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Chapter 3
It felt so surreal that El couldn’t believe Terban was standing right in front of her—it was like a dream.
Caught off guard by the sudden situation, El simply stared blankly at his outstretched hand, unable to react. Then his voice followed.
“Take it. You look like you’ve already run out of strength.”
El looked from Terban’s hand to her own. Her hands were dirty with soil, covered in scars and calluses.
She couldn’t bring herself to take his noble hand. It was better if only she remained dirty.
“I can stand up on my own. Please withdraw your hand.”
At her quiet reply, Terban obediently lowered his hand. El dusted the dirt off her clothes and hands, then stood to face him. She couldn’t help but wonder why Terban was here.
“What brings you here?”
“I was passing by and noticed you were still here at this hour.”
“Oh, it’s gotten this late already.”
Looking up, she saw the sky had grown dark and the stars were twinkling above.
“Don’t know if it’s foolishness or diligence. Anyone else would’ve left after doing the bare minimum.”
“Yes. I was told to do the same. But how could I?”
It was your command, after all.
El swallowed those last words and picked up the sword she had set down.
“After moving so intensely for the first time in a while, my body feels lighter.”
In truth, her whole body felt heavy, like she could collapse at any moment. But she lied with ease in front of Terban.
“Only you can know your condition. Always stay aware of it.”
“Yes, I will keep that in mind.”
Seeing the sweat on El’s face, Terban was suddenly reminded of the past—when they had first met.
“It feels like just yesterday we met, but so much time has passed.”
El felt the same. She remembered every detail of their meeting, which had felt like salvation to her.
When she had seen no future for herself, Terban had been the one to reach out his hand—and she had gladly taken it.
Thanks to that, she had been able to stay by his side to this day.
“You were like a wary cat when we first met. Time really does change things.”
“Is that so? I don’t think I’ve changed that much. Maybe just my skills?”
“Well, I was the one who saw your potential, after all.”
“I like to think it was my own effort.”
Though she lacked the words to say it, El had worked tirelessly to repay the kindness she’d received—determined to one day stand proudly by his side.
“Shall we put that to the test?”
“I won’t dodge it.”
“Pretty confident, aren’t you.”
Terban was only teasing, mindful of how tired she must be from training, but El smiled with unexpected ease despite her exhaustion.
“You never know. Maybe the goddess of victory will choose me just this once.”
“There you go again.”
“It just means I believe in myself.”
“Alright, let’s save that for another day. That’s enough for today.”
Even without seeing it all, Terban could tell how hard El had worked. He knew her well enough to expect nothing less.
That was why he was always stricter with her—because she was El.
“I believe in you.”
Those words nearly stopped El’s heart. They were joyful yet overwhelming.
Yes. That’s all I need to hear.
Just the words “I believe in you” were enough for her. She expected nothing more. All she wanted was to remain by his side to the very end.
Even if that wish was starting to waver—El still smiled as she replied.
“Yes. I will remain by your side until the end and never betray that trust.”
But there was someone else watching El’s bright smile, the one she only showed to Terban. Standing at the entrance of the training grounds was Shenil.
Hidden in the shadows, Shenil’s expression was nothing like the gentle one she showed Terban. It was cold—chilling, even.
Her gaze was fixed on El.
“You’re not even trying to hide it anymore.”
Terban didn’t notice, but Shenil saw it clearly—the look in El’s eyes when she gazed at him. Shenil hated that El was even near him. But if she harbored those kinds of feelings…
Everything Shenil had carefully built and prepared felt threatened by El’s presence.
I don’t like this.
Whatever tolerance she’d had for El was now gone. Steeling her resolve, Shenil plastered on her usual sweet smile and approached Terban.
“Terban, I thought I’d find you here.”
“Shenil?”
As soon as he spotted her, Terban hurried over. El quickly followed behind him.
“I didn’t see you in the office, so I came looking.”
“That’s a long way from there. You should’ve just waited at the palace.”
“I did wait, but you didn’t come, and I got worried.”
Worried she might catch a chill from the night air, Terban didn’t hesitate to drape his coat over Shenil’s shoulders. Shenil accepted it graciously, then acted like she had just noticed El.
“Thank you. Oh, El, you’re here too.”
“Greetings, Lady Shenil.”
El bowed politely in greeting.
“Were you training this late? You were working late the other day too.”
Shenil’s soft smile and demure demeanor were so enchanting, even El—another woman—couldn’t deny it. So she lowered her gaze slightly as she answered.
“It’s fine. It’s expected of a knight.”
“Still, be careful not to get hurt. Let’s go back now, Terban.”
“Yes. El, you should head back too.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As the two walked off arm in arm once again, El remained standing alone in the training yard, her eyes fixed on them as they receded into the distance.
Yes. Someone as beautiful as her belongs by His Majesty’s side.
With that thought, a dull pain suddenly pierced her chest, and El clutched at it.
But whether it was from actual pain or from the heartache of watching him walk away, she couldn’t tell. All she could do was hope it would pass soon.
* * *
“The meeting is adjourned.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
As the meeting with the nobles concluded, El, who had remained beside Terban throughout, followed him out of the chamber.
“El, head to the training ground for now.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Terban walked past her with his aide, heading to his next engagement.
Once he was out of sight, El lifted her bowed head and turned to head back. But just then, someone called out behind her.
“You’re quite busy again today, I see.”
That voice…
She turned, recognizing the familiar tone. Just as she expected, the man standing there was exactly who she thought. She stifled a sigh and greeted him.
“Duke Feizen.”
“Yes, it’s been a while. I’ve been in the territory for some time.”
The middle-aged man was Feizen Kaischer—one of the few dukes in the Lubein Empire.
His territory in the northwest was surrounded by treacherous mountains but rich in resources, especially rare minerals from its mines, bringing great wealth.
In short, he had nothing to do with El. She had only seen him a few times while accompanying Terban. And yet, she found herself hoping to never run into him again.
If he dislikes me so much, why bother speaking to me at all?
That disdain was obvious in his gaze, even if his lips smiled. El was no stranger to looks like his. Ever since she had started standing beside Terban, people had whispered behind her back.
That she was nothing—a mere knight with no title or wealth—yet had taken the commander’s seat just because Terban favored her.
Knowing that, El had gritted her teeth and worked even harder. She wanted to silence them through her ability alone.
And although the criticism had lessened, it hadn’t disappeared. There were always people like Feizen—everywhere.
She was about to excuse herself with a polite “I must be going” when his voice cut in faster.
“Isn’t it difficult, serving so closely at His Majesty’s side?”
“Not at all.”
El kept her answers short. She didn’t feel his words came from a place of kindness. Feizen frowned slightly at her cold response.
Well, I do prefer it when they don’t bother hiding their feelings.
Just as El had expected, Feizen soon dropped the pretense.
“El, don’t take this the wrong way. I have no problem with you, but others don’t see you kindly. You’re just a knight with nothing to your name, yet you stand so close to His Majesty.”
Of course. I knew it would come to this.
El wasn’t even hurt. She had expected it. What puzzled her more was how a man like Feizen had become a duke and head of House Kaischer.
Oblivious to El’s thoughts, he continued with a voice completely devoid of sincerity.
“So if you ever need help, feel free to come to me. I’m on your side.”
