“There he is sir.” Elias’s gaze landed before a gagged squire, petrified in fear as he was surrounded by two knights. Yet, he saw something else in his eyes as it stared back at him. Elias frowned as he motioned for the other knights to pull the gag down.

  Before Elias could begin, the boy spoke first. “Y-you… it’s you…” Elias blinked as the fear in his eyes morphed into disgust and anger. If Elias had not been angered before, he does so now.

  “Name.” Elias grunted, his voice barely above a whisper, yet a cold hard edge embodied its tone.

  The boy, much to everyone’s confusion and Elias’s annoyance, remained defiant in giving his name until a knight lightly pokes him with the butt of his spear. “…Erik, y-young lord.” The lad finally replied.

  “…Erik, I would be brief for the sake of your safety and my patience. Confess your slanders now and you would receive only five lashes.” Elias sighed, wondering why he was wasting time for-

  Erik spit on the ground, surprising everyone with his open defiance. “I won’t bow to a coward.” Elias blinked. For a moment he wondered if his hearing had mistaken him. And then anger. The knights glared at the squire as Elias’s eyes twisted into gold.

  “Coward?” The winds of winter had paled in comparison to the sheer restrained fury containing Elias’s word. Even the knights blinked as Erik stubbornly met his gaze.

  “Watch your tongue, boy.” Osmond snaps as the knights visibly held their spears closer at hand. But the lad refuses to be cowed.

  “Did you enjoy it?” Erik sneered, confusing and infuriating everyone else further. “Did you enjoy beating someone weaker than you?” Elias finally understood what he saw in those eyes. It was disgust. The knights were about to hit Erik when Elias began to walk closer. With each step he took, the defiance within Erik falters, until Elias finally loomed over him.

  “I take no pleasure from such acts.” Elias coldly whispered. “But for you? I might just make an exception.” The hair of Erik’s skin stood as the sound of the blade unsheathing snapped him back to reality. Fear consumed the young man as he trembles.

  “Do you mind repeating that again?” Elias’s shadow cast whatever resistance Erik could muster to fall. He dared not reply as his gaze lowered.

  “…Sir if I may.” Elias turned to the young knight. Erik let out a soft sigh as the attention was redirected to someone else “The boy is clearly out of his mind.” He flinched, and then everything came back. “Whatever slander or lies must be from the stress he is dealing with.” Erik remembered why he was so angry, so defiant. “He is just-“

  “My words are true.” It was because he pitied for the young girl who had endured so much. “Every word, I meant it.” He would not be a knight in the service of a coward. A coward who would beat their kith and kin.

  The cold dread returned, but Erik was determined to remain defiant. He would not die pleading mercy to a monster. “Fool!” Osmond hissed as he quickly approached Erik. “Please forgive his words young lord, he-“

  “Did you enjoy beating her?” The air stilled as every soul who heard his whisper froze. “Have you beaten lady Emma even if she begged you to stop?” Before anyone could react, Elias kicked Erik in the face. Pain flashed like lightning before Elias grabbed him by the collar.

  “Are you so eager to die?” Elias growled, golden eyes burning like twin stars. “I could gut you here right now, and no one would blame me. Not even the law.” The young lord spat, only to be meet with a pallid, yet appalled boy.

  “I o-once looked up to you.” Erik struggled from the pain and fear. “I-I thought y-you were a h-hero.” Elias gaze went sharper by the second. “B-but I was wrong. L-lady Emma s-should have ne-never been s-scarred like t-that, y-you monster.” Erik, terrified as he was, prepared himself to die. But to his surprise and the others, Elias looked stunned.

  He blinked as if he could not believe his ears. “What? Scarred? Since when did my sister get scars? How did… how did you know?” It was then understanding had finally came to everyone. Osmond and the knights looked at Erik with newfound surprise as the young boy realizes his mistake.

  “You saw her, didn’t you?” Elias was beginning to grow frantic as Erik did not replied. His damning silence emboldened Elias further as he shook him violently. “Where? Where have you seen her?!” Elias demanded but Erik kept his mouth shut.

  “Damn it!” Elias cursed as he threw Erik down to the ground. “Sent out search parties. My sister is in this town! Find her!” Elias roared as the camp was thrown into chaos as he glared down at Erik. “Throw him into the dungeon. If he doesn’t tell, break him.” Elias said as he began shouting orders

  ?

