Only Luke and Calvin were left in the corridor.
After standing in silence for a while, Calvin suddenly took the initiative and asked, "What's your relationship with Miss Lux?"
There was curiosity in his tone, which wasn't surprising.
It was rare for anyone to see Miss Crownguard bring a man into the royal palace.
"First time meeting today. I helped Miss Crownguard with something, and she's helping me a little in return," Luke answered truthfully. There was nothing to hide.
"Is that so? Miss Lux is warm-hearted. That does sound like something she'd do." Calvin nodded.
Then he looked Luke up and down again and asked, "Which house are you from? How come I've never seen you?"
He had assumed Luke was the son of some noble house—his features fit, and he was unusually handsome.
So he reached out his hand and introduced himself with pride. "Let's get acquainted. I'm Calvin, of House Kass. I serve as one of His Majesty's personal guards."
The pride in his voice was obvious. Being from a noble house and already working at King Jarvan III's side at such a young age—he had every reason to feel proud.
It wasn't hard to tell Calvin had some real ability.
"You're too kind," Luke said as he reached out to shake his hand, giving his own introduction along the way. "I'm Luke. No family name. Just a commoner from a frontier town."
"Oh."
Calvin withdrew his hand blandly. The look in his eyes changed immediately—more aristocratic arrogance, more cold distance. "Let me give you a reminder. Miss Lux is kind-hearted and naïve. No matter what help you're asking of her, after this is done, you'd better not keep bothering her."
He'd thought Luke was a noble. Turns out he was just a nobody—what a waste of effort.
Luke just smiled, unconcerned, and didn't reply.
Typical noble, really. The speed at which he drew a line and put distance between them was almost impressive.
That instant shift in attitude was so damn real.
But it was normal too. Why would a noble want to associate with a commoner for no reason?
Luke studied Calvin's expression—especially the look in his eyes—and nodded slightly to himself.
After today, maybe I'll be a noble too.
This kind of expression is worth learning.
Three parts chilly detachment, three parts mocking amusement, four parts casual indifference. Chin a little higher. Ideally, look down on people from the corner of your eye.
From the quiet corridor outside came the sound of hurried steps, and Lux jogged back first.
"They're coming over soon. When you see the king, do you know what to do?" she asked.
Considering Luke's background, she couldn't help checking.
On the way, she'd learned he came from a frontier town—today was probably his first time seeing the king.
Luke's first thought was an answer: "Kneel and bow my head?"
The corner of Calvin's mouth lifted into a scornful smile, like he was looking at an ignorant peasant.
"That's a bit much," Lux said with a laugh. "Even at formal events, you don't need to kneel and bow. In an informal setting, even more so. There are a lot of variations, but just do what I do."
As she spoke, she demonstrated—right hand over her left chest, left hand behind her waist, then a forty-five-degree bow.
Luke copied it properly. With his looks, it even gave him a faintly gentlemanly air.
"That's perfect," Lux said after making sure there was no problem, finally relaxing a little.
She'd run back in the first place because she was worried Luke might make a fool of himself later.
"I wanted to ask my aunt first, but since it's already like this… I might as well ask the person directly!" Lux muttered to herself as she paced back and forth.
After confirming the necklace was the real deal, her first instinct had been to find her aunt Tianna and ask about it.
But now her aunt was with King Jarvan III and the others. Even Lux didn't know what kind of consequences this might cause.
Still, they were already this far.
There was only one thing left to do.
Hearing Lux's rambling, Luke glanced at her helplessly. He knew that at this point, they could only go through with it.
Maybe what he should be thinking about now was the fallout—if the necklace was fake, or if it didn't matter at all.
Because the people he was about to meet were basically the biggest figures in the entire country.
Luke was already starting to regret hopping onto Lux's express route straight into the palace.
Way too reckless.
Just then, footsteps approached in waves. Lux gave Luke a look, signaling him to be ready.
Very soon, the sound of several people talking drifted over—closer and closer.
Luke could already make out a few silhouettes. Even with his nerves, he felt his chest tighten. The people walking toward him were the kind who could crush him with a single sentence.
Lux, meanwhile, seemed like she had no idea what the word "nervous" even meant. She called out first, bright as ever, "Aunt, I'm over here~!"
Hearing her voice, one of the approaching figures—a blonde woman as well—quickened her pace.
By then, Luke could clearly see their faces.
The blonde woman's features carried a soldier's hard edge, yet you could still tell how beautiful she must have been in her youth. Her build looked like it wouldn't lose to most men at all, her waist and back held perfectly straight—like she'd been forged from steel.
She was Lux's aunt, and Demacia's High Marshal: Tianna Crownguard.
"You little troublemaker," Tianna said with warmth in her eyes and a smile on her face. "I saw you sneaking along behind us earlier. Why did you run off without even saying hello?"
"Because I had something else to do," Lux said with a cheeky grin. Then she greeted the others behind Tianna as well. "Jarvan, long time no see! And Lord Roy, and Lev!"
She waved energetically.
"Mind your manners," Tianna said, rubbing Lux's head beside her. Her tone wasn't harsh.
"Lux, you haven't come to the palace in a long time," said the man who spoke next.
He was over fifty, his white hair neatly combed back. He was dressed in elegant finery, with the temperament of a gentle middle-aged man—no overbearing aura at all.
Yet he was none other than Demacia's current king: Jarvan III.
His attitude toward Lux was just as kind and indulgent, as if he were looking at his own youngest daughter.
Behind him were an elderly man and a middle-aged man—Roy and Lev. Luke didn't know who they were, but they were almost certainly high-ranking ministers.
"Because I ran into something today that I think is really important, so I came straight to the palace," Lux explained why she was here, then looked toward Luke.
Following her gaze, everyone finally noticed the young man standing off to the side.