I don't have many things I'm good at.
But if there's one thing I am good at, it's playing dumb.
"You are coming with me."
I might not be the smartest person alive, but I'm definitely not stupid enough to go, "Of course, I'll come," and blindly follow someone—even if that someone is the Guardian.
So I do what I do best: I play dumb.
"It's an honor to meet you, Guardian," I greet her politely.
"Don't ignore my words," she replies, her voice calm but commanding. "You are coming with me to the Central Temple."
Damn. That attitude.
"May I ask why?" I say humbly.
(There are very few people I bother to humble myself for—but she's one of them. I respect her. A lot.)
"This isn't the place to talk about it," she says, gesturing toward the door with her eyes.
She walks out.
And yes—I follow her. I mean, what choice do I have? This is the freaking Guardian of the nation.
The moment I step into the hallway, I hear laughter. Two people, specifically. One of them is Yama, waiting where I left him.
The other is—
"Holy shit."
The words slip out before I can stop myself.
If I'm not meeting the Guardian, this would be the most surprising thing to happen today.
First my old classmate, the Guardian. And now… him?
God must be trying to mess with me.
Two pairs of eyes turn to me.
"You… know Knight Steel Blade?" I ask Yama, eyes narrowed.
He waves his hands defensively. "No, no—we just met!"
I nod slowly and glance back at the Guardian.
Steel Blade. The Leader of the Noble Knights. Vice-Captain of the BSS.
He only answers to the Heir herself… so why is he with the Guardian?
Don't tell me… No way. There's no way this is some kind of secret romance thing, right?
Also—why does he look so friendly with my cousin?
They just met, right?
I'll never understand men.
I bow politely. "Well met, sir."
He nods without a word.
...Should I slap him?
He turns to the Guardian and starts, "Allow me—"
But she cuts him off. "No need. I want to talk to her alone."
Talk to me? About what?
She's seriously making me nervous.
Both Blade and Yama bow before her. She looks at me and heads toward the hospital garden.
Yes—there's a garden here. Of course.
She stops under a large tree and repeats the exact same words:
"You are coming with me."
That's the third time she's said that now...
I stare at her, trying to keep calm. "Why?"
She looks into my eyes. Her voice is steady, her presence unshakable.
"Because I can see the future''