CHAPTER 12: Young Miss

As if coming from a dark hole, Sol woke up gasping for air. She looked around her. She saw some medical supplies. She can smell the herbs. She's in the Healer's Center.

"You're awake? How are you feeling?" a warm voice asked. It's the healer.

"I'm fine, Healer. Thank you," she said and sat down on the bed, preparing to go.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"I need to go back to the training grounds. I still haven't finished my punishment."

"But you're still weak. You need to rest first. I'll quickly prepare this invigorating soup for you."

"Thank you, but I really need to go."

Sol hastily walked towards the door, barely keeping her balance. She was about to open the door when it opened itself, revealing Captain Karsh. Shocked, Sol stepped back ; but she lost her balance making her fall. Luckily, Tobias was able to reach for her arm before she reached the ground.

"Do you have problems with your balance? You keep losing it?" Tobias asked with a knotted forehead.

"What do you mean I keep losing it, Captain?" she asked as she removed her arm from Tobias' grip.

"Last night and now…You don't remember?"

How can I not remember one of the most embarrassing moments in my life?!

"Last night, Captain?" Sol asked, still feigning ignorance, even after she noticed the cut on Tobias' lips.

Tobias let out a harsh sigh.

"Well, how can you remember it when you're dead drunk?!"

Sol felt a tone of annoyance with Tobias' voice. She kept silent before she could provoke him any longer.

"By the way, where are you rushing to?"

"Captain, she wanted to go and finish her punishment!" 

The healer finally chimed in after becoming 'invisible' for several minutes.

Tobias stared at Sol.

"Well, I have to finish my punishment, Captain."

"Your companions were already finished. You don't have to. Just rest. I don't want to see you again, fainting."

"Even if I keep fainting, I still need to finish my punishment, Captain. It's the consequence of what I did last night."

Tobias raised his eyebrow.

What is she trying to prove? I already exempted her from completing it. Everyone would love to oblige, but her? Is she trying to slap into my face that I'm not true to my orders?

Seeing Tobias lost in his thoughts, confused, Sol flashed her sweetest smile.

Seeing Sol' smile, Tobias' heart started beating fast and loud.

What's wrong with me?

"Why are you smiling at me? Stop!" Tobias exclaimed.

Sol stopped smiling. Here comes her nonchalant resting face.

The healer, who 'magically' disappeared (magically because no one noticed that he left), came in with a bowl of invigorating soup, and a hearty meal. Tobias breathes out a sigh of relief.

"Here, you need to drink this soup first before eating," he said as he laid the tray on the table near the bed.

"Eat. I'll see you in the afternoon," Tobias said and hastily walked out as if trying to run away from something.

Once outside, Tobias tapped his chest.

That's weird. Why is my heart beating so fast? Am I having a heart disease? I need to have a checkup as soon as possible. I can't get sick before I achieve my goal. Heavens, be kind to me.

Heavens, be kind to me.

He chanted.

XXX

After several days, Tobias received a letter from the Chief Healer. Strangely, it was delivered by a healer and not a messenger.

Previously, he sent her a letter regarding Sol's condition. He hurriedly opened the letter.

Her weakness could be a side effect from a medicine that she took when she's young. It's a medicine that you take to temporarily erase a part of your memories. She will only regain her original strength when the effect of medicine fades and when she regains that part of memory which was temporarily erased.

I don't know when her memory will return and I don't know what will trigger it to resurface again.

Burn this letter, once you are done.

Tobias is in disbelief that he read the letter over and over.

What kind of memory did they try to erase? Moreover, why did the Chief Healer ask me to burn this letter?

Tobias then hurriedly went towards the lamp and burned the letter.

Burning this letter means that it contains dangerous information. Does it mean that she is not the one who asked for her memory to be erased? Then, does that mean that someone wanted to erase it? Why? If you want to erase a memory, that memory would probably be unpleasant…or that memory contains some dangerous information.

Sol Moraii, who are you?

XXX

Captain Karsh immediately journeyed to the South to meet the Chief Healer in order to ask more about the condition of Sol. However, he failed to get her to talk. All she said was , "It's not my place to reveal that as it is a protection given by a father."

Thus, he has gotten more curious about what happened with Aspirant Moraii.

"By the way Chief Healer, is there a way to heal a negative reaction where you experience it every time you look at a certain person?"

"Tell me more about it."

"When you look at this person, you freeze, you tremble, your heart beats too fast and you gasp for air."

