Arc 2: The Brilliant Imperial Guard and the Three Keys

Key 1

On her way home from visiting the treatment facility, the normally vacant lady had an unusually apologetic look on her face. “I’m sorry, Lord Glen...to call you out here like this when you’re supposed to be on break.”

I, Glen Eisenach, gave her the same bitter laugh I always did. “I don’t mind. Besides, this is all because of that tyrant prince. He’s the one who said he couldn’t let you leave the capital without him escorting you or some other ridiculous nonsense. Anyway, a man’s greatest honor is to escort a beautiful woman,” I said, smiling.

The girl, who so resembled a porcelain doll, blinked and then smiled back at me. She was accustomed to the way I talked and showed little reaction. Her maid, who was far less accustomed to receiving flattery from men, lit up in embarrassment.

Ahh, women are so cute.

Those were my true, honest-to-God feelings. Although men had certain preferences when it came to a partner’s age and such, there was one thing they couldn’t deny. The effort every woman put into their beauty was equal to even the tireless daily training we knights underwent. All it took from me was one word for a lady to lose her mask of composure and blush. There was no moment more blissful than that in the world.

There were, however, exceptions to everything.

“Hey, Annie,” said the noble lady. “This isn’t something I’m considering in the immediate future, but just as an idea for the feast on the Holy Night, do you think we might be able to procure some masks?”

“Masks, you say?” asked the maid.

“Yes. The children all seemed to love the folktale I just read to them, The Holy Night’s Keys. I thought maybe I could put on a little play for them by acting out the part of the old woman in the tale.”

“M-My lady...you’d play as that pig-headed, greedy old hag...?”

“Yes.” The lady nodded as if she’d thought up a brilliant idea. For once her cheeks were blushing over something that wasn’t a book. She must have been really happy that the story was so popular with the children. “Or perhaps,” she said, a hand against her chin as she seriously contemplated, “I might be better fit for the role of the ghost that possesses the protagonist.”

“...Are you trying to add to the ghost stories we already have, my lady...?” the maid mumbled, but her protest didn’t seem to reach her pensive mistress.

I remembered the incident that happened this past summer and let out a quiet sigh. Since I was originally supposed to be off-duty today, I was in a casual outfit rather than my usual uniform. We were all seated in a coach, riding back to the capital. The noble lady riding along with me, who was seriously fretting over whether she’d be best dressing up as an old woman or acting as a ghost, was Lady Elianna Bernstein. She was betrothed to the Crown Prince of Sauslind, Prince Christopher, to whom I owed my loyalty. More generally, however, she was known by the nickname Bibliophile Princess.

Her features made her look like a porcelain doll, with platinum hair that seemed almost translucent in the light. Her skin was so pale it was almost snowy white. Such an appearance made it easy enough for men to fantasize about her. Although anyone bewitched by her appearance alone would soon have their dreams crushed once she opened her mouth, hence my view of her as an exception. Overall she seemed quite docile, like a perfectly sheltered noble lady, but she wasn’t one you could underestimate.

The moment she spoke up, she could put the most veteran politicians to shame with her debate skills. She also had a discerning eye and a keen mind that proposed ideas no one else could dream of. Just the other day she had shocked me by making Earl Hayden, the man hailed as the Guardian of the Border, take a knee. If I let my guard down around her, she’d snap the heart of my inner little boy into pieces (as she had before). You had to keep your guard up with her. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say she’d made me reconsider the way I thought of noblewomen after meeting her.

My thoughts went drifting back to the past, and I sighed again. “Lady Elianna, for the Holy Night’s Banquet, you have a duty to appear before the people as the crown prince’s betrothed. I don’t see how you would have the free time to perform any kind of play.”

The feast celebrated the end of the old year and the start of a new one. Being with family was especially important on this day, and those living in the capital marked the occasion with a lively feast.

Lady Elianna would be at the center of the event, given her status, but when I hinted as much to her, she seemed almost crestfallen. “I suppose you’re right,” she said.

Did she really have that much fun with the children? I wondered, surprised.

This treatment center was originally set up at the beginning of this summer. It specialized in caring for low income earners. Lady Elianna was the one who first came up with the idea for it. Chris spent years laying preparations to have it approved.

I was worried at first when I heard they were planning to construct it outside of the capital. When I expressed those concerns, the dazzling prince said, “If we built it at the heart of the capital, nobles or wealthy merchants would show up just to mock the place.” He insisted it be built outside the city limits.

True, those normally too poor to seek the consultation of a doctor wouldn’t go out of their way to step foot into an extravagant treatment center erected in the middle of the capital. Chris certainly was right about that. By being far away from the interior of the city, the center was beyond the reach of those with authority and became popular with the lower class. It was also intended to serve the Roma and other traveling entertainers that made their way across the continent. This helped its fame reach beyond our borders.

It was a place where people could learn specialized medicine and conduct research. Previously, standard practice had been for people to learn their medical or pharmaceutical skills directly from someone more proficient, but at this facility, there were new, alternative approaches. This also drew people’s attention.

One particular noble, who’d had his eye on the center, tried to create a similar one in the middle of the capital. Predictably, the clientele were all wealthy nobles, and the doctors there were all hoping to serve them in order to gain political clout. It was less of a center for learning medical skills and more of a microcosm for political maneuvering. Its reputation was rather poor as well, so plans to close the doors on the project were already in place.

Chris’s aim had been for the doors of Lady Elianna’s center to open up for even those outside of our country, and it had succeeded in that purpose. Although they couldn’t allow people to learn medical skills there free of charge, a policy was put in place so that those with ambition could financially support the institution. This opened up possibilities to those who were impoverished as well. Most importantly, these measures triggered an influx of people. Those from all over, possessing different medical and pharmaceutical knowledge, began pouring in. Soon, the area outside the capital was booming.

However, with as many people as were gathered, it was only natural for fights to break out as well. It was an inevitable result of accepting so many people from such a wide variety of backgrounds. Still, this facility had the country’s support behind it, so none of the fuss had ever spiraled out of control. More accurately put, it had never been allowed to.

He had never allowed it to.

Since the prince’s betrothed was responsible for the center, she frequently visited. There was no way he would ever allow her to step foot into a place that wasn’t safe. Besides, when she did elect to visit, the imperial guard accompanied her, and their watchful gaze acted as extra protection. This ensured public order. The traffic also encouraged merchants to set up routes here. Soon, this area was thriving with a culture all its own, fully endorsed by the government.

It wasn’t long before life began to take root, producing such energy and activity as could rival the inner parts of the capital. No one could accuse the place of being a slum anymore; the region was too profitable to be called that.

