Victoria let out a groan as she held her throbbing temple.
“Ugh… uuuugh…”
It was a migraine that had struck after breakfast. Even so, after a short nap, she felt a bit better than before.
Of course, “better” didn’t mean in optimal condition. At that moment, all she wanted was to stay in bed, regaining her strength. But—
“…I can’t leave Heavenly Sword alone, or he’ll be paired up with the officer…”
She’d thought about it both before falling asleep and after waking. Leaving Heavenly Sword alone after slapping him had been completely childish.
‘And to think I told him this very morning not to treat me like a child…’
Victoria felt ashamed. They say that one of the fundamental virtues of an adult is responsibility.
But the scene had been too amusing. In a burst of anger, Victoria had turned her gaze away from her responsibility. Even if it was late, the thought that Heavenly Sword had received that slap from a woman who wasn’t his fiancée sent shivers down her spine.
‘I must go see him and explain things face to face.’
Even members of the imperial family preferred to avoid having Officer Garyeon closely associate with anyone.
Garyeon was the “ear and shadow” of the Emperor. Whatever she whispered in a low voice was as good as whispering directly into the sovereign’s ear.
Contrary to popular belief, royalty are the most conscious of public perception. It was said that whoever best understood the mood would earn a place in the line of succession.
Therefore, for a member of the imperial family to consider forming ties with Officer Garyeon, it required great resolve.
‘…I’m already marked by His Majesty anyway, so at this point…’
It was something she’d declared with conviction in front of the Emperor. Even so, she couldn’t shake the uncomfortable feeling. It was the first time in her life she’d gone against His Majesty.
On one hand, she felt liberated; on the other, uncertain. She only dared because Heavenly Sword was with her. Otherwise, she’d have ended up prostrate before the throne, begging forgiveness.
“Ugh…”
Victoria stretched one last time in bed and headed to the coat rack. She slipped her arms into the sleeves of her microfiber robe, tied up her hair in the center, and walked calmly out of the room.
***
Step, step.
In the silent hallway, only the soft tapping of her slippers against the floor could be heard.
‘Hmm?’
In front of the dining room, several maids were gathered, whispering among themselves.
All of them, without exception, had their ears pressed against the wooden door, completely focused.
So absorbed were they that they didn’t even notice Victoria’s arrival.
“The Lord Heavenly Sword already has two wives, right?”
Commented a young maid. The older head maid responded firmly.
“His Majesty also started with two.”
“Eeek…!”
“The saying ‘great men are womanizers’ exists for a reason. The greater the man, the more women around him.”
The Emperor had many wives. Even if the empresses wanted to compete for his affection in bed, they couldn’t. Even if they drew a number, their turn never came.
“B-but… that’s such an outdated way of thinking…!”
“We all owe our lives to Lord Heavenly Sword. Even with the Parsy disaster recently. And it’ll continue that way in the future. It’s best for humanity not to displease him.”
“Ah… ha…”
“That’s why this situation must never leave this room—eeek!”
The maid quickly bowed deeply. The others, noticing Victoria’s presence, immediately followed suit.
“What are you all doing here, gathered like this?”
Victoria asked, tilting her head slightly. The young maid stammered.
“T-the thing is… the officer is inside with Lord Heavenly Sword, and—Agh!”
The head maid gave her a hard pinch on the side.
“It’s nothing important, Your Highness.”
“If it’s nothing important, then why are you all gathered here? Step aside, I want to see what’s going on inside.”
“Your Highness.”
“…”
A shadow of concern crossed Victoria’s eyes.
“Could it be…?”
Her finely shaped eyebrows visibly trembled.
‘Did Officer Garyeon do something crazy?!’
Apparently, she couldn’t hold back and had already caused an incident. Victoria knew that woman was unpredictable, but how could she get into trouble in just half a day?
“I said step aside!”
“Y-Your Highness….”
The head maid, drenched in cold sweat, tried to stop her.
Arguing with a member of the imperial family was bold. But as someone who had accompanied Victoria for so long, she felt a near-maternal duty toward her.
“Quickly!”
“I’m afraid the scene inside may be too shocking for Your Highness…”
Victoria felt as if her composure was cracking under pressure. That crazy woman, Garyeon!
She couldn’t just stand by. After all, the initial responsibility lay with her.
A situation where that damn woman put Heavenly Sword in a tight spot… she couldn’t allow it, not with her own eyes.
