I Was a Royal Palace Knight, But I Turned Out to Be an Omega, So I Had to Resign (BL) - Chapter 10

“Kyah!”

Princess Lydia’s scream echoed through the grand hall.

I pushed through the crowd, desperately heading toward the source of the voice. People were stepping back with terrified faces, and the view started to clear bit by bit.

“Don’t come any closer! If you move, the princess’s life is at risk!”

I gasped at the scene in front of me.

A man dressed like a noble was holding Princess Lydia from behind, restraining her. A large knife was pressed against her neck. Lydia’s face was pale, and her small body was trembling.

“What do you think you’re doing, Lux!”
“Step back! Don’t get in my way!”

The nobles around shouted and yelled, and the party’s joyful atmosphere vanished instantly. The music stopped, and the room filled with only fear and tension.

Lux? That’s his name…

I heard bits of conversations from the nobles nearby.

“That’s Lux Heinrich…”
“His family is a middle-ranking noble but recently rumored to be falling on hard times…”
“I heard he’s close to Prince Kyle.”
“They say he got caught embezzling money, so his position is shaky.”

The information spun in my head. A middle-ranking noble, close to the second prince, whose family is declining. That means he’s probably desperate and planning something.

“Everyone, step back!”

I sensed guards rushing to the hall’s entrance. But before they arrived, Lux started moving backward with Lydia toward the balcony.

“Don’t come any closer! No one comes closer!”

His voice trembled a little. What’s his plan? From the balcony, he can get to the garden. Beyond the garden, there’s a small forest behind the palace. If he reaches there, searching will be tough. If he has accomplices, things could get worse.

“Hey! What do you think you’re doing? Let the princess go right now!”

One palace knight drew his sword and stepped forward.

(Wait! Don’t provoke him when the princess is being held!)

I shouted silently inside. Sure enough, Lux got angry and pressed the knife harder against Lydia’s neck.

“Shut up! If you come one step closer, I’ll slit her throat!”

Lydia’s faint scream squeezed my heart. Damn it, why is no one acting properly? The palace knights looked panicked and just exchanged worried looks. Useless!

I quickly assessed the situation. Lux didn’t seem skilled with swords. His hands were shaking. His arm holding the knife was too tense; he couldn’t keep that pose for long. Also, he was focused on the knights and probably didn’t notice other dangers.

There was only one chance.

I grabbed a wine glass from the table in front of me and threw it hard at the wall opposite Lux and Lydia.

Crash!

Just as I expected, the sharp noise made Lux turn around reflexively.

Seizing that moment, I kicked off the floor and closed the distance in one move.

“Take this!”

With my right hand, I grabbed Lux’s arm holding the weapon and pushed it up toward the ceiling. With my left hand, I pulled Lydia away from him.

“Princess Lydia, this way!”

She quickly escaped from Lux’s grip and ran toward the other nobles.

“You bastard!”

Lux, noticing Lydia’s escape, flew into a rage and swung at me. He aimed directly for my face — a typical amateur attack.

I twisted my body lightly to dodge and, still holding his arm, used his momentum to slam him onto the floor.

“Ugh!”

Lux fell hard, and the knife slipped from his hand. I kicked it away and pressed my knee into his back, pinning him down.

“Stay still.”

I said calmly.

Then, for the first time, I realized what I’d just done and how many eyes were on me.

The hall went silent, and all gazes were fixed on me.

Wow… I really stood out…

My cheeks burned with embarrassment. I wished I could disappear.

Slowly, scattered clapping started, growing louder until the nobles stood and applauded me.

“Well done, young man.”
“Impressive moves!”
“Who is he? A palace knight?”

I heard their praise.

Just then, two figures pushed through the crowd and ran over. It was Prince Leon and Prince Friedrich. Both were slightly out of breath.

“Lydia! Are you okay?”

Prince Friedrich rushed to his daughter.

“Yes, Father. Cyril saved me!”

Prince Leon walked toward me, glancing at Lux who was still held down, and gave a faint smile.

“Looks like you handled this before we even got here.”

The arriving knights restrained Lux, and I stood up.

“Cyril Glantz.”

Suddenly, Prince Friedrich turned to face me directly.

“Y-yes.”

I nervously stood at attention.

“I will never forget the debt of saving my daughter’s life. Thank you deeply.”

The prince bowed his head. Seeing royalty bow to me was totally unexpected. I had no idea how to respond, and my mind went blank.

“Father, I want to thank him too.”

Princess Lydia bowed politely toward me.

“Cyril, I will never forget your kindness.”
“I-I’m honored…”

My face must have been bright red with embarrassment.

Lux was taken away by the knights, and the atmosphere slowly softened. The party’s lively mood returned bit by bit.

Prince Leon stood beside me and quietly said,

“…I was worried how to introduce you to the nobles at this party, but it seems everyone already knows you now.”

I looked at him, surprised by his rare joke. A faint smile appeared on his lips.

“Oh, yes… that’s true…”

I felt shy. The praise around us only made me more embarrassed.

At that moment, the orchestra began playing a new song.

“…Time to dance.”

Prince Leon said.

“Huh? After all that just happened, you want to dance?”

I asked, surprised.

“For nobles, these events don’t change formal plans. The scheduled dance must go on.”

Leon answered calmly, as usual.

Then, he stood in front of me and held out his right hand.

“Shall we dance?”
“With me? Prince Leon, do you really think I know how to dance?”

I scrambled to explain.

“Edgar taught you, didn’t he?”

Leon’s words left me speechless. Recently, Edgar had been training me in dancing too. He said I had to at least learn enough not to embarrass myself as a fiancé. The lessons were tough.

“Well, yes… a little.”

I gave in and admitted it. I saw a gentle smile form on Leon’s lips.

“Then, let’s go.”

He took my hand. The warmth of his hand and the seriousness in his eyes made my heart race.

With all the nobles watching, Leon led me to the center of the hall.

At first, I was too aware of all the curious eyes on us. But as I followed his sure guidance, my nervousness faded. My body moved more naturally than I expected. Maybe Edgar’s training was paying off.

During the dance, Leon whispered in my ear.

“—Now everyone knows you’re my fiancé.”

He said this with a satisfied smile.

I see… He’s happy just to make this fake engagement public.

That thought made me feel a little lonely.

I wondered who Leon’s real fiancé would be. Probably not someone like me, a burly guy. More likely, a cute woman. They would look perfect dancing together.

Thinking that made my chest feel tight and confused. Why did I feel this way?

“What’s wrong?”

Leon asked, noticing my expression.

“Nothing.”

I decided to stop overthinking. It wouldn’t help. Right now, Leon’s partner was me. So I’d enjoy this moment.

“Until recently, I was swinging a sword as a knight. Now, here I am, dancing with you in front of all these nobles. I never imagined this.”

I chuckled. Leon also relaxed his expression.

“Me too. I never thought I’d dance with my fiancé.”
“Especially with someone like me, right?”
“No…”

Leon hesitated briefly and looked into my eyes.

“Because it’s you.”

Before I could wonder what he meant, the music suddenly changed tempo.

Leon spun me elegantly, and all my thoughts vanished like mist.

‘Because it’s you’… what does that mean?

More nobles gathered around us, but it all felt like a distant world.

In this moment, dancing with Prince Leon was everything to me.