Before its implementation, the plan was slammed by opposition critics as a waste of tax money. They were all forced to shut their mouths now that they saw the prosperity it brought. Rather than service the few elite, it had been created as a place to provide care for those in need. The reason the people didn’t critique it as mere clout-chasing philanthropy was because there were actual measures put in place to provide jobs and create returns, thereby fostering a solid infrastructure for people’s livelihoods. It was only natural that Prince Christopher and Lady Elianna’s popularity had risen rapidly; the former was responsible for pushing those measures through and the latter was the one who had originally come up with the idea.

Chris and Alex, as well as the king, the prime minister, and some others, were watching to see how the region developed. They had a vision (albeit a distant one) of turning the place into a second city in the future. If things kept at the pace they were going, plans for that might need to be carried out even sooner.

Instead of forcing maintenance on the slums, Prince Chris had reformed the area just by building a single facility. I was impressed. That was only his opening move. Just how big of an effect was he even going for? I wondered. As someone close to him, I couldn’t help sighing to myself for two reasons: I was sweating bullets thinking about how busy my schedule would be, and as a friend, I cared for him.

His plans made two things clear: he had a vision for the future and an impressive ability to carry those ideas out. As someone who would eventually work in administrative policy, he also had a clear understanding of the processes and what was required. He was so open-minded. It was really admirable. Commendable, even. So then why was he so damn close-minded when it came to one specific person?

“Ah... Lady Elianna.”

She—the aforementioned specific person—lifted her head.

I decided to probe her to see if I could find out the reason behind the prince’s foul mood as of late. “Uh...if you don’t want to answer, you don’t have to. But did something happen between you and Chris at the Hunting Festival?”

Her cheeks immediately lit up. The vacant expression she’d had on her face moments before, which made her look like a porcelain doll, had disappeared completely. It was like watching a flower bud gradually bloom, innocent and adorable. Not that I would ever say as much. My life would be over the moment the words left my lips.

“A-Anything, you ask? Um...”

Lady Elianna was incapable of lying. Her fumbling response was the equivalent of an outright confession. Obviously something had transpired. I let out another quiet sigh.

It had happened just a month ago, a memory I’d rather not recall.

When Chris set out for the Miseral Dukedom on official business, it was only natural that we accompanied him; those of us in the second division of the imperial guard were appointed specifically as his bodyguards.

Things went smoothly at first. The lord of each region we passed through paid proper hospitality, and there was no sign of any danger. The farther we got from the capital, the more attention we got from the young women—all the way from hoots to suggestive gazes. That was only a given. By definition of working for the royal family, everyone knew we received a hefty salary. As the prince’s guards, we were also the face of the country. The most handsome men were handpicked for our unit.

Long ago, we had been chosen based on blood relation or prestige. Those things proved little more than useless decoration on the battlefield, however. Thus, a few generations ago, one of Sauslind’s kings reformed the system. Only those with actual ability were recruited now. Though even without the reforms, my father and brother (who managed the imperial guard) would never employ people for looks or status alone. Since our division was full of promising young folk, we were incredibly popular with the court women and palace maids. The countryside was the same in that respect. It was also the same in that despite our popularity, we had no luck with women.

The moment we arrived in Miseral Dukedom, Chris received a report from one of his Shadows. The ceremony was barely over, and he’d scarcely paid his respects to the archduke before hopping on his horse and flying out of there. He’d resolved the necessary political duties he’d been obligated to perform at the event through...alternative methods. He wrote an official document for one and pushed another off onto the ambassador. For the final one, he threatened the other side into silence by saying, “I know your secrets.” And so, the elite few of the imperial guard were yanked along with him to make a return trip to Sauslind.

This took place over the span of half of a day. It was conceivably not enough time for making progress with any ladies. Those of us assigned to Chris were accustomed (resigned) to being dragged around by him. This time, however, he hadn’t filled us in on any of the details, so we were all suspicious.

...Well, granted, we had a pretty good guess.

I somehow managed to convince Chris, who was charging us blindly forward, to give us a chance to rest at a remote village. It was here that I caught wind of my men exchanging theories as to the cause of our sudden rush back home. My face went pale as I listened, unable to defend against anything they were saying.

“Something definitely has happened to Lady Elianna.”

They were in a spacious quarter of the village leader’s house, repurposed as a resting area. I was just about to enter when I heard their hushed whispers trickle out from a crack in the door. After being released from a tense night of riding, they had all bathed (just as the prince and I had done) and filled their bellies with warm food, allowing them to finally relax. I could hear amusement in their voices as they spoke.

“For Prince Chris to lose all his composure like that, you just know it has to be Lady Elianna.”

“Yeah, I agree, but she’s at an official event, right? Guard Captain Sieg is there with her. I can’t imagine anything crazy happening.”

“Exactly, so that got me thinking. It can’t be that she’s in danger. It’s gotta be something else.”

“Something else?” another voice asked, gaining interest. Their tone showed a noticeable hint of enjoyment.

“I’ll be straight, I think it’s got to do with another guy.”

“No way,” another one of them gasped. They almost sounded like a couple of giddy maids engaging in the palace rumor mill.

Someone else agreed with the previous man. “Nah, it can’t be.”

“Yeah, I can’t imagine Lady Elianna having anything to do with any other guy,” said another. “One of the most striking memories I have of her is from back when she first became engaged to the prince. Around that time, Earl Granville came from the north to the capital on business. He’s that handsome guy people call the ‘Scion of the Silver Moon.’ He’s also friends with Prince Theodore.”

“Oh yeah, him...” replied the others, voices strained with bitterness from the recollection.

“When he came to the capital, he was the talk of noblewomen and their daughters. Even court ladies and maids in the palace were bewitched... Honestly, His Majesty made an excellent choice confining that jerk to the north, if you ask me.”

“You got that right.”

Inwardly, I absolutely agreed with them. That man almost walked off with all of the women in the palace.

“And then,” the guard continued, chuckling to himself, “I happened to run into him when he was speaking with Prince Theodore and Lady Elianna. Earl Granville was talking about Spring in the North, an emotional tale about how the pioneer of the region developed the land and hunted the animals there. But when Lady Elianna got involved in the conversation, somehow it turned gory. She started talking about this manual for hunters she had found that painted a graphic picture of how to properly dismember a bear and consume its meat. She’d developed a keen interest in the traditional hunting methods of the Matagi (winter hunters) and started asking Earl Granville about his first-hand experience...”

Unable to suppress their laughter, the men began snickering.

