<center><h5>* * *</h5>\nThe Harknon gladiator tournament was the best in many ways. The two winners were Count Dratius' beloved maid and Liduré's son. Thanks to this, the inside and outside of the Imperial Palace turned upside down. All the spectators who had watched the game were speaking in unison to praise her skills.\nIn particular, Count Dratius' sword skills at the end were said not to be human, and within the Imperial Palace, the voices of the Commanders who tried to bring Leasis into their unit increased.\nThe loudest voice was Schwalnon. He argumented with a face that was more brazen than anyone else in the world. Until now, all the talented gladiators were recruited in the 2nd and 3rd Divisions of Imperial Knights, so this time it was his turn.\nThe other Commanders refused, but fell on the floor of the group affairs meeting room, like foaming crabs. They could not do anything because Schwalnon could smell power amazingly well. In the end, the other Commanders also conceded.\nThus, Leasis became a member of the 1st Division of Imperial Knights, and Setchen joined the 2nd Division. Among them, Blix's name disappeared like dust.\nLeasis, who did not know the situation, was peaceful after a long time. Hizen looked at Leasis lying on the bed and was deeply troubled.\nIt seemed she had to stop using a real sword. The wooden sword in the bag next to her caught Hizen's eye because it was unusual. It was a wooden sword used only in the Utran Empire.\nWhere did you get this? Is it from Utran? Hizen closed his lips tightly. He had a mountain of questions, but Leasis did not get up easily. He sighed as he lifted her bed sheet.\nWhen did you become so strong? Hizen glanced down at her. She was as cute as a child when she slept on a subject that was strong enough to embarrass herself.\nHizen poked her cheek playfully. It was soft, warm, and fragrant like freshly baked bread.\n"Get up."\nShe was still asleep. Hizen hesitated, and tried just in case.\n"It's an order."\nAt that moment, red eyes flashed open. Leasis raised her body halfway in the bed. Then she looked around and shouted like she was playing.\n"I-I'm late!"\n"…"\n"Huh? Count-nim?"\nLeasis rubbed her eyes with her sleeve. Why is our Count-nim here? Reading her question, Hizen sighed.\n"Don't you remember?"\nWhile Leasis was thinking, Hizen got up from his seat. He handed her a glass of water on the table.\nShe bowed her head, thanking him, and was lost in thought. Come to think of it, at the gladiator tournament, Blix-nim…\n"Is Lipa-nim alright? What about Blix-nim and Setchen?"\nHizen folded his arms. Leasis smiled awkwardly when she stared at him dissatisfied. Did she do something wrong again?\n"They're all fine."\n"What a relief! I'm really glad."\nThe blue eyes looking at her trembled a little. He glanced at the bed sheets and opened his mouth.\n"Congratulations."\n"…What?"\n"You've become an imperial knight."\nLeasis' mouth opened wide. She asked several times if it was true. Hizen did not answer. He had guessed it, but seeing her so fond of it made his mouth bitter.\nIn many ways, unknown things were repeated. In particular, Max was asked to find out about the fighter who used Utran's swordsmanship along Leasis, but he had already disappeared. Max even reported that he was investigating his identity as a spy.\nHizen sighed, stroking Leasis' blushing cheek.\n<center><h5>*</h5>\nDue to Schwalnon's performance, Leasis was immediately assigned to the 1st Division of Imperial Knights. She was shocked to find out the truth.\n"What? Oh, I can't join the Imperial Elite Knights?"\n"…Didn't you know?"\n"Of course!"\nMax looked at her and laughed. He did not think so, but it was real. She misunderstood that anyone who won the gladiator tournament or played an active part in it could join the Imperial Elite Knights.\n"Can't you do that?"\n"Yes. For now…"\nLeasis squeezed her hair in despair. She could not be with Hizen. For her, the news was like a cold shower.\nMax carefully brought up his words.\n"There is one way."\n"H-how?"\n"With a transfer."\nJust as Leasis, who was a maid, was transferred and became a direct maid, such things were possible among the Knights too. However, it was possible under the conditions of obtaining permission from the former and the new Commanders of the Divisions, and only for knights that had been active for more than three months in a particular Division.\nLeasis was a bit relieved. Max smiled softly as he observed her changing expression every minute.\n"But today is Miss Leasis' day. So be happy."\nMy day?"\n"Yes. His Highness the Crown Prince is holding a special party. Setchen will be there too."\nA party. She was always watching from afar. She murmured blankly and Max handed her a bundle of silk. There was a golden uniform in it.\n"This…"\n"It's for Miss Leasis."\nEven if she was not part of Hizen's knights, she could not believe she could wear knights' clothes. It was like a dream. Max was happy that she liked it.\n"Max-nim, where are Lipa-nim and Blix-nim? I'd like to see them separately."\nMax's eyes slightly dimmed at the two names. He smiled nonchalantly over coffee.\n"It's hard to see Miss Lipa because she's resting at home. But who's Blix…?"\n"The… the one with green hair and a little peculiar pronunciation. From Utran…"\n"Blix… That name wasn't on the participants list."\n"What?"\nLeasis asked several times, but Max's answer was the same. Max grinned, saying she seemed to be mistaken.\nLeasis, who was left alone, found a wooden sword on the table. It was a strange wooden sword with a light green color.