Chapter 8: Turmoil
Mireille.
[Before meeting the Duke— three and a half hours into the past]
"There will be plentiful of eyes glued to you" Barones Yorkiel remarks, watchful of any unwanted presence in the parlor.
"I understand" I reply back to Aunt Clara, intently listening to her serious talk "I will make sure to subdue their impression"
Aunt is worried about me, worried that I may invite unsought attention. Due to my feminine beauty, even disguising as a man won't diminish my appealing charm. A man with the face of woman, cannot go unnoticed, can it?
"That seems to be the only option" She confirms
"Looks like you have a guest" She continues after a knock
A knock started me, surprisingly, a footman asked for permission to continue his task.
××××××××××××
[Now]
Huh. I guess I just won the Match... I look around clueless, at the frozen Knights and the gulping servants. I think I got carried away a bit too much. I wasn't supposed to do any flips or anything. And I even copied David's new move just now, I hope no one noticed it though. I remark at my used moves. I was sure to be subtle and naive. I don't want my “naive bumpkin” act to go down the drain. 'Fighting the Milliuer Swordsman' what second-rate joke is that? I scoff at my previously used play.
I promptly move away my sword, aiming at David's neck. The Match was fun, but it was also exhausting. I wait for someone to announce the winner, yet no one is moving an inch. The Milliuer Swordsman Captain should announce it quickly, but what is he doing? Staring wide-eyed.
Right now, I'm panting like crazy, inhaling as much air as I can. I didn't practice my flips and jumps for a while, and that's solely the reason, my legs sting so bad. My whole body is sweating in unison. And David is not in a good shape either. If I must add, it looks like he is having a hard time keeping himself standing. If you look carefully, his legs are shaking.
Well, worrying about everyone's confusion was of no use. Because the Duke aptly comes and announce the results and ease the unknown tension around.
"Davidson" the Duke is saying, so David's actual name is Davidson. David is way better though. I internally approve of his name, though it doesn't need my approval.
I look around at the audience, I don't understand why everyone's so dumbstruck, as if I just overpowered their Commander, a newbie overwhelming an experienced Commander. What a joke! I give off a pressed smile, even if I'm laughing inside.
I glimpse at David, who is standing on his wobbly legs. There is a crowd of Knights and servants around him. Our gaze meets, despite his wearing health, his eyes were shining with energy and so is his clear-cut wide grin, showcasing his allinged tooth.
His wobbly legs were planning on making their way towards me, so I briskly walk to him.
"Oh Edward" he supposedly calls my name
"Edgar" I smile, while correcting him
"We didn't get to talk with each other" he reminds, grinning widely
"Haha..... True" I say with an awkward laugh, trying to imitate his cheerful and giddy attitude
"Your moves were a state of art. Your flips, your prowess, it was amazing"
"That was because of the enthusiasm I got, while the Match. It pulled me to do something unthinkable"
"Teach me those moves!" he exclaim, his shining eyes were enough to make me agree with his hopeless wish "but my heavy built won't let me, will it?" he asks, admitting his inability for flips.
"I'll try my best at it" I unknowingly reply, unable to see an angel's dejected face. But I know his body type is not good for this moves
He gives a pleasant smile, not that he wasn't grinning before, he paused his grinning only when he became a depressed angel
"Alright then, I'll teach you some new moves in return" he says, in return for my generosity.
"You mean the one you used just now?" my eyes grow double in size
"of course, even the ones you are not aware of"
I won't disagree if anyone says, I'm the one with shining eyes right now, because yes, I am. Learning new moves with an official knight, and being an official knight, under an official Duke is a fresh start for me. Which I have been looking forward to everyday and diligently working hard to make it this far. I fly around in my thoughts while I notice some things.
As more time passed, David's wobbling would just increase. His sweat and his panting increased as well. And so did the restlessness in the eyes of the servants.
"Rest time!" I hear a whimsical voice remark. And of course, it is the great Duke Allen. My shining face now subdue into a plain poker face. All the servants shoot their sight downward.
"Right, I will take my leave now" David bows slightly "Your permission, Your Grace" he leaves saying so. All the servants walk away with him, after bowing to the Duke. I make out a blood stain on David's white breeches, above his boots. Did he get injured during the Match? But he never said anything.... I make a straining face, or wait... Could it be....... No, Aunt said only females go through this occurrence, so it can't be that. Yet, I wonder if he seriously got injured?
