As the sun began to pack away for the day and hide behind distant trees, it casted long shadows across the training grounds, making the bustling space look like a battleground of overlapping shadows fighting against each other for victory.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ZsILNNA3l
The sound of clashing swords and shouting voices inebriate the atmosphere, mingled along with the distant chirping of birds, crickets and the rustling of leaves with the cool evening breeze.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqhBCofPqs
The sky took on a warm orange hue, with streaks of pink and purple slowly spreading across the horizon. The fading light casted over the wooden dummies, archery targets, and training weapons strewn about the grounds.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGBDHLm9Id
The first time Sirius had seen Ori was when she had dressed up as man and sneaked her way inside the training grounds of his estate.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEGXKVDFEFf
Her lush brown mane was tied up and forced into a knitted cap, her womanly figure was hidden beneath a god-awful piece of coarse, dirt ridden, shirt and patched baggy pants. Whilst standing at-ease, her feet parted more comfortably than of those around her.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGkiwbV3Ep
It did not take Sirius' guards long to catch the impostor amongst them.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PerbnbpXi
"Please! Sire! I WANT to be a Knight!" Her first words to him were a shout as she was being forced on her knees, both hands detained by a guard on either side. Her dark brows wilted with passion and her blue eyes stared into his with much persistence.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGyzZjeu0u
To say Sirius was surprised would be an understatement. His amythest eyes held curiosity when he scrutinized all of her.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡotAXfHcE8t
"I must say, I am impressed that you made it here, but rather disappointed that you got caught," Sirius gave her a small smile, leaning back into his cushioned chair as he crossed his legs by the knees.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0KXEKIgb2
Her head jerked with exasperation, pupils blown out. "I won't get caught again! I promise! If you only make me a Knight —"
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsjp57sT2b5
Her desperate pleas were cut off by his hand in the air.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEObeaeOkN
"What is the first clause of the Nobelai Empire? Words of the Oracle." He questioned, with a raised brown.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3APWcog5eb
His cold amythest eyes were disappointed to see her face hang down in silence. Her proud head which was maintaining eye-contact with him, turned to face the dusty ground. Her blue orbs shifted left and right, as if trying to form sentences.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSlgx248FJi
"Um, well- the Rulers-"
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1wSb0F5aK
"I want it word by word," Sirius declared. Her balance on her knees faltered just by a bit. Though, in the next second, she looked him in the eye again.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXTiEfZnOE
"I don't know the golden rules but I can fight!"
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2JycvBDjTl
"So can the savages of the outskirts, miss. To be a Knight is not only knowing how to fight."
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ4n7LJaSKw
Her tone was hopeful and enthusiastic, eyes almost challenging him to give in and watch her fight. But Sirius was no easy man. He would not let just any passerby be a Knight under the Empire. It was one of the most esteemed professions amongst commoners and thousands of better people were just waiting to get a chance.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL2cLqtpEY
"But, if you tell me, I can learn—"
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpPBXY4NsL
"Take her away," Sirius gestured to his guards and they did pull her up to drag her away. Her heels dug a trail into the dusty grounds, her passionate blue eyes stared into his and in her promising voice she merely called out:
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQIoTifWTr
"I will be a Knight one day! Just you see!!"
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9w7eWuu36s
She did not protest much while being dragged away, which came as a surprise to Sirius.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRzz5Sy4av
Which also came as a surprise to him because...why was he having sudden expectations from a person he just met?!
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGz0S8IMhie
⩩
The sky is laden with shinning stars, streaming a mystical path in the universe.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1zo1x6GuG
The horse's breath created a misty fog as it patiently waited for its owner to arrive. The carriage attached to its bejeweled reins was ornate, decorated with intricate carvings and symbols of the Nobelai.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4t24skzu05
In the air, emanated the scent of damp earth and distant woodsmoke travelling from the countryside, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS4ey85PSyW
The second time Duke Sirius had seen Ori was when he opened his carriage door, deep in the dead of the night, and she burst out with a sudden shout that had him clutching his young heart for dear life.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ8lQ2WG9S
"God, in fashioning those of you who are fitted to hold rule, mingled Gold in their generation, for which reason they are the most precious— but in the Nobels, the helpers of the fittest, he poured Silver and Brass in the brave Warriors and Iron in the Workers. Doing so, he birthed the magical empire of Nobelai for us."
