On the day of the knighthood ceremony, Lita stood outside the door she had once passed through, feeling her palms slightly sweaty.
Two soldiers accompanied Lita. Their armor wasn’t ordinary—more ornate than a common soldier’s, but still within the realm of soldier armor. If Lita had to describe it, it felt like a ceremonial guard.
The soldiers had changed into new clothes, and Lita was no exception. She was now wearing a knight’s formal attire custom-tailored by a seamstress specially invited by Cecilia. The predominantly white outfit was accented with striking red lines, reminiscent of Lita’s wine-red eyes. The fitted trousers and shiny leather boots fit perfectly, and at her waist hung her silver longsword, for which Cecilia had thoughtfully prepared a wooden scabbard.
Lita took a deep breath, feeling her chest tighten even more.
‘It must be from nervousness, not because I’ve gained weight.’
Wait… can dream demons actually gain weight from overeating?
‘Phew, this feeling of everyone inside preparing to welcome me alone is exactly like a bride at her wedding.’
‘If I were getting married, would it feel like this too? And who would be the groom? No, my orientation has always been toward women, so there’s no groom. Then two people in wedding dresses facing each other outside the door? That doesn’t seem right either.’
“The ceremony always has to be different for that kind of wedding, right?” Lita muttered under her breath, until a soft call broke her daydream.
Lita turned her head to look at the elderly woman dressed as a palace official. The woman in charge smiled and nodded at Lita. “It’s time, please enter, Lady Lita.”
Lita took a deep breath. The cold air filled her lungs, calming her somewhat chaotic thoughts. Then she reached out, pushed open the heavy door, and the scene of the royal hall’s main chamber unfolded before her.
It was almost the same as the day of the trial, yet completely different.
The vast space was still filled with a solemn, sacred atmosphere. On the Golden Tree Throne sat the same portly king. Nobles wore their finest robes, and the Crest Knights were in ceremonial dress. Everyone’s eyes fell squarely on Lita as she walked forward.
But the atmosphere had changed. On the day Brennie had brought her, those gazes had conveyed scrutiny, suspicion, and hostility, pricking Lita’s skin like needles. Yet today, Lita felt none of that. Perhaps it wasn’t just that others’ opinions had changed—Lita herself had changed too. She had thought she would be nervous, but the etiquette taught by Brennie had been thoroughly ingrained in every move she made.
‘I have to say, that big stick is still too authoritative.’
Lita looked straight ahead, moving forward slowly. Her leather boots struck the floor with crisp sounds. The king seated on the Golden Tree Throne now wore formal royal robes. The gold-stitched garments gave his portly frame an imposing dignity.
Beneath the throne, the princesses had already taken their positions.
The First Princess, Cecilia, stood at the far left. Her brilliant golden hair was tied into a mature braid resting on her shoulder. When she caught Lita’s gaze, she gave an impeccable smile. Beside the First Princess was an empty space—it should have belonged to Rosalia, but Rosalia had gone north and not yet returned, so the spot remained vacant.
The Twin Moons stood behind Cecilia. On this occasion, they had shed their flashy armor, but their formal attire was still ostentatious.
What drew Lita’s attention was that the rose-gold-haired young lady and her personal knight were both absent from the hall. Lita had heard that Lilia had left the Royal City, but she hadn’t expected her not to return even now. That was a good thing—the person she least wanted to see was gone, meaning no one would cause her trouble.
Next was Eliya. The relatively understated formal dress Lita had helped her put on before leaving. A silver-white gown matching Lita’s hair color, a gold shawl to match, and a necklace given to her by her mother. Eliya now stood with lowered lashes, as still as a real doll.
‘She must be nervous too.’
Finally, the youngest princess. No matter what formal dress she wore, it looked like a child’s costume. Today, she still carried that innocent, carefree smile, even secretly winking at Lita. That small gesture stood out conspicuously in the solemn hall.
As before, Helage was absent.
