I can still remember my past life. 

I was a college student. I was the president of the student council. I had a loving family. My parents doted on me and gave me everything. Family. Money. School. I have everything but I lost it all in an accident. 

When I thought I was already dead, I realized that I was in the body of a child. I woke up in a dark alleyway alone. The body was an orphan abandoned by her parents. All that was left of the owner, was a filthy cloth and a locket.

I was a mess at that time. What's happening? Where am I? I should already be dead, right? Those questions swirled in my head the moment I realized that I can never go back home. I was a sobbing mess on the first day but I steeled myself so that I would be able to survive alone in this world.

I was flabbergasted because I realized that this is no longer the place that I know. The buildings and houses all look old. It was not modern Japan that I know. It reminds me of medieval Europe. There were a lot of mythical creatures living in this place. There were demi-humans, ogres, goblins, and dragons. Most of all, magic also exists in this place.

The first month that I arrived here, I was surviving from leftover food in the trash. I have no choice, beggars can't be choosers. I was really fortunate when someone saved me from the hell I was living when a kind couple took me in as a servant in their household.

It was hard to adjust at first but now I'm used to it. I was really glad that the Marquis and Marchioness of Primrose that took me in were really kind and even granted me the opportunity to be enrolled in the academy. I enrolled as a knight in the academy in the hopes that I will be working for them. But things always don't go as planned.

I learned that I was living in a country called the "Salian Empire". The Salian Empire is described as the most powerful empire, governed by an absolute monarchy under Emperor Constantine V Salian. The society is divided into two main classes: the nobility and the commoners.

(A/N: Ranking System of Nobility: Duke (highest), Marquess, Count, Viscount, Baron (lowest)

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It all started when I bumped into him in the library during my academy days. 

Going to the library has always been my escape from the reality. It was really hard especially how the aristocrats treat the commoners. Although I'm really proud of what I accomplished since I was the top knight student, I still get disdainful looks from them. I guess it really bruised their ego that a female commoner was at the top. Being a disciple of the Marquis really paid off. 

I was trying to get the book from the shelf when someone grabbed the book from behind. I turned around and I saw a boy with glistening blonde hair. His face was really handsome. He has bright blue eyes, a chiseled jawline, and a lean muscular build. Who the hell is this handsome dude?

He handed me the book. "Thank you very much," I said with a smile. He nodded at me and walked away. What a quiet person.

I took a sit on my usual spot which is beside the window and proceeded to read the book. It was really an uneventful day but I can't forget the guy's face. Somehow, he looks familiar. 

The next day I found him sitting at my spot. I was puzzled because I was the only one who knew that spot and not many people go to the secluded part of the library. I sighed, I guess I'll just read it elsewhere.

I sat three tables away from the window to read the book. I didn't notice that someone was already in front of me until he cleared his throat. I looked up at him with confusion.

"You're Elise, right? The top knight student." He asked while sitting down.

"Yes, it's me." 

"Do you know me?" He asked. 

"Am I supposed to know you?" I confusingly asked. He laughed at me and shook his head.

"No, I was just asking. I'm Claude and I'm just some random noble kid. You don't need to speak with formalities since we're in the Academy." He smiled. Well, he seems like a nice person. 

Since then, Claude and I always hang out at the library after class. We always went together to the annual festivals held in the capital. Although we have to disguise ourselves since students have always been targeted by thugs. I never knew that having someone will be so good. I always thought that I will not have any friends but Claude really made my days colorful. From teaching me basic magic, history, and swordsmanship, he really gave it all so I could learn from him. 

He also introduces me to his other friends. I was really lucky that his friends, Lord Theodore and Lady Victoria were really nice people. Although he would be pissed whenever our time is interrupted. It was really a good experience. 

I also learned that Claude is really a touchy person when it comes to me. He would often smell my hair or whenever he is stressed, he will ask for a hug. I will often blush because of the contact and he didn't pass up the opportunity to tease me about it.

It was really hard hiding my feelings but I didn't stop it. I know it's the only time I would get the opportunity to be doted on by him. He's a noble and I know there will come a time when he will be married to someone else due to political marriage or worst he'll fall in love with someone else. That's why there is no need to confess to him. I'm just satisfied being near him as his friend.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Three years passed and I already graduated from the academy. I went back home. I was really excited because finally, I would be able to work as a knight under Marquis Primrose. However, upon arriving home, I received a letter from the Imperial Palace.

They were appointing me as a knight directly serving the First Prince Claudius I Salian. It never crossed my mind to work for the Royal Family because I'm just a commoner. Is it okay to appoint me as such?

