Chapter 86: Sir Michael’s new lover?

As Michael continued to focus on the lonesome cloaked ranger leaning uninterestedly at the wall, he decided it was time to take matters into his own hands. 

Stepping down the podium he briefly thanked the group of people that gathered to greet him, while he excused himself and continued on his way towards the figure.

Lily had long noticed how he kept looking towards her direction as he gave his speech, so she wasn't surprised that he decided to come over. Still, she continued to remain disinterested in everything that was happening. 

She had no intention of joining any of the newly formed groups; to her, the only partner she ever needs is her brother who was still unconsciously resting back at home.

As he approached, Michael opened the visor of his golden helmet providing Lily a first peek at his brown eyes and surprisingly youthful facial features. With a bright smile on his face, he stopped just an arm's length away from her, and while taking off his golden armored gloves, he extended his hands towards Lily.

"Greetings friend!" He kept his hands hanging in the air awkwardly for a few seconds, and since he did not receive the figure's hands in return he eventually retreated it, not showing any discomfort on his face or in his tone as he continued.

"I noticed you standing alone in your lonesome here while the others were already making friends. Would you like me to introduce you to the others?" 

As he asked, he was paying attention to every little detail, every little motion the figure would show or do, to gain more attention. So far, he could only roughly guess that most likely this person was a woman, but he couldn't be certain.

As his curiosity was reaching its peak, and as he did not receive any response, he asked again.

"Friend? Can you hear me? Can I help you in any way?" 

Although there was no movement, after a few seconds, with an accompanying sigh, a gentle and heavenly voice sounded under the hood.

"Thank you, kind sir, but I am fine. I am just waiting for the event to end, so I can pick a quest finally."

As the heavenly, angelic voice reached his ears, Michael's heart started thumping harder than ever before. This was something that never happened to him before in all the previous 25 years of his life, not even when he was introduced and betrothed to his wife that came from a renowned noble family. 

No, he didn't even see a glimpse of the owner of this angelic voice and his heart was already beating faster than ever before. He gulped, trying to calm himself down, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop the strangely excited thumping. 

Taking a deep breath, he looked at the hood, trying to glance under it, sadly without any success. In the end, his curiosity winning over his rationality, he asked with forced calmness in his voice.

"Dear friend, may I ask you to grace us with your heavenly visage and remove the hood? I don't mean any disrespect, but I would like to see the warrior maiden that would dare to brave the wilderness alone, despite knowing the dangers."

The first time, the edges of the hood moved as Lily turned her attention towards the tall golden armored knight looking at him with a heated expression. 

"I'm sorry, Sir Michael, but I would prefer to keep it on. Hope you can forgive me." She answered once again causing a massing increase in the intensity of the thumps of Michael's heart. 

Although he was very eager to have a glance at the owner of this angelic voice, he knew he had to be patient. He knew that eventually he would get to know this undoubtedly unmatched beauty and make her his. He had to, there was no other option. 

Slightly shaking his head while smiling politely, Michael answered with a slight bow. 

"Not at all, Miss…?" he looked up, hoping for a name.

"Lily. My name is Lily. So, Sir Michael Sonovan, could you let me know when I can take on quests and start working?" Lily asked.

Every time he heard Lily's voice, Michael had trouble keeping himself calm. Just her mere voice caused such a reaction, He doesn't know what would happen if he ever gets to peak at her beauty.

Quickly realizing that he has an amazing opportunity, his smile broadened, and as he continued to try to peer under the veil of the hood, he politely answered.

"Normally you would have to form a group and with a mentor in-tow, you would head downstairs and pick your first quest and head out as well, however, if Miss Lily would like I could accompany you and help you in that regard. What would Miss Lily say for this option?"

After a few seconds of silence, as she pondered about her options, Lily eventually relented. Nodding her head, she curtly replied.

"Lead the way, Sir Michael."

As if like a Knight eager to please his Mistress, Sir Michael bowed deeply and promptly pushed the double door open. Courteously bowing and showing the way, he stood at the door as he waited for Lily to leave the room.

Meanwhile, his actions caused a stir in the crowd, as people started guessing the identity of the hooded figure and her relation to Sir Michael Sonovan.

"Who is that person, and why is Sir Michael so respectful toward her? Is she a noble?" someone asked in the crowd.

"No that can't be. Look at the quality of the garb she is wearing or the bow she is carrying. It's simple woodwork, there are no ornaments, no sigils, or emblems. She is most likely just a commoner." a lady wearing a decorated full iron armor answered with disdain visible in her voice. She was clearly upset about the thought that a dirty commoner could attract the attention of such a dreamy figure like Sir Michael.

"Open your eyes, you idiot! Can't you see how courteous Sir Michael is towards her? Maybe she is his lover?" a male voice came from the crowd, causing a new round of loud uproar explode amidst the crowd. 

Even the experienced adventurers, the mentors that Michael mentioned were looking at the door with questioning looks, they couldn't understand why their leader was acting in such a way. After all, this never happened before.

Still, trusting their leader, they focused their attention on the crowd and started calming them down. Soon, as the double doors closed, the discussion returned to the formation of new groups…

Closing the door behind them, Michael halted his steps and turned around to face the figure. Keeping his gaze respectfully on the ground, he politely spoke.

"Miss Lily, before we continue, let me ask you, are you sure, you do not wish to join any party? In case you would be willing to, let me offer you a spot in mine. All of our members are experienced 2-star adventurers, with a lot of credits behind our name. Our goal is just a few steps away from ranking up and becoming the only 3-star group in Higrove." 

Lily didn't need to give much thought before she politely declined the opportunity.

"Thank you for the offer Sir Michael, however, I'm afraid I already have someone I wish to form a party with in the future, so I will have to decline."

Hearing that his request was declined, an ominous feeling started brewing inside his heart. Trying to stay calm, he looked up while he asked. 

"Oh, may I ask who this person is? Is this person a registered adventurer?" 

Lily giggled at his question, causing Michael to almost fall to the ground, fearing that the heavenly bells that tolled would cause permanent damage to his heart. There was no more hope, he fell in love with this angel's voice.

"Ehehehe, he has not registered yet, he is currently resting!"

The ominous feeling grew inside his heart as the seeds of jealousy sprawled its roots. He could barely contain the palpitation inside his heart. Just who is this person? How could he dare to take her attention and be the owner of such sweet laughter?! This is not right!

He had to take a few moments, to silently calm down. Doing his best, he continued to ask about this mysterious man, his unknown 'rival'.

"Such an angel is forced to go out alone while his partner is peacefully resting at home? How could such a being be called a man?! I'm terribly sorry that Miss Lily has to suffer this much!" 

As soon as he said those words, Sir Michael felt a penetrating gaze coming from under the hood. The previously reserved and later happy tone, was nowhere, as the miss erupted in an angry shout as she defended her dear brother's honor.

"HE IS AN INCREDIBLE MAN! HE IS MY BROTHER, THE BEST AND BRAVEST PERSON IN THE WHOLE WORLD! DO NOT OFFEND HIM! HE IS JUST INJURED AND IS RECOVERING!"

Sir Michael was stunned that his words caused such an intense reaction, but he was more stunned as the hood rolled down when Lily heatedly started defending this person. 

The sight of the young maiden, with straight, long golden locks, and mesmerizing aquamarine eyes… Sir Michael knew that he had to get this angel. Only he could be worthy enough of her smiles, and her tender care...