"Yes."
A silence fell. Sigrid felt cold sweat running down her back.
'What if he suddenly says he knows everything? What if he knows I'm trying to join as a spy...?'
After a moment of terror, during which she feared immediate arrest, the Emperor spoke quietly.
"I, too, thought it was a waste to keep someone of your talent on tasks like guarding the Third Prince. The Empress has urged me several times as well. Stand up."
As Sigrid rose, the Emperor smiled slightly and patted her shoulder lightly.
"Welcome to the Imperial Guard, Alita."
At the Emperor's call, Alita, who had been standing nearby, stepped forward. Sigrid looked at her former colleague from the 1st Imperial Guard.
"Take Sigrid with you. Alita will explain everything well."
"I'm honored."
"This way."
Alita gestured with his head. Sigrid carefully bowed to the Emperor and followed Alita out. Wearing the jet-black uniform of the Achtschwietz, he stopped after walking a short distance.
"I didn't expect you to come here too."
At his words, Sigrid shrugged. He chuckled and turned his gaze forward.
"Well, I suppose it's better than cleaning up after the Third Prince."
"He wasn't a bad person."
At Sigrid's words, Alita said, "That's quite different from what I've heard," and continued walking.
"The Imperial Guard doesn't have an exact structure yet. But you can think of it as similar to the regular guard. We stay in the main palace. As the Imperial Guard, we need to be close to His Majesty."
"I see."
"You'd better get rid of that navy blue uniform."
Alita glanced at the guard uniform she was wearing and said.
"We do provide the Imperial Guard uniform, but it might be better to alter it or have a new one made."
'An unexpected expense...'
She glanced down at her clothes.
'I liked this uniform.'
"And since you're a Master, you might become a squad leader right away."
"Squad leader?"
"Like the regular guard, we're organized into squads for now, not divisions, so squad leader."
"I see."
"Until then, I'll put you in a temporary squad. We've been getting new recruits lately."
"Understood."
"I'm a squad leader, so you should address me formally."
Standing in front of the door, Sigrid silently corrected her manner of speech.
"Understood, Squad Leader."
"Good."
Alita opened the door. Inside were people in black uniforms, and Sigrid thought they looked like a flock of crows. Soon, she found a familiar face.
"Sig?"
Morris, who had been sitting, stood up in surprise. Alita asked Sigrid, "Do you know each other?" and Sigrid nodded.
"Yes, I do."
"That's good. Lord Deforest, I'll put her in the temporary squad with you."
"Understood."
Morris nodded lightly. Alita said with a relieved expression:
"Then hear the details from him."
"Yes."
As Alita left the room, Morris turned to her with a puzzled look.
"What about the Imperial Guard?"
"What about you?"
"Huh? Sigrid?"
"Alkerto—!"
Alkerto, who had just entered the room, also looked surprised.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm joining the Imperial Guard starting today."
"Huh? You're quitting the regular guard? Why?"
"To do what I want to do."
Sigrid said, taking a deep breath. Alkerto still looked puzzled, and Morris's face darkened. Morris whispered softly:
"Because of the Third Prince's guard duty? You weren't forced to come, were you?"
Seeing his concern, Sigrid smiled.
"No, it's not like that. Do I look like someone who'd be forced to come?"
"No, I guess not."
Morris finally relaxed and smiled. Alkerto said with a sigh:
"So all three of us are in the same squad?"
"Is that how it is?"
"Yeah. We're the most recent recruits."
Alkerto grinned. Sigrid wasn't sure if this was a good thing or not. It would be convenient if she could get their cooperation, but she didn't want to involve them in this. She'd have to deceive them, which bothered her, being in the same squad.
'But...'
Should she tell them? If she spoke honestly and asked for help, they would surely assist her.
'Let's keep it a secret for now. That's the basic rule.'
Having decided, Sigrid turned her head to look around and asked:
"So, are there no specific orders for the Imperial Guard yet?"
"No, not yet. It's just the beginning..."
"I see."
Sigrid nodded.
"Then I'll change my clothes and go see the Third Prince first."
"What for?"
Morris frowned. Sigrid shrugged and said:
"I haven't received notice to quit yet, so for now... By the way, can you tell me where to get the uniform?"
Alkerto tapped Sigrid's shoulder.
"Ah, wait. I'm not sure if we have a size that fits you."
As he left the room again, Morris stared at Sigrid. When she smiled and asked "What?", Morris sighed and said:
"I was so worried when I heard you were sick. I was going to visit after hearing you recovered, but I've been busy here..."
"It's okay. It's good to see you now, isn't it?"
"Have you lost weight?"
As Morris stroked her cheek, Sigrid giggled and shook her head.
"No, not at all. I'm completely fine."
"That's good then."
"Thank you."
"Next time, be sure to tell me where you're going."
"Huh?"
When Sigrid opened her mouth in surprise, Morris made a strange face and then smiled, saying:
"I mean your vacation spot."
"Ah, I see. Yes, I'll tell you next time."
"Good."
Morris added, "You must." Just then, Alkerto came in and handed her a folded uniform, saying:
"Even the smallest size might not fit you. It might be better to have one made."
