The venomous ridicule struck, but Ruth kept his expression calm. He had inherited his mother’s extraordinary beauty, a trait she was renowned for as the most sought-after courtesan in Leman Continent, including Karileum. Since joining the Scarlet Knights, he had endured endless taunts and prejudices based on his appearance and background. To overcome these scornful perceptions, Ruth had pushed himself harder than anyone—staying up later, waking earlier, and training twice as much as his peers. Yet here he was, still facing the same contempt. No matter how much he achieved, what remained was disdain and coldness.

“Your Highness,” Kamiel interjected, “Ruth is a brilliant strategist. Above all, he is deeply loyal and wise. His tactical prowess and swordsmanship are exceptional. Once you see his capabilities, you’ll understand why he was appointed as Commander. He’s the friend I’m most proud of.”

Kamiel, who had served at the boy’s side for five years since his first assignment, was deeply trusted by the prince. Having been with him since childhood, Kamiel was closer to the boy than even his blood relatives. The boy, listening to Kamiel’s sincere words, lowered the sword he had pointed at Ruth’s chin. Handing the sword to the attendant beside him, he muttered in a slightly softer tone.

“If you say so, then I’ll take your word for it.”

The boy wiped the sweat from his pale face with a white cloth handed to him by the attendant. Then, tossing the cloth aside, he called out to Ruth, who remained bowing.

“You.”

The boy’s sharp voice carried an arrogance that was impossible to ignore. Ruth decided the rapid beating of his heart was misplaced. Was it fear? Or was it the overwhelming presence and beauty of the boy before him? Either way, his heart refused to calm.

“Speak, Your Highness,” Ruth replied calmly, keeping his face neutral.

The boy tilted his chin upward and issued an order.

“Follow me.”

The boy turned and began to walk away, his sweat-soaked white shirt fluttering lazily. Bowing slightly to Kamiel, Ruth began to follow. He walked with disciplined, quiet steps ingrained in him through years of training, but his mind was still half-dazed.

The blazing sunlight, the dry air, and above all, the prince’s overwhelming presence left Ruth feeling faint. It was summer.

***

“Ruth Kaizel, is it?”

Returning to his chambers flanked by ten bodyguards, Ail dismissed the other knights once inside. As he changed into fresh clothes, attended by three girls wiping his body with damp cloths, he spoke casually.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Ruth replied, keeping his eyes lowered respectfully.

“Your age?”

“Twenty-two.”

“Same as Kamiel. Why aren’t you married yet?”

The sudden question made Ruth hesitate briefly before answering honestly.

“I have not yet met the right person.”

“Well, not my concern. I’ve heard the sons of the Kaizel family typically pursue careers in literature or politics. Why did you choose to become a knight? Was it because of your background?” Faced with Ail’s unexpectedly perceptive and somewhat aggressive question, Ruth finally became aware of the complex nature of their relationship. Ail’s mother, Empress Adiba, was the second daughter of the Jenin family, which had been rivals with the Kaizel family for generations. Over the past three years, during the decline of the Kaizel family, the Emperor’s affection had overwhelmingly favored the Empress. However, recently, the Emperor had taken Tasha Kaizel, Ruth’s grandaunt, as a concubine, and his current infatuation with her had bolstered the influence of the Kaizel family. Despite their vastly different social standings, the two young men were ultimately descendants of rival bloodlines.

“There wasn’t any particular reason,” Ruth replied. “It was simply the only path available to me.”

“So it boils down to the fact that you didn’t have maternal relatives to support you,” Ail said bitterly. “Knighthood is a practical choice since it offers sustenance as long as you can move your body. Still, for you to rise to the rank of commander, your family’s influence can’t be ignored… So, I take it you’re not entirely disowned.”

Ail’s sharp remark caused Ruth to lower his gaze further in silence. For a boy of only fourteen, Ail was unusually intelligent and mature. His ability to grasp and infer even politically intricate matters highlighted his shrewdness. Ruth couldn’t help but realize once again that the position of Crown Prince was not something given to just anyone.

The legitimate heir of the imperial family. The power and authority inherent in his pure imperial bloodline were indescribable. A ruler’s destiny was determined by their very existence. No matter how much Ruth might try, he could never possess the same dignity as the boy before him. Nor could he ever speak so unflinchingly, striking directly at another’s vulnerabilities.

“Well, fine,” Ail said nonchalantly. “Whatever the reason for your appointment as the commander of my guard, it’s none of my business. Not that I expect much to come from your side anyway.”

“… My duty is to prioritize Your Highness’s safety above all else. I will serve you with utmost sincerity,” Ruth said quietly.

“I don’t need empty words. After all, there’s always a chance we might end up pointing our swords at each other someday.”

At Ail’s cynical remark, Ruth replied in a sincere voice, “My sword is meant for Your Highness’s enemies, not for you. As long as I live, I will never raise my blade against you.”

A brief silence hung between them, creating an awkward tension in the air. Then, Ail spoke in a small voice.

“… I’m sorry.”

Startled by the unexpected apology, Ruth raised his head. He saw Ail, now changed out of his sweat-soaked clothes, sitting with his legs crossed, looking at him with a serious expression. However, a moment later, a cruel glint flickered in Ail’s golden eyes.

Ail’s red lips curved slightly, and a cold voice flowed out once more. “I may be young, but I’m not foolish enough to believe that.”

The boy’s words pierced through him, and Ruth let out a bitter smile, lowering his gaze again. Watching Ruth’s poised and quiet demeanor, Ail’s tone turned playful.

