As I passed through the streets of the Royal Capital, the Knight Headquarters came into view. The white-walled building stood on the far side of the castle and gardens—shining brilliantly this morning, bathed in the red of the Luminaria and the golden sunlight.

  I handed my horse over at the gate and headed toward the station. From the training grounds, the cshing of metal and the shouts of young knights already echoed through the air. However, something was different today—the flickering gnces directed my way.

  The moment I opened the door, the air shifted slightly. Amidst the usual morning buzz, there was a thin veil of tension and silent curiosity.

  (...I knew it. The news has spread.)

  A newspaper headline posted on the wall caught my eye.

  — “Queen Announces Intent to Wed — Consort is a Special Duty Knight of the Vow-Fme Order”

  — “‘Why don't you become my consort?’ — Shocking Statement Shakes the Knighthood”

  (Ugh... I didn't think they'd make it a headline...!)

  My face heated up. Nevertheless, I headed to my desk with a nonchant expression.

  "Oh, look! The 'fiancé' has arrived for work~"

  There it was. The number one ndmine phrase. The one approaching with such flippancy was Kyle—a guy with crimson hair tied in a ponytail, who was, by all accounts, a pain to deal with.

  "Oh? Ignoring me, are we?"

  He had a long braid that looked like a dragon's tail. Instead of silver armor, he wore crimson pting, a helmet shaped like a dragon's head, and a cape that resembled wings. He looked like a true Dragon Knight. Even with my female heart, I had to admit he looked cool.

  I had scolded him once about his fshy appearance, but he had just ughed it off, saying, "It's easier for everyone to fight if I'm the one drawing all the attention, right?"

  The fact that he tried to put his arm around my shoulder with that look of his only made it more irritating.

  "...Whatever."

  He didn't seem bothered by being ignored. As usual, the man was oblivious to a fault.

  "Anyway, the whole pce has been buzzing about you since st night."

  "...I am simply here to carry out my duties."

  "So cold~! And here I was hoping to hear at least one lovey-dovey story."

  "A knight has no such obligation."

  "Yeah, yeah. Always so stiff."

  With a casual wave of his hand, Kyle's footsteps faded away. In his pce, a calm voice resonated from the back of the station.

  "Ray. Check the assignment sheet. You’re on patrol duty again today."

  Orange eyes, and hair a mixture of red and bck. A constant sharpness and sense of stability—that was our Captain.

  I bowed at the instruction.

  "Understood."

  I felt the tension in my shoulders rex just a little.

  This was the pce where I served. No matter how others looked at me, I would simply fulfill the mission given to me as a "knight."

  That was my pride. And—

  It was the only way to stand beside the King who bore the fmes.

  The one and only vow engraved upon my very life.