"You are now an official knight of Ferdinand Dukedom" the Duke remind me
"I am very honored to be a part of this noble and glorious establishment" I reply back, bowing slightly
Though the Duke was looking elsewhere, blandly telling he is not interested
"Oh, I forgot to tell you" he says, recalling I don't know what "You did great fighting the Commander!" he praises me, giving me a look of approval
"You are ove-" I wanted to bounce away the praise I'm getting. But why is this Duke spouting nonsense? I scrutinize my eyes, hoping the Duke to consider his wrong spell.
Yet he doesn't, he just nods at me.
"Commander?" I ask pointing out his mistake
"Yes, Commander Davidson" he reassures, with a look of obviousness.
"A joke.. Isn't that right?" I mumble under my breath, not letting him hear my question, so that he won't answer my question.
But no, this multi-talented Duke has a sharp hearing. "Definitely not" he answers, without flinching or hesitating.
"Y-y-yo-u m-mea-an I-" I stutter so much that even the author forgot what to write
"Yes, I mean you fought with the Commander and you won" the Duke proclaim, amazingly saying every word correctly
"Wait.... This doesn't ma-" my voice just turned into a whisper, so that any rubbish I speak, can go unnoticed.
This doesn't make sense. That's when I recall the frozen faces, stunned expressions and the tensed atmosphere after our match. That was because a newbie defeated a Commander.
Shit! The hell did I do?? I go on an internal scream marathon. What did I do?? What now? I can't get everyone's attention on me like this!!
Which idiot asks a Commander to fight with a newbie?? I start searching for new targets to blame upon. That's when I figure out the qualitative plan of the Duke. That's right, this damnable Duke! I was walking away in his plan from the beginning!! Anger flushed throughout my body. I even have a sword with me, wooden, I can just give him a good thrashing and unload my anger. But ugh..... His rank. My face turns sore at this thought.
"You are dismissed" he commands, leaving me utterly angry. He leaves with Sebastián at his side.
"Tch" I click my tongue, one day, only if I can as much as punch that person. I'll be the happiest person alive. Just thinking about it and I'm pleased as a punch.
I should get going. I'm standing alone here in the middle of the ground, which surely looks no good. That's why, I turn around to face Aunt. She is standing far away from the main training area. She had a poker face, rather, her eyes were a tornado of emotions. Mainly, dissatisfaction and anger. She probably knows. The Duke was just having tea with her, so he must have told her. I half-walk and half-run towards her.
I halt my casual motion at my sudden thought "Can an amateur newbie really defeat an experienced Commander?" am I that strong? Or is the Commander weak?.... But wait, the Ferdinand Knights are the best in Fainèant Empire. It is a known fact even for the common populace. Then, does that mean I'm stronger than I think, enough to win against a Commander? I am happily wandering around in my delusional world. But I must come out of it, because I know I loose the moment I pick a sword against my master.
Only a thought of Master and I shiver. I reach Aunt Clara, who's ready to blowup any moment now. Someway or other, I take the ticking bomb inside the mansion.
********************
I wipe off my drool with the back of my hand. I don't drool usually, but if I do, it means I'm hella tired.
"That was a pleasant sleep" I remark before getting up from the bland yet tame bed. I need to wash my face before my ceaseless sleep consumes me.
After splashing cold water on my face, I look at my reflection on the hazy mirror. I can see a small face, dripping with excess water. My honeyed hair were reaching till my nape. I already loosened my indistinct tiny pony. My fair skin was not so fair now, not after training hours in the piercing sun. I scrunch my sharp nose at this thought. My almond-shaped eyes are a color of rich emerald. An unmistaken female face. If not for my attitude and my physique, I could never disguise as a man. Looking at myself, I go over a recap of earlier events.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aunt and me, both of us were led to the different rooms. Aunt will be having the guest room until she departures tomorrow. And I, as an official knight, will be living in the knights quarter. In a separate room, if I must add.
Aunt will have a lavish room, experiencing the luxury of a Duke's mansion. She will then have her dinner with the Duke as his guest. And then, rest. That's the schedule I know about, according to how nobles are to be treated.
