Astoria's POV
What is happening? I made sure to destroyed the nest and even burned down and destroyed every single cave that was used by the monsters as their home. So how did they manage to breed just before the winter season?
"Aster. I came here as soon as I can. What is all these?" My mother asked the moment she unmount her horse and stood besides me.
"New breed of monsters. This one overfed itself and die. The rest were killed by the knights. So mom, any idea why this is happening? I personally made sure to destroy every single nest just before the Winter break. But I didn't expect them to be this smart."
I watched as my mother examined the carcasess.
"Anyway, since we are alone now, I just want to make sure what sort of relationship you and the empress actually is having. Was it pure love or simply of that convenience?" I don't think this is the time to talk about this though.
"To be honest, I don't know, mother. At the time, the reason why I agreed to be in a relationship with the empress is because the North is in dire help. But now, I feel like I'm lying to myself if I said I don't feel anything towards her. I'm just confused."
My mother hummed.
"Are you happy?" I nodded.
"I like the attention she gave me and I feel appreciated when someone worried for me. Of course I know that you're worried for me too but it's different when Adelaide said so. I don't know how to explain it. Is that love?" My mother chuckled."Oh honey, that's just show how whipped you are."
Is that so?
"I don't feel like I'm whipped." I was looking around the surrounding when I noticed a pair of eyes watching us from one of the bushes. I didn't alarm my mother about it and simply ignoring the gaze.
"Mother, I'll be back. My knights will be here to follow your orders." 1 leave my mother side before making my way towards the bush.
I was subtle and pretending to be checking if there's any more monsters carcasses that needs to be examine before I reached out to the bushes, grabbing whatever was watching us with my bare hands. It turns out it was a young teenage boy who survived the attack.
"Survivors should have followed the knights to a safer place. What are you doing here?" I asked before letting the boy ga.
"I want to be a knight. That big guy over there said I should I ask the countess. So here I am." "That big guy? I turned to where the boy was pointing to see a few of the knights staring at me. Ah- so they simply passed this trouble to me?
"You're too young to be a knight. How old are you?" I asked.
"I am sixteen! Please let me be a knight. I'll do anything. I'm willing to be the bait for the monsters. Please, let me be a knight. Teach me!" This boy is sixteen?! With how small he is, I thought he was a child.
"Is there a reason for your desperation?" This boy look down.
"I-I need to be strong and save my mother and sister. They were sold by my father. I need to save them. Being a knight is the only way. As a knight people will look up to me. I need to be a strong knight to be able to save my mother and sister! Please accept me! I will do anything to be strong."I was about to tell the boy off when my mother suddenly appeared behind me.
"Comw with me." Huh?
The boy nodded and followed my mother to one of the monster's carcass.
"One of the things that the North knights need to do is examine the monsters. What do you feel when you see ane?" My mother asked. The boy look down and said,
"Hatred- anger and a need to survive." My mother smiled.
"Why do you think you need to be a knight to be able to save your mother and sister?" The boy look up to my mother and said,
"Because I need honor and prestige. My father- he was in a lot of debt. He sold my mother and sister to a nobleman. Without money or prestige, I am nothing. So I will work hard and be the best knights the North has ever known." My mother chuckled.
"But the best knight in the North is standing behind you." The boy turned To me.
"Then I shall be her disciple and make my master proud. Please-" the boy started kneeling in front of us.
"I really need your help. I want to be a knight. I don't mind if I have to train every day, every night. Just take me in!" What should I do? He's begging and crying as if this is the last thing he could do to survive.
"Countess, if I may be so bold. I don't think it's a bad idea to take him in. I can train him together with Sir Arthur. I'll make sure he's ready for the subjugation mission in a few months." I guess I have no choice.
"Take care of him. And do something about how skinny he is."
A few days later.
It's been a few days since the boy trained with Arthur. I have to say, he does have the potential to be one of the North's knight. Even I was surprised when I saw how he unbeknowingly used aura. Aura user is rare nowadays after the birth of magic. He is quite talented.
"You've been staring outside the window for quite some time now. Am I just not that interesting to you, Aster?" How could I? This woman in front of me is one of the most beautiful woman in the empire.
And here I am, as the lover who can't even give her the attention she deserves.
"I'm sorry. I'm just worried about the teenage boy whom enter the knightage. He is young but his talent with the sword is something I'm curious about." Adelaide stood beside me and we both look at the boy train.
"I don't know much about swordmanship but I know for sure that the boy's future is bright with your guidance." I blush. No one has ever believe in me before. Not even my parents. But this woman-
"Ah! I almost forgot the reason why I came to the North!" Adelaide grabbed my shoulder before pulling me back.
"We're going to the desert!"
Hah?