A Seemingly Ordinary Knight

Early dawn arrived quietly, the sky painted in soft hues of blue and pink. The castle yard buzzed with activity. Several horse carriages could be seen lining up. Servants and maids moved about, carrying various items in and out of the castle. Some set packages down near the lined-up horse carriages, while others carefully packed the supplies inside them. Several guardsmen, mounted on horseback, kept a vigilant watch over the yard, ensuring everything proceeded smoothly.

Inside the castle, in the chief knight main office, Sir Dunham sat behind a large desk, his gaze firm and unwavering. Across from him stood Sir Francis, his posture steady, though a faint trace of annoyance flickered across his face.

With a tone that brooked no argument, Sir Dunham spoke, "Your task is to deliver the Mother Crystal to Westdel. The mage research team there will handle the rest."

Sir Francis remained silent, his expression neutral. Despite the tinge of frustration at being sent on what seemed like a mere courier mission, he accepted the responsibility without protest. Duty came first, after all.

Westdel, a small town nestled about two or three days' journey southwest of Rothrosia, was home to the kingdom's main magical research academy. It was where mages conducted all manner of experiments with enchanted items. The journey would be long, and though it wasn't the grand mission Sir Francis had hoped for, it was critical nonetheless.

Meanwhile, Sir William had been assigned to escort the savior to the Magic Academy. Their destination was located along the same route, but only a day's ride away. They would travel together for a time before Sir Francis would continue onward to Westdel.

The sun had only begun to rise, but the day ahead already felt heavy with responsibility.

In the castle yard, near the last of the carriages, a large wooden vehicle stood, its sturdy frame reminiscent of a boxy transport. The carriage had four thick wooden wheels, reinforced with metal bands, and a curved roof that provided protection from the elements. It looked well-worn but reliable, a functional design meant for long journeys.

At this particular carriage, several soldiers were carefully handling a small wooden box, intricately engraved with glowing magical runes. The box wasn't large, small enough for one person to carry with relative ease, but its importance was unmistakable. The soldiers moved with the utmost care as they loaded it into the back of the carriage, their faces stern and focused.

Beside them stood a figure cloaked in a dark robe, her presence both quiet and watchful. It was Sylvia, the young female mage apprentice who had assisted both Sir William and Sir Francis in the investigation at one of the perpetrator's houses that aided the witches. Her sharp eyes followed the movements of the soldiers, making sure the precious cargo—the Mother Crystal—was secured properly inside.

Despite her youth, Sylvia's expression was serious, fully aware of the weight of the task ahead. The crystal's journey was no ordinary one, and like everyone else involved, she knew the stakes.

Suddenly, from behind, a voice broke the silence. "How's everything going?" Startled, Sylvia let out a soft, almost inaudible squeak, "Kyaa!" She spun around quickly, her eyes wide, only to be met with the calm but amused face of Sir William.

His playful smile didn't match his usually composed demeanor, and Sylvia blushed in embarrassment.

"Oh... Sir William," she stammered, trying to recover her composure.

"Everything's fine, no issues with the Mother Crystal," she said.

"Very good," Sir William replied, still smiling, clearly entertained by Sylvia's reaction. "It seems we can proceed then." He gave her a reassuring nod, his voice calm as ever, though his amusement lingered in his eyes.

Not far behind them, Sir Francis rode up on his horse.

His expression, however, was far less composed. He approached with a clear air of irritation, his thoughts heavy with frustration. The looming task of delivering the Mother Crystal to Westdel had put him in a foul mood. He would be away from the city for several days—days he would rather spend resolving his inner turmoil about the events at the inauguration ceremony.

In particular, his mind circled around the savior and the Princess. He still felt the sting of not having a proper meeting with Princess Alicia, and seeing her interact with the savior had only deepened his frustration. But now, he would be far from Rothrosia, unable to clear his thoughts about the whole ordeal. The idea of missing even more time in the city while Sir William escorted the savior to the academy added to his growing sense of resentment.

