Imperial capital.
Among the majestic palace complex, there is a small garden that belongs to the princess Liliana. Flowers from all seasons are planted in the garden. No matter spring, summer, autumn or winter, it is a colorful and beautiful scenery.
The princess loved this small garden so much that even her personal servants were not allowed to enter. Apart from her, only Leon Hart, the captain of the Imperial Guard, was allowed to enter the garden.
In addition to serving as the captain of the imperial guard, Leonhardt is also the princess's personal bodyguard. In addition, he takes care of the plants in the garden.
This was a helpless move, the servants could not enter, and the princess did not have the knowledge to take care of flowers, so he had to do it.
Fortunately, Leonhardt was happy with it and was even allowed to live in the palace.
...Few people know that he grew up in the palace.
Since they always wear masks in front of others, no one knows that the imperial guard captain and the princess have very similar faces...
The weather is exceptionally sunny today.
The princess sat alone in the center surrounded by flowers, enjoying the warm sunshine.
In the garden that no one else could enter, there was a snow-white horse lying next to the princess. The princess reached out and stroked the white horse's mane, and was amused by its affectionate movements from time to time.
"Josephine, if you are naughty again, I will kick you out!"
The white horse gently cupped the princess's chin, and the princess, who was tickled by its breath, pretended to be angry and shouted with a smile.
Not counting Leonhart, only this white horse named Josephine, who was kept as a pet by the princess, could make her smile so heartily...
It's actually not quite accurate to say that. In the past, the princess's brother Leko could make her smile so carefree.
The previous king died of illness a long time ago, and Lecco, who was also serving as regent and developing the empire's national power and territory to an unprecedented scale, suddenly disappeared mysteriously.
The government affairs of the empire were immediately handled by ministers whose abilities were second only to the regent, and the princess inherited the decision-making power on everything. Leonhardt was in charge of everything in the Imperial Guard.
Comparatively speaking, among the three, Leonhardt, who has a powerful imperial guard brought out by the regent, has a stronger say.
However, Leonhardt was completely loyal to the princess, which made the princess' status stable, but at the same time, the burden on her shoulders was invisibly heavier.
It would be really hard for the young Liliana to hold such great power. Under the eyes of others, the princess has to try hard to imitate her brother's behavior to avoid losing the royal family's face. So much so that whenever she had free time, the princess would take Leonhardt and sneak out to play.
Although Leonhardt was often scolded for this move, the princess knew that he would not really be angry with her, but would help her handle political affairs afterwards!
The princess, who is only fourteen years old, lives a fairly comfortable life despite being burdened with heavy responsibilities.
But often, she would think of her brother...
If her brother returns to the imperial capital, she can have fun!
"I don't know if my brother has received my letter. It would be great if he could be moved by me to admit his identity and return to the palace..." The princess hugged Josephine and murmured, "I will give you that letter." I asked the minister with the best literary talent in the palace to guide me in writing it, isn’t it impossible, right?”
Josephine snorted.
"Ah, you don't believe it!" The princess patted its head gently.
Josephine shook her head.
The princess stood up, put her hands on her hips, and prepared to teach it a lesson.
There was a clear sound of footsteps.
Leonhardt, who took off his military uniform and wore a waiter's uniform, walked upright with a light golden mask on his face.
"Lian, I told you not to wear masks in my garden!" Calling Leonhardt's nickname, the princess turned her anger towards him.
"Sorry, Your Highness. There were servants outside just now, but I was in a hurry..." Leonhardt stood and bowed.
His respectful behavior only made the princess's brows rise a little more, making her obviously even more angry.
"What did you call me?!"
"...Miss Ling...Ling."
Leonhart said as if giving up, his bowed body straightened up again, and his tone became much more relaxed.
After seeing Leonhart obediently take off his mask, revealing a face that was basically exactly the same as hers, the princess nodded with satisfaction.
