The same silver hair.
The same blue eyes.
I was the adopted daughter of Duke Albert Valenrose—Pearlina Valenrose.
Or more precisely, I was nothing more than the child of a distant relative.
My parents lost their lives to monsters when I was only five years old. The Duke took pity on me and brought me into the Valenrose household, naming me his daughter.
That was when I first met Eleck and Ian.
Back then, we were close. Truly close.
And perhaps because of the so-called blessings of God, I could wield the sacred sword of Ashtar with ease. With a single strike, I cut down monsters others feared to face. I brought honor and pride to the Valenrose name and founded the elite knight order—the White Knights—to protect the empire.
I was praised.
Respected.
Needed.
And yet—
I died at twenty-four
By the hands of my own comrades.
As the carriage moved toward the palace, I gazed out the window, letting the scenery blur past. Across from me sat Eleck and Ian.
Black hair with a faint blue sheen.
Eyes as golden as polished gold.
They looked every bit the perfect gentlemen of the Valenrose Duchy.
"Why are you acting so differently?" Ian asked, studying my face.
"Differently?" I replied without turning toward him. "I'm the same as always."
I didn't bother looking at him. My heart felt hollow.
I was already used to their coldness.
No matter what I did, it would remain the same.
"You're being bold," Eleck said, irritation clear in his voice.
Bold?
Coming from the one who had forgotten his sister's birthday?
I said nothing.
Instead, I continued staring outside, where everything looked far more peaceful than the chaos inside my mind.
Soon, the carriage stopped.
We had arrived at the palace.
The decorations were dazzling. Lights shimmered, music filled the air, and nobles gathered everywhere—whispering, cheering, celebrating.
I stepped down from the carriage—
And noticed Eleck standing there, his hand extended toward me.
Waiting.
For a moment, he froze as I ignored it and stepped forward on my own.
Awkwardness flickered across his face.
"Thank you for your courtesy, my lord," I said calmly.
"But I can manage this much myself."
Without waiting for a reply, I walked past him and entered the banquet hall.
The same people praised the White knight again for the second time in my life. When I went inside the other members were best talking among themselves. There was still time before the emperor called us. I grabbed a glass of juice and stood near the wall. Looking at the people attending the banquet. And there were other members who were busy talking to themselves , no, talking to Siana, one of the members of ' White knight' . She was surrounded by all the members and also them by whom I was killed. 'It is frustrating' I mumbled while placing the glass back to the table!
" Enough talking! The emperor is calling for us. Let's go!" I said while walking past them without looking. I could hear their voices.
" What's wrong with captain today?" Siana asked.
" Don't worry about her, Siana! Let's go." One of them said.
But they all followed me eventually.
The emperor rose from his throne, the empress standing gracefully at his side.
At once, the grand hall fell into absolute silence.
We all knelt, bowing our heads in utmost respect.
The emperor stepped forward, his presence commanding the entire hall.
"When darkness threatened our empire, you stood as its shield.
When fear spread among the people, you chose courage instead."
His gaze swept across the gathered knights.
"By your blades, our lands still breathe.
By your sacrifice, peace was reclaimed."
He raised his goblet.
"From this day onward, your names shall be engraved into imperial history.
The empire shall never forget its saviors."
His voice rang clearly.
"Rise, heroes of the realm."
One by one, we stood.
Then—
"Pearlina Valenrose."
The moment my name was spoken, the hall drew a sharp breath.
"Bearer of the Sacred Sword, Ashtar.
Founder and Captain of the White Knights.
The blade that severed despair itself."
His voice grew deeper, heavier with meaning.
"Your valor has surpassed bloodline and birth alike."
The emperor's gaze locked onto me.
"I, Hellion IV Rubelliya, Emperor of the Rubelliya Empire, grant you the right to claim a favor—one worthy of your deeds."
"There it is."
The words echoed in my mind the moment the emperor spoke of a reward.
The favor I had waited for—no, the one I needed—had finally arrived.
"I, Pearlina Valenrose," I stepped forward, my voice calm yet resolute,
"Captain of the White Knights and bearer of the Sacred Sword Ashtar, humbly accept the honor of your praise—and with respect, I shall claim the favor Your Majesty has graciously offered."
A ripple of shock spread across the hall.
Eyes widened.
Whispers rose.
They hadn't expected this—neither from me, nor now.
After all, I had once refused such an offer without hesitation.
The emperor's lips curved into a faint smile.
"A bold choice, Pearlina Valenrose," he said. "Very well. Tell me—what is it that you desire?"
I inhaled slowly.
"Please grant me authority over the Aegilia Region."
The hall erupted.
"The Aegilia Region?"
"The land abandoned by the empire?"
"The cursed territory surrounded by ominous aura?"
Voices overlapped, sharp with disbelief.
"That place is dead!"
"Even seasoned knights avoid it!"
"Has the captain lost her mind?!"
Their gazes pierced into me, filled with doubt and fear.
"Silence."
The emperor's voice thundered across the hall, crushing every whisper into nothingness.
He stepped closer.
"Lift your head, Pearlina Valenrose," he said, his gaze stern yet searching.
"Do you truly wish to claim the Aegilia Region as your reward?"
I met his eyes without wavering.
"Yes, Your Majesty," I answered firmly.
"I desire no other reward but that region alone."
A brief pause followed—heavy, suffocating.
Then the emperor placed a hand upon my shoulder.
"Very well."
His voice rang clear and undeniable.
"By imperial decree, the Aegilia Region shall henceforth fall under the authority of the Captain of the White Knights—Pearlina Valenrose."
Gasps filled the hall.
"She shall wield full governance and command over the region," he continued.
"From this moment onward."
Silence swallowed the nobles whole.
The emperor raised his goblet.
"Now," he declared, "let us toast to the heroes who safeguarded this empire."
"To the White Knights."
"Cheers!"
The hall responded in unison—yet beneath the celebration, unease lingered.
Because they all knew one thing.
Aegilia was no ordinary land.
And by claiming it—
I had stepped straight into fate's jaws.
While the banquet continued inside, I quietly excused myself and headed toward the carriage.
"Lina!"
I stopped.
I knew who it was the moment I heard that voice.
"Call me Captain," I said without turning around. "We are within palace grounds."
Leyron Elliott—the eldest son of Duke Elliott.
Red hair, dark crimson eyes, always wearing that familiar confident smile.
"There's no one here," he said as he stepped closer. "Everyone knows we're friends anyway. No one will mind."
Friends.
That word felt distant now—almost foreign.
"Mind your conduct as a White Knight, Sir Leyron," I replied, finally facing him. "Titles exist for a reason."
His smile faltered.
"Why did you ask for that region?" he asked seriously this time.
"I'll explain later. I'm tired—"
"What were you thinking?!"
Ian's voice cut through the air.
"Lord Ian," I corrected calmly.
"You could've asked for anything," he said sharply. "Gold, influence, even higher authority—but you chose a cursed land? Have you lost your senses?"
They weren't asking out of concern.
They were questioning me.
"I said I'll explain later."
My voice wasn't loud—
but it carried weight.
A command.
"I'm exhausted," I continued. "Return to the hall and enjoy the banquet."
They stood frozen.
"And one more thing," I added, my lips curling into a faint, controlled smile.
"The friendship you keep talking about—let's put an end to it today."
Silence.
Neither of them followed me.
I walked away without looking back, leaving them standing there, unable to say a single word.