The day of the parade arrived.
Kai had stayed overnight at Eldarf, and Davian had rushed back to the royal palace during the night, so neither of them returned to Ryujin.
I was in the training grounds, alone, practicing by myself. It was still quite early in the morning. Since it was a day off, the servants had decided on working in shifts—so were already up and about, while others were relishing the rare luxury of extra sleep.
I walked over to the weapons stand and picked up a spear. The familiar weight settled into my palm like an extension of my arm. I began to train in rhythmic silence, the blade of the spear slicing through the cool morning air in clean arcs.
But I could feel them. Eyes on . Not just one, but several. The guards stationed around the mansion, as usual. And one more—soone closer, watching intently from the shade of a tree off to the side.
I paused mid-spin and lowered my spear, turning my face toward the figure leaning casually against the trunk.
"I rember cancelling the morning training of the knights today," I said.
Alex straightened up at once, his posture reflexively respectful.
"Yes, Master. But I’m the Captain. I couldn’t possibly skip my training."
I sighed softly, already expecting that answer. Then I beckoned him over with a wave of my hand. He approached quickly, eyes alert.
"Get a sword," I said.
His expression lit up slightly, a glint of anticipation breaking through his calm facade. He briskly walked over to the weapons stand and selected a sword. The silver blade glead sharply under the early morning light, its edge pristine.
He returned to stand before , his stance confident and eager, clearly ready to spar.
I gave him a simple nod. Without hesitation, he launched forward.
In an instant, I spotted three errors in his form—his approach too direct, his grip too tight, and his weight unevenly distributed. I sidestepped with ease, watching as he adjusted quickly, his blade slicing through the air, aid precisely where I had just been.
He twisted with surprising agility and ca for again.
"Too many unnecessary movents, Sir Alex," I said calmly, dodging once more as his sword missed by inches.
His jaw tightened, frustration beginning to show. Still, he pressed on, maneuvering his blade with increasing speed. I t his charge this ti, letting my spear clash against his sword, the ringing echo sharp in the quiet courtyard. I applied just enough pressure to push him back and switched to offense, my spear flowing with smooth precision.
Alex struggled to keep up. He was still locked into the rigid, traditional movents of a knight. I could see he was trying to push past it, to emulate the fluid, unpredictable combat style of the assassins he had watched—especially and Lyall.
I continued to push him, testing him, provoking him to drop the formality of his technique and show what he had truly learned.
And then I saw it.
His eyes narrowed, his grip adjusted, and he shifted his footing—not as a knight, but as soone who had been observing, learning.
He disappeared from my line of sight.
Good.
I tracked his swift movent, felt the wind shift as he ducked under my arm and aid his blade toward my neck. I smirked, raising my spear just in ti. With a sharp clang, I knocked his sword aside with enough force to make him stumble.
I didn’t let up. My fist connected solidly with his abdon, and he staggered back, gritting his teeth. One hand clutched his midsection, but the other still held the sword firm, unwavering.
He wasn’t giving up.
Good.
I smiled, voice calm but firm. "Don’t hide your skills when fighting —or an enemy who’s out for blood, Sir Alex."
He gasped, chest still heaving from exertion.
"Or I’ll lose a talented Captain," I added lightly.
A flicker of emotion crossed his face, and he nodded with a touch of solemnity.
We sparred for a while longer. He was growing steadily—his basics were solid, and though his techniques remained rough around the edges, the potential was there. He just needed the right guidance, a proper trainer to hone what he’d begun to grasp in secret.
An hour passed, and eventually, he slumped down at the side of the courtyard, breath coming in short bursts. Sweat dripped from his hairline, soaking through his shirt and gluing it to his skin.
"Good work out there," I said, stepping over to where he sat.
He looked up, face flushed, and offered a tired grin. "I’m glad I got the chance to spar with you, Master."
I lowered myself beside him, stretching my legs out. The morning sun was warr now, casting soft golden light over the worn stone of the training grounds.
"I understand that you and the knights might feel... unsatisfied with the treatnt you’re receiving here."
He tensed slightly, the smile fading as he looked down. His fingers clenched around the hilt of his sword.
I sighed.
"It’s my innate belief," I began slowly, "that I need fighters who can both kill and protect without letting morals cloud their judgnt. Soone who can act, not hesitate."
He stayed quiet, listening.
"Knights are raised with ideals. With codes. They won’t strike an unard man, even if that man might be hiding a dagger or pretending to surrender just to stab you in the back."
That got his attention. He looked at , thoughtful.
"For , the safety of my people cos before everything. If a knight’s code can protect them—good. I’ll accept that. But too often, a knight will sacrifice what’s dearest to them for the sake of principle. And I can’t afford that."
I t his gaze. "I’d rather break rules and protect what’s mine than obey them and watch everything fall apart."
A long silence followed before I spoke again.