"Okay, I forgive you...what's the matter, are you in such a hurry?" The princess's eyebrows wrinkled again, she thought there was going to be trouble again.
Leonhardt took out a letter from his arms: "It's brother...a reply from Lord Leko."
The princess's eyes widened, and she quickly came over without even paying attention to Leonhart's name.
"Quick, let me take a look!"
Taking the letter from Leonhardt's hand, the princess hurriedly opened it, then thought of something and glanced at Leonhardt.
Leonhart took a small step back, with a little embarrassment on his face.
"Forget it, come and take a look too!"
Seeing that the princess didn't care too much, Leonhardt breathed a sigh of relief, and his move forward was subconsciously eager.
The two of them read the letter together.
"It's good that my brother isn't angry about the attack, but... why are the whole article filled with words of thanks? It's so nice!" the princess muttered dissatisfied.
"...Maybe there's something hidden." Leonhardt had disappointment on his face that he didn't even notice.
The princess stuffed the letter back into Leonhardt's arms and stomped back a few steps: "Do you think he is really my brother?! If you think about it carefully, he looks a little younger..."
Leonhardt knew that the princess was just sulking.
After her anger subsided a little, Leonhardt said slowly and firmly: "That kind of mobility, martial arts, and unique insights into government affairs, there is no doubt..."
Recalling the days when he specially arranged work for "An" and the subsequent effects of those documents, Leonhardt was convinced that An was the regent Lecco.
"Then why doesn't he want to come back and recognize us?" The princess threw herself on Josephine in frustration, her slender and tender body slumped in Josephine's beautiful hair.
Leonhardt did not answer.
He was also surprised by this.
Even if there was a hidden reason for his disappearance six years ago, is there no need to deny his identity at all?
In the imperial capital, who dares to go against the regent? !
Everyone in the imperial capital will rush forward and tear him apart!
Just like the former imperial guard captain who was accused of attacking a theater troupe, he was poisoned after being imprisoned, and his body was not even buried properly.
The jailer who poisoned knew that he had triggered the law and committed suicide after being imprisoned. Leonhardt was too late to stop him.
All he could do was protect their family.
The jailer's family is okay, and even the public is helping to take care of him. However, the other side is much more troublesome. Leonhardt spent a lot of effort to hide the family of the former Imperial Guard Captain, and quietly sent them out of the Imperial Capital a few days ago.
Leonhardt frowned unconsciously.
In fact, the reason why he bothered to take care of the noble's family was because he always felt that something was fishy.
Because he was a senior, Leonhardt was familiar with the former guard captain, and he did not look like someone who would commit an attack at all.
But even if you want to investigate, once the former guard captain dies and the jailer dies again, there is no starting point.
The public's anger had just subsided, and Leonhardt could not look for clues in a big way. If the Imperial Guard is taking action, they must also pay attention to the ministers in charge of government affairs and not let others gossip.
It would be terrible if he was accused of stirring up trouble for no reason and the attack was still being used to make a fuss about the murderer even though he was already dead.
It is indeed possible for the Minister of State to do such a thing. Although he is over fifty years old, he is a very ambitious man and has always wanted to get involved in the affairs of the Guards.
Leonhardt was extremely fortunate to have been influenced by Lecco as a child and knew the importance of military force. Therefore, when the regent disappeared, he mustered up the courage in fear and found his brother's confidants who knew his identity. With the help of them, With his power, he took over the Imperial City Guard from the former guard captain who was about to retire.
Otherwise, it is difficult to imagine how far the current situation will develop.
The previous king was frail and sick, and the capable and outstanding prince Lecco had always been involved in the country's government affairs.
Although the empire prospered as a result, the eldest prince's light completely obscured the twins born later.
In addition, the appearance of the twins is very similar. Although many people know that the king has children besides the eldest prince, they basically mistake the twins for the same person.
The queen died in childbirth, and the king also died of illness shortly after the twins were born. The eldest prince did not want to be the king for some reason, but instead proposed to be the regent.
