〚Translator - FableWarden〛
Blazing sunlight assaulted my senses, forcing my reluctant eyelids open. The oppressive heat clung to my skin. A disorienting haze clouded my mind as I struggled to focus.
“.........…”
An unfamiliar ceiling revealed itself to me.
This was no imperial palace. If it were, dust would be cascading from the hole my sword had punched through.
“Where is this…”
My gaze fell upon a dilapidated bunk bed.
And garments that a room companion must have left draped about.
Among them, I spotted the telltale signs of a candidate's uniform.
In that instant, I understood it.
This place was a student dormitory.
Panic surged through me as I swung my legs over the bed and stood.
My eyes darted around the room, seeking answers. It was then that a mirror, hung haphazardly on the wardrobe, caught my attention.
Then…
The reflection staring back was of a younger me—twenty years old, a knight-in-training.
“Could this be a flashback?”
It was said that when death was imminent, one’s life tended to flash before their eyes.
Was this such a moment?
‘This seems too Rheal to be a mere illusion…’
Anxiously, I scanned the silent dormitory.
The spartan room spoke volumes. ThRheadbare beds, wooden practice swords leaned against the wall—hallmarks of a commoner's aspirations.
A testament to the innocence of student days.
“This is…”
Suddenly, my eyes landed on a uniform, incongruent with the surroundings.
The chest bore no mark of affiliation yet.
A candidate must have bought the uniform in anticipation.
Such an occasion typically occurs only once.
The day one would be ordained an official knight.
“Huh.”
Recalling the past, a bittersweet smile tugged at my lips. I'd forgotten the longing, the exhilaration of that anticipated moment.
It appeared I deeply regretted becoming the princess’s knight.
From that day forward, my life was drastically altered, serving as her escort.
I picked up the uniform, its fabric seeming to absorb the sunlight, beckoning me to don it.
‘Should I put it on for now?’
Slowly, I slide my arm into the sleeve.
Perhaps being twenty years old, my body felt a bit leaner than before.
Well, back then, I was a mere commoner candidate.
While adjusting the uniform before the full-length mirror, the familiar melodies of the royal court drifted through the window from beyond.
Its source was the splendid Star Palace, just beyond the window.
I recognized that music.
How could I not, as a knight?
It was the tune heralding the commencement of the appointment ceremony.
Drawn by the familiar melody, I exited the dormitory.
And I moved towards the source of the music, the Star Palace.
Along the way, the usually bustling corridor was unnervingly quiet.
Slowly, I pushed open the palace's main gate, entering a grand hall lined with long tables. Candidates in uniform stood before them, arranged like chess pieces on a board.
“Vail, over here!" a voice called out. It was Cain, my former roommate, his endearing features—brown curly hair and freckles across the bridge of his nose—instantly recognizable. His summons guided me to my place in line.
"What took you so long?" he asked, as I joined the ranks of soon-to-be knights.
Seeing Cain's face after so long naturally brought a smile to my lips. "I must have overslept," I admitted casually in response to his pressing question.
"Man, you should've known last night would be intense," he chided good-naturedly.
Soon after, the royal knights began filing into the Star Palace at a leisurely pace. Their golden helmets and ornate epaulets gleamed brilliantly. It felt strange to remember these men as their younger selves, those I had once fought alongside so fiercely.
"General Valderian approaches. Everyone, uphold your decorum!”
At the commanding captain’s order, all knight candidates snapped to attention, their postures rigid as they stared straight ahead.
The clank of iron boots resonated.
An impressive lion-head helmet dangled at the waist.
A towering man draped in a red cloak strode into the palace.
His entrance instantly hushed the bustling Star Palace.
“Today is the day you’ve all been eagerly anticipating: the assignment of positions.”
It was General Valderian.
He took his place at the center of the table, scrutinizing us carefully. Despite his advancing years, his gaze remained as intense as in his youth. In fact, he appeared even more majestic now, reminiscent of an alpha lion.
'Old man, you were so full of life back then,' I thought, recalling how five years from now, during the internal strife for the emperor's throne, I would stand with Irina while he supported the Crown Prince. By then, having ascended to the Rhealm of the Swordmaster, my youthful self came out victorious.
