My Ex-Girlfriend Was Appointed as a Knight Commander

Chapter 157

Marion.

It was the first name that came to Maxim’s mind when Emile informed him of the situation. Maxim quickly scanned the First Prince's quarters. If he ran to the First Princess's quarters to evacuate the people there, everything might already be too late by the time he returned. There was no time for hesitation. Maxim swiftly dashed into the First Prince's quarters. He needed to relay a warning to Louis before rushing to the First Princess's quarters without delay.

Unlike Christine or Theodora, Marion had no means to protect herself. Maxim’s sense of urgency grew.

“Sir Maxim! Wait a moment...!” “Move aside!”

Pushing the attendants out of his way, Maxim reached the First Prince's bedchamber. Although the guards attempted to stop him, Maxim forced his way past them and threw open the door to the chamber.

“You must flee.”

This was the first thing Maxim said as he barged into Louis's room, pushing past the attendants who tried to block his way. Luckily, no armed forces had yet entered the palace, so there was still a bit of time to evacuate the prince and princess. The First Prince, watching the commotion in his quarters, seemed momentarily stunned.

“Maxim? What is this about at this hour?”

Louis blinked, staring at Maxim in bewilderment. Seeing his teacher visibly distressed was rare, which only made Louis more alarmed.

“There’s no time to explain, Your Highness. Everyone in the palace is in danger right now.”

With these words, Maxim lifted Louis to his feet. As Maxim issued instructions to the attendants, who looked around in confusion, Louis’s mind began to clear. Scenarios raced through Louis's head of situations that would make Maxim this anxious, and one likelihood rose above the rest.

“...Don’t tell me, Kyle has made his move?”

Rather than being further shocked, Louis grasped the situation in an instant. Maxim barely had time to admire his perceptiveness and quickly nodded.

“Yes. I received information from a trusted source. You must evacuate immediately.”

“If you say so, then it must be true.”

Louis’s gaze turned cold and steady. He promptly began to issue direct orders to the flustered attendants. Watching him, Maxim spoke with a heavy heart.

“Your Highness, we must leave the palace without delay. We can use a side path at the back of the palace; that way, you’ll avoid detection and be able to escape safely.”

Maxim, leading the way, was halted by Louis.

“Maxim.” “Yes, Your Highness.” “...Run straight to the First Princess’s quarters and deliver this news without delay. Then, escape with Michelle and regroup with us.”

The moment Louis spoke, Maxim’s eyes widened. With a serious and somber tone, Louis held onto Maxim, making his request. A ripple ran through Maxim’s heart, which had been silently worrying about Marion all this time.

“Your fiancée is also with Michelle, so at least it won’t be a burden to place this task on you. You looked as if you were itching to run there anyway.”

Louis smiled—a smile that Maxim couldn’t tell was either bitter or genuine—as he patted Maxim’s shoulder. Maxim shook his head, seeing Louis smile knowingly, as if seeing right through him.

“Your Highness, even if Marion weren’t the personal attendant to Her Highness, the First Princess, I would have gone to rescue her after ensuring your escape.”

Louis let out a hearty laugh. Even if it wasn’t entirely sincere, Louis couldn’t be more pleased to hear Maxim’s assurance to protect the princess.

“Understood, Maxim. How could I doubt or ignore your words?”

“Your Highness, I would never abandon a request made between friends so easily.”

Louis nodded. Friend. That word, spoken directly by Maxim, brought an inexplicable calm to Louis. The panic stirred by the situation dissipated completely. Regaining the firm composure befitting the First Prince, Louis gave Maxim an order that sounded like a request.

“Please, Maxim. Ensure that Michelle makes it out of this safely. And...save the one you love as well. I will fight to the end, as promised.”

Maxim looked at Louis silently. He hadn’t expected to act on this promise with the prince so soon. A pang of regret hit Maxim, knowing he had to send the prince off without being by his side. Maxim offered Louis one final piece of advice.

“If I may, Your Highness... In these circumstances, you can’t trust anyone in the palace. You must consider that anyone could be colluding with Leon Bening or feeding information to him. You should entrust your safety only to someone you truly trust.”

