Lucia

Chapter One

I. The Lead

‘For as I have told, he lacked as the prince, but not as a brother. 

And so I will find whoever has killed you, brother. And I shall return the favor so as to let your soul rest in peace. 

Rest assured for I swear under my name that I shall and I will. ‘

My thoughts were quickly disrupted by the two women whose whispered banter had transformed into clear adversary. 

“You were going to get us in trouble!”

“But why should you be so harsh in warning! In fact, you are the one to get us in trouble!”

“Why how dare you-!”

“Is there a problem I may help to resolve?” the women had not noticed the head knight walking towards their direction. After immediately turning to the speaker with annoyance, the women’s mouths hung agape as they took in the presence of the head knight, both in worry and in astonishment. The annoyance they once had have completely dissipated.

He had the appearance of a myth whose beauty remains a legend. It was useful at times, but the amount of men who weep in envy have gotten troubling. If not for his position and his abilities, surely, the husbands of these women would have accused him of seducing their wives--which was true, however, unconsciously done. 

“Is there a problem you may help to resolve?” The first woman, who had initially only been a passerby, sweetly repeated, in awe. 

The knight’s eyebrows rose in confusion and fluster, “Oh, but I am quite uncertain. Is there?” But the women continued to stare in amazement. There were rumors of his beauty, which they must have already known, but seeing him in such a close distance would make one so easily prone to disbelief. The rumors proved him no justice. 

“There is!” still smitten, the second woman spoke eagerly. It would be difficult to converse with the man casually once more. Dismissing him so easily was a thought not to be entertained.  

The head knight waited, not speaking as to let the women reveal their troubles. 

What should the women say? They must’ve been thinking in panic as they looked at the suddenly serious look of the head knight. Naturally, he expects grave trouble. Calling the head knight for a simple problem would portray quite the disrespect. The problem they had was only to themselves, they should have dismissed him early on. Now, what should they say so as to not tarnish their reputation?

The second woman looked at the other in panic, “What must we say?” her eyes spoke.

After comprehending the look the second woman had given her, the first woman faced the knight in distress when, suddenly, her eyes glowed bright. An idea had occurred to her. 

“The first prince!” 

Both her companion and the head knight looked at her in surprise. Her declaration was not completely fitting for the subject which naturally caught the attention of a few passersby. 

“What had happened to the first prince?” the knight questioned.

“Oh, you have failed to be informed?” suddenly sly, the first woman continued. If she knew of news that even the head knight does not know, she might as well appear dependable and useful to him. He would visit her often to know of new happenings, she thought. Although all these were gossips, she mindlessly continued.

“I fear I am not aware of such knowledge about his royal highness. He was tending to his royal duties just before we left the palace, so I am unaware of what occurred to him in such a short time,” it was a lie. Agreeing would make it appear as though the royalties do not trust the head knight enough as to let him know of such a report.

“Is it a report I should be distressed with or need I worry not?” he continued. 

For all those the women could speak of are only gossip, such a statement from the head knight himself would thwart all their attempts at making the gossip appear as facts. All the women would speak of would be confirmed as only senseless gossip. 

The woman who had spoken had not considered the knight to meet the prince, for she believed and thought that the prince was partaking in the year’s last trade as she had heard from a close friend. 

The passersby listening have started to mind their own business, already concluding the women to only be wasting the knight’s time. They uttered words of insult, “How dare they consume the time of the knight with senseless gossip? Such impropriety!” they said.

These, as intended to be, were not left unheard by the two women who stood with guilt.

The second woman, standing in panic, decided that she will not let her image be tarnished by her careless companion.

“My, what are you speaking of!” she accused the other, “Other than such a rumor, I have also heard of the first prince’s death but I never spoke of it, for it is utterly ridiculous! How could you believe such a thing when our first prince has been working himself to exhaustion in the palace?” with her head up high, she continued. 

The first woman looked at her in shock and was about to argue, but the head knight had spoken, “These are quite amusing,” the women looked at him in confusion, “Is it alright for you to tell me more of these over a cup of tea? I shall tell these to the prince as to humor him.”

Although quite confused by the outcome, the two women immediately nodded with evident eagerness. 

Seeing the expected response of the women, the head knight nodded, “Then please wait here for a moment. I shall return something to my carriage before I escort you. ”

Walking over to the other side of the carriage, the head knight waited for the passersby to slightly clear the area before opening the door slightly. 

The bright ray of the scintillating sun peeked through the small opening as the head knight bowed to greet me. I nodded as a sign of permission, for I already know of his intentions. 

With much thought to myself, the hour passed quickly, and the head knight had quickly returned. 

He entered the carriage and sat neatly across me. Expectant, I looked at him knowingly as he finally spoke stiffly, “To Wrandolf we must go, your royal highness.”