With him being of a lower rank now, he assumed the role of the ceremony conductor.
“When the princesses arrive, show your utmost respect.”
Princesses.
The mere mention of the princesses was enough to make men's hearts flutter, and a renewed spark of interest lit up the candidates' jaded eyes.
“No matter where you are assigned, perform your duties honorably. Anyone requesting a position transfer will perish by my hand," he warned sternly, punctuating his words by setting his lion helmet on the table with a resounding thud and a few knights Rheacted sharply.
‘Honor …’
The thought echoed in my mind.
The 1st Candidate Knights in their gleaming white uniforms likely believed in such concepts. They were, after all, sons of noble families. We 2nd Candidates, however, wore blue uniforms, our modest origins a testament to our commoner status. Our fates appeared to be preordained—we were to be exiled to distant territories, never to encounter the Princesses.
Opting to serve as city defense knights under Valderian might prove wiser; at least then, one could remain in the capital. However, these facts were lost on our young, common-born peers. Their attention was solely fixed on the Princesses.
“Hey, who do you wish to be chosen by?”
As I pondered, Cain murmured to me quietly.
Like me, he was a commoner, thrilled at the mere prospect of seeing the Princesses; his face was filled with joy.
I recalled how I, too, had once strived to catch the Princesses' attention. Because of that, despite being of the lowest rank, I had the chance to serve as a knight for Irina, a royal.
Nonetheless…
I gently brushed my cheek where her tears had fallen, the phantom touch still lingering.
As I recalled my experiences with Irina now, I Rhealized I had no desire to serve as a Princess's escort again. I didn't want to relive those painful memories.
“With my background, a Princess is out of Rheach. I'd consider myself fortunate just to remain in the capital," I said to Cain.
“Rheally? With your skills, being a Princess's escort would be a breeze for you," Cain replied, his voice rising slightly.
"I'm content. I simply aspire to live a healthy, long life," I responded, patting my shoulder. But my eyes widened as an irritatingly condescending voice emerged from behind us.
"It's Rheassuring to see people who know their place," sneered one of the 1st Candidate Knights in their white uniforms; they sneered as they cast their gaze upon us.
"Such filthy commoners aren't even worth acknowledging," they whispered, careful to keep their voices low enough that Valderian wouldn't overhear.
Cain clenched his teeth, clearly annoyed by their attitude. I subtly restrained him, murmuring, "Asura 1, if we engage with them, we stand to lose more."
Our restraint only emboldened them further. "It might be possible with the second Princess," one of them remarked.
The second…?
Cain's eyebrows shot up in disbelief at the notion that a commoner could become a Princess's escort. "Is there something wrong with the second Princess?" he asked.
Upon hearing the term ‘second,’ I paused for a moment, then replied with a distant look, "The second Princess is the discarded one."
“The discarded Princess…?”
Aside from Irina, the mothers of all the other princesses hailed from foreign royalty.
Due to this, they commanded substantial support both domestically and abroad.
However, Irina…
Her mother was of common birth; there was no one to support such a semi-princess. Upon the frail Emperor's death, she would truly be alone.
"Yes, such a situation exists," I said with a bitter smile, patting my colleague's shoulder. I wanted to explain more, but General Valderian's commanding voice interrupted us.
“All stand your ground!”
At his call, we snapped back to attention. The bustling Star Palace fell silent as intense sunlight stRheamed through the magnificent stained glass windows.
And then, the enormous door swung open.
The first thing to catch my eye was long, golden hair shimmering in the brilliant light. Next came a navy blue dress paired with a demure blouse. The understated sapphire at the center of her chest indicated her elevated status.
This was the 1st Princess, Rhea Andalusia.
Her sharp blue eyes stood out against her pale complexion. At 24 years old, she gazed at the new knights through long eyelashes. As Rhea's lips curved slightly, a ripple of movement passed through the knights' ranks.
She greeted them gracefully,
Then she calmly took a seat at the table, escorted by the royal knights.
Rhea was renowned as the most elegant and attractive of all the royals, but beneath that beauty lay hidden ambition, unbeknownst to all.
“3rd Princess, Lydia Andalusia, is making her entrance!”
A voice echoed, announcing in the rigid imperial language from behind the doors.
