𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐀 𝟑 | 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐒 𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑
𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐃 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐎𝐕
"Are you sure you weren't dreaming, Your Grace? Truth be told, I've never seen a woman with ginger hair in this Empire. You describe her as if she were a fictional character. I advise you to take a break from reading your stacked books." Jared commented on Niccolo's story.
While taking a break from his daily routine as a knight, Samuel glanced from afar to observe Count Niccolo. Nakaupo ito sa labas habang natatakpan ng silong mula sa malaking payong na animo'y gawa sa ginto. As usual, the Count was accompanied by Jared Vitserk, a member of the Gold Knights.
Niccolo Maximo Kazros may look like a tough Count, but in reality, he's nothing but a man who hugs teddy bears and eats ice cream while reading a thick book.
Samuel has been hearing the same thing from the Count for the past hour. Nasa malayo ang mga ito ngunit parang speaker ang lakas ng mga boses. Samuel wouldn't understand why a talented knight like Jared is always open to hearing Niccolo's story about a certain woman with ginger hair.
The knight from afar heard what Niccolo said. He is searching for a beautiful, pale woman with ginger hair.
The Gold Knights are the highest rank of royal knights, while Copper Knights, like Samuel, belong to the lowest rank. Specifically, this order was where commoners, such as Samuel, who dreamed of becoming a knight, joined.
Yet from the moment they entered the knights, they suffered many cruelties and injustices due to their social status. Who would have thought that most of the bullies came from the Gold Knights, whose commander is Sir Velrod Eisten?
Commander Velrod Eisten, Kleio's cousin who are both Morgana's companions...
"Can you believe that the famous Count acts like that? Is it okay to eat ice cream while hugging a teddy bear in front of the Knights?" Calvin initiated the conversation. Kasalukuyan kasing abala ang iba sa kanilang ginagawa.
Samuel shifted his gaze to the man who had arrived. Tuwid itong nakatayo sa tabi niya. It was Calvin, now considered the screener for upcoming Knights in the slums. Calvin Evans has ash brown hair styled upwards, pale skin, hazel eyes, and monolid brown eyes. Sa lahat ng mga kasama niya'y sa kaniya binigay ang ganitong trabaho.
In contrast, Samuel Veelamos has jet-black hair that is always styled upwards for a clean look. His ocean-blue eyes are mesmerizing, as are his thick eyebrows, high-bridged nose, prominent jawline, and tan skin. He is known as the tallest among the Knights, standing at a height of 6'6".
"Sir Calvin." The moment Samuel said someone's name, everyone stopped. "It isn't a Knight's duty to mind someone's habit, especially a Count. Did you forget about a Knight's Pride? You aren't different. Aren't you fond of Princesses who styled their hair pigtails?" He added.
Calvin took a deep gulp. Hindi ito ang beses na nangyari ang ganito. He just couldn't help but comment on Niccolo's habits, while Samuel would always defend the Count. Walang nagsalita't halos lahat ng mga mata at tenga ay nakatuon sa dalawa.
Samuel's words sounded degrading as well. Did he just announce that Calvin had some weird fetish?
"I apologize for my behavior, Lord Samuel." Calvin bowed his head while fixing his armor. Natahimik naman ang iba nilang kasama.
"I understand that the Count maybe has a—"
"Lord Samuel, it looked like Lord Jared is calling for you." One of the Copper Knights members stepped beside Samuel. Isang buntong hininga na lang ang nagawa niya't tumango.
"I shall go. Count Niccolo is calling for me." Just like that Samuel paved his eyes. Tirik ang araw sa labas ng kanilang mansyon.
The House of Kazroz loves the sun. They even have three greenhouses where various plants and blooming flowers are located. Kadalasan ay ang green house ang takbuhan ng mga nasa noble family kung gusto nilang magpahinga.
Yet Niccolo has a different hobby. He prefers to read books and eat ice creams made by various artisans in the empire.
"Your Excellency, Count Niccolo. I heard you're looking for me." Samuel put his palm on his left chest. He gave Niccolo a short bow but he was greeted by his pouting face.
