Sigrid

“Beramund?!”

“Where are you rushing off to with such a scary face?”

“What brings you here? Have you come for an audience?”

Her assumption was reasonable, given they were in the Central Palace where His Majesty resided, and in the corridor leading to the audience chamber. However, Beramund said something different.

“I came to see you.”

“What?”

“How was the audience? Are you alright?”

“Ah—”

Sigrid let out a small sound. She clasped her hands lightly and looked up at Beramund. After staring for a while, she asked:

“Were you worried?”

“Are you going to get angry if I say it’s excessive?”

“No, it’s just…”

It was an unfamiliar sensation. It was strange for someone to worry about her. Of course, Morris, Alkerto, Marie-Chez, Lowengrin, and Arkana all worried about her too.

But how to put it? No one had ever shown their concern so openly.

“I’m fine.”

Sigrid said this and started walking again. As if it were natural, Beramund began walking beside her.

“You look it. That’s a relief.”

“I told you I was fine.”

“Even so. You never know with matters of the heart.”

Sigrid chuckled at Beramund’s response. They exited the palace.

“Are you heading to the Imperial Guard?”

“Yes, I need to report for my new assignment.”

“New?”

“Yes, His Majesty has appointed me as the guard for the Third Prince.”

For a moment, Beramund was speechless.

“…What did you say?”

He barely managed to ask. Well, in fact, he had heard it clearly enough without asking, but he couldn’t help but repeat the question.

“I’ve been appointed as the guard for the Third Prince.”

Sigrid answered concisely without any unnecessary words. Beramund opened his mouth, then quickly closed it. For a moment, he almost blurted out, ‘Has His Majesty lost his mind?’

“A master as a personal guard for the Third Prince…”

Beramund desperately suppressed the growl that was about to escape his throat. He spoke quietly:

“Go home for today. I’ll issue the official order tomorrow.”

“But I still have duties remaining.”

“It’s alright.”

“No, it’s not. I’ll go home after I finish my work.”

“…Do as you wish.”

Finally spitting out the words gruffly, Beramund started walking. Opposite to before, this time Sigrid began walking alongside him.

“Beramund.”

“What?”

“Thank you for your consideration.”

“It’s nothing.”

“But I want to do my duties properly. And I intend to do my best in guarding the Third Prince.”

“I’m sure you will.”

As if Sigrid Ankertna would ever do anything half-heartedly?

“You don’t need to worry.”

Beramund stopped.

“What I’m worried about is that you’re so desperate in everything you do.”

“Pardon?”

“People, you know, can’t put 100% effort into everything. They’d break down quickly if they did. But you’re too zealous.”

“What?”

Sigrid was dumbfounded by this unexpected criticism. I mean, who criticizes someone for giving their all in everything they do?

And a superior at that? Towards his subordinate?

“What on earth are you saying? If you’re criticizing me for working hard, I can’t accept that. Lord Lunatil, shouldn’t you be focusing more on your own work?”

Her voice became sharp involuntarily.

“I’m doing my work well, aren’t I? Nas complains a bit, but still.”

His tilting his head as he answered was annoying. Come to think of it, he was like this before too. Seeming laid-back, yet outperforming her despite her desperate efforts, not mocking her, and when she went to rescue him, saying she was really strange—

“I’ll handle my own work.”

Sigrid’s voice became sharp on its own.

“Don’t worry, I won’t collapse from overwork and become a burden. Captain.”

At those words, Beramund frowned.

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then would you please explain it in a way that a fool like me can understand? If you’re trying to enlighten me about being too desperate.”

Beramund chuckled.

“You know how to be sarcastic too? What I mean is that you can rely on others more. You don’t need to do everything alone. Even if you can’t do something, others can help you.”

“Are you saying I’m not needed?”

“Why is the conversation going in that direction?”

Beramund said, bewildered, then closed his mouth with an “Ah.” He averted his gaze for a moment before looking back at Sigrid. Crossing his arms, he said:

“Sigrid Ankertna, you’re really strong.”

“Pardon?”

Her voice rose so high it almost cracked. Sigrid was surprised by Beramund’s sudden praise.

“You’re doing well. When I assign you work, I don’t need to double-check. As a superior, I couldn’t be more satisfied. No unexplained absences, no early departures. You never neglect self-improvement. Your swordsmanship is excellent. In terms of aura manipulation skills, you might even surpass me.”

Sigrid didn’t know how to react to this stream of compliments. She didn’t know where to put her hands and feet, or how to respond to the praise.

“Nothing can replace you.”

At Beramund’s words, spoken as if nailing them down, she slightly opened her mouth. Beramund smiled and continued:

“That’s why it would be troublesome if you collapsed. I’d be in real, real trouble. So I’m telling you to share the work or take breaks while working. Understand?”

“Yes, yes…”

Sigrid answered meekly in a diminishing voice.

She was happy.

Her heart felt like it would burst. Her face was burning hot.

It’s always joyful to have one’s existence acknowledged.

“Siri is important to me.”

At those words, Sigrid quickly raised her head and said:

“Be-Beramund too!”

“Hm?”

“Beramund is important to me too. Um, thank you.”

Clutching her chest, Sigrid spoke desperately. Was she giving him as much as he was giving her as a friend?

“I’m grateful too.”

Beramund smiled faintly. He muttered:

“I kind of understand what you’re saying too.”

“You do?”

Her eyes filled with doubt. How could the second son of a ducal family understand her feelings?

