Chapter 25: A Knight's Devotion

Age: 15

I've debated on the murder of multiple people.

I've thought of how to mix the correct chemicals to dissolve the body too. No evidence.

Right now the number one on my hit list is Gerald...

"Please let go..." my fury was barely contained at this point.

"Don't wanna~" his irritating laugh is wearing me down both mentally and physically. Does he have no shame...? Obviously not. Otherwise he wouldn't be clutching my leg with both hands and hanging on while I walk and drag him down the hallway to our entrance.

To of course, escort him out.

I finally snapped.

I pivoted and before he could roll away, I sent a swift kick to his abdomen.

I don't kick softly either. He hit the wall with a loud enough thud to knock a few pictures off the wall. The delicate frames cracked. Gerald similarly coughed haggardly.

He grimaced before standing up and dusting himself off, as if he wasn't just rolling on the floor like a kid!

"How mean Rosie.. and for someone so small to have such force..." for the first time he looked a little frightened. I felt victorious in my heart, but also wronged.

I knew this bastard was just acting.

"Get out... I have a headache because of your stupidity" Gerald played hurt at my words, even gripping his chest and falling to his knees. As if I were a lover betraying him... the nerve!

"I'm breaking ribs next kick..." I was at my wits end at this point. Gerald was quick to his feet.

"Well~ Rosie, I'll see you next week! "

.... guess he likes his ribs...

Gerald quickly made his way out and to his personal carriage. I made sure he left the property.

I was finally alone...

No Family. Father and Vincent are at the Castle, and mother is attending a charity event in the Fief.

No Gerald now, and Ceil is busy with his side business... something shady I'm sure.

Ricin took a vacation to see an old friend he happened to run into at the Fairy Kingdom, so he would be gone for a week.

I'm completely free!

I nearly cried in joy, and I hurriedly made my way to my room to change from the stuffy corset and heavy fabrics to a simple dress.

I chose a soft pink dress, even lighter than my hair. It was simple and thin, great for the summer air. It hung off both shoulders, and only came to the end of my shoulder with a soft wave line. Then it just flowed around me. It made me look like an actual flower, but it Was cool and full of non restricting fabric... it's a commoner style but made out of silk.

My personal design!

I grabbed a few books, and ordered Angie to set a large set of pillows out in the garden. I wanted my own little bedspace to read in the shade and enjoy the weather. Alone.

Once outside, I settled under an old willow tree, Azalea flowers bloomed all around it. Tea and cakes were set out for me, and Angie stood off to the side in the shade, enjoying the weather as well.

I enjoyed myself like that for nearly three hours before I was finally disturbed.

Though, it was by someone more than unexpected.

Before me, who sat in a pool of pillows with books surrounding me, was an extremely tall and dark figure.

None other than Phillip...

I stared blankly up at him... not really in the best attire to greet a fully decorated knight, nor completely ready to stop being lazy.

Should I be proper...? Or screw it?

....

Screw it.

"Wanna join?" My voice was soft, despite Phillip looking like a serial killer towering above me and looking down at me.

Why did he have such a big sword? Why was he so damn big? He was so little back when we were kids... I felt like a nostalgic mother.

His eyes widened for a moment, glancing over at the tea and cookies, before looking back down at me again.

He looked like he really wanted to say somethi-

"So short"

..."huh?"

"You're so small"

"No... I heard you the first time... I'm just wondering who the hell you think you're calling short?"

"You"

"You've gotten brave Phillip... but I'll have you know, you didn't scare me as a child and you don't scare me now" I was standing up now, staring straight into his eyes. His expressionless face pissed me off a little.

"You're so small, one might mistake you for a child"

I'm gonna kill him...?!

I sent a swift strike to his shoulder, he didn't dodge. When it connected, he was sent back stumbling before he returned his footing. His gaze was steely. Such intensity made me feel naked...

"Your dress..." he looked away finally. His ears completely red.

I looked down... the shoulder area... my hair had covered it before but once I moved you could see my shoulders and collar bone completely.

Hence why it's not a proper dress.

