TDVIATD 14

An Encounter

Posted by rvellovies86, Released on March 5, 2026

The Emperor gazed silently at the rigid Leah for a long moment before finally speaking.

“Lorenz. Take the girl at once.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

A guard who had been standing behind answered crisply and strode forward without wasted motion, stopping before Leah.

“I shall escort you, my lady. This way, please.”

“Eh…?”

Unease gripped her, and she looked up at the duke.

“Father…”

He, too, appeared perplexed.

“—Your Majesty, may I accompany my daughter?”

But the Emperor shook his head.

“No. I have matters to discuss with you. Remain.”

“…As you command.”

And so Leah was led alone from the audience chamber by the imperial guard.

(…Where are they taking me?)

…Could it be—

You unforgivable child! and she would be thrown into a dungeon?

Cold sweat prickled at her skin.

Instead of returning along the grand corridor they had used before, the guard led her down a passage that opened toward the gardens.

Glancing back at her as he walked ahead, he spoke gently.

“There is no need to be so tense.”

The guard—still in his teens—offered her a reassuring smile.

“No one is going to devour you.”

He had a sturdy build, reddish-brown hair, and gray eyes.

His clean, refreshing smile calmed her somewhat. He seemed thoroughly good-natured.

“Thank you.”

She bowed her head in gratitude, and his smile deepened.

“Not at all. I am Lorenz Führer. You are Lady Leah of the House of Arens, are you not?”

“Yes. Though… I am only an adopted daughter.”

He paused, lowering himself slightly so their eyes met, and spoke softly.

“You are the daughter of the duke’s younger sister. I am aware. However, within the Imperial Palace, it may be best not to mention that fact. Especially given His Majesty’s history.”

Leah nodded obediently at his kind warning.

(He’s right. How careless of me… Even coming to this palace was reckless. He may not have been told, but perhaps I’m about to be imprisoned. If that happens, I’ll have to run at full speed!)

Leah had trained her body since childhood.

Even now, she studied self-defense under one of her tutors.

The duke had said it was unnecessary, but she had insisted. Long ago, Johann had told her that one never knew what life might bring, and that it was vital to know how to protect oneself.

She was aligned toward Dark.

Those inclined that way often had frailer bodies, so strengthening herself was sensible—the duke had agreed.

And now, perhaps that training would prove useful!

She had no intention of being captured—or killed.

She discreetly surveyed her surroundings, mapping possible escape routes in her mind.

If she used her Dark magic, she could likely flee.

But she had promised her parents never to unleash it.

Everyone in the ducal house believed her to be a Wind caster leaning toward Dark.

No one knew she had awakened as a true Dark caster.

They crossed a covered walkway and stopped near a grand fountain.

“Please wait here,” Lorenz said.

“—Yes…”