A quiet passageway connecting the Royal Castle and the Knight Order Headquarters.

  On both sides, Luminaria flowers stretched out like a dense hedge. Their pale blue light softly repelled the midday sun, acting like a barrier that partitioned this pce from the outside world.

  After confirming there was no sign of anyone else, I slipped into the gaps between the flowers.

  The fiery petals of the Luminaria swayed behind me, wordlessly concealing my presence. Here, the light wasn't too bright. The pale blossoms tinted the surroundings with a soft hue, and the sunlight filtered through the leaves in pleasant patches.

  Above all, no one could find me here. I was confident that even if someone looked down from directly above, they wouldn't notice this spot.

  I remember the first time I passed through this corridor.

  I had just joined the Order, and my nerves were frayed from being around so many people. In a sudden moment of exhaustion, a headache struck me, and I colpsed into this very hedge.

  Then, as if whispering "Welcome," the branches and leaves of the Luminaria swayed, guiding me deeper inside. I had never forgotten that sense of relief. Since then, whenever my heart grew weary, I found myself coming here.

  In the silence, I could hear birds chirping as the wind swept petals away. The events of the morning felt like a dream.

  "...Phew."

  I rested on one knee and let the tension drain from my shoulders.

  (...Her Majesty is truly cruel.)

  That moment. She had undoubtedly winked at me.

  Something like that... if I weren't a knight, I would have colpsed on the spot. No, even as a knight, it was a close call. The fact that I’m here now, trying to steady my breathing, is proof enough.

  What a troublesome person. Truly, hopelessly... she pys foul.

  I leaned my back against the Luminaria, sinking into them. Unlike ordinary pnts, these flowers were fluffy, soft, and warm.

  "Hwaaa..."

  My guard dropped, and a yawn escaped me.

  Shedding my facade as a knight, the "other me" that I showed no one began to emerge. ...Maybe it would be okay to just fall asleep like this.

  Just as that thought crossed my mind—

  "Hmm. The true face of my stiff, formal knight is quite charming. A new discovery indeed."

  "—Wh-?!!?"

  I bolted upright with enough force to leap out from the flowers. Reflexively, I snapped my gaze toward the source of the voice—!