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1043 Words
Chapter Six: A Knight Is Not A Servant
H E L E N
For the next few days, I was greeted with admiration. I expected as much. Then the Chairman, Yomi Hiddleston, summoned me. "H-hello sir", I stammered. He didn't turn from his chair. Finally, he spoke hesitantly, "Helen, you have been chosen by the King Richered to serve as his son's Knight", he sighed under his breath.
"Which son?"
"What does it matter?"
I stopped talking; I have forgotten this was how women were treated, trivial, and insufficient. I stepped out of his office, staring at the ground below. Here I was at the Academy and without my brother. My plan was going into motion, then why wasn't I feeling content. I pondered this until we retired. Ivory rested, his horns grinding against the wall. I fell asleep trying to do my homework. I dreamed that night, it was a memory from this world:
Duchess Davis had served me tea and I had drunk it, only to awake in a man's bed. I escaped through the window. Later I was accused of a******y; if I was proven guilty, I would be executed. Luckily my friend, Countess Fay, had spoken that I spent the night with her. Duchess Davis, in a fit of rage, foretold the court that she gave me, a sixteen-year-old girl, a drugged drink. She was later arrested and committed suicide in jail. That was when Lydia started to try to get rid of me. I, without doing anything, received Lydia's rage.
The sun crept through my hair, to my blued eyes. I squirmed. "Good morning, Ivory", I said half-asleep. He stared at me and blushed, I looked down and found the reason: I was only in a large t-shirt. I quickly grabbed my pants and ran to the bathroom. I stared at the sink, "That dream was a warning... I know it". I had learned one thing through that dream: there are some people in this world who are just seeking a reason to hate you, by heritage, gender, skill, or who you chose to love. They just want to hate you and have a basis for it.
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I picked up my sword with urgency as Ray nearly stabs me in the side, "Focus!", he shouted. I blocked him quickly. "I can if you would stop trying to kill me", I shouted back. I swung my sword and huffed out a plea to Ivory. He ignored it as Ray cut the sword out of my hand. After an hour of training, we headed to the showers, but we soon encountered a huge problem: I couldn't go in and the girl's showers were located on the other side of the school. Some boys joked about letting me sneak into the showers with them, but fortunately, Mr. Resse hears and sends me off promptly. As I walk, I am greeted with Gwen, the Prince's "fiancé", she stands at the corner staring at the gates. When she sees me, she snickers, "Oh, here comes the "swordswoman", how was practice", I ignore her, but she grabs my arm; I rip away from her grasp, "Oh! You think you're soo special just because King Richered made you Aurous's Star Knight?! I am his fiancé; you have no place-?!" By this time, I had tunned her out from the shock. Prince Aurous?! I would be serving Prince Smartass?! I must see him... he must ask his father to assign me someone else, heck, even Prince Sterling would do?! He stands at the gate surrounded by young maidens; his golden eyes and hair shine with the afternoon sun. I march over to him, aware of the suspicious, and jealous, glances. The girls glared at me, tightening their hold on the Prince's arm. I frown, why did I have to deal with this in the morning. I had just finished training and was still in my workout clothes: a large blue crop-top, gold shorts, and white shoes with white knee-high socks two blue stripes. Ivory passed by, "Hey, Helen, some of the guys were asking if you were born with a robust body or if you are secretly a guy", I lightly punched him in the shoulder. So, it's come to this, I thought; Many of the guys were shocked to learn that I worked out regularly, in secret, at the House of Matthews. I turned to the Prince, "Prince Aurous, your father has assigned me as your Star Knight. Please take care of me from now on, but if you decide otherwise, you may excuse me.", I declare while bowing unwillingly. I tilt my head, searching for any emotion of his face at the news. There is none. The women tried to protest, but Prince Aurous's voice roared over, "My father sent you to protect me with your life, that's quite unbelievable." I merely shrugged and nodded. He smiles, why? Does he enjoy my torture this much? Finally, a girl dressed in rouge and pigtails spoke up, " H-how can mere woman fight men for the Prince?", that insult hurt, a lot. "If you deem me unfit to protect his Highness, then you may take that up with the King", she flinches, "I am not doing this as a means to get closer to his Highness, but rather as a subject to the Capital". The rest of them tremble at the word "King". I did not like the Prince, but it was a great honor to serve the King. As repayment for getting me into this school, I will put up with the Prince... for now. For Eli. Right at that moment, Ferric appeared, covered in bruises and cuts I might add, and accused me of only winning because he went easy on me. "Lord Ferric, I must apologize for not realizing that 'sufficient' fact earlier, but if that is true it's only fair to have a rematch to prove it", I emphasized my innocence. The girls giggled as I smiled. Prince Ferric seemed to shrink even more in the presence of Prince Aurous.
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