Crest of the Strongest Knight

Chapter 80 - Blinded by Love

Viviane giggled, remembering how she'd felt. Of course, she had thought her classes mentally draining thanks to the efforts of both her classmates and her instructor. Just as luck would have it, none of her friends' schedules aligned with hers, leaving her isolated when it came to dealing with those who pushed her around.

Because of that, Medrauta often came to pick her up after class in an effort to minimize any bullying that she would have to endure. The memories of those exhausting lessons coupled with the joy she felt the moment she saw her knight at the classroom's exit were still fresh in Viviane's mind despite the fact that no one other than Isabella had dared pick on her after her rematch with the princess.

"Was it that obvious? I'm sorry," she smiled wryly. "It wasn't as if I was being pushed around in class. Rather, I just felt like I was missing something whenever I was apart from you."

Medrauta blushed. "...Well, I hope you've found what you were missing."

"Of course!" Viviane laughed, tugging on Medrauta's arm and pulling her closer. "Ever since I met you, those days that had only been filled with woe and worry have long ended! And honestly, even though Sir Damien did a lot of things to me, it's not as if I resent him for it. Even I could see that he was merely... blinded by love."

Medrauta stopped in her tracks, forcing Viviane to pause and turn. While Medrauta understood that Damien had already passed away, she certainly didn't think that death absolved someone of their crimes. After all, it was the right of the living to choose when someone was forgiven.

"You have every right to resent him, Viviane. I don't mean to slander the dead, but while his acts were driven by his passion toward Isabella, that does not excuse him from what he did. Yes, he met a tragic end unbefitting a knight, but he must still be responsible for the choices that he made when he was alive."

"...You're right, Medrauta. I do have every right to resent him, don't I?" Viviane flashed her knight a brilliant smile. "But doesn't that also mean I have every right to forgive him?"

"I..." Medrauta's voice trailed off, stunned by both Viviane's compassion and beauty. She should have known her lady would be like this after seeing Viviane forgive and even befriend Gwenhwyfar despite what the princess did to both of them, but no matter how many times she witnessed Viviane's purity of heart, it always made her fall in love all over again.

"I do," Viviane declared confidently. "Everyone makes mistakes in life, you and I included. Sir Damien's love for Lady Isabella forced his hand, and despite the cruel things he did, I never once felt that he truly acted out of malice. In fact, he even tried his best to apologize and make up for everything he did once Lady Isabella left... If anything, the one who I should resent is Lady Isabella for tarnishing that knight's honor."

"...Yeah, I guess you're right in a sense." Medrauta grinned, shaking her head in disbelief. "I still don't think that makes Sir Damien guiltless. Regardless of whether he apologized or attempted to right his wrongs, he still chose to forsake his honor merely to sate Isabella's lust for cruelty. But I suppose in the end, Isabella is the root of the problem. Honestly, I don't think I could ever forgive someone as easily as you do, Viviane. I love that part of you, but sometimes... it worries me."

"Is that so?" Viviane wondered as the two continued their journey to the noblewomens' dormitory building. As a knight and an orphan, Medrauta didn't have many personal belongings to bring for the journey, so they were heading to Viviane's room first. "Well, if I ever forgive the wrong person, you'll protect me, won't you?"

"Of course," Medrauta replied. "I just hope I won't need to."

"You and I both," Viviane laughed. "On a lighter note, what do you think I should pack? I haven't traveled much if at all, honestly. The longest trip I've experienced was the carriage ride from home to here."

"Well..." Medrauta rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "I... I can't say I'm familiar with how noblewomen should pack either. Whenever we were forced to travel for field training exercises as squires, we just brought the necessities. Somehow, I don't think that'll be enough for a noble."

"Hm... Perhaps you'd be right if this was a normal trip, but we're going on a mission, aren't we? In that case, there's no need to consider socializing at all."

"You will need to negotiate with Lord Bastiche who is the acting duke of the Revelo duchy,"

"...Somehow, I don't think we'll be negotiating with words at all."

Medrauta studied Viviane for a good second or two, surprised at how quickly Viviane had come to a conclusion like that despite being praised for her gentle heart mere moments ago. Ah. There was that letter Dame Eirlys gave to us, wasn't there? I'm sure Duke Revelo's knight mentioned something about Bastiche himself being behind this whole plot...

"...You know, I think you might be right."

"In that case, please show me how to pack like a knight!"

Medrauta grinned.

"It'd be my pleasure."