It seems She has Become the First Love of the Impenetrable, Iron-Hearted Male Protagonist

“What do you two think you’re doing?” Edwin demanded.

Derrick immediately pointed at Jace. “Jace started it by picking a fight with me!”

“Me? Picking a fight? You bumped into my shoulder first!”

Jace let out a derisive laugh, baring his teeth like he was ready to lunge at Derrick again. They’d been at odds for a while now, and it seemed they’d finally boiled over.

“Enough! Both of you! Do you not feel ashamed, brawling like commoners?”

At Edwin’s scolding, both rookies clamped their mouths shut.

“Instead of this nonsense, why don’t you settle things with an official duel?”

“Edwin! If the Vice-Commander finds out…”

“Lucas, I think Edwin’s idea isn’t half bad. It’s an official duel, after all,” Vanessa interjected.

Vanessa, who had been watching with her arms crossed, finally spoke. She was one of the most skilled knights in the order, often participating in monster subjugation missions, and my senior in the squad.

Come to think of it, an official duel might actually be a good idea.

I found myself nodding unconsciously, only to meet Vanessa’s gaze. She raised her eyebrows at me, as if signaling something unspoken, before speaking again.

“Rosevelia, what do you think?”

“I agree with you, senior. How about making the loser leave the knights’ order?”

“What?”

“The knights’ order?”

Derrick and Jace exchanged startled glances. I barely held back a wry smile as I replied in the sweetest tone possible.

“If you caused this commotion without that level of resolve, it’s even harder to understand.”

“Rose is right. We’re the White Knights, known as the most elite order in the empire. We’re the only ones who’ve consistently participated in monster subjugations, and we always deploy the largest number of members for those missions. Do you know what that means?”

“It means the White Knights are strong…”

Vanessa waved dismissively, as if the rest of the explanation was obvious.

“Yes, we’re strong, which brings honor. But that’s not all. Even though there hasn’t been a war in recent years, we, as knights, face the possibility of losing a comrade overnight—or even our own lives.”

At Vanessa’s words, the faces of Edwin and some other knights who had participated in last year’s monster subjugation darkened.

That mission had left the commander’s aide gravely injured, forcing him to leave the knights’ order. The aide’s position had remained vacant ever since.

“Why don’t you two consider joining the Imperial Guard instead? They mainly protect the palace, so if their knights get into fights, people just think they’re bored.”

Edwin’s half-serious suggestion made Jace and Derrick’s faces turn pale.

The Imperial knights were divided into two factions: the elite White Knights and the Imperial Guard, which managed palace security. The rivalry between the two was infamous, and relations were anything but cordial.

The White Knights mocked the Imperial Guard as vain and ornamental, while the Guard derided the White Knights as brute-force thugs.

The differences extended beyond reputation. The Imperial Guard only admitted male nobles, while the White Knights welcomed anyone who could prove their skill, regardless of status or gender.

The White Knights were also the first to accept female members. As it happened, I was the only noblewoman in the order, which had caused quite a stir in the empire when the announcement was made. Hermann and Olivia’s reactions had been amusing, to say the least.

“You’re all curious about monster subjugations, aren’t you? There’s a reason why knights who’ve been on one are seen differently. Think about it—why do you think that is?”

“Because so many don’t come back alive.”

The one who answered wasn’t Derrick, who had been scratching his head, nor Jace, who had been sneaking glances at me. It was Ian.

It was surprising to see Ian getting involved. I’d thought he’d just stand by as if it weren’t his concern, like last time.

“So if you’re going to disrupt the order, leave now.”

Edwin’s firm voice silenced the commotion in front of the training grounds.

“As rookies, your priority isn’t petty squabbling but diligently attending lessons and training as much as possible. Even with endless practice, many knights never make it to a single monster subjugation. Only those who can survive on skill, not luck, earn a spot.”

“But I heard some seniors participate in every subjugation…”

Derrick’s gaze landed squarely on me and Edwin.

“That’s because we’re exceptional,” Edwin replied nonchalantly.

“Then… could I request a sparring match with you, senior?”

Jace, who had been hesitating, finally spoke—but to my surprise, his question was directed at Edwin, not me.

Considering how often he’d been glancing my way, I’d assumed he’d challenge me. But Edwin?

“Me?”

“Well… Rosevelia-senior doesn’t accept sparring matches.”

Ah, right. That was the rumor. I guess it’s true that I treat Ian differently.

“Rosevelia not accepting matches isn’t about looking down on you—it’s her showing mercy.”

At Edwin’s comment, I felt a twinge of guilt and glanced at Ian. To my surprise, Ian had already been looking at me. Our eyes met midair.

How long had he been watching me?

I tried to suppress my unease, but Ian’s lips curved into a soft smile.

Was he seriously smiling after surprising me like that?

I furrowed a brow, shooting him a glare, but Ian, catching on, quickly covered his mouth to stifle his smile.

“If you want to spar with Rose, you’ll have to beat me first.”

As expected, Ian’s attitude was reliable. What a decent guy.

Although I’d missed this chance, there would still be opportunities to meet Daisy in the future.

This time, I’ll make sure your one-sided love comes true, Edwin.

“What’s that?”

Lucas pointed toward the knights’ entrance, where a man on horseback was approaching.

The stables weren’t on this side, were they?

“Isn’t that cape from the Imperial Guard?”

The murmurs grew louder as the silver-haired man riding a white horse leisurely approached, ignoring the attention he was drawing.

With his princely appearance, the man dismounted gracefully and surveyed the scene before heading straight toward me.

Huh? Why does it look like he’s coming my way?

The man, wearing the red cape that symbolized the Imperial Guard, didn’t hesitate as he stopped in front of me.

“Excuse me, but who are you…”

“We’ve met before, though it seems you don’t remember me.”

We’ve met? Then why does he feel like a stranger?

Apparently, he hadn’t left much of an impression on Rosevelia the first time.

As I hesitated, the man stepped closer, flashing a charming smile.

“My name is Rinat Elizer.”

“Rinat Elizer…”

Elizer? That’s Daisy’s family.

Now that I looked closer, his dark violet eyes resembled Daisy’s.

Yes, Rinat Elizer.

Daisy’s older brother, Vice-Commander of the Imperial Guard, and heir to House Elizer.

In the original story, he was considered the most eligible bachelor, wasn’t he?

As I pieced the details together, the murmurs around us grew louder. Then, I noticed something unusual.

Rinat was kneeling before me.

“Wait, hold on…”

Before I could stop him, Rinat took my hand and pressed his lips to the back of it.