If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight

✦

The winter sunlight shattered into brilliance atop the man’s dazzling blond hair. He smiled, subtly revealing his white teeth as if flaunting his cool and handsome appearance. However, his gleaming red eyes held no trace of amusement, only a cold light.

The man’s navy blue uniform was impeccably adorned, exuding an air of elegance. A half-cape, embroidered with intricate patterns, draped stylishly over his left arm, signifying his nobility. Golden shoulder cords and tassels emphasized his distinction, while various medals on his chest testified to his strength. The numerous service ribbons pinned to his left chest made him look like a living war memorial of the empire.

Regen knew this man very well. Dominic Arondit was the third son of Duke Arondit and the strongest knight in the empire.

Judging by Sasha’s shoulders briefly tensed, that was enough for Regen to realize that Dominic calling her name wasn’t a display of familiarity but an act of overstepping boundaries.

Dominic took a step closer with confidence. Sasha reluctantly allowed him to kiss the back of her hand under the pretense of etiquette.

“Greetings, Your Highness. You are as breathtaking today as ever—enough to make me want to kneel and worship you.”

“You are particularly extravagant today.”

“There was a medal ceremony.”

A medal shaped like a laurel wreath shimmered on Dominic’s chest.

“It was awarded for my contributions in subjugating the Eastern Alliance. His Majesty recognized my strategic prowess and martial strength in toppling the Kingdom of Lohengrin and saw fit to reward me.”

Regen exerted all his strength to suppress his emotions, erasing any expression from his face.

“That medal is quite beautiful. Congratulations.”

“If it pleases you, shall I give it to you? You could wear it as a brooch.”

“That medal is your honor. Why would you give it away?”

“Because it is a knight’s duty to dedicate his honor.”

“You are not my knight.”

“Ha, indeed I am not.” With a sigh, Dominic’s gaze shot toward Regen, brimming with hostility and murderous intent.

Regen immediately understood—among the people Sasha feared might harm her, Dominic ranked near the top.

“I was originally on leave, but I used the ceremony as an excuse to enter the palace today. Do you know why?”

“…”

“It was to see what kind of man Your Highness has taken as your knight.” Dominic flicked his gaze sideways, scanning Regen as if assessing his worth. “Weak.”

“That is rude.”

“Did you select a knight for his looks? How disappointing.”

“I believe I already told you that you are being rude.”

“Would you like me to show you what true rudeness looks like?”

Dominic’s leather boots nearly stepped on the hem of Sasha’s dress. Regen instinctively moved to intervene, but Sasha raised a hand, stopping him.

The more displeased Sasha was, the more she smiled like a flower in full bloom. Curling her eyes prettily, she stepped into Dominic’s space as if she were about to grab him by the collar. Her opponent was caught between being startled and exhilarated—no, he was nearly entranced.

“Dominic.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Go ahead. Then I’ll show you what humiliation truly means.”

“Ah, to know my tastes so well. Only Your Highness can make my heart race.”

The battle of mockery and provocation showed no sign of ending. Regen finally intervened to separate the two.

“Your Highness.” His deep, resonant voice disrupted their tension.

Sasha took two steps back, widening the distance, while Dominic looked irritated, as if something had been taken from him. As he glared at Regen in annoyance, something seemed to click in his mind.

“Now that I think about it… You look familiar. Especially those insufferable eyes. I must have seen them somewhere before.”

“…”

“Do you know me by any chance?”

“Yes.”

Regen felt Sasha’s gaze pierce through him. He responded indifferently.

“How could I not recognize the enemy commander?”

“Ah, of course. Even if I don’t remember you, you should remember me.”

“…”

“If you survived getting close enough to see my face, you must be either incredibly strong or a coward. One of the two.”

“…”

“I’ll assume the latter. I don’t tend to remember the faces of men.” Turning back to Sasha, Dominic added, “But I do remember women’s faces. There are only two categories— either Your Highness’s face or not.”

“…”

“Oh dear, it seems you are not in the mood to exchange more words with me. I’ll take my leave after receiving my congratulations.”

“I already congratulated you. Can you not remember words either?”

“I wasn’t talking about the medal.”

The man still had more to flaunt.

“As a reward for my military achievements, I was granted the title of Count. I am no longer merely the third son of Duke Arondit—I am now Count Dominic Mizekal.”

“Congratulations, Count.”

“Your Highness celebrating as if it were your own achievement truly delights me. However, I actually wished for something else besides a title and land. So, I made a request to His Majesty. He considered it but ultimately declined.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

“What do you think I asked for?”

Dominic’s crimson eyes gleamed dangerously as if he were about to pull the strings of a carefully laid trap. Regen knew instinctively—whatever was about to be said would be an insult to the princess. Unfortunately, he had no authority to silence the imperial guard captain. So, instead of the best option, he chose the second best. The moment Dominic opened his mouth, Regen clamped his hands over Sasha’s ears, channeling mana to block out all sound.

“Rosasia Trinite Magnarod. I requested Your Highness as my reward.”

Sasha, startled by Regen’s sudden action, looked up at him. “Sir Regen?”

“I did not want Your Highness’s ears to be sullied.”

Dominic’s expression twisted in irritation. “What are you doing?”

“Simply fulfilling my duty.”

“…”

“…”

Dominic’s blood-red eyes gleamed with murderous intent as if he wanted to tear Regen apart on the spot. But it wasn’t just that Sasha hadn’t heard the words that infuriated him. It was the fact that she did not seem to mind Regen’s touch. Since it had come to this, Dominic took advantage of Sasha’s blocked hearing and spewed out a chilling threat.

“Those eyes of yours make me want to gouge them out.”

“…”

“Consider this a warning. If you want to die peacefully, you’d better not even think about coveting a single strand of Princess’s hair.”

“..” Regen remained silent as if he had not heard a thing.

Dominic, uninterested in expecting a reaction, turned back to Sasha. Pretending to show respect, he bowed slightly. “Wait for me. Don’t bring that bastard into your bed.”

Only after Dominic’s retreating figure had disappeared did Regen lower his hands from Sasha’s ears.

“What did he say?”

“…”

“Was it so bad that you can’t even sugarcoat it for me?” Sasha sighed and then continued. “Let me guess. He asked the emperor for me, didn’t he?”

“You already knew?”

“I just took a guess, and I was right. Had I heard it myself, my ears might have rotted. I appreciate what you did, Sir Regen.”

Regen lowered his gaze momentarily before speaking. “Your Highness.”

“Why are you calling me ‘Your Highness’ again?”

“As a knight, I must say something.”

“Go ahead.”

“For the disrespect he showed you today, I will ensure he pays the price.”

“…”

The unwavering determination in his eyes made Sasha fall silent. A knight who revered honor as if it were his very life. A man who would always look up to the sky. There was no way he would listen if she simply asked him to stay out of it.

“So please, do not issue any command that would break my resolve.” Regen was clearly expressing that he would not allow her to use her authority to restrain him.

“…Just don’t get hurt.”

“I will do my best.”

Seemingly satisfied with her response, he carefully adjusted her coat. “It’s cold, Sasha. Let’s return quickly after returning the books.”

“Alright.”

✦

Crossing paths with Dominic was not the end of their misfortune that day. As they neared the courtyard, Regen’s senses tingled with unease.

“Sasha, wait.” He halted and covered Sasha’s nose and mouth with a handkerchief.

From the courtyard, a nauseatingly acrid stench was wafting toward them.