When I woke up, I found Eleanor sitting beside me. She was asleep, holding my hand. In the silence, she looked so peaceful, so innocent, her beauty softened even further by the quiet fragility of sleep. Reaching out, I gently traced my fingers across her cheek in soft circles. Her skin was as smooth as silk and warm to the touch.

She slowly opened her eyes, blinking as she focused on me, and then, with a gasp, she threw her arms around me. “Shinya!” Her embrace was tight, her voice trembling. “You idiot! Idiot! Idiot! I was so worried about you!” As she sobbed, her small fists lightly pounded against my back. “Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!”

I held her tightly and stroked her hair to soothe her. “I’m sorry, Eleanor. Everything’s fine now; I’m here, and I’m okay.” She calmed down, gradually relaxing, and a small smile appeared as I smoothed her hair. With every pass of my hand, her head tilted slightly, as though leaning into the comfort.

“You’ve been asleep for three days,” she said softly. Although she was calmer now, a trace of worry lingered in her eyes.

“Three days?!” I repeated in shock.

She nodded. “Yes. After you healed Zenita, you collapsed. You were in bad shape—not just on the surface, but your insides were injured too. Your body was covered in bruises, and after you fainted, you even vomited blood. Zenita tried her best to heal you, but although she can use the Light magic, she’s not very skilled at healing magic.”

Eleanor paused for a moment before continuing. “We used the strongest healing potions available. That brought your body somewhat back to normal. But you needed a healer’s magic. We asked Oscard to heal you, but he refused. He even ordered the other healers not to help. Thankfully, we reached Paul, and he came immediately to heal you.”

Oscard must truly hate me. If I had died there, he would probably have celebrated.

I couldn’t heal automatically, even though I could use healing magic. I had to consciously cast spells to recover my injuries.

As I tried to stand up, a sharp wave of pain shot through my body, and I couldn’t suppress a groan. Eleanor quickly placed her hands on my shoulders and pushed me back down. “You need to rest,” she said, her expression serious. She had returned to her authoritative demeanor, and I didn’t have the strength to argue.

Relenting, I lay back down and made some space beside me. Then, patting the empty spot, I invited Eleanor to lie down next to me. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks when she realized what I meant, but she lay down in the space beside me.

I wasn’t embarrassed anymore; I had grown used to her being close to me, and her presence was comforting.

We were face to face, our noses almost touching. I could feel the soft warmth of her breath against my skin. My heart was pounding in my chest as if it was trying to escape. I could feel the heat rising to my face, matching the faint blush on Eleanor’s cheeks. I knew I needed to say something.

"Eleanor, uh… you’re… um… really beautiful," I finally managed to say. She looked slightly surprised, her eyes widening a bit, but then she gave me a soft, almost shy smile. "Is that so?" she murmured.

“Shinya,” Eleanor said, her tone a little hesitant. “That night, you told me your heart beats for me. Were you serious?”

“The things I said that night just slipped out. I guess my subconscious was guiding me. But even if I said them unintentionally, I meant every word.” I looked directly into Eleanor’s eyes as I spoke.

“Really?” she said, her gaze shifting away for a moment.

I loved Eleanor. It had taken me some time to realize it, but it wasn’t too late. Just seeing her made me feel excited and happy. Even her authoritative demeanor was fascinating. I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

For a fleeting moment, the image of the Lovers tarot card the Strange Man had given me flashed in my mind. Maybe this was a sign. It was time to tell Eleanor how I felt.

Summoning every ounce of courage I had, I took a deep breath. It felt as if Eleanor was waiting for me to confess. Why is it that we men are always the ones to take the first step?

"I love you!" I blurted out, louder than I intended. My eyes were tightly shut. The words tumbled out of my mouth raw and unfiltered. But I knew that if I didn’t say it now, I might never get another chance.

For the first time, no one barged into the room to ruin the moment. Normally, someone would walk in right as you’re about to say "I love you" and ruin everything. I was glad nothing like that happened this time.

Eleanor turned an even deeper shade of red, tears streaming down her beautiful eyes. "Shinya," she said softly, her voice barely louder than a whisper, "I love you too." In that moment, the strong, authoritative woman I knew transformed into a delicate kitten. "Now, close your eyes," she instructed gently.

I closed my eyes. Suddenly, I felt her lips press against mine, soft and inviting. They were velvety, creating a tender sensation that matched the intensity of the moment.

