Chapter 6: A Promise to Protect

In the middle of the night, I heard whimpering and gasps.

I looked at Kira, she was twisting and turning in the bed, and she was having a nightmare.

I walk up to her and shake her a bit.

"Young miss, wake up," I say.

She gasps grabs my shirt, and cries.

"It's alright, nothing will harm you, I will be here," I tell her, and comfort her.

She nods and grabs my shirt tighter, and soon she falls asleep.

I gently lift her from my chest and place her head back on her pillow, and I go back and sit down and fall asleep.

She reminded me of Aya when she was pregnant. She would have nightmares as well. A tear falls from my eyes and I wipe it.

Morning came, and I woke up and a knock came from the door. I open the door allowing the maid to come in.

"Good morning, Miss." the maid opens the curtain, and Kira groans and covers her eyes with a pillow.

"Miss, time to wake up, you have a busy day ahead. We have to pack your bags for the academy" the maid says, and smiles.

Kira sighs and sits up.

The maid pulls out a dress and underwear a bra, and a pair of shoes.

"Let's go take a bath, Mistress, and after you can get dressed and breakfast will be served in the dining hall"

Kira nods, "It is so early, Priscilla" gets up and maid Priscilla assists her to the bathroom, and closes the door.

Priscilla comes out "Renzor right? You are the new slave right?"

I nod.

"look the other way, Kira will come out any minute" she smiles

"I have to protect her, I cannot take my eyes off her."

"But she needs privacy. I will help her, ok, you just face the wall"

I turn my head away.

Priscilla takes Kira's nightgown off and helps her put her bra on and underwear, and then the dress.

"I need a hair tie," Kira says, and Priscilla puts her hair in a ponytail.

"There, all done. Let's go get your shoes and head down to the dining hall."

Kira and Priscilla head downstairs and I follow behind them.

We enter the dining hall, and Jirin, Marlia, Zane, and Zora are eating their breakfast.

Kira sits in her seat and eats, and I stand behind her.

"Daughter, how was your night"

"It was good, father." Kira smiles

"Good, You will be going to Rexhiem in 6 months. Are you excited?"

"Yes father, very" She smiles

"That is great. It is a great opportunity for you." Jirin says

Zane looks over and sees me and smirks.

"Dad, Can I speak to you alone, I have a favor," Kira says and looks nervous.

"Sure, Kira" He nods, and they leave. As I start following Kira stops me.

"Just stay here Renzor," She says.

I nod. After a while, Kira and Jirin walk back into the room, and Jirin sighs. "Renzor, come with me."

"Yes, sir" I follow Jirin outside.

"Here, this your sword from now on. You are to use them to protect Kira. No matter what, she will be your priority."

I nod.

"Now, come with me we are going to the training ground, and I want to see what you can do"

We head toward the training grounds and Jirin calls a veteran guard named Haldan, he is a dark elf and looks like a very skilled warrior.

"Haldan, here is a new guard. I want you to test him" 

"Yes, General"

"Renzor, draw your swords, and fight Haldan."

I unsheathe my blades, poised and ready as I await Haldan's approach. With a determined glint in his eye, he draws his sword and shield, charging towards me with swift determination. The clash of metal rings out as he slashes his sword in a fierce arc, aiming for my flank. I swiftly intercept the blow with my blade, the impact reverberating through my arms as he follows up with a powerful bash from his shield, forcing me back.

Staggering slightly from the force, I regain my footing as Haldan wastes no time, slashing upwards in a swift motion. Rolling deftly out of harm's way, I rise to my feet, activating [Enhanced Speed and Acceleration]. Closing the distance between us in a blur, I lunge forward, blade aimed at his chest. Haldan reacts swiftly, raising his shield to block the strike just in time.

In a calculated move, I seize his shield, using it as leverage to drive my sword through both the shield and into his shoulder. Haldan grunts in pain, stumbling backward as I swiftly withdraw my blade, stepping back to assess the situation. With a determined glare, he takes a step back, then charges once more, fists flying as he lands a solid punch, causing me to stumble.

Undeterred, he follows up with a series of cross slashes, each strike aimed with deadly precision. Blocking the first attack with a swift parry, I feel the force of his second strike bearing down. Using the momentum of his blade, I redirect its path away from my body in a fluid motion. In one swift movement, I counter, swinging my blade in a wide arc across his chest.

Haldan stumbles backward, blood seeping from the gash on his chest as he drops to one knee, visibly weakened. Glancing towards Jirin for approval, I call out, "Master, is it enough?" 

Jirin looks at Haldan and nods. Jirin walks up to Haldan.