“That wiped the smile right off that Silver Moon Scion’s face. He was struck speechless. Almost like he was thinking ‘What fresh hell did I just walk into?!’”

I nodded along with them. It seemed I wasn’t the only person who had fallen victim to Lady Elianna and her books. Though rather than empathize with his pain, I secretly felt satisfied at his misery.

“And so,” the man who’d started the whole conversation continued, “if Lady Elianna couldn’t be swayed by Earl Granville, then I see no reason why she’d take an interest in any other guy now.”

Another chuckled before saying, “I’ve got a similar story.” This became a long stream of highly embellished anecdotes surrounding Lady Elianna. What more could you expect from a division attached to His Highness? I was half impressed with how much they paid attention and half disheartened. Their stories were all from rumors Alex, Alan, and I had endeavored to either erase completely or rewrite.

My eyes were starting to glaze over when the man who first started the talk, Fritz, said, “Okay, okay,” and drew everyone’s attention. “So, none of us think that she’s had any interest in the opposite sex, right? But look, she’s returned the prince’s affections now. That means she isn’t completely incapable of romantic feelings. She’s not just a book-loving princess.”

“Well, yeah, I guess. She’s at that age where interest in romance is pretty normal for a lady.”

“Right? And you guys know the recent rumors making the rounds with the nobles, don’t you? Her face has more emotion on it, probably because she’s got feelings for the prince. Sometimes she lets her guard down and actually smiles. Guys who see that expression think she’s so adorable they’ve been crowding around her at the evening parties, from what I hear.”

“True enough,” said another voice.

I had my head leaned forward, the same posture I’d been maintaining ever since I heard them speak Lady Elianna’s name. But all of a sudden, I could feel a chill caress the back of my neck.

Strange... Alexei wasn’t supposed to be here so why does it suddenly feel so cold...

“Up until now, Prince Chris has been able to keep a watch and control things, so everyone restrained themselves. I’m sure there’s a bunch of people that will see this as a prime opportunity with him gone. I’d bet on it, even.”

“Ahh, I see. So what you’re saying is that since she has shown an interest in romance, other men will see that as a great opportunity for them to sneak in.”

“Yep, if they make their move while Prince Chris is away, maybe even the Bibliophile Princess can be swayed. That’s what they’re thinking. You get what I’m saying, right? It took him almost ten years to finally wriggle his way into her heart, and now he’s got a report that someone’s trying to swing in and snatch her away. No wonder Prince Chris is so flustered and panicking to get back.” They chuckled to themselves.

Despite the fact that we had just gotten out of the baths earlier, I could feel the trickle of a cold sweat down my back. This was my fault for not cutting in and stopping them when I had a chance. The oppressive aura behind me was without parallel. There wasn’t a person on earth that could hope to overcome it. If anyone existed who could, it would have to be the heroes we heard about in legends.

That overwhelming presence elegantly slipped past me. I could only watch as he put his hand on the door handle. I said a prayer for my poor subordinates. Rest in peace. The creak of the door sounded like the gates of hell swinging open. For some reason, the prince was smiling, but it looked more like the sinister grin of a ruler from the demon world.

“Those were certainly some interesting opinions I got to hear from all of you,” he said.

The moment the men realized, it was like something snapped inside of them. Color drained from their faces. They knew instantly who was there, even without him entering their field of vision.

The tyrannical ruler continued mercilessly, his words polite but unforgiving. “I was reflecting on my actions, worried I had pushed you all far too much, but it seems my concern was misplaced. Judging by your lively conversation, I guess my imperial guards still have quite a lot of energy left in them after all.”

In a suggestive tone, the peerless and absolute crown prince announced a rigorous test for all of them, keeping his obligatory, dazzling smile on as he did so. “Fritz, just as we first discussed, you will ride out to the nearby towns and report to them. If you leave on your horse now, you should be able to make it back before dawn. The rest of you will move in the meantime. Help instruct the town’s militia on what countermeasures to take from here on out. They’re all terrified of the danger that bandits would present. It will bring some comfort to have the capital’s patrol unit give them guidance directly. Oh, and while you’re at it, strengthen the barrier around the village as well. That should help the villagers rest easier and improve our reputation.”

He grinned in a way that said he’d entertain no protest. Then, this man who held the future of Sauslind in his hands, commanded, “Now go.” Then, like a hunter landing the killing blow, he also added, “We’ll depart at dawn. Make sure to have your duties wrapped up before then, everyone.”

My subordinates all shot me looks of despair, as if screaming at me in protest to say, “Isn’t our job supposed to be protecting the crown prince?! Why do we have to do this?!” But all I could do was silently shake my head at them. Give it up, guys, you brought this on yourselves. That was the only consolation I could think of.

As I recalled those rigorous couple of days, I found myself unconsciously rubbing at the corners of my eyes. The reason people said our group seemed even more imposing than we had been was precisely because of that incident. Those few days were no less strenuous than an actual battlefield. We scarcely slept and stayed on our horses constantly, at times not even bothering to stop at the villages we passed, camping out instead. Never before had we spent days at a time desperate for relaxing sleep, a nice bed, and a warm meal.

I could still, unfortunately, recall one of the things my men muttered at the time. “I thought we were supposed to be part of the imperial guard working for the palace, a group that everyone reveres...”

Still, we managed to get through it all without any deserters. There was an even stronger sense of unity among us after it was over. I understood then better than I ever had before why my older brother told me, “For Prince Christopher’s unit, we put an emphasis on youth and stamina above all else.” ...Of course, I was the leader of said group, so at the time it felt like he was telling me my youth and stamina were all I had going for me. I remembered being depressed about it.

“...Lord Glen? You have tears in your eyes, are you all right?” Lady Elianna had her hand pressed over her blushing cheeks as she peered over at me.

I almost found myself glaring back at her resentfully—which was out of character for me—but I managed to relax myself first. It wasn’t her fault. Even though our prince, widely regarded for his wisdom and greatness, easily flipped on a dime to become the living incarnation of the devil because of her, she wasn’t at all to blame. The fault lay completely with Chris. Besides, it was improper for a man to assign such responsibility to a woman.

Yeah, that’s right, I thought to myself, knitting my brows as I looked back at the lady who regarded me with such curiosity.

Chris had only been concerned for her well-being at first, but overhearing my subordinates had inspired a different kind of anxiety. It was clear to see that his unease had only increased. Judging by her reaction, however, it didn’t seem as though any cracks had formed in their relationship during the incident at the Hunting Festival. In fact, they had turned so lovey-dovey that the rest of us watching might have all the life sapped out of us before their wedding day even came.