With a resolute expression, the First Prince nodded.@@@@

“The captain of the Second Guard is trustworthy—a man who would never think of betrayal, so there’s no need to worry. And aren’t there also the Duke’s knights? Don’t worry about me and go quickly. Save Michelle and Marion.”

“Please stay vigilant, Your Highness. I will return as swiftly as possible to stand by your side once more.”

“Where should we rendezvous?”

After a brief silence, Maxim informed Louis of a safe meeting place. If the king managed to escape, he would likely head there as well. The tavern Lily was a gamble. In a situation where they might need reinforcements, being found by Bening’s forces could mean the end. The Adventurers’ Guild, well-armed, would be much safer.

“I will meet you again at the Adventurers’ Guild headquarters, Your Highness.” “If Michelle escapes safely, there will be no consequences for you not returning. So go!”

“Sorry, but this isn’t just my opinion.”

Paola subtly tilted his head to the side. A platinum-blonde knight, leaning against the wall, sighed.

“Isn’t that right, Captain?”

The Captain of the Third Guard Division’s face twisted. With a voice raised as if ready to throw a punch, he started shouting at Paola.

“What nonsense are you spouting?!”

Swish.

The sound of fabric brushing against the wall echoed as Theodora pushed herself off it and turned slowly toward the Captain. Sensing the intensity in her gaze, a cold sweat broke out on the Captain’s forehead, and he involuntarily took a step back.

“C-Captain, what is this? Your father is still...”

Clang!

It happened in an instant. Black Wolf, its dark fangs bared, was now at the Captain’s throat, growling low with a menacing hum. The Captain gritted his teeth, backing away as Theodora pressed her blade ever closer.

“It seems like now’s the right time to make things clear.”

Behind Theodora, Rione and Paola joined her. The Raven Knights all drew their swords in unison.

“We, the Raven Knights, will never join the ranks of traitors.”

Behind Theodora, Paola let out a mocking laugh.

“You’re finally saying something right, Captain.”

“Let’s go aid the First Guard, as well as the Second and Fourth. Paola, take the knights and prepare to face the enemy outside.”

The hesitation was now completely gone from Theodora. Paola gave a wicked grin. Finally, showing up like this, Maxim.

“So this is truly what you intend to do?”

The Captain’s voice dropped. Despite his intimidating words, his gaze kept darting down to the sharp tip of Black Wolf, which was aimed at his neck, and then back up.

“There’s no reason not to.”

Theodora answered coldly and thrust Black Wolf forward. The Captain barely tilted his head back, narrowly dodging her strike. Blood trickled from a small cut on his face.

“You damned—!”

The Captain cursed as he defended himself against her unrelenting strikes. The Count’s plans—the entire scheme—was falling apart. The Captain, struggling to keep up, dropped his guard slightly, attempting a counterattack. But Theodora’s sword pressed in on him without a moment’s pause. If this continued, he wouldn’t even have time to manifest his aura before that black blade would start tearing him apart—

“Enough.”

Theodora’s sword halted. Her gaze wavered. A middle-aged man had appeared, casually blocking her blade.

When? From where? How?

It didn’t take Theodora long to recognize his face. Bernardo Lennon had quietly appeared at some point, separating Theodora’s sword from the Captain of the Third Guard Division.

“B-Bernardo.” “You, go and assist the Second Prince.”

Following Bernardo’s words, the Captain nodded frantically, sheathed his sword, and rushed off toward the Second Prince’s quarters.

“My lady, I’d like to resolve this without conflict. It’s not too late; gather the Raven Knights and join the Count’s forces.”

Theodora narrowed her eyes at Bernardo. Sometimes, the knights serving her father, Leon Bening, stirred an inexplicable discomfort within her. They acted loyal, yet it seemed as if they had left their souls somewhere far away.

“No. I’ve made my stance clear. I will never side with traitors.”

Bernardo didn’t try to persuade her further. Instead, he drew his sword from his belt and met her gaze, his expression cold.

“...Then there’s no other choice.”

The look in Bernardo’s eyes as he faced Theodora was the same as when he faced an enemy.

“By the Count’s order, I’ll bring you to him by force if necessary.”