The Dragon Emperor Regnar stared at Hansel intensely, then shifted his focus to Zilant.

“Duke, how are your knights?” he asked.

Zilant lowered his head and placed a hand on his chest.

“Your Majesty, we have recruited many new knights and are training them well.”

Regnar nodded, leaned back, and noticed Enya.

“And could this be the new recruit you asked me to approve as the Phoenix Heir’s personal knight?” he asked.

Enya kept her head low, but her eyes glared.

“Yes. This is Enya Fraye. His swordsmanship surpasses any I’ve seen,” Zilant replied.

Regnar sighed. “Really? I’ve heard he has a bold streak… that he doesn’t care if he insults the royal family. I approved him only because you requested it.”

Zilant tightened his jaw. Enya smirked, which startled Regnar.

“You dare to laugh?” the Emperor asked.

“I dare. I have nothing to lose. I’ve already lost everything that mattered,” Enya said boldly.

Zilant clenched his fists, worried for Enya. Regnar paused, rubbed his chin, leaned forward, and studied Enya’s eyes. Then he smiled.

“I see. You have eyes like the Phoenix Heir… Could the Duke have softened after facing those eyes?”

“Soften? What am I, a doll? I’m a knight.”

Zilant turned to Enya.

“Enya, speak respectfully—”

“You don’t seem to respect me at all. Do you speak to the Duke like this?”

“I lectured him and called him a coward yesterday,” Enya said.

Regnar froze, staring at Zilant. Zilant pressed a palm to his forehead and groaned.

“Enya… please refrain from speaking like this in front of His Majesty,” Zilant said.

Enya smiled faintly and nodded.

“Sure, Commander. My apologies.” She bowed.

Regnar tilted his head, studying them both.

“Does Sire Fraye always speak like this?” he asked.

Zilant swallowed hard and nodded.

“Yes, Your Majesty. He is still young and naive. Please forgive him, he has much to learn,” he begged.

Enya frowned and leaned back.

“Young? How old are you?” she asked.

Hansel chuckled softly. Enya glanced at him and smiled briefly.

“Enya, please…” he added.

She nodded. “Fine. Okay, continue.”

Regnar observed the three and, to their surprise, laughed. They all paused and stared.

“This is the first time I’ve seen the Duke so flustered. You’ve brought an amusing child into your knights,” he said with a relieved sigh. “However, I asked you here for a serious matter.”

Zilant and Hansel turned serious. Before Regnar could speak, the doors opened. The Empress and Llard entered. Zilant turned as they crossed the hall. The Empress sat beside Regnar, and Llard smirked behind her.

“What were you talking about? Please continue,” the Empress said.

Regnar took a deep breath, exhaling.

“I was about to ask… Has the Phoenix Heir developed any aura?” Regnar asked.

Hansel swallowed hard, clenching his fists. Zilant tightened his jaw.

“Your Majesty… He… he has not yet,” Zilant answered.

“Do you know why?” Regnar continued questioning.

“I do not know…”

Llard laughed as he stood in front of Regnar.

“Your Majesty, I think it could be one thing or the other. Either this man is an illegitimate or… a fake brought by Uncle,” Llard added.

Zilant clenched his fists. Regnar glanced at Llard, then at Zilant. Hansel closed his eyes. Enya locked eyes with Llard as he slyly smiled at her. She smiled back, stirring him.

“Commander, can I ask one thing?” Enya asked.

Everyone grew silent. Zilant turned around to look at her.

“No… not right here,” Zilant worried.

Enya sighed heavily.

“I remembered having an outing with His Highness… and the one that insulted him was none other than this man. I remembered that the late Emperor sent the edict that His Highness here would be addressed as the Phoenix Heir. So, if he’s really not the Phoenix Heir, then…” Enya paused, staring at Regnar. “Wouldn’t that mean the late Emperor made a grave mistake and not His Highness, who was only three at the time he entered the Dragon Empire?”

The Empress glared at Enya, sharpening her internal insult. How dare this peasant insult the Royal Family of the Dragon Empire this way…? Was he the one who was humiliating my son the past few days?

