Marchioness Cassandra was tall and stout, her posture and demeanor exuding decades of honed strength and poise. And though her face was wrinkled and her hair gray from age, her ethereal beauty—mirroring Mother's—shone prominently.
Humbly greeting the lady, I faintly observed the old scars and cuts on her calloused hand as she beckoned me forward.
If Lady Cassandra was as stern as Mother said, then—
"AIREEEE!!!" Lady Cassandra roared joyfully, sweeping me up into her strong embrace. "It's been so long!! I worried sick when you and little Claire fell ill, but—I stayed away as advised until you both recovered. Imagine my relief and joy when I learned that Lord Clafford found a cure! I wanted very much to visit then, yet—before I could request or even write an invitation—you were sent away! BY THAT DAMN DUKE! THAT STUBBORN EX-STUDENT OF MINE! TO THE BORDER AT THAT!!" she growled, swiping the air with her free hand. "He likely wanted to deter you from becoming a knight! But since you're here now despite what you encountered…"
She peered at me, her earthy, brown eyes meeting my own golden ones. "…the Duke must have acknowledged your determination."
She grinned and lifted my chin.
"Airee," she addressed me with a sure smile. "Strengthen and wield that [will] of yours, and—under the guidance of all that is Cassandra—your advancement is guaranteed."
[…]
"For your part in this opportunity…and for your encouragement and acceptance… I am eternally grateful, Grandmother…!" I inched out, forever thankful.
"My sweet granddaughter!!" she boomed with satisfaction before showering me with unfounded praise and affection.
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"You may direct any lack or fault in your chamber to either me or the head housemaid," said Heinman, the butler, after Lady Cassandra finally let me go.
Having no complaints about my (exceedingly) extravagant bedroom located on the third floor, I thanked Heinman who then guided me downward towards the second floor to begin our tour of the manor.
The second floor contained mostly guest rooms, private galleries, and drawing rooms, as well as a central, massive library that extended downwards towards the ground floor.
Upon entering the library, my head arched back, and I gazed upon the columns upon columns of shelves filled with books lining the walls, with multiple rows of additional shelves stretching endlessly across the carpeted floor below us.
This library would be where my assigned tutors would conduct my lessons, Heinman informed me as we descended the staircase.
He then introduced me to the head librarian researcher who mentioned she and her team mostly resided at the laboratory and observatory located outside nearby.
"You're welcome to visit at any time, my lady," the librarian said. "We haven't had fresh company in so long, so please do!"
Heinman then guided me out and introduced me to the head housemaid, Leta, who accompanied us as Heinman indicated the servants' quarters as well as the kitchens, dining hall, and the grand hall.
"It was lovely meeting you, my lady," Leta said as we reached the end of a corridor connecting to the courtyard outside.
She and Heinman dipped their heads in farewell.
Then I was handed off to Sir Ruloc, the burly, red-haired captain of the Cassandra knights who had escorted me into the manor.
"We're delighted to have you here, m'lady~!!" Sir Ruloc beamed animatedly as we walked down a dirt path. "Seems just yesterday your father arrived here as a lad himself! HAH! How time flies!!
"Here we are!" he exclaimed as we reached the wide expanse of the training grounds where those exercising stopped to peer at us.
Striding along, I listened as Sir Ruloc pointed out in the distance where the stables and armory were, as well as the knights' quarters.
Then—
I was promptly introduced to the squires, seven altogether.
Their introductions were warm and welcoming, yet…
Their names and faces blurred together as I recalled the other three—[two]—I had left—
…
I forced out a greeting, ignoring the sweat now dotting my forehead and neck, trying desperately to keep my vision from tunneling until—
"…Winston?" I uttered, recognizing the golden-haired boy who stood apart from the squires.
The boy looked at me with wide eyes, the blue in them shimmering as Sir Ruloc enquired whether I knew him.
"I do!" I exclaimed, my nerves settling as the depths of my soul warmed. "Winston, it's me, Airee…!!"
"…Airee…?" Winston breathed out hesitantly.
I grinned at the sound of his familiar voice, feeling the corners of my eyes tearing up.
"I'm glad to see you!!" I exclaimed, restraining from tackling him into the ground and instead extending my hand forward for him to take.
There was a moment of stillness before he finally grasped it.
"I'm glad to see you, too," he said softly, giving me a quick glance before grinning. "I'm happy we met again!"
I happily scrubbed my tears away and beamed.
Perhaps…this path wouldn't be lonely after all.
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Recognizing that Winston and I were already acquainted and were both striving to become E-knights, Lady Cassandra aligned my schedule with Winston's.
Thus, for the next three, rigorous years, as soon as Winston and I awoke, we learned swordsmanship under the Marchioness in the morning before eating a quick meal and attending lessons in the afternoon (pertaining to history and geography, military tactics and warfare, mathematics, theology and modern science, and etiquette—depending on the day) after which followed dinner and more training in the late afternoon (in horse-riding, archery, wielding various spears, wrestling, and hunting—depending on the day). Then, after finishing any assigned homework, we either further studied or trained for the rest of the day.
And so—at the age of twelve and eleven—Winston and I found ourselves on our first trip outside of Dorono.
To the Midlands!