Here, there is a man who signed a slave contract by a momentary mistake. His name is Franz Alonica. Franz was a promising scholar who had once held the position of dean at a prestigious academy.
âNow, Iâm a fourth-year slave.â
Four years had already passed since he became a slave to the baby emperor. At first, Franz was discontented when he was dragged to the guild and assigned accounting duties, thinking it was a waste of talent to be stuck looking at guild ledgers due to a mistaken signature on a slave contract. This guild was too small to contain someone of his caliber! However, he was slightly tempted by the unexpectedly generous salary, and when he found out that the true leader of the guild was the baby emperor, he was utterly shocked. If the emperor was the actual owner of the guild that rose to become known by everyone in the system in just three years...
âDid he found the guild at just two years old?!â
It was beyond genius; it was in a category of its own. After thoroughly checking the guildâs financial situation and information management system, Franzâs confidence grew stronger. Franz thought,
It turned out that the baby emperor could read. He had deliberately made Franz let his guard down with his adorable face and then trapped him under the guise of a bet. It was truly lucky that Franz was allowed to work as a slave instead of being punished for insulting the emperor. Whenever he thought about that moment, Franzâs neck would stiffen in shock. Franz, who had learned this incredible fact, itched to tell someone, but he couldnât. The contract he signed was a magical document, certified by a wizard, with his magical power inscribed, making it impossible to break. The confidentiality clause, clearly written, forced Franz to keep his mouth shut. Over the four years, Franz was repeatedly surprised. The secrets of the social circle that seemed to come from nowhere, the financial acumen of the deputy master, and the unbelievable physical abilities of the fake leader Eidan. Thus, <Evil> became the undisputed top merchant guild and guild in Ermano. *** The imperial flag of Ermano fluttered in the wind. Mist rose above the torches burning everywhere, and the red carpet laid on the ground caught peopleâs attention. The nobles, divided on either side, gathered in small groups, dressed in their finest, and engaged in conversation. Today was the day of the knight appointment ceremony. Only those with exceptional skills could join the Imperial Guard, so it was natural for people to be focused on it. But there was something even more important.
"Truly remarkable. To be able to handle auras at such a young age."
"Actually, itâs said that he could manifest them long ago."
The conversation was about the youngest knight to be appointed. He was undoubtedly the true star of this appointment ceremony. At 11, he became a squire, and at 14, he finally earned the right to swear the knightâs oath.
"The pride of the empire."
"Indeed. My daughter is going crazy, wanting to meet him just once."
While everyone was talking about the youngest knight, the sound of marching was heard.
"Oh, itâs about to start!"
People stopped their chatter and focused on the majestic music of the military band. As the marching music, which resonated like a heartbeat, gradually faded, the main characters of the ceremony finally appeared. Among the promising young men in their early twenties, the most noticeable was the youngest knight. Despite his young age, his presence was not overshadowed by the older men. âOscar Ale Ermano.â The prince of the empire, the heir of the Donavan Dukedom, and the emperorâs only sibling. The boy, who had grown and lost his childish appearance, was well-suited to the grand titles. The girls couldnât take their eyes off Oscar, dressed in a white knightâs uniform that complemented his silver hair shining in the sunlight. Oscar, who knew everyone was looking at him, did not give anyone a glance and stared straight ahead with his cold green eyes. The nobles glanced at the Duke of Donavan, who was waiting nearby. They had the same look in their eyes.
"Indeed, worthy of being the heir of the Duke of Donavan."
"He never offers to dance with anyone."
Despite attending many parties, the prince had never asked any noble lady to dance. There was only one person who could be his dance partner. Thump, thump, thump... As the drumbeats gradually subsided, everyoneâs attention turned to the highest seat. Finally, after the military bandâs performance ended, the last main character appeared. Rustle. The wind blew, scattering the light pink hair. The girlâs eyes, which had caught the hair that was blocking her view, looked down at the crowd. Those who met her pale blue eyes were unknowingly captivated by her. The girl, who naturally wore the emperorâs crown and ascended to the highest seat as if it were her right, was the emperor herself. The grown-up Shinshu followed her and curled up at her feet.
"I welcome your attendance to witness the knightsâ oaths today."
The girl emperor, Mabel Gadenia Ermano, smiled. She was nine years old. *** Sitting in the highest seat, I tried to straighten my slouching body and watched the knight appointment ceremony. The ceremony was so long and boring that I was about to die of tedium.
âIn the midst of this, Oscar, your dazzling appearance is shining brightly.â
Among the handsome squires, only Oscar caught my eye. I stared at the composed Oscar from head to toe with bright eyes.
âWhoa, youâre really good-looking, arenât you?â
Lyssandro, who had been watching me, commented.
"Your Majesty. Youâre looking at His Highness as if youâre going to pierce through him."
"Itâs fine. I can heal with divine power!"
"Sigh. If you couldnât even speak..."
I turned my gaze back to Oscar, and our eyes met. A smile appeared on Oscarâs usually expressionless face.
While looking at Oscar and smiling, I heard screams of âKyaaâ from various places.
Turning my gaze, I saw the noble ladies looking at Oscar with hearts in their eyes. Oh, how it was. Oscar, who was already popular, became even more so as the years passed. Enrique and Eidan were also monopolizing the attention of the noble ladies of their age.