  “It is getting colder now.” Rose gently blew her hands for warmth as the warm sunlight caresses their face. “Luckily snow isn’t falling yet.” Rose mumbled as she watched the autumn leaves gently falling down.

  Lucy nodded back in agreement. “Do you dislike winters, sister Rose?” Lucy asked as they walked towards a lonely hill with a tree, a place everyone had grown fond of. It was the same tree where Lucy teased Seth… and subsequently regretting/rejoicing it.

  Lucy quickly shook her head, focusing on their pace once more. It had been some time since they had taken a walk as peaceful as this. Something Lucy desperately needed after the continuous misfortune and mistakes she had made.

  The small quiet walks were enough to buy the luxury what she and the others craved during the war. “Vehemently. Winters are always unforgiving, especially for the children.” Rose replied somberly as she dazed off into the distance. Her eyes trailing after small and little ghosts playing on the field only she could see.

  “If only we had more…” Rose whispered softly, her gaze glimmering for a moment, before Lucy broke her daze. Rose looked down to find the younger one holding her hand. Her gentle sapphire eyes looking back, worried. The older sister couldn’t help but chuckled at her attempts. Such an innocent attempt they seldom find on the scarred maiden.

  “Thank you. It has been… a rough time I suppose.” Rose said as Lucy nodded back.

  “You don’t have to worry this time; Seth would make sure to help us.” Lucy confidently replied before she regretted the moment it left her tongue as a teasing smirk dances across Rose’s lips.

  “Yes yes yes, I am thankful for our little nugget funding this winter’s stocks. You must have been so proud.” Lucy stumbled from a pebble, losing focus in both mind and eyes as she meekly gave out a reply.

  “N-nugget? Is that his nickname?” Lucy cautiously asked, ignoring the last words Rose added.

  “Oh yes. It is a name me and the others have grown fond off… why? Do you prefer it to be gobs instead.” Rose couldn’t hide her smile as Lucy quickly shook her head.

  “N-no! T-that is a terrible nickname. Don’t call him that!” Lucy hissed.

  “Oh? But isn’t that the name you keep calling him?” Rose cheekily replied.

  “…T-that is… an exception… yes! Only I could say that!” Lucy struggled to make a coherent response. A weakness Rose ruthlessly exploits.

  “Oh my, so possessive already at this age? I’m certain sir Seth would be overjoyed if I tell him this.” Rose giggled at Lucy’s expense who could only open and close her mouth like a fish. The young maiden, try as she might, could not beat her older sister.

  “P-please don’t tell him that.” Lucy whispered meekly, something Rose found impossible to deny. The older sister smiled as she gently ruffled Lucy’s hair.

  “You would be surprised how malleable boys are to their loved ones if you act like that.” Lucy blushed, quietly nodding her head instead. The two walked in silence for a while as they finally arrived at the hill. The two quietly savor the scenery before them. The autumn forest and the blue sky filled the world with serenity and peace before Lucy found a patch of gentle flowers swaying in the breeze. The same one’s Seth had given him.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  “I see you’ve grown fond of them.” Rose smiled when she found Lucy gazing at them with love. “I know sir Seth is more refined than boys of his age, but he can be surprisingly innocent if he wants to.” Rose mused as Lucy looked back, confused.

  “Innocent? What do you mean?” Lucy asked.

  “Oh? You didn’t know as well? Those flowers have meanings you know?” Another smirk rises from Rose’s cheeks. Something Lucy came to dread.

  “N-nevermind!” Lucy hastens her pace, but Rose was already onto her.

  “Are you certain you don’t want to know? This might be your only chance.” Rose tempted the hopeless romantic girl as she easily nodded back a moment later. “The flower is known as ‘Elety’ or as it is most commonly known, promised love.” Lucy blinked dumbfoundedly for a moment before quickly hiding her face.

  But Rose was not done yet. “In ancient lore, men would gave the women they love these flowers, should she receive them, it would bind them forevermore in promise of love and companionship.” Rose smiled at Lucy’s ever-growing embarrassment before her smile morphed into sadness. “Sadly, should either one of them die, so too their joy in life. Neither would even try to find another, grieving until death reunited them once more.” Silence engulfed them once more, until Rose found it too unbearable to continue.