And as for me, I was taken to my room by a footman. The room wasn't a lavish one, yet it was relaxing. I looked around the room, all my belongings were really in my room, just like that Footman said. He informed me about my dinner. For which, I have to go to a hall, where all the Knights usually assemble. He also informed me about a 'disciplinary training' tomorrow, for which I'm excluded.
~~~~~~~~~~~
End of recap. I wasn't staring at my own reflection while going through my flashback. I'm now ruminating about which attire to wear. Should I go with a casual one or a formal one? First impressions are important. "Ugh.... Whatever" I grumble, as I roll my eyes.
I change into a casual attire. I have a small appetite (that is, if they don't keep sweets), I'll finish before anyone can notice. I exhale as I prepare to move out.
A servant showed me the way to the dinner hall. It was wrong to think that all eyes would be directed towards me, the moment I step into the hall. The atmosphere was jammed with roars and whooping. The whole barbaric hall didn't seem much different than a jungle.
"You sure you're right?" one of the bulky knight asks the others, my presence was completely ignored
"Damn sure!" another robust knight replies, for now, I realize there were some timid knights scattered around the gallant and loud knights. The timid ones were in their formal attire. I'm guessing that they are the new recruits. I glance over my casual wear. Oh Hades! Wrong move! I should have worn a formal attire. I turn for exit before anyone catches me. To escape before anyone sees me, and re-enter in a formal pair of clothes is my plan.
"Isn't that one similar to that pretty face? The one who defeated Commander" a speculative voice halts me in my sneaky position
"He is not similar. He is that person" another confirming voice exclaims, I take a peek behind to see if they are watching me. And surely, they are. I gulp away and turn towards them, greeting all of them with a casual bow, trying to hide away my embarrassment.
15 minutes later, I'm in the middle of blaring, clamorous Knights. Sweating and nodding away at their responses. Trying to gulp down my food in this disorderly situation.
"Pretty face! That's what many of us call you!" one of them replies, laughing off loudly
"You're overly informal today!" a knight says, I really don't know who is saying what, in this commotion. But I do know that all these remarks are for me
"But that's permitted, because you were not given any set of rules!" a saintly knight saves me, shouting most of their words
"Hey pretty face!" a beanpole person calls out to me
"You were damn lucky today!" that person had a despising look in his eyes, he continues with a scorn "if the Commander was never injured, you wouldn't be alive and breathing here!"
Calm down beanpole, I never offended anyone. I just followed the command from the Duke. I wish to shout these words on that beanpole of a person. But I can't. I just look at him, with my eyes widening. The Commander was injured, he said. What did he mean? I open my mouth to reply him with a question
"Beanpole" a spirit less voice calls out. Did I just say something? I double my eye size. "Grow-up, will you?" a stern voice continues. Okay that wasn't me. It was the most daunting figure present here.
"Don't pay him any ear!" a pushy knight says, rolling his eyes "he's a big chump whenever the Commander is involved" he says, convincing me "a loony respect"
I give off a nervous laugh when I make sure that beanpole is not present. "Um.." I open my mouth for the first time after coming here "The Commander was injured?" I ask with a questioning look.
Instead of an answer, all the knights turned to a robust person, standing with his arms crossed.
"I did hear it from Lily" he shrugs "And you know, she doesn't lie to me, so it must be true" he says, certainty
"Man, must be going good with her" his companion, standing with him, nudges him, teasingly
In turn, the companion is greeted with shy smiles.
"So that's that" the bulkhead, opposite of me shrugs "There's this rumor that Commander is injured from his previous hunt and so, he lost to you"
"But it must be true, only that can explain his lost" another one says, pondering hard "because if all of us fight bare-handed against him, he would still be victorious"
"Whaoo" I let out a fascinated cry without thinking. So Davi-Commander was injured during a hunt? What was he hunting? A lion? Anyhow, that should explain the blood stains I saw on his legs. Actually, This is great news for me. Now, they can believe I am just a 'pretty face' and not pay much attention to me. But an angel like him is injured, and that is really sad.
"But it would still be hard to defeat him" someone says "Pretty face is amazing to achieve this"
"Totally!" an excited knight cheered. Wait. You people are not supposed to think so highly of me! I go on internal crisis
"I was so shocked to see you" one of the agile type remarks
"I agree with Joel" the knight sitting beside Joel replies
"I really thought you were a girl" Joel speaks
Somehow, I feel a stab to my chest. Bullseye. Stop noticing too much, I internally beg. I hope they don't notice my nervous sweat. I give a voluntary nervous smile.
