If You Take the Enemy Prince as Your Knight Chapter 84

The mad emperor explained to the shocked princesses.

 

“Take a good look, my daughters. This is what happens when the imprint of a personal knight is broken. They lose their reason and go berserk. At the same time, their true feelings, long suppressed under loyalty and reverence, burst forth.”

 

“…”

 

“In my experience, nine times out of ten, they reveal killing intent. This is why I recommend breaking a personal knight’s imprint by killing them.”

 

“…”

 

None of the princesses could respond. The shock of Dominic, known as the mad emperor’s first sword, showing murderous intent toward the mad emperor, was not something they could easily recover from.

 

“Lilliana, it’s your turn now.”

 

“Yo-Your Majesty.”

 

It was not easy to maintain the will to challenge after witnessing the series of events. Especially since Dominic now was no different from a beast consumed solely by murderous intent. The fear that she might die if she got too close made Lilliana step back.

 

“I-I can’t do it. I can’t. Please forgive me!”

“Oh my.” As if he had never expected much to begin with, the mad emperor quickly shifted his interest elsewhere. “Come to think of it.” His gaze landed on Sasha. “Sasha, isn’t today your birthday?”

 

“…I am deeply honored that Your Majesty remembers.”

 

“How about it? As a birthday gift, why not take Dominic with you?”

 

“I have Sir Regen by my side.”

 

“Since it’s your birthday, I’ll allow you to take Dominic as an extra.”

 

“…”

 

Even Sasha couldn’t immediately refuse this offer. Having two personal knights meant that even if she ranked last in the competition, she could still survive.

 

Sasha. Regen was well aware of that fact too. However, while his mind understood it, his heart couldn’t come to terms with it.

 

“Isn’t it better to have more knights?”

 

Everyone was startled by the voice that broke the silence. It was Dominic, speaking from where he was crushed beneath the emperor’s feet.

 

“Hoo, you’ve already regained your senses.”

 

“Yes, your Majesty. I deeply apologize if I dared commit an act of discourtesy.”

 

“It’s fine. I’m a magnanimous emperor. I shall forgive you generously.”

 

“I am deeply grateful. Eternal glory to the reign of the Great Emperor.”

 

The arrogant tyrant, sitting on the throne with his legs crossed, and the knight, subdued so low that his cheek nearly touched the floor, exchanged words. From the forced smiles to the contrived lines, everything resembled a farcical play.

 

“Your Majesty.” Sasha’s voice echoed through the audience chamber. She finally spoke the words she should have said earlier, albeit a bit late. “I am not capable enough to handle even Sir Dominic. Please, Your Majesty, allow me to return your sword.”

 

Dominic’s face twisted in utter despair, but Sasha didn’t see it. Only the mad emperor found amusement in the situation.

 

“I suppose it can’t be helped. Dominic, you’ll have to pledge your loyalty to me once again.”

 

“…Yes, Your Majesty. Gladly.”

 

Still prostrate on the floor, gazing up at the throne, Dominic was being imprinted once again by the emperor.

 

“Such a shame there’s no fresh change. Perhaps your thoughts will shift after more competitions.”

 

With a hint that there would be another chance to replace the personal knight in the future, the mad emperor concluded the audience.

 

✦

The expressions of the sisters leaving the audience chamber were grim. The shock of what they had seen and heard inside would take time to subside, so everyone parted ways hastily, barely exchanging greetings. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that all of us princesses, myself included, had our minds entirely preoccupied with our personal knights.

 

The mad emperor’s words about the true feelings buried under loyalty and reverence had struck a deep chord. I had known it already, yet I was reminded anew.

 

The relationship between a princess and her personal knight was neither natural nor normal. The affection, kindness, and courtesy a personal knight offered weren’t genuine feelings, but beautiful fabrications created under the control of the imprint.

