I will take a break at 12:00 AM on March 12th and 12:00 PM on March 13th.
---
As I made my way to Elna's place, my mind was filled with various thoughts.
How should I ask her?
What if she refuses?
My head was getting more and more jumbled.
In the end, without having a clear plan, I arrived at the Duke of Courage's mansion.
As usual, I was greeted with a "Welcome back," and I entered the mansion.
"Al, what's wrong?"
"Elna..."
Elna was the one who greeted me.
I wish Anna had been there instead.
Honestly, I couldn't face Elna.
But my childhood friend wouldn't miss such an unnatural attitude.
"Did something happen?"
"No..."
"You can't fool me. Let's go to the room."
With that, I was led to the guest room by Elna.
The maids had prepared tea and snacks.
Elna dismissed the maids and then sat across from me, immediately getting to the point.
"Let me ask again, what happened?"
"...I'm in a bind."
"Is that so? Do you need me?"
"...Yes."
Without looking at her, I nodded.
What a way to ask for help.
But I couldn't bring myself to look at Elna's face.
What kind of expression should I have to ask her?
My mission is ultimately for the imperial succession. I can't just quit now, even though I need my father's approval.
That's right. I'm weighing my sister's safety against the imperial succession. I can't choose either, so I've come to Elna, hoping to have both.
The harem is a world of women. A female guard is the best choice. That's one reason, but it's not the fundamental reason.
I don't want to lose the favorable wind that has finally started to blow for us. My father looks favorably upon us, and I don't want to cut off this momentum.
But I can't abandon Crista.
I can't choose.
That's why I'm clinging to Elna. I feel so pitiful that I can't even look at her face.
But then...
"I understand. Then I'll have to decline the emperor's offer."
"Wh-What? Is that okay...?"
"What is?"
Surprised by her casual answer, I looked up.
There was Elna's usual face.
It was as if there was no problem at all. Her face said as much.
"But... isn't declining a dishonorable thing to do...?"
"It's more than just dishonorable. But if you need me, there's no choice, is there?"
"...I'm leaving the capital because of a marriage proposal to my sister. To advance the imperial succession, I have to prioritize a trivial marriage proposal... I'm counting on you."
"It's not a trivial marriage proposal, is it? That's why you can't let it go. I don't know what you're doing, but if you need me, I'll help."
"Why..."
"I told you. I won't abandon Al. Have you noticed? You've had a really difficult look on your face since you got here. I don't know what happened, but if you need me, I'll resign from my mission. If there's something Al needs to do and only I can do it, that's why you came, right?"
Elna said this with a carefree expression.
It's not that simple.
If it were, I wouldn't feel this guilty.
Elna, as the heir to the Duke of Courage and a member of the Royal Guard, resigning from a mission is a big deal. Of course, my father wouldn't force her. The Duke of Courage's family is valuable because they can wield the holy sword, and the emperor wouldn't want to strain relations with them.
But it's certainly a dishonorable act.
"For you... isn't honor important?"
"It is. But my vow is more important than my honor. If you need me, I'll go anywhere. Now, explain. What do I need to do?"
Elna smiled softly, which was rare.
Her smile pierced my heart.
But I couldn't wallow in guilt forever.
"...Crista can use magic innately. She can predict the future."
"...I'm surprised. How did she manage to keep it hidden until now?"
"It manifested three years ago. Crista saw the death of the crown prince. Since then, she's been predicting the future, sometimes accurately, sometimes not. But when it comes to herself, she's usually right."
"This time, it's one of those patterns, right?"
"Yes. Do you remember the girl Leo was playing with, Rita?"
"Of course. Is she involved?"
"...Crista says she will die. Right in front of Crista."
Elna's expression turned serious at my words.
Crista rarely leaves the palace or the harem. If she's involved, it means someone in the palace or the harem is involved.
In that sense, having Elna, a member of the highest noble family, the Duke of Courage, as a guard would be advantageous.
There are only a few people who could interfere with Elna.
"You need to guard Princess Crista, right? That will help protect Rita."
"Yes... Few people know about Crista's ability to predict the future. Even my father doesn't know. So I can't use this as a reason to resign from my mission."
"That's fine. My next mission is near a large lake."
"...You don't mean...?"
"I'll tell the emperor that I'm afraid of water. That shouldn't be a big problem, right?"
"That might be true, but... your weakness will be known to others. Is that okay? You used to hate it so much."
"I still do. But if I resign, it feels like I've lost. The heir to the Duke of Courage being afraid of water would be laughed at."
"Then..."
"But my vow is more important. Are you in trouble? Can you manage without me? Can you handle it? You came because you can't handle it, right? If you're really in trouble, I'll help. Words are meaningless if they're just words. I'm not just talk."
With that, Elna stood up and came to my side.
She gently touched her forehead to mine.
Surprised by her sudden action, I was taken aback, but Elna spoke calmly.
"Don't worry. It's okay now. I'll protect everything you want to protect. I'll make sure nothing slips from your hands. I'll be there to help you. So don't look so pained."
"Elna..."
"It's okay. You're not abandoning Princess Crista. The imperial succession is important, and Princess Crista is important. If you can't do both, I'll do one. You focus on the imperial succession and the marriage proposal. I'll protect Princess Crista."
"...I don't want her to suffer anymore... When her mother died, she was like a shell. But she finally started to smile... I'm entrusting my sister... Crista to you. I can only trust you..."
"Leave it to me. We're childhood friends and partners, right? Talk to me about anything. I'll always be there to support you."
With that, Elna took a step back and smiled brightly.
I've seen that smile before.
The first time we met, she smiled like that and said she would protect me.
That's right. She hasn't changed at all.
Elna has always been on my side, then and now.
---
"Brother Al! I don't want you to go...!"
"Crista, you mustn't trouble Al."
In the end, Elna resigned from her mission, citing the large lake as the reason.
She honestly told my father that she had always been afraid of water.
Because Al and Leo were there, she had forced herself to take the mission of guarding the ambassador, but she explained that it had affected her performance.
My father had no choice but to nod, and another Royal Guard was assigned to the mission.
Mother then requested that Elna be her personal guard, citing that she wanted to hear from her sons.
Father agreed, thinking it would be a good break for Elna.
So I had to tell Mother and Crista that I was leaving the capital.
"Elna will be your guard."
"No...! I want Brother Al to be with me...!"
"...Crista, do you trust me?"
"Yes..."
"I see."
As Crista clung to me, I wondered what to say.
If I left now, she probably wouldn't trust Elna.
It wouldn't matter much, but I wanted her to trust Elna.
So I said what I was thinking.
"I'm leaving behind the best sword I trust the most."
"Sword...?"
"Yes. The best sword on the continent. It will protect you from anyone. If you're in trouble, you can rely on it. If you feel lonely, call out my name, and it will surely come to your aid."
"But..."
"Are you dissatisfied? This is the sword I trust the most. It has saved me many times. Are you still dissatisfied?"
"...No."
"Good girl. It's okay now. Elna will protect you and Rita."
With that, I hugged Crista tightly and turned to leave.
Elna was standing there.
"Take care of my sister."
"Leave it to me."
After a brief exchange, I started walking straight ahead.