Chapter 86 - Interlude: Honor And Integrity Pt.1

When he saw her, gazing upon the colossal statues, his mouth was left vacant of words or sound. Damien stood still for a minute, not wanting to disturb the tranquil air that hung about the lady. Even from a distanced view, her beauty was something belonging to the heavens above. Not a single blemish tainted her smooth, pale skin which radiated under the natural light. The prestigious steel armor she wore, intricately designed did nothing to falter her natural beauty. As he took a single step up the staircase, his silver boots rang against the plaster floor--catching the attention of the lady as she shifted her attention from the statues to him.

"Sorry, my lady."

Damien gave her a warm smile and a nod as he adjusted his emerald cape.

Atop the lavish staircase awaited the "Domain of the Founders'', which held the statues of the previous kings of Mastorn, gilded in the finest material. The way the sunlight draped over the incised flooring and grandiose statues, it was a place of near divinity. It wasn't a place just anybody could enter, only the most esteemed knights, and most powerful nobles of Mastorn. '' Sir Damien Leid'' was one of those few, the second-in-command of Getrude's knight squadron.

"Sir Damien…"

Her eyes met first with the man's messy, verdant hair, tied into a ponytail before meeting his radiant silver irises. A sigh left the lady's mouth, inaudible to the knight. On the other end, no matter how many times he saw her, her unmatched beauty never ceased to halt his heart for just a moment in time.

Damien dropped to one knee as she approached him,, lowering his head as the lady approached him as he listened to her metallic footwear echo against the decorated plaster

"I am sorry for inter--"

"How many times have I told you to stop calling me that! It's "Captain Getrude"!"

The impact of her gauntlet against the top of his head rang through his body as he winced. That was the one thing about her womanly charm--she embraced the path of a man in this world, abandoning her role as a glamorous princess. More than anyone else in this kingdom, she was the most befitting of the title as "warrior".

"My apologies, lady--I mean, Captain Getrude."

Damien rose from his knelt position as he caressed his battered head.

"What did you come here for, Sir Damien? Surely you've come here with intentions other than to annoy me."

"Well, that is one reason, I suppose," Damien smiled.

The side glare she shot him caused him to cease his antics as he coughed into his silver gauntlet, clearing his throat.

"There is something urgent I need to tell you, Captain, it's about the Outlanders."

The knight's tone became serious as his voice lowered. Getrude's eyes widened for a moment before she looked side to side, making sure nobody was listening in.

"Speaking of such matters in an open place like this...Sir Damien, you realize the situation our squad is in right now, yes? My brothers are looking for any reason to tear me down."

"I understand, but it is urgent," He stepped closer to whisper to her, "we've found their place of hiding."

The information caused her to step back, pacing back and forth as her illustrious cape fluttered behind her.

"How did you get this information? Do any of the other squadrons know of this?"

Getrude didn't stop her constant pacing, pressing him for more information.

"A knight has his own means, does he know?"

He answered her, as he ran his gloved fingers through his glistening hair with a smile of confidence. A simple, cold glare from the Captain drove the answer out of him.

"John--one from our scout regiment, he gave me this information exclusively. I hired him--don't worry, I know you don't want to bring any from outside of the squadron into this, but I've known him since my training days."

Damien assured her, clasping his hands together. As Getrude opened her mouth to respond, their conversation was brought to a halt by the sudden intrusion of footsteps traveling up the sanctioned staircase.

Hands slowly placed on the handles of their sheathed blades, the two knights silently waited in anticipation of their sudden visitor.

"Ah, it seems I've interrupted something, my apologies.."

They recognized the gentle voice, carrying no malice in the words spoken. Confirming their suspicions, the silver, iridescent hair of the enigmatic man came into view before he soon reached the top of the lengthy flight of stairs.

