Book 12.1: Chapter 10


    Your Highness


    Lucia


    The two of them met again for the first time after their vacation. They used to share everything with each other until now. The two stood opposite each other and hesitated. The maids on both sides watching them were surprised when they saw Lucias clothes. Usually, the two of them wouldve held hands and cheerfully ran off already, yet they were both silent.


    They didnt fight, did they? wondered the maids.


    Lucia nervously looked at Troy. She looked at his hand by his leg and took in a small breath. Previously, she could hold Troys hand whilepletely rxed and feel his warmth and soft hands. Today, on the other hand, just thinking of holding his hand made her heart race.


    The two of them recalled the peck they shared on their vacation. Troy didnt know the significance of that peck, because his mom often kissed him that way. At the time, he just had a random urge to kiss Lucia, the young girl who plucked his heartstring. It was a feeling hed never forget. The gentle feeling of their lips touching was different to the feeling when he kissed his mom. It was a blissful, numbing sensation that coursed through his entire body. His heart thumped so hard it was as if his heart would jump out of his chest when they kissed. His mind roared at him, but the feeling and bliss felt so warm, intensifying his desire to kiss her more.


    After that, the twos lips touched countless times, and theyd separate as if they were electrocuted every time. Nheless, the blissful feeling and intoxicating love was an addictive sensation they couldnt get over. If people didnt interrupt, the two of them would probably continue to kiss until they passed out. They kept kissing and tightly holding each others hand.


    The two of them felt that way after they woke. They didnt know why, themselves. It was a secret between the two that nobody knew of. The two of them didnt know the meaning behind kissing. Still, the two of them were oddly shy. They didnt know why their encounter would make them both blush.


    They suddenly felt as though the shy feeling didnt make them feel awkward. To the contrary, it made them oddly happy. They were very embarrassed when they looked into each others eyes, yet they couldnt resist the urge to look. They desperately wanted to hold hands, but they couldnt muster up the courage.


    Troy clenched his teeth, and then turned his head aside. He grabbed hold of Lucias hand. She reacted surprised, and Troy lingered before quickly releasing her hand. Flustered, he apologised, Sorry! Sorry! Sorry! I I I shouldnt I I squeezed your hand too hard


    No No You didnt


    Lucia quickly shook her head; then, she slid her hand into Troys hand. She felt her face burn up as soon as she felt his warm and soft hands. She didnt dare to look at Troy. Troys heart raced so fast that he could hear it beating. He wanted to tightly hold the young girls hand, yet he was afraid that hed hurt her. It was as though her hand was a delicate leaf that would break if he tightened his grip ever so slightly.


    L-Lets go


    Mm Mm


    Lucias hand jerked before she slowly interlocked her fingers with Troys. The two of them were worried the other would let go, so while they bordered on holding hands and letting go, they never did let go


    On the other side, inside the corridor of the Imperial Pce, Ecthe looked at his Queen walking in front of him. He hesitated for a long time as he watched her blonde hair sway. He uttered, Your Highness


    Vyvyan stopped and looked back. With a smile, she asked, Is something the matter, Guard Echte?


    In a slightly shaky voice, Echte replied, Yes It is about my daughter. Your Highness did you say that she would always be allowed to stay at His Highnesss side if she could be a member of the Shadow Squad?


    Yes.


    Vyvyan didnt say anything unnecessary. She looked at Echte, with a smile as usual. Her gaze didnt change. She waited for Echte to continue. He hesitated for a moment before continuing: Your Highness, I hope you can take back your order After all, you are aware that bing a Shadow Squad member is extremely dangerous She is my only daughter


    Vyvyanughed in a gentle tone, and then cut him off: Guard Echte, have you mixed something up? I have never given that sort of order. I would not order a young girl to be my sons bodyguard out of the blue. Guard Echte, what I said was, if she could be a member of the Shadow Squad, then she could be my sons bodyguard. I never ordered her to go and join the Shadow Squad.


    But but if you say that Lucia will surely want to join the squad Because because Your Highness, Lucia She may have fallen for Prince Troy.


    I know.


