The past was built upon collecting unique characteristics.

"After all, a soldier who only knows how to wield a sword is no different from a mechanical tool. I hope she becomes a knight who knows how to think, so that she can understand what she truly wants to protect." Eric said in an objective tone as he glanced around the study.

Morian listened quietly. What the other person said sounded like a statement of teaching philosophy, but it precisely showed that the prince cared more about whether his subordinates had autonomy than blind obedience, rather than ability.

"That's true." Morian nodded in agreement, then raised the question that naturally arose.

"Speaking of which, was Miss Laurent's love of reading also cultivated by you during her teaching?"

This question made Eric pause, and after considering it for a while, he finally spoke with a slight smile:

"No, she developed it herself."

He thought for a moment, then pondered and said:

"But perhaps she was also influenced by me. Before that, I often shared interesting works I had read with her."

"At first she just listened quietly, but gradually Diana started discussing the plot with me, and later she would even go to the bookshelf to find books to read on her own."

It has to be said that they had a significant influence on each other... Morian nodded slightly as he listened, completely able to imagine the scene.

When the young prince, burdened with heavy responsibilities, sees an interesting work of art in the vast palace, perhaps only the knight of similar age beside him can share it with him.

Before he could speak, Eric suddenly got up and walked to the bookshelf, reaching down a book that looked unusually thin.

Watching the other person slowly walk back and sit down again on the sofa opposite, Morian clasped his hands together in front of him as if listening attentively.

However, when the prince opened the "book," he discovered that it was not a "book" at all.

Instead, it was a photo album filled with many black and white photos.

The girl in the photo is about seventeen or eighteen years old. She is wearing a slightly oversized knight's uniform and stares straight ahead with a determined look. However, her expression and movements appear somewhat unnatural due to excessive stiffness.

"This photo was taken by the court photographer when she had just become a guardian knight," Eric said with a shake of his head and a smile. "Doesn't she look quite green?"

Indeed, Diana back then was completely different from how she is now... Morian examined the photograph closely.

"Diana remained in this state for the first two months," he continued, with a nostalgic smile, "until the day of the selection actually arrived, at which point the situation improved."

"Selection?" Morian asked, puzzled but intrigued.

"Yes, it's a selection process to become the prince's guardian knight."

"The Royal Knights will select the best knights from among the many candidates, and then the prince himself will make the final choice."

Eric recounted the scene from that time:

"At that time, a total of five knights were selected, and as the first in line to the throne, I naturally had the right to choose first."

"So it was around that time that you chose Miss Laurent, the most outstanding among them?" Morian speculated based on common sense.

"On the contrary. Diana's grades were the worst among the five. Although she showed some talent, she was not as good as the other candidates in terms of aristocratic etiquette and practical experience."

"Then why did you ultimately choose Miss Laurent..." Morian wondered, hesitating whether he should ask directly.

As if guessing his thoughts, Eric immediately smiled and explained:

"But that's precisely why I chose her."

"Don't laugh at me, sir, for a long time, I was considered by many to be the least suitable prince to inherit the throne." He gave a self-deprecating smile, his smile tinged with bitterness. "Although my father designated me as the first in line to the throne, the vast majority of people inside and outside the court were not convinced, and I was indeed no match for my brothers."

"So when I saw Diana, it was as if I saw myself in the eyes of others as the 'bottom' one, so I chose her without hesitation."

"Everyone thinks I'm crazy, choosing a female knight who knows nothing, when I'm the least capable prince," Eric continued, his tone surprisingly calm. "But some people think I made the right choice."

Morian fell silent. He understood perfectly well why those people thought it was a good choice...

The most incompetent prince paired with the worst knight—what a "perfect" combination!

Those people would probably applaud it from the bottom of their hearts, because it perfectly matches their expectations and positioning of the "Fourth Prince".

They never imagined, nor were they willing to believe, how far Diana would grow and how dazzling her brilliance would shine.

"I'm so glad I gave her hope back then." Eric's voice was filled with pride as he said this, and he smiled brightly. "And she has not only not disappointed me, but has always made me proud."

"As you have seen, Diana became an excellent knight."

At this point, Morian couldn't help but feel a little envious.

Witnessing someone's growth, accompanying her through every step from naivety to maturity...

I wonder if this counts as some form of upbringing?

Eric turned to the next page of the album, where the timeline of the photos clearly progressed.

This photo was probably taken at a banquet. The two are standing in the center of the stage. Eric is wearing casual clothes, while Diana is wearing a long, light-colored dress.

The two people in the picture are dancing. Eric's hand is lightly on the other's waist, Diana's hand is on his shoulder, and her other hand is holding his.

However, judging from the photos, their teamwork doesn't seem to be particularly good.

"This was a banquet attended by many nobles," Eric said. "Diana originally didn't want to attend, but at my insistence, she accompanied me. Beforehand, we even practiced a duet."

"I don't remember how many times she stepped on my feet during that time, but luckily she was able to keep up with my pace during the performance."

He looked at the photo and sighed:

"But actually, I've never learned to dance either. That was our first and only time."

Morian stared at the photograph. The two people in the picture didn't look like a prince and a knight, but more like two ordinary young people awkwardly learning new things in their spare time.

"Hearing you say that, Miss Laurent really has a strong learning ability."

"Yes, she's very smart and learns everything very quickly," Eric said with a smile. "Over the years, I've watched her grow from a naive girl from a village into the kingdom's most talented knight, and watched her learn various etiquettes and converse elegantly at banquets."

"Few people know that behind all of Diana's clumsiness was a heart that worked harder than anyone else."

"In this regard, I used to think I was a guide, but later I realized that I was just a witness and someone who was silently being watched over."

Recalling Diana's words about the past and his own farewell, Morian couldn't help but speak:

"...Your Highness, how do you truly feel about Miss Laurent?"

Upon hearing this, Eric suddenly turned his head with a faint smile, his azure eyes reflecting the sunlight streaming through the window.

"She is the most loyal knight, the most trustworthy friend... and the only light in my life."

He paused for a second, then continued:

"Therefore, I can die for that light, and I am willing to die for her."