Those mysterious eyes felt familiar. Besides Elias, Elaine sensed she had encountered them somewhere else before. Yet, the answer always eluded her.

"Milady." Cecil's voice interrupted Elaine's contemplation. After expressing his gratitude toward the female protagonist, he immediately returned to her side. Celeste's gaze trailed after him, though she hastily shifted focus upon noticing Elaine watching her. Her cheeks were a suspicious shade of pink.

Elaine sighed, wondering how an innocent flower like Celeste survived this world. Through their few encounters, she could tell the female protagonist remained ignorant of the dark reality. Perhaps Marquis Veros and his family shielded her too well. Under their love and protection, Celeste grew up in happiness and unburdened. She appeared to know nothing of the different allegiances and bloodshed while functioning based solely on her emotions. And despite being one or two years older than the original Estella, she acted and spoke with no thoughts of consequences. Such behaviors were normal for a typical teenager in Elaine's world. However, inside the book, her actions could bring calamity upon herself and her entire family. Yet, given Celeste's role as the main character, Elaine doubted any life-threatening disaster would befall her. After all, the story's chosen one always persevered until the end.

Maybe she is experiencing her first crush, Elaine mused, basing the guess on her observation of the female protagonist's demeanor. She glanced at the silent young knight in training beside her. His golden hair dazzled like rays of morning sunlight, highlighting his graceful features and distinctive heterochromia. Though Cecil rarely smiled, he shined through his gentle mannerisms. Like a serene lake, his presence soothed those around him, momentarily helping them to forget their troubles. Celeste, too, probably found his warm nature attractive.

Elaine's brows suddenly furrowed, recalling her guard's tragic ending in the story. Though Celeste seemed to fancy him now, Elaine believed she would soon transfer her affection to Elias once the plot started. Unfortunately, the difference in faction and social status would prevent Cecil from competing with the male protagonist, leaving him no choice but to watch her from afar and carry his unrequired love in secret till his death.

The female protagonist's love is fickle, she lamented. Although unwilling to derail the plot's events, Elaine assumed saving a minor character would not affect the main story. She hoped Cecil would eventually lead a normal life and find happiness after Croix's downfall.

Someone squeezed her hand, pulling Elaine away from her thoughts. She glanced back and saw her fingers remained intertwined with the black-haired young man. "I understand you are emotional after reuniting with your beloved guard, but this place is not suitable for reveries, milady," Elias said.

"Of, of course. My apologies, Sir d'Amboise." Elaine's ears burned, realizing that she was staring intensely at Cecil. The male protagonist always caught her during unbecoming situations. She turned back to the blonde-haired young man, feeling relief upon discovering no discernible reaction from him. However, she noticed Cecil was looking in a particular direction. She followed his gaze and saw that he was focusing on her and Elias' joined hands. Embarrassment suddenly overcame her, and Elaine wriggled her hand, attempting to release their connection. Unfortunately, her one-sided effort proved futile—especially when the other party refused to cooperate.

Elaine heaved a sigh, then looked up at the black-haired young man. "Sir d'Amboise, I think you should—"

"Let's go, Lady Estella. It is improper for us not to greet the Léonas First Prince." Before she could finish, Elias led her toward the Léonas Prince—purposely ignoring Elaine's displeased expression behind him. Cecil heeled them.

On the other side of the battlefield, Nickolas stood in solemn silence, scanning the bleak aftermath while his hands gripped the double swords. His troops survived the battle, yet they also suffered heavy losses. Surrounding him were the fallen bodies of his most promising knights in training and soldiers. The Léonas Empire devoted countless resources and decades to train these men, expecting them to become future pillars of the empire's military might. Yet currently, most got reduced to nothing more than deformed corpses. Nickolas watched the joint expedition a few times before with the Léonas Emperor. Each time, there were casualties. But never did the sacrifices reach such height. Why did the Étoile Emperor not inform us about this location's extreme condition? He tightened his grip on his weapons.

Even before reaching the Léonas Prince, Elaine could already see his stormy expression. She shivered, not wanting to approach further. The male protagonist halted, glancing back at her. "Is there something wrong, milady?"

"N, no, it's nothing," she replied. Elaine could not explain her dreadful premonition upon glimpsing Nickolas' countenance. Although the Léonas Prince only made scarce appearances in the story's first half, he would become one of the central conflicts creating characters in the latter half. While the Léonas Emperor maintained a semi-friendly relationship with Étoile, everything would change once Nickolas ascended to the throne. Unfortunately, the book failed to mention the origin of his grudge against Étoile since he had already become Emperor when the story began. Elaine again peeked at the red-haired prince's brooding figure. Though she could not substantiate her hypothesis, Elaine sensed Nickolas' resentment toward Étoile could trace back to the joint expedition.

"Let us continue, Sir d'Amboise." Her lips formed a thin smile, attempting to hide her anxiety from Elias' probing gaze. Even if Nickolas would one day become the enemy, it would not concern her. Since her character would exit the plot before the conflict between Étoile and Léonas began, Elaine only needed to fulfill her role and leave the remaining problems to the main characters.