Katulad nga ng inaasahan ay nakaupo ito habang nasa kandungan niya ang isang malaking teddy bear. Jared gave him an awkward stare. Mukhang alam niya na kung bakit ito pinapatawag.
Not only that, but the known ruthless and cold Niccolo, who is rumored to have killed thousands of knights in a war, is peacefully eating an ice cream in front of him.
"Sir Samuel. The rumor is true, your hair is as black as the night. And your eyes, It was really ocean blue. Aren't you aware that the maids are talking about you?" Niccolo's face was blank.
Muli itong kumuha ng isang kutsarang ice cream at sinubo nang buo. Napangiwi na lamang si Jared at iniisip kung paano nagagawang kagatin ni Niccolo ang ice cream.
"I don't mean to gather attention, Your Grace. I just want to do my duty as a Knight." Samuel kept his head low. Umiwas naman ng tingin si Niccolo.
"Look at her. She looks like this bear," Niccolo said as he hugged the ginger-colored teddy bear like a baby. He placed the white headband on top of the teddy bear and embraced it, kissing it. Napaawang na lamang ang bunganga ni Jared.
"Your Grace. Is it okay to display actions like that in publicity?" Jared leaned closer. Niccolo narrowed his eyes. Tila ba hindi nito narinig ang pasimpleng babala ni Jared.
"I asked you. Does this bear look like her?" Niccolo narrowed his eyes.
"Yes, Your Grace." Isang malalim na buntong hininga na lang ang nagawa ni Jared.
Samuel stares at the two. Hindi niya rin malaman ang gagawin habang panay ang sakmal sa ice cream ni Noccolo. Samuel's gaze shifted downward to the white headband that Count Niccolo was holding. Tinitigan niya ito dahil halata namang galing ito sa isang babae.
It sparkled in the sun's rays and was adorned with pearl beads. Little did Niccolo know, Samuel could see a strand of baby hair on the headband. It was ginger in color. Samuel had an exceptional eye for detail. Kaya walang kahit sino ang nakakatalo sa kaniya sa laban.
He could spot even the tiniest things, such as a one-inch hair on a black floor.
''I admit that I only went to the tavern because it's a quite else. Nothing else,'' Niccolo explained. Namilog ang mga mata ni Jared at agad na tiningnan si Samuel na parang estatwang nakatayo sa gilid. It looked like they were talking about something serious.
''Careful with your words, Your Grace!'' Jared panicked. Napaiwas na lamang ng tingin si Samuel.
The Gold Knight Commander, Jared, thought that Samuel was innocent. However, Samuel had been exposed to some malicious rumors circulating the Empire. Napaiwas na lang ng tingin si Samuel na tila ba walang narinig mula kay Niccolo.
So what if the Count went to a brothel? It's nothing compared to what Samuel heard about some Knights. There has been a long-standing rumor that Knights are being called by various noble Ladies into their bedrooms during the night.
And because none of the members of the Copper Knights are nobles, they readily accepted these Lady's offers during these steamy nights. Ang tanging dahilan ng iba kung bakit nila tinatanggap ang ganitong alok ay dahil sila'y kapos sa salapi.
Being a Copper Knight alone won't make you rich. Ang ibang Copper Knights ay hindi lang abala sa umaga ngunit abala rin sila magpainit sa gabi.
However, Samuel is different from the other Knights. He got the highest number of offers from noble ladies to go to their chambers at night, but he rejected them with dignity.
''What can I offer you, Your Grace?'' Samuel finally found the opportunity to speak. Natigil ang pagsubo ni Niccolo mula sa hawak niyang ice cream.
''Do you want to eat ice cream, read a book in a tavern?'' Yumuko si Samuel upang itago ang paglukot ng kaniyang noo. He found it a weird question.
Usually the Niccolo would ask about questions related to his judicial and military duties. Hindi maisip ni Samuel kung bakit tila kakaiba ang tanong ni Niccolo ngayon.
''It would be a disgrace to see a Knight sitting in a brothel, Your Grace.'' As expected from Samuel, he would answer bluntly. Jared awkwardly stared at Samuel while he was still bowing in front of the Count.
