In the novel, Lyle participated as an Imperial Knight—the chosen personal knight of the second princess, Madeleine.
He emerged as the victor of the tournament, overcoming a hundred opponents and earning the coveted Star of the Grand Cross of the Iron Cross, the highest accolade bestowed on a knight whose feats of leadership and valor brought extreme benefit to the Empire. His triumph had become legendary—a symbol of supreme martial prowess. Yet, even as the narrative of his glory was etched in history, a storm of thoughts churned in my mind.
Would Lyle prevail when facing my knights? I had prepared them meticulously, integrating techniques I had gleaned from Lyle's own swordsmanship lessons.
Every parry and thrust he executed was now etched in my memory—lessons I had adapted to mold my troops. I could not help but wonder: why did he still stand as one of the Imperial Knights? I had long assumed that the moment we left the Palace, Lyle's loyalty would diverge.
