Hesitant to Speak

Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.

Those words—“I’ll take responsibility”—were laughable in front of an imperial princess.

What could a nameless guard with no noble title possibly offer to someone of her stature?

In birth, in status—they were worlds apart.

Even if Alice was the less-favored daughter,she was still a princess of the Dragonheart Empire.

She would never be “responsible” to the likes of him.

Historically, imperial princesses always marriedinto the Round Table knight lineages or prestigious noble houses—all to fortify the throne’s power.

In the natural course of things,

Alice would likely be betrothed to someone like Cyril or Seth—men of legacy, influence, and bloodline.

Her marriage was never hers to decide.

And Empress Elizabeth?

She would never tolerate her daughter being tainted by a mere guard.

If this incident ever reached the Empress’s ears—given the imperial family’s obsession with dignity and appearance—

Black knew he wouldn’t even get a chance to explain.

He’d simply vanish—silently, permanently.

But even setting aside those external dangers…the deeper issue gnawed at him more.

He couldn’t untangle his own feelings for Alice—nor could he decipher hers for him.

The more he thought, the heavier his heart grew.

Yes, he did care for her.

He’d witnessed her change, her growth—been charmed by her tsundere quirks, moved by her hidden kindness.

That fondness had quietly taken root.

But it wasn’t love.

Not yet.

“Love” was too heavy a word—too final.

And Alice?

She’d grown gentler toward him—gave him a protective charm, panicked when he was hurt.

But was that a superior’s concern for a loyal subordinate?

A friend’s worry for a comrade?

Or… something deeper?

He couldn’t tell.

He stole a glance at her.

Alice seemed to have reached some internal resolution—her expression calmer now.

Her crimson hair spilled loosely over her shoulders,her cheeks still faintly flushed,her lips pressed thin in quiet turmoil.

Then, suddenly, she spoke—so softly he almost missed it:

“You… royal knight…”

Black blinked, utterly baffled.

“Your Highness… what do you mean?”

At the sound of his voice, Alice flinched—her eyes darting away, shaking her head.

Her lips parted, then closed again—words trapped in her throat.

She stared down at her hands, clenched tightly in her lap,knuckles white from tension.

After a long silence, she drew a deep breath—as if steeling herself to speak once more—

BANG!

A sharp knock on the iron door shattered the moment.

Both of them snapped taut—all awkwardness and heartache forgotten.

Black’s hand flew to the Overlord Spear at his side.

Alice’s fingers closed around Crimson Soul,her gaze sharpening into blades.

Had the Draconic Parliament found them?

Or was it reinforcements from the Hodyr?

If it was the former, they were doomed.

Black’s heart hammered against his ribs.

The safe room’s concealment spell should’ve hidden them completely.

For it to fail now, and for someone to knock so precisely—that meant the intruder had broken the sealand knew exactly where they were.

Black’s mind raced, searching for a way out.

If it was Purple Dragon—the weakest—they might survive.

But if it was Black Dragon?

Then only one word applied: death.

Just then, a calm, authoritative voice echoed through the door:

“Your Highness, it’s Pascal.

The threat has been neutralized. Please open the door.”

Relief flooded through them like cool water.

Alice quickly smoothed her disheveled clothes,then pulled the heavy iron door open.

There stood Pascal—

his presence solid, reassuring.

Seeing Black beside her in the cramped chamber,

Pascal’s eyes flickered with mild surprise—but, ever the professional, he asked nothing.

Black stepped out silently.

This time, he didn’t fall into his usual place behind Alice.

Instead, he stood apart—on the other side.

To Pascal, it looked as though a chasm had opened between them.

As they walked toward the deck, Alice asked, voice low:

“What happened to the assassins?”

“I failed to capture them all,” Pascal replied grimly.

“Only two were secured. The other four escaped into the sea.”

“It’s fine. Anyone bold enough to strike like thiswould’ve planned their retreat meticulously.”

She paused, then asked, her tone darkening:

“In your judgment… which organization do they belong to?”

“The Draconic Parliament.”

“So it was them.”

Black had already told her as much—but hearing Pascal confirm it left no doubt.

“They chose the perfect moment… clever bastards.”

Her eyes flashed with cold fury.

By the time they reached the deck, the Dragon Tide had largely receded—only a few stragglers remained, thrashing weakly.

But the vanguard ship’s condition was far worse than yesterday’s.

Over fifty lives lost—on this ship alone.

Alice’s gaze swept the carnage behind Pascal—her expression hardening like forged steel.

Then she noticed the absence of a familiar figure.

A dread coiled in her chest.

“Where is Captain Hoern?”

Pascal’s face darkened. He sighed.

“Hoern… gave his life holding them off.

He self-detonated to buy you time.”

Alice froze mid-step.

Her slender frame swayed slightly—then she turned sharply toward the ship’s railing,her steps heavy as lead.

Facing the sea, her fingers dug into the splintered wood of the broken guardrail,splinters biting into her skin.

She kept her back to them—refusing to let anyone see her face.

But watching that trembling silhouette,

Black knew—

She’s crying.

Even someone as strong as Alicecouldn’t bear the weight of another’s sacrifice for her sake.

He and Pascal stood in respectful silence.

After a while, Alice turned around—her face an icy mask, betraying no grief.

Her eyes locked onto the bound Azure and Indigo Dragons,murderous intent radiating from her like heat haze.

If not for the need to interrogate them,she would’ve drawn her sword and ended them on the spot.

“Don’t worry, Your Highness,” Pascal said quietly.

“The Dragon-Slaying Guard will extract every secret from them—and avenge Captain Hoern.”

But Black remained skeptical.

In the game, the Draconic Parliament was the ultimate antagonist—masters of evasion, deception, and suicide protocols.

The Empire had never fully eradicated them.

His own interference had only workedbecause of his foreknowledge—without that, he’d have been dead long ago.

“Mm.”

Alice stood before the scorched crater left by the captain’s final act,giving a faint nod.

“Let’s return to the Hodyr.

I must report this to Her Majesty.”

As she spoke, she didn’t look at Black once—deliberately avoiding his gaze.