Book 12.1: Chapter 9
“Dad, I want to join the Shadow Squad.”
“Pfft!” Echte spat out a mouthful of wine and violently coughed. He looked at Lucia, who had just come home from a vacation, and wiped his mouth. He panted as he said, “What’s wrong? Why do you want to join the Shadow Squad all of a sudden? Dad is an imperial guard, not a member of the Shadow Squad. Also, the Shadow Squad is a secretive intel group. Not even I know them well…”
“I must join the Shadow Squad. Dad, please help me. It doesn’t matter how tiring or tough it is. I can handle anything thrown my way. I want to join the Shadow Squad.”
The current Lucia was clearly more sincere and serious than the Lucia who wanted to be a maid. She looked as if it was the one and only thing she wanted to do in life. It wasn’t a child’s wilful request, but an elf’s most serious decision. As a result, Echte had to get serious in spite of the fact that his daughter was still only a kid. He replied in a serious tone: “Lucia, I want to know why you want to join the Shadow Squad. Blades aren’t the best choice for a girl.”
Lucia took in a deep breath before answering: “I want to be by His Highness’ side. Her Highness said I could become his bodyguard as long as I can make it into the Shadow Squad. Therefore, I must become a member of the Shadow Squad in order to stay at His Highness’s side. I want to protect him. I must protect him! I want to be by His Highness’ side for eternity!! Forever!”
The green eyes that Lucia looked at her father with were the eyes from the past he was familiar with and missed. It was as if the current Lucia was a mirror. When he looked at her, he saw his past self. Admittedly, he wasn’t as determined as her and didn’t have so much on his mind. His romance with her mother was calm as the elven lake water, but his Lucia fell in love with her childhood friend; however, you could say her love had already ended. Every father would be touched by his daughter sincere expression, though.
Echte looked at the cup of wine in front of him. What would happen if Vyvyan found out about it but didn’t agree? There would be no “if”, as there was no doubt she’d refuse. The Galadriel Tribe viewed mana and bloodlines with great importance. His Lucia was but an ordinary elf. What right would she have to marry the Prince?
“I’ll help you train. I’ve checked out the Shadow Squad’s with Her Highness before. In saying that, Lucia, you have to bear in mind that their training is even tougher than ours. If you want to become a member of the Shadow Squad, you must pay the price.”
“That’s fine. I’m prepared.”