The End of Your Arrogance - Chapter 5.2

After that night, Evelyn cried more easily and frequently. It was as if all her suppressed emotions were overflowing. Every time she cried; Sophie stayed by her side.

“Where’d you get this? We’ve never had this before.” Evelyn’s eyes glowed as she looked at the cake with fruit toppings which were hard to find in the North.

“A pastry chef came from the mainland in the morning.” A knight standing in the smiled. He was big like a bear but had a youthful face.

Evelyn picked up a fork as did Livell, who was playing next to her. The child took a bite of the cake, then started to tremble in excitement.

“Livell, is it that good? Sofie, you should try some too.”

Tears dropped from Evellyn’s eyes as she tasted the sweet cake. How long had it been since she had tasted a cake? Livell, seeing his mother cry, wailed. He grabbed the cake and stuffed it in his mouth while crying.

Evelyn burst out laughing as she looked at Livell who couldn’t decide whether to cry or eat. So, he did both.

“Livell, either eat or cry. Do one thing at a time. What is this?”

“You are one to talk, My Lady. You’re also crying and laughing at the same time!”

Another knight in the room narrowed her eyes at them. She turned and looked at the huge knight who was stationed with her.

* * *

Once their shift was over, the two knights headed to the general’s office.  “We’re back from our shift, general.”

“Sir Belina, Sir Arthas. Thank you for the hard work. Did madam enjoy the treat?”

The silvered haired knight answered. “Yes sir. They especially seemed to love the fruits on the cake. Though, the young master seemed to enjoy it the most.” The insignia indicated that she was of a high rank.

The huge, bear-like knight burst out laughing. Nazz, the general looked at him, amused. “Arthas! What are you laughing about? I thought I heard you say that you hated them?”

Arthas was still serving as a squire under General Nazz. “My apologies, general. The baby was so adorable. I do still hate escorting a Maduse, make no mistake.”

“You bastard! Just do what you’re assigned to do, you talk too much.” Nazz smacked Arthas playfully on his back. He then turned to Belina, the silver-haired knight. There hadn’t been much change in her attitude, nor had she complained when assigned to escort Evelyn.

Nazz noticed that Belina’s lips were raised slightly. What’s that? Is she smiling? I did it! Nazz was ecstatic. It was usually hard to get any kind of reaction from Belina.

“But what do you mean cute? He looks exactly like His Majesty. That should take away the cuteness factor.”

“Well, he does look so much like His Majesty… but softer and plump. I’m telling you, he’s the cutest thing in the world!”

“Arthas, that’s a rude thing to say about your young master. Watch your tongue!” Nazz was relieved to see the knights enjoying themselves.

Arthas was shocked to see Ilya come out of the room with his lips bleeding. Then he was even more shocked with Evelyn’s weeping after. He wondered if the master had done something wrong.

“Madam seemed a lot different from what the rumors suggest,” said Belina carefully.

“I heard that the Maduse witch enchanted His Majesty… but I’m not so sure now. To be honest, in terms of looks alone, our master is way more…” Arthas gasped and covered his mouth.

“Can’t you use your brain before you speak?” Nazz smacked Arthas on the back again. Fortunately, madam seemed to be healing from the scar of that night.

But… Ilya’s insomnia had become worse after that night. Neither alcohol nor pills helped. Even the knights were exhausted from having to serve a sleepless Ilya all night.

Nazz peeked at the clock on the desk. It should be starting by now. The flame from the torches glowed and the sound of a crowd echoed from the window. Nazz and the two knights sprinted out towards the gymnasium.

“It’s begun!”

It was past midnight. The Archduke’s escort knights were struggling to keep Ilya calm, who raged like a wild animal.

“Your Majesty, please calm down…”

“Shut up!” Ilya glared at the knights surrounding him.  “Damn you all! Just shut up!”

The knights realized that the Archduke’s seizures, which had been dormant for a while, were triggered again.

“Your Majesty!” Nazz ran to Ilya. He fell chills down his spine when he noticed where Ilya was staring. A certain place over the gymnasium.

He’s looking towards the annex… Nazz’s hand moved towards the sword at his waist.  “You can’t, My Lord.”

“There is not a place I cannot enter here!”

Ilya growled and charged at Nazz with his sword. Nazz lifted his shield to block Ilya’s sword.

The fierce sound of metal clashing against metal reverberated in the air.