A wave of sweetness mixed with a faint touch of sorrow danced through my senses. My heart pounded in my chest as if it might leap out. The kiss deepened, lasting for what felt like an eternity yet was only a suspended, fleeting moment. I could feel her warmth enveloping me, a gentle glow that made everything else fade away.

As the kiss continued, a shiver of electricity coursed through me, igniting every nerve ending. I became intensely aware of her presence—her breath mingling with mine, her hands gently pressing against my face. It felt as if we were lost in our own universe, the only two souls that existed.

After what seemed like an eternity, I opened my eyes and looked into Eleanor's. She had hidden her face behind her hands, a mixture of shyness and joy radiating from her expression. "This is your reward for your victory," she said, her smile peeking through her fingers. I pulled her into a warm embrace, my heart full. "This is the most beautiful gift I’ve ever received," I replied, glowing with happiness.

"I'm glad to hear that," she responded with a soft smile, the tenderness in her eyes still visible.

Then the door burst open, and Fidelis, Zenita, Felicia, and Mira entered the room.

"Ah, are we interrupting?" Fidelis asked with a teasing grin.

"No, not at all," I replied with a grin of my own. "I was just spending some time with the woman I love."

Eleanor, overwhelmed with embarrassment, buried her face in a pillow.

"Oh, Shinya-kun! How could you betray me like this?" Zenita exclaimed dramatically, her tone playful. "I thought I was your one and only!"

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Her cheerful demeanor lightened the mood; she wasn’t angry or upset—just teasing me as usual.

To be honest, I can’t deny that I find Zenita irresistibly attractive, and I enjoy the way she acts toward me. That said, I have no idea if she genuinely feels that way or if it’s just because she’s a succubus. To me, Zenita has always felt like an older sister—guiding, supporting, and occasionally teasing her younger sibling.

"I’m sorry, Zenita," I said with a sincere smile.

"Oh, it’s fine, Shinya-kun," she replied, though there was a hint of disappointment in her expression. "But I was a little hurt when you called me a 'bitch' during the fight." She wore an exaggeratedly sad expression.

"Ah, I didn’t mean it like that... I was just—" I stammered, searching for the right words.

"Don’t worry, I forgive you," she said, her demeanor softening. "After the fight, you healed me, and for that, I owe you." She nodded slightly in gratitude. This wasn’t the typical Zenita I was used to—she seemed more genuine now.

"Shinya onii-sama, are you okay?" Mira interjected, her voice filled with concern.

"Yes, I’m fine," I said, gently taking her hand and patting her head.

Felicia approached next, her arms outstretched. I hugged her, and Mira joined in, embracing both of us. It was heartwarming to see Felicia and Mira together; their bond was growing stronger.

"Well, Shinya-kun," Fidelis said, breaking the moment. "It’s great to see you alive. You’ve passed Oscard’s and Zenita’s tests, but there’s still one left."

I already knew what he meant. The final test was to defeat Fidelis in a duel.

"Ah, yes, I still need to beat you in a sword fight," I replied.

"It's good to see your memory is still sharp," Fidelis chuckled. "Be ready in ten days. In the meantime, rest as much as possible to regain your strength. If you pass this trial, you will become the Commander of the Paladins, one of the highest titles among the Knights of Light," he explained, his tone serious yet encouraging.

"I'll do my best," I said with a smile, feeling a renewed sense of determination. Fidelis nodded, his expression one of approval.

Just then, the door opened again. "If I may," a soft voice interjected.

"Your Excellency!" Fidelis exclaimed, bowing his head swiftly, his surprise evident.

"Father, who is this lady?" Felicia asked, unable to contain her curiosity.

"She is Princess Millina, ruler of Eldridge," Fidelis replied with a respectful tone. Everyone except Eleanor and I bowed their heads in deference. I also tried to stand and bow, but the princess gently stopped me.

"Oh, please, no need for formalities," she said with a warm smile. "I’m here to see how Shinya-dono is doing. It’s good to see you well."

Eleanor stepped closer, looping her arm through mine. I could feel a strong, protective aura emanating from her as she cast a cold glance at the princess. This was likely one of those defense mechanisms women used to guard their partners from other women.

Princess Millina was the epitome of grace. Her gown, made of fine fabric, flowed elegantly around her, showcasing her royal heritage. Delicate embroidery that shimmered subtly in the light adorned her dress, hinting at her status. Her long, wavy hair cascaded down her back like golden silk, and her striking facial features—high cheekbones, a delicate nose, and mesmerizing sapphire-like eyes—made her undeniably beautiful and captivating.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," I said, returning her smile.

