(Maria’s pov.)
I was only a child when my mother died during the great war. I recall that following her funeral, my father sobbed nonstop for a week.
My father, who was the strongest person I had ever known, broke down in tears right in front of .
I made a vow for the first ti then.
a promise to surpass my mother in strength. Strong enough to fight, to beco the best knight to ever exist in the entirety of the Lumberg kingdom.
If I can do this, then my father won’t have to worry about dying, because he would know every battle I faced, I would win.
So, I poured all my focus into training, mastering my art at a young age, ignoring everything else that didn’t align with my goal. Victories born from my own sweat and blood.
...
"You there! You’re pretty strong for a girl; what’s your na?"
That was the first ti I saw him, the boy dressed in a peculiar, rich outfit.
During my training in the forest, he walked up to , claiming he wanted to be his retainer.
If my mory serves right, he refused to tell who he was back then and would only tell he was traveling with his parents.
At first, I saw no reason for interacting with him. He didn’t seem all that worth it to .
As such, I ignored him. My training ca first before anything else.
Yet, he stood and watched train for hours, only leaving when I did.
The next day, while I was practicing with a tree branch, he showed up again, handing a wooden blade and telling it was better.
I didn’t get the chance to reject it before he dropped it on the ground and walked away.
It would be a waste not to use it; I am sure Father wouldn’t mind as well. Not like he knows I sneak out here to train anyway.
I took the blade and used it for training.
However, that wasn’t the end of the black-haired boy I saw.
He ca again, day after day, bringing materials to help with my training. Books, weapons, potions, and so on.
He also told how he was a mage. As a warrior class, I was indeed jealous of this; I barely got to Amateur, and my father, of course, didn’t think I could get there too.
I wanted to prove him wrong. I can be strong. I can survive.
My motivation grew day after day, and so did my unwanted fascination for the boy, whose na I later learned to be Dorian.
While I trained, he would try to convince to beco his retainer, begging and telling how it would help achieve my dreams faster. It was dumb, but eventually, I gave in and accepted the role.
But only when I was sufficiently strong.
We made the decision to raid a tiny dungeon in the forest to test this.
Then—that took place.
The incident that completely changed everything for us.
Reality struck like a rock.
I wasn’t strong at all. My first friend was bleeding on the ground because of , because I was weak.
I wanted him to live.
I didn’t want him to die, not like my mother.
So, I made the deal.
The witch granted , and alone, a deal.
...
A few years later, after I had gotten as strong as I had hoped, I figured I would wait and see how things would turn out.
A deal with a witch.
Even after all my research, I never found anything worth learning about.
Imagine my surprise when everything regarding the deal slowly ca to reality. Lord Dorian was right in front of , asking to once again be his retainer.
He looked different, but I didn’t care. It was him.
Jacob.
Eh? Why do I know this na?
I wondered; questions popped into my head, but I ignored them. I was just happy to be right next to him.
To see him again. My heart lted, so much so I restrained myself from pouncing on him.
I can’t get too attached, not yet. If anything were to happen to him again, I—
In any case, I swore my loyalty to him. Though I doubt he was aware of this, every part of my soul rejoiced on my behalf. The reason I chose not to serve any other lord was because of this, only this.
But when I learnt he had his soul rged with soone else, bearing the sa na I just do happen to know.
I realized, there was indeed sothing more here. Sothing I most likely don’t understand yet.
Still, I didn’t care. Not yet at least.
Now-
’Do I even know what I want?’
"Soldiers of Aurelian!"
My lord yelled at the top of his voice, drawing the attention of the soldiers scattered across the field.
Snapping out of my deep thoughts.
I stood by his side, the most comfortable position I could ever hope to find myself in.
Right, I end up having to remind myself.
’Maria, you are his knight.’
I tend to forget this sotis. If you were to ask , I would probably say I tend to feel we are sothing...more.
Though I know this was probably my mind playing a trick on .
This feeling that I know a part of him no one else knows is probably my emotions trying to tell sothing.
Sigh, pathetic.
I turned my gaze to my lord.
"Looks like you’re quite popular, my lord. That should make it easier to speak with them, right?"
I asked.
But in truth, the question that truly haunted my mind was one thing—
’My lord, are you in love with Seraphina? Just her? Am I too manly to be looked at the sa way?’
Of course I couldn’t say this. I would probably die where I stand.
Sigh, I am truly pathetic.
As a knight, thoughts like this are unpleasant and should not be in my mind to begin with. But any ti I looked at him, any ti I saw my lord, I—
"This lady has a higher rank than you. A lord rank."
As Lord Dorian announced this, while the crowd did erupt in shock, Jordan glanced at with a disgusted glare.
Obviously he doesn’t believe that a woman can attain such a rare rank that only the first hero was able to get to.
I don’t bla him.
I myself still find it hard to believe.
Then again, this is Ja—Lord Dorian we are talking about; he tends to pull surprises when you least expect it.
I am sure he saw this coming as well.
Suddenly, he looked at .
His lashes sparkled with grace, and his eyes were so pretty that I could stare at them forever if I was allowed to.
I knew he was about to speak; I anticipated it. His voice, charming and soothing, was probably my favorite thing to listen to.
"Maria, do you mind dueling this man?"
Lord Dorian told this before. Can I win? I haven’t mastered these powers yet; what if I disappoint him? So far he has only ever praised ; I don’t want that to change, not yet.
"Yes, of course," I replied calmly. "I don’t mind."
"There you have it!"
Lord Dorian pointed at Jordan, a prideful look on his face. "My knight challenges you to a duel. Whoever wins will be the leader of the Aurelian military departnt!"
"I accept!" Jordan yelled with confidence.
Seeing Lord Dorian have so much faith in was the single thing I needed to win this duel.
Not to ntion, the more I rember what Seraphina told in the hallway, the angrier I get.
This might be a good way to vent my anger.
I’ll murder this man.
..
[A/N]
Trust , I know there isn’t enough information on their background, but as I said, it will be revealed slowly, and I don’t intend to drop any spoilers whatsoever.
I hope you enjoyed this Chapter.
Also, thank you all for the support, powerstones, and Gt, I am truly grateful.
Reviews
All reviews (0)