\n<center><h5>*</h5>\nA grand party was held for the winners of the gladiator tournament. Overflowing food, wine, and even the nobility was there.\nWearing a black uniform, Hizen stood in the corner of the party and folded his arms. He felt very dizzy.\nThere were many people next to Leasis, who had won the competition. There were nobles he had never seen before, and even some knights. Innocent, Leasis sipped wine from their side.\nHizen looked at them with a fierce look, and a goat-like voice rang.\n"Miiiiiss Leeeeaaaaaasis!"\n"Jason-nim!"\nJason ran to Leasis and hugged her tightly. It was a violent reaction as if they were from a family separated between the Kessen and the Harknon Empires. Thanks to him, Hizen frowned even more.\n"Do you know how worried I was? Sigh…"\n"I'm sorry."\nFeeling more uncomfortable, Hizen touched his forehead with one hand. The scene was admired by the surrounding nobles. He was wearing a simple uniform, but it was full of coolness. Just sitting still, he was like a real noble. What kind of dream was it? The aristocrats glanced at him, unable to eat.\nIn the meantime, Setchen and Owen joined Leasis, making the surroundings even more distracted. Hizen did not know how much she had drunk, and she was drinking wine like water.\n"Count-nim, Count-nim!"\nBefore he knew it, Leasis, who was very drunk, approached Hizen. He sighed and looked up and down at her. Her face, ears, and neck were red.\n"Your earrings look good on you!"\nShe pointed a finger at Hizen's ear. The sapphire earrings on his ears matched really well. It was her first time seeing it, and she liked it. As expected, Hizen was cooler with accessories.\n"Never mind. I didn't mean to look good to you."\nHizen turned his head a bit and snorted, but his ears were slightly red. The strongest knight was very weak at lying.\nLeasis chattered.\n"As expected, Count-nim looks better with accessories. And Count-nim's smile is even more, more, more wonderful."\n"I'm cool even if I don't do anything."\n"That's true, but…"\nIt would be nice if you could smile. Leasis murmured. She glanced at Hizen and looked at her uniform. There was no decoration, and it was very basic clothes.\nLeasis looked around, blinking her eyes, redder than usual. It turned out that all the knights who attended the party were very well decorated. The young ladies were also dressed up in pretty dresses with jewelry.\nLeasis' shoulders went down a little due to an unknown sense of alienation. Hizen looked at her and gave strength to his neck.\n"Do not worry about it. You look good even if you don't have any accessory."\n"…What?"\n"You look good just as you are."\nLeasis' face turned redder. At that time, Prince Elnos appeared from far away with a colorful fanfare.\nHizen grabbed her wrist and led her away. He had no intention of making Leasis even more visible in Elnos' eyes than she already was. He intended to keep her away from any danger.\nThe two stood on the quiet balcony of the party. The weather was a little chilly, so Leasis trembled. Hizen took off his black uniform jacket and put it on her shoulders.\nShe laughed as she realized being a knight was so good. Hizen, whose expression was a bit twisted at the sight, asked.\n"Is it so good to be an knight?"\n"Yes. It's good."\nHizen's expression became noticeably stiff. He swallowed his irritation and leaned on the balcony railing.\n"However."\nLeasis, muttering a little, took two steps towards him.\n"My favorite thing is Count-nim, as expected."\nLeasis was a honest woman. But drinking alcohol made her even more honest. When Hizen looked at her with cool eyes, she grinned.\nA tingling sound continued to be heard in his ears.\n"I've missed Count-nim, and it's good to see you. It's nice to be together like this. It's great that I can become Count-nim's knight if I work a little harder."\n"…"\n"I'm such a fool. I thought I'd be able to join the Imperial Elite Knights if I won the gladiator tournament. That's why I worked so hard..."\nJust a little. Just a little bit. Hizen's mood got better. He covered his mouth with his hands and coughed.\n"Me too… yes."\nThe complicated world of Hizen became peaceful. Just having Leasis next to him, just looking at her, made him feel relieved. He wanted to stay. May this time stop.\nHizen looked at her without knowing how much time had passed, and she glanced down. She was now beginning to realize her dream. I can't make it hard for you. Hizen was going crazy trying to hold back the words that came up to his throat.\n"Leasis. I'll wait for you this time. So, finish it well and come back."\nHizen took a slow breath. He said, feeling his throat getting hot.\n"Don't forget that wherever you go, you are my… person."\nThen, Leasis leaned her head on Hizen's shoulder. Hizen hardened like a stone. The posture was maintained for a while.\n'Oh wait… why are you so… trembling?'\nHizen was stiff. When he lowered his eyes slightly, he saw Leasis sleeping. The lips that he thought were unique looked pretty. He wanted to kiss her right away.\nShe murmured in her sleep.\n"Count-nim… I like you…"\nHizen was going crazy trying to hold his head back.\n'Calm down, Hizen Ben Dratius. Kissing a drunken woman is not fair. Why does this woman keep trying to make me do wrong things?'\nHizen resented Leasis a bit. He closed his eyes, inwardly repeating to himself hundreds of times to be patient.\n"I missed you..."\nMe too. Hizen, who murmured quietly, gave Leasis a slight hug to prevent her from collapsing. Her body temperature was conveyed to him and his heart heated up.\nHe sighed as he looked at the night sky darkening. It was his turn to wait.\nIt was a night longer than ever.\n