He was a knight, just as them, but he didn't wear any sort of armor. Only a spotless white uniform, etched with azure designs to represent the colors of Mastorn's flag. The fair features he possessed, putting even the children of kings to shame made it look as if he had never seen battle, let alone any conflict in his life. Those with experience could tell from just one look at his sharp, yet gentle coral eyes spoke of his resolute strength.The only way ignorant eyes would deduce the man is a knight would be the greatsword rested at his hip, displaying a gilded handle in the shape of wings, the sight of which held fame across the land of man. Despite his disarming smile and lack of armor, he held an air of absolute confidence, enough to steal the will of fight from those without strength.

"--Aelius…!"

"Sir Damien, Lady Getrude,"

He placed his hand, covered with a black glove over his chest before slightly bowing. In the presence of the knight of knights, the two forgot their manners for a moment before returning the greeting. Damien and Getrude, knowing each other since they were children, came to an understanding with just an exchange of glances. The simple look from Getrude amounted to, "Let me do the talking."

"Sir Aelius, what brings you here?"

Getrude asked him, holding her usual stern expression in the presence of the prestigious knight.

"Excuse my impoliteness, Lady Getrude, but are there more reason to come to the Hall of Founders besides paying respect to those who built this illustrious kingdom?"

It was impossible to tell if the gentleman knight was doing it on purpose, each time she heard "Lady Getrude" leave his lips, she felt just an ounce more of blood travel to her head.

"--You're right, excuse my questioning, Sir Aelius."

She gave him a slight smile as she walked beside him through the expansive room of rich history, Damien following close behind them silently.

"Really, there's no need for such formality when we're off-duty, my lady. Right now, I'm just a man taking a stroll on his day off."

"I mean no disrespect, Sir Aelius--but that would be gravely disrespectful to your prestigious rank. You're the knight of knights--"

"And you're the eldest princess of the royal family, my lady."

Aelius retorted, holding his kind smile as he kept his hands behind his back while strolling. A slight relief loosened her stiffened shoulders as it seemed the pinnacle of knights hadn't heard their conversation.

As confident she was in her own strength, none of that mattered when it came to Aelius. It would be an easier task to battle the entirety of the knights than to face him in battle.

"Sir Aelius--!"

A new voice rang out from behind them, a clearly exasperated woman was standing by the staircase.

"Oh--if it isn't Lady Anya,"

Aelius greeted the frantic woman with a charming smile, his pearlescent teeth shining as he gave her a simple wave.

"There you are, I've been looking everywhere for you! We've got a problem, a high-dragon just landed on the outskirts of the capital!"

It was almost a vexing sight--that is just how prestigious Aelius was, a knight with his own managers to keep him in order. Knights already held the highest respect across the kingdom, but this man was "the" knight--more so of a living legend at his young age.

"It seems even days off aren't exempt from the workings of destiny," Aelius chuckled, "it was nice talking to you Lady Getrude, Sir Damien!"

Treating the threat of a high-dragon like nothing more than a rodent problem, the esteemed knight made his exit with his manager, bringing with him his air of confidence.

"I feel bad for that dragon, poor thing."

Damien joked after Aelius was out of sight. As soon as it was surely just the two of them, the Captain let out a long, drawn-out breath as she kept her hand over her breastplate.

"That was too close...damn that Aelius. Every time, it feels like that bastard is just mocking me," Getrude clicked her tongue.

"I think he's just genuinely that kind, Captain. I mean, the guy is different from us. He's inhuman.

"Mind your tongue, Sir Damien. Even if he may turn out to be our enemy, Sir Aelius is still a knight I respect."

"Yes, la- Captain Getrude," Damien corrected himself.

"Besides…"inhuman" isn't what I'd describe him as. More so, he is a man born without greed, truly--he is a hero. But, that's all he will ever be."

"Captain Getrude?"

"Nevermind, let's continue where you left off--at your house."

The ironclad maiden began to walk down the steps, while Damien was left frozen--processing her words for a moment before letting out a shocked "what?!".

"M-my house? Isn't that kind of…"

"What? Don't flatter yourself, Sir Damien, you aren't my type of man."

"That's not--wait, what is your type?"

Damien scattered over, following behind Getrude, who ignored his question, traveling down the mountain of steps as the constant, beaming light dimmed to a cooling shade.