I reflected my usual smile back at her, though inwardly I had to cock my head in confusion. If the problem wasn’t with Lady Elianna and their relationship, then what had him in such a grumpy mood?

Key 2

The imperial guard’s barracks were located in a corner of the Sauslind palace, and it was here that some men were sobbing, their voices brimming with sorrow. If these men had been beautiful women instead, I wouldn’t have hesitated to take them into my arms and shower them with words of reassurance. Unfortunately, I had reservations about offering the same to a bunch of filthy men. There was one among us, however, that was conscientious enough to soothe the rest.

“Cheer up, guys. Look at Commander Glen. He’s involved in a dozen romantic affairs with all kinds of different women, but even he gets slapped across the cheek sometimes. Getting rejected and ignored happens to guys all the time!” The man trying to offer these warm words of compassion was named Zack Rudin. Although he was older than me, he was actually my (well-respected) second-in-command. Recently, he cooperated with the divisional commander of the group of imperial guards we’d left behind in Miseral Dukedom to ensure they returned home without incident. He was adaptive and exceptional at looking after others, always doing what he could to support the group.

Still, this is ridiculous, I thought, perturbed at the lingering stinging sensation on my cheek.

This whole thing had started just a few hours earlier...

Once I had delivered Lady Elianna to the royal archives earlier, I’d thought I was finally free—today was supposed to be my day off originally anyway. I approached the court ladies and palace maids, engaging them in pleasant small talk. Then, right as things were getting steamy between me and one of the married noblewomen in the inner palace’s open garden...

“Commander Glen!” Zack spotted me with his ridiculously keen eyesight. He insisted I come along with him and, without explanation, started trying to drag me away.

Not only did he intervene right when things were getting good, but he also smeared my glowing, gentlemanly reputation. It was only natural that my mood soured. I mean, come on, this was my day off! How many times was I supposed to put up with my boss or coworkers interrupting my pleasurable pursuits?

“I’m a little preoccupied entertaining this lady,” I told him gruffly.

“Yeah, I have eyes. I can see that. But you change partners every day. Instead of focusing on some girl you’ll find a replacement for tomorrow anyway, why don’t you prioritize the men under you who can’t be replaced? Besides, you’re the one who said older women like this were easy and lacked the adorable innocence of their younger counterparts.”

“You...!”

That was just a general observation I’d made during some light-hearted talk with the other guards! Are you seriously going to say that here, of all places?! My face paled.

The lady I was with glared daggers at me and whipped her hand across my cheek.

And that brings us back to the present. Since he was so insistent, I followed Zack here only to find my men in low spirits.

You just wanted to bring me here to try to make them all feel better by showing them how miserably things turned out for me, I thought, scowling in annoyance at him as well as the man beside him.

After they finished laughing at the handprint on my cheek, they soon resumed their gloomy dispositions. This prompted one of the men to say, “I think some funeral music would be fitting right about now.” At this point, I was about ready to play a requiem for them myself.

Alan, the boyish master musician with honey-colored hair and sharp, emerald green eyes, gave an unsympathetic shrug. “I had no idea this was how it would turn out either. After all, your division has a shining reputation. Even those stiff court ladies have commented on how much more ‘masculine and dignified’ you have all become, asking me to act as a go-between. That’s why I inquired about doing a matchmaking tea party for everyone, but... Hmm...” He scratched at his cheek.

I let out another heavy sigh. The palace had become restless recently due to the preparations for Chris’s marriage ceremony in the spring. There was talk of new couples coming together all the time; men and women alike were anxiously looking for partners with promising prospects for the future. Considering how great an event it was for their own country’s prince to get married, they were probably just being carried along by the hype.

Still... I thought, feeling the urge to scratch my cheek as well.

One of the men sitting with their arms around their knees, head lowered, suddenly mumbled pitifully, “There was this...maid I was talking to. She begged me to bring her back some souvenirs from the Miseral Dukedom. But we were barely there for even half a day, you know? I had no idea what to tell her when I came back... Was I supposed to regale her with the story of how we defeated those bandits? Or about how difficult it was camping outside? Or about how terrifying the prince is underneath that sparkling exterior?”

“...Nah, you’d be putting the noose around your own neck if you tried that last one. You were right not to bring it up,” Alan said bluntly.

The man wept. “I wish I could be as two-faced as Commander Glen when it comes to courting women... I ran out of things to talk about and started rambling on instinct. But the more I babbled on, the worse things got. When I told her about all of Commander Glen’s romantic escapades, she looked at me so coldly! She didn’t have to say anything, her eyes and the air around her said it all—‘What a bore!’”

While I did empathize, I couldn’t ignore all the jabs he’d taken at me.

Zack gave our sobbing subordinate a comforting pat on the shoulder. In case you were wondering, this jerk (Zack) was already married, hence why he wasn’t participating in everyone else’s pity party.

One of the other men had a melancholy look on his face, eyes glazed over. “I was also asked to bring back a souvenir for this maid I’d gotten close to. Some kinda limited-time-only sweet—Black Pearl’s Tear or Goose’s Egg, or something like that. The way she looked at me, it was like her eyes were saying ‘God, he’s so useless.’”

“It happened to me too!” shouted another man, wailing dramatically. “I thought this was the perfect chance for me to get close to a court lady I’d been crushing on named Miss Marie! But when I greeted her, she didn’t even seem to recognize me without my uniform! Her eyes said it all. ‘These guys are nothing without their uniforms!’”

Alan slapped a hand over his mouth, stifling himself just in time. If he burst out into laughter, every single man here would resent him for it. They’d also probably all gang up on him too. I wouldn’t step in to stop them, either.

“Why is it like this, Commander Glen?!”

As I was inwardly debating whether I should try to cheer them up or correct their poor perceptions of me, one of them had already turned to me in desperation.

“Do we really lack all appeal without our uniforms?! I mean, sure, I can understand to a degree. Guys can appreciate the look of women’s formal court dresses too. Still, isn’t this kinda absurd? Do you know what they say about us in whispers? ‘Sieg’s first division looks far more beguiling outside of their uniforms than the second division does.’”

He sounded like a teenage boy the way he was protesting this “unfair treatment,” but he wasn’t alone. Someone else soon joined him. “Exactly, Commander! Do you realize all we’ve done up until now? We went without sleep or breaks while gathering evidence of misdeeds. I even had to do an emergency shift and stand up a noble lady for dinner after I finally got her to agree to go out with me. I endured exhausting conditions comparable to that of a soldier at war. And do you know what my reward was? The girl I was after got stolen from me by one of the men under Guard Captain Sieg’s command! I-I can’t believe it... Now Lady Flora will never be my girlfriend...!”

