Veer was dumbfounded, staring at the screens. It was not only him. Eleana, Eryssa ,Caria , John and even Lythria were dumbfounded.
"Just as I thought… that carriage must have carried the people responsible for negotiations," Eryssa sighed.
Eleana said in a deep voice,"It seems the prince and Rheon's death is connected to Bloody Shura. I should have known." Veer was a bit confused as they were preparing for horses to go back quickly.
Veer noticed John's expression—it wasn't good. He had probably been grabbed a little too hard. He shook his head, hearing Caria mutter, "It's gone… my peaceful days are over."
Everyone wore expressions of submission as Eleana said, "Let's go."
The group rode back on horses. The atmosphere seemed jovial, with the knights busy preparing after the declaration. Yet, tension lingered in the streets, hidden in the commoners' hearts. War always carried consequences. He could see canons being loaded in the knight's cavalry near the walls and his mood dampened as they continued on the horses.
Eventually, they reached the familiar castle. The guards were excited. "Lady Eryssa is back!"
They noticed a new member with the group, bowed, and one said, "Please make haste, sirs and madams. The King is expecting all of you."
Veer turned to Lythria. "Is it okay for you to greet the king?"
Eleana replied with no change in expression, "No issues. She already has her ears covered." Eleana was looking at Veer as he asked,"Aren't you a black knight now, so why are you still wearing your whiter armour."
Everyone looked at him as Eleana said in a soft tone,"It seems you are the one most exhausted. You even forgot that it is just a title. Unless we need to protect the king explicitly, there is no need." She quickened her pace for no reason.
Caria caught up to Veer and said," You, how could you say that. You were the one that said to her white clothes fitted her the best." She also quickened her pace. Veer stood there for sometime as Eryssa also seemed a little angry and pulled Lythria and moved the stairs.
Lythria now wore the dress of a typical traveling maiden, hood drawn over her head. Of course, her beautiful face was still visible.
Veer's overworking mind began spinning again. So I loved her white clothes. Why can't I still remember shit. John patted him and said," After this let's relax with Kerin. I and Caria will not join you in the council."
Veer nodded and went after Eryssa, Eleana and Lythria
As he was walking into the council he was speculating a few things. Was it a coincidence that Eryssa went on with us just when Braeven's prince had come for her.But they had just encountered Braeven's knights—they could have easily captured her, or the whole group. He felt he was missing something.
Veer also thought about the strange incident in Mythria. Who was connected to it? The lotuses he had encountered were similar yet different from Lythria's. Whoever had used them was a far better expert. Did that person hurt himself in that room? Or was it related to the disappearing vice leader? Who were they, and were they connected to Lythria?
The group bowed as they reached the council. Veer spoke, "I have completed the trial, Your Majesty, and obtained the elixir."
A golden knight stepped forward. Veer handed the elixir fruit to him, and the knight gave it to the king.
The king inspected it, casting a deep gaze at Eleana and Eryssa. "Well done, Knight Veer. The elixir exceeds my expectations—the great Relovar fruit. I am satisfied. Your status will be upgraded to a Golden Knight. You will receive the knight's bestowment from Princess Eryssa. You will continue to protect her, and if the situation in the war becomes dire, you will join under Black Knight Trygon."
Veer bowed as he expressed his thanks," Thank you majesty for your grace." A lady in white robes walked over from a room reserved for the king's elite advisors. She carefully received the fruit and left. Veer felt a strange familiarity about her. No surprise—many of the secret elites held normal identities while working for the king in secrecy.
A golden knight invited Eryssa on the dais nearby behind which was the emblem of the kingdom. He then nodded to Veer as he said,"Please sir," Veer followed . A group of ladies came and adorned Eryssa with a crown of jewels and gave her a shining silvery sword representing status elevation of knights.
Veer was thinking why it was different from Eleana's one, where the king just announced and it was over. Maybe it was because of princess Eryssa.