"Haldan, are you alright"

"Yes, sir, the wound is not deep."

"Good, rest for today." Jirin turns and faces me, "Follow me"

"Yes, Sir" I sheath my sword and follow him.

"I see your skills are excellent. Now, I have already told you that you will be going with Kira to the Royal Academy in the capital. But I want to make sure you will not disappoint."

"Sir, I will protect Kira with my life."

"You better, or else..." Jirin leaves the threat hanging.

I nod and go back inside and go to the young miss's room.

"Renzor, where were you?" the young miss says, and demands.

"I was talking with Master Jirin. He was telling me that you will be leaving for the royal academy in 6 months."

She sits on her bed and crosses her arms. "Soon, I can't stand being here any longer. Father always has us doing boring things."

The maids smile.

"Miss, we have finished. Is there anything else?"

"No, that will be all."

The maids bow and leave the room.

"You have a nice family. Your father, Master Jirin cares for you a lot. He is a good man." I look out the window.

"What do you mean, he never spends time with us." Kira gets up goes to her desk, and starts writing.

"Well, he might not show it, but he wants the best for you. You are lucky to have him, unlike me"

"What are you talking about" Kira looks at me, and has a concerned look.

"Well, not all parents are good young miss. You are one of the few lucky ones." 

"I guess you are right, I never really thought of it that way."

"Well, young miss, it is getting late, lets head downstairs it is about time for your dinner."

"Fine, let's go" Kira gets up and walks towards the door, and I follow her.

We reach the dining hall and she sits down, and as usual, I stand a few steps behind her.

Kira was talking to her father more after our talk. She seemed like she was happier. Master Jirin was also smiling a lot.

I smile a bit, and the family talks and eats their food. They seemed happy, and that was the life I had with Aya and the children. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. A tear forms in my eye, and I quickly wipe it away.

After Dinner, the family talked and Jirin said "Daughter, have you decided on what you want to do when you get to the academy? Do you have any plans?"

"Not really, father. I haven't given it a thought. Perhaps, I become a mage. I already have the talent for it, I can control 2 magic affinities"

"Yes, and you should do that. You have a strong bloodline, and it is the best you can do. You should work hard and get a good position. And make the family proud." Jirin's face softens and he smiles and hugs Kira.

"Father, please." Kira looks at her father and tries to push him.

"Oh, come on. How many years has it been, since we have had a good hug."

Kira stops fighting and hugs her father, and I see Master Jirin tear up a bit.

Kira and her father release each other and Jirin says, "You have grown, into a fine young woman. I love you."

"Thanks, Father. I love you too." Kira tears up and smiles.

"Renzor, can you take her upstairs" Jirin wipes his eyes, and smiles.

"Yes, Sir" I bow, and I escort her upstairs.

We reach her room, and she enters her room. She looks at me and says, "You were right, he is a good father. Thanks"

"No problem, young miss. Would you like me to call a maid to get you changed?"

"No, it is fine. Please go and eat, but be back in an hour.

"Yes, miss." I bow and leave.

I go to the kitchen and they give me some chicken and rice, and I eat it and drink some water. I take a shower get changed and head back to Kira's room.

I knock on the door, and a voice says "Come in."

I open the door and see Kira under the covers.

"Goodnight."

"Well. Goodnight, young miss" I say and I sit in the chair and close my eyes.

I hear rustling and I wake up. It is the middle of the night and I get up. I see Kira moving around.

"Young Miss, what is the matter"

"Oh, Renzor. I am scared. Can you sit close to me?"

I pick up the chair and place it next to her bed and I sit down.

"Young miss is that ok." I smile at her.

"Yeah, it's just, thinking about leaving in 6 months is making me nervous. What if something happens and I am not ready? I don't know."

"It is natural, the fear. You will do fine, and I will be with you every step of the way. So, don't worry, young miss."

She reaches out her hand grabs my hand, and holds tight. "Please, can you stay close?"

"If it helps you feel safe, then of course."

She smiles and slowly goes back to sleep.

I sit there and look at her. She is very pretty, and her hair is soft, her skin is soft and flawless. She has tucked my hand between her cheek and the pillow. I sigh, and I close my eyes. 

It is the next morning and I am awakened by the maid foot footsteps as they come closer to the young miss's room. I gently pull away my hand from Kira. I get up and head for the door, and open it, allowing Piercilla and the other maids to come in.

"Mistress, time to wake up, you have a busy day."

Priscilla comes to me and hands me a bowl of porridge and bread and a cup of tea. "Eat, while the mistress gets ready."

I nod and eat my food, and Priscilla and the other maids help her get changed and ready.