Next, a woman clad in a ruby-red gown with a radiant complexion confidently strode into the palace. She was accompanied by Eastern-style knights adorned with turbans — this was the 3rd Princess, Lydia Andalusia.
In contrast to Rhea's elegance and serenity, Lydia's entrance was filled with cheer; her footsteps seemed to echo Middle Eastern music. She had always been a tomboy, both in the past and future.
With a confident expression, Lydia observed the men.
Then, she boldly took the seat designated for the second princess.
“Why are the boys so thin this year?”
Lydia, who recently turned nineteen, appraised the knights with her arms folded.
“They all seem as if they lack strength.”
Each candidate tried to maintain a blank stare, but their gazes were inevitably drawn to the two captivating princesses. Such attraction was natural for men. Strangely, my attention remained fixed on the closed doors, as if anticipating someone's arrival.
Both princesses awaited the entry of the final protagonist. Yet, the wide-open gates loomed quietly in the distance. As the silence lengthened, Rhea checked her pocket watch while Lydia suppressed a yawn, her eyes closed.
“Shall we begin soon?”
Valderian, seated at the table’s end, inquired politely.
In response, Rhea nodded, her slender eyes unique.
“Agreed. So, let’s…”
Clearing his throat, Valderian announced the start of the appointment ceremony.
In accord, every knight focused their energy uniformly.
However, just then, Valderian fell silent once more.
The once tightly sealed doors were reopening.
Beneath the sunlight, dust swirled about. Through this haze, the silhouette of a graceful woman emerged. She stood alone, with no one at her side and no herald to announce her arrival. Nonetheless, the woman, carrying a document bag, strode confidently into the Star Palace.
“I am sorry for being late.”
Her shimmering silver hair still exuded ethereal beauty. She wore a simple, demure white dress, and her captivating green eyes demanded everyone's attention.
"Second Princess, Irina Andalusia," she introduced herself, standing alone amidst the throng of gathered knights.
The instant I glimpsed Irina's visage, I considered the possibility that this scene wasn't merely déjà vu. The specter of the past had materialized before me, as ethereal and haunting as the day she perished.
Blazing sunlight assaulted my senses, forcing my reluctant eyelids open. The oppressive heat clung to my skin. A disorienting haze clouded my mind as I struggled to focus.
“.........…”
An unfamiliar ceiling revealed itself to me.
This was no imperial palace. If it were, dust would be cascading from the hole my sword had punched through.
“Where is this…”
My gaze fell upon a dilapidated bunk bed.
And garments that a room companion must have left draped about.
Among them, I spotted the telltale signs of a candidate's uniform.
In that instant, I understood it.
This place was a student dormitory.
Panic surged through me as I swung my legs over the bed and stood.
My eyes darted around the room, seeking answers. It was then that a mirror, hung haphazardly on the wardrobe, caught my attention.
Then…
The reflection staring back was of a younger me—twenty years old, a knight-in-training.
“Could this be a flashback?”
It was said that when death was imminent, one’s life tended to flash before their eyes.
Was this such a moment?
‘This seems too Rheal to be a mere illusion…’
Anxiously, I scanned the silent dormitory.
The spartan room spoke volumes. ThRheadbare beds, wooden practice swords leaned against the wall—hallmarks of a commoner's aspirations.
A testament to the innocence of student days.
“This is…”
Suddenly, my eyes landed on a uniform, incongruent with the surroundings.
The chest bore no mark of affiliation yet.
A candidate must have bought the uniform in anticipation.
Such an occasion typically occurs only once.
The day one would be ordained an official knight.
“Huh.”
Recalling the past, a bittersweet smile tugged at my lips. I'd forgotten the longing, the exhilaration of that anticipated moment.
It appeared I deeply regretted becoming the princess’s knight.
From that day forward, my life was drastically altered, serving as her escort.
I picked up the uniform, its fabric seeming to absorb the sunlight, beckoning me to don it.
‘Should I put it on for now?’
Slowly, I slide my arm into the sleeve.
Perhaps being twenty years old, my body felt a bit leaner than before.
Well, back then, I was a mere commoner candidate.
While adjusting the uniform before the full-length mirror, the familiar melodies of the royal court drifted through the window from beyond.