"Well, I can make something but I think you can heal that with willpower… and looking at that person every time might lessen his negative effect on you."

"Willpower it is…"

He then remembered how he crumbled every time that he saw the Commander.

"I need a lot of that."

After what the Chief Healer said, Tobias asked Dorn to paint an image of the Commander. It got his friend confused, but he just remained silent about it.

XXX

At the Training Camp of the Bloody Cloaks Division…

The aspirants just had dinner and most of them were back to their quarters. Sol is currently resting when an aspirant comes looking for her.

"Captain Karsh called for you. Meet him at the training grounds as soon as possible," he said and left.

The quartermates looked at Sol inquisitively.

Why did he call for me?

Sol let out a nervous smile as he ran towards the training grounds.

XXX

At the center of the training grounds, there stood a tall man in maroon robes.

"Good evening Captain, you called for me," she said, greeting the Captain.

Tobias turned towards the source of the voice. A nonchalant face with a nervous smile beamed at him.

"Attention! Noticing that you're lacking in strength and agility despite being a Wishbone. I'll start giving you special training every evening."

"I'm sorry, Captain. Can you repeat what you just said?" she asked.

"I said that I'm going to give you special training every evening."

She was silent and started to tremble. Sol just shut down when she heard what Tobias said. A stream of tears fell from her eyes, making Tobias startled.

"Hey, why are you crying?"

"I..I don't know, Captain," she said as she smiled with her trembling lips.

No one knew how much she struggled keeping up with her fellow Wishbones. Even when some people don't say it out loud but they're taunting her through their eyes.

'There goes the good-for-nothing Wishbone.' 'It's a waste for her to be born as a 'Wishbone' when she's weak and slow.'

She was even attacked by her fellow Wishbones because of it.

"You don't want it?" he asked.

"I want it, Captain."

"Then, don't fail me."

I'm impressed by your fervor to finish your punishment. I hope you will have the same fervor to try to gain your original strength and agility.

"I'll do my best, Captain!"

Seeing Captain Karsh training Sol, the gossipers of the training camp started to chatter.

"What's happening? Why is Sol performing exercises? Is she being punished again?"

"If she's being punished, what did she do this time again?"

"I don't know. My informer doesn't have any information regarding that matter."

XXX

Tobias hasn't had a good sleep since he read the letter that the Chief Healer sent to him and about what she told him; so, one night, he journeyed to the Capital. He went to the abode that he shared with his friends. When he arrived, Ka-el was busy reading some documents while Dorn was having his tea, relaxed, as he watched Ka-el.

Tobias then pulled Dorn towards the kitchen to have their tea, leaving Ka-el with his documents.

"I have a favor to ask you."

"What is it, Captain?"

"Remember Aspirant Moraii?"

"Yes, Captain."

"Something is hindering her growth in cultivating her strength and agility. I want you to find out anything that has happened to her since she was young. Whether it is an illness or concoctions that she took."

"Oh. Noted on that, Captain," Dorn said, letting out a small smirk.

"What's with that smirk you're showing?"

"It's just that... you are so involved and concerned with her, Captain."

"I'm concerned with everyone of my aspirants," Tobias said, making a point.

"Okay, Captain," he said.

"Report to me as soon as you find something."

"Understood, Captain."

Dorn once wanted to find out about Aspirant Moraii as he's puzzled as to how she came into being; but he's not the type to be nosy. Now, he was obliged to find out about it.

XXX

After Tobias left, Dorn went to visit Adviser Moraii.

"What brought you here, son?" Adviser Moraii asked as he served Dorn a cup of tea.

Adviser Moraii is not his father but the Adviser fondly calls him "Son" as they both share the blood of a Hanatudian.

"Adviser, I was just wondering if you have a daughter named Sol Moraii. It's just because I think I haven't seen her here even once."

Adviser Moraii stared at Dorn. He's normally not the curious type.

"Where did you get that name?"

"I..um.. we got entangled with her when she mistakenly assaulted Captain Karsh."

"What? So, did Captain Karsh punish her?"

"No."

"Good. Or he might have committed treason."

"Treason."

"If your friend cares for his life, tell him not to touch that Sol Moraii as she is our Young Miss."

Adviser Moraii was able to tell the secret to Dorn just because he trusts him that much.

"Y-Young M-miss."

Young Miss refers to the daughter of the Supremo- Caia Custos.

That's why her presence is different. That's why she seems like she doesn't fear anyone, even Captain Karsh.

