A heavy silence fell, as if the air itself had been cut.

…Maybe I chose the wrong words.

Bella straightened her back. She clear her throat.

Then, calmly—

“From today, Leo will be my knight.”

“…What?”

Emily’s voice trembled with shock.

“Your Highness, you lost consciousness because of him.”

Duke Vale’s said.

That…

She lowered her gaze for a brief moment—then lifted it again, unwavering.

“He didn’t do it intentionally. He saved me.”

A pause.

“And besides… he’s my friend. There is no way he would harm me.”

The nobles exchanged uneasy glances.

“And about his magic—”

She took a step forward.

Her voice turned resolute.

“I, Bellatrix Ambashiro, swear this—”

“If he causes harm to anyone, I will take full responsibility.”

“…!”

The room fell into silence once more.

Bella lifted her chin proudly—

Then glanced at her father.

Who doesn't say a word all this time.

His face… was completely expressionless.

What’s with that look…?

Kevin only stared at her.

Without emotion.

…Did I say something wrong?

*****

“Because of that boy, the princess was hurt.”

“He’ll definitely be punished now.”

“Yeah. The princess must realize how dangerous he is.”

“He won’t be her ‘friend’ anymore.”

The guards whispered among themselves.

Beyond the iron bars—

Leo sat alone in the dark prison cell.

After the incident, he had been thrown here without hesitation.

“I told you.”

A voice echoed inside his head.

“No one wants you. They want you gone from this world.”

“No one cares whether you live or die.”

“You should just obey me.”

Leo grabbed his head, irritation flashing across his face.

“…Shut up.”

“I don’t want to hear you right now.”

But more than the voice—

Something else bothered him.

The thought of her.

…Bella.

Why did it feel so unpleasant?

He came here to kill the emperor.

That was the mission the voice had given him.

He had tried.

Again and again.

But every time—

He remembered her.

The way she loved her family.

The way she smiled with her family.

How can I...

“I don’t want to see you…”

“…P-please, go away.”

Just imagining her reaction made his chest tighten.

“Ugh—!”

No.

He had to accept it.

He had seen that look before.

Hatred, disgust from countless people.

It’s nothing new.

“…Princess?”

The guards suddenly stiffened.

“What—?!”

Leo’s eyes widened.

Why is she here?

Their gazes met but he quickly turned his head away.

She came to say she hates me…

…It’s fine.

The prison door opened.

Bella stepped inside.

The guards followed behind her

She stopped in front of him.

For a moment—

Silence.

Then—

With a gentle smile,

She extended her hand.

“Will you become my knight?”