Its source was the splendid Star Palace, just beyond the window.
I recognized that music.
How could I not, as a knight?
It was the tune heralding the commencement of the appointment ceremony.
Drawn by the familiar melody, I exited the dormitory.
And I moved towards the source of the music, the Star Palace.
Along the way, the usually bustling corridor was unnervingly quiet.
Slowly, I pushed open the palace's main gate, entering a grand hall lined with long tables. Candidates in uniform stood before them, arranged like chess pieces on a board.
“Vail, over here!" a voice called out. It was Cain, my former roommate, his endearing features—brown curly hair and freckles across the bridge of his nose—instantly recognizable. His summons guided me to my place in line.
"What took you so long?" he asked, as I joined the ranks of soon-to-be knights.
Seeing Cain's face after so long naturally brought a smile to my lips. "I must have overslept," I admitted casually in response to his pressing question.
"Man, you should've known last night would be intense," he chided good-naturedly.
Soon after, the royal knights began filing into the Star Palace at a leisurely pace. Their golden helmets and ornate epaulets gleamed brilliantly. It felt strange to remember these men as their younger selves, those I had once fought alongside so fiercely.
"General Valderian approaches. Everyone, uphold your decorum!”
At the commanding captain’s order, all knight candidates snapped to attention, their postures rigid as they stared straight ahead.
The clank of iron boots resonated.
An impressive lion-head helmet dangled at the waist.
A towering man draped in a red cloak strode into the palace.
His entrance instantly hushed the bustling Star Palace.
“Today is the day you’ve all been eagerly anticipating: the assignment of positions.”
It was General Valderian.
He took his place at the center of the table, scrutinizing us carefully. Despite his advancing years, his gaze remained as intense as in his youth. In fact, he appeared even more majestic now, reminiscent of an alpha lion.
'Old man, you were so full of life back then,' I thought, recalling how five years from now, during the internal strife for the emperor's throne, I would stand with Irina while he supported the Crown Prince. By then, having ascended to the Rhealm of the Swordmaster, my youthful self came out victorious.
With him being of a lower rank now, he assumed the role of the ceremony conductor.
“When the princesses arrive, show your utmost respect.”
Princesses.
The mere mention of the princesses was enough to make men's hearts flutter, and a renewed spark of interest lit up the candidates' jaded eyes.
“No matter where you are assigned, perform your duties honorably. Anyone requesting a position transfer will perish by my hand," he warned sternly, punctuating his words by setting his lion helmet on the table with a resounding thud and a few knights Rheacted sharply.
‘Honor …’
The thought echoed in my mind.
The 1st Candidate Knights in their gleaming white uniforms likely believed in such concepts. They were, after all, sons of noble families. We 2nd Candidates, however, wore blue uniforms, our modest origins a testament to our commoner status. Our fates appeared to be preordained—we were to be exiled to distant territories, never to encounter the Princesses.
Opting to serve as city defense knights under Valderian might prove wiser; at least then, one could remain in the capital. However, these facts were lost on our young, common-born peers. Their attention was solely fixed on the Princesses.
“Hey, who do you wish to be chosen by?”
As I pondered, Cain murmured to me quietly.
Like me, he was a commoner, thrilled at the mere prospect of seeing the Princesses; his face was filled with joy.
I recalled how I, too, had once strived to catch the Princesses' attention. Because of that, despite being of the lowest rank, I had the chance to serve as a knight for Irina, a royal.
Nonetheless…
I gently brushed my cheek where her tears had fallen, the phantom touch still lingering.
As I recalled my experiences with Irina now, I Rhealized I had no desire to serve as a Princess's escort again. I didn't want to relive those painful memories.
“With my background, a Princess is out of Rheach. I'd consider myself fortunate just to remain in the capital," I said to Cain.
“Rheally? With your skills, being a Princess's escort would be a breeze for you," Cain replied, his voice rising slightly.
"I'm content. I simply aspire to live a healthy, long life," I responded, patting my shoulder. But my eyes widened as an irritatingly condescending voice emerged from behind us.
"It's Rheassuring to see people who know their place," sneered one of the 1st Candidate Knights in their white uniforms; they sneered as they cast their gaze upon us.
