The past was built upon collecting unique characteristics.

"I'm afraid it will take more than half a day, if we take the weather into account," Morian interjected after assessing the situation.

"Yes, I think so too." Diana folded her hands on her knees. "But His Highness just stared at me blankly and asked if I would agree to come with me if I had prepared a carriage and warm clothes."

"As a guardian knight, I should have refused without hesitation and should not have put the prince in such a dangerous situation."

"But when I looked into his eyes, there was an irresistible expectation in them that made me abandon all reason."

"So you agreed?" Morian asked in surprise.

"Yes, but we were discovered while we were leaving the palace." Diana nodded with a smile. "In the end, we had to make a compromise and changed our location to the observation deck on the top of the palace, where we could look out into the distance."

Morian nodded slightly. He fully understood that, under such circumstances, the prince was powerless to do as he pleased. Even if he just wanted to take a rare trip, he could not do so due to safety and other factors.

"We waited on the observation deck until midnight, watching the stars spread across the entire night sky, feeling the cold wind hitting our faces, until almost dawn."

"At that time, we couldn't help but think that perhaps the so-called meteor shower was just a legend..." Diana was immersed in her memories. "His Highness turned to look at me and said, 'Thank you for being willing to accompany a willful prince to see a meteor shower that doesn't even exist.'"

Morian fell silent, as if he felt sorry for it.

"But just then, a series of magnificent trails suddenly appeared on the horizon, trails with flowing tails, sweeping across the Tristan Mountains in the distance."

Diana's voice was full of color:

"I swear, that was absolutely the most unforgettable moment of my life. The gods really did smile upon us."

At this point, she suddenly looked at Morian opposite her and smiled:

"Sir, have you ever heard of 'divine revelation'?"

Morian hesitated for a moment, then shook his head blankly.

"I only found out later that it is said that when people who cherish each other are together, God will give them a blessing at the right time, wishing the newlyweds a long and happy life together."

"People often say that those lucky couples who are blessed with divine revelation will surely stay together until the end, forever." Diana's tone was filled with a kind of happiness, as if she had returned to that scene in her memory.

"At that time, I was absolutely certain that the shooting star was a divine revelation sent down for us out of divine mercy..."

"After that, I secretly decided that I would protect this person with everything I had, not because of his status as a prince, but because he was Eric Everett!"

She suddenly raised her head, her gaze fixed firmly on Morian.

"So, sir, do you understand?! When His Highness has to face that ceremony, I must be by his side!"

The unwavering conviction in the other person's words moved even Morian.

"...I understand." His voice carried an unprecedented level of respect.

Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Diana nodded slightly, seemingly releasing the pent-up grievances and sadness she had accumulated over a long period of time through this outpouring of emotions.

But her expression remained serious, and she then asked the questions she most wanted answered:

"Then, can you tell me about the current situation within the royal family, and His Highness's true condition, without reservation? Is His Highness truly intending to undergo that ceremony?!"

"...Mrs. Laurent, how should I reply to you...?" Morian sighed deeply in his heart.

We absolutely cannot reveal Eric's escape plan right now, at least not yet, otherwise things could get even worse.

After carefully considering the wording, he chose a relatively moderate way of putting it:

"Your Highness is indeed preparing for the ceremony, I can assure you of that, and your assistance will be needed during the process."

Upon hearing that she could participate, Diana's expression relaxed somewhat, a rare occurrence.

"Mr. Tias, I have another request to make of you." Diana suddenly looked directly into his eyes.

"If... if the ceremony is truly unavoidable, please make sure His Highness is not alone; at least let me go to his side."

Beneath that gentle and calm voice lay an unwavering determination.

Morian pursed his lips, and the usually eloquent man was momentarily at a loss for words.

To be honest, after hearing the story, he really couldn't help but be moved.

The problem is that the other party's request is completely contrary to the plan they have devised.

Choosing to agree here would undoubtedly be the greatest deception of Diana, and would mean that all the responsibility would fall on her.

However, refusing will not only arouse suspicion and unease in the other party, but this cruelty will also be long overdue after the matter is over.

Whether to face the wrath of others or the most tragic outcome, it didn't seem like a choice from the very beginning.

Morian's eyes flickered, and after a moment, the corners of his mouth curled up almost imperceptibly, as if he were making a silent self-mockery.

"No problem, I promise you."

"I can also assure you that I will do everything in my power to help Your Highness find a better way out." He stood up.

"Thank you so much!" Diana smiled happily. "Thank you for healing me, and thank you for allowing me to protect him again!"

After saying that, she immediately realized what she had said and quickly stood up.

Are you leaving?

"Yes, I should return to the White Rose Palace." Morian nodded, stopped at the door, and turned to look at her hesitantly.

"Lady Laurent, please believe that you mean far more to His Highness than just a knight."

Upon hearing this, Diana's eyes widened slightly, and she quickly understood the meaning behind the words, revealing an even more sincere smile.

"I know," she said softly. "Me too."

……

On his way back to the White Rose Palace, Morian's mind kept replaying the stories Diana had told him.

Lost in thought, he didn't even realize when he got into the carriage. When he came to his senses, he saw the street scene outside the window already passing by in his field of vision.

Morian asked himself honestly, before this he didn’t have a deep impression of Eric, he only remembered Eric’s appearance and behavior when they met in the study, but now his understanding of the fourth prince had changed fundamentally.

Through the accounts of others, he gleaned fragments about Eric himself, rather than about the fourth prince.

Now, these fragments have been pieced together to form a complete person.

A gentle person who quietly cares for their subordinates even in the midst of a busy schedule.

A romantic person who would be so capricious as to take their loved one to see shooting stars.

A stubborn person who will hide the situation from others so as not to worry them.

An ordinary person who is ready to accept his fate but still wants to protect the knight from conflict.