Princess Iris's carriage rolled down the cobblestoh towards the royal castle, the wheels eg with a steady rhythm as the familiar sight of gardens and walls began to surround her.

  She looked out the window, lost in thought, recalling the events of the day.

  The presence of Non Rook, her ued savior, lingered in her mind.

  As they arrived at the castle's mairance, a group of knights awaited her, their armleaming.

  As soon as the carriage stopped, the knights k in unison, bowing their heads with deep respect.

  "Wele, Yhness!" they said in unison, dispying their devotion.

  The captain, a tall man with a serious gaze, held his sword uhed as a sign of absolute loyalty, without lifting his eyes.

  Iris, stepping out of the carriage with a smile, looked at them with uanding.

  "Please, you may raise your heads," she said gently. Despite her words, the captain remained kneeling, his sword still held high.

  "Princess Iris, if you are displeased because I wasn't there to protect you during today's i, you may take my head," the captain said, a mix of determination and guilt in his voice. "I failed in my duty. Please, do with my life as you see fit."

  The princess raised an eyebrow, surprised by how quickly the news of the i had spread throughout the castle.

  heless, there was something that still intrigued her.

  "Captain," she said with a calm but inquisitive voice, "do you know who it was that defended me?"

  The knight, still bowing his head, replied,

  "I deeply apologize, Yhness. I do not know the identity of your savior. I know he was an older man and showed great skill in stopping the traitorous noble, but beyond that… I have no further details."

  Iris let out a small sigh, the captain with a mix of amusement and uanding.

  "That man, the one you do not know, is Non Rook."

  The name rang out like thunder among the knights, but especially for the captain, who lifted his gaze with an expression of astonishment.

  "N-Non Rook… you say?"

  The surprise in his voice alpable, and a murmur of disbelief rippled through the nearby knights.

  "The Master of a Thousand Victories?" he asked, clearly stunned.

  There wasn't a single military man in the kingdom who didn't know that name.

  Non Rook had been a general admired by all, known for his intelled his tactical abilities that seemed to defy logic itself.

  In tless battles, he had led armies to success, predig enemy movements with a precision that some sidered magical.

  During the years of war, he not only gave orders from the rear but also led charges at the front of his troops, sword in hand.

  For his feats, one of the many titles he received was the prestigious title of Master of a Thousand Victories, a rank reserved for the kingdom's most respected military geniuses.

  However, after the st great battle, Non had retired from public life and now lived in a mansion in the remion of Duskmoor, a pce surrounded by hills and deep forests.

  Many in the kingdom didn't even know if he was still alive.

  The feorked for him had been personally selected by the king, ensuring he had the best care possible, but it was rare for ao see or speak of him.

  He was an enigma that tio fasate many but had bee shrouded in mystery over time.

  "Did you really… see him, Yhness?" the captain asked, still incredulous.

  Iris nodded with a light smile.

  "Yes, captain. He was the one who saved me today. As always, anticipating the traitorous noble's pns long before any of us did."

  The captain couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and reverence.

  "Non Rook… he is a legend. Knowing he's still among us… it's… it's something I never would have imagined." His tone veyed the profound respect every soldier felt for him.

  Non's feats were stories that all military personnel had heard again and again, almost myth-like in nature.

  "Stand up, captain," Iris ordered softly. "I have no reason to be upset. In fact, thanks to your absence, I was able to see Non Rook in a. And believe me, it was as impressive as the stories say."

  The captain obeyed, standing with a renewed expression of pride and relief.

  Still, the mystery surrounding Non did not fade from the princess's mind.

  As she spoke with the captain, aook hold in her mind:

  What kind of magic did Non truly use?

  Over the years, there had been many theories, but no one knew for certain.

  The mana cores of mages usually adapted to the magic they used most, enhang their effid power.

  However, in Non's case, there was a darkness around his magic.

  No one had been able to us exaature, and the princess, curious and ambitious, saw it as a challenge.

  She wao discover what kind of magic allowed him to anticipate enemy movements with such precision.

  For that reason, and to her advantage, Non had been injured, and now she had the opportunity to u.

  'If I discover his secret… I could further solidate the power of our kingdom,' Iris thought as she gazed toward the horizon. 'And if, along the way, I mao make him fall in love with me…'

  A small mischievous glint appeared on her face.