âTch. When you complain about Eidan...â
I grumbled with my chin in my hand. It was fortunate that Eidan, who was on a guild mission, wasnât here. It was better to send him away than to watch the noble ladies get excited over him.
"Your turn is coming soon, Your Majesty. Sit up straight."
At Lyssandroâs advice, I sat up straight and watched the ceremony. When it was finally my turn, Xavier knelt before me with a beautifully decorated sword. As soon as I lifted the sword, it was so heavy that I almost stumbled.
Until last year, my father had performed the knight appointment ceremony on my behalf, but from this year, it was my responsibility. Still, I couldnât give up just because the sword was heavy; I had to maintain the emperorâs dignity. I secretly infused divine power into my arms to activate their strength. The heavy sword became much lighter.
âItâs fine for a short while, but using it too often might strain my body.â
As befitting a ceremony for the Imperial Guard, the target of the knightsâ oaths of loyalty was me, the emperor. As I walked forward, the first knight-to-be knelt before me. I lightly tapped his shoulders with the sword as he swore his oath of loyalty.
"I appoint you as a knight of the emperor."
After several appointments, it was finally the last one. Oscar, who was taller and had been looking down at me, slowly knelt before me.
âItâs natural that Oscar looking up at me feels familiar, because he always considers me.â
His fresh green eyes looked up at me. I was more nervous than anyone else at the moment Oscar was finally becoming a knight. While others praised Oscar as a once-in-a-lifetime genius, I knew better than anyone how much hard work he had put in. Oscar had never skipped a day of training to become a knight. His hands were covered in calluses and blood, but he didnât care. Oscar recited the knightâs oath with his head bowed.
"I, Oscar Ale Ermano, swear by my honor at this moment of becoming a knight."
In the silence, his soft voice filled the hall.
"My sword will be directed at my lordâs enemies, and my shield will protect only my lord. I pledge to dedicate this life to my lord until my last breath."
The nobles began to murmur. This was because Oscarâs oath of loyalty was not the usual one. The typical knightâs oath ended with a pledge to fight for the lordâs honor in the name of the god Ares. However, Oscarâs oath did not mention the godâs name. It was an oath sworn solely on his own honor. Oscar didnât care about the murmurs.
âThatâs Oscar for you.â
I smiled and raised the sword to tap Oscarâs shoulders one by one. Then I recited the response to his oath.
"I appoint you as a knight of the emperor."
Finally, I bestowed the emperorâs sword, handed to me by Xavier. As Oscar took the sword and stood up, I whispered in his ear.
"Oscar, isnât it too much to pledge your life?"
"I can pledge even more."
What could be more than life? The knight appointment ceremony ended with Oscarâs impressive oath. Thus, Oscar became a full-fledged knight at the age of 14. *** To celebrate Oscarâs official appointment as a knight, we had a family dinner. I could finally breathe a sigh of relief after seating Oscar and my father, who were fighting to sit next to me.
"If you keep this up, Iâll eat alone."
"Please, Mabel, not that."
My father and Oscar apologized with gloomy faces. Reluctantly nodding, their faces brightened. I enjoyed the chefâs exquisite dishes enthusiastically. The chef was pleased that I didnât picky eat, but the food was so delicious that I couldnât help but enjoy it. Meanwhile, the father and son engaged in conversation.
"You did one today, son?"
"Compared to Your Majesty, I still have a long way to go."
"A long way? Your oath was astonishing."
"Of course. For Mabel, I would stake my life."
"Your life? You should stake even more."
Shaking my head at their conversation, I couldnât understand what more they could stake.
"By the way, Mabel. Where is Eidan? Heâs not even guarding you."
Caught off guard by my fatherâs sudden question, I was momentarily flustered.
"He, he went to get some delicious desserts. They said there were some outside the palace."
"Desserts? Are the imperial chefâs desserts not satisfying enough?"
The chef, standing opposite, buried his face in his hands with a sad expression. In an instant, I became the one who had hurt the chef.
"No... I wanted to eat street food. You canât get that in the palace, right?"
The chefâs expression brightened slightly at my hastily thought-out excuse. But then my fatherâs expression turned serious.
"Street food, street food..."
Muttering âstreet foodâ under his breath, my father looked back and forth between Oscar and me. Then he declared,
"Alright. Letâs go on a picnic."
Suddenly? *** We put on the civilian clothes that Gustav had procured and wore cloaks with hoods over them. I marveled at my father and Oscar.
âHow can they look so un-royal?â
Even when they were bundled up, their noble aura couldnât be hidden. Anyone could tell they were of high birth.
"Mabel in civilian clothes is so cute."
"Yeah, Dad looks cool too."
Praising my father, Oscar interjected.
"Oscar, youâre completely cool."
Feeling like we were dealing with dogs vying for attention, we left the palace. I rode with my father, as I hadnât learned to ride a horse yet. We went to the civilian commercial district, not the Ricavelli Street where nobles usually shopped, and began our street tour. At first, everything went smoothly. The only issue was that my father insisted on tasting the food I wanted to eat first, in case it was poisoned. But then...
"These? Do you like these? Iâll buy them all. Every single one."
My father suddenly opened his wallet wildly.
"Ah! Whatâs going on?!"
"How dare you touch Mabel. Iâll cut you if you get any closer."
Oscar started causing trouble with the passersby for no reason. I genuinely thought,