Chapter 6: A Change of Attitude and Conflicted Ties

With a sudden change in demeanor, my older brother strode toward me with a determined look in his deep red eyes—as if he could kill with a single glance. When his hand clutched my collar, I instinctively leaned forward.

“Who the hell are you?”

I thought to myself, ‘What else, you idiot? You’re my little sibling!’

Inside, I fired back mentally, but my lips stubbornly refused to form the words, a sign of my growing unease.

‘What is with him… Doesn’t he recognize me at all?’

‘Is this something to be happy about…?’

At least I managed to escape an awkward situation.

My throat felt constricted and breathing was a struggle, yet my mind kept wandering elsewhere. Somehow, the way he treated me just like anyone else unsettled me, even his rare bout of genuine anger.

“You know damn well where you are, don’t you? This bastard…”

Was it his instinctive tendency—once known for vehemently opposing any romantic involvement with his sister—or had he simply reverted to his old self?

I looked up at Lawrence with bewildered eyes, and as I struggled for breath, he reluctantly released his grip on my collar.

“Ugh… Ugh…”

“Is my little sister taking a shower right now? Answer me.”

His cold, disdainful gaze fell upon me as I slumped on the floor, gasping for air. I’d never seen him so genuinely angry, and it felt both unfamiliar and intimidating.

In this grave situation, I simply couldn’t muster the courage to admit I was disguised. Pretending I was showering was my best cover, and as I nodded subtly, his icy tone cut through the air.

“Let me give you one piece of advice.”

“…”

“If you so much as come near me again, I won’t hesitate. Even if there are no girls around… cherish your body a little more!”

The chill in his voice belied the burning intensity behind his words.

Stunned like someone struck on the back of the head, I stared blankly at Lawrence. Never before had I felt such a surge of obscenities bubbling from my throat.

“You little brat… What kind of dumbfounded look is that?”

Frowning in disapproval, Lawrence leaned toward me. His large hand patted my shoulder with a firmness that was both resolute and reassuring.

“Run while you can. I’m letting you off this time.”

I silently vowed to smite him to oblivion.

Yet, inwardly, I accepted it as an inevitable truth.

* * *

How had I ended up inside the Imperial Knight Order’s domain? I felt as if a whirlwind of confusion was about to sweep me away—especially now, deep in the Forbidden Maiden Area, right at the heart of the compound.

At that moment, I stood outside the Knight Order leader’s office like a lost child. Inside, Lady Elina III was engrossed in conversation, barely emerging. After all, would it be any different when the main characters finally met?

Dieses Esteban, the formidable head of the Imperial Knight Order, might be young at twenty-four, but his reputation spoke volumes about his prowess.

I knew him well; I had seen him countless times in vivid prophetic dreams shown by God last night.

In the dream, time seemed to pass by two or three months—likely after the heroine’s secret of being a noble was exposed.

There, in the dream, a silver-haired knight disguised as a man was seen crossing the Knight Order’s corridor. Judging by the scene where she entered what appeared to be her dorm room, it was clear the head knight had chosen to look the other way about her noble status.

In a room I thought was empty, someone was present. Lady Elina slowly turned her head as if she sensed my penetrating gaze. On the sofa sat a man in a crisp uniform.

“Commander?”

With intelligent dark green hair and an air of sophistication, the man introduced himself as Dieses—who also held the title of Duke Liniat. Perched on his sharp, chiseled nose was a pair of slim-framed glasses. It appeared he’d just been in the office.

“Who were you with at this hour?”

Dieses straightened up, and Lady Elina froze in place.

‘Do you even realize you’re a woman?’

Moving flawlessly, he approached Lady Elina, his concerned tone laced with an unexpected edge. By the time she registered his warning, his hand was already gripping her wrist.

‘Care to answer my question first?’

He shoved her against the wall, his piercing black eyes narrowing.

‘I already made it clear. Allow neither your body nor your heart to go astray with anyone but me.’

“…What do you mean…?”

“It wasn’t merely mercy that let you stay here within the Knight Order despite your noble status. I kept you close because you belong to me.”