  “Of course, you should not take these tales into heart.” She smiled at the silent sister. “It is only tales after all, not worth to agonize-“

  “-ure.” Rose blinked.

  “Come again?” Rose asked. She did not replied. The older sister was beginning to worry by the second when Lucy finally whispered. It was such a soft, gentle, and quivering tone that made Rose regret in sharing the other half of the tale.

  “…I am not sure if I could handle it.” Lucy meekly replied as a soft wind blew across the field. The gentle breeze brushes the two before Rose hugged Lucy. “S-sister Rose?? Is there-“

  “Shh, its ok. Seth wouldn’t go anywhere.” There was no reply, so Rose added once more of her teasing remark. “Of course, if he did go, I would find a way to push him back to you. I am not letting nugget leave our youngest alone.” Rose giggled as Lucy quickly tried to push her away.

  “T-this again?? I told you, we just started!” Lucy grumbled as she hurriedly began walking away.

  “Ah if only I could be as young as I used to be.” Rose giggled as she followed suit. “I don’t think I need to keep saying this, but no inter-“

  “Sister Rose!” Lucy shouted; her ears were as bright as apples. “Of course, we know our limits, have some shame!” Lucy stomped her foot down, emphasizing her outrage. Alas, the older sister only found it adorable.

  “Is that so? Then mind reminding me why you kissed him first before you two held hands?” Rose smirked triumphantly as Lucy stumbled once more.

  “I-its was j-just on the forehead! The forehead! W-we are only going that far for now!” Lucy shouted as if she was framed.

  “Hmm? For now, you say?” Rose giggled at the utter dumbstruck Lucy had on her face.

  “I-I- it’s not like- I-I mean…” Lucy stuttered.

  “Hmm? Not like what?” Rose laughed as Lucy only increased her pace faster. “Hey wait up! It was only a joke, a jest!” There was no reply. “Ok I’ll stop now! I promise!” Rose shouted, but the young maiden did not slow down. “Fine fine, I will cook you your favorite tomato soup as well if you slow down now!” This time Lucy slowed down as Rose caught up.

  “…With mash potatoes?” Lucy quietly mumbled.

  “With mash potatoes.” With that, Lucy seemingly forgiven Rose as the two continued on. “I’ll forever be grateful to Urum for your weakness of my soup.” Rose said as Lucy grumbled but did not replied otherwise. The two made their way to the market square once more when Lucy pulled Rose’s sleeves.

  “H-hey sister Rose?” Lucy asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

  “Yes? Is there something else you want to eat?” Rose smiled, trying to change the weight of the air as Lucy asked.

  “…Is sister Emma still not here?” Lucy was met with silence. The air between them grew heavy before Rose sighed.

  “I’m afraid not.” Rose said as Lucy’s grip tightened slightly.

  “Should we… should we search for her?” she asked softly as Rose considered for a moment before nodding slowly.

  “I’ll go after her after lunch.” Lucy stiff nod was her only reply. The older sister found the worry in her eyes as she gently smiled. “No need to worry ok? Sister Emma is used to go out in the forest for a while like this.” Rose smiled, gently brushing Lucy’s air as the younger sister nodded much fluidly this time.

  Rose finally allowed herself to smile in relief, when the sound of heavy footsteps caught their attention, along with the dreadful shouting. The two turned, trying to hear what the words were before their blood froze.in horror.

  “Have you seen this girl? We have received news that…”

  “She has white hair and…”

  “Yes, younger than…”

  It was a mess of intermingle shouting, but there was one that remained consistent. “Have you seen the daughter of the El Larum? Her name is lady Emma.”

  All around them, the two could hardly believe what was happening. It was a fever dream that morphed into nightmare none wanted to admit. But Rose had to accept it as she quickly moved first.

  Rose quickly pulled her hood and Lucy’s; the poor sister was trembling in petrified terror. “S-s-sister R-Rose I-I-“

  “Shh, it’s ok. We are just going back to the estate, all right?” Rose put her best smile despite her trembling hand. She needed to be an older sister now more than ever. Lucy weakly nodded back as Rose quickly grabbed hold of her hand and guided her back home. The hand that only promised the young lady her safety.