Regnar locked eyes with Enya, staring with unreadable thoughts. Enya curved her lips a little, holding her head high.

“I don’t mean to offend the Royal Family if that’s what you’re thinking… I’m just saying. I’ve only known His Highness for a few days, but I could see the innocence and kindness in his eyes. My apologies for my bold statement.” Enya lowered her head.

“Tsk…” Llard clenched his fists.

“I understand your intention… However, we have now been asked to prove his originality.”

Zilant quickly turned to look at Regnar.

“What…? By whom?” Zilant asked.

Llard’s eye twitched happily to see Zilant’s reaction.

“By the Tiger’s Den. They requested to see the Phoenix Heir at their temple for the High Priest to verify his origin,” Regnar answered.

Hansel panted heavily, trembling.

Enya frowned upon hearing this. So… the rumors were true. Llard had dealings with the Tiger’s Den, and now the High Priest would have his hand in Hansel’s fate. She glanced at Llard’s smug expression, already confirming what she suspected.

Zilant shook his head.

“Your Majesty, I can attest to you… Hansel is definitely the Phoenix Heir! I was there with Uncle—”

“Zilant…” Regnar called, freezing Zilant.

Hansel collapsed to the ground.

“D-does that mean… I might not return if I am not?” Hansel asked.

Regnar sighed heavily, leaning his head back.

“If you are, then you will stay in the temple… If you are not, you will be discarded…”

Discarded? Hansel’s eyes widened at that last word. The word that echoed in his head.

Zilant clenched his fists, trembling as he stared at the ground.

“We can wait for another few years… he will definitely have his aura by then,” Zilant argued for the first time.

Enya paused and stared at Zilant’s head. Why are you trying so hard to protect him?

“Zilant… you’ve been saying that for years… There were no results in waiting. We must take him to the temple to get it confirmed, so that we will know definitely,” Regnar responded.

Zilant lowered his head.

“Please, Your Majesty… trust me. I was the one who was there.”

Llard chuckled. Regnar groaned in frustration.

“Brother, you’re being sensitive about this again. Every year… just let it go,” Llard teased.

Enya kept her head low, but her eyes glared, sharper, almost knowing something no one else did. So, was this why Hansel had never left the Empire…? Enya peeked at Zilant, seeing him tremble in anxiety.

“If he is confirmed as the Phoenix Heir…” Enya started. Everyone paused and looked at her. “Then I would like to ask a favor on behalf of the Phoenix Heir.”

Regnar stared at her.

Zilant swallowed. What are you doing?!

“What is that favor?” Regnar asked.

Enya smiled slyly.

“The Phoenix Heir will be returned to the Empire as he is still not of age yet. He will still have Commander as his guardian. And, he will be free to roam without anyone insulting him ever again… including the royal family,” Enya answered eloquently.

Zilant widened his eyes, expecting nothing else from her boldness. Enya locked eyes with him sternly.

“I hate to be someone’s personal knight and then lose my position because of rumors and unconfirmed lies,” Enya added.

Regnar observed her carefully, leaning his head curiously. This young man is quite audacious… could that be why Zilant is so lenient on him? His words are very good with each other. Difficult to argue with. He smirked.

“Very well. I can promise that. We wouldn’t want the true Phoenix Heir somewhere else,” Regnar accepted.

Zilant quickly turned to look at Regnar. His face was full of relief, smiling almost.

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Zilant bowed.

Hansel slowly smiled, staring at Enya anxiously.

“T-Thank you…” he whispered.

Enya looked at him with a soft and warm smile, nodding.

“You’re welcome!” she mouthed the words.

Hansel nodded, feeling pleased to have such a knight like her. Zilant looked at Hansel and sighed in relief.

Llard glared at them, clenching his fists. The Empress narrowed her focus on Enya, the annoying pest in her eyes.

“If that’s all, you may return,” Regnar ordered.

“Thank you, Your Majesty… for your kindness and wise words,” Zilant bowed.