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmg2dNHNoOD
She chanted like a woman possessed, sparkling eyes and tone devoid of any remorse, of having broken into the Duke's Carriage, as she recited all three Nobel rules of the Empire.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ70RmTS1KG9
"I know them now! All of them! You MUST make me a Knight now!" She persuaded, head craning to meet Sirius in the eye, whilst the Duke collected himself from his miniheart-attack. Had this girl no sense of calm?!
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumDW51R2rT
"You do realise this is considered breaking into private property? You can go to Jail for this!" The bitter in his tone showed and caught her off guard. He had had a long day and he would be having a long night, but the last thing he expected was for her to break in and make it...
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6m8Rq9Il6G
"Yes, I do know, but there was no other way I could meet you! They wouldn't let me go inside!" Ori raised an accusatory finger at the Butler, standing in the shadow of the Duke. "He kept saying mean things to me!" Ori complained as Sirius turned to look a guilty Albert in the eye.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf8xtgxiEhf
"I'm disappointed in you, Jenkins," Sirius tsked. "Take her away, we need to make haste," he gestured his guards, who charged at her. Like before, she made no extra lunges to defend herself or protest her early departure and it left Sirius a tad disappointed again.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwbGeHltNPy
"Until we meet again! I'll make you make me a Knight!"
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8Xkn2rqv9
She called out into the dead of the night as his guards dragged her out of the Estate. Oddly, it brought a small smile on Sirius' tired face.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMuiWZ1JbiY
"I apologise to have disappointed you, Your Grace, but this is the second time that girl has broken into the estate. Do you think we should do something about it?" Albert questioned whilst rechecking the carriage for any planted traps.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnncsZWTJdY
"No, Jenkins. She is harmless."
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPp0vDDCuTp
⩩
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODmxQdEbky
Prince of Eldoria, Aldric Liam the fifth, was one of the four wheels of success in the Nobelai Empire and a potential successor, if anything were to happen, to Nobelai's heavenly Empress.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡat0N2opIt0
He was devastatingly handsome as proposed by commonfolk and an acquaintance of Sirius. Though, they were more than acquaintances in Aldric's perspective, but Sirius maintained the boundaries in their relationship.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ML7vc2nZv
Monthly brunch was mandatory also because they happened to be cousins. An honourable relation on Prince Aldric's part and a detestable relation on Duke Sirius'.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGuKSpRoLw
Prince Aldric enjoyed the smell of fresh flowers and the warm sunlight streaming inside Sirius' personally curated Greenhouse. Using his title, Aldric would often force his cousin to meet in places personal to him so he could feel closer to his Sirius. So he could force them to bond.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GfkfCFYEc
Though, all Duke Sirius did was sip on his tea and occasionally nod at Aldric's words.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaemgcDPGL
"This place is utterly beautiful, isn't it? I am forever fascinated by your curation skills, brother dearest, I must confess, I love spending time here." Aldric complimented warmly, with the eloquence of a Prince, as his hands moved timidly, trying to make his own tea because Sirius only got himself a cup. Rude brat.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq26M7CRGkc
The Duke merely grunted in response, barely acknowledging his cousin's presence. Though, all of his being was desperately wanting to shout out loud, 'I AM NOT YOUR BROTHER DEAREST.'
