"By imperial law, I can't become head of the family. But for you, it's different." Daya's voice carried quiet certainty. "There aren't any female knights in the empire *yet*—but there's no law prohibiting a woman from becoming one."
Garnet's eyes went round as saucers.
"You disappear every morning, and one day I noticed where you were going." Daya smiled gently. "It was lovely to see you working so hard."
"Daya..."
Heat flooded Garnet's cheeks. The mere thought of her elder sister witnessing her clumsy early attempts was mortifying.
"I'll support you. Whatever you decide."
"Thank you, Daya. And honestly, I..." Garnet's words tumbled out—rushed, halting. "I want that man to acknowledge me. His Grace the Duke, I mean. I know I shouldn't say this, but he's the best protector in the entire empire. If I can learn from him, maybe I can learn to protect people too."
Her face darkened.
"It's not about forgiveness. And I know—I *know* I shouldn't be the first to betray our—"
"Garnet." Daya reached out and stroked her sister's hand, gentle and steady. "Everything is fine."
"How? How is it *fine*?"
Guilt swam in Garnet's green eyes.
"I've already forgiven His Lordship." Daya's voice was calm. "I keep my distance, but there are reasons for that."
"*What?*" Garnet shot to her feet, expression twisting with betrayal. "How can you just—"
Daya smiled softly and said nothing.
Garnet froze. She realized what she'd just blurted out—and sank back into her chair, covering her face with both hands.
"Why am I such a fool? I'm sorry, Daya."
"The Duke hasn't explained everything to me directly. But I believe he acted the way he did to *protect* us."
"Protect us? *How?*"
"It means the danger isn't over yet. We're family now—His Lordship's enemies are our enemies too." Daya's gaze grew thoughtful. "I think he deliberately staged that lavish celebration to draw attention away from us. To hide us from whoever might want to harm us."
Garnet's pupils dilated.
She hadn't considered such a possibility. If that was true—why hadn't he *said* anything when they hurled their fury at him? Why hadn't he defended himself?
"Then why didn't he tell us?"
"Mm." Daya paused. "It's just my thought, but... perhaps he wanted us to genuinely hate him."
"To deceive his enemies?"
"Yes."
"Ah..."
Garnet nodded slowly, trying to absorb this new truth.
*Then—I can learn from him without guilt?*
The hollow place where shame had lodged began filling with something else. Something warmer.
*Hope.*
Her eyes brightened.
"Then should I go to His Lordship right now and ask to join the knight order?"
An embarrassed smile touched Daya's lips.
"I'm not certain His Lordship will allow it."
"I'll try anyway!" Garnet's voice rang with fervor. "I'll grab onto his trousers and refuse to let go if I have to!"
---
## — The Duke's Study —
For the first time in a while, Olive handled the report-reading duties alone.
He couldn't match Marin's fluid delivery, but he gave it his best effort.
"You seem to be in good spirits today, Your Grace."
The Duke's expression rarely shifted—but today, the corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.
"How is Marin?"
"I'm told the hangover is severe."
"Send her something for it."
"Yes, Your Grace. There's one remedy known for working quickly."
*This sounds like it's happened before*, Olive thought, tilting his head in bemusement.
The Duke's lips curved another fraction higher.
"Tell her: the moment she recovers, she's to come directly to the study."
"Understood. I'll take my leave, then."
Olive had already turned toward the door—still puzzling over what exactly amused His Lordship—when the Duke's voice stopped him.
"Olive. Tell whoever's waiting outside to enter."
"Yes, Your Grace."
Outside the study door, Garnet stood with an expression of intense determination.
"Lady Garnet."
"I've come to see His Lordship."
"He's asked me to show you in."
Garnet nodded and stepped through the threshold.
The Duke sat behind his massive desk—eyes closed, posture utterly still. And yet somehow, even sitting in silence, he seemed enormous.
*Why does he feel so imposing when he's not even moving?*
"I—"
"What brings you here?"
The Duke raised his head slightly without opening his eyes. For just a moment, Garnet caught a glimpse of her mother's features in his face.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
"I want to become a knight."
*Let him laugh. I'll come back every day and ask again.*
"...Why?"
The people in this castle kept surprising her. They asked *why* first—instead of simply saying *no*.
Garnet opened her eyes and spoke from the depths of her heart:
"I want to protect my family."
"You don't need to become a knight to protect your family."
"True." She met his unseeing gaze directly. "But the more I practice fencing, the more I want to improve. I want to earn recognition. I want to become a knight who can protect my family—and beyond that, protect many other people."
The Duke's impassive face revealed neither acceptance nor refusal.
Garnet reached behind her back and pulled out a pair of scissors.
"I don't throw words to the wind. I'll prove my determination."
She gathered her luxurious golden hair—her pride and joy—into one fist.
*It'll just get in the way during real training anyway.*
She raised the scissors—
"Put down what you're holding."
"Huh?" Garnet blinked. "You can see that I have scissors?"
"Can't you see that my eyes are closed?"
"*Exactly.* How did you know?"
She looked between the scissors and the Duke in utter confusion.
"I simply know."
"So... will you accept me into the order?"
"The butler will teach you the fundamentals of swordsmanship. I'll assign Knight-in-training Yubis to supervise you. He's mastered the basics."
"*Yes!*"
"It will be difficult." The Duke's tone grew heavier. "Being a knight in the empire is hard enough. Being a *female* knight will be harder still. Your enemies won't be limited to monsters. You'll face prejudice at every turn."
"I'm ready!"
There were no female knights in the empire.
Women rarely had opportunities to learn proper swordsmanship—and when they did, it was self-defense at best, like her late mother or Marin.
A *true* knight.
Whatever had pushed her to this point, she had a dream now. No matter how difficult the path, she refused to let it go.
"If the butler eventually deems you capable, I'll permit you to formally join the order."
"Yes! Thank you!"
Garnet bowed enthusiastically and turned toward the door—then stopped and faced him again.
"Daya said she's forgiven you."
"..."
The Duke's impassive expression revealed nothing.
"Since my sister has forgiven you, I'll follow her lead."
"...Very well."
At last, his heavy lips parted.
"Don't bottle up your feelings too deeply. They'll run away from you."
"Who?"
"Who else? The one you like. The eldest—Marin."
"You call Marin *the eldest*?"
At the mention of her name, the Duke's previously stone-still face softened noticeably.
Garnet watched him with growing fascination.
"Yes."
"So she told me to call her 'eldest' because she started training before I did?"
"Yes."
The corners of his mouth twitched higher—as though suppressing a smile.
*She's the one who can't hide it when she likes something*, Garnet thought with a private chuckle.
"Then I'll take my leave."
"...Do your best."
The unexpected encouragement caught her off guard. Then her whole face broke into a grin.
"*Yes!*"
---
## — Marin's Room, Later —
The medicine Olive had sent through Julia worked like magic.
Within the hour, Marin's nausea and headache had vanished completely.
*Drinking was a mistake.*
If she'd still been sick, she wouldn't have had to face *him*.
With tears practically welling in her eyes—as though she were being forced to swallow spoonfuls of mustard—Marin stood before the Duke's study door.
She hadn't read to him last night, which meant he hadn't slept. Keeping him awake for two consecutive nights was beyond what she could bear in good conscience.
"Come in."
She flinched. Her small shoulders visibly trembled.
*Why? Why is there a smile in his voice?*
He could at least *pretend* he didn't remember anything!
Marin slapped her cheeks twice—not hard enough to truly hurt.
*Get a grip. I don't know anything. I remember nothing.*
She pushed open the door.