“No matter how I look at you, you’re not the knightly type. Knights don’t move like you do…”

“It’s a matter of individual style,” Ruth replied.

“Fair enough. That’s probably true. Leave now,” Ail said, dismissively waving a hand at Ruth.

The next hour was Ail’s scheduled time for rest to alleviate muscle fatigue after training. Following this, he would delve back into lessons on geography, law, economics, politics, and diplomacy, which would continue late into the night. Understanding this, Ruth bowed his head and hurriedly left the room.

Somehow, a heavy sigh escaped him.

As night fell, a chilly breeze swept through the expansive palace grounds. Situated at the heart of the continent, Karileum was characterized by its arid air and stark temperature shifts between day and night. Relishing the cold air, Ruth, who had just completed his first day as commander, dismissed the knights following him and headed not to the knights’ quarters but to the Northern Palace.

Nestled deep within the royal palace, the Northern Palace was not far from the knights’ quarters. During wartime, it served as a residence for members of the imperial family and was designed as a small fortress. Hidden within the palace’s most secluded corner, its thick stone walls ensured that no one outside could glimpse what transpired within. In times of peace, it was largely unoccupied, hosting either exiled relatives of the royal family or those of discreet and delicate status. Currently, the palace stood vacant and open.

Since joining the imperial palace, Ruth had often sought refuge here whenever his thoughts grew turbulent. Quiet and vast, the palace grounds, left untended for the past three decades, had grown lush with greenery, providing a perfect retreat. Especially the overgrown garden, centered around a large pond, was deserted and teeming with weeds. Its absence of any sign of life made it an ideal place for someone like Ruth, who preferred solitude, to clear his mind.

Walking leisurely, Ruth approached the pond in the garden’s center and sat under the shade of a large tree. Loosening the hair he had tied neatly, he leaned back and closed his eyes.

It had only been one day in his new role, yet he already felt a deep aversion to his position. He questioned whether the role suited him and how long he could endure it, his doubts so overwhelming that he felt an almost unbearable urge to flee.

Ruth had become a knight solely to escape the influence of the Kaizel family. He had grown weary of the scorn he faced as the son of a courtesan mother. Unable to endure the abuse from his half-siblings and the countess of Kaizel, he had left his mother and younger sister behind at the age of thirteen, fleeing from that life. From that point on, he had endured with sheer determination—fiercely, resolutely. His singular resolve had been never to return to that mansion, and it had carried him this far. But now, even that resolve had faded.

The moment his pledge to rely solely on his strength was shattered by his father’s intervention, he lost confidence. He couldn’t discern the motives behind the decision to thrust the position of the 3rd Division Commander upon him, but it had left him with no escape. He had come to the bitter realization that even within the imperial palace, he could not entirely sever the Kaizel family’s influence.

“Ruth.”

As he leaned his head back against the tree with a thud, a familiar voice, warm and gentle, called out to him from above. Opening his eyes, he saw Elsen, clad in the black uniform of a knight, looking down at him. At the sight of him, Ruth instinctively smiled, the darkness that had been weighing on him momentarily lifting.

“I figured you’d be here. You always come here to escape when you’re troubled,” Elsen said.

His kind, green eyes shimmered, reminiscent of a lush forest, their warmth soothing Ruth. Gesturing for Elsen to sit, Ruth let out a sigh and grumbled, “You know me too well.”

“Everyone in our cohort knows that when you’re down, this is where you hide. So, how was your first day as commander?”

Elsen, now stationed in the 4th Division following the recent reassignment, was still an ordinary knight. Knights wore uniforms signifying their rank: black for regular knights, blue for vice-commanders, and red for commanders. Above that, the Grand Vice-Commander and Grand Commander wore silver and gold trim over their red uniforms. In the highly uniform and impersonal world of knights, one’s uniform was often the only means of expressing rank and individuality.”It’s just… okay. I’m benefiting greatly from my family’s influence. To skip over vice-captain and go straight to captain… it’s dizzying.”
“Why are you so down? That’s a reflection of your ability.”

Elsen patted Ruth’s shoulder gently in an attempt to comfort him. Ever since they first met, Elsen’s words of encouragement had always been a source of strength for Ruth, but this time was different. Unfortunately, even the support of his closest friend could not ease the weight on Ruth’s heart this time.

“When I joined… I thought I’d cut all ties with that family, but it hasn’t been that simple.”
“That’s not something that’s easily done.”

Elsen’s voice carried a faint bitterness. Hearing his quiet tone, Ruth turned his head to observe Elsen’s profile. Seeing his friend’s slightly somber expression, Ruth felt as though he’d made a mistake and quickly changed the subject.

“How was your vacation? You went to Janine Castle, didn’t you?”
“Oh, yes.”
“You must have met Lady Erita?”

The mention of a topic Elsen would enjoy immediately turned his face crimson. Ruth, finding amusement in his friend’s honest reactions, chuckled lightly.

“She must have grown quite a bit by now. Is she sixteen already?”
“…Let’s not talk about that.”

Knowing how easily embarrassed Elsen could be, Ruth pressed on with playful persistence.

“Why not? She’s of age now; it’s time you propose. Erita’s been waiting for you all this time. It’s a miracle that the daughter of the Janine family, the empress’s maternal relatives, still doesn’t have a fiancé.”
At Ruth’s teasing, Elsen shook his head vehemently.
“Not yet.”
“Why not?”
“There’s too much of a status gap. I’ll… I’ll propose once I’ve made it to the rank of captain.”