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(A/N: Ages: Elise - 16, Claude 17, Theodore - 17, Victoria - 17, Roger and Sabina - 16)

I was nervous the whole time I was in the carriage on the way to the Imperial Palace because it was my first time to see the Royal Family in person and I don't have any idea what they look like. All I know is they all have blonde hair and they're all good-looking.

I look at the scenery upon arriving at the Palace. It was really gorgeous. It reminds me of those museums when I went to Europe in my past life. I was in awe the whole time until we arrive at the Main Hall. We were only 50 that will be knighted personally by the Emperor. I looked around to look for familiar faces.

My eyes lit up when I saw Roger and Sabina. Roger and Sabina was my classmate back then in swordsmanship class. They were both commoners. Although Sabina came from a wealthy merchant family. I went to them and we made small talk.

I then went to my assigned position whilst waiting for the arrival of the Emperor and the First Prince. Then, the sound of a horn blew across the room. I bowed my head and I heard the door open.

"The Emperor and the First Prince have entered the hall!"

I kept my head down until the Emperor and the First Prince sat on their throne. 

"Please raise your head"

Upon raising my head, I looked in front to see the appearance of the royalties. My eyes locked into familiar eyes but I was frozen with shock. Those familiar blue eyes that I've seen for the past three years that I've spent in the Academy. It never crossed my mind that Claude is royalty. Although I have doubts at first, Theo would always back up his claim that he was just a noble.

The ceremony passed by like a blur and all I can think of is the fact that Claude kept this as a secret. I feel hurt. Am I really that untrustworthy that he never said anything? Though I understand because of security reasons, still. This was an exhausting day. I was already planning to go home already after the ceremony. I don't have the energy to attend the ball anymore. 

I was about to call the servant when a person walked towards me. 

"Dame Elise!" 

"You called for me?"

"His Highness the First Prince asked for you." 

"Where shall I meet him?"

"His Highness is in the first room beside the 2nd window." I nodded and proceeded to go there.

I was anxious because I don't know what to expect. I knocked on the door upon arriving.

"Your Highness. Dame Elise is here." I said.

"Come in."

I went inside and went near him. "You called for me, your highness" I kept my head down and went down on my knees. I hear him sigh.

"Elise please stop calling me that" He grabbed my arms and made me stand up.

"Why did you never tell me?" I mumbled.

He clasped my cheeks into his hands and made me look at him. He looks sad and anxious. I never saw him like this in all the years that I've met him.

"I was scared that you'll treat me differently once you knew that I'm a prince. You know you're important to me." 

He rested his forehead on mine. My heart fluttered and the hurt that I felt washed away. He knows that I can't get mad at him even for a short moment.

"You know I can't always call you Claude when we're out in public right?" I said

"Just call me Claude when we're alone." He kissed my cheeks and hugged me. It gave me shivers so I hugged him back.

I've never known what love is even in my past life. All I did in my past life was study and make my parents proud. In this life, I've never had parents and I was so busy with my job and trying to achieve my goals that I've never given time for romance. If this is love, then I just have to keep it to myself.

It's been two years since then and I became his personal bodyguard and confidant in everything. I know his schedule and accompany him on all of his trips and even at his palace. I always make sure that he is safe.

Our friendship deepened as time goes by. Sometimes he would just kiss me on my cheeks out of the blue or hug me whenever we were alone. I've never thought of it as anything because I know it's just his habit. I convinced myself that there was no way that he would feel the same. He's a prince and I'm just a commoner. He will be in a political marriage someday and I know I can't do anything about it.

I don't want to hurt myself thinking that we will be together. He has a duty to the empire. As a knight, I shouldn't do anything that will compromise his obligation and reputation.

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We were on our way to Count Valois when we were ambushed. We were outnumbered so I need to get Claude for his safety. Ever since he was proclaimed as the Crown Prince last year, there have been a lot of assassination attempts against him.

I immediately unsheathed my sword. Then, I opened his carriage to immediately grab him. I look at all possible escapes. The other knights were fighting the assassins.

"Get His Highness into safety Dame Elise! We'll keep them distracted" The Captain Guard shouted to me. 

We immediately rode the horse to get out of the place. I was really anxious. I'm close to the knights in First Order, so I'm really devastated to see my friends get slaughtered a while ago.

It was a dead end. Where can I hide His Highness? There was a river in front of us and assassins chasing after us. I have to make a choice now.

"Your Highness. Do you trust me?" I asked him and took his hand. The assassins were getting closer so I was getting anxious.

"Yes." He replied. I wrapped my hands on his body and we jumped off the cliff.