Seeing her skeptical look, Beramund grinned and said:

“I’ll tell you when we go on our date later.”

“Alright.”

Hiding her skepticism, Sigrid nodded.

They started walking side by side. It wasn’t until they were nearing the Imperial Guard building that Sigrid realized Beramund hadn’t asked what His Majesty had said to her.

In fact, she had thought, ‘Did he come to gather information?’ But he showed no signs of such intentions.

He didn’t even ask the basic question of ‘Why did His Majesty order you to guard the Third Prince?’ So Sigrid opened her mouth.

“Beramund.”

He looked at her as if to say ‘speak’ with his eyes.

“His Majesty said he’s creating the Achtschwietz.”

Beramund’s movement stopped abruptly.

“He said he’s creating His Majesty’s own personal guard to eliminate disloyal elements. He wanted to appoint me there, but…”

“You refused.”

“Yes, I prefer the Imperial Guard.”

A faint smile crossed Beramund’s face at her careful addition. He lightly patted Sigrid’s shoulder.

“Thank you for telling me.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Then may I go ahead?”

“Yes.”

Seeing Sigrid bow politely, Beramund momentarily thought about holding her shoulder and kissing her forehead. But with the Imperial Guard nearby, and fearing her fist, Beramund settled for taking Sigrid’s hand and kissing the back of it.

After smiling at her surprised, round eyes, Beramund quickly left the scene.

‘A personal guard, that crazy bastard!’

It was obvious to anyone that he was trying to create a unit to slaughter his enemies. Since Sigrid refused, he probably sent her to the Third Prince as retaliation.

‘Petty bastard.’

Cursing the Emperor in his mind again, Beramund’s thoughts raced. The Emperor’s sudden move was likely because he felt threatened by the relationship between the Crown Prince and the western region.

Sigrid refused, but would there be any other knights who would refuse that position?

Surely offers would be made to the masters of the 1st Imperial Guard as well. How many of them would switch sides? How much power would this Achtschwietz guarantee?

If it guaranteed all the power of the past as its name suggests, it would indeed be formidable. After all, it was power that once controlled the empire.

‘The nobles won’t approve.’

But there’s no need to seek the nobles’ permission to organize a personal guard directly under the Emperor.

Beramund hurled every curse he knew in his mind.

The end of a personal guard is never good. The Emperor must have chosen this path knowing that. So what does he intend to do? Kill the Crown Prince?

Some might say, ‘Isn’t that too extreme?’

But the Emperor had already killed the Empress and his first son.

Beramund bit his lip.

Arriving at Serios’s office in one breath, Beramund stopped with an “Oh?” The black-haired man talking with Serios turned around and smiled.

“Beramund.”

“Brother? What brings you here? Did you come up? Why didn’t you let me know? And my sister-in-law?”

As Beramund approached in one stride, Ravis, the Duke of Lunatil and Beramund’s older brother, smiled again.

“I didn’t tell you on purpose to surprise you. Mel is here too.”

“It’s not even the season, is something going on?”

“We’ll talk later.”

At Ravis’s words, Beramund closed his mouth and only then turned his attention to Serios.

“Hello.”

“So now you see me?”

Serios replied gruffly. Ravis lightly bowed his head to him and said:

“Please forgive my brother’s rudeness, Your Highness.”

“Hm? No, no, Duke Lunatil, there’s no need for you to apologize.”

Serios waved his hand dismissively. He glanced at Beramund and said:

“So? What brings you here so suddenly?”

“Ah, well.”

Beramund glanced at Ravis. Ravis said to Serios:

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

“Ah, yes. See you later.”

“Yes, Your Highness. Beramund, I’ll see you at the mansion this evening.”

“Alright.”

Beramund nodded. As soon as Ravis closed the door and left, Beramund hurriedly said:

“His Majesty is organizing a personal guard.”

“…What?”

“It seems he’s going to revive the Achtschwietz.”

“Insane.”

Serios spat out briefly. He didn’t know what else to say. His mind started spinning.

“How did you find out?”

“Siri told me. She had an audience with His Majesty today and that’s what he said.”

“Lady Ankertna? So did she accept?”

“No, she refused.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

Beramund nodded. Serios rubbed his chin and muttered “Unexpected,” then glanced at Beramund.

“She’s the person you vouched for.”

“I did vouch for her.”

As Beramund grinned at those words, Serios sighed and said:

“She certainly contributed to the relationship with the west, and on top of that, she directly refused His Majesty’s words, so it will be difficult for her to get along well with His Majesty from now on.”

“She’s already been appointed as the Third Prince’s guard.”

“Oh dear.”

Serios frowned. He lightly tapped the desk with his fingertips and said:

“For now, let’s put her under our protection.”

“Really?”

When Beramund asked back in surprise, Serios nodded.

“Whether she chooses me or not, I’ve realized she’s a valuable talent.”

“I hope there won’t be a need for protection.”

“That would make things easier for me too. But still, the Achtschwietz… It’s not even funny. I wonder who His Majesty intends to hunt first with these hounds he’s creating—”

Though he spoke as if joking, Serios’s face was serious.

“Who do you think will join?”

“Quite a few, I’d imagine.”

“Right— Of course, there will be nobles who oppose it, so I don’t think he’ll be able to gather that many people, but it’s going to be troublesome with the aura users.”

And we haven’t even officially joined hands with the west yet.

Serios let out a heavy sigh. What would happen if they couldn’t build a good relationship with the Western Alliance?

‘If that happens, Father will hunt the west first.’