Fixing his right arm against the wall to prevent her escape, he gently pressed his thumb against Lady Elina’s lips as he continued to stare into her silver eyes.

‘If you continue to ignore my words, there are two ways to interpret it. Either my warning simply falls on deaf ears…’

His tone shifted from coercive command to that of a strict, scolding adult.

‘Or you’re so cheeky that you’re practically inviting punishment from me.’

Before Lady Elina could even widen her eyes in shock, he leaned in. His lips, barely brushing past her chin, grazed the side of her neck with a light bite.

“Ah!”

Startled, Lady Elina reached to grab his shoulder. In response, he slightly tilted his head back and released her tender skin. Tracing a graceful line along his jaw, his lips soon brushed near her ear.

“Either way, you only bring me pleasure.”

It was just an amorous dream—a near-seductive scenario that built up tension without ever crossing the line. I couldn’t help feeling a twinge of disappointment at its predictability.

What left me more puzzled was that the man from my dream was actually standing on the other side of that door. I’d only ever seen him in dreams, never in person.

‘So, the head knight is clearly obsessed with the heroine, isn’t he?’

‘His possessiveness is no joke…’

‘So he only intensifies his obsession over time. Sure, a fanfic of Lord Robes x Lilica might be fun, but that’s not my type at all.’

While I was lost in conversation with God, the door creaked open from far away and Lady Elina III stepped out. Clad in Knight Order uniform and sporting a short silver wig, she looked every bit the dashing youth.

I fell silent and approached her, hoping desperately that nothing would go wrong.

“What’s the update?”

“The enrollment process is complete. From now on, you’re a commoner recruit knight—known as Laan.”

Lady Elina III whispered this kindly by my ear.

But just as hope flared, it quickly faded; the dark circles under my eyes deepened. I had hoped that my secret disguise might remain undetected now that she recognized me as a woman right away.

“What if I get found out…?”

“Don’t worry. Since I pulled you in, I’ll take full responsibility.”

“Thanks.”

Side by side, we walked through the Knight Order building’s lobby. Every time our eyes met those of passing knights, I jumped, while Lady Elina III carried herself with unshakable confidence.

“There over there.”

“Watch your tone. Slang between friends can make you look unrefined.”

“…Heh, alright.”

“And cut the smile while you’re at it.”

I choked back a laugh at her blunt remark. As we walked, Lady Elina III straightened her attire. It was only then that I caught a glimpse of something off to my side.

“My codename is Edgar III. From now on, that’s what you’ll call me.”

“Do we really need the ‘III’? I mean, are there other Elinas around?”

“Not at all. I’m the only one who can wield a sword.”

“Then why add the ‘III’…?”

“I just fancy the number.”

It felt like I had just heard a profoundly memorable line—perhaps a testament to the influence of the heroine. Lost in trivial thoughts, I followed Lady Elina III into the training ground.

The moment we stepped through the door, the air shifted dramatically. The heat inside the training ground was palpable, punctuated by the raucous shouts and battle cries of burly knights. I longed for a way to retreat, but it was too late; I had already crossed an inescapable threshold.

Lady Elina III walked through the hall as if returning to her own private quarters. Staying close, I kept a furtive eye on my surroundings.

Then I saw something I wished I hadn’t—a figure from the formation wielding a sword. I desperately didn’t want to see my older brother half undressed on display.

Of all places, nowhere was as horrifying as this. Just as I was about to use an excuse of illness to leave, the company commander suddenly appeared.

“Is this the one? With his scrawny arms and scraggly looks, he doesn’t seem too promising. But then again, if Edgar III is lean yet strong, there might be something to him.”

“He’s my friend. Please take good care of him.”

“Alright, leave it with me. I’ll train him well while you focus on your duties.”

The commander, with his head shaven so that his scalp shone, decided to test my basic skills by dragging me unceremoniously to a corner of the training ground.

He barked orders from day one about strict discipline and promised to keep a close eye on me, making it impossible for me to even utter the words ‘I want to go back.’

Tears silently streaming down, I was handed a wooden sword by the company commander—a weightier weapon than the one I had seen at Duke Liniat’s estate before.