Friday, afternoon.
The sound of the rain falling on the cement ground, on the big window of a big mansion, on the muddy grass, and everything that the raindrops could fall on was making a loud noise.
But, at the same time, it's pleasant to my ears.
Here I am outside of my house, soaking wet because of the rain. I didn't bring an umbrella with me for I wanted to feel it on my skin - the coldness - and to momentarily forget the problems in my life.
As drops of rain fell on me, I raise my head to look at the gloomy sky and slowly close my eyes. I heaved a sigh and open my eyes and look down at my hands.
My hands are pale and cold. Although there are still some calluses, its proof of what I was before.
And also, every time I looked at them, I can still see the blood of that person on my hands.
With shaky hands, I clenched them.
How... how long do I have to endure this?
Will, there be a day when I will finally find peace?
I looked up again and reminisce the past that I'm trying to forget. I close my eyes as the darkness filled my vision.
1543 [The Accolade Ceremony]
A warm and sunny morning...
The Kingdom of Oryn is filled with loud noises of the people. It is not because there was a riot or war, but instead, there's a festival going on. A lot of vendors selling foods, entertainment, and many more are screaming at the top of their lungs to attract customers.
There is a group of street performers showing their skills on the road.
A piece of beautiful music can be heard everywhere on the streets. Children, adults, and old people are walking around enjoying themselves with beautiful smiles on their faces with their loved ones.
Beautiful decoration can be seen on the streets or hanging in the air such as the colorful flags, flowers, and many more.
Today is the day of honoring and welcoming the new knights in the kingdom, and I am one of them.
It's uncommon to see a woman in trousers and becoming a knight in this kind of time. Instead of having tea party's with the ladies and wearing exaggerated clothing, here I am holding a sword and joining a group of men.
At first, there was a lot of judgment and criticism towards me. But, thanks to my amazing skills, I was able to prove to them that I can be like them and a lot stronger than the average woman can be.
What's more, I have a good connection in the kingdom and that is why it was not hard for me to attend the knighthood academy. And you will know later who I am talking about.
"Finally, the day has come I've been waiting for!" one of the new knights shouted happily. Everybody laughed upon hearing his excitement. We slowly entered the throne room of the Queen.
It has a big space and a high ceiling. If you look up, you can see the beautiful painting and its beautiful architecture around it. In the middle of the room, you can see the magnificent throne of the queen with its glorious design.
Everyone in this room can't help but feel the same excitement as that guy because finally, all of us are going to a new member of the knight of our queen and the knight of our kingdom. We are all dressed up in our white formal uniform added by some ornaments and blue cape that has the symbol of our kingdom hanging on our back.
"Attention!"All of us look at the sound of the voice and see the head captain standing near the big door.
"All knights of the Oryn Kingdom pay your respect to the Queen of Oryn, Queen Isabelle of the Oryn Kingdom!"
The big door opened and the queens entered with confidence and dignify posture. All of us kneel on one knee and bow our heads as our sign of respect to the queen. The queen had blond hair, white skin, and blue eyes that looked like a vast ocean.
Queen Isabelle, the 13th ruler of the Oryn Kingdom, and my big sister.
The former king – our father - only has two children Isabelle and me. There was no man to rule the kingdom and so he decided to let my sister marry an aristocrat. But, my sister is smart, and she doesn't want a fool to sit on the throne and ruin what she had worked on all these years. She picked a man that has an ugly background and let him rule for a few months but because the people don't like the way this stupid man rules, they decided to let true royalty rule the throne. That is how my sister became the queen of Oryn. And I, her sister, decided to be her right hand, and so I decided to study and learn how to fight. I want to protect the kingdom that my sister loves.
The orchestra played and the choral sang as the queen slowly walked toward the throne.
The Queen faces us as she slowly sits down.
"You may stand up," she said with a firm tone.
