The Knight Returned from Prague

The afternoon sunlight spilled across her platinum-blonde hair.

In the garden arcade blooming with marigolds, Vivianna felt the trailing vines brushing against her cheeks, making them itch.

Startled awake, she instinctively pressed her thumb against the crossguard and gently pushed out the blade, assuming a guarded stance. But then she realized this was clearly the Hohenzollern residence in Prague.

Where am I...

Back again?

She stood there in a daze for a long while, looking at the brand-new battle attire she wore. Her previous experiences felt like a dream, utterly unreal.

Thinking back on it now, aside from fighting alongside the Emperor against the Ottomans, the details of the decades that followed had all become indistinct.

Was it all just a dream?

Her spirits could not help but sink. Of course. How could someone like me ever accomplish something so great?

"Miss Vivianna!"

A maid suddenly cried out.

She dropped the tray in her hands and shouted, "The young lady is back!"

The entire residence erupted in celebration.

The steward hurried over. Only when he saw Vivianna did he finally let out a long breath. "My lady, you've finally returned. Where on earth have you been this past month?"

A month?

Vivianna's brows eased slightly. So it wasn't a dream...

Good. It wasn't a dream.

The steward's tone carried no small amount of reproach. "You have always been sensible. How could you not know how important this tournament was? So many nobles, merchants, and commoners came all the way to Prague just to catch a glimpse of you. During your disappearance, the Elector Prince was frantic. He set aside his official duties and rushed here."

"If you had stayed gone any longer, the Black Eagle Knight Order would have marched into Prague."

Vivianna sighed softly. "I didn't know I was