Sir Francis positioned at the lead of the carriage that held the precious Mother Crystal. His face was set in a stern, brooding expression, lost in thought, clearly still grappling with the annoyance of his current task. He stared straight ahead, barely noticing the bustle around him.

Sir William, now on his horse, casually trotted beside him. He paused for a moment, observing Sir Francis's demeanor. Noticing the irritation etched on his face, Sir William couldn't help but smirk. With a sheepish grin, he playfully asked, "How's everything going?"

Without turning his head, Sir Francis kept his gaze forward, his pout deepening. "You could've told me *last night* that I was going to be the one tasked with delivering the Mother Crystal," he muttered, his tone tight, almost like a child on the verge of a tantrum.

Sir William's smile widened. "Well, you were pretty much *done* from the drink last night. I figured I'd spare you and only mention the important bits," he replied, his tone light and teasing.

Sir Francis let out a low grunt, clearly not amused, though he made no further protest. Sir William, however, chuckled softly, clearly entertained by his friend's sulking. Francis's expression was a rare one—like a knight caught in a situation he would much rather avoid. To Sir William, it was a humorous contrast to the usual composed, brave front Sir Francis wore.

Akimitsu emerged from the castle, his attire as striking as his presence.

He wore a white tunic beneath a dark cloak, its fabric fluttering slightly in the morning breeze. His eyes were sharp and focused, contrasting with his pale complexion while his black hair framed his face.

As he approached the waiting carriage, a maid stood by the door, bowing respectfully while motioning for him to enter. From behind, Sir William and Sir Francis observed the scene atop their horses.

"There he is, the savior in the flesh. Hm... he looks younger than I expected," Sir William remarked, his tone curious.

Sir Francis, however, remained silent, his face betraying only subtle annoyance, still wrestling with his thoughts.

As Akimitsu lifted his leg to step into the carriage, a voice called out, soft yet commanding.

"Aki."

It was Princess Alicia. Her voice seemed to carry a calming warmth, and both Sir William and Sir Francis immediately shifted their attention toward her.

Sir Francis's face transformed, excitement and awe flooding his features as he caught sight of her. Even from a distance, her beauty was undeniable.

Sir William smirked, shaking his head. "Well, that didn't take long," he muttered under his breath, amused at how swiftly Sir Francis's mood shifted from brooding to sheer joy, like a child who had just seen their favorite toy.

Alicia approached Akimitsu, her eyes soft as she stood before him. "Aki, can I call you Aki for short?" Her tone was playful, her smile warm.

Akimitsu, slightly shy, nodded in agreement.

"Very well then," she said, stepping closer. "Good luck and have a safe journey."

Akimitsu looked at her, his voice barely above a whisper. "I will."

Without hesitation, the Princess leaned in to give him a farewell hug, the gesture warm and affectionate, like that between close siblings. But to Sir Francis, the scene played out differently.

His jaw dropped, and his eyes widened in disbelief as his heart sank into his stomach. He saw not a casual goodbye but a moment of deep connection, one that filled him with jealousy and heartache.

His previously brightened mood plummeted once more, his face now pale and his head hung low.

Sir William, barely containing his laughter, found the entire ordeal rather entertaining, watching his friend's dramatic shifts in mood with quiet amusement. His eyes gleamed with mirth as he observed Sir Francis, who seemed utterly lost in his emotions.

With that, Akimitsu entered his carriage, and soon after, both his carriage and the one carrying the Mother Crystal set off toward their respective destinations. The savior on his way to the Magic Academy, and Sir Francis, leading his charge to Westdel.

...

Inside the carriage carrying the Mother Crystal, Sylvia sat quietly next to the precious cargo. The crystal, encased in a wooden box, rested securely in the middle of the carriage, with seating on both sides for passengers. The atmosphere was still, save for the soft creaking of the carriage wheels as it moved along the road.

Suddenly, a slight but noticeable grunt echoed from outside, where Sir Francis was riding his horse. Sylvia's ears perked up, her eyes narrowing in curiosity.

"Hm, I thought I heard something," she murmured to herself, glancing toward the window. After a brief pause, she simply shrugged it off, deciding not to dwell on it.