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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFcmZyYHoO
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBywSj9HBu
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmD0zPD7IA
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjxJytaMjjw
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGyDmpWsjoM
It did not take Sirius' guards long to catch the impostor amongst them.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgK0Zy26aP
"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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡToExGFr1n5
To say Sirius was surprised would be an understatement. His amythest eyes held curiosity when he scrutinized all of her.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEw1UkKNpYM
"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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IIXYB6EfR
Her head jerked with exasperation, pupils blown out. "I won't get caught again! I promise! If you only make me a Knight —"
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUnvUDyTH0
Her desperate pleas were cut off by his hand in the air.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Jb5jeV8fq
"What is the first clause of the Nobelai Empire? Words of the Oracle." He questioned, with a raised brown.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAsnbnBxhf3
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MU8b97aIP
"Um, well- the Rulers-"
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQisRxju8rD
"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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0H5iPkcInf
"I don't know the golden rules but I can fight!"
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHD97WVPj8H
"So can the savages of the outskirts, miss. To be a Knight is not only knowing how to fight."
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jn45xT9gE
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3YPAIae7P
"But, if you tell me, I can learn—"
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oO0KT1m6a
"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:
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoBgPIUyRGO
"I will be a Knight one day! Just you see!!"
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfgDD34iyu
She did not protest much while being dragged away, which came as a surprise to Sirius.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8RyBieYB5I
Which also came as a surprise to him because...why was he having sudden expectations from a person he just met?!
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkp0YokO3q2
⩩
The sky is laden with shinning stars, streaming a mystical path in the universe.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3u8j4LoXJi
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrnvwuOTdjI
In the air, emanated the scent of damp earth and distant woodsmoke travelling from the countryside, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7pgFImJvH
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg41Pde0JTc
"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."
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOddaghWcO
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvV0GnQQX5i
"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?!
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT11V6mxmnd
"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...
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgQyl7Bf3bC
"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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhNlcAQxML
"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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxp9E30Phr
"Until we meet again! I'll make you make me a Knight!"
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47CZctu6i9
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiZ0E2Mrn0
"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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf35L6er6mC
"No, Jenkins. She is harmless."
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTXTFMb7Qg
⩩
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzjDhVRo5Ag
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83893u74a0
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgy9MKx7Y6F
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'.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDthhr99wdh
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2u1ILhQ4X
Though, all Duke Sirius did was sip on his tea and occasionally nod at Aldric's words.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q7JjRhd2a
"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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MTxEaV3Tf
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.'
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozEa3xj0m9
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXlnJjZuac3
"Making tea is tough, eh? Ever since Humerah went away. I don't think they teach us guys how to make t—"
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFLRgQHMRd
"I can make tea! I make excellent tea! I'll make you a tea if you make me a Knight!"
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExQTy48w7Y
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTenTC3Iy1J
Prince Aldric could only stand and stare at Ori the Duke pressed against her, both a flustered shade of crimson.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjosydHk1QT
"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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCXY12ZvFRz
"Thank you," he mumbled under his breath, locking his hands behind his back.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wQe9AsWJf
"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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dYuHopzlc
"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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTo9OXxlLsP
"I just want to be a Knight!"
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuaLfuu4r0Q
"Knighthood is not handed out on whims, Miss. It takes years of hardwork and dedication. It takes education and morals, which you clearly lack!"
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGTjL4Hz9m
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl6dAUtzpO
"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!"
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yt5jIOAs5
The fire in her eyes propelled daggers at the Duke. This was new.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5mt70pGdl
"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?"
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbaHy0mla2
He had caught her off guard again. The fire condensed into a mere push of her lips against her cheeks. A forced smile.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLFMyW1dNk
"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—"
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMzGVNOGqg
"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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9V57754xXw
Now the reasons of her shabby state and constant sneaking around were all blatantly obvious.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4GtgBBHTg
Her whole existence was illegal, quite literally.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTIs4d0seD
"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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiDLd5Rzh3
Sirius couldn't help but scoff in her face.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fouFDdxhN
"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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡikgt8gafFa
"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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUlBFzElYH
"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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfSVICAAzu
She did not resist, yet again.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQOg0EtyEkk
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?!
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPE3Tknz8PR
Sirius would get grey hairs at twenty-five just because of her sudden appearances!
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEMsGos3pi
This was already their third meeting and her first jail time.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDnuQDYlvkg
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCSz1MfWVa8
As if on cue, Albert caught up to him and informed with a curtsy, "Your Grace, she broke out of the prison!"
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkx7odgll65
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIQcxinuyg
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr2ZqPh7An
The last thing Sirius wanted for an ambitious and naive stranger was to be a puppet in the hands of his manipulative cousin brother.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM9JHlx4fF8
"Don't you think we should do something about her, Your Grace?! After today, this is turning—"
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPQM0UUBiR
"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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwXSfvpVog
"I thought you forgot about it, Sire," Albert coughed, wandering eyes not meeting his master in guilt and embarrassment.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBRI2yfEpD
"Make it two hundred," Sirius smiled a sweet smile as Albert dropped to his knees. In a mess of apologies.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SpAirp1m5
The Duke shrugged him away.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8rdHqscqa
"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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0AcdHhSX8i
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajUjs9wqNa
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?
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6jdxuplrF
But the sparkling intensity in her eyes said otherwise.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxhXtqSw8R
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxo2WYs760
It was funny how history was remembered in the papers.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtUe7vO93e
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.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr4o173qEcd
Every citizen was important to Nobelai, as long as they remained in their class, laid low and did their part.
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDFhCnj5eO
So why was Ori's family escaping the Crysomancy? What were they hiding?
444Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJfA7Iycdv