"I'm not at fault here, I planned a day to relax by myself, not have a giant appear to harass me" I huffed, crossing my arms. My bare shoulders bothered me none. Why were men here so distracted by a shoulder? Everyone has them? Or an ankle? It's only special because women have to cover them, if everyone saw ankles and shoulders everyday, the novelty would wear off.

Phillip coughed, glancing anywhere but me now.

What kind of win...?

"I came for Gerald but he seems to have already left today..." he was so awkward...

"Yes, he left a while ago" I answered normally now, I didn't really feel much anger towards this muscle head.

"I see... I will take my leave then-"

"Why don't you stay for tea? You've already announced yourself like so" I turned back towards my nest of pillows. I gestured for Angie to bring more for Phillip to sit on. He was so big, it took ten servants to retrieve them all for him.

Phillip looked to be silently resisting but I ignored his quiet declination.

"Here, what tea do you prefer? Darling? Chamomile? Black?" I was ignoring his face now, only waiting until he spoke.

"Black.. please..." He caved in first, as I knew was in his nature. Even in the game, he was terrible at denying the heroine anything. It was hard for him to fight against anything she said. He was a mental coward by nature.

That's how I gained a knight at my afternoon relaxing vacation.

He removed his sword, and set it against the tree. He drank like a yakuza boss, so formal! His scary face, which looked to be constantly angry, also fit the image of a yakuza...

He's no longer really a knight in my mind... I'm sorry Phillip... your prestigious image in my mind is gone.

We sat in silence, though strange enough, it was peaceful instead of awkward.

Though he looked so solemn and deep in though, it fit underneath the willow tree.

I may even sew him a kimono to fit the image after this... a katana for special affects?

When the sun began to set, I finally spoke.

In the story, because Phillip was such a big crybaby, he wanted to grow up strong to show those who bullied him, exactly what he was made of. Rose was a primary bully, though not always directly. She was passive aggressive and loved gossip in the storyline.

I have a bad habit of being antisocial, and since I wasn't there to ignite the bullying... I wonder why he chose to still be a knight?

It's a dangerous profession right?

I may have trained with mermaid warriors, but I'm far too lazy to keep up that lifestyle. There is also the eating human flesh part that puts me off...

They really do that.

"Say... what's being a knight like?"

"Why?"

"Just curious"

I was once more casually nestled in pillows, Phillip sitting stiffly beside me.

"It can be... taxing. I find purpose through it though..."

He really doesn't talk much? So much nicer than Gerald.

"What is your purpose? Why do you wake up in the morning?"

... he was quiet for a moment. I lazily turned to look him in his deep onyx eyes. He seemed a bit caught off guard.

"I wake up to protect those I care about... Lady Rosalia... what is your purpose?"

I paused for a moment, thinking of how I would answer him.

"I live to enjoy time with my friends and family. To genuinely enjoy life- everyday I work to smile"

"That... wasn't what I expected"

He answered honestly, and looked slightly bashful.

"Hmm?"

I hummed to get him to explain further.

"When I was young, I had heard of the spoiled and overbearing Duke's daughter... but when I saw you outside of those rumors I found out..."

"Found out?" My curiosity was piqued. Phillip was always such a quiet character.

"You're utterly terrifying"

...

Phillip?

"Huh?"

It was odd to see such a huge man look so nervous.

"You look so fragile... but I saw you make weird potions that withered plants, blew up, or seemed completely poisonous... and then drink them"

H-he has a point...

"Or you'd spend days and nights in your greenhouse, like some sort of madman... you stare off into space as if you're speaking to some sort of other entity..."

Sweet karma.. Phillip is this how you've really thought of me?!

We stared blankly at one another.

I didn't really know what to say?

"But..."

He's speaking more now than there were lines for him in the damn game!!??

Chatty Knight, you're losing your image more and more!!!

"You always think of others... you're kind... I don't honestly understand you very well. Noble ladies are nothing like you"

"I can't tell if you're insulting me or complimenting me now..."

He cracked a smile and laughed a little, shocking me.

"You're really funny Lady Rosalia... you're someone I'd be willing to devote myself to"

HUH?!