“Oh?”

“Nads!” Only that word and I immediately recognized who it was before they could even appear in front of me.

My eyes then collided with a familiar pair of green ones.

“Eon! Why are you here?”

He pouted his mouth, looking aggrieved as they strolled in.

“Come on, that’s the first thing you say after seeing me? So heartless!”

“No, aren’t you supposed to be busy?” I wasn’t perturbed by his whining at all, I’m used to it anyway.

He puffed his chest, “I am not. The captain has ordered me to guard you,” and then grinned mischievously before flopping himself on the sofa which Lukas vacated.

Just with that smile alone, I already caught on to his lie.

“Really?”

He’s such a bad liar.

“No. Tch,” his frown deepened, “Why are you so perceptive.”

“Because you are the vice-captain. Nathan won’t order you to do that,” I snickered.

Really. When the captain is busy with other matters, the vice-captain’s duty is to look after the rest of the knights and preside over the training and other stuff. I’m not a knight but I do know this much. He can’t fool me.

I then noticed that there was another person with him. It was a lady but what caught my attention was that she was wearing a knight uniform.

“This is?” I asked Eon.

Eon seemed like he just remembered that he was with someone. Look at this guy…

“Oh, this is Evelyn,” he then pursed his lips, acting like a big baby, “She was tasked to guard you.”

He truly looked like he was resentful that it was not him that was ordered to be my guard. Even clicking his tongue as he introduced the lady knight to me. The lady knight seemed like she was used to Eon’s whining as well, brushing his grumbling off.

“Ohh,” I hummed and then smiled at her, “Nice to meet you.”

A lady knight! That’s awesome~

Evelyn nodded in return and did not say anything else, nor did she do something. She just stood there at the side, as stalwart as a knight should.

“I heard that you were attacked on the way here, are you alright? You’re not injured, right?” Eon then wiped off his earlier expression and turned more serious this time, a genuine concern in his voice.

“I’m totally fine, thank you for your concern,” I replied.

His face scrunched in annoyance, “Those bastards are really relentless! See what I do if I ever meet them, I will not spare a single one of them at all,” he said through gritted teeth.

One of my brows lifted, “How would you fight them? They are magicians.”

He glanced at me with an obvious frown.

“You don’t have faith in me?”

“I’m saying that you can’t possibly fight against a magician,” I pointed out.

Eon immediately snorted, showing his derision.

“Magicians or not, I still won’t hesitate! They are just a bunch of clowns that have the sparklies but that’s it.”

I blinked at him.

“Sparklies? Seriously?”

Sparklies… What a unique term for calling magic. Although it is quite true in a sense— magic spells are really sparkly and flashy.

The corner of his mouth lifted into a grin, “That’s why you don’t have to be scared. We will protect you while you’re in the palace.”

“I know…” 

And that’s why I am so thankful for these people. 

Eon stared at my face for a moment, his eyes unreadable. He then let out a sigh, shook his head twice, and then regarded me again.

“You must be tired, go and rest early. I will accompany you tomorrow if you want to walk around,” he said.

“Are you sure that’s alright?” 

Doesn’t he have any duty?

“I will come, okay? That’s a promise,” he avowed.

Shaking my head, “Fine, fine… You slacker. If Nathan hears you, see if you’ll be able to do it.”

Eon snorted, “Tch, so what if he’s here? He can’t stop me!” He then glanced at me rather warily, destroying his bravery earlier, “But don’t tell anything to the captain, okay?”

I couldn’t help but stifle my smile. He’s still the same old Eon who is scared of my brother but does not admit it.

“Go, already.”

Eon stood up from the couch but was still a bit reluctant to leave.

“Hey, don’t tell the captain about what I promised. Nads!” He repeated.

“I won’t, shoo,” and gestured with my hand.

He pouted in return then finally left. After he was gone, Evelyn remained, steadily standing at the side, as silent as a mouse.

I took the time to fully look at her. Her long black hair was tied into a high ponytail behind her head, swaying with her every move. She must be as tall as Gwen if compared side by side but even so, she does not appear small at all. Her skin is fair and honeyed, probably because of the training under the sun. She’s beautiful, but not the type that is delicate, but heroic, which gives an illusion that she could snatch a woman’s heart if she wants to.

“A female knight. This is the first time I’ve seen one.”

My gaze and my comment must have been too intense which made her react.

“I am newly appointed but I will assure the lady that I will do my job well,” she assured.

“Oh– I don’t mean to offend. I’m just surprised because a lady knight is uncommon,” I explained.

Especially in the empire. After all, it is widely presumed that a knight is a man’s job so seeing a woman is rare and refreshing. If not, there is a possibility that I would have also joined the knights but my interest does not lie there so…

“I understand, my lady,” she replied. 

“Then I will be in your care from now on,” I uttered with a warm smile on my face.

With my clarification and obvious acceptance, there was an apparent shift in her overall mood. She does not seem rigid now and had gradually gotten more relaxed than before.. My words must have assured her.