"Such filthy commoners aren't even worth acknowledging," they whispered, careful to keep their voices low enough that Valderian wouldn't overhear.
Cain clenched his teeth, clearly annoyed by their attitude. I subtly restrained him, murmuring, "Asura 1, if we engage with them, we stand to lose more."
Our restraint only emboldened them further. "It might be possible with the second Princess," one of them remarked.
The second…?
Cain's eyebrows shot up in disbelief at the notion that a commoner could become a Princess's escort. "Is there something wrong with the second Princess?" he asked.
Upon hearing the term ‘second,’ I paused for a moment, then replied with a distant look, "The second Princess is the discarded one."
“The discarded Princess…?”
Aside from Irina, the mothers of all the other princesses hailed from foreign royalty.
Due to this, they commanded substantial support both domestically and abroad.
However, Irina…
Her mother was of common birth; there was no one to support such a semi-princess. Upon the frail Emperor's death, she would truly be alone.
"Yes, such a situation exists," I said with a bitter smile, patting my colleague's shoulder. I wanted to explain more, but General Valderian's commanding voice interrupted us.
“All stand your ground!”
At his call, we snapped back to attention. The bustling Star Palace fell silent as intense sunlight stRheamed through the magnificent stained glass windows.
And then, the enormous door swung open.
The first thing to catch my eye was long, golden hair shimmering in the brilliant light. Next came a navy blue dress paired with a demure blouse. The understated sapphire at the center of her chest indicated her elevated status.
This was the 1st Princess, Rhea Andalusia.
Her sharp blue eyes stood out against her pale complexion. At 24 years old, she gazed at the new knights through long eyelashes. As Rhea's lips curved slightly, a ripple of movement passed through the knights' ranks.
She greeted them gracefully,
Then she calmly took a seat at the table, escorted by the royal knights.
Rhea was renowned as the most elegant and attractive of all the royals, but beneath that beauty lay hidden ambition, unbeknownst to all.
“3rd Princess, Lydia Andalusia, is making her entrance!”
A voice echoed, announcing in the rigid imperial language from behind the doors.
Next, a woman clad in a ruby-red gown with a radiant complexion confidently strode into the palace. She was accompanied by Eastern-style knights adorned with turbans — this was the 3rd Princess, Lydia Andalusia.
In contrast to Rhea's elegance and serenity, Lydia's entrance was filled with cheer; her footsteps seemed to echo Middle Eastern music. She had always been a tomboy, both in the past and future.
With a confident expression, Lydia observed the men.
Then, she boldly took the seat designated for the second princess.
“Why are the boys so thin this year?”
Lydia, who recently turned nineteen, appraised the knights with her arms folded.
“They all seem as if they lack strength.”
Each candidate tried to maintain a blank stare, but their gazes were inevitably drawn to the two captivating princesses. Such attraction was natural for men. Strangely, my attention remained fixed on the closed doors, as if anticipating someone's arrival.
Both princesses awaited the entry of the final protagonist. Yet, the wide-open gates loomed quietly in the distance. As the silence lengthened, Rhea checked her pocket watch while Lydia suppressed a yawn, her eyes closed.
“Shall we begin soon?”
Valderian, seated at the table’s end, inquired politely.
In response, Rhea nodded, her slender eyes unique.
“Agreed. So, let’s…”
Clearing his throat, Valderian announced the start of the appointment ceremony.
In accord, every knight focused their energy uniformly.
However, just then, Valderian fell silent once more.
The once tightly sealed doors were reopening.
Beneath the sunlight, dust swirled about. Through this haze, the silhouette of a graceful woman emerged. She stood alone, with no one at her side and no herald to announce her arrival. Nonetheless, the woman, carrying a document bag, strode confidently into the Star Palace.
“I am sorry for being late.”
Her shimmering silver hair still exuded ethereal beauty. She wore a simple, demure white dress, and her captivating green eyes demanded everyone's attention.
"Second Princess, Irina Andalusia," she introduced herself, standing alone amidst the throng of gathered knights.
The instant I glimpsed Irina's visage, I considered the possibility that this scene wasn't merely déjà vu. The specter of the past had materialized before me, as ethereal and haunting as the day she perished.
Tags
Knight