Celine quickly got dressed in something other than her nightgown with the help of Miriam. Stepping down the stairs of the Aquitaine Manor's great hall. Celine felt dread and guilt crawling up her chest, threatening to overtake her.

How could she not? The last time she'd seen him was when she watched his head get chopped off in the middle of the town square. But she was about to see him again. Alive, and unaware of the fate that had awaited him.

Sirin Hildebrand was not just a knight who had died in her stead, he was her childhood friend. Eleven years ago, there was an outbreak of monsters on the eastern front. The entire Hildebrand family, the most well-known noble knights, were sent to the front lines. All, save for their youngest child, Sirin, who was only six years old at the time.

Noble children were often sent to higher-ranking homes to act as playmates for other noble children, and Celine's father had agreed to let Sirin stay at the Aquitaine estate. But Celine's brother, Albert, was not keen on playing with someone three years younger than him. But as Sirin couldn't stay in the Hildebrand Manor all on his own, he ended up becoming Celine's playmate instead. It wasn't intentional, or socially acceptable typically, but they got on surprisingly well, as Sirin had an energetic countenance that was the stark opposite of Celine's.

That's why Celine had nearly fallen apart at the seams when he took the blame for her without even a word of warning.

Celine took a deep breath, and as if tamed, the wild emotions rattling around her ribcage immediately stilled at her command. Now was still not the time to be shaken.

When she entered the receiving room, Sirin was already sitting at one of the plush sofas, resting a leg on the table. The room cast his tanned skin in a golden glow, and his familiar posture almost made her smile and cry at the same time. He was gazing out the window, and his androgynous features were set into a slightly forlorn expression.

When Sirin saw her enter the room, he immediately stood up, beginning to look annoyed.

"Celine! You sure took your time today!!" He said, in his typically loud voice. What could be the cause of his displeasure? Celine didn't remember this conversation.

"Good Afternoon, Sirin. What brings you here?" Celine said, rather politely. She sat across from him on the other sofa, hands folded on her lap. It was best to stay vague with the conversation until she knew what he was talking about.

Sirin seemed put off by this. He waved his arms around like he couldn't believe what she was saying.

"What brings me here? Are you serious!? You just got engaged!"

Celine went quiet.

Oh.

Oh! That was now! This day... today... of course! No wonder Sirin looked so disappointed, considering his feelings. Anyways, today marked five days after her engagement with the crown prince had been announced, even before Celine had her debutante ball. After all, this engagement was predetermined.

At Celine's stunned silence, Sirin stood up and crossed his arms. But just as he was getting more annoyed, his brows softened.

"... Are you upset at me for not congratulating you sooner? I'm sorry I came a few days late. I know how important it is to you, considering you want to become empress..." He apologized, making sure to keep his voice quiet at that last part. After all, vying for the queen's position wasn't something to flaunt... Sirin ran a hand through his black hair that had grown past his neck.

"But you know, I was really busy too! It's spring and all the other knights are slacking off during training! You know what happens when Felix gets irritated at the knights!"

Celine almost scoffed. She summoned her voice.

"God knows you were slacking off with them. Never mind that, Sirin." Celine said, her voice calm but carrying a hint of teasing familiarity. It felt strange—this banter that had once been so natural was now weighed down by the ghost of memories she couldn't erase. But she had to act like everything was normal.

Sirin grinned, annoyance all gone. Instead, it faded into an expression of overconfidence.

"Hey, it's not slacking if you're already the best," he retorted, grinning with teeth. "You know they need me to whip them into shape."

What a lie. In truth, they both knew Sirin wasn't a very talented knight. But Celine only smiled.

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"In all honesty, I didn't have a say in my engagement with Prince Midas, so even if it is beneficial... There's nothing to be too jovial about." Celine said calmly.

"...Whaaaat?" Sirin asked, akin to a whine.

"Weren't you excited about it a few weeks ago? It's not as if you're getting a one-way ticket to the throne.... I've seen the work you've put in. I know you're not a coward, Celine." Sirin seemed to be looking straight through her, no longer looking very amused. He was sharp. But Celine didn't want to become queen anymore. She had already tried it once before, and look where she'd ended up.

"Well... I was just thinking about it a little harder. Now that I'm engaged to him, the spotlight will be on me. We'll have to be careful from now on... especially once we enter the Royal Academy." Celine explained, a mild expression on her face. This was a good starting point for any future inhibitions that would explain her withdrawal. But Sirin still didn't seem convinced.

"No need for reservations now, Celine," he said resolutely.