“You too?” another man whispered. In a show of camaraderie, the two shared a hug.

My eldest brother was the leader of the first division, one full of married men. They were all generous, had stable working hours, and were enormously popular with women.

Meanwhile, I was supposed to be off duty today and yet here I was, my exhaustion mounting. Any mental tranquility I might have had was being gradually chipped away.

Suddenly, Fritz broke in with, “If girls falling for the men in Guard Captain Sieg’s division was the worst of it, then that wouldn’t be so bad.” He spit out the words so venomously it almost sounded like a hex. Just days earlier, his own big mouth had brought him great misfortune.

“You see,” he went on, “I had this girl I liked, and I confessed to her, hoping for some salvation after all I went through. But you know what she said? ‘I know he’s extremely cold and distant with everyone, but I still prefer guys like Lord Alexei.’ Can you believe that? There are guys like Commander Glen who—while admittedly unfaithful—are kind to all women, and yet there are still women out there who would prefer someone like the Ice Demon over him. If I have to choose between losing to an inhuman creature or some guy in Guard Captain Sieg’s division, I’ll take the latter, thanks. At least then maybe I’d still have some hope left for the future...”

The other men patted Fritz on the shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. The solidarity between them was so intense it was almost suffocating. Seeing it, I inwardly felt a cold sweat coming on. These idiots still hadn’t learned from the previous misfortune their indiscriminate rambling had wrought.

I turned my eyes straight to Alan, the one most likely to go spilling the beans to Alex, but our master musician, with his honey-colored hair, was pressed up against a nearby wall. His whole body was contorting as he tried desperately to hold in his laughter.

Right as I was losing my patience with him, one of my men suddenly clung to me. “Commander!” He looked like a lost puppy the way he stared up at me so earnestly. “What’s our appeal? You’ve suffered alongside us as our commander, you should know best, right?!”

“We’re not really looking to play with fire and sleep around with a bunch of loose married women like you, Commander. We just want to be able to dream about having a future with one cute girl!”

“Exactly! I mean, sure, every guy aspires to be the type surrounded by fawning women, but... I don’t need a dozen girls clinging to me. I just need one. But what can I do to get Miss Marie to turn my way when I’m not in uniform?!”

Uhh... My vision swam as I struggled to form a response.

Their personalities weren’t the main issue here. In truth, the solution to their struggle was clear: if they were reassigned out of Chris’s guard, the problem would be resolved. If they were no longer called in for sudden duty, they wouldn’t have to break promises to the women in their lives. This would also put an end to them being forced to undertake missions unbefitting of their station.

However, if they did get reassigned, it would be a stain on the honor of the top brass who had poured such effort into training them up. The real problem was that, while many viewed a position as one of the prince’s guard as being a starring role, those who knew the true horrors that awaited did their utmost to avoid landing such a post. The lack of willing candidates was a real thorn in the management’s side.

I hesitated before finally throwing a do-something-already look Zack’s way. He returned my gaze calmly. His own eyes seemed to reply, I already did my duty by bringing you here to have you console them. Use that charm of yours to handle the rest. The two of us continued this silent, biting exchange as I glared back, You bastard.

We were interrupted when Alan, who had been busy trying to stifle his own laughter, finally cut in. “What, so that’s it?” There was something ominous about the grin I saw on his face. Alan almost looked like the devil whispering false promises in the ears of heartbroken men. “Let’s go all the way back. Those ladies fell for you because you were ‘masculine and dignified.’ Sure, maybe the uniforms did have...somewhat of an effect. Still, think—when was it you all shone brightest in their eyes? Try and remember what triggered those stiff court ladies to turn their feverish gazes on you in the first place. What mission had you just completed back then?”

Suddenly, life returned to the men’s eyes, as if they were lost sheep who’d discovered a light in the dark. I tried to cut in quickly to stop them, but Alan beat me to the punch. “You shine your brightest when you’ve been worked to the bone!”

“Ooooh!” roared my clingy bunch of subordinates.

“That’s right, Commander Glen! I mean honestly speaking, everyone secretly calls the prince stuff like the ‘handsome devil incarnate’ and the ‘demon lord in disguise,’ but it turns out all of those tribulations we went through were to draw out our inner charm, huh!”

No, hold on a second here. You guys are confusing actions and consequences right now. How utterly stupid—I mean, gullible—are you all?!

“Commander Glen! I guess I was wrong. I was considering anonymously tattling on the wicked prince for his poor treatment of us to Lady Elianna, but he actually knew this whole time exactly how to refine us into strapping young men all the ladies would fall for, didn’t he!”

I was at a loss for words.

As my men brightened, their spirits uplifted, our master musician was twisting his body in voiceless laughter. There wasn’t anything more irritating than hearing his breathless voice eke out, “A-Alex said everyone in your division had about as much brains as you, Glen. I-I finally understand what he meant when he said ‘They’re easy to manipulate but exasperating’...” He was laughing so hard he was wheezing and holding his stomach. I was about ready to relieve him from his pain by stopping his breathing altogether. He seemed to enjoy entertaining himself like this without regard for the consequences that might result later.

Not long ago, I was with Chris when he received a minute report on the details of what transpired at the Autumn Hunting Festival. The smile on his face had been so menacing that it filled me with trepidation. I was sure blood would be spilled before things were over. Part of that was because my bird-brain subordinates, in their affinity for gossip, accurately predicted exactly what had happened. There was talk that men had crowded around Lady Elianna during Chris’s absence at the evening parties. To add to that, there were other special circumstances as well involving a foreign guest who had an unusually high amount of contact with Lady Elianna and purposefully antagonized the prince. It didn’t help that, for her part, she’d shown some interest in this outsider as well.

That sure was a terrifying report, I recalled with a shiver. Unaware of my thoughts, Alan continued to look amused beside me.

In the wake of all that, Chris’s foul mood had only continued to deepen, leaving me convinced something else must have happened. Considering how talented this musician was at evading Chris’s outbursts and redirecting them onto other people, I decided nipping his nonsense in the bud would be the fastest solution.

Amidst all of this, Fritz remained sullen, gloomily muttering, “...But what should I do, Commander Glen? I guess I should probably just challenge the Ice Demon to a duel and go into it prepared to have my ass handed to me. Or maybe I should go with something else? Maybe I could have the handsome devil incarnate take me on as his pupil so I can learn the skills to have a fighting chance against the Ice Demon.”

They were all so gullible (and desperate) that they looked ready to dive into whatever quickest solution presented itself. I wanted to groan in frustration at the lot of them. If Alan suggested the answer to their problems was marching into the gates of hell, they were simple-minded enough they would probably all pack up and go.

