A few minutes after entering the gate to the capital, a new scene began to unfold outside the window. We had entered a garden decorated with sparkling gold and a harmonious array of colorful flowers.
“The Imperial Palace…”
I had only ever imagined it, but I never thought I would actually see such a magnificent palace. I found myself glued to the window, gazing at the outside. We seemed to have entered the Imperial Palace quite a while ago, but the carriage was still diligently traveling down the road.
“We still have to go for another 10 minutes.”
“…10 minutes?”
Wasn’t this the Imperial Palace? Licht said with a bored expression, glancing at the outside.
“We can’t exactly plant a gate in the middle of the Imperial Palace, can we? The gate is located near the entrance of the palace. We have to get to the main hall, so it’ll take more than 10 minutes.”
“Ah, I see!”
It would indeed be a big problem if the apostles were to just waltz in through the gate.
I nodded in agreement and looked out the window again. Lost in the beautiful scenery unfolding before my eyes, the dizziness from motion sickness had long since disappeared.
‘It’s so much more magnificent and beautiful than I imagined…!’
I had lived my life working like a dog, never even dreaming of traveling to Europe, but to get this European fix in this way! My heart began to pound like a tourist’s.
‘I’ve never been there, but even the Palace of Versailles would look modest in comparison to this, right?’
This was the first time since I came to this world that I missed my smartphone. How could I not capture this beautiful scene?! I was so busy taking it all in with my eyes that I was disappointed the carriage was moving so fast.
“You seem to like it.”
“Pardon?”
“You seem to like the Imperial Palace.”
As expected, those who have it don’t know. I wanted to gush about how beautiful, magnificent, and luxurious the Imperial Palace was, but I couldn’t. I replied with a demure expression,
“Yes! It’s so beautiful!”
“Is that so? This is the outer part of the Imperial Palace, so it’s a place that has been relatively neglected.”
“Oh.”
“The central part of the Imperial Palace, especially the Crown Prince’s Palace, is an architectural masterpiece known for its intricate decorations.”
“I see.”
“It was completed the year I was born. It borrowed the architectural style of the now-lost kingdom of Harden, which was ruled by the former Empress.”
“…”
That’s strange. The male protagonist was always described as a man of few words, cold, and rational, so who was this sudden chatterbox? Perhaps he found it fascinating that I was so amazed by the Imperial Palace. He began to ramble on about the Crown Prince’s Palace, which I had no interest in hearing about. But what could I do? The Crown Prince was boasting about his palace, after all!
“Wow, really? The Crown Prince’s Palace was such a beautiful place? I’m so excited!”
Cough, cough. Did I put enough soul into that?
I replied with as much sincerity as a person listening to their boss’s “in my day” stories during lunch.
‘He must be happy to be back in the Imperial Palace after a long time.’
He had been away for two years, so it was only natural for him to want to show it off.
“I hope I can live up to your expectations.”
After hearing my reply, Licht smiled with satisfaction and turned his gaze to the window.
A moment later, the carriage turned onto a road in front of a magnificent palace. At the same time, the first thing that caught my eye was the knights who filled the wide Imperial Palace square. I could tell who they were without having to look closely. It was Licht’s most trusted knight order, the Glacies Knights. Dressed in a neat uniform of a deep blue jacket, the color of the Luden Empire, decorated with gold thread, the knights were lined up to welcome Licht.
As the carriage approached, the face of the person standing at the front of the knight order came into view. He was a knight with soft yet strong features and neatly slicked-back dark brown hair. It was not difficult to recall who he was.
‘Lucas.’
Lucas Enderke, Licht’s closest aide and the commander of the knight order. As described in the novel, he was a knight of immense size. He was noticeable even among the well-built knights. The reason I remembered him so vividly wasn’t just because he was the male protagonist’s aide. He was the reason Licht was so determined to take revenge on the apostles.
In the novel, Licht falls into a trap again. He is ambushed by the apostles at a hunting tournament held in the forest near the Imperial Palace. And Lucas, fighting to protect him, loses one of his arms. Sephina rushes to him to heal his arm, but she is too late.
‘Why do good characters always have to go through such things?’
If I can just prepare for such dangerous events, maybe I can avoid unfortunate situations. It would be good to start organizing the main episodes in my blurry memories before I forget them.