As Veer neared her, Eryssa's tone changed as she said in a etheral voice,"Kneel my sworn protector, my knight". As Veer knelt on one knee, she placed the sword on Veer's shoulder. It seemed to shine gently as Eryssa, recited," I in my name, Eryssa Drudar, hereby assign my protector and knight, Veer Starweaver as a golden knight. He will continue to protect myself and the kingdom as a dutiful knight"
The council and everyone seemed to pray as Veer's face could not be seen. Actually he was shaking inside. The name Starweaver seemed to ignite something in him. Tears were flowing and he was barely controlling it. It was the first time he learnt of his actual surname. His body was drowning in perpetual sadness. But he could not recall anything. It was even sadder.
The knight ceremony was over as Veer also stood to the side with Lythria now. He was still barely controlling himself. He felt very sad.
The king then addressed Eryssa and Eleana. "You two seem to have unexpected gains. Very well, everyone decide on the reward of Eleana."
The familiar, barking lady spoke again. "Majesty, you already elevated her status plenty fully. Let's just add this as her contribution and decide when her contributions actually make sense?"
The council seemed to contest this minor decision. As they were appealing regarding this, The king appeared visibly upset. He said with his brows furrowed, "Eleana, you already held special status as White Knight and were promoted to Black Knight. There are only seven Black Knights in the kingdom. But my counselors seem to argue for additional gains. So instead, I grant you a special status—you now have free access to the Grand Library of Drudar, a privilege reserved only for the best of knights."
Eleana bowed, expressing her thanks. The king then turned to Lythria standing near Veer. "So… who is this girl?"
Lythria bowed and was to explain but then Eryssa said in a bit irritated tone, "Why do you care so much, Your Highness? She is our friend that will stay with me. We will leave now." She walked to Lythria, then took Lythria's hand and began to depart.
The king raised his hand and sighed. "You all may go."
The group bowed as they left. Eleana followed Lythria and Eryssa, whispering to Veer , "Go to the Grand Library in the evening. Let's meet there."
Veer nodded and thought about returning to his quarters. It was really a coincidence that just when he wanted to have free access to the library, Eleana was granted that.. Wait… where was his quarter? After losing his memory two days ago, he had woken up in the guest rooms. He had no idea where to go. He considered following Eleana's direction, but shook his head. Why go to the ladies' quarters? He didn't want to pry, fearing he would make things even more awkward.
Just then, he saw John coming out from the other end of the road with Caria. He really might be a secret elite—but if so, the king would already know about Mythria. Veer guessed that he probably did.
John stopped him. "Let's meet Kerin."
Veer nodded . He desperately wanted to overcome his sadness. The thought of his surname just brings a lot of pain to himself. Why is that ? He wondered.
They said their goodbyes to Caria and walked toward Kerin's residence, a part of the knight's quarters reserved for graded knights.
Kerin was also present there sipping tea, engaged in conversation with a few others. As they approached, Veer overheard him boasting:
"Do you know? In ancient times, a massive White Lotus blossomed across this kingdom. Even more astonishing, an arrow struck it from nowhere, shattering it like glass… Haha".
Veer stood behind Kerin as he listened," It said they had powers to even control flow of natural energy. Look at us so pathetic."
Kerin looked around the other guys as he asked,"Why are you guys stunned?"
Kerin then looked back and saw Veer's face . He jumped on his feet and said,"Ah ! Finally who do we have here ? The infamous Veer, the youngest golden knight. Bro your tales are already spreading. Also heard that you brought a beauty as your new girlfriend. Is that why you need to search for residence here? Did Eleana and lady Eryssa beat you? Haha."
Veer again was going through numerous thoughts but he was drowned by sadness. He wanted to relax.
Veer just said,"I am back so let's celebrate a bit ." Then someone went and brought some good wine. The group of knights joined with laughter as Veer felt relieved. His sadness from earlier disappeared a bit. He asked Kerin, "What were you blabbering about earlier?"
Kerin said "Not blabbering, you just see the outer me but not my deep passion of history and mystic arts." His gaze then became a bit deep as he said," I read very much..and I was just reciting something I read. This kingdom's founding ruler was no joke it seems. She was so strong that every kingdom feared her. Also her weapon was not a sword. Apparently, it was a bow. "