I swallowed back the enormous sigh hanging at the back of my throat and slapped Fritz on the shoulder. “Calm down a bit, all of you. You don’t need to rejoice in your own suffering or develop a hunger for danger to solve your problems. People will start looking at me funny... Uh, I mean, believe me when I say there’s a girl out there for each of you. As for you, Fritz, there’s no need to get so depressed. You know what all the ladies say about Alex. ‘There’s nothing lacking in him as a marriage partner, but no one would ever want to date him.’

“In other words, no one would give him a second look if not for his status and lineage. You guys are way more appealing than him—the man’s got ice flowing through his veins. You’re better than that. Even the way you guys are kinda clingy can be endearing. So don’t try to fight back against someone who isn’t human in the first place, and don’t try to become like him yourself. You’re fine the way you are.”

Yeah. That was a pretty good speech, if I do say so myself. Seeing how all my men were suddenly standing at attention, staring at me, I felt even more confident in what I’d said.

Alan suddenly tripped over himself saying, “Uh! I still have some work left to do. Good luck, Glen’s squad! I look forward to chatting with you all again if time permits!”

Almost as soon as he fled, all of my subordinates (with the exception of Zack) saluted me. “We will carve your words into our hearts, Commander! Your bravery will never be forgotten. It will be the guiding light as we continue to devote ourselves to training and discipline! Now please excuse us!” They all turned their backs together and left.

What in the world was that about? What did they mean by “my bravery”? I was too disappointed by their reaction to notice the chilly air at my feet.

“Zack,” said a quiet voice from behind.

All of the air in my lungs instantly escaped through my mouth. How long had he been here? I could feel the temperature drop, as if everything around me had frozen.

To my shock, the Ice Demon himself—Chris’s right-hand man, Alexei—was here. He handed over some documents to my vice commander before beginning a very businesslike conversation. “There were a few questionable points in your official report from the other day. Including the cost of sixteen replacement horses in your business expenses is absolutely absurd. Besides, as part of the imperial guard, you have already been furnished with the best mounts in the kingdom. You mean to tell me you rode them to exhaustion and then abandoned them? I would very much like to hear what could have possibly motivated your division to do something so irrational and idiotic.”

“Oh, well, you see...” Zack began, his voice the very picture of composure. But then, to my dismay, he redirected the conversation at me. “Commander Glen volunteered to brief you on the details, so I didn’t write an official explanation of everything. His loyalty to the prince is truly incredible, an example we should all follow.”

If you truly thought that, then you would be the one covering for Chris right now instead of sacrificing me! I bristled inwardly with nowhere else to voice my complaints.

Alexei’s icy blue eyes bore right into me so coldly I feared he might freeze me where I stood. It was painful—no, perhaps chilling was the right word—to be on the receiving end of such a look. “Is that right? Perhaps I should remind you that it is also a retainer’s duty to censure their lord’s reckless behavior. The fact you didn’t do that and instead abandoned the imperial guard’s premium steeds for a commoner’s team of barely-trained horses must mean you were prepared to shoulder the resulting financial loss and unexpected expenses yourself. I admire your grit, Glen. Compensation for this will be taken straight out of your salary. You needn’t fear; you’ll only have to work unpaid for a year to return all that you owe. You should be glad you’re in such a well-paid position.”

His words had all the impact of an enormous block of ice slamming into me from above. I staggered, looking as pale as if I were the walking dead. I bent to my knees in front of the Ice Demon, desperate enough I’d be willing to sell my soul to the devil if it would grant me salvation. “Please forgive me. I spoke out of turn. Please, don’t take away my salary.”

Zack just watched us with a bitter smile on his face, accustomed to seeing such exchanges by now.

Key 3

After bending down before the Demon for mercy, I was given a mountain of materials to deal with (despite being off duty for the day). I hauled them with me into the royal archives, completely unaware that my last trial of the day still awaited me.

As I put away the last book, my body felt heavy with accumulated fatigue. If I stopped to think back on what had landed me in this position, a sense of emptiness threatened to overwhelm me. I chose not to dwell on it much—for the sake of my own mental tranquility.

As I stepped around the corner of one of the shelves, I caught the sound of a book falling nearby. I figured it was one of the staff being careless, but I took a peek nonetheless. Down one of the aisles, a man had dropped the book he’d been holding and was standing there dumbfounded. There was a girl standing a short distance in front of him, reading a tome of her own.

Her hair looked faded platinum in the light, her pure features drawn tight in a serious expression. For a moment, the air about her seemed almost divine, like a being descended from the heavens. The sound of the fallen book caught her attention belatedly. She blinked her aqua gray eyes and turned her attention to the person standing nearby. “Prince Theodore?”

The Demon—uh, wrong person, the uncle of the Demon (and Chris)—Prince Theodore swallowed his breath, looking gobsmacked. As the curator of the royal archive, his presence here wasn’t particularly unusual, but there was something odd about his reaction. “Eli,” he started to say, as if he doubted his very eyes, pointing at the book she held in her hands. “That book...”

I was just as confused as the lady, who tilted her head in response to the question. She was known widely as the Bibliophile Princess. What was so odd about her reading a book? Though I was soon flabbergasted when I heard her reply.

“Oh, this? A Mother’s First Time Giving Birth. The pregnancy has already been confirmed, so I thought I should equip myself with the proper knowledge before the delivery. It seems, as I suspected, there are many troubling issues a woman might encounter her first time—”

Prince Theodore grumbled in dismay, interrupting her cheerful explanation. “That moron...!”

Even Lady Elianna took a step back, surprised at the intensity of his reaction.

Prince Theodore didn’t seem to pay her any mind, continuing his lament. “I realize he was kept apart from you for a while, but that’s no excuse for acting prematurely. Does he have no regard for you or your body? If the marquess were to learn about this...no, if the public were to learn about this... Oh, Eli, I am truly sorry. He’s stained your honor as a noble lady. No, I mustn’t blame you. That’s inappropriate. Part of the fault lies with His Majesty and me... I was the fool for expecting people as young as the two of you to have enough self-restraint...!”

There’s no way, I thought to myself, just as dumbstruck. Though perhaps that was why Lady Elianna had seemed to enjoy her time with the children so much today.

Prince Theodore suddenly lifted Lady Elianna into his arms. She seemed utterly confused at this, but he was too preoccupied babbling to himself in a panic to pay much heed to her. “You mustn’t stay here. Eli, the archives are far too chilly a place for you to be loitering about right now. I forbid you to climb up the ladders either. Where is Jean? Honestly, why are all of your servants nowhere to be found? They’re far too neglectful.” He clicked his tongue and started forward, turning sharply. “First we have to go to the doctor. No, wait! We should consult His Majesty first.” He hastened, carefully cradling the lady in his arms as he descended the stairs.

