If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight Chapter 60

✦

There are times when you have to take an attack head-on, even if you could easily avoid it, like when dodging would mean that the blade would strike the person behind you. The situation unfolding before Regen’s eyes right now was no different.

 

“This is a glass sent by Princess Silver Bird to Sir Heinz as a gesture of reconciliation.”

 

“This is a glass sent by Princess New Moon to Sir Regen as a gesture of reconciliation.”

 

Two crystal glasses, each filled with a radiant, beautiful liquid. Drinks were handed to Regen and Heinz, each in the name of the opposing princess.

 

There was no way Sasha, who had driven Gwendellin out of her heart, would seek reconciliation. And even if she was acting as a representative in the competition, there was no way she would ask a knight to handle the reconciliation for her. Moreover, the timing of the two glasses arriving simultaneously, just as Regen and Heinz were drawing the attention of the nobles, was far too convenient to be a coincidence. This was a forced scenario, one that could only occur on a stage meticulously crafted by someone behind the scenes.

 

“For the harmony of the two princesses, their personal knights should empty their glasses right away.”

 

The bribed servant urged them.

 

Heinz, without a second thought, followed the order. One glass was emptied clean, and now it was Regen’s turn.

 

Regen stared intently at the glass the servant held up on the tray. Several gazes followed him.

 

“Sir Regen, is something the matter?”

 

“Sir Heinz has already emptied his glass…”

 

“Surely, you’re not planning to go against the will of the two princesses, are you?”

 

At least the person who spoke last must be a provocateur. They would do everything in their power to ensure Regen couldn’t escape the trap. Since summoning the princesses was out of the question, all this would do was buy some time.

 

Regen looked at the glass, disguised in a pretty color. What could be in it? Or perhaps, there was nothing in it at all, and the mere act of creating a scandal was the goal. He calculated each possibility.

 

The moment the best decision for Sasha emerged in his mind, Regen acted without hesitation. He picked up the glass and downed it in one go. As his throat bobbed, the harmful liquid spread through his body. Placing the empty crystal glass back on the tray with a sharp clink, Regen’s eyes locked onto Heinz with a piercing gaze.

 

“I won’t forget the favor of Princess New Moon.”

 

“…” Heinz could only lower his hand in silence.

 

Soon, the hydrangea garden grew noisy.

 

“Glory everlasting to the reign of the Great Emperor! Pay your respects to Your Majesty, the Great Emperor of the Magnarod Empire!”

 

Emperor Axellion had arrived at the picnic grounds. Surrounded by knights guarding him like an impenetrable fortress, he truly resembled a walking citadel. And the gatekeeper of that fortress was none other than Dominic Mizekal.

 

The princesses, still isolated in the pavilion, paid their respects from afar. To Regen’s eyes, the pavilion looked less like a special seat and more like a prison for hostages.

 

“Begin at once.”

 

At this stern command, the emperor’s jester, Marquis Osbond, stepped up to the platform that had been set up like a stage.

 

“I will now explain the rules of the second succession competition. The name of this contest is ‘Knight Derby.’”

 

The very name sounded inhumane.

 

“The rules are simple. The seven personal knights will start from the hydrangea garden, pass through several other gardens, and return here along the track. The rankings will be determined by the order of arrival at the finish line.”

 

“…”

 

“Just like the previous ‘Favor Vote,’ the ‘Knight Derby’ will also reward the top three participants, while the bottom three will face punishments. As you know, the punishment for the last place is quite severe, so I recommend you do your best.”

 

“…”

 

“Additionally, this competition will serve as a test to determine whether the personal knights are qualified to assist their princesses. Soldiers will ambush you at various points, and the imperial knights will act as gatekeepers in each garden, so be extra cautious. Magic use is prohibited; make sure you don’t get disqualified.”

 

Unlike the personal knights who start unarmed, the attackers will already have their swords. It was an unfair fight, and there might be injuries or even deaths.

 

“To add to the excitement for the spectators, the personal knights will be referred to by numbers instead of their names. We will now draw lots to assign the numbers. Personal knights, please step up to the platform.”

 

The personal knights each pulled a metal rod from a velvet pouch. Regen’s number was 3. During this competition, he would simply be called ‘Horse number 3’, a dehumanizing title.

 

Regen quickly rolled his eyes to memorize the numbers drawn by the other knights. Just a moment of focus was enough to make him break out in a cold sweat.

 

“Regenhart, are you okay?”

 

“…”

 

Kilieon’s blunt tone carried a hint of concern.

 

Regen steadied himself and stood at the starting line.

 

“Before we begin the Knight Derby, let’s have a brief traditional event.”

 

At Marquis Osbond’s words, seven princesses approached the starting line from the pavilion.

 

“It’s a long-standing tradition for a lady to give a small token and wish good fortune to the knight risking their lives in the competition. Princesses and personal knights, please exchange farewells.”

 

The princesses stood before their respective personal knights. The way they say farewell to each other reveals their personalities and relationships.

 

The youngest, Princess Shumel, struggled to hold back her sniffles as she untied one of the twin braids of her hair. A yellow ribbon was tied around the wrist of her personal knight, Ciel. “Promise me. That you’ll return safely to Shushu.”

 

“I promise. But you have to promise me too, Your Highness. Promise you’ll wait for me bravely.”

 

“I’ll try.”

 

Orlette removed the brooch she used to fasten her shawl and pinned it onto Noah. Noah grabbed her hand and rubbed his cheek against it playfully.

 

“Your Highness, you mustn’t forget me. Remember me, okay?”

 

“…What kind of ominous talk is that?”

 

“I might not make it back alive… but if I can live forever in Your Highness’s heart…”

 

“Shut up! If you die, I will never forgive you.”

 

“Sniff!”

 

“I-I spoke too harshly. Don’t cry, okay?”

 

Nanaen and Kilieon faced each other with sullen expressions. As Nanaen hesitated for a long time, unsure whether to give him the clumsily embroidered handkerchief, Kilieon snatched it and stuffed it into his pocket.

 

“Anything you want to say?”

 

“Don’t push yourself too hard to win. Second or third place suits you better.”

 

“Is that supposed to be encouragement?”

 

“Can’t you at least speak respectfully at a time like this? I’m the Princess Golden Deer!”

 

“Then act like one.”

 

“Ugh… I’ll let it slide because it’s the competition day.”

 

“Yeah, save it for tonight and throw your tantrum then.”

 

“…Fine. So make sure you come back.”

 

Vivian and Lilliana also gave small ornaments to their knights as they exchanged farewells. Though they lacked the intimacy of the previous princesses, their exchanged farewells were sincere, born from the shared destiny.

 

Gwendellin tied a ribbon around Heinz’s arm and whispered secretly. “Don’t worry. I’ve taken care of everything.”

 

“…Did you do something?”

 

“Shh. Just trust me and don’t think about it. Sir Heinz, just do what you can.”

 

“…”

 

The knight’s ash-blue eyes wavered. Even though he had resolved to abandon his ego and become a slave, the remnants of his knightly honor, not yet extinguished, would occasionally twitch as if in rebellion. All because of Gwendellin.

 

Meanwhile, Sasha stood before Regen.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

The moment Regen saw Sasha’s face, dozens of emotions and thoughts surged in his mind, but none managed to form into words and instead sank back down. There was no time to waste. He had to convey only the information Sasha could use for the future.

 

Just then, Sasha stepped closer, standing right in front of him. It was the perfect distance for a whisper.

 

“Sasha, Princess New Moon is—”

 

But Regen couldn’t finish the sentence. Because Sasha had pulled him into a tight embrace and kissed him.