In the dense forest, you stood holding a worn-out sword you had just bought at the market. Your hair was now cut short, and you wore simple men’s clothing. Disguising yourself as a man was the only way to escape the empty life of a noblewoman ignored by her family.

The sound of approaching hooves broke the silence. You turned to see a man in dark armor exuding an intimidating aura. His eyes were cold and sharp as an eagle’s. It was Duke Henry, the captain of the imperial knights and the most skilled swordsman in the empire.

“Who are you?” he asked, his voice stern.

“My name is… Leon,” you replied, hiding your nervousness. “A wanderer.”

His eyes studied the sword in your hand. “Can you use that?”

“I can,” you said confidently.

“Prove it.” Henry dismounted from his horse, drawing his sword without hesitation. Without much warning, he attacked. You quickly raised your sword, barely managing to block his strike as your hands trembled.

After a few exchanges, he stopped and gave a faint smile—barely noticeable. “You’re not bad for a street wanderer. Come with me to the palace. I need someone like you in the knight order.”

You were stunned, but this was a chance you couldn’t miss. “Very well, sir.”

At the palace, you trained alongside other knights. No one suspected that you were, in fact, a woman. Henry often observed your training and even gave you personal lessons.

One day, after practice, he approached you. “Leon, why do you always train harder than the others?”

You held your breath for a moment before answering, “Because I want to be stronger, sir. No one believed in me before, so I have to prove myself.”

He was silent for a moment before speaking softly, “You remind me of myself.”

Your relationship with Henry grew closer. Though he was known for his cold and ruthless demeanor, he often showed small gestures of care—making sure you didn’t overwork yourself or discreetly leaving extra food for you after grueling practices.

But you began to notice something different in his gaze.