I’d never seen him so flustered before. It took me a moment to snap back to my senses and follow after them. I guess they’ll be announcing a baby before it’s even time for the official wedding ceremony. Although, given historical precedent, I wondered if officials would allow for that.

I hadn’t quite lost my presence of mind to the degree Prince Theodore had, but my head was still spinning. Before I could start down the steps after them, I felt a chill in the air. My legs froze in place as I sensed a terrifying presence. I hopped into the shadows instantly, hiding myself. This was something I’d learned to do out of instinct (self-preservation) and definitely not because I was terrified of being the scapegoat for someone’s anger a second time today!

I stealthily peered down, hearing the rumble of a low voice from below. “Uncle. Would you mind telling me what you’re doing with my Eli?”

“Chris!” Prince Theodore barked the moment he saw his nephew, storming over to him with Lady Elianna still balanced in his arms. He paid no heed to the icy atmosphere. “I should be asking you something similar! What are you acting so calm for?! Aren’t you worried about Eli? Don’t tell me you’ve grown tired of her now that she’s yours and you intend to abandon her? I don’t remember raising you to be a barbarian! If that’s all she is to you, then I will take her myself and look after her. I won’t entertain a single word you say from now on either. Is that how this is going to be? Choose your words wisely.”

After that interrogatory barrage, the air around Chris turned even more menacing than before. “Uncle...” His voice was so low, so inhuman that it sounded like a whisper from the abyss. “I have absolutely no idea what you’re referring to, but it seems you’re taking advantage of my confusion to spout whatever drivel you want at me. When, exactly, did you raise me? I only remember you filling my head with useless nonsense as a child.

“Although that abuse you kindly hurled at me was very enlightening. Thank you, I have a very clear understanding of how you see me now. It seems you’re still looking for any opportunity to come after me.”

I was on the floor above them, and yet I still felt a shiver run through me. Despite the distance, I could see how Lady Elianna was trembling as well. Only Prince Theodore remained unaffected. Perhaps he possessed immunity as one of Chris’s closest kin. He railed back, “Your treatment of her is far too disingenuous. Truly, for you to act oblivious after staining her honor like this—since when did you become as irresponsible and depraved as Glen? I am truly ashamed, Chris.”

I sank down to my knees.

Chris also seemed suspicious. “What?” he blurted, not even trying to hide his displeasure. To no one’s surprise—least of all mine—he offered no words in my defense. “I have absolutely no idea what you’re babbling on about. Please don’t group me with the likes of someone like Glen who’s perpetually horny and hunting. Besides, you’re a far worse enemy of women than he is. You may be skilled at hiding it, but I know exactly what you do when you think no one’s looking. If you’d like, I can reveal everything I know right here and now. How about that?”

“Come now, don’t say something so disgraceful. I don’t recall any such unscrupulous behavior. I have been steadfast in my affections for one woman and one woman alone. I have nothing in common with Glen and his adulterous past. You would be hard pressed to find a man as pure and devoted to women as me. Fear not, Eli, you can entrust all of this to me.”

I could already imagine a vein (audibly) bulging on Chris’s forehead. Alex often sported such a vein on his head, so it was easy to picture.

Their verbal argument was gradually escalating into a sinister match between blood relatives. There was an air about Prince Theodore, though weak and difficult to notice, that he often had about him when he teased his nephew. Chris, however, was growing increasingly more menacing, his hackles raised.

“What utter foolishness,” said Chris. “Who would entrust you with Eli? How absurd. End this farce before I become truly enraged. And anyway, how much longer do you plan to keep her in your arms while I am standing here, watching? Your actions are far more likely to stain a lady’s honor than mine.”

Just as Chris outstretched his hand toward them, Prince Theodore quickly moved away. Suspicious, the older man said, “Do you mean to tell me you’re completely ignorant of the situation? Don’t tell me you’re not the... It couldn’t be Irvin’s, could it?”

What?! I jumped in surprise before peering back down at His Highness. Irvin was the name of the Malduran prince who had visited recently in an unofficial capacity. I hadn’t spoken with him directly, but I did hear how he’d come here partly out of respect for his deceased mother. I admired the guts it must have taken for him to step into Sauslind when his own war-loving home country held no diplomatic ties with ours. From what I’d heard, he had approached Lady Elianna for political reasons, but perhaps that wasn’t entirely the case after all...?

Chris grew increasingly incensed, evident by the change in the air around him. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t bring up that distasteful name in front of me. Incorrigible... I truly have no idea what you’re yammering on about. What in the world is all of this, Uncle?”

“I wonder...” Prince Theodore’s gaze flitted between the prince and Lady Elianna, as if trying to hide the sadistic pleasure he derived from playing with Chris. “Ever since the Autumn Hunting Festival, you have been in an awfully foul mood, scowling all the time, your emotions as capricious as the sea... I wondered if perhaps you had lost control of yourself. Don’t tell me you actually forced yourself on Eli?”

“What?! Right at this very moment, you are the one forcing yourself on her!” Chris rounded back on him. “Cease your games and return Eli immediately!” He continued bickering with Prince Theodore, sounding like a child who had just had his prized toy taken from him.

Lady Elianna interrupted them, thrusting her book out in order to stop the two. “Your Highness! Prince Theodore! Please, both of you, cool your heads.”

Chris peered at the title on the tome and soon had the same gobsmacked look on his face that Prince Theodore had worn moments ago. “...A Mother’s First Time Giving Birth?”

“This is for Lady Therese who is due to give birth at the beginning of next summer. I began reading it to equip myself with relevant knowledge ahead of time. There is little I will be able to do for her when the time comes, but added wisdom never hurts.” She turned her cold gaze to the man cradling her in his arms. “Please put me down now.”

Even Prince Theodore seemed a bit ashamed of how far he’d taken things. He gave her a strained smile and apologized. He gently deposited her onto the ground and said, “Well, I admit, I did start to second guess myself midway through... My apologies, Eli. I was curious what kind of reaction Chris might have to the news, and I got a bit carried away.”

Oh, good. So we were merely jumping to conclusions then. I felt relieved having learned the truth.

Down below, Chris fixed his uncle with a chilly look, having finally grasped the situation. “Please do something to fix that incessant and disturbing habit you have of trying to tease me constantly. I am your nephew, might I remind you. You only jumped to such a hasty and disgraceful conclusion because you’re always engaging in such unbecoming behavior. Isn’t it about time you stopped playing around and thought about your own marriage partner?”

