“And of course, I'll take the book back with me as well,”

Vierenna said, attempting to sound indifferent.

“So, what is this other reason?”

Deon asked, resting his hands on his cheeks, trying to clear his mind of what had transpired mere seconds ago.

“It's time for a knight to be assigned to accompany you.”

Deon knew a little about this matter and had somewhat anticipated it, but he had decided to refuse since having a personal knight wasn’t mandatory.

“I don’t see how that would be possible. I'm practically unknown, and time is limited. Besides, I prefer being as I am, so... I'll pass. Even you don’t have a personal knight.”

The role of a personal knight was more cultural than protective, despite what the name suggested.

Furthermore, the whole concept was both confusing and complicated.

Firstly, the knight had to be the same age as their master. The knight was also required to swear loyalty to their master for a specific period, though this had recently been replaced by formal contracts.

Additionally, the knight had to hold a noble title, making the arrangement even more difficult.

In the current era, only the imperial family and the four great houses still bothered with such traditions.

Deon had thought he wouldn’t need to follow this path since Vierenna didn’t have a personal knight in her first year. But now, she was saying otherwise.

“I know, and it’s not as you think. Let me explain first.”

Deon frowned slightly but allowed Vierenna to continue.

She took a deep breath and began in a somewhat nervous tone.

“You're right about everything you said. I also wouldn’t have allowed any knight the elders might chose for you—that being an if. But this time, it's a request. She's a friend of mine who doesn’t have the means to enter the academy, so she asked for my help…”

Vierenna lowered her head, noticing Deon's deepening frown. He remained silent for a moment, his thoughts unreadable.

One of the privileges of having a personal knight was that they could access any place their master had the right to enter, including the academy.

If the master enrolled in the academy, the knight would follow suit. It was easier for knights, as they were bound to their masters.

“So you want me to take someone who can’t enter the academy on their own? Wouldn't this reflect poorly on me if my knight lags behind?”

This was the only logical conclusion Deon could draw. A knight was expected to be a noble, which alone made enrollment easier. But if they couldn’t enter on their own, wasn’t that simply a lack of talent?

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“She isn’t untalented! It's just her unique circumstances that prevent her from enrolling. In fact, she's one of the best talents I’ve ever seen.”

‘A girl?’

Deon was still skeptical, but he also didn’t plan on rejecting Vierenna’s request. She had helped him immensely, and he still relied on her support. Refusing her now would leave a bad impression.

“Fine, but I have things to say.”

Vierenna smiled and tried to approach him for a hug, but Deon placed his hand on her forehead to stop her, taking advantage of her request.

“Since this is purely formal, I want it to remain that way—even in the contract, if there will be one. Also, I don’t want to end up taking care of this knight, nor do I expect them to take care of me. Got it? If that’s fine with you, then I’m okay with your request.”

Vierenna stepped back, her cheeks puffed in mild disappointment. But Deon's words brought a smile to her face, even if it was a slightly tense one.

“Are you okay with that?”

“Yes, yes, that’s fine. I was hoping you'd become friends with her, but if you don’t want to, that’s alright. You’re cold even with your loving sister, so I guess I shouldn’t expect much... And I doubt she’d want you or anyone to take care of her, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Deon nodded.

“You said her unique circumstances prevented her from enrolling. What exactly are these circumstances?”

To that, Vierenna smiled broadly.

“I'll leave that for you to discover yourself.”

“Not ideal, but fine, I guess.”

Silence lingered for a moment.

Deon broke it first, standing to fetch a book from one of the shelves where he had hidden the Memories Record.

He held it in his hands and handed it to Vierenna, who extended her arms to take it.

“So, when will I meet this knight?”

Deon asked as he relinquished the book to Vierenna.

“In the next few days, I think,”

she replied, brushing her hand across the book's surface, her expression filled with deep emotion.

She raised her head to meet Deon's gaze as he remained standing.

“Did you take a look?”

Deon nodded.

“So, what’s your favorite memory?”

She asked with a smile, leaning forward to rise from the bed.

“I’d say the one where you almost killed me,”

Deon said, though it was the only memory he had seen, aside from the still images.

Vierenna furrowed her brows in thought.

“Oh, that was on you. You kept pushing me.”

“No. I distinctly remember you were the one who pushed me. No, you outright threw me.”

Deon didn’t know why, but he felt compelled to tease her.

“Wow, I can’t believe you. You only see what you want to see. I’m not continuing this conversation.”

She placed the book against her chest and crossed her arms over it. Without sparing him another glance, she walked toward the door.

Deon smirked and moved to give her a slight shove.

“It’s okay to admit you were scared back then. We’re adults now; you can own up to it.”

Deon’s tone dripped with mockery.

Vierenna whipped her head around to face him, shouting,

“I wasn’t scared! You can’t just ask someone to do something so irrational. I was rational, unlike you back then.”

“Wow, still hiding behind rationality. You were scared. Just admit it…”

“Fine! But not as scared as you. Coward!”

She said, her expression sulking.

‘What is she talking about?’

Deon turned the words over in his mind. They held no meaning in the context of their conversation.

‘Perhaps a memory I don’t know about?’

Deon didn’t know how to respond. Vierenna seemed angry at him over something beyond his knowledge.

‘Something that happened between her and the original Deon?’

Deon began to regret letting his guard down around her.

‘I was reckless.’

He remained silent, not wanting to worsen the situation. But his silence seemed only to fuel her anger. She almost looked... hurt?

“Whatever. I’m leaving now. Don’t slack off in your training,”

She said in a colder voice than usual as she left the room, gripping the book tightly.

‘Why did I bring that up again?’

Vierenna ran her fingers through her hair, her expression tense.

She took a deep breath and walked down one of the palace corridors, her previously good mood turning icy.

But it wasn’t because of Deon—it was directed at herself.

Deon, still puzzled, returned to sit on his bed, his expression grim.