Fifth Month, the 2nd day, 1386. 12:05.
"HOW have you been, dear?" I greeted my horse, and she responded to my voice and touch calmly.
I decided to take her rather than taking a carriage to head out of the palace. I won't be working here anymore, so I should take her home. Her name is Jack, and she was a gift to me from Hael during our Senior years.
"Dame Adela," I heard a familiar voice call out my name. It was Commander Icarus. I turned to him, but he seemed down for a reason. He looked like he was in a hurry to catch me here in the stables.
"Sir Icarus, long time no see," I greet him as he catches his breath. Somehow, I saw his expression brighten when I responded to him like I usually do.
"You're not as affected as I thought you'd be."
Ah… he must've heard. News spread fast. I smiled and I saw him freeze.
"Well, you could say I've been anticipating this day."
Not a single person in this palace could have a way of knowing that I wanted to resign. After all, I did everything so willingly for the emperor that most people think I've lost my mind. When in reality, I became more aware ever since we were bound together.
I'm not one to express something in a grandeur way.
I opened the door and guided Jack outside.
"A-At the very least, let us throw you a farewell party before you go," he suggested as we both walked outside the stables. I felt my emotions. I couldn't help but feel touched. This was the best part of my job in the Imperial Palace.
I made comrades who are dedicated knights. They are devoted to the Empire and hold so much pride for being one of its people. They are great people, and I am proud to be one of the people to work with them.
"Sure," I accepted as I hopped on Jack, then looked back at Sir Icarus. "The usual pub, right?"
He smiles and nods at me. Giddily, I was grinning like a child.
"Great! See you later tonight!"
I could see the awe in his eyes as he stared at me. I wondered for a second, but I remembered…
Ah… am I smiling?
"O–Oh, have a safe trip, Dame," he said as soon as he realized I caught him staring.
With that, I left the Imperial Palace and headed to my family's mansion here in the Capital. Of all the days I've left the palace, this is the first time I felt like the lightest being on earth. Truly, freedom brings such ecstasy.
"We are delighted to have you back, Master Adela," greeted the Head Butler of our residence in the capital, Rouche, using my respective title as one of the heirs in this house.
Rouche was also the person who looked after me ever since I was a little kid, taking the role as my tutor and sitter. My father didn't like the idea of having hired a stranger to take care of his children.
Yes, all three of his children grew up under Rouche's care, his most trusted friend. I'd say it's the best decision he's ever made.
"I'm back, Rouche," I expressed with a smile. Despite the white strands and visible wrinkles, he's still quite a charmer. He's grown older, just like my father. I haven't seen him for all my years of working in the Imperial Palace. I was away from my actual home for too long.
The maidservants have taken my luggage and walked inside the mansion, while a male servant takes Jack to the stables.
"For how long will you be staying here, my lady?" Rouche asks as we both step inside, and I paused for a moment.
Oh… He seems to have misunderstood that I'm here to take a break. That must be why he was happy instead of expressing his worries. After all, I rarely take vacations or breaks from my post.
"Oh, I've resigned from my job," I stated simply to clear up the misunderstanding.
"Pardon?"
Rouche reacted loudly, but the servants who heard me expressed their shock by making it evident through their faces. I can already tell what they were thinking, because each and every one of them thinks the same.
They all think I'm madly in love with Hael.
Truly a tragedy that my impulsiveness on agreeing to be his knight and deep sense of loyalty ended up being misinterpreted like that. Why in the world would I hold such feelings for someone I never even found attractive? While I do agree that he is handsome, Hael was never my type of man.
I turned to them and said, "I had quite the day, so I will head up to my room and rest."
I walked away and the maids followed naturally along with my things. It's not necessary to explain myself further. Because it will definitely reach my father's ears.
No one has to know that there was an oath and how it broke. No one has to know that someone betrayed me and ordered to have me killed. No one has to know about what I felt in that situation. No one has to know what actually happened.
No one has to know about my life at all.
It affects and concerns no one, and it shall stay that way.
I walked up to my room and memories were flashing before my eyes as I strolled past the halls of this mansion.
I grew up here and I am naturally attached to this place. I can't say I grew up inside a loving home, but it gave me warm food, strong shelter, and the education that has helped me to become what I am today.
But…
However attached may I be to this place, I hold no such feelings for the people inside it.
I halted in front of a familiar door and opened it. My eyes wandered and it relieved me that everything was still in their rightful places.
"We'll take our leave, Master Adela," one of the maids bid their farewell and closed the door as they left. They know well how I hate it when they do little chores such as unpacking my own things.
I sighed as I felt all the tension leaving my body. I took off my coat, my shoes, and any clothing that felt too tight. I immediately jumped to my bed and I can already feel myself sinking in.
To be able to relax in an afternoon without having to worry about my job… I've already had two weeks' worth of rest with that man and I can't believe I'm spending this relaxing afternoon alone.
I held a big pillow in my arms and hugged it tightly.
A long conversation with him had me infatuated for years, and now… a mere two weeks alone inside a peaceful space with him had me searching for a trace of his soul even in a place he's never been before.
If this isn't an obsession, then I don't know what is.
As I think, I can feel my consciousness fading, but in the blink of an eye, I woke up once again.
I could've sworn I had a nightmare.
Pulling myself up, I sighed. I looked outside the window, and it was nearly sunset. This means I slept for at least three hours.
I stood up from my bed and stretched my arms up high. I walked to my wash table and saw that the maids had water prepared for me. Right then, I heard a knock from my door.
It was a familiar series of knocks, and only one person in this house uses that.
"Come in," I gave him permission, loud enough for him to hear.
The door clicked open and I could hear his heavy footsteps enter the room. I didn't face him as I was focused on washing my face with the cold water.
"I heard you resigned?" His familiar deep monotonous voice echoed this room as I dry my face gently with a cotton towel.
"You're back?" I hit back. After placing the towel down, I faced him.
A tall figure in a suit, black hair with white streaks, and a face that charmed many ladies of high society… That's my brother, older by three years, and the next Earl of the Oleander Family—Cor Wilhelm Oleander, a well known engineer and artist in this empire.
From what I know, he was on a business trip for two months in another continent, he couldn't even attend the coronation because of it.
"I arrived just now, and I heard an interesting rumor that's going around among the servants," he stated. "Is it true?"
I nodded.
"Yes. After all those five years of hard work."
After graduating from the academy and becoming one through the oath, I assisted Hael immediately to secure his power and position. I acted as his external aide as well as his knight. Those five years of perfected work had stains of my own blood and sweat. I did what I was told despite knowing how he actually felt for me.
The result of all that led to Hael being the newly crowned emperor of this land.
I can't say I don't regret anything, but I knew to myself that he would make a great ruler.
Just… not a great friend of mine.
My brother then threw his glove towards me and I barely caught it.
"Let's let out some steam. It's been a while."
I nodded in response. Many should be thankful that my brother chose an engineering career instead of becoming a knight. Otherwise, he would've dominated this empire simply with his skills alone.
I acknowledge him as someone of equal standing in swordsmanship, and he openly respects me as an equal too. One could say we're two sides of a coin. We both have talent for one thing, but we chose to focus on another.
"Adela." I heard him call for me. I looked up to him, asking with my eyes 'why'. He let out a small smile. "Welcome home."
I can feel myself soften from his warm words. I didn't know why, but maybe, all the tension hadn't gone away after I entered my own room. Maybe… I was expecting such a warm welcome after what had happened. Did this make me glad?
Yes, definitely.
"Thank you, brother."