Today…

  I had to part ways with someone I considered a friend.

  When we returned, we were greeted by David and Bishop Leon.

  The moment we arrived, I was moved to my private room with David.

  In the middle of my room, I stood face to face with David.

  The distance between us was not that close.

  Yet, it was also not that far.

  That was our distance.

  Then, after stealing a glance at the sword hanging at my waist, he calmly spoke to me.

  “You have made a decision.”

  It was as if he knew about it beforehand.

  I replied while tapping on the steel sword hanging by my waist.

  “Yes.”

  Then, he stared straight at my eyes.

  It was as if he were trying to confirm something.

  As he narrowed his eyes, he asked.

  “I should stop addressing you as ‘your highness.’”

  Yes, it was another one of his tasteless jokes.

  He might be wary of me.

  He might have thought that I had not detached myself from my status as royalty.

  In truth, I already let go of it.

  So, with a wry smile, I resolutely replied to him.

  “Please call me by my name.”

  That was my resolution.

  Then, he slowly walked to me.

  His eyes did not leave me.

  As if he was half serious, half joking, with a playful smile…

  Yes, that was the first time he directed his playful smile at me.

  That was my first time.

  That was why I was momentarily stunted at that time.

  … that smile turned into a grin as he said this.

  “Do you know? I can kill you here without being charged for treason.”

  I was really lost.

  I did not know how to respond to him.

  Was he serious?

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  Was he holding a grudge against me that much?

  I fleetingly thought that.

  That was why I could only silently look at him.

  “...”

  Then, he closed the distance.

  As I became close to him to the point it was only an arm's reach from each other, he extended his hand to grab my shoulder.

  At that time, he wore a friendly smile on his face.

  With that smile on his face, he gently said to me.

  “Don’t worry, I won’t do it. However, ...”

  He hit me in the gut suddenly.

  He did not hold back.

  It was so painful.

  That was the most pain I have ever endured.

  “Ugh,”

  With that surprise attack, I could only let out a painful sound.

  I fall to the ground, holding my stomach.

  As I lay down on the ground, I tried to look up.

  Then, I saw him looking down at me.

  I saw many emotions in his eyes.

  Then, he coldly said this.

  “I have always wanted to hit you at least once.”

  At that moment, I felt cold and warm at the same time.

  I did not reply to him as I tried to cope with the pain.

  Then, he extended his hand to me as he said this.

  “I have to admit. You have guts.”

  I looked at his face and his hand alternately several times.

  I was unsure what it was.

  Then I decided to accept his hand.

  As I grabbed his hand, I stood up with his support.

  As I got to my feet, I looked at him.

  I could not hide my anger at him as I asked him.

  “Do you hold that much of a grudge against me?”

  When I said that, he frowned at me.

  Then, he spoke to me as if he were reprimanding a small child.

  “You are no longer protected by your status. You should be careful with your speech and manner. This is my honest advice.”

  It was true on his part.

  After all, I was no longer royalty.

  And he was a knight

  Moreover, he was also the son of a duke.

  So, I readily admitted my mistake.

  “I will be more careful, Sir David.”

  I lowered my head as I said that.

  Then I saw him nod as he accepted my apology.

  “This is better. I am discharged from my duty.”

  His duty….

  It was his duty that bound him to me.

  It was his duty to guard me.

  So, he has been taking care of me all this time because of this duty.

  So, as I am no longer royalty, his duty should end as well.

  At this ending, I decided to express my gratitude to him in words.

  “Thank you very much for all your help all this time.”

  I lowered my head to him again as I said that.

  While my head was still lowered to him, he calmly said to me.

  “I also resigned from my position as a knight. I am volunteering to join the pilgrimage led by the saintess.”

  Then, I hastily looked up at him again as he broke this news to me.

  I stared blankly at him as I was trying to register what he had said.

  “...”

  Then, he let out a wry smile.

  “In a sense, we are comrades.”

  Only then did I finally come to terms with it.

  He said he would join the pilgrimage led by the saintess.

  There was no reason for him to do it.

  So, there was only one reason.

  So, I immediately came to this conclusion.

  I cautiously asked him.

  “Are you chasing after her?”

  Then, he weakly smiled back.

  “... Yes.”

  At his confirmation, I did not know how to respond to it.

  I had mixed feelings about that.

  So, at the end, I could only offer him encouragement.

  “Best of luck.”

  As if he had not expected it, David opened his eyes wide when he heard that.

  Then, for the last time, he performed his knight’s salute to me as he accepted my word of encouragement.

  “... Thanks… I bid you farewell.”

  He also gave me his farewell.

  Then, he picked up the bag that was resting near his feet.

  That was his bag.

  Come to think of it, he has been carrying it all the time since the time we left the sanctuary.

  At first, I did not notice that bag at his feet.

  Only when he said farewell to me did I notice it.

  That only has one meaning.

  So I asked him to confirm.

  “Are you going now?”

  The moment I asked him, he already put that bag on his shoulder and turned his back to me.

  Then, he turned his head to me.

  With a grin, he said.

  “Yes. I was held back all this time thanks to a certain person.”

  That word aroused guilt in my conscience.

  I really did tie him to me all these times.

  I might have obstructed him too much.

  Like I have always wanted to spend time with Lillia, he might have also wanted to spend time with that girl, too.

  So, with guilt in my mind, I could only weakly offer him another apology.

  “... Sorry.”

  Facing my apology, as if he were not bothered by it, he turned his back to me.

  Then, he waved his hand to me without looking back.

  “Don’t sweat it.”

  That word...

  He spoke with refreshment.

  I might have smiled when he said that.

  At that time, I could only silently look at his back until the door closed.

  I will never forget what you have been doing for me.

  I will forever be grateful for your help.

  David

  My friend.