Episode 12

It was this moment, when I told myself I had never been in anticipation like this in my whole life. Watching him in his formal navy blue suit, I felt my lips part in awe.

I told him to blend in! Yes, he did. But, f-ck. The way people were looking at him without hesitation, their eyes telling me he was still getting everyone's attention!

Who wouldn't? I mean— He looked like an angel of war who had just descended here on Earth. Our eyes met. I signaled him to lie low. He understood what I was trying to say. He nodded and slowly walked out of the hallway.

Now, the noble ladies were silenced. I knew it! He was the one they were targeting!

Because when the appointing of knights happened, he was almost the one everyone was looking for! I wasn't in the mood the whole time. I was grimacing often and sighing frequently.

Luis, Carter, Sean, and Innocence, who were now surrounding me, noticed. Duke Eléftheros excused himself just minutes ago. I wanted to follow the old man, but I couldn't risk my man here!

“Where's the tall guy earlier? I think he's 6'5? Oh my god, where is he? I want him!” a noble lady shouted to her father. His father was having a hard time explaining to her that the man was unavailable. But the girl just cried.

Oh, see? They called me a spoiled brat when in fact, I don't act like this girl right here! They were just trying to blame everything on Malaya.

In the end, the girl couldn't choose someone. I scoffed. Sorry not sorry. Yvan was mine from the first place! Not to sound like he was my possession, but really, yes. I possessed him.

“Everyone, the Daughter of Duke Eléftheros, the next sunshine of our Empire, Madame Malaya Eléftheros is now going to appoint her knight!” a man shouted. He looked like a commander or something.

I nodded at him. I walked gracefully, not minding that my dress wasn't. I looked around at the bowing knights, who were now silently waiting.

Earlier, he couldn't be found. But right now, he was in front. Bowing like the others and doing the same thing too. As if he wanted me to see him immediately in the sea of people. I heard the few gasps and annoyed squeals of the women earlier.

“Oh my! Can I choose again? I want him, please!”

“Is it alright if I choose two? Add him to my list!” She was scolded because it was my turn to choose.

“He was right in front, but I couldn't see him! Ah, no. The witch will choose him, of course!” I heard someone whisper. Carter scolded her harshly. Embarrassed that the Crown Prince heard her, the girl apologized, but none of it mattered to me.

I smiled. Purely. They fell silent, that's why I smiled more. This time, it was more genuine and sweet. I gracefully pointed my fingers at him, “You.” I said.

“I will appoint you as my knight. Bring yourself in front of me,” I commanded. He slowly turned to me and obeyed my order. I was happy that I got the chance to choose him, even though that was the original plan.

I felt even more satisfied when I heard their heavy sighs. They were regretting not choosing the man. I laughed. It was so soft that I felt them stop complaining.

Yvan bent down in front of me. Just from his posture, I could tell he was built for battle. I walked to the man earlier and took a sword. I smiled at him, and he just bowed his head politely.

I returned to where Yvan was. I wielded the sword as I asked him... his name. “What's your name?” I asked in a small voice. I heard a scoff. Probably from High Priest Luis. But I ignored it. He knew that I already gave my man, one!

I wanted to cherish this moment! I wanted them to know that from now on, Yvan was mine. I wanted them to know that they couldn't approach me easily anymore.

He bowed deeply. “I'm Mikael Yvan Furappu, Madame.” He bowed politely. A sudden pang overwhelmed me. Not because it hurt me to hear the name of the man I once loved, but because... he used the name I gave him.

It sounded special and... treasured.

I nodded, even though he couldn't see me because he was bowing. I placed the sword on both of his shoulders, then pointed it at him.

“Mikael Yvan Furappu, starting on this day onwards you'll be protecting me. Do you swear to give your loyalty to me, your Madame Malaya Eléftheros?” I asked softly.

Even though he didn't react, I felt like he understood what I meant. He stared at me for a long time. “I, your Yvan, will swear that I will protect you even if it means death, for me. Madame, you will have my honor, my loyalty, my honesty, my faithfulness, and my name. Starting today onwards, you'll be the top priority for me. So rest assured, you will always be safe with me, Madame.” he said.

I nodded and laughed softly. “You, Yvan, are now appointed as my knight,” I ordered and performed the ritual.

I didn't care about the surroundings. It felt like it was just us two. I finished the means and so, and he stood up in front of me.

I smiled again. I don't know why. I just felt a little happy when I was with him. I patted his shoulder. I couldn't ruffle his hair since he was so tall!

“Good job! We did it!” I said to him. He also nodded. With his thin lips in a grim line. I was about to say something else, but the approaching man caught my attention.

Alexus, also in his formal navy blue suit, was approaching... Innocence.

Ah, yeah. Before I forgot. They were childhood best friends! If Alexus was angry at the nobles, it was probably only to Innocence that he wasn't. He loved her, I knew. I could feel it. Not maybe romantically, but a familial love.

Our eyes met. Like earlier, it was the same stare. I looked away.

The bottle of poison was still with me. I might just throw it later, but for now, I wanted to look around to find Duke Eléftheros.

“Yvan? Did you see Duke Eléftheros? I need to— ”

I stopped speaking when there was a commotion in front. It came from the direction where I had seen Alexus earlier. People were in distress. They were all panicking about what they saw.

I tried to stand on my tiptoes to see what was happening, but I was too small to see it even though I was tiptoeing! I was bumped by a few people. Yvan shielded me from the rushing crowd.

“What's happening? Yvan?” But he didn't answer. He covered my body with his, but I got the chance to steal a glance at where the commotion was.

But I suddenly went cold at what I saw. It was Innocence, coughing blood and struggling to breathe. My face turned pale when I realized that... she was still, poisoned!

“All the people inside this hall, remain.” Carter's voice boomed.

I was still in shock, but my body was shaking. Blood. I hated blood. This stupid phobia was overpowering me again. I closed my eyes tightly. No. Not now, please.

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