  Lucy, tried as she might be, could not help but quiver in the shadows of knights that were once promised to protect her. Every shining cobalt hue that heralded hope for many, was nothing more than despair for the scarred sister.

  “Wait.” Rose whispered and Lucy complied without question, too terrified to look out for her own. A moment later, a squad of knights passed through them. The two waited in silence until Rose was satisfied with the distance between them and the knights. “Let’s go.” Rose whispered as they began to move once more.

  Not even a minute had passed before Rose suddenly dragged Lucy into an alleyway. Lucy did not dare to question, only follow. Moments later, another patrol passed them by. “…Ok let’s go.”

  The two stealthily avoided the patrols. Ducking and weaving to alleyways and busy crowds. Several times were they almost caught, and several times luck smiled upon them. After several more steps, the two were within sight of the estate.

  “S-should we go?” Lucy quietly whispers.

  “W-wait, just a moment.” Rose replied, but Lucy’s desperation was beginning to infect her. The hand that kept trembling made Rose furious. She wanted nothing more than to tear every knight that made their youngest so afraid. The thought that they were complacent in scarring her made them no better than bandits in her eyes.

  The urge to lash out was only held by the desperation of Lucy. “B-but w-what if they find us? What if we waited too late?” Lucy whimpered as Rose finally relented.

  “Ok… ok fine, stay close to me.” Lucy nodded eagerly as they moved. Just one more road and-

  “Excuse me, sisters? If I may have your time for a moment.” Rose quickly shielded Lucy, putting herself in between a pair of knights and themselves. “We are just wondering if you had seen this girl?” a knight said, handing out a portrait of Lucy. For a moment, Rose was stunned. Were if not for the scars, Lucy would have undoubtedly been a beauty. And the fact they were the ones who stole this gift from her charge only fueled her anger once more.

  “N-no, forgive me knights, but if such a beautiful lady had made a visit her, rumors of her would have certainly made rounds in this humble town of ours.” Rose replied as the knights sighed.

  “I see.” The knight in understanding, before turning to Lucy. “Sister, do-“ He froze when he saw her horribly scarred arm. Her face was protected by their hood, but the scars on her arm were undeniably there. Before they could continue, Rose covered Lucy once more.

  “Sir knight, if you please.” Rose growled dangerously.

  “M-my apologies sister. I never thought I would- no, it was mistake. My apologies.” The knight bowed lightly to Lucy as she nodded back in reply. “I suppose we should go now. Good day-“

  “Wait.” The knight’s partner suddenly spoke up.

  “Osmond?” The knight turned to his partner as the two sisters froze.

  “S-sorry if I had surprised you, but aren’t you Alice? You are Jerald’s friend right?” For a moment, the world froze. One mistake was all it would take. After that moment, Lucy nodded back in response, uncertain if she had made the right call. “I knew it! Sir Jerald had been quiet generous with us lately, supplying us with coffee and meat.” Osmond laughed as the knight also recognized the name.

  “Oh, so you are his friend? I see now. Jerald had been generous with us, did you know…” Before the knights could continue, a group of drunkards suddenly interrupted them. “Hey, it is only afternoon, learn to hold your liquor!” The knights angrily shouted at the drunkards.

  Before they could understand what was going on, a hooded young man suddenly grabbed Rose and Lucy. They stiffened, ready to fight, when they saw his face. “Be quiet and move briskly.” Seth hissed. The two did not dare to resist as they moved.

  “S-Seth I-“

  “Shh, not now dear. Lets move somewhere private first.” Lucy nodded ecstatically and in relief. She was safe now. No one would harm her. Seth was here. Seth- a breeze blew across the land. Her hair fluttered in the air for a moment before Seth quickly grabbed hold of her hood and pulled it down once more. “Hold it tight.” Seth whisper shouted.

  The young man scanned the knights, making sure that- one of them was staring back. Seth did not know who he was, the visor was blocking it. He could only pray his hood hid his face as he turned back, preparing for the worst.

  ?

  “What?” Osmond muttered. He blinked again and again, the memory persists. White hair, pure as silver, fluttering in the wind. …What was that? The young knight thought as he watched the three disappear into the gates. Memories he had discarded slowly resurfaced. Still, the scars blurred everything… save for the hair. …Should I go back and check? Osmond thought, uncertain of the choices he had to make.