That day was the first time Ruth wore the crimson knight’s uniform symbolizing the Commander of the Crimson Knights. Having been promoted to the position of Commander of the 3rd Division of the Crimson Knights, tasked with guarding the imperial prince of the Karileum Empire on the continent of Leman, Ruth was on his way to meet the prince he would now serve, following his predecessor, Kamiel.

The dazzling sunlight scattered in fragments. Summer was approaching in Kandium, the capital of Karileum, and the heat was gradually settling in. Located at the heart of the continent, the air in Kandium was hot and dry. Even under the blazing sun, the atmosphere remained briskly refreshing, and Ruth kept his lips tightly sealed.

The gentle summer breeze tousled Ruth’s long brown hair. Though it was neatly tied back, its length made it impossible to keep from swaying in the wind. The Crimson Knights, who protected the imperial palace, were required to maintain uniformity not just in their attire but also in the length of their hair—a representation of their symbolic role as royal guards. They were expected to be flawless, not only in skill but also in appearance, and the screening process for recruitment was notoriously stringent.

Boys aged 12 to 13 were meticulously evaluated for their appearance, bone structure, and health before suitable candidates were selected for training. Boys who were too frail or too large were assigned to defend the outer walls, while those with exceptional looks were admitted into the royal guards to protect the direct lineage of the imperial family. Ruth, with his outstanding appearance, had once guarded a princess but had been demoted to the outer defense unit before being promoted again through this personnel change.

“The prince isn’t too difficult to serve. He may be young, but he’s intelligent and mature for his age. You’ll find this easier than guarding the outer wall. He’s someone who strictly follows his schedule without any troublesome deviations,” said Kamiel, Ruth’s senior, a fellow knight, and close friend, as if trying to ease Ruth’s concerns. It seemed Kamiel had interpreted Ruth’s lack of enthusiasm for the transfer as anxiety.

The prince they were on their way to meet, Ail Linus, was the emperor’s sole legitimate heir. Due to his status—or perhaps his inherent nature—he was known for his eccentric personality despite his young age. However, his eccentricity wasn’t due to capriciousness or emotional outbursts. Strangely enough, the young prince was excessively cold, exuding a sternness that seemed misaligned with his youth.

Ruth had heard rumors about the prince. Though he had spent the past five years at the outer wall and hadn’t seen him in person, tales of the young prince’s extraordinary beauty and equally peculiar temperament were widely known.

But what troubled Ruth wasn’t the prince’s personality. Whoever the prince was didn’t matter to Ruth. What made him uneasy were the reasons and objectives behind this transfer. These thoughts had been clouding Ruth’s mind ever since the personnel announcement.

“You’ll do well. In fact, you might find you’re quite compatible with him. The prince is indifferent to people in general, so as long as you don’t make any major mistakes, he won’t make things difficult for you. It’s a complex relationship in many ways, but it’ll be fine,” Kamiel added, taking into account the fact that Ruth’s family and the prince’s maternal family weren’t on good terms.

Ruth glanced at Kamiel with a faint smile and shook his head.

“It doesn’t matter. I won’t be forming any bonds with him, anyway. It’s the same no matter who it is.”

“Then why do you seem so down?”

“It’s just… nothing.”

“Is it because of the promotion?” Kamiel asked, as if finally realizing the source of Ruth’s despondency.

Ruth sighed. “There’s a lot on my mind.”

“Like what?”

“Just… a lot of things.”

“Well, everyone has their own struggles,” Kamiel concluded neatly. His approach to relationships was never to pry too deeply into others’ affairs. Kamiel was kind and considerate to everyone but never overly involved. He approached people only as much as they allowed and never crossed the boundaries they set. That was why Ruth found him comfortable. Among Kamiel’s many virtues, his refusal to interrogate or demand answers about uncomfortable topics had softened Ruth’s defenses.

Silence fell between them again. With nothing more to say, they continued on their way until they arrived at the gates of the Golden Palace, where the crown prince resided.

Though it was midday, the security at the Golden Palace was tight. Six knights guarding the massive entrance promptly bowed slightly to Ruth and Kamiel before quickly opening the gate. As they stepped into the palace gardens through the open gates, Ruth felt a slight dizziness from the dazzling brilliance of his surroundings.

Under the scorching sunlight so intense it blurred his senses, a beautiful boy stood. His breath uneven, beads of sweat forming on his pale face. With a slender silver longsword made to match his small frame in his right hand, the boy swept back the hair sticking to his forehead with his left. Ruth stood frozen, even his breath momentarily halted. It felt as though all the light in the world had gathered around the boy.

From the boy emanated a noble, powerful dignity and a dazzling brilliance. It was as if his very presence declared his identity—the sole legitimate heir of Karileum, Ail Rhynas. His entire being radiated the energy and fierce confidence of a ruler.