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2trlMChmc8
Aldric sighed inwardly. It seemed that no matter what he did, Sirius always kept him at arm's length. He had hoped that a quiet brunch in a serene setting might be an opportunity to bridge the divide between them, but as usual, Sirius was a frigid, impenetrable wall of monosyllabic answers.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVEUAAeJ8H
"Making tea is tough, eh? Ever since Humerah went away. I don't think they teach us guys how to make t—"
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJfBcJKPvz
"I can make tea! I make excellent tea! I'll make you a tea if you make me a Knight!"
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4b6kOcdb1B
Ori's head popped out of the circular table cloth, from under their round table, and stared up at Sirius. The Duke, caught off guard, kicked his chair away from the sudden presence. In consequence, the chair tipped backwards, with the Duke still on it, and in a moment's notice he was about to hit the floor when Ori grabbed a hold of his hands and pulled him in the opposite direction.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlliGH69bo
Prince Aldric could only stand and stare at Ori the Duke pressed against her, both a flustered shade of crimson.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6HrmVQ4uDx
"Good reflexes," the brunette coughed, looking around the marvellous tiled ground. Sirius was quick to twist her hands away from his wrists and cough awkwardly.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczyOViYbm3
"Thank you," he mumbled under his breath, locking his hands behind his back.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2J6WTfwg1
"Good thing I was here, eh?" Ori joked, trying to reduce the awkwardness, but all she did was remind Sirius of more pressing matters at hand.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUizBXpYe2h
"Excuse me?! How did you even reach here?! What is wrong with you?!" Sirius groaned, exasperated, as the girl sheepishly rubbed her palms against her arms and scratched her head.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1atymqPUiR
"I just want to be a Knight!"
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXKaozp1wx
"Knighthood is not handed out on whims, Miss. It takes years of hardwork and dedication. It takes education and morals, which you clearly lack!"
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawUymp6ZGF
Aldric was caught off guard by his brother's speech. This was most he had seen him speak, all throughout his life. With amused eyes, he settled himself back on the chair and observed away.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1435u3qYSv
"But, I have been trying! I have been training my whole life for this! When I turned twenty-one this was all I could dream of! I want a better life for my family! Do you know that we live in underground dungeons because land revenue is so high in Evermire?! I want a better place and standing in life and I WILL get it!"
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qdLG9IWWV
The fire in her eyes propelled daggers at the Duke. This was new.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvilGeBK1pS
"I refuse to acknowledge that. Evermire has pension plans for every old, sick or unemployed person. Don't bring your silly little dream to undermine my Dukedom. Every registered citizen has the right to live on land and demand an audience with— wait...are you a registered citizen?"
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqGTctxYdS
He had caught her off guard again. The fire condensed into a mere push of her lips against her cheeks. A forced smile.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSgAowooH5
"My dream is not silly or little! It might be a moment in the passing for you, but to me, it is my life! And well, so what if we might not be registered—"
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX8qWs65JSG
"How can you even dream of being a Knight when you are not even a registered citizen under the Empire?" Sirius' tone was so low, his hand was so close to face palming himself, his eyes were so close to rolling back, but he maintained a strict persona in Aldric's face.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡba3nr0A6ix
Now the reasons of her shabby state and constant sneaking around were all blatantly obvious.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavrSPkDfTB
Her whole existence was illegal, quite literally.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfnGGLbPgPx
"I, uh, my- I will be registered soon enough!" She proudly declared, clearly bluffing as her chin jutted out too much and eyes blinked too much. To be registered under Nobelai was to belong in one of the four main classes of the land and clearly, this girl had no standing.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2DDl2XQENI
Sirius couldn't help but scoff in her face.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRQNznRwVd
"Do you know that you are in the presence of not only the Duke of Evermire but also the Prince of Eldoria?" His silver brows raised in a condescending manner as the brunette instantly dropped to her feet. Horror laced her face.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFWgisDuGX
"I-uh, I am sorry! I did not know - I—" she was about to turn and greet the Prince but Sirius caught her before that. With a finger tipping her chin, he urged her to keep her eyes strained on him instead.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBSuah6fJw
"You will be detained," he whispered and as if on some magical cue, his guards ran inside and clutched her hands again. She hung between the two as they dragged her away, head bent and no cries or words of protest to show.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSSAithk6w
She did not resist, yet again.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4yPxqwcYZ
Why did she never resist? Why would she give up so easily just to comeback again? Could she not do it all in one day and end it soon?!