"Is that so?"
Sigrid unfolded the uniform slightly and nodded, "Ah."
"This would definitely look like I'm wearing someone else's clothes."
"I guess you'll have to wear your guard uniform for a while."
Alkerto said, "Can't be helped," and took the uniform back from her hands. Sigrid licked her lips, disappointed at missing a chance to save money, and let go of the uniform.
"Then I'll go see the Third Prince for now."
"Will you be okay?"
"It's fine. Besides, I promised I'd go back."
Sigrid smiled, and Morris nodded. He added:
"Let's go together when you're done."
"Alright. See you later."
"Sure."
Morris let Sigrid go. Alkerto watched her leave and asked:
"Aren't you going to confess or something when you meet her?"
"Alkerto."
"What's the big deal? It's just us."
At Alkerto's words, Morris blinked his amber eyes, sighed, and said:
"You're right."
"Aha, I knew it! You should definitely do it today. Siri's quite a beauty, you know. Someone else might snatch her up."
"I don't know."
When Morris spoke uncertainly, Alkerto slapped his back hard.
"Man up, you wimp."
"You try being in my shoes. You think confessing is easy?"
"What's so difficult about it? Even if Sigrid rejects you, she'd still be willing to be friends, right?"
At those words, Morris groaned and said:
"That's what makes it difficult."
"You're overthinking it. When all is said and done, you're still a noble's second son, and Sigrid and I are commoners, right? Of course, Sigrid's a Master, so she'll likely receive a title, but the same goes for you. Are you going to leave her like a flower on a cliff without even trying?"
"Okay, okay."
Morris raised both hands in surrender to Alkerto's pushing.
"I'll do it as soon as I can."
At his words, Alkerto narrowed his blue-green eyes in dissatisfaction, but it's not like he could confess on Morris's behalf, could he?
"Fine, fine. Don't come crying with regrets later."
Even as he said this, Alkerto couldn't actually imagine Sigrid dating anyone. The same was true for Morris.
As soon as she entered the Third Prince's palace, Awen stopped his studies and ran out.
"Sigrid!"
He threw himself into her arms and asked:
"Are you alright? Have you fully recovered?"
"Yes, Your Highness. I'm fine now."
Sigrid replied, surprised by the enthusiastic welcome. Awen nodded, saying, "I see, I see." He tugged at her sleeve and said:
"I studied hard while you were away."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Didn't I?"
He asked his tutor, who bowed and politely replied, "His Highness has been diligent in his studies."
Awen turned to her with a face that said, "See? I did well! Praise me!" So Sigrid nodded.
"That's excellent."
"Yes!"
Awen's face was filled with joy at just that one word of praise. He sat back down and said:
"I thought you'd definitely come back because you said you would. Even though others said you wouldn't..."
"Because I promised."
"Yes. I thought that even if other adults don't, Sigrid would definitely keep her promise."
The tutor looked at Awen and Sigrid and said:
"Why don't you two talk today? I'll take my leave."
"No, it's alright."
Sigrid raised her head and said. Awen was tempted to give in for a moment but soon lifted his head firmly and said:
"Siri is right. We still have work to do."
At those words, the tutor's face filled with emotion.
"In that case, let's continue where we left off."
For something that was supposed to be a continuation, the lesson ended much faster than usual. As soon as it was over, Awen clung to Sigrid and said:
"Teach me swordsmanship. Please?"
She had refused once before, saying it wasn't her responsibility, but this time, for some reason, it was difficult to refuse. Instead, Sigrid set a condition.
"I can teach you the basics, but I'm not a good teacher. It would be better to find another knight."
"Even just the basics is fine."
"Alright then."
As Sigrid nodded, Awen smiled brightly.
When they went out to the garden, Awen realized that Sigrid was a terrifying instructor, as he had seen before. After putting Awen through his paces for a while, Sigrid said coldly:
"Your Highness, you have absolutely no basic physical strength. It will be difficult for you to even swing a wooden sword. With no muscles, you can't maintain proper posture without trembling, let alone swing a sword properly. We need to build your strength first."
As she listed what he needed to do, Awen's eyes widened.
"That much?"
"Is it a lot? This is the schedule I used to teach noble young ladies."
Since Marie-Chez was a noble young lady, that must be true.
"Try it first, and if you really can't do it, let me know then. Don't give up before even trying."
At those words, Awen nodded slightly, saying, "Okay."
"Then I'll tell the servants to prepare water for you to wash up."
"I'm completely soaked."
As Awen, drenched in sweat, muttered, Sigrid said, "Don't you feel refreshed?" and instructed the servants to prepare a bath. When Awen staggered while walking, Sigrid caught him.
"My... my legs are giving out..."
"That's proof that you worked hard."
"Alright. I'll do my best...!"
"Yes."
Awen walked bravely, putting strength into his legs.
While he was washing up, Sigrid switched with another guard and returned to the Achtschwietz.
"Are you done?"
When Morris asked, Sigrid nodded. Alkerto jumped up from his seat and said:
"Let's go out and drink. Alcohol, alcohol."