CHAPTER 35: A STRONG AND TENDER KNIGHT.

(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 me.

I made a vow for the first time then.

a promise to surpass my mother in strength. Strong enough to fight, to become 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 me 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 name?"

That was the first time I saw him, the boy dressed in a peculiar, rich outfit.

During my training in the forest, he walked up to me, claiming he wanted me to be his retainer.

If my memory serves me right, he refused to tell me who he was back then and would only tell me 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 me.

As such, I ignored him. My training came first before anything else.

Yet, he stood and watched me train for hours, only leaving when I did.

The next day, while I was practicing with a tree branch, he showed up again, handing me a wooden blade and telling me 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 came again, day after day, bringing me materials to help with my training. Books, weapons, potions, and so on.

He also told me 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 name I later learned to be Dorian.

While I trained, he would try to convince me to become his retainer, begging me and telling me how it would help me 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 me like a rock.

I wasn’t strong at all. My first friend was bleeding on the ground because of me, 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 me, and me 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 came to reality. Lord Dorian was right in front of me, asking me to once again be his retainer.

He looked different, but I didn’t care. It was him.

Jacob.

Eh? Why do I know this name?

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 melted, 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 merged with someone else, bearing the same name I just do happen to know.

I realized, there was indeed something more here. Something 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 me 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 sometimes. If you were to ask me, I would probably say I tend to feel we are something...more.

Though I know this was probably my mind playing a trick on me.

This feeling that I know a part of him no one else knows is probably my emotions trying to tell me something.

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 same 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 time I looked at him, any time 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 me 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 blame 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 me.

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 me this before. Can I win? I haven’t mastered these powers yet; what if I disappoint him? So far he has only ever praised me; 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 department!"

"I accept!" Jordan yelled with confidence.

Seeing Lord Dorian have so much faith in me was the single thing I needed to win this duel.

Not to mention, the more I remember what Seraphina told me 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 me, 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.