 

I tried to apply this understanding to Regen, who was walking beside me now. My chest ached, and I had to lower my gaze to the ground. All this time, I had been sincere. But was I the only one who was sincere?

 

“Sasha.”

 

Before I realized it, I had stopped walking. I quickly made an excuse before Regen could find it strange.

 

“It’s nothing, really.”

 

I even wished someone would cut this one-sided love out of me. Then I could return to being the indifferent, cold princess I used to be, and find peace of mind. But Regen didn’t even give me the chance to imagine such an escape.

 

“Nothing, you say? You’ve seen something distressing. You don’t have to pretend you’re fine.”

 

“…”

 

Today, Regen’s voice sounded unusually gentle. I hoped that at least the concern woven into it was genuine.

 

Lowering my head slightly, I answered softly. “Yes…”

 

“Are you crying?”

 

“What are you talking about?” I snapped my head up, frowning.

 

“Finally, you’re looking me in the eyes.”

 

“…”

 

The faint smile he sent my way made my heart race. It felt ridiculous to have wished for my one-sided love to end just moments ago. Even if I hadn’t loved him before, I would have fallen for him at this very moment.

 

What was the point of resisting? I decided to let it all go. After all, the man standing before me was my knight, and he was mine. I would make my demand shamelessly.

 

“Fine, I’m feeling down. Comfort me gently.”

 

The garden was quiet and deserted. The lush roses were in full bloom, filling my view. If only he would kiss me as passionately as those crimson roses looked. But Regen simply gazed at me with his clear golden eyes. Normally, he would have grabbed my wrist and led me to a secluded spot without hesitation, but the calm atmosphere today felt strange.

 

“Before that, I should ask why you’re feeling down.”

 

“Does the reason matter?”

 

“It matters to me. A lot.”

 

“Why?”

 

“If you need comfort because you couldn’t take Dominic as your personal knight, I don’t think I can comfort you gently.”

 

“…”

 

That was something I had never even considered, and it startled me. But there was something else that caught my attention more.

 

“You can’t do it gently?”

 

“…Should I take that as confirmation that my assumption is correct?” Regen’s voice seemed to drop to an unsettlingly low tone.

 

“No, absolutely not. I could swear on the Bridge of Oath.”

 

“That’s a relief.”

 

Today, Regen’s mood swings were unusually dramatic. With a softened expression, he cupped my chin as if to hold it. The moment whatever had been bothering him disappeared, his face moved closer as if he’d been waiting for it. But a kiss wasn’t what mattered to me right now.

 

“You can’t do it gently? Is that really possible?”

 

“…Why are you so fixated on that part?”

 

“Because it’s important to me. Very.”

 

I knew that Regen disliked the idea of me taking another knight. But even so, the imprint would compel him to treat me with kindness, tenderness, and respect. That was the demeanor a knight, bound by loyalty and reverence, was supposed to show. But saying he couldn’t be gentle felt like outright defiance of the imprint.

 

In the end, I demanded from him. “Try it.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Comfort me without being gentle.”

 

“…Are you perhaps drunk?”

 

“You’re being rude.”

 

“My apologies.” Regen moved the hand that had been cupping my cheek to my forehead. His touch, carefully tidying my bangs, was as gentle as a soft breeze. “It’s impossible. Right now, all I can think about is being gentle to you, Sasha.”

 

“Because of the imprint?” My voice, as I asked back, couldn’t hide the disappointment. Not wanting to show him my expression, I quickly turned away.

 

That’s when I felt arms wrapping around me from behind. A deep, cavernous voice resonated in my ears.

 

“Perhaps.”

 

Thinking it was an affirmation, I tried to loosen his arms and slip away, but he wouldn’t let go. Trapped in his embrace, I had no choice but to listen to what he said next.

 

“Or perhaps not.”

 

“…!”

 

A soft sensation touched the back of my neck. A shiver ran through me, though I couldn’t tell if it was from fear or something else. For a moment, I forgot to breathe.