Two days passed. The emperor called Duke Lobelia into his office to take charge of some official documents. The two old friends were sitting next to each other, piles and piles of papers and documents surrounding them.

said the emperor, picking up a stack of documents.

Angus asked, a little worried.

asked the confused emperor.

Angus said.

replied Arthur, smiling.

the emperor retorted stubbornly.

Seeing his reaction, Angus sighed heavily. He stopped writing and looked at his friend determinedly.

he suggested.

replied Arthur, smiling.

said Angus, smiling back warmly.

After that, they continued to sort the documents quietly until they heard someone knocking on the door.

ordered the emperor.

The head butler, Gardner, entered the office. He walked over to the two men.

he greeted, bowing to them.

Angus asked.

he declared.

exclaimed the duke with joy.

Arthur added.

the butler asked.

Gardner replied.

he added.

said the butler, bowing before leaving.

The emperor sighed as he rested his back on the chair back.

Angus remarked, smiling.

Arthur said with a smile.

he replied with a smile.

Angus said, smiling and bowing before getting out of the office.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

A few minutes passed. Arthur was busy tidying up his desk and drawers when there was a knock on the door.

A handsome young man in his twenties and dressed in armor entered. He was very tall and very muscular. He had slightly tanned skin, short dark brown hair and gorgeous teal eyes.

he greeted, bowing to him.

The emperor got up from his seat and approached him.

he ordered.

The young knight lifted his head and was suddenly taken in Arthur's arms.

he whispered in his ear as he hugged him tightly.

replied the young captain, smiling slightly as he hugged him back.

Lucas Koraxos was known to be a man of few words. He always had a firm and emotionless expression on his face.

Arthur looked him in the eye before checking him from head to toes.

he said with a smile.

he replied, smiling sadly.

Arthur turned around to walk over to his desk and sit behind it while Lucas sat down in an armchair in front of it.

he asked.

the emperor asked with a hint of hope.

he replied.

he asked with a start.

he exclaimed.

he asked angrily.

growled the emperor.

he said, giving the item to him.

Arthur took the middle sized, black covered book and leafed through it.

remarked Arthur.

The emperor sighed heavily as he put the diary on the drawer.

he said.

replied the young knight.

A little moment of silence settled between them, and it was the captain who broke it.

he began.

he said.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

In the evening, everyone gathered in the reception hall. The latter was filled with knights that were chatting with each others and having a good time.

Once the emperor entered with the princess, silence settled down and everyone took their places.

The emperor sat down on the royal table. To his right, Duke and Duchess Lobelia. To his left, the princess and her friend Lady Lobelia. As for Captain Koraxos and his companions, they sat down with the other knights.

exclaimed Arthur, encouraging them.

The knights applauded loudly in response.

The knights applauded louder to congratulate their new captain as the latter got up from his seat and stood in front of the emperor and bowed on one knee.

The young knight stood up and looked him in the eye.

he added.

An icy silence settled in. Everyone was shocked. No one expected this decision. After all, the princess never had a personal bodyguard before. Even Luana was surprised at her father's sudden decision.

It was the warm applauses of the knights that broke the uncomfortable silence.

said the captain, bowing again.

Arthur nodded at him, smiling.

he declared.

The tables were filled with delicious food, prepared especially for the occasion, that the knights were eager to taste. After all, they have been deprived from good food for three years.

Throughout dinner, Luana couldn't shake off the feeling of being watched. When she looked up from her plate, she met the cold and piercing gaze of the young captain. She felt a shiver running down her spine.

Now, she was sure of one thing. Lucas Koraxos hated her.

══════ ∘◦❁◦∘ ══════

After dinner, the knights took the opportunity to have fun telling stories about their expedition and playing games with each others.

The princess was standing in a corner beside a large window with Azusa. The two girls were chatting together.

said Azusa, happily.

Luana replied, smiling.

she retorted, teasing her friend.

replied the young girl, blushing and looking to the ground.

Luana said, looking at the other side of the room.

Azusa turned around discreetly to look at the direction her best friend were looking at, and then, she met the gaze of the young knight who blushed very hard and looked away hastily.

Matthew Carter was a very handsome guy, tall and muscular. He had fair skin, semi-long burgundy hair and pretty red eyes.

Luana teased.

Azusa replied, turning red like a tomato.

Azusa looked behind Luana for a long time before smirking teasingly.

she said mischievously.

asked the confused young princess.

said the young girl hastily as she left.

she whispered, seeing her friend rush towards the exit.

Luana was left all alone in her corner, completely confused.

she whispered to herself.

a deep voice called out from behind her.

The princess turned around to meet the cold, harsh gaze of the new captain of the Imperial Army.

he said, bowing to her.

she replied, smiling nervously.

An uncomfortable silence settled between them. The tension was so high that it could be cut with a knife.

The princess was feeling very anxious and nervous. The young captain was still looking at her with an icy gaze that showed no emotion.

she said, trying to soften the atmosphere.

he replied.

Silence settled again.

she thought.

A few seconds later, Lucas turned to look at her.

he called her.

she asked.

He looked her straight in the eyes. There was something weird in his gaze. It contained a certain affection and tenderness.

he said.

The princess remained silent, watching him. She couldn't help but find him really handsome and attractive. She blushed slightly at her own thoughts.

she thought.

he said, looking at her tenderly with a small smile on his lips.

The girl widened her eyes in surprise. It was her first time seeing him smile. Maybe he didn't hate her after all.

she replied, smiling back at him.