"You’re a knight, Sir Alex. But if the ti ever cos—when sacrifice seems like the only option—make it the very last one. Exhaust every other possibility first. Do everything in your power to keep what matters safe."
I paused, letting my words settle. "Rules, values, and morals were created for humans. Not the other way around."
His eyes glead faintly. A flicker of realization, maybe. Or a deeper understanding. His head dipped, and I noticed the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
"I understand, Master," he said quietly.
I stood, brushing the dust off my clothes. "Good. Now go get ready. You’re watching the parade too, aren’t you?"
I looked down at him with a small smile.
"Go have so fun."
He looked up at —sweaty, sore, but with light in his eyes—and returned the smile.
I returned to my office, which was mostly empty—except for Roan, who sat buried under a mountain of paperwork. The younger aides and most of the servants had already left to enjoy the festival in town. I would be joining them later, along with Lyall and Roan.
Speaking of Roan, he was scribbling away furiously, clearly trying to wrap things up before heading out.
"Say, Roan," I called casually.
"Don’t talk to —I need to finish this quickly!" he snapped without lifting his eyes from the docunt in front of him.
I chuckled.
"Wouldn’t you have preferred spending this festival day with your lover instead of us?"
That made him pause.
"As if I have ti for that," he muttered, and then resud writing.
A heartbeat passed before he added under his breath, "Besides... it’s not like I dislike spending the day with you."
I smiled at his rare softness.
The parade was scheduled across the capital and several key regions—Aurelia’s main town center, my Oasis town, and a few more. Princes Eric, Davian, and Rune would be participating, along with several noble heirs and knights who’d risen to fa through their bravery and accomplishnts. The event was clearly ant to showcase their faces to the people who’d been eagerly waiting to see their so-called heroes.
Strangely, the parade was being held before the ball. Normally, the nobles would have first t these young elites at the celebratory ball. But I could see the Queen’s influence all over this change. The Golden Serpent would rather present these figures to the common folk first, delaying the noble gathering. Clever of her—if the ball aligned with the debutante season, the nobles wouldn’t be as easily swayed by youthful valor. Sly move.
Too bad I had no intention of letting her sches succeed.
By afternoon, I was dressed in my black coat and ready to head out with Roan and Lyall. But just as we were about to leave, a shout rang out behind us.
"Master!"
Kate ca running down the corridor, breathless, her green dress swaying with each step. Her hair was neatly braided, and her cheeks flushed with exertion—or perhaps sothing else.
"What is it, Kate?" I asked. She looked between and her father.
"Didn’t you go to the parade with your mother?" Lyall asked, brows lifting.
"Um..." Kate hesitated, then glanced up at .
Roan leaned in with a teasing grin. "Did you find a boyfriend you wanted to go with instead?"
Kate flushed bright red, and Lyall visibly flinched.
"That’s not it, Uncle Roan!" she yelled, scandalized.
"U-Uncle?" Roan muttered in stunned horror.
Just then, Lizzy ca hurrying from the opposite end of the hall, slightly out of breath. She wore a soft lavender dress with delicately arranged hair and subtle accessories. Clearly, she too had dressed up for the occasion.
I could already guess what they were here for.
I stepped toward Kate with a gentle smile. "Do you want to go with your father?"
She clutched the fabric of her dress, then nodded shyly.
I turned to Lyall, who cleared his throat and looked away awkwardly. Lizzy joined them, giving an apologetic smile.
"I—I’m sorry, Master," she said softly.
I looked back at Roan. "Well, Roan, looks like it’s just the two of us heading out today."
He blinked, then nodded. "Yes, well... We can’t intrude on family ti."
I smiled, then gently tucked a loose strand behind Kate’s ear before eting Lizzy’s gaze. She returned the smile, her eyes warm.
Patting Lyall’s shoulder, I gave the Cross family one last look. "Have fun."
Roan and I left, walking towards the entrance of the mansion, we weren’t going to take a carriage since it would be too crowded to passing and I didn’t like traffic.
After a mont of silence, Roan sighed.
"I’m envious of him," he murmured.
I humd in agreent.
"He does have two beautiful ladies by his side," I said lightly.
Roan gave a side glance. "That’s not what I ant. Or—well, maybe that’s part of it."
I chuckled, pulling out the teleportation device.
Roan had lost his family years ago and had grown up as an orphan. Father Marlowe, the one man who’d been like a father to him, had passed away two years ago. Roan hadn’t shown his face for three whole days after that. I rembered how broken he’d been.
"Don’t worry," I said, brushing my fingers over my earstud. In a shimr of light, I shifted into Ocean’s female form.
Roan gasped loudly, stumbling back a step. "Wha—What the—?!"
I grinned. "I’ll co with you like this today, so you won’t feel so gloomy."
His face turned beet red. "I—I didn’t an it like that!!" he spluttered making laugh.
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