Leticia could make out the fine lines and wrinkles upon his face. He had aged considerably since the last time she had seen him. How many years to be exact, she did not know.
Did he celebrate her death? She often wondered, but that was a question she could never ask.
She lowered her head slightly, as her face tightened and her mouth drew a fine line, as if she wanted to express her rage. She had to hold it in, she had to remind herself. She wasn’t Leticia anymore, but Sir Fredrick now. Yet, each time her eyes closed she could never forget the silver sword that sliced through her neck over and over again.
Didn’t he say he would protect her?
Her emotions seemed to be uncontrollable, as each step she took only made it more evident.
Hide her emotions, she told herself. She took a deep breath, just before she had reached the top of the stairs to be greeted by the two of them in their grandeur.
“Your majesties.” Leticia bowed, as was the rules of etiquette.
Richard had already stood close enough that his hands had reached for her shoulders, and her eyes wavered slightly to the sensation. “Fredrick, drop the formalities. We have been friends for so long, I would find it odd for you to call me king now.” He stated, with such a cheerful tone that it jabbed Leticia’s heart.
“I thought the same.” the queen had spoken. “We had been worried Fredrick. I hope you have been faring better after the break I hope.”
Seraphine, the woman that stood by her brother’s side had such lovely hair of brunette with curls that was braided on both sides that held a few adorned jewels of gold on both ends that shimmered with the rays of the sun. Her eyes held so much depth and compassion that carried a beautiful green haze that glimmered from an angle when she turned to look at Leticia. Beautiful to some extent she thought, and a befitting woman for a king.
“I have been faring well.” Leticia replied, as she attempted to put up a front for them both.
“I am glad to hear. Let us go.” Richard had stepped forward and with his hands he gestured gracefully towards his queen. She in turn stood by his side with both their hands locked as they stood in front of the two beautifully sculpted statues of knights mounted on their noble steeds.
“Shall we.” She motioned, before both of them put up their hands onto each of the sculptures.
They began to come to life, as both horses began to shake their heads, and lift their feet upwards. Each trot graceful, as they arched their necks, while the knights upon their backs had their swords crossed for a moment. They then uncrossed their blades, and the horses took a few steps back, with their heads lowered. The knights held their blades pointed upwards, as the door entrance now was accessible.
Leticia had never seen such a sight, as her mouth remained open, while her eyes could not look away.
Both Richard and Seraphine separated, and went to two separate small marble squares upon the wall. They put both their hands upon the wall, and it began to glimmer with a yellow light, before it creaked slowly open with their presence.
It was security in the form of magic.
“Fredrick.” Seraphine motioned, with her hands out towards Leticia for her to take. Leticia could deny the queens orders, so she took her hand for she was no longer at the entrance of the palace, but on a field of what looked to be of death of both monsters and men.
Hundreds of knights riding on their noble steeds into battle, as a hornet of demons came towards them from both sky and land. It was a scene from a battlefield that Leticia herself had never experienced, and yet she was there by the queen's side, who wore a vest with sword in hand, riding through a line of enemies by her brother. Sword in air, slashing through monsters till that scene would end, and shift to a group of exhausted knights with parts of their gear scattered about on the fields. They looked as if they waited for the inevitable.
Perhaps, this was Sir Fredricks memory.
They all began to gather, as an exhausted facial expression displayed on her brother who had slumped himself onto a dying tree in the background still covered in blood, while the queen leaned her head against his shoulders.
“Seraphine.” His expression displayed so much pain, with one hand on her face, stroking it softly. “Royal Mother....she killed them. I had received word by messenger bird that she had executed Sir Randoll, which means that Garrett is dead.”
“That can’t be. We all had grown up together in the knight academy. Your mother knew how dear he was to you.” Sir Fredricks voice spoke as if it were her own.
“I am sorry Richard.” Seraphine had grabbed onto his shoulders to console him.
“I cannot handle this anymore. Even my own sister...” Richard stopped midway from finishing the sentence and Leticia wanted to know.
“How long must we endure this? We must act now Richard. To think you are stuck here fighting on the border, while the so-called monarch lounges around in luxury. Even Seraphine agrees.” Fredrick voiced.
“We will be by your side and the others too. Even if we were to die.” Seraphine assured Richard as she held onto his hands.
Her own brother was so vulnerable.
“I cannot thank you all enough.” Richard wept, with one hand over his mouth, displaying all his burdens openly.
Leticia felt her body move as the surrounding areas began to crowd with more people. It seemed all the knights had slowly gathered around them, and they still carried the bloodied flag of Braxton in their hands.
Leticia felt her body kneel without her consent.
“I vow as the Royal Knight of Braxton to fight alongside the future King of Braxton. I give my life and my loyalty to no other as long as I live. No matter the consequences I shall remain by your side till I draw my last breath.” Those voices slowly were mouthed out openly and a wave of knights all kneeled to these words.
“How could I ask all of you to die with me?”
“It is what we had vowed to do. Unlike those that wallop in luxuries, you stand here and fight with us regardless of status. You are our true monarch.” Fredrik had spoken and Richard still in tears, stood.
With one hand upon his chest, with full heartbreak, “I too will make a vow as long as I am king, I will do away with corruption and punish those that have turned away from the people.”
“Our King.” all the voices chanted.
Leticia now silent, felt the edge of a blade upon her shoulders. The ceremony of being knighted was re-done, but this time the loyalty to her brother Richard.
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