‘It might also be helpful for Sephina.’
“Let’s get off now.”
“Ah, yes!”
While I was lost in thought, looking at Lucas, the carriage had arrived at the entrance of the Imperial Palace.
‘Focus, focus!’
This was the real deal now. The numerous people, knights, and palace attendants visible outside the window were a reminder that this situation was not a dream. If I let my guard down, my new life, which I had gotten after all my job-seeking efforts, could crumble in an instant. I repeatedly clenched and unclenched my sweaty hands.
Soon, the carriage door opened, and Licht was the first to step out. The attendant who was holding the door came to escort me.
“Your hand.”
“…?”
“Take it.”
Licht, who had waved the attendant away with a glance, was offering me his hand.
…I can go down the stairs by myself, you know?
But at this moment, with everyone’s eyes on Licht, I couldn’t interrupt the flow. I quietly tidied my hood, which I had pulled down over my head, and took his hand, stepping down the carriage stairs.
‘Everyone seems to be looking at me right now.’
The only thing I could see was the floor, but the gazes from all directions seemed to penetrate my hood. Licht, who looked on with a nonchalant expression until I was completely off the carriage stairs, slowly turned his head to face the knights who were watching his every move.
The square was filled with an uncanny silence, even though so many people were standing there. Everyone was looking at Licht’s face, waiting for him to speak.
“Everyone, you’ve waited for a long time.”
THUMP!!
“Congratulations on your return!”
The ground rumbled.
‘Oh…’
The moment Licht opened his mouth, the knights, as if they had been waiting for it, stomped their feet and shouted. It was a ceremony to welcome the return of the Crown Prince.
‘Cool, isn’t it?’
I couldn’t openly watch the knights because I was trying to hide behind Licht, but the overwhelming atmosphere was fully conveyed. It was like a military parade I had seen in my previous life.
‘So these are the Glacies Knights.’
The magnificent cloaks with intricate patterns decorated with gold thread on a deep navy uniform fluttered in the wind. The knights’ faces showed a mix of tension and joy.
Soon after, the commander of the knight order, Lucas, stepped forward to greet him.
“Your Highness…!!”
After a short, sharp salute, Lucas approached Licht with a look of emotion.
“Lucas.”
“I’ve missed you very… ahem, much.”
“Hmm.”
‘Hmm? Hmmm?’
Wow, that was too simple. I clicked my tongue inwardly at Licht’s dry response. It was obvious that Lucas was on the verge of tears. Despite his large build, Lucas seemed to be quite an emotional person.
‘He has a hidden charm.’
Still, it’s been two years. Shouldn’t he give him a hug or something?
‘The male lead has a rather dry personality.’
This seems to be the same as in the novel.
Just then, Lucas’s gaze turned to me.
“Ah, and this person is…”
“Yes. You must take good care of her.”
“Yes. Of course.”
‘You don’t need to take that good of a care of me.’
I don’t know what he said about me, but Lucas’s eyes were shining with a dewy sparkle. It was a somewhat burdensome gaze, should I say?
“Please take good care of me, Sir Knight.”
“Please call me Lucas, Lady Wizard.”
Lucas smiled with a friendly face as he replied. He was only described as a large, loyal knight in the novel, so I didn’t know, but up close, he not only had a kind face but was also a rather handsome man. He even looked a little cute…
‘He’s cute, isn’t he?’
Why hide it? To be honest, I’ve always liked cute faces. A handsome man with a cold, sharp look is nice, but I’ve always wished my man was gentle and cute.
As expected of a romance fantasy novel, Lucas, who was a supporting character but also a Sword Master-level swordsman, was quite a handsome man!
‘How lucky!’
Well, I don’t need to live alone forever in this world. Especially not in a world with so many excellent options! I suppressed a sly smile that was involuntarily escaping and replied shyly,
“Ah, then you can call me Edel…”
“Wizard, let’s go.”
“Ah, ah, yes!”
I don’t know what the rush was, but before I could even finish my greeting, Licht was already walking past the knights and heading toward the central stairs without looking back.
I hurriedly followed behind him. My legs are long, but aren’t you walking a little too fast?
“…”
Licht, who had been walking fast, seemed to stop for a moment. I finally caught up to his pace and carefully began to climb the smooth marble stairs behind him.
