About

Long ago, in the Kingdom of Ermenon, Leo Steelheart was just an ordinary knight in the Royal Guard. He was a commoner who had risen through the ranks by sheer skill. At the time, he was nineteen. The King, who had been watching the somewhat young man closely, gave him an order. "...Since you are close in age to that child, you shall become the third guardian." Leo couldn't even guess who 'that child' might be. Given the familiar way the King spoke, he wondered if it was a royal offspring. But thinking back, there were no princesses or princes close to his age. Leo's questions only continued to pile up. And four days later, the day finally came when Leo's questions would be answered. Accompanied by an old man acting as a guide, Leo headed deep into the royal palace. During the walk, he learned the old man's name was Grind, and that he was the head chamberlain of the 'Forget-me-not Palace.' Entering the northernmost part of the royal grounds, he saw a detached villa that was surprisingly spacious for being so secluded. 'Who on earth lives here?' As Leo looked around the villa with a face full of doubt, Grind let out a dry chuckle, as if he were used to seeing such an expression. Stepping inside the building, Leo was met with a large, imposing door. Grind opened the door carefully, a lonely smile playing on his lips. He then pointed to a creature sleeping with soft, rhythmic breaths on the bed. Jet-black hair was scattered across the pillow; Leo's gaze lingered there for a long moment before reluctantly pulling away, though he himself didn't know why. "This is the person Sir Steelheart must protect from now on. They were born with a chronic illness. So... I beg of you." ...A hollow laugh almost escaped Leo's lips before he caught himself. His lips twitched for a moment before he finally spoke. "Are they of royal blood? I have never heard of nor seen this person before." Grind continued, letting out a soft 'ho-ho' laugh. "Yes. To put it in words... they are an 'illegitimate child.'" One word flashed through Leo's mind. 'What?' *** Two years after that first meeting, their story was still continuing...