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk1UMojoTo
Sirius would get grey hairs at twenty-five just because of her sudden appearances!
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKSv4m2cKbM
This was already their third meeting and her first jail time.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡny3acutolu
As night drifted closer and Sirius was done with all his schedules of the day, he headed to his bedchamber to relax and rest in peace. Though, his mind was still burdened by her words.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVkD5nTbO7
As if on cue, Albert caught up to him and informed with a curtsy, "Your Grace, she broke out of the prison!"
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4o8pkLKZj
Sirius raised a proud brow and nodded to himself in acknowledgement of her skills. "She found the tunnel faster than I expected," he mumbled as he settled himself on his sofa and rested his eyes.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoAW1s18DT
Sirius had her detained only to keep her off Aldric's notorious radius. His cousin brother had a bad reputation for stringing along pretty girls with not-so-ladylike personalities and a penchant for ruthless heartbreaking.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLysrAkLhzT
The last thing Sirius wanted for an ambitious and naive stranger was to be a puppet in the hands of his manipulative cousin brother.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHF55DdtRP
"Don't you think we should do something about her, Your Grace?! After today, this is turning—"
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tRjNb8zg3
"How are your letters of repentance doing, Jenkins? I only recieved seventy-five of the hundred I asked you to write." Sirius opened an eye to watch Albert gulp.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWU34x5GRH
"I thought you forgot about it, Sire," Albert coughed, wandering eyes not meeting his master in guilt and embarrassment.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJyLZZlcHEo
"Make it two hundred," Sirius smiled a sweet smile as Albert dropped to his knees. In a mess of apologies.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTrxhSgj8d
The Duke shrugged him away.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvfE77wCXN
"Say, did Father not provide for all those who suffered in the war? Why are people still living in those underground dungeons?" He asked, closing his eyes again. From what he knew of his father's reign over the Duchy, every commoner was compensated for the war caused amongst Royalty. They were given new homes and provided pension plans until they would regain a certain amount of financial stability.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6d8vyBv1H6
There was no way a handful of people would have denied all of those privileges and chose to remain underground. Heck, there was no-way many modern people would even know the location of the dungeons. Unless, they were on the opposing side of the war. Unless, they were the ones hiding away. Unless, they were revolters.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHy75AvNiQL
Who was that girl? Why was her family hiding away? Why was she so desperate to be a Knight if her family was in hiding? Wouldn't it be self sabotage? Or did she want to betray the Empire?
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6a6OhbTm3s
But the sparkling intensity in her eyes said otherwise.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQojSispYX5
Albert was quick to fetch the files from the officechamber and hand them to Sirius. "Yes, Your Grace, the late Duke, may his soul rest in peace, made sure to provide for all suffering families and even the immigrants. Every Durus and Aeris was provided extra funds. The empirewide Crysomancy to make sure all deserving people got the funds," Albert explained, wiping the sweat off his forehead as Sirius sat back straight and took a hold of the file.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAUfIwTzOPv
It was funny how history was remembered in the papers.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxCuVDfQrx
Crysomancy was the crystal goblet test to determine the blood of Nobelai's inhabitants. Every ruler had Gold in their blood, every Nobel had Silver in their blood, every Warrior and businessman had Brass in their blood, and every Worker such as Farmers, Craftsmen, Teachers, Subjects had Iron in their blood.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5VRPI4CfXs
Every citizen was important to Nobelai, as long as they remained in their class, laid low and did their part.
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzsIeMOONjg
So why was Ori's family escaping the Crysomancy? What were they hiding?
270Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4ndyne9PB