Regnar chuckled.

“I should thank the man behind you. You have found such a man to be under your wing… thank him,” Regnar said.

Zilant froze, turning to look at Enya. She locked eyes with him without emotion.

“What?” Enya looked away.

Zilant smiled, realizing that Enya had been the one changing things in his life since she entered.

“We will be going,” Zilant stated.

Enya and Hansel bowed, turning to leave. Regnar took a deep breath.

“Zilant…” he suddenly called. Zilant paused, looking at Regnar.

“Yes, Your Majesty…”

Regnar swallowed hard.

“I need to speak with you. Please meet me at the Western Garden,” Regnar said.

Llard and the Empress glared at Zilant, growling silently. The Empress covered her lips with her fan as she stood.

“I’ll be heading to my palace then…” she said. Then she stormed out of there.

Llard clenched his fists and stormed after the Empress without a word. When he walked by Zilant, he shoved Zilant a little.

As soon as everyone stepped out of the Main Hall, Enya and Hansel waited by the bridge.

“What do you think they are talking about?” Hansel asked curiously.

Enya stretched her arms, placing them behind her neck.

“I don’t know… I don’t care,” Enya responded.

Hansel chuckled. Enya paused, looking at him.

“You’re funny, Enya. You’re so… different,” Hansel stated.

“Really? I just have my own goals and ambitions. It just doesn’t align with nobles,” Enya responded.

Hansel nodded slowly.

“I see… but I’m also a noble. You’re nice to me…”

Enya looked at him as he avoided her gaze.

“But you don’t act like one. You act like a human being… they act like greedy people,” Enya added.

“Zilant doesn’t act like that… he risks everything for me… I hate when he does it, though,” Hansel admitted.

Enya paused, taking a step back.

“Yeah. Why is that? He acts so overly protective of you,” Enya pried.

Hansel smiled faintly.

“It’s probably because… I have no one else. I don’t know… but Cullen and the knights said that it’s because he met my family. The people that I couldn’t remember…” Hansel was saddened.

Enya’s heart dropped, clenching her fists as her eye twitched. She forced a smile.

“Even if you can’t remember them, they probably will remember you…” Enya cheered. They do… I do. My baby brother.

Hansel looked around, refusing to let a tear fall.

“I hope so… the only thing I remember was a blue shining light… it moved so elegantly, like the person was dancing, spinning and twirling… Zilant told me that that person was my sister. He said she had beautiful ruby red eyes, and her fire, the way it shimmered and flowed, was as beautifully blue as the ocean.”

Enya wanted to raise her hand and hug him, but she restrained herself. She nodded, holding back her tears.

“As far as I know… any family that you have that is still alive… they definitely do still care about you and miss you. For now, you have friends here. In the future, you can reunite with your family once again,” Enya said, hesitating.

Hansel looked at her and smiled.

“Thank you… for not pitying me like many others. I really appreciate that… Enya,” Hansel replied.

Enya took a deep breath, patting his shoulder.

“Be strong… because that’s how you’ll control your future.”

While Enya and Hansel were enjoying their conversation, Regnar and Zilant were having a serious conversation.

“The only reason I haven’t punished that young man yet is because of him. Llard has been taking more actions… I want to see how you and Llard handle the empire. If Llard just depended on the Empress, he wouldn’t accomplish anything. Zilant, will you fight for the throne as well?” Regnar asked.

Zilant stared at him, inhaling and exhaling deeply.

“Your Majesty, I have no interest in the throne… my only concern is protecting Hansel… the only Phoenix royal family member left,” Zilant answered.

Regnar nodded, taking a deep breath.

“I can give you that… but you know the Empress won’t, so be prepared. Your little knight should, too. He offended Llard once again,” Regnar warned.

Zilant nodded, tightening his jaw.

Far from the garden, the Empress stared at the balcony.

“Max, how long will it take you to eliminate a rat who lingers around the empire?”

Maximillian lowered his head.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 🪶 🔥 Princess, Don’t Waver ❄️ 🐉 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~