I Was a Royal Palace Knight, But I Turned Out to Be an Omega, So I Had to Resign (BL) - Chapter 24
The fortress fell easily into the hands of the neighboring country.
As we retreated, riding away on horseback, I glanced back once and saw the stone walls of the fortress small between the eastern mountains. I imagined the Solderia Empire’s flag waving there now, and a wave of frustration welled up inside me.
After discussions with the messenger, Prince Leon decided to hand over the fortress.
Then, surprisingly, the messenger shared information about Rune Bane and its antidote right there. He probably knew that both were stored inside the fortress. Using that tip, Adrian and I searched a hidden warehouse and found what looked like the antidote.
Thanks to the antidote, the knights who were sick managed to recover their health. We were lucky to have three days before the retreat, which allowed us to wait for their recovery. We managed to withdraw, bringing all the fortress soldiers with us.
During our retreat, the Solderia Empire honored their promise not to attack. Because of that, our journey back to the capital went smoothly, but the road was filled with heavy silence.
Prince Leon’s expression was serious. No one could tell what he was thinking. He just stared ahead, quietly riding forward.
Back in the capital, we were met with harsh criticism, just as expected.
“How could you so easily give up the fortress to the enemy!”
Shouts echoed through the council chamber. The voice belonged to Joseph Hyde, the Grand Military Advisor. He was a noble known as the leader of the Second Prince’s faction.
I stood by the wall in the royal council chamber, feeling the tension in the air. The royal crest hung on the wall, and sunlight streamed through the curtains, lighting the round table and chairs arranged in a circle. I was there as Prince Leon’s bodyguard knight. Though I had no right to speak, I was allowed to attend this important meeting.
“You surrendered just because the neighboring army showed up? What about our nation’s pride?”
Hyde pointed angrily at Prince Leon. His face was red with rage, and his white-streaked mustache trembled.
“To hand over a fortress built with the bl00d and sweat of our ancestors without a single fight—this is disgraceful!”
Prince Leon stayed silent, taking the criticism without excuse. Watching him, a deep anger welled up inside me.
His older brother, Crown Prince Friedrich, looked at him worriedly. I could see sympathy in his eyes, but he couldn’t openly defend Leon because of his position. He opened his mouth several times but kept closing it, clearly troubled.
“Well, I expected this outcome,”
said the Second Prince, Kyle, with a sly smile. He leaned back comfortably in his chair, looking confident.
“He was blinded by his Omega fiancée and couldn’t focus on his duties.”
Kyle’s words made some council members glare at me.
(This guy… he bribed the fortress soldiers and secretly worked with the neighboring country!)
But I couldn’t voice my anger. Without proof, I had to keep it locked inside.
“Anyone can see the problem by looking at his fiancée. Choosing an Omega man as a betrothed shows his poor judgment. And then to give this Omega a ‘bodyguard knight’ position—something unheard of before—is a clear abuse of power.”
Leon, who had been silent under the attacks, finally spoke.
“I take full responsibility for what happened. Cyril is not at fault!”
“…What weight do the words of a man who lost the fortress carry?”
Kyle sneered.
At that moment, a dignified figure seated at the back of the room—the king—finally spoke. When he raised his hand, the room fell silent.
“I have heard enough,”
the king’s low voice echoed clearly.
“Leonhart, you bear a heavy responsibility for the fall of the fortress. I hereby order you to be suspended for one month.”
Leon bowed deeply at the king’s words.
“Furthermore, to make you accountable for this loss, your military command will be taken from you soon.”
At those words, I saw Leon’s shoulders shake slightly. Losing military command was a harsh punishment. It was understandable that he was shaken.
“—Father, may I ask you something?”
Kyle interrupted.
“What will you do about the third prince’s fiancée, Cyril Glantz?”
The king paused, then gave me a cold glare. In his eyes, I saw a sharpness even stronger than Leon’s. A cold sweat ran down my back.
“Given the situation, I cannot accept your engagement.”
The king said firmly.
“The engagement is canceled.”
For a moment, it felt as if my world stopped. Even if it was just a formal engagement, its end meant… I might no longer be allowed in the royal court.
“…Understood.”
Leon bowed deeply again, his voice trembling slightly.
“—This council meeting is now adjourned.”
With the king’s words, that day’s meeting came to a close.