Of course, thus far, the Celine he knew worked hard daily to become adept in all political and economic fields, even when the Duke of Aquitaine hadn't spared her a glance. He'd idly chatter as she read in the library, and Celine often asked him for help studying in the past. He didn't know he was talking to someone different than before.

"Of course. I'm not going to give up so easily, so dont worry. I just feel..." She trailed off.

"I just am rethinking a lot of things, that's all," Celine said, smiling at him. If she did a switch in opinion too quickly, It would be less effective than if she made it convincing. Her engagement with Prince Midas was already set in stone. She could find a good reason to annul it later.

"Don't stress yourself out. You're the smartest person I know... Besides myself." Sirin said, smugly.

"I won't, thank you. And... don't hold yourself in too high of a regard, hmm?" Celine rested her chin on her hand. "You come from a family line of renowned meatheads, after all..." She teased, smiling slightly.

Sirin smiled as well, dark red eyes glinting in the light. His cheeks were warm. A lance of guilt stabbed through Celine's chest. Oh, she knew how he felt.

"I wouldn't hold yourself in too high of a regard either, Lady Dull. Aren't you the least influential Ducal family member in the country? There are 5 in this country... and yet.."

That nickname. She hadn't heard it in so long, it was almost refreshing to hear it again! Almost.

"At least I'm from a Dukedom. Aren't you forgetting your place?"

"Wow! I'm hurt. And here I thought we were well beyond that." Sirin complained lightly, relieved she was behaving like usual. He stood up, brushing invisible dust off his lap. Since Celinedidn't seem very shaken up by the engagement or anything, his visit was now over.

"Then, I'll head back now. I have more training to do, you see." Sirin sighed, resigned, looking at Celine for a long moment. He shuffled his feet as if he wanted to delay leaving.

"Let me know if Prince Midas is bothersome... or stupid. There's probably some way to make you queen without him becoming king," he said, as if he was talking about the weather. He wasn't smiling. He was serious.

Celine remembered at once that Sirin often very casually said dangerous statements. His faith in Celine and dedication to her goals was still incredible to see. Celine's heart squeezed painfully.

"Shh... don't say that!" She snapped. "Prince Midas is fine, I've spoken with him. Don't get ahead of yourself, okay? This is way beyond our control right now."

"You've spoken to him, what, twice? Look, all I'm saying is that even if I'm not the best knight there's still-"

"I said to shut up," Celine said coldly. "If someone heard you say that, you could get your head cut off."

Again.

Sirin quieted instantly, staring at Celine, unreadable.

"Alright then. Don't mind me... I'll be going now." He strolled away casually, but as he turned away, Celine noticed he was looking at the floor. Regardless, Celine let out a sigh, a mixture of relief and all sorts of emotions.

"I'll see you later, Sirin. Good luck with training. Stop by sometime again." Celine said, waving at his turned-back.

Sirin hummed in response, already on his way out. But just as he was about to leave the room, Celine called out again.

"Wait!" Celine caught herself by surprise.

"I have a... question," she clarified.

Sirin turned around again, curiously looking at the Lady.

"Shoot."

Celine sorted her thoughts for a moment.

"If I failed to become the empress... what do you think the reason would be...?" Celine said, looking at Sirin expectantly.

The young knight's eyes widened before he laughed with a warm smile.

"Seriously? You're even more worried than I expected."

Celine waited for him to respond properly.

"Well, I mean, you have everything you need. You're smart, you're a good planner, and you're intuitive with most tasks. You're self-motivated. Plus, you're cautious. You know your limits, y'know?" Sirin said. He looked at her with genuine admiration and respect.

"That's not what I asked-"

"I'm not done yet." He said, a serious expression on his face

"What you don't have is support, Lady Celine. Most rising political figures from a young age have familial support, including your brother, Albert. Your father is the reason he's Prince Midas' advisor. Also, a formal education and gaining experience overseeing a region is also something a child would typically get from their father." Sirin said seriously.

"But as we both know, you aren't getting anything from Duke Aquitaine." Sirin knew that Celine's vision of becoming empress didn't involve just marrying the king, but ruling the country in her own right, as atypical as it was.

"So technically, you're behind, because the only real opportunity you'll have to connect with nobles is when we enter the royal academy in a few months. Otherwise, you should have already formed some connections or dabbled in business, even.".

Celine's eyes widened. It wasn't as if she hadn't tried to make connections in her past life, that was her main goal in the academy. But maybe her determination to display her independence to her father had hindered her...

"Celine, I wouldn't be worried," Sirin continued. "In terms of education, you're well ahead. You'll have spare time to focus on your lack of connections in the academy. That's what it's for, so don't get hung up. There is still time before your first year starts in the Autumn." he said.

When Celine didn't respond, deep in thought, he merely waved and left.