However, in the eyes of everyone, the regent and the king are the same, just with different names.
The regent has been busy with government affairs since taking office, expanding his territory and national power as before, and rarely appears in front of the people.
However, the affluent life was visible to the naked eye, and the people still couldn't help but worship and love him. During the period of overseas expeditions, the well-regulated conscription even set off a trend of martial arts in the empire.
However, the disadvantage of rarely appearing in public is that although the regent's reputation is extremely popular and his appearance is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, most people know little about the status of the imperial royal family. Some places with poor information even mistakenly believe that the royal family only has the regent. Wang Laike alone.
If Leko is still here, it actually doesn't matter. There will be many opportunities for his younger siblings to appear in the public eye in the future. But once he disappears, it will be a devastating blow to other members of the royal family.
If Leonhardt hadn't seized the position of captain of the imperial guard and supported the princess Liliana with all his heart and souls together with Lecco, I am afraid that the princess would only be a puppet of a powerful person now.
The whereabouts of Leonhardt are still unknown.
Not Enough Even though he had the strongest armed force in the Imperial City in his hands, Leonhardt, who was immature, still struggled. He was careful at all times and did not dare to reveal his clues.
Leonhardt did not dare to admit his identity as a member of the royal family and wore a mask all day long, fearing that someone with ulterior motives would accuse him of impersonating the royal family and having evil intentions.
Leonhardt was just being cautious before, but the attack on the theater troupe proved that there are indeed powerful people in the imperial capital who harbor evil intentions!
The former imperial guard captain was probably framed!
…
After all, if Leko shows up again, any hidden dangers will disappear.
But he didn't want to admit his identity, and Leonhardt was helpless.
Fortunately, the two royal brothers and sisters did not know everything, and they were able to barely support the empire.
Although Liliana has a willful and playful personality, she has been influenced by her brother Leko since she was a child, and she still knows the right and wrong, so she will show the majesty of the royal family outside, and will not insist on letting Leonhardt reveal his identity. Only when they are alone will she and Leonhardt call each other by their childhood nicknames.
Leonhardt kept everything in his heart and did not let Liliana know the undercurrent of the imperial capital, so that she could smile more amid the complicated affairs. This was his protection for his sister.
But when he was free, he unconsciously thought:
"...It would be great if eldest brother could come back."
Leonhart lost his mind and spoke out what was in his heart.
"Yeah yeah!"
Liliana nodded while agreeing.
As soon as the words came out of his mouth, Leonhardt was shocked and felt a little embarrassed when he heard Liliana's approval. In his current status, he should not and cannot say such things.
Liliana had a flash of inspiration and noticed something.
"Hey, tell me, is it because of that green-haired girl that my brother doesn't want to come back?" All the dissatisfaction on the princess's face disappeared. Instead, she looked like a little girl who was excited when she heard gossip.
If this was the reason, she wouldn't mind helping her brother. Maybe after the matter is completed, my brother will be willing to come back!
She looked at Leonhardt excitedly, wanting an answer.
"...It's possible." Thinking of the green figure, Leonhardt hesitated for a few seconds before answering.
"..."
The princess looked at Leonhardt for a while, and the corners of her mouth gradually raised.
"Click, ding!"
Leonhardt, who was a little absent-minded, was awakened by the movement in his arms.
He took out a pocket watch and looked at it: "Ah, it's tea time!"
Leonhardt raised his head and saw the princess's smile, and felt inexplicably creepy.
"What, what's wrong?"
"Hehe, it's nothing!" The princess covered her mouth and shook her head. Thinking that it was afternoon tea time, she felt even better. "What's today's dessert?"
Glancing at her suspiciously, Leonhardt straightened up his appearance and said with impeccable etiquette, "It's the soufflé you praised not long ago."
"Oh! That's great!" The princess's laughter had a special meaning, "By the way, Lian, you can't get lost in this important matter!"