XXX

As soon as Tobias heard the real identity of Sol, he froze on his own seat. Even after several hours, he still couldn't recover from the shock that he received when he found out about it.

He couldn't explain what he's feeling right now. He was shocked, happy, excited and troubled at the same time.

He was shocked to know the identity of the Aspirant who gives him a familiar feeling. But at the same time, he was happy and excited.

So, Sol is Caia? That's why that sun necklace is with her. 

His eyes warmed up when he remembered how she challenged him to get back the necklace. Also, how she cried when she couldn't find the necklace as per what her friend revealed.

But why is she using a different name? Is it a disguise?

So the card that she had when she threatened me is that she's the daughter of the Supremo?

Tobias chuckled and shook his head.

Haaa… that means I've already been spending time with the person I missed the most in this Land?

Tobias breathed out a sigh of relief.

I've been picturing what she will look like when she grows up. Well, she still has that nonchalant face. The difference is that she smiles a lot now compared to when she was young. Well, she had grown so much.

Tobias started to smile. He has the rarest smile that when he does, all your worries, pain and sorrows will be wiped away. Everything just stops.

However, that smile started to fade.

But then, she will never know who I am.

It's alright, I'll still take care of her even though she doesn't know that I am Risus.

Then, Tobias started to get troubled. He is troubled with Sol's current condition. Thus, he bothered Dorn again to investigate her medical history further.

XXX

One evening, Sol has just finished lifting weights and crunches. Now, she is improving her core strength with planking. It has been an hour and the sweat from her forehead started dripping down.

"Captain," she said, trying to make a conversation to divert her attention from the pressure on her arms.

"Yes?" the Captain said, who's doing the planking with her. He has been doing the same exercises with Sol.

"I wonder why your eyes are always ferocious and cold, Captain."

"Maybe, it's because that is how they are."

"No, Captain. There are times when your eyes become gentle and it makes your warm face a lot warmer. It's like gazing at the sunset. You are divinely gorgeous, Captain."

"Are you brown-nosing right now, Aspirant Sol Moraii?"

"Maybe, Captain. Also, Captain, I think I haven't seen you smile nor laugh ever. You should Captain, it will make you a little bit less terrifying."

I haven't seen you smile or laugh ever…except that evening at the Manse-that night when you had dinner with my father-the Supremo. Even though it's clear that Father favors the female defender more than you, you still showed those warm smiles.

It's unfortunate that I was badly sick that day and could only glance at you at a distance for a short time.

If I was not sick, I could have indulged you and reciprocated your smiles. But I think I got quite a good revenge for you as I lectured Father nonstop . Even though you're related to a traitor, it's not right for him to treat you that way.

She found out about his background after pestering Commander Remus for quite some time.

"Smiling and laughing is a luxury for me."

"Captain," she called out to him.

Tobias looked at Sol who flashed her sweetest smile and made a hearty chuckle. Tobias' arms began to tremble. His heart started beating rapidly.

How can she smile so brightly like that and her laugh seemed like a musical piece?

"Why are you suddenly smiling and laughing?"

"You said that smiling and laughing is a luxury. I can afford it. That's why I'm giving it to you."

"Is that supposed to be a joke?...I think you're a spoiled child."

"Why do you think so, Captain?"

"Because you always speak what is on your mind without fearing the consequences."

"Well, Captain. They said that we should always speak what's on our mind and do whatever we want to do. Regrets are painful. Being said, I look up to you a lot, Captain."

"You look up to me but you've been nothing but rude to me…"

"Well, I thought you like it harsh, Captain. Then I will be gentle."

Tobias suddenly stood up.

"When you can't hold your plank anymore, you can go to your quarters," he said and walked away.

Sol stared at Tobias' retreating back.

Did I say something wrong?

As soon as Tobias reached his quarters, he immediately poured himself a cup of water and drank all of it.

I should really let my heart be checked by a healer. These abnormal heartbeats are worrying me.

XXX

Tobias was just calming down when Dorn showed up.

"Captain," Dorn greeted him.

"Oh, you're here. Were you able to find something?"

"Not much. I was able to get inside the Manse. It seems like the Young Miss is not very much liked by the people there as she has quite an unpleasant personality. She's an introvert, snobby and hot-tempered person. It's just recently that she became better. Also, she was quite sickly since her childhood. That's all I got. And the people that I had asked of said that if we wanted more, maybe we can try Senior Historian Gracias as she's been working at the Manse since the Young Miss was born and that she's one of the few people that were not replaced by the Supremo."