"Why don't you make your ice cream colder, Your Grace?" Jared immediately found a way to change the awkward atmosphere.
"The ice power that I had was only for yesterday. Today, I have telekinesis," Niccolo gently placed the teddy bear beside him. Niccolo opened his palm, and the spoon on his ice cream floated for five seconds. Napataas ang kilay ni Samuel dahil sa narinig.
"Did you manage to find the reason why you were born this way?" Jared couldn't help but question. Tinikom naman agad ni Jared ang mga labi nang mapansin ang pasimpleng pagsulyap ni Samuel. Alam niyang tahimik itong nakikinig sa gilid nila.
''I haven't,'' Niccolo paused. ''I just wished one day, I wake up with the power to find the ginger-haired woman."
Jared sighed because Niccolo just won't stop. Nakabisado niya na ang kuwento nito tungkol sa babae. Samantalang ay nakatayo lang si Samuel sa kanilang tabi. This is awkward. The aspiring Commander of the Copper Knights is standing beside them.
"Your Excellency, thank you for calling my presence. May I have the permission to go? I need to go to the Capital and receive the letter from Lady Morgana—"
"You may go." Niccolo didn't even let him finish speak. Jared stare at Samuel apologetically. Hindi naman na bago ang ganitong senaryo para sa kaniya.
Every Knight and every commoner in the Empire knows that Samuel is Lady Morgana's personal and loyal Knight. Minsan na rin siyang nakatikim ng pang-iinsulto sa iba. Knights from every division would question Samuel why until now, he's a loyal Knight of Morgana.
Lady Morgana... who used to be his family's friend. Lady Morgana, who he still thinks is the innocent child who gifted him an expensive bird when he celebrated his eighth birthday.
Habang naglalakad si Samuel ay wala lang sa kaniya ang mga matang nangungutya. Alam niyang madaming nakamasid. Whenever Niccolo drives him away, it is because he mentioned Lady Morgana. Ganito lagi ang nangyayari tuwing binabanggit niya ang pangalan ni Morgana.
Just as Samuel said, he excuses himself from his knightly duties to ride a carriage to the capital. Walang laman ang isip ni Samuel kun'di si Morgana habang nakasakay sa kurwahe.
Mahigit dalawang linggo na ang nakalipas noong huli nilang mag-usap. Naikuyom niya na lang ang kaniyang mga kamay nang ma-alala ang kanilang pag-uusap. He did a deep sigh. Lumulipad ang isip niya't iisa lang ang laman.
Why, Morgana? Why? I came to you that night, like what I promised. But why did you frame me instead?
"Sir. I apologized. Would you mind riding me into the Whitlockes Palace?" Nahalata ni Samuel ang tila pamumutla ng mukha ng coachman nang banggitin niya ang apilyedo ni Morgana. He offered an additional two gold coins for him to accept his offer.
Hindi nawala ang kabog ng dibdib ni Samuel habang papunta sa palasyo ni Morgana. It was clear that she told him not to show his face, but how could he control his urge to see her?
"Good evening, Lord Samuel." Hess greeted him as he stood out the carriage. Isang tingin lamang ang ginanti nito kay Hess ngunit nakuha na agad nito ang kaniyang intensyon.
"My Lord. I'm afraid Lady Morgana isn't around. She told me that she'll go to the famous brothel near the brothel." Samuel's eyes widened. Tila may bumara sa lalamunan r iniisip kung tama ba ang kaniyang narinig mula kay Hess.
"Lady Morgana? A brothel?" Samuel's voice almost broke. "Are you sure? What will a noble Lady like Morgana do in a place like that?"
"Lady Morgana didn't give any more details. She just told me that she'll need to meet Magnus too. And if she didn't go home, she told us not to look for her." Napasapo na lang ng noo si Samuel.
"Magnus? The rumored owner of the Auction House? Did she meet Noble there and..." Samuel swallowed hard. Hindi niya na kinakaya ang mga pumapasok sa isip niya. Why would Lady Morgana want to meet Magnus? Does she also attend Auction House?
