23. Camilla's Temptation

Reet finally returned to the waiting room after the awards ceremony.

Exhausted from multiple intense duels, he was completely drained.

And besides, that man wouldn’t leave his mind—spinning around and around in his head.

William Argyle.

He possessed bottomless power.

Moreover, he knew Reet’s secret.

What on earth was he…?

Then.

“—Reet.”

His name called out suddenly.

For a moment, he thought it was Iris’s voice, but he immediately realized it was different.

He looked up to find a girl who resembled Iris at first glance but was clearly something else entirely.

Golden hair and blue eyes—but unlike Iris, her hair was done up in soft waves.

Her face was beautiful, but her smile held something that struck a chord.

“Your battle was magnificent. I was truly astonished you managed to defeat my cousin Argyle.”

With those words, Reet understood who stood before him.

Camilla Lorence.

Argyle’s cousin. The queen consort’s daughter.

Unmistakably the second princess of this kingdom.

In other words, Iris’s half-sister.

It made sense that they sounded and looked similar.

With a bewitching smile, Camilla slowly approached Reet and took his hand.

Soft hands wrapped around his wrist.

The sudden gesture made Reet’s heart skip, but the moment he looked into Camilla’s eyes up close, his pulse quickly settled.

It was the same as with Argyle.

There was something cold lurking there.

Camilla, her bewitching smile still playing across her lips, spoke.

“Would you become my servant?”

A sudden invitation.

It was half… almost a temptation.

Reet was at a loss for words and found himself frozen.

Camilla continued speaking.

“Become my palace guard knight. If you do, I’ll promote you immediately. And I’ll grant you a title as well.”

Only then did Reet realize he was being recruited.

A common person couldn’t thoughtlessly speak to a princess of this kingdom.

So Reet didn’t know how to respond.

He managed to squeeze out some words.

“…I’m sorry. Personnel decisions are not mine to make…”

Those were the words that barely escaped.

Then Camilla said such things were meaningless.

“Personnel decisions are easily arranged. For instance, you could become my husband.”

At those words, Reet was shocked.

Husband—did she mean marriage to the princess…!?

What kind of joke was this…?

“If we marry, you’ll become part of the royal family. Personnel matters can be handled however we wish.”

And with that, Camilla pulled Reet’s hand firmly toward her.

Reet braced himself with his core strength, but instead, Camilla’s body leaned against him.

“How about it? As a princess’s husband, a dukedom would be assured. You could even become knight commander.”

Knight commander—the highest rank.

It was something any knight dreamed of.

Only a tiny handful among the kingdom’s elite could reach such a position.

Those who had truly reached the very pinnacle.

The princess dangled this position before him.

But.

“Princess… I appreciate your feelings, but… it’s impossible. For a princess to marry a mere commoner…”

“Impossible? Certainly not. I have no interest in pedigree. I prefer the strong.”

“Princess…”

Reet couldn’t find any better excuse.

So—

“I serve Princess Iris.”

Reet stated those words clearly.

At those words, Camilla’s body froze for an instant.

Then she straightened up and looked up at Reet.

“You serve Iris, you say.”

Her voice, now slightly cold.

But Reet answered without flinching.

“Yes. Princess Iris was the first to acknowledge me. So I wish to repay her expectations.”

When Reet said that, Camilla—

“Ha!!”

Laughed.

She had laughed at his clear refusal.

“I see. Quite excellent. You’re the first man to resist me while touching my skin.”

Probably, Reet thought to himself.

If a beauty like this princess came at most men, they wouldn’t be able to refuse.

But no matter how she pressed him, Reet was confident he could refuse.

Because Camilla carried something cold hidden deep within her heart.

He had sensed it.

So even if she came at him naked, he wouldn’t have yielded.

“I like you even more now.”

Camilla’s smile turned devilish.

Then—

“—Camilla!!!”

At that voice, he turned in surprise to find Iris in the doorway.

Her eyebrows were raised, and her expression suggested she was about to pounce.

“Sister, what’s wrong?” Camilla asked, tilting her head.

“Reet is troubled. Get away from him.”

With those words, Iris approached, radiating a killing intent that suggested she could attack at any moment.

With no choice, Camilla released Reet’s hand.

“Very well. Today’s victory goes to you.”

With that, Camilla took a step back.

Then she turned on her heel.

“Sister, if you get too angry, you’ll die young,” she said, leaving those words behind as she exited the room.

Iris stared at her departing back until it was gone.

Only after confirming that did she turn back to Reet.

“Reet, did she do anything to you?”

Iris asked in a voice filled with anger.

It was then that Reet noticed the relationship between the sisters was not ordinary.

“No, nothing… She just asked if I would become her servant…”

“—And what did you say?”

“…I refused.”

When Reet said that, Iris let out a breath, visibly relieved.

“I see… Sorry for losing my composure.”

Just what has happened between these sisters?

Reet managed to swallow the words that had nearly reached his throat.

But Iris explained it herself.

“Camilla and I are competing for the throne.”

“—Competing for the throne?”

“As you know, I’m the firstborn, but illegitimate. Meanwhile, Camilla is the second daughter, but legitimate. Because of this, who will inherit the throne hasn’t been formally decided yet.”

Reet felt he finally understood why Camilla had pressed him.

It was to weaken Iris’s forces—her rival, even if only slightly.

“Camilla’s mother is from the Argyle family. The Argyles wield overwhelming power at court. Meanwhile, I am illegitimate, so I don’t have strong backing. That’s why—I could be killed at any moment.”

Killed.

By her siblings.

With those words, all the unease Reet had been feeling finally melted away.

Whether Camilla or Argyle, both carried coldness hidden deep in their eyes.

It was, without a doubt, killing intent directed at Iris.

Then Iris took Reet’s hand and spoke.

“So… I know it’s unreasonable to ask, but… will you be my strength?”

The answer to those words—was already decided from the start.

“Of course, Princess. That is the palace guard knight’s duty.”

Reet met the princess’s gaze directly and answered.