"And the time you removed your coat..." a not-so-muscular speaks, absent-minded
"I don't like where this conversation is going.." the same daunting knight, who pissed away beanpole says
"When you removed your coat, we wer-" the person to say this received a hard nudge from Joel, hard enough for the person to trip, while talking
"Haha.... What are you saying, Mac" Joel covers up with an uneasy laugh
"After you removed your coat, we were waiting to see bul-" this person received a light punch.
"Nice one, Smith" the daunting knight from before replies, showing a thumbs-up to Smith
Ouch. Imagine getting punched while you are talking. That was so rude, do they live like that? I give them a judging look.
"Bul- what?" I ask, curious about the answer. Bulge? Bulky? Bul- what?
"Bul... Bul... Believe! Believe it or not!" Smith exclaims, contentedly as if he just caught the theif, who was tainting his honor
"Believe it or not, we were stunned to see your zeal for swordfighting" Joel completes the abrupt sentence, a triumph look on his face
"He usually garbled his words" Smith says, giving a pitiful look to the person he just punched "Don't mind him much, he sometimes needs such punches" he says with a worried face
Alright, so these Knights are straight-up weird. I conclude my analysis.
"Ahem!" an empathic exclamation rang my ears. And the next moment, the occupancy of hall went silent. Like the pin drop silence legend. One cough from that person was enough to suppress the wild hall, this only meant that person is the Captain. Yet he wasn't Raizel Barracks.
"That's the Vice-Captain" Joel mumbles beside me, enough for me to hear.
"In the morning, I want all of you assembled at the grounds" the Vice-Captain ordered the hall occupants. I can feel the heavy authority in his voice, his eyes were inspecting each and everyone present here. He must be talking about the 'training' tomorrow. Well, I don't need to worry much about it for I'm excluded from it.
"He looks pissed!" Smith says, muttering to Joel, cursing at his luck
"Must be Captain" Joel whispers back, maintaining a straight face
"Tardiness has consequences, choose wisely" Vice-Captain warns, frightening us "Everyone is dismissed!" he exclaims, stressing on every word.
Everyone turned around to the exit, I did too. Until I hear him call me.
"Edgar Radford, I have orders for you" the Vice-Captain summons me
I'd be lying if I say I ain't scared. The atmosphere is so heavy, it weights me down. I courteously walk up to the Vice-Captain, rigorously going over my introduction in my head. Shortly, I come face to face with him.
I give him a polite bow and introduce myself after greeting him. In turn, he too greets back and introduces himself.
"Daniel Doakes, Vice-Captain of Ferdinand Dukedom's military unit." he introduces himself.
"This is our first meeting, I suppose" he confirms, having a considerate smile. As if the person before was never him. Does everyone in this Ferdinand house live by two faces? I warily look at him.
"You may be wary of me, since you just witnessed my anger and now, I am smiling like nothing happened and you may also be thinking that this estate has double-faced people..."
Bullseye. Is he a psychic? Despite my admiration of him, I only stutter "My apologies, but-" and wow! I got cut off in Middle.
"I would not say anything about your thoughts, there is something as freedom of thoughts. Though freedom of choice depends on one's authority"
"Thank you, Vice-Captain" he's saying 'Authority matters the most'. That's true in this society, and now, it's as important in this establishment too.
I glimpse at his hand, and I spot a fresh scratch. It's nothing serious, just a simple scratch. I get it before I start my training. I'm staring at it intensely. So intense that I make the Vice-captain flinch.
"This...." he says, raising his hand, realizing I'm starting a bit too much at it "I was sparring with Milliuer Captain"
Is that the reason he was so pissed earlier? Joel did say that Captain must be behind his anger.... I deeply interpret in my thoughts.
"I have work to do, so I will be brief. Tomorrow, Captain asked for your presence at the training grounds" he informs, while turning away from me
HUH! Why do I have to train the very next day after coming here!? Can't I have a break? I scream internally. And only a frown showcase my face.
"I will send you the details that are important, a servant will deliver it to you" he says, moving out "Also, Did you anger the Captian?" he exits the hall while asking--no he wasn't asking me but informing me, where I was wrong.
But I only introduced myself to the Capitan, how can I anger him!? I curse my luck while I retire for my bed.
***************
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone