If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight Chapter 103

“Because you did not wish to reveal your identity.”

 

I thought that while sorrow could be shared, humiliation could not, especially for someone who lived in honor. If others learned that he had survived as a defeated nation’s prince, the very act of living would become a disgrace. At the very least, I wanted him to be able to breathe freely.

 

“So while searching for a reason that would make sense for why I chose you… that came to mind. I remembered you once saying you had a younger sister about my age.”

 

“I see. So you did not particularly think of your older brother when you looked at me.”

 

“I barely knew the princes beyond their names and faces. I’m sorry for deceiving you.”

 

“You intended to be considerate of me, did you not? That is nothing to apologize for.”

 

Encouraged by Regen’s ready acceptance, Sasha spoke cautiously. “I’m sorry about something else too.”

 

“Something else?”

 

“I don’t really know what siblings are supposed to be like. If I behaved in ways that were disrespectful to you, I apologize.”

 

“…”

 

At her words, Regen reflected on himself. He did not believe he was in a position to accept an apology. In this matter, he had truly deceived Sasha. Had he not crossed the line many times under the pretext of playing the older brother’s role?

 

“Um…”

 

“Regen?”

 

“I believe I am the one who should apologize.”

 

“What?”

 

Meeting those clear light sky-blue eyes made his conscience prick belatedly. Doing his best to sound calm, Regen confessed his fault. “Don’t you remember? The only thing Sasha ever asked of me was that I call you by a nickname when we’re alone.”

 

“Huh?”

 

“Feeding you, tying your ribbons, helping you into your shoes, those were all things I took upon myself without being asked. If that was improper, then it is I who should apologize.”

 

“Ah…” Only now did realization dawn on her.

 

How would the princess react upon realizing such boundary-crossing familiarity? Regen watched her lips tensely.

 

“Not really.”

 

“…”

 

“It wasn’t… improper.” Having sorted out the facts, Sasha admitted her honest feelings despite her confusion.

 

A strange light flashed in Regen’s golden eyes, and warmth rushed to Sasha’s cheeks. But it was too early for him to rejoice at being forgiven.

 

“Then there’s something I’m curious about.”

 

“Ask.”

 

“Why… did you do it?”

 

“…”

 

“You said siblings don’t do that. So why?”

 

“…”

 

Within the light sky-blue eyes staring straight at him swirled many emotions. They trembled with anticipation and fear, fragile like glass that could shatter at any moment.

 

“By any chance, were you teasing me…?”

 

“No.”

 

“Then was it because of the imprint? To suit my feelings?”

 

Regen chose his words carefully so as not to fracture her gaze. “I do not know whether it was because of the imprint or not. I only know that I wanted to do it.”

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

As always, the imprint remained an unresolved flaw, keeping the two of them in place. Fortunately, his answer did not seem to completely disappoint Sasha.

 

“I see. Alright.”

 

That was enough for her. A matter without a clear answer was set aside for now.

 

“Your Highness.” Regen’s formal tone refreshed the atmosphere. When Sasha lifted her eyes, he took one of her hands and drew it toward him with utmost courtesy and sincerity. Kissing the elegant knuckles, he said, “I, Regenhart Lohengrin, will continue without change to serve you with unwavering loyalty and reverence. Use me without hesitation when you need me. I will become a sword that never breaks.”

 

A vow sworn in a hero’s name felt all the more noble. Suppressing the flutter and ache in her chest, Sasha replied, “Thank you. I promise to wield the sword that is you with honor.”

 

“It is my honor.”

 

Regen smiled splendidly after kissing the back of her hand once more.

 

“Sasha.” The intimate call closed the distance between them again as he confessed his feelings. “Perhaps because it is you. Though my identity has been discovered, I feel no worry, only happiness.”

 

“Happiness?”

 

“Yes. I thought I had been chosen because I resembled your older brother, but now I know that Sasha recognized my worth from the beginning and took me in as your knight.”

 

Though there was a hint of jest, Sasha’s expression grew gravely serious. “Recognized your worth? That’s a misunderstanding.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Worth doesn’t matter. Even if there had been no way to heal your mana core, I would still have chosen you.”

 

“…”

 

In that instant, Regen’s heart thundered. He had lived a life proven by strength, fulfilling duty and responsibility through overwhelming power, earning the love of the people as the third prince of Lohengrin. No kindness had ever come without expectation. Need and affection had always been exchanged in equal measure. Yet now, a single exception exists. Someone who should have coveted the strongest knight was saying that even a broken-winged dragonfly of a man like him was enough.

 

Regen’s heart pounded as if it would shatter his ribs. Meanwhile, the princess who caused it all asked innocently, “Why are you like that? Did I say something strange?”

 

“…”

 

“Ah, don’t tell me you’re thinking something weird? I meant it as a knight. A knight. I never once thought of making you attend me at night like the mad emperor said, so don’t misunderstand.”

 

Only then did Regen come to his senses.

 

“…So the mad emperor said such a thing. I suppose I should be grateful I’m at least useful.”

 

“I said I didn’t think that way.”

 

Seeing the princess’s face redden like an apple, Regen swallowed a bitter smile. Of course she hadn’t. Those improper thoughts belonged to him alone.

 

“Yes. I know. More importantly, Sasha.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“May I kiss you?”

 

“What? Ah, yes.”

 

It was an abrupt request, but so familiar that Sasha nodded at once. Though asked purely from desire rather than treatment, she closed her eyes without hesitation and accepted him. Regen felt anew how blessed his position was, to be able to take this woman’s lips so freely. Though he did not know how long he would be content with only this.

 

Their lips met. Wet, lingering sounds and faint breaths filled the bedroom air for a long while.

 

✦

After that honest conversation with Regen, I mentally braced myself. I expected that the kindness he had casually shown under the guise of playing siblings would now be withdrawn. No more feeding me, no more adjusting my clothes. Those things would surely end.

 

I thought we would maintain a more formal relationship, and as if preparing for it, I sat straighter than usual, sipping my tea with perfect posture. Yet when I blinked, a financier pastry was suddenly held up to my mouth.

 

“Regen?”

 

“Is there a problem?”

 

A fierce inner conflict erupted. The part of me seeking truth wanted to say, ‘Didn’t you say siblings don’t do this?’ But my desire-filled heart urged, ‘There’s no problem at all’.

 

In the end, I kept a neutral silence, and Regen kindly supplied words in my favor. “Have you forgotten? I swore as a knight that I would ‘continue without change’ to serve you with loyalty and reverence. And Sasha accepted.”

 

“…”

 

So that phrase applied literally to daily life too.

 

“Please eat the financier.”

 

“Yes.” I obediently took a bite. The fact that I didn’t have to speak while eating was truly convenient.

 

From the moment it was tacitly allowed, everything returned to how it had been before. Only now, with the pretense of sibling play gone, did I find myself wondering what justification this behavior rested upon.

 

Why did Regen want to do these things? Did it mean he saw me as a woman, even a little? Maybe Regen also… Ah, there I go again, expecting things on my own.

 

To break free from the illusion, I recalled the many scandals that had circulated among the imperial family in the separate palace, especially the princes. How many of them had embarrassed themselves by mistaking courtesy from maids as affection and making advances? The other party had only been currying favor with someone in power, yet the princes imagined it was an attraction, and thus made fools of themselves. I absolutely did not want to fall to the same level as them.