"Oh my! Did his majesty really say that?" Elara covered her mouth in shock after Lionel told them everything that had happened.

She quickly raised a brow to her husband. "My dear, did you hear what our son just said?"

Even the duke was perplexed at it. He glanced at Lionel and asked, "What did his majesty offer you again?"

"His majesty offered me to join the imperial knights, father," Lionel answered him calmly. He looked at his parents, and he could already tell the disbelief in their faces.

Is it that weird that I got offered one? He thought to himself as he saw their vying eyes. He felt as if he was getting judged by his own set of parents.

"..."

Elara and Arden looked at each other at that. They could understand all the rewards their son had gotten, but this one was something they were also surprised by.

Silence settled between them after Lionel’s words. Arden placed his hands together at that. His gaze was still fixed on his son as if trying to make sense of what he had just heard.

In his time, there had only been one person who had an early offer like that, and it was his own.

Arden was known across the empire as the youngest person to ever qualify for the Imperial Knights. At fifteen, he entered the academy and earned his place through pure skill.

Since he was a kid, he had already been known as a prodigy in swordsmanship. That was what he was most famous for.

However, his son just surpassed everything he had accomplished so far! Lionel wasn’t even 15, nor was he in the academy. He wasn’t even known as a prodigy in swordsmanship, but he already got a direct invitation from the Emperor himself.

"T-This is..." Arden exhaled slowly, his brows knitting together. "Really unexpected."

Elara, on the other hand, looked between the two of them. She looked visibly confused first. She knew that Lionel was never particularly drawn to swordsmanship. He trained, yes, as any noble child would, but even then, she always hears his complaints.

"Right, the retreat..." Elara spoke again, turning back to him. "They said that Lionel saved the others." Soon after, her expression became bright at that realization.

"That means our son must be good, my dear!" she exclaimed out loud.

Lionel glanced at his mother and nodded at that. Fortunately, his mother was the supportive type.

However, unlike his mother, Arden stayed serious. He wasn’t having any laughs about it, because this one was actually a serious matter. Getting offered the role was already serious, what more was the training and role that Lionel had to do if he accepted it?

"To be offered a place among the Imperial Knights without even stepping into the academy is not something given lightly, Lionel."

Lionel pressed his lips together at that. He slowly lowered his head and listened attentively.

"Tell me honestly, Lionel." Arden studied him for a moment before speaking again. "Do you intend to accept it?"

"..." Now Lionel was the one silent.

After all, at the end of the day, it wasn’t about what the Emperor wanted. It was all about Lionel’s choice.

"I... was thinking of accepting it." Lionel let out a loud sigh at that.

"Why?" Arden’s question came in as sharp.

"..."

Lionel froze. For a second, no answer came to him. His mind moved quickly, trying to find something proper to say. However, what slipped out of his lips was the truth he had been holding onto.

"I thought... if I became part of the Imperial Knights," he began slowly, "then I would be able to stay in the palace more often." He lifted his gaze slightly at that.

"And if I’m there... I can get closer to Grandfather."

"Is that your reason?" Arden’s expression darkened almost immediately when he heard that answer. It sounds like a good one, but in reality, it wasn’t.

"I—" Lionel’s fingers curled slightly at his sides.

"Do you think the Imperial Knights exist for something like that?" Arden’s voice cut through him.

Lionel flinched when he heard the seriousness in his father’s voice. It was Arden’s first time being stern to Lionel.

"That offer is not something you accept on a whim," Arden continued, his tone hardening further. "That offer is laced with discipline, sacrifice, and duty to the empire. Men have bled and died carrying that title."

"Do you know how many men die every year just to serve the empire?" His eyes did not leave Lionel’s even for a second.

"And you wish to join... simply to get closer to His Majesty?"

"I didn’t mean—" Lionel’s throat tightened.

"You did," Arden said flatly.

Even Elara, who had been smiling earlier, fell quiet. She let out a soft sigh, her expression turning more serious as well.

"Lionel..." she murmured.

That was when it hit him. The words he said sounded like a big joke. He was so determined to accomplish the first part of the mission that it clouded his judgment.

"I-I’m sorry," Lionel lowered his head quickly and apologized, "I spoke without thinking."

How can I be so careless?

I didn’t regress just to make foolish mistakes like this. I have been to countless wars and battlefield. I should have known better

He exhaled slowly as he scolded himself too. He was blinded b desperation for a moment.

I can still complete the mission without rushing into something like that.

"I apologize, Father," he said properly this time. "I understand what you mean now."

Just then, a gentle and warm hand wrapped around his hand. Lionel looked up at Elara who slightly leaned forward.

"If you wish to get closer to your grandfather," she said gently, "then I can help you with that. My dear."

"But," she continued, her tone more careful now, "joining the Imperial Knights... that is something you must decide for yourself."

"You must have a good reason for it. One that is on your own, and not for something like that."

"I understand, Mother." Lionel nodded slowly.

But when he thought about it logically, Lionel realized that letting such an opportunity pass would be a waste.