Lita withdrew her gaze, straightened her back, and continued along the path paved by the red carpet until she reached the end. She knelt on one knee, placed her hand on her chest, and bowed—everything so natural that Lita even caught a glimmer of approval in Cecilia’s eyes.
“Rise, brave knight,” the king’s voice rang out.
Lita stood, bowing her head slightly, maintaining the humility befitting a knight. The king rose from his throne, his deep voice echoing through the hall: “This knight is named Lita. She has passed the examination of the Holy Knights, rendered meritorious service in protecting the princess during the Battle of Solus City, proven her loyalty before the people, and demonstrated her character and ability among the knights. Though it goes against the law, exceptional individuals deserve reward. Today, I, the Ruler of the Kingdom and Protector of the Realm, Uranus Julius, formally knight her as a Holy Knight, and grant her the honor of serving the Fourth Princess, Cecilia Julius.”
A low, dignified round of applause filled the hall. The king raised his plump hand and made a gesture.
Cecilia slowly stepped out from the line. Her silver-white skirt gently brushed the floor as she moved. She stopped before Lita, barely two steps apart. Lita could smell her faint fragrance, along with some lingering traces from the night before.
Cecilia extended her hand, and Lita took it gracefully, bending her knee and bowing her head to lightly kiss Cecilia’s fingertips. This was not Lita’s first time kissing Cecilia, but it was the moment her heart had raced the fastest.
Then they each took half a step back. Lita knelt on one knee and lowered her head before Cecilia. A servant brought an ornate ceremonial sword and handed it to the youngest princess, who smiled and passed it to Cecilia.
Cecilia began slowly: “Lita.”
Lita slowly raised her head, meeting Cecilia’s golden eyes.
“Do you swear before the Golden Tree, by the honor of a knight, to protect those you serve? With the loyalty of your life, to safeguard the laws of the kingdom and the dignity of the royal family?”
The ceremonial sword gently touched Lita’s left shoulder.
“I swear.”
“Do you accept the duties of a knight—to stand firm in times of danger, to hold light in darkness, to remain steadfast in confusion?”
The sword touched her right shoulder.
“I accept.”
“Do you pledge your sword, your strength, your will, your life to your master, and to those who need your protection?”
The sword rested upon Lita’s head.
“I pledge.”
A servant took the ceremonial sword. Another servant carried a tray, which Aierteer herself stepped forward to present before Cecilia. This sight made many gasp—Aierteer personally attending a ceremony was unheard of.
Cecilia picked up the golden branch, pricked her fingertip, and let a drop of blood fall into the wine bowl. This should have been the ceremony for bestowing the Golden Blood, but to prevent accidents, they couldn’t actually grant it again. Cecilia raised the wine bowl with both hands and handed it to Lita.
Lita accepted the bowl and declared in a clear voice:
“From this day forth, I renounce lands and fiefs, forswear wife and children, seek no crown, desire no favor. I shall fulfill my duty, live and die by this oath. Like fire driving away cold, like light breaking dawn. Life and death, honor and disgrace, all belong to this bond. This oath shall not waver until death.”
Then she drank it all in one go.
The king descended from the throne and picked up the golden leaf amber badge from the tray. Cecilia accepted the badge, helped Lita to her feet with both hands, and pinned it to Lita’s chest.
“Lita,” Cecilia called softly.
“Lady Cecilia.”
“Now, you absolutely cannot leave me.”
This was not part of the ceremony—it was a whisper. But Lita still responded: “I decided long ago that I would never leave you.”
Once the badge was fastened, the two turned and bowed to the king. The king nodded approvingly. “Return to your place.”
This time, Lita could stand openly behind Cecilia.
“The ceremony is over.”
Thunderous applause. Standing beneath the throne, Lita felt a bit dazed. The view was really good.
A servant trotted over and whispered in the king’s ear: “Your Majesty, the Third Princess has returned.”
“Hmm, I know. Didn’t you see the ceremony was in progress?”
The servant’s voice trembled. “That’s precisely why I waited until the ceremony ended before daring to report.”