"Senior Historian Gracias?"

"Yes, Captain."

"Okay, I'll take it from here."

"Mm. She's usually out on Wednesdays and she frequents bookstores."

"Noted."

XXX

One Wednesday, Tobias visited the popular bookstores in the Capital. After visiting about five bookstores, he was able to see her. He then invited her to have tea with him.

Senior Historian Gracias was quite cautious at first but she then agreed.

As soon as the tea was served, Tobias asked about the medical history of the Young Miss.

"Why would you be curious about the Young Miss' medical history?"

"Because she is my aspirant."

"W-what? H-how did you k-know? Did she tell you about her identity personally?"

Senior Historian Gracias was quite shocked that the Captain knew that Aspirant Moraii is the Young Miss.

"She has been messing with me so I was able to find out who she really is."

"Even so, why would I tell you? I would lose my head."

"Wouldn't you lose your head quicker if something happened to her?"

"Then, you should ask the Supremo," she said sarcastically

"Everybody knows that the Supremo doesn't like me very much."

"Then, what can you offer me in exchange for this information?"

"Anything within the law."

Senior Historian Gracias paused for a moment.

"What can I do? What I will be asking of you is kinda outside the law."

"What is it?"

"I just want to get back what I previously owned."

"Then, that is within the law."

"This will be dangerous."

"That wouldn't be a problem."

"Let's give each other time to think first. It's not good to easily set a deal with strangers. When I see you again, I'll tell you what it is."

XXX

After finding out that the Senior Historian is not at the bookstore; Commander Remus looked for her at the tea houses. There he finally saw her. She is with Tobias and they are talking seriously. He then approached her as soon as the Captain left.

"He's trying to ask about the Young Miss," she answered when the Commander asked about the Captain.

"What about the Young Miss?"

"Her medical history."

"I hope you didn't tell him anything that will be bad for you."

"I know, how can I tell such information to strangers."

XXX

The special training continued for days and days. However, Sol noticed that she's not improving at all, even in the slightest. One evening, she sluggishly met Captain Karsh.

"Captain, I don't think we should continue with our training. I am not improving at all. I don't want to waste anymore of your time."

"What?!" the shocked Tobias asked in frustration.

"I think this is really the level of my strength and agility, Captain. What people thought of me are true! I'm a good for nothing Wishbone. I'm a waste of those genes. I shouldn't have fooled myself that I could be someone as great as you."

"What?"

"Truthfully, Captain when I saw you acing your brothers. You inspired me to become a defender as well. But, it might be foolish thinking. I should have listened to my father."

"If you were truly inspired by me, then why are you giving up? You should try until you become like me!" he roared.

The shouting brought the gossipers again.

What's happening?!

Sol seemed to be quitting her training.

"It's easy for you to say that Captain because when you work hard, you gain something from it; but me, even if I really really work hard, I gain nothing," she yelled, finally breaking down as tears started to fall from her eyes.

"You said you're going to do your best. Are you going to fail me now?!"

"I don't want to fail you, Captain. I did my best but my body keeps failing me."

"If you gain nothing now, it doesn't mean you won't gain in the future. You're only looking at the short term results."

Tobias grabbed both of Sol' shoulders.

"Look at me. You're going to continue this training. Whether you gain from it or not. At least you won't have regrets in the future about not giving it another try. Aspirant Moraii...Sol, I understand your frustration and your pain. If you give up now, you're pleasing those people taunting you. It's like you're betraying yourself. I would love you trying to gain your original strength and agility even if you won't gain anything from it at the moment rather than doing nothing."

Tobias then wrapped his arms around Sol and hugged her tightly. This brought a huge shock to Sol and to the spectators. 

A ruthless Captain hugging an Aspirant? That's preposterous!

  "It must have been really hard for him," Reicha, one of the gossipers, commented.

 "Right,"Serga, her twin , answered.

"I understand, Captain," Sol finally answered after she calmed herself. She then broke away from his embrace.

"Then, Aspirant Moraii, promise me. If you ever feel like this again, ignore that feeling and stand on your ground to train harder and harder."

"Then, Captain, if I did, will I be your favorite aspirant?" she asked, messing with him as she's back to her old self.

"What kind of question is that?"

"Captain, my spirit is low. I need some motivation."

"Okay, Okay. You will be my favorite Aspirant. Do not fail me."

"I will not , Captain."