Prince Theodore’s handsomely sculpted eyebrow quirked in response. “A certain someone has been restless ever since the Autumn Hunting Festival. That’s why I decided to investigate. Though I already have a good idea for what the cause is, Chris.” He grinned, looking as sadistic as ever. “The way you overreacted made it obvious. You’re really concerned about Irvin, aren’t you? He isn’t like the others you have easily chased away. You could feel that, couldn’t you? Irvin wasn’t raised in the comfort and luxury of a palace; he grew up surrounded by prejudice and contempt and came out all the tougher for it. Even as a man yourself, you have to admit he has a certain charm to him. And ever since he suggested he might kidnap Eli and steal her away, you’ve been panicking inwardly—beset with a sense of impending danger. Well, did I guess right?”

I shivered. The air in the room turned sharp and cold, like a blade pressing against my throat.

To simplify, up until now, Chris had felt invincible, wearing a mask of composure on his face. The reason for his sudden mood swings was because all of that had changed once he found himself a worthy adversary. He most likely wouldn’t admit as much here out of stubbornness, though.

Thinking back, this foreigner was the man who had rescued Lady Elianna in her time of need. Alan’s report of the incident had likely made Chris panic further.

I gave an audible gulp, feeling a tension between the three below that had never existed there before. Chris had an impenetrable presence about him, wearing the same rigid expression he wore when engaging in political affairs. “Uncle, I would like to echo those words right back at you. I’m not as foolish as a certain someone who stood by and did nothing as the woman he loved was stolen away from him. Instead, I suggest we teach such would-be thieves a lesson.”

“Everyone knows it’s the hero’s duty to rescue the princess from her demon lord captor. It’s only just. In fact, maybe I should consider participating myself?”

“There’s no need for an old man like you to needlessly expose yourself to danger,” said Chris. “If you push yourself, you could injure your hips. You’re only slightly younger than my father. If you were to fall and injure yourself, why, it’d be an unspeakable stain on your honor.”

“You sure are emphasizing my age, aren’t you? The fact that you’re treating me like a feeble old man when I’m not even that much older than you is proof you feel threatened by me. It doesn’t particularly upset me though. When I think about how you would still sneak into my bed at night because you were too afraid to sleep alone, even as you got older, I cannot help but smile.”

“The fact that you bring up stories like that is proof you are old.”

The two were having a literal mud-slinging party down there that didn’t seem likely to end any time soon. That wasn’t the reason for my cold sweat though; if they continued this, they might really delve into a topic too crude for a lady’s ears. However, unlike Alex, I didn’t possess an immunity to the bone-chilling aura emanating from His Highness that all the prince’s kin seemed born with.

I could feel the beads of sweat drip down as I contemplated making a courageous withdrawal (retreat). But before I could act, a quiet voice cut through the air and brought the quarreling to an end.

“Prince Christopher, Prince Theodore.” Her voice was like that of a goddess, filled with gentle affection. Their gazes turned toward her, and she offered them one of her rare smiles. “Might you allow me to say one thing?”

Her adorable expression was enough to soften the hard lines that had formed on their faces. Drawn in by the aura of calm surrounding her, both men swallowed a breath. Her eyes narrowed as she cracked down on the both of them. “Talking in the archives is prohibited. If you would like to continue fussing at one another, please do so outside.” She seemed unusually angry—though whether that was because they were needlessly squabbling and had swept her into it or because they had interrupted her reading time, I couldn’t say for sure.

As she turned to make her leave, both men attempted to call after her at the same time. Perfectly in sync, the two then proceeded to bristle and glare at one another.

Lady Elianna suddenly turned back toward them, as if remembering something. “One more thing, Prince Theodore. Please be sure to pick up the books you dropped earlier and inspect them for possible damage. Prince Christopher, please return to your administrative work before Lord Alexei comes calling after you. As for Lord Glen, he may have his reputation called into question over his love affairs, but even on his days off, he honorably carries out the duties expected of him. He is far more praiseworthy than either of you, in my opinion.”

“...!”

This time, all three of us gulped. I could feel my heart skip a beat. I never dreamed Lady Elianna would ever stand up for me like that. It made me happy...though I was terrified of what might result from it. Chris and Prince Theodore silently exchanged a look. It felt like the two were conspiring with one another, though perhaps that was simply my imagination.

I stepped away from the stair landing, but then I ran into Lady Elianna as she came back upstairs. “Oh, Lord Glen.” She blinked, perhaps surprised to see me here in the archives, of all places.

I gave her a troubled smile, unsure if I should bring up what had just transpired. When I realized what she was staring at and that she’d grown quiet, my hand immediately shot up to my cheek. The pain was gone by now, but the mark probably still lingered. It seemed like such a waste after she had gone out of her way to stick up for me like that. Very rarely did I regret my illicit adventures, but this was one of those times. “Uh, well, you see...”

Maybe I should apologize to her directly instead of trying to come up with excuses. After all, a compassionate goddess would reach out the hand of salvation to someone who is repentant, right?

“Perfect timing, Lord Glen.”

“Huh?”

“Do you remember that play I spoke of before—the one for the children at the facility? If possible, I would like to request the cooperation of the royal guard for it. This would allow you and the others to bond with the children, plus I know they would enjoy it too if you were to participate. I wanted to consult you before I asked His Highness about the matter.”

I could already see exactly how this was going to play out. Chris wouldn’t let his precious, precious betrothed take on the role of the miserly old hag. The ghost role was out of the question too. I had no doubt he’d make those of us in his personal guard comply—meaning I would be the one to play the hag. As I pictured the bitter fate awaiting my comrades and me, I recalled one of the passages contained in the book The Holy Night’s Keys that Lady Elianna had read to the children:

And so, the old woman took the three keys she had received from the ghosts—each respectively representing the past, present, and future—and repented for what she had done. She apologized to everyone for her horrible misdeeds, and they enjoyed a feast on the Holy Night together.

Seeing the smile on Lady Elianna’s (the Goddess’s) face, I realized my true trial was to go and apologize to the women I’d wronged. My heart felt far heavier now than it had at any other point that day. I almost felt like crying at the misfortune that awaited me in my future; surely the two men on the stairs below required penance far more than I did.

Today was finally supposed to be my day off. I should have been reveling in the freedom of it. I should have been released from the grueling mental torture that came with my job. So why...? Why did my day off feel like more of a slog than the days when I was on duty?

Someone, please, tell me... What happened to my mental tranquility?