After all the speeches has been done, it was the moment we are all been waiting for. One by one, the name of the knights had been called as the queen gives them honor and appreciation.
"Knight Ashlyn Brielle Everleigh!"
I came forward and kneel on one knee.
I look up and saw my sister smiling at me. "Congratulations, my dear sister for coming this far."
"Thank you, your majesty."
She grabs a sword from the captain and places it on my right shoulder.
"I, Queen Isabelle of the Oryn Kingdom, do hereby dub thee Ashlyn Brielle Everleigh, may your courage and devotion become a shining example to the people of this kingdom."
"I offer my services to Queen Isabelle. I will shield your back and keep your counsel and give my life for yours if need be. I swear it by the Old Gods and the New."
The Queen smiled at me and I smiled back.
It was the start of my life as a knight.
For ten years, I serve the Queen and the kingdom righteously. All of my efforts were paid when I rise to the rank, of a Dame. There was nothing that I could ask for. But, life is not perfect.
1553, Queen Isabelle died due to an illness.
All of the people mourn for her death but, the most affected one was me. She was my only family left. Our parents died due to old age after she became queen. I had no sister that I could run to or a sister that I could take a joke with.
After her death, our cousin, Immanuel, take over the throne.
Many people insist on me to be the next ruler but, I know that the throne was not for me. I cannot protect the kingdom inside a palace. Fortunately, we have a cousin that has the same mindset as my sister. He became King of Oryn, and I became his right hand. I promised my sister to watch over her kingdom and to protect it.
For two years, I was beside the king and the kingdom, as I lend a hand in ruling and guiding Oryn.
But, peace did not last.
Another kingdom was planning to attack Oryn, and conquer it. But, while I am still alive, I will not allow it.
I went to the battlefield with the knights of Oryn and fought for our life.
For a year, we endure the pain and loneliness. We lost some of our comrades in the battle, but we still keep on fighting until we won.
We came back to Oryn after we defeated the enemy, and the people treated us as the hero of the war.
However, another obstacle came in my way.
It was the king, my cousin. He changes and the mindset that he had was no longer there. He was no longer like my sister and lost his way.
I asked what happened to him but, he looked at me with hatred and jealousy.
I kept quiet even though I know there was something wrong.
A few months passed by, I notice some changes. The people were no longer happy with the king, and keep rally how hard their life became.
I also brought this topic to the King but, he ignores me, and even dismisses me as his advisor. He appointed a new advisor which I didn't like. This person was filthy to the bones and reeks of evil. My sister fired him before and banished him to the palace, but thanks to this crazy king, he was brought back to the palace. It seems like his supporters were still around without our awareness.
I grit my teeth in silence and turn away from them.
That was the last time I saw the King, and just continue my work, as I support the people who were suffering.
Until one day...
"Dame Ashlyn, the King ordered you to see him at once."
I went as ordered and saw him again.
The new advisor smirks at me. I was confused about what was he was celebrating in his head.
"Kill and burn that small village in my kingdom. Those people are dirtying my kingdom and it is unpleasant to the eyes," he said.
I'm surprised by what he ordered for me. I stand firm and voice out my concern.
"But, your majesty, they are your people! And that village is one of the former queen most treasured!"
"Did you just raise your voice at me, Dame Ashlyn?!" he slaps his armchair loudly and glares at me.
I quickly lowered my head. "I apologize, your majesty but, I cannot obey that order."
"It's alright, it's not like you're the only knight in this kingdom.
I widened my eyes and look at him.
He was smiling from ear to ear as if this pleasures him.
I clenched my fist in anger, and kneel in front of him.
"I take back what I said, your majesty. Let me do it."
"Great!"He gleefully said.
"When will be this performs your majesty?"I asked.
"Three days from now. Let them enjoy their final days for a while, and then... THAT'S! Where you killed them, do you understand?"
"Yes, your majesty."
This is enough time to plan everything out without his knowledge, and I have to be careful about it.
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