Lumunok siya't niluwagan ang kaniyang kuwelyo. He gestured Hess to come back to her work because he couldn't take it anymore. Tila winawasak ang puso niya. Naikuyom niya na lang ang kaniyang mga kamay habang nakatingin sa bintana ng kuwarto ni Morgana.
Why would you go to a brothel, Lady Morgana? Did you know that I'll visit you tonight? What did I do that you'll push me away?
Just like that, Samuel went to the brothel. He swallowed his pride and entered inside. Tila nilunok niya ang mga sinabi niya. It would be a shame to see a knight sitting in a brothel, he said? Now, look at him, standing desperately inside, searching for his Lady Morgana.
Samuel swallowed his pride. Literal siyang napalunok dahil suot niya pa ang kanilang uniporme. He was also wearing his armor, proudly displaying the crest of Knight Copper. His hand shivered, and he instantly hid the crest on his left chest.
"Look at her. The rumor is true. Did she come from a foreign country? But I heard her speaking our language fluently," Samuel stared at the man who spoke. It was one of the brothel's best performers.
Sinundan niya ang kanilang tingin. And he saw a woman wearing a thick purple cloak sitting alone in the dark. He looked around. Napansin niyang lahat ng kalalakihan sa loob ay nakatingin sa babaeng tumatagay mag-isa.
Samuel found no sign of Morgana inside, so he assumed that he might have arrived earlier. Napahilamos na lang siya ng mukha't hinila ang upuan sa tabi ng babae at umupo. His heart is pounding hard. He can't take the things that he's imagining.
"Pst. Pogi." His forehead creased when he heard the woman speak.
She was wearing a cloak, but he could see her pinkish lips and silky ginger hair that she was hiding within it. He bowed and greeted the woman. But she leaned closer to him with her red cheeks because of the beer.
"Good evening—" Samuel's eyes widened as the woman leaned closer, her eyes narrowed. She pointed at him as if she recognized him.
"Morgana's Knight?" She whispered. "Ikaw ha, nanlalandot ka sa brothel? Sumbong kita kay Morgana."
"Y-you know Lady Morgana?" Samuel's eyes widened. Nagsimulang magkabog ang kaniyang dibdib. She tilted her head as if she were thinking of something, reminding him of Morgana.
"Lady Morgana has a friend?" He can't help but to comment. Nalukot ang noo ni Samuel dahil nakapa-impossible ang kaniyang narinig.
He knew Morgana couldn't have a friend. Even the baron refused to give her a blessing. The woman lowered her cloak to let him catch a glimpse of her face. She smelled of beer, and her face was red.
"Do you know Lady Mor—" He wasn't able to finish his sentence because the woman fell into his arms. She was knocked out. It looked like she had a low alcohol tolerance.
Nawalan ito ng malay sa mga bisig niya kaya nama'y lahat ng mga mata ay nasa kaniya. He can feel that every man inside this brothel wished they was in his position. The woman's cloak fell off, and his eyes widened when he saw her face.
The moment he saw the ginger hair and freckles of the woman sleeping in his arms,
Samuel knew he was done for. He stares at the woman for a long time. He furrowed his brow and prayed, hoping that the woman Niccolo mentioned was not the one he had been holding in his arms.
Yet that night, Samuel couldn't understand why a sweet scent came from the woman with ginger hair in his arms. And as she slept, it still reminded him of the Lady. She smells like her too.
Nalukot na lang ang noo niya. The woman's hair looked foreign. He couldn't believe that Lady Morgana had a foreign friend like this. Hinawi niya ang ilang hibla ng buhok na humaharang sa mukha ng dalaga. Samuel's eyes shifted down to the woman's full and pinkish lips.
No, you shouldn't. It would help if you were loyal to her. Your sweat, blood, and soul belong only to Lady Morgana.
Yet he had no choice but to take Miss Ginger home.
𝙏𝙊 𝘽𝙀 𝘾𝙊𝙉𝙏𝙄𝙉𝙐𝙀𝘿...