you come see me early in the morning tomorrow? Don't let anyone see you while you do so, please."

The young man was taken by surprise for a short moment before nodding his head slowly.

"As you wish, My Lady."

"That's perfect... Good night, then..."

"Good night," he replied, giving her a small smile which she returned.

On those, the girl closed the door of her room while Roshua took the path that led to his.