CHAPTER 9
Diandra remained kneeling, head bowed, unwavering. She did not question why or how. She only knew one thing with absolute certainty.
This man was her emperor. The one she had sworn to protect.
The realization settled deep in her bones, in her very soul, as if it had always been there. Simply waiting for her to remember.
It didn't matter that she had lost her memories. It didn't matter that the world around her was unfamiliar. Her duty remained unchanged.
"I am your knight." She said firmly. Her voice was calm despite the storm of confusion in her mind. "And I exist to protect you, Your Majesty."
Silence filled the room.
Kael didn't respond immediately. And she could feel his gaze boring into her. It was filled with skepticism, confusion, and maybe anger. But she did not move. A knight did not complain. A knight did not falter. She would not question why fate brought her here. All that mattered was that she found him.
Her emperor. And she would protect him, even if it cost her life.
Kael stood frozen. His mind was struggling to process the ridiculous spectacle before him.
The woman—this strange, red-haired woman—was kneeling to him. Not just kneeling but swearing fealty. As if she truly believed that he was some kind of emperor and she was a knight.
The room was eerily silent. Butler Jones and Alice were just as stunned. Their eyes flicking between the woman and their boss. They were waiting for him to say something.
But Kael was also at a loss for words in this ridiculousness. His initial shock quickly turned into something sharper. Into irritation.
He wanted to strangle her to stop this madness. What the hell was this? Some deranged roleplay? A desperate, insane fan trying to get close to him?
His jaw clenched.
"Stand up." He ordered coldly. "What kind of game are you playing?" He asked. His voice was low, almost dangerous.
She stood on her feet, but there was no response from her. There was only confusion on her face.
He let out a sharp breath. Trying to keep his temper in check. This had to be an act. It had to be. But there was that nagging feeling that it could be real.
No. Her madness started to rub off on him too.
"You say I'm your emperor, so why are you not answering me?"
Answer him? Diandra couldn't think of anything to respond. She was confused by his reaction. Why does it feel like he didn't believe her? Had she done something terrible that he was denying her being a knight? Maybe this was some kind of a punishment.
His gorgeous face was etched in anger. But it didn't lessen his enthralling beauty as a man. It was because of her damn missing memories that she had forgotten about his looks. Anyone who was in their sane mind wouldn't be able to forget his appearance. He was remarkably handsome. His tanned skin, black hair, brown eyes that had turned darker because of his rage, narrow nose, and everything on his face were just perfect.
She averted her gaze and bowed her head again. She shouldn't stare at him like that.
Her silence only pissed him off more. He thought she would finally answer as she looked into his eyes, but she was bowing her head again.
Then, he laughed.
A sharp, mocking sound that filled the room. He ran a hand through his hair, stepping back as if distancing himself from the madness.
This woman—whoever she was—had to be insane. A delusional, obsessed fan who had gone mentally unstable.
Everything about her was too perfect. Her resemblance to the character in the drama, her speech, her expressions—she was either a world-class actress or a woman with a serious screw loose in her head.
Kael turned away, waving a dismissive hand.
"I don't have time for this nonsense." He said, his voice laced with irritation. "Lock her in here until I decide what to do with her."
Then, without another glance, he whirled around to stride out of the room.
That made Diandra jolt her head up to him. He didn't have to lock her in. She would stay if he just said it.
Her breath hitched at his reaction. She had expected confusion, maybe even disbelief—but mockery? She didn't know how she should feel at that.
She stared at his retreating back. Her mind was reeling.
"A knight must stay by His Majesty's side at all times." She said it firmly and stepped forward to tail him.
Kael stopped in his tracks. He let out a sharp exhale, shaking his head like he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
Then he turned to face her again. His expression was filled with irritation and skepticism. He looked down at her.
"Alright, then." He muttered, rubbing his temple. "Let's try this another way."
He folded his arms across his chest. His gaze was sharp and assessing. "What's your name?"
"Diandra."
The moment she answered 'Diandra,' Kael nearly laughed again. He almost let out another mocking chuckle. But this time, he suppressed it, pressing his lips together to keep from smirking.
Fine. If she wanted to play this game, he'd humor her a little longer.
Diandra dreaded being questioned, for she had nothing to answer. She doesn't know her past. What if he would ask where she was from just like the old man earlier? She doesn't want to disappoint His Majesty. But she wouldn't lie either.
"Okay, Diandra." It felt strange, but also it was just right to call her that name. "Where are you from?" He asked, tilting his head slightly. He wanted to know how deep her knowledge was of the confidential script that doesn't feel so confidential anymore, that this woman knew things about it. Even acting as the female protagonist.
She hesitated. For the first time, he saw uncertainty flicker in her eyes.
Diandra knew that question was coming again. And she was devastated in herself that she couldn't answer even her own origin. She bowed her head with an arm angled across her chest. "I deeply apologize, Your Majesty. I do not remember." She finally admitted.
"Of course, you can't." His voice was dripping with sarcasm. Yeah. How convenient. Guess she doesn't know everything in the script. "Alright. Then, who am I?"
He knew that she could answer it. It was revealed to the public what role he'd be playing.
"You are my emperor." Diandra tried to sound firm. Though she swallowed hard, she couldn't remember his name. She just knew that it was him. It was a vague answer, but she hoped that it was enough and he wouldn't push more. She'd try to know his name later. Or maybe he asked the other people serving him. She doesn't want to remain as ignorant as she already was.
Kael exhaled sharply, biting down his frustration. He expected her to say his name. His role. But it seemed like he had to force it out of her.
"And what emperor would that be?"
Diandra bit her lower lip as she winced for her memory loss. Her heart pounded. It seemed like he wouldn't let it rest. She took a huge breath and fell on her one knee again. "I'm sorry for my lack of knowledge, Your Majesty. But I could not recall."
Kael groaned, clenching his fist before he wanted to pull her up himself. "Stand up. Don't do that." Frustration was too thick in his voice. Then he exhaled loudly as he ran a hand through his face.
She stood up as he ordered.
"Unbelievable." He muttered. He almost believed it from her reactions and every move. It could be just a part of her acting. And damn. She could win awards for it.