#8: Another Character..?

I came back to the gate, I was practically running. I escaped.. right? I think I did. Great.. Some things can be avoided.

The gate was crowded but I slithered past them, I wanted to see Imelda and Hendrick, It was possible!! the novel could change!

I ran out, and ended up stamping someone's foot. I apologized almost immediately, but I felt a strong pain in my stomach, I looked down and saw.... blood.

A sword had already pierced me, the pain was too much that my body and mind felt numb. I looked up, I could see Imelda shocked from far, she couldn't choose what to do, her coming to rescue would shatter my dream. I tried pulling myself up but I had already fallen on my knees.

This scene... it wasn't there in the novel... Ugh...

I looked behind and the one who stabbed me was wearing a uniform, saying 'First knight'

I was feeling faint, the pain was too much to even think, Do you feel this when stabbed? I fell.

I blacked out. I don't know what was happening, but I felt I was in clouds but the clouds were made of fire. I knew I was sweating.

When I woke up, I saw Imelda crying. I tried sitting properly, but the wound felt like someone piercing a hundred needles on the wound. Deja vu... huh. The wound was bandaged, I looked at my clothing, the binding was intact, like the way Imelda tied it in the morning.

The sword was removed from my waist and my hair was still in the wig.

Imelda saw me getting up and offered help, she was wearing a commoner woman dress and not the maid uniform.

She hugged me and whispered in my ears, I am your fiancée. She kept weeping. The doors opened a doctor of sorts came in and went out again.

The door opened again and the guy who pierced me walked in.

"I am really sorry, mister Ian. I was just doing my duty and I made an impulsive mistake. Please forgive me. ", He said in a monotonous way and didn't even have an apologetic look in his face.

" Mister!! How could you stab him with a poisoned sword! What if he had lost his life?! ", Imelda wailed in pure country slang as she hugged me again.

" A poisoned sword? ", I asked.

" I do lace my sword with paralyzing toxins so that the people I stab become immobile.", He said.

"Well, sir...? ",

" Ruther.", he said.

"Well, Sir Ruther, may I know why you had stabbed me? , I asked.

" I was given the mission to kill anyone who would even harm a single hair strand of my master and you had stamped his leg, so... ", he said, as stoic as ever

" Your master... May I know who it is?.. ", I asked.

" It's me.. ", Another man walked in, he was shorter and looked younger than me. His clothes green and purple, weird but good looking combination. A bit of gold around the borders.

The sword he had was a one of good quality. his attire literally spoke the word 'bling'. He had blonde hair and had green eyes.

"You, in the sense?... identify yourself. ", I said a bit rashly. I was pissed off, I was trying all ways to not be impaled because of the pain , but this guy somehow just gave me pain. That too... for a small stamp.

My words were clearly rude, Ruther immediately pulled out his sword and pointed at my throat.

" Ruther, stop!. ", the small guy pleaded.

" But he was so rude, Master. ", Ruther said, finally showing expression on his face. He looked at me, just how one would look at the obnoxious cockroach.

" So... I guess you're so noble that your servant can just go killing? ", I said.

" Well, I guess, I am after all the second prince... ", the shorty said blushing.

" The what? ", I asked.

" His highness, the second prince, Dion De Maximus. You are blessed to be in his presence. Alive. ", Ruther said.

The second prince??? He is the second prince??? Are princes supposed to be roaming about freely with just a single guard? Especially this weak (no offense) and young prince??

The novel did mention him and a lot. Because he was a very important character. He was a great warrior who actually loves Elizabeth and defects to the Villain's side when she does too.

He was not described like a baby!!! This explains Ruther's crazy behavior, he was a knight of Palace.

I immediately bowed my head, not out of respect or anything but in anger over Hendrick. His one line descriptions were so annoying!!! If Ruther saw the expression I made his sword would clean my head right off.

"Good, So you do know how to show respect. ", Ruther said.

" Ruther.. stop! It's an order!! ", Prince Dion kept mumbling his order.

" Yea.. but see his rude face.. ", Ruther complained again.

" I guess I know better manners than a knight who doesn't understand his Master's orders. ", I said.

That hit the spot for Ruther. He realized his behavior was way more rude than mine, a commoner's.

" I apologize. ", He said immediately and backed off.

" Yes. ", Dion said

" Yea yea... I accept it. ", I added.

He scowled at me and went a bit back.

" I firstly would like to apologize. My knight was appointed recently and he is a bit too serious about his duties. The sword thing was not meant to be used in a public place, I will bear your medical fees and you can ask for compensation. ", Prince Dion said.

" Well, only the medical fees is enough. It's not like I lost my ability to walk or do anything. ", I said. Not out of good will, I just felt getting involved more with him would be dangerous.

" Is it alright though? I heard stomach stabs hurt a lot. ", Dion said.

" I am fine, if I wanted to be a knight, I should know that these kind of wounds will be a common thing from now. ", I said, smiling and trying to finish the conversation.

" Oh.. you were there for the knight selection? ", Dion asked.

" Yes. ", I said

" Oh.. Then, please accept this, since I was responsible for your wound, My knight will protect you during the selections, from any kind of similar dangers. ", Dion suggested.

" No! I mean.. how can I get a guard during the test. Its against the rules. ", I said.

" No.. I meant, he will also join the selection as an applicant and protect you from sidelines till the wound on your body heals. ", Dion said.

" But.. Sir Ruther is already a knight, going through the selection process again is kind of... you know.. disrespectful for sir. ", I said.

" Well, lucky for you, Ruther is actually a probationary knight. ", Dion said.

" A probationary? but his uniform clearly showed.

the word knight. ", I said.

" He is the son of the head of the knights so.. He is strong so he got a try at this position, he was supposed to take the exam anyway. ", Dion said and assigned him to me.

" Okayy... ", I said and Imelda shrugged.

" Well, ok then, take care and recover quick. ", Dion said and left.

"I will act how Prince Dion has commanded me too, I will accompany you through out the selections till the wound heals..

though I think you would not have any kind of a problem as you have good friends. ", Ruther said and followed Dion.

Imelda stopped hugging but still was crying for a bit of time.

" I am alright now, So don't cry. ", I said.

" Yes. ",

" I guess it might have been tough for you, carrying me till here. ", I said. But on a second thought since Imelda was strong she might have done it quite easily.

" Y-yes ", She said, not meeting my eyes.

*****

" Lucas!!! Is Ian alright? You carried Ian in to the hospital right? How is he anyway? ", Nue asked.

" Hmm, he was lighter than I thought. ", He said.

" What? I meant what the doctor said? ", Nue asked him.

" I didn't ask, his girl came and asked me to go away. ", Lucas said.

" His girl? yea that kind of face does get a girl quick. But you were so cool!!! you punched that knight in his stomach!! He was so shocked...", Nue said.

" Hmm"

"Shall we go visit him? ", Nue asked.

" He is probably with his girl. ", Lucas said and walked away.

" Hmm.. ok.. let them be lovey dovey, but why do you sound depressed? ". Nue said.

" Nothing. ", He said.