Chapter 27

Drunken Words

The selection ceremony ended more anticlimactically than expected. Shawn had won too easily.

The award ceremony followed immediately. Leto presented Shawn with the Royal Guard's sword. Shawn knelt and accepted it.

"Shawn Matrion, I will lay down my life to ensure the safety of the royal family."

Shawn acted quite knightly, despite his usual disdain for such things. Being selected had evidently affected him deeply.

After the ceremony, Shawn approached me, accompanied by Louis.

"Livia!"

"Brother. You did well."

"Thanks to you picking the bye. But it was so boring; I wasn't even warmed up."

"Shawn, …