— I do #%*! better!
— I’ve been with Lord Heavenly Sword since he had @$# on his face!
— The Master and I are so close that @!$& happens between us!
Distorted fragments of conversation crossed from behind the doorframe.
“Gasp!”
“Mmhp!”
“Aah, I love it!”
“…?”
The content was so intense it seemed to trigger the brain’s dopamine receptors. The maids, scandalized, couldn’t help but cover their mouths with both hands.
“…Ah…”
Even the head maid’s crossed arms, like a barricade, gave way. She thought she had lived long enough not to be shocked, but the shamelessness of these young modern heroes was bleaching her brain.
Victoria also went pale.
“Your Highness may enter.”
“…”
“Lord Heavenly Sword’s gallantry exceeds all expectations. It must be exhausting at the Academy, Your Highness.”
The head maid retreated weakly. After a brief scuffle, Victoria opened the door.
Creakk…
The rusty hinges groaned, as if reflecting her state of mind.
And finally, the inside was revealed.
Three women forming a human wall on one side of the table. In the center, Heavenly Sword, Kang Geom-Ma, seated with a completely resigned expression.
All eyes turned to her in unison.
“Your Highness.”
Officer Garyeon spoke.
“It’s a misunderstanding.”
She had clearly read Victoria’s thoughts.
“I said it’s a misunderstanding!”
***
According to what I knew, neither Shail nor Choi Seol-Ah were the type to argue carelessly, especially in the presence of royalty. On the contrary.
“We greet the little sun of the Empire.”
Shail slightly lifted her dress and curtsied. She used her experience as a lady-in-waiting perfectly to come out unscathed.
“Y-Your… Your Highness.”
Choi Seol-Ah, with a cowardly expression, crawled along the floor. She truly was an opportunist. When it came to bowing, she was a master. Just like she was with me.
In contrast, Officer Garyeon—
“…”
Not a single word. As if punishing herself, she respectfully clasped her hands in the shadows.
“Lord Heavenly Sword, this… what does this mean?”
It was finally my turn to speak. I crossed my arms arrogantly and answered.
“This is how things turned out.”
“I see…”
The circumstances of Shail and Choi Seol-Ah’s appearance were understandable. Given my usual behavior, it wasn’t strange that Ryozo and Abel were concerned. Sadly, that was the general opinion among my close ones.
Even so, Victoria’s discomfort lingered.
“I understand for now.”
“Thank you for trusting me.”
Having to explain romantic matters to a student made me feel pathetic for a moment. But there was no other choice.
‘If this gets misunderstood…’
If this story reached the ears of Ryozo or Abel, I couldn’t even imagine how far the damage would spread.
‘Well, I can imagine, but I’d rather not think about it.’
“Let’s change locations.”
“Good idea.”
Just as we were heading to the reception hall, Officer Garyeon, who had been silent, raised a hand to her ear and spoke after a moment.
“We received a message from the Imperial Guard.”
“Already?”
“Yes. They say they can’t keep someone of such high status waiting any longer. They’re ready to receive you at any time.”
Victoria interrupted the conversation.
“What does that mean?”
“Oh, that.” I answered.
“I’m the one who expressed interest in observing the Imperial Guard’s training.”
“You, Heavenly Sword?”
“When I return to the Academy, I’ll likely remain a temporary instructor, so I thought it would be useful to see how they train. In fact, I was going to invite you to come with me.”
A lie.
The leader of the Guard, Oscar, is the one orchestrating Victoria’s assassination.
‘And he’s strong himself.’
Of course, I could crush him easily if I wanted, but Oscar had the backing of an organization. And he would pressure Victoria with all that weight. She’s the one who has to face him. If I step in directly, everything would end immediately.
‘But that wouldn’t make sense.’
Don’t give rice to the hungry—teach them to harvest. That was the philosophy of the founding president. I inherited that spirit.
Victoria’s eyes turned serious.
‘Seems she understood my intent.’
That’s why it’s easier to have disciples who understand ten things from a single teaching. Like I once did.
‘You have to face it yourself.’
Only by facing it on her own can she stand on her own. That way, her words in the future will carry more weight before the Emperor than the complaints she used to make.
If you want something,
Earn the right to have it.
“Understood.”
Victoria stepped forward. When I took a step, Shail and Choi Seol-Ah clung to my back like guardian statues.
“You’re coming too?”