"Shinya-dono, I wish to discuss a personal matter with you," she said. The others quickly understood the situation and began leaving the room one by one. However, Eleanor remained steadfast, refusing to budge from my side.

The princess glanced at Eleanor, then back at me, silently urging her to leave as well. I looked into Eleanor’s eyes; they reflected her resolve to stay.

Hoping to ease the tension, I said, "Eleanor is the woman I love. I promise you that anything discussed here will remain a secret."

"I trust your words, Shinya-dono," the princess replied, her voice calm but tinged with a slight unease.

The princess gracefully took a seat in an empty chair. "If you pass the final trial, you will become the Commander of the Paladins," she said, her tone melodic yet authoritative. I nodded in acknowledgment, feeling the weight of her gaze.

"How many paladins will you lead in total?" she asked curiously.

"To my knowledge, over 40,000. Ardoira, Eldridge, and Stormhaven each have around 10,000 paladins. Additionally, Unitia and Libercivia each have about 5,000," I replied, feeling a sense of pride as I spoke of the numbers.

Her eyes widened slightly, reflecting her surprise at the magnitude. "I see, but even so, this number is smaller than the royal army. For instance, here in Eldridge, I command 78,000 soldiers. My elder brother in Stormhaven has 93,000, and the royal family as a whole commands a total of 123,000 troops," she explained.

"The royal family indeed commands an impressive number of soldiers," I acknowledged. "However, I can confidently say that paladins are better equipped, and many of them are capable of using light magic. I’d argue that one paladin could be the equivalent of three, perhaps even four, of your soldiers," I added.

The princess, though seemingly reluctant, nodded in agreement with what I said. This was because the royal family provided mid-tier equipment to their soldiers for economic reasons. Only the elite units had access to the finest gear. From the reports I had read, I also noticed that most royal soldiers lacked proficiency in magic.

Paladins, on the other hand, used high-quality equipment. Their armor, weapons, and shields were crafted from superior materials, and every piece was enchanted for protection and offense. While our numbers were smaller compared to the royal forces, we were far superior in terms of equipment.

"May I ask why you brought this up?" I asked, suspecting she was about to ask for support in a claim to the throne.

"My brother, Crown Prince Yokoma, is planning a military coup to seize the throne from my father," she replied, her concern evident in her expression.

"So, you're asking for my help to stop him," I said, confirming my suspicions.

"Yes, because his army outnumbers mine and is better trained and equipped."

"But if your forces unite with the king's army, wouldn’t that be enough to counter him?"

"There’s a faction within the king’s soldiers that supports the prince. He frequently visits them, offering money and gifts."

In other words, he was buying their loyalty for his cause.

"Does the king know about this?" I asked curiously.

"Yes, but he cannot act immediately. If he does, the soldiers might rebel against him," she explained.

"One thing I don't understand," I began. "The crown prince is already the next in line to the throne. Why would he consider doing something like this?" It didn’t make sense to me.

"He has a ruthless personality," she said, her voice tinged with worry. "This is why many soldiers admire him. He is authoritarian and intolerant of competition. He seeks ways to eliminate his enemies, regardless of who they are. Yokoma plans to secure the throne by executing me, our parents, and our siblings. That’s why my father wants me to take the throne when the time comes. Yokoma knows this as well."

Her words carried the weight of her fears. Though she tried to mask her anxiety, I could see the turmoil bubbling beneath her composed exterior.

"I understand your concern, but there’s an agreement between the Goddess and the royal family that prevents us from interfering in royal affairs."

"Yes, I’m aware of the agreement. But that same agreement states that the Knights of Light can intervene in situations that directly affect them," she countered.

"And this situation...?" I prompted.

"Even though his army is strong, besieging the capital won’t be easy for him. He’ll need support to do so. While we haven’t confirmed it yet, we believe the prince has made a pact with the Demon Lord to support his cause. In exchange for their help, he plans to give them Stormhaven and execute all the Knights of Light stationed there," she explained.

Her revelation left me wide-eyed. It was hard to believe.

"That’s a grave accusation. The Demon Lord is our enemy. If you can prove this, we can assist you," I said. Losing Stormhaven to the demons would compromise one of our strategic fortresses. Furthermore, the execution of the Knights of Light stationed there would deal a severe blow to Luminara’s forces.

"I understand. As soon as I gather evidence, I will present it to you. Now, if you’ll excuse me..." The princess rose from her seat and left the room.

Things were becoming more interesting. Although there was no evidence yet of a pact between the crown prince and the Demon Lord, I had a strong feeling I would find myself facing him on the battlefield.

to be continued...