His fiery red hair seemed to blaze under the sun, and his golden eyes—glimmering as though embedded with countless jewels—were a testament to his imperial lineage. Beneath his still soft and fair cheeks, touched with the freshness of youth, were full, crimson lips. If not for the sword he held confidently, Ruth might have mistaken him for a girl.

More than the oppressive heat, and even more than the overwhelming sunlight, it was the boy’s striking beauty and the light that seemed to pour from him that made it hard for Ruth to breathe. He wasn’t just beautiful—he was radiant, so dignified and elegant that it felt otherworldly.

For the first time in his life, Ruth stood dumbfounded, overwhelmed by the boy’s sheer vitality. He felt as though his limbs were paralyzed, his arms and legs rendered immobile. It was as if the blood in his veins had been ensnared by the boy’s presence.

It was a shiver akin to fear.

“Ruth?”

Kamiel, who had been guiding him, suddenly called his name, breaking Ruth out of his trance. Blinking, Ruth stammered an apology.

“Oh… uh, sorry. I must have zoned out for a moment.”

“What’s gotten into you? That’s not like you. Come on, you need to greet him.”

“Y-yeah,” Ruth replied awkwardly, beginning to walk again as Kamiel urged him forward.

At the age of thirteen, Ruth had joined the Scarlet Knights, directly under the imperial palace, and spent four years as a trainee. He had then served two years guarding a princess in the 7th Division, before being transferred to the 14th Division, defending the outer walls for three years. Serving in the outer wall unit, essentially a demotion, Ruth had suddenly been promoted to Commander of the 3rd Division, tasked with protecting the crown prince.

It was likely less a recognition of his abilities than the result of his family’s influence. His earlier demotion had been due to the declining power of his family, the House of Kaizel. Now, his father, Lyman Kaizel, had risen to the position of Chancellor, and it was likely this political resurgence that had earned Ruth his new title.

Because of this, Ruth could not feel joy over his sudden promotion. The price of holding a position beyond his worth was too great. Furthermore, he felt as though he was once again being shackled by the very family he had longed to escape. The suffocating feeling weighed heavily on his chest, and he had even entertained extreme thoughts of resigning and fleeing somewhere far away. Now, standing before the boy he was meant to serve, his heart felt like it would burst.

Suppressing a sudden ache in his chest, Ruth approached the crown prince, Ail Rhynas, who held his sword firmly. A servant standing by the boy quickly recognized Kamiel and Ruth, then whispered to the prince.

“Your Highness, the new Commander of the 3rd Division has arrived.”

At these words, the boy, who had been looking at his sword instructor, turned his gaze toward them. The light in his golden eyes seemed to reflect thousands of glittering jewels all at once. Ruth maintained a composed expression, lowering his head slightly in acknowledgment. The prince’s gaze, sharp and piercing as a wild beast’s, seemed to envelop him entirely.

It was a gaze colder than ice yet hotter than fire, brimming with the untamed instincts of a young predator. Ruth couldn’t muster the courage to meet those golden eyes directly; they burned hotter than the summer sun. Before the boy, who was only fourteen—eight years his junior and just beginning to wield a real sword—Ruth found himself crumbling inwardly.

Avoiding the prince’s gaze, Ruth lowered his eyes and offered a respectful bow. From below, the prince’s youthful voice rang out.

“A new Commander? Was there a reassignment?”

It was unmistakably the voice of a child. Yet it carried an unyielding authority and a regal depth that was impossible to defy. Ruth felt as though his heart would burst, the thudding in his chest echoing so loudly it seemed as though others might hear it. He grew pale, worried that even his heartbeat might betray him.

“Yes, Your Highness. From today onward, this friend of mine will serve as the Commander of the 3rd Division. He is Ruth Kaizel, the youngest son of the Count of Kaizel. He and I joined the knighthood at the same time and are closest friends. He is someone more trustworthy than anyone else.”

At Kamiel’s earnest explanation, the boy remained silent for a moment before letting out a voice tinged with subtle mockery.

“A knight? And a commander?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As the boy’s tone conveyed disbelief, Ruth instinctively shut his eyes tightly. A cold sword tip abruptly lifted his chin, startling him. Suppressing a scream that nearly escaped, Ruth swallowed his shock and raised his head. The boy’s golden eyes stared directly into his. Struggling to suppress the chaotic storm of emotions within him—his heart pounding violently—Ruth forced himself to maintain a composed expression. He kept his lips pressed tightly together and lowered his gaze. After a moment of tense silence, the boy’s cold voice echoed.

“With a face like this, you look better suited to be in the harem.”

Lhaozi’s Note: Hello there, this is your translator Lhaozi, I have been reading this manwha and when I learned that there was a novel, I searched for it but there’s no english translation so I took the liberty to translate it and share it with y’all! Please only read this in shanghai fantasy website! Hope you are well and I hope this novel helps you to escape the reality and make you breath even for a moment. Enjoy reading!