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nBRIGITTE, who was standing on the balcony of the king's palace while overlooking the mess the empire's force had created, thought the Paladins were scary. She had forgotten about how terrifying the Paladins could be because Glenn was such a sweetheart.

nShe once heard that each of Emperor Nikolai de Moonasterio's Paladin was worth hundreds of above-average knights, but she thought it was an exaggeration.

nNot until she witnessed how four of His Majesty's Paladins apprehended the hundreds of royal knights in the palace. The knights of the Hazelden Kingdom weren't as strong as the Paladins, but they were certainly not weak.

nI can't believe it only took four Paladins, where one is even heavily injured, to take over the palace.

nAh, of course, Prince Nero's personal knights were also impressive.

nThey destroyed the queen's palace, the Crown Prince's palace, and my younger sisters' palace. The only palaces they left alone were the king's palace, and mine.

nThankfully, the empire's force didn't hurt or kill anyone.

nNot yet, at least.

nKing Landon, Queen Emma, Prince Blake, Princess Beatrice, and Princess Barbara were all locked up in the main palace.

n

"Princess Brigitte.

"

nBrigitte turned around and smiled when she saw Glenn.

"Are you alright, Glenn?

" she asked worriedly. Then she looked at him from head to toe to check on his injuries. There was dried blood all over her lover, but it seemed like his wounds had been treated properly.

"My stupid brother really messed you up.

"

n

"I'm fine, Princess Brigitte,

" Glenn assured her with the usual gentle smile on his face.

"Moreover, I only let Prince Blake beat me to a pulp because I need him to be occupied. Otherwise, he would have noticed that the basement prison has changed.

"

nShe let out a frustrated sigh.

"That's why I told you to just escape and return to the empire when we got our hands on the documents. But no, you just had to be stubborn.

"

nHe chuckled at her complaint.

"Had I left, you would have been punished by your family.

" He extended his hands to her.

"May I hold your hands, Princess Brigitte?

"

nShe smiled and nodded, then she held Glenn's hands.

nAs expected, he blushed immediately.

nAww, my puppy is so adorable!

n

"Glenn, I'm sorry for sounding like I was blaming you for what happened. I was wrong, I'm sorry,

" she said when she realized she was victim-blaming her lover earlier.

"I lose my mind when I'm worried about you.

"

n

"It's alright, Princess Brigitte. I know you weren't blaming me,

" he said gently.

"I should be the one apologizing for making you worry.

" He raised her hands near his lips. Then he placed a light kiss on her knuckles.

"I'm sorry.

"

nShe laughed softly when Glenn's ears turned red, too.

"You were the one who kissed my hands, so why are you the one who's as red as a tomato?

"

n

"I can't help it,

" he said, still blushing.

"Princess Brigitte, your hands are soft... Your skin is smooth... You smell nice...

" He avoided her gaze and whispered the next words he uttered.

"Everything about you makes me want to devour you…

"

nIt was her turn to blush.

nThe duality of this man…

nOne second, he was acting like a harmless puppy. The next, he was acting like a wolf who was ready to jump her bones.

nI love both, though.

n

"Then why haven't you officially proposed to me yet, Glenn?

"

nHe looked at her with a surprised look on his face, then he turned red even more.

"I w-will propose to you once everything has settled down, Princess Brigitte.

"

n

"Good. I'm looking forward to your proposal,

" she said with a big smile on her face.

"For now, let's both work hard.

"

nHe smiled shyly and nodded.

"The nobles you've summoned will be here any minute, Princess Brigitte. How should we proceed? Prince Nero told us Princess Brigitte is in charge while he's away.

"

nShe was honored and grateful for the trust Prince Nero put in her.

nBecause of that, she promised herself she wouldn't disappoint him.

n

"I've received orders from Prince Nero before His Royal Highness left for Valmento,

" she said.

"First, I'll make an announcement for our citizens. Then I'll have a talk with the nobles.

" She squeezed Glenn's hands again.

"I have to make them succumb to me with my own power.

"

n

"I'm sure you can do it, Princess Brigitte,

" he encouraged her.

"Prince Nero trusts you as well.

"

nShe smiled and nodded.

"Thank you for being supportive, Glenn.

"

n

"You deserve the world, Princess Brigitte.

"

nHer heart skipped a beat.

nAh, I really love this man!

nBrigitte cupped Glenn's face between her hands, then she stood on her toes and closed her eyes as she pressed her lips against his.

nFor a moment, she thought her shy lover would pull away, but he didn't.

nGlenn actually snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. Then he deepened their kiss. Or kisses, if she must say.

n***

nNEOMA really thought her sturdy body would actually break when Henrik Benedict locked her in a bear hug.

nBut thankfully, it didn't happen.

nLewis, now in his adult form while his nine tails were out, grabbed Henrik Benedict by the neck and forcefully pulled the captain away from her.

nShe used that opportunity to punch Henrik Benedict in the face. When the captain loosened up his grip on her small frame, she was able to free herself from his death hug. After that, she jumped away from Henrik Benedict.

nWe got separated from the others.

nWhen Mochi appeared to teleport her along with Henrik Benedict and the other Holy Knights, Lewis grabbed the captain. And thus, her

"son

" was teleported along with them.

nAfter Lewis helped her get free from Henrik Benedict's death hug, she found herself leaning against the wall while Lewis, who had one knee on the ground, put his hands on either side of her head.

nOh, a kabedon.

nIt was just awkward because Lewis was in his adult form while she remained a child.

n

"Your Royal Highness.