    Echte froze. He was ready to ept her fury. It didnt matter what punishment he had to be subjected to as long as Lucia was safe. He didnt expect Vyvyan to sound so gentle. It was shocking news, yet Vyvyan didnt jump. In fact, she didnt even bat an eye.


    Vyvyan nodded. Smiling, she responded, I also know that Troy really likes Lucia. Whats wrong with a young boy and girl experiencing first love? Guard Echte, you wouldnt happen to think that Troy isnt worthy of Lucia, would you?


    No! No! No! No! No!!! Ecthe shuddered. He almost dropped to his knees. He looked at Vyvyan with absolute fear and waved his hands: What I meant was, Lucia is not worthy of Prince Troy. Prince Troy is your son, while my Lucia is just an ordinary girl. How could she be worthy of Prince Troy?


    Oh? Vyvyans mouth curled up into an eerie smile. She then turned around and resumed walking: From that perspective of yours, Lucia isnt worthy of Troy, indeed. Regardless of whether its her mana or background, our Gdriel Tribe wont choose her.


    Then


    Echte suddenly felt a weight lift from his shoulders upon hearing Vyvyans response. He didnt know why he was so relieved, either. Perhaps it was because he was relieved his daughter wouldnt be in danger, and therefore didnt have to worry about her falling deeper and deeper. A shortsting moment of pain was better than long sustained pain. A moment of pain wouldnt do anything. If Lucia was rejected once she was more understanding, her life wouldnt be in danger. All he had to do now was get Lucia to understand that, and shed be fine after one night.


    Vyvyan then turned her head around with a smile: But I think that we never asked them. Leave it to them, Guard Echte. This isnt something you and I should be sticking our noses in. Love is holy. We shouldnt be disturbing them. Theyre still kids, but theyll understand with time.


    That was all Vyvyan had to say. Echte looked at her blonde hair and spaced out. The before and after was so different, thereby leaving him speechless. He found himself in a dilemma again after feeling relieved. He wasnt sure if he should be happy or not. If Queen Vyvyan said that, then it meant it was possible for Lucia to marry Troy if she really wanted to. That meant that he could get promoted from a low-rank soldier. Unexpectedly, he wasnt happy in the slightest.


    People always had things they shouldnt have. Echte firmly believed that receiving what didnt belong to you at the wrong time would definitely lead to misfortune. Lucia was just an ordinary girl. By no ounts did she qualify to be a member of the Gdriel Tribe. Should she have what she wanted? Or rather, was it worth having? Additionally, the Shadow Squad recruitment criterion was very strict. Same went for the training. Deaths of members werent considered a problem. Plus, their death rates were definitely not low. Otherwise, they wouldnt be such a small squad.


    Is it really a good idea to let Lucia join? pondered Echte.


    Guard Echte, if Lucia genuinely has the courage and determination to do it, you should help her. You should teach her how to fight and how to survive. I would rather trust her, who likes my son, than entrust him to somebody else. I believe Lucia will never harm Troy.


    Vyvyan stood at the door to the room. Echtes job as an escort ended there. Echte nked out. Vyvyan smiled: Being trustworthy is one thing, but being able to protect my son is another. Guard Echte, train Lucia well. I have very high requirements for members of the Shadow Squad; after all, I cant entrust my son to a guard who doesnt meet the requirements. As for whether she will survive or not, let us pray for her.


    Vyvyan made herself very clear. Echte also understood what she meant. What she meant was that if Lucia wanted to be a member of the Shadow Squad, shed have to undergo stricter training than others. Put another way, Vyvyan didnt outright reject Lucia, but if she wanted to be with Troy, then shed have to pay the price. If Lucia wanted to marry Troy, then she had to ept the challenge.


    He gritted his teeth and looked at Vyvyan. In a soft voice, he responded, I will, Your Highness. If Lucia wants to be a member of the Shadow Squad, then I will definitely assist her.


    I look forward to seeing her determination and abilities, then.


    Vyvyan revealed a faint smile. The smile actually contained a hint of mockery. She didnt believe for a second that Lucia could withstand the Shadow Squads training. Hence why she didnt hesitate or worry. Love may be great, but if Lucia couldnt physically bear it, then it was meaningless.