“The young lady is very concerned for Lord Heavenly Sword.”
What they mean is they’re going to keep an eye on me constantly.
“The headmistress said something similar! Lord, or rather, Lord Heavenly Sword, you must have saved a country in a past life! With that horrible personality, and yet all your wives are angels!”
Choi Seol-Ah muttered shamelessly. It was like copy and paste.
“Officer Garyeon.”
“Yes.”
“Could you check how many people can accompany us?”
“One moment, please.”
A few seconds later—
“They say as long as it’s not too many, it’s fine.”
“Two people isn’t excessive, so it’s okay.”
“Probably…”
“…Is something bothering you?”
“Those two concern me.”
“It’s better to ignore them.”
“Seems you’re used to this kind of situation, Lord Heavenly Sword.”
Shail chimed in.
“As I said, I’ve known Lord Heavenly Sword since before he had a single hair.”
“Hey, stop that!”
I was startled.
“Don’t say things that cause misunderstandings! When I’m praised for the beard it’s fine, but you say ‘hair’ and it sounds awful!”
“I wasn’t talking about the beard, you know?”
“…?”
“…?”
Victoria’s shoulders, seen from behind, were still trembling slightly. I smacked my forehead.
‘Ha, please.’
Anyway, the “assistance battle” was over. Or so I thought.
Who would’ve imagined there’d be overtime right after?
***
Imperial Guard Training Hall.
“What is this…?”
Kang Geom-Ma and his group made their entrance. All the members of the Guard, including Oscar, wore uncomfortable expressions.
Even they didn’t expect there’d be no incident. It was logical. This was Heavenly Sword. He had a knack for striking blind spots like sashimi. A man who threatened the entire hero circle with unpredictable methods.
But this?
The presence of the princess wasn’t particularly surprising. After all, His Majesty had appointed her as his tutor. It was natural for her to come with him.
‘But who are those women behind him?’
They were all dazzling beauties.
“Oh, does the Imperial Guard really wear those furry hats? But aren’t they hot? There’s not even any spring chill left, summer is almost here.”
“Mind your manners, Joaqui.”
“Yes…”
The one with purple hair had such a slender figure she looked like a model. Her lazy tone of voice created an unexpected charm.
“They’re all near warrior level. Impressive.”
The one with pink hair was a very familiar beauty. Shail was a heroine with plenty of admirers, even among the guards. Both she and the Guard shared the trait of being loyal to their respective houses.
Besides, no man could resist an absolute beauty in a maid uniform. To the Guard members, Shail was nothing short of a unicorn.
“Captain Oscar.”
Noticing that Oscar was emitting a worrisome aura, Samseok sensed danger. That’s why he addressed him, and Oscar’s jaw tightened sharply.
“…The exhibition at the end of training, that informal duel with Lord Heavenly Sword…”
“Yes. We proposed using Lord Heavenly Sword to wake up the complacent nobility. That’s why we also installed cameras on the ceiling.”
“Remove them.”
“Excuse me?”
That was all Oscar said.
Samseok had a bad feeling. He looked around and noticed it wasn’t just Oscar reacting that way.
Several members of the Guard had their eyes wide open. In fact, almost all of them. A fierce spark of battle burned in their pupils.
Samseok also turned his head toward where those scorching gazes converged.
Heavenly Sword, confident, had his arms crossed. As if this kind of company were the most normal and appropriate thing for him.
‘Now I understand why Heavenly Sword is public enemy number one.’
The situation reeked of provocation.
The Imperial Guard was also an army. A male-dominated group soaked in sweat and routine. Sometimes, just locking eyes with a maid made their hearts race, and now this was clearly a provocation.
“…Even if he’s one of the Seven Stars.”
Oscar muttered, his clenched fist trembling with rage.
Lately, there was much talk about the next candidates to become the Seven Stars. All Mute, Mao Lamg, Lady of the Sword Abel, Celestial Archer Ryozo… All were being considered.
Wise Mid Poison and Lance Richard were nearing retirement due to age. And the Sword Master had already been retired for ten years.
So, it wouldn’t be long before two spots opened. Among the heroes with the best chance to fill those gaps was Captain of the Guard, Oscar.
Of course, that was more complicated in practice.
But the phrase that followed—
“Lord Heavenly Sword is a human just like me, in the end.”
Was, of all the misunderstandings Oscar had ever had, the biggest and most misguided of all.
____
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