"

nNeoma flinched when she realized Lewis looked upset.

"What?

"

n

"When you're in danger, don't ask me to get away from you,

" Lewis said through gritted her.

"You must call for my help.

"

n

"But I don't need help–

"

n

"Your Royal Highness.

"

nShe bit her lower lip to keep her mouth shut. It's not everyday Lewis cuts me off.

nWas that the reason her heartbeat suddenly went erratic?

nCrazy.

n

"I exist to protect you– not the other way around,

" he said, still visibly upset. His golden eyes were even glowing now.

"You don't need to protect me. Do you have any idea how I'd feel if you get hurt while protecting me, huh?

"

nOh.

nLewis was talking so rudely to her that if other people heard him use that tone on her, he would have been arrested on the spot for insulting a member of the royal family.

nBut I'm not offended.

nAfter all, she knew she was at fault. Thus, she understood why Lewis was upset with her.

nIn fact, that incident reminded her of what Ruto told her recently:

"A servant dying for his master is considered an honorable death. But Neoma, what do you think a servant would feel if his master died for him instead of the other way around?

"

nThis was who she was, probably.

nI'd rather sacrifice myself than let my precious people die for me.

n

"Don't relieve me of my purpose,

" Lewis said in a voice filled with pain.

"Let me protect you, Princess Neoma.

"

nHe said her name in a whisper to protect her identity from the Holy Knights around them.

nOh, right. We're not alone.

n

"Okay, I get it,

" Neoma said, then she gently patted Lewis's shoulder. She wanted to pat him on the head, but he didn't like skin-to-skin contact. So she touched him on his shoulder, covered by his knight's uniform.

"I'm sorry–

"

n

"I will train you.

"

n

"Excuse me?

"

n

"I will train you until you learn how to yell for MY help,

" Lewis said firmly, his glowing golden eyes filled with determination.

"Is that clear?

"

nShe was so surprised by his demanding tone that she found herself nodding and speaking politely to him.

"Yes, sir.

"

nHe looked surprised by the tone she used, then he laughed softly.

n

"Very well,

" Lewis said with a faint smile on his face, then he gently patted her head. But his palm barely touched the top of her head.

"Princess Neoma is a good girl.

"

n???

nNeoma didn't like that Lewis suddenly made her feel weird emotions, so she just gave him a headbutt.

n

"Ouch!

"

n***

nNEOMA had calmed down after giving Lewis a headbutt.

nNow, she was standing with her arms crossed over her chest while observing her surroundings.

nMochi had teleporter her and Lewis, along with Henrik Benedict and the other Holy Knights, in what seemed like the knights' indoor training area. It was spacious, and there was an alley of weapons displayed on the wall.

nThey're not attacking us.

nHenrik Benedict and the other Holy Knights were standing on the opposite side of the training area. They were walking aimlessly like zombies, but they seemed to be avoiding her direction.

nArgh, gross.

nThe gross thing she was referring to was the fact that each of the Holy Knight was walking with his head down while throwing up a thick black liquid from his mouth. And since the room was closed, the sound of them vomiting filled the space.

n

"Darkness,

" Neoma said, then she turned to Lewis, who was standing next to her.

"That black liquid is similar to the Darkness attribute.

"

nLewis, who was now back in his normal physique, nodded in agreement. His tails were no longer out, but she could tell his guard was still up.

"It feels similar to Lady Hanna's shadows.

"

nRight.

nThe Quinzels' Shadow Manipulation Technique came from the Darkness attribute.

n

"I can feel the same energy swallowing up the whole temple,

" she said while looking up at the high ceiling.

"The Darkness is so thick and strong that it will be visible even to the naked eyes, right?

"

n

"Yes, Your Royal Highness,

" he said, speaking politely to her again.

"Should we get out of here first?

"

n

"I need to purify it,

" she declared, then she turned to Lewis.

"Darkness is not inherently evil because the darkness is also a part of nature. But this Darkness is full of malice. It's like it's begging me to purify it.

"

nLewis tilted his head to one side.

"But does Your Royal Highness know how to purify Darkness filled with malice?

"

n

"No, I don't,

" Neoma declared boldly, then she snapped her fingers.

"Mochi, come out and teach me how.

"

n***

nHi. You may now send GIFTs to our Neoma. Thank you~

n***

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