I Was a Royal Palace Knight, But I Turned Out to Be an Omega, So I Had to Resign (BL) - Chapter 25

Several days had passed since the council meeting.

In the room assigned to me in the royal palace, only a few of my belongings remained. I silently packed them into a wooden box—shirts, underwear, a few pieces of equipment. Most of it had already been sorted. Only a few small items were left now.

“…I really didn’t have much stuff, huh.”

I said it out loud, realizing how few personal things I actually had in this luxurious room. The time I’d spent here was much shorter than I’d expected.

In the corner of the room, two maids were quietly cleaning. They were even more careful than before not to make eye contact with me. Well, the engagement had been officially called off. Their change in attitude was understandable.

It was just a fake engagement anyway. It was always going to end.

I told myself that. It had only ended a little earlier than planned. But still…

“Damn it.”

A sharp pain twisted deep in my chest.

Was it sadness? Frustration? I couldn’t even tell. The only thing I knew for sure was that I regretted not being able to talk properly with Prince Leon before we parted ways.

Ever since the day I was hired as his “bodyguard knight,” so much had happened. The days with Edgar, rescuing Princess Lydia, the incident at the eastern fortress… All those memories raced through my mind.

“Sigh…”

I let out a deep sigh without meaning to.

The council had officially annulled the engagement. At the same time, I lost my position as his bodyguard knight. In other words, I no longer had any reason to stay by Prince Leon’s side.

On top of that, Prince Leon was under house arrest, and I wasn’t allowed to see him. If I could’ve at least visited him once after losing my status, maybe it would’ve brought me some peace.

…Well, I’m just going back to how things were when I left the knights after becoming an Omega.

That’s what I told myself. But there was one big difference between then and now: Back then, Leon and I were just commander and subordinate. But now, I couldn’t see him as just a superior anymore.

Prince Leon had been stripped of his military command after the fortress incident—a heavy punishment. He was in a very difficult position now. And not being able to be by his side during this time hurt more than anything.

I guess… I won’t ever see him again.

I stared at the now nearly-empty room, and the thought suddenly struck me. Once I left here, there probably wouldn’t be another chance to meet him. We used to run into each other often as fellow knights, but now I was just an Omega—and he was a prince. The gap between us felt impossibly wide.

There was a knock at the door, and it opened. It was Edgar, Prince Leon’s steward.

“Sir Cyril, are you ready?”

“Oh, Edgar. I’ve packed most of it already.”

I gave him a slightly awkward smile. From his perspective, most of what had happened to Prince Leon recently was probably my fault. I braced myself for some harsh words as I faced him.

But to my surprise, Edgar’s expression was one of concern.

“Is there anything you need? I’d be happy to help if I can.”

“Huh? Oh—uh, no. I’m fine. There’s not much left to carry, anyway…”

I was a bit thrown off. I never expected Edgar to be worried about me.

“…Sir Cyril.”

He glanced around the room and then at the maids.

“I’d like to speak with you privately. Let’s step into the hallway.”

With that, he turned and walked out. I hurried after him.

Once we were in the corridor, Edgar looked around to make sure no one was nearby, then lowered his voice.

“I have a favor to ask. Please, speak with Prince Leonhart—just once.”

“Eh…? But I’m no longer in any position to meet with him…”

“That’s true. But there are still things that need to be resolved between the two of you. You shouldn’t part ways like this.”

His face was serious.

“Then… how am I supposed to meet him while he’s under house arrest?”

“I’ll find a way to buy some time. Please go to the prince’s office tonight after dinner. He’ll be waiting for you.”

I paused to think.

It was true that leaving things like this would leave me full of regret. I at least wanted to thank him, and to apologize for everything—especially for how things turned out at the eastern fortress.

“…Alright. I’ll go.”

“Very well. Then I’ll take my leave.”

Edgar gave a small bow and walked off down the hall. As I watched his back disappear, a thought crossed my mind.

He must truly care for Prince Leon. Either way, I couldn’t let this chance slip by.

Tonight, I would tell Prince Leon everything.

My gratitude, my apology… and this feeling of regret still lingering in my chest.