Reaching her home, Enya finally stepped into the room, calling out, "Noah, I'm back."
In response, Noah, who had been reclining, sat up and greeted her with a warm smile, "Welcome back, Sister."
Taking a seat before him, Enya inquired, "How are you?" Noah's smile widened, "Thanks to the herbs Sister Ameren provided today, I'm feeling much better." Enya embraced him with genuine joy, "Really? That's wonderful. I'm so glad."
Noah returned the hug and, with curiosity in his eyes, asked, "And how about you, sister?"
Enya loosened her grip and proudly displayed her badge and scroll. A grin spread across Noah's face as he exclaimed, "Did you become a leader, sister?" Enya nodded showing her thumbs up, "Yes, I did. I've become the leader of the twelfth battalion."
Noah chuckled, "Really? Wow! I am so glad. You really are very strong, sister. I also want to be so stong."
Enya laughed in agreement, "Well, of course. Noah, I'm certain you'll recover soon, and then we can work together, alright?" Noah nodded determined.
Ameren entered the room with a beaming smile and exclaimed, "Congratulations!" She embraced Enya, who added, "Becoming a squad leader has also reduced my training hours."
Turning to face Ameren, she asked, "What happened? Did you get along with the friend of yours?"
Ameren looked back at her with a resighed nod, "Mm. Kind of."
Enya raised her arms, delighted, "Yes! Finally!" she cheered.
Noah smiled as his gaze fell upon the scroll, "What's this?"
Enya replied with a smirk, "Ah, this? It's a decree for night patrol shift as a substitute at the Imperial Palace."
Noah's eyes widened in surprise, "Huh?" he gasped. Ameren too gazed at it, in awe.
Noah expressed, "Sister, ...this is incredible. But are you sure you can handle so much?" Enya reassured him with a smile, "Absolutely, I am. This is not even a problem. This is just the beginning."
Noah whispered, "Sister. You know what, I really am proud and I feel so glad after hearing your achievements… I can see how much you like to become a full-fledged commander. I won't stop you… I never will… But I really want you to take care. So please be safe and well always… That would make me really happy."
Enya's gaze fixed at him while Noah held her into an embrace. Enya responded with a wide grin, "Alright, I promise to stay safe." Ameren, sharing the sentiment, joined in the warm hug, adding, "Don't forget about me," Enya playfully hugged her back, "Of course not."
Suddenly, Enya's stomach grumbled, breaking the emotional moment.
Ameren sighed,
"...Not even amused anymore, honestly."
...
After a meal and a refreshing bath, Enya, stifling a yawn, stepped out of the room. Meanwhile, Noah laid peacefully dozing on the bed.
"Ameren, what are you up to?" she inquired.
Ameren, engrossed in checking the kitchen cabinets, looked up at her and told, "Oh you are here, Enya. Well. Um. There is no vegetable left for me to cook tomorrow and no pulses for Noah either. Spices are left but not the vegetables, it seems."
Enya, inspecting the drawers and fridge, concurred, "Yeah, that's true."
Shoving her hands in her pockets, Enya assured, "Alright. I'll buy them." she rummaged through her wallet and money bank.
Ameren, looking below, appeared crestfallen, "But what about the money?" she asked.
Enya chuckled, "Why the long face? Leave it to me. I'm not that broke,"
Ameren took out her purse and handed her some coins, saying, "This is all I have. Here."
Enya shook her head and replied, "Keep it. I've got it."
Observing the money Enya retrieved from her money bank, Ameren sighed in relief, saying, "Thank goodness."
"Told you I'm not broke. I always keep some savings for later." Enya grinned.
Ameren's smile widened, as she offered a grateful nod.
Time flied by. The sky embraced twilight, painted in warm hues of coral and indigo. Stars emerged, punctuating the darkening canvas with their gentle glow. A serene stillness descended, marking the day's decent.
Enya paced back and forth at the Imperial Palace. The tranquil surroundings stood undisturbed, and she squinted to observe distant guards positioned at their respective spots.
Under the warm glow of a lantern, Enya paused, gazing at the sky, delving into a deep thought.
"Well... I learned today that my father was a steadfast and trustworthy man," she mused, a proud smile gracing her face. "Commander and battalion leader...just how capable was he...?"
Her fingers played with the hilt of her sword, as she smiled. "I am the daughter of such a capable man. I must prove my capability too. And after all, what else do I have to do if not this? I really love working as a knight."
"Yeah. Enya, you should know everything about your father," she clenched her fist with resolve, her smile widening. "...How was he...Just what was his strength... it all makes me curious. He must have loved me a lot. And Noah too..." Enya whispered, a longing gaze fixed upon the inky black sky, with the stars twinkling like delicate jewels, and the moon casting a gentle glow.
A soft whisper escaped her lips as she wished for a different reality. "I wish... we were a happy family today."
...
Out of nowhere, someone's voice cut through the night. Enya, concerned, decided to have a look as she followed the voice.
"Ouch. Ouch. My knee is killing me. What do I do now, Rex?" moaned a cavalier, rubbing his sore knee. His hair, a shade of mint green, framed hazel-brown eyes. Another one, beside him, with marroon hair and gray eyes shook his head incredulously, "Honestly. Who gave you the idea to run into a wall when you were already on the right track, Flynn?"
Flynn sulked, "How would I know? The lantern's light went off. I couldn't see a thing, so I turned around to find you, but boom! Straight into the wall."
Rex sighed seechless, "...Sir Luke will definitely interrogate us for making noise at such late hours of the night. I wish they'd assigned us separate spots for patrol. I don't want to be stuck working in coordination with an amateur like you."
"Hey! Who do you think you are calling an amateur," Flynn retored.
"You. Most definitely. Can't be anyone else," Rex responded bluntly, shifting his gaze.
Flynn gritted his teeth, irked, "Tsk. You scold me like you're my grandfather or something."
"Careful with your words," Rex retorted, his patience fraying.
"Grandpa~"
"..."
Rex fell silent, his expression hardening.
"Ha! Out of words?" Flynn teased, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Just get lost," Rex scoffed.
"After you," Flynn provoked further.
"Utter another word, and I'll make sure you're silent—"
Enya crossed her arms and rolled her eyes, observing the entire dispute from behind. "Hello. Excuse me, what's with all this commotion?" she asked, her eyebrows knitting together.
Flynn and Rex blinked, turning to face her. Enya brushed her hairs back, addressing Rex. "And why silence him? How about you start with yourself? You're making just as much noise," she suggested.
Flynn and Rex exchanged clueless glances. Enya, standing noticeably shorter before the two, sighed.
"Quarrels at this hour of the night. Such indiscipline, Unbelievable," she continued. "Aren't Imperial Knights supposed to maintain peace? Sigh. Beware of the day I gather all of you troublemakers in a corner,"
Rex crossed his arms, eyeing Flynn, "I did warn you that your noise could cause trouble. Now deal with this nonsense."
Flynn furrowed his brows while Enya stood ahead of Rex, fumed, "Can't you just be quiet for once?"
Rex squinted his eyes, irked while Enya directed her gaze to Flynn, who was limping. She inquired about his well-being, and Flynn, cluelessly, nodded.
Rex clicked his tongue in annoyance, "Tch."
Enya in turn, wore a smug grin.
"Leave and spare us all," Rex grumbled with an eye roll.
"...Such Attitude~" Enya scoffed dismissively, turning away and heading back to her post.
Rex eyed her leave, wordless.
"..."
"...OH NO! Rex. It just hit me. I've been tasked with guarding the upper corridor in the Palace right now," Flynn declared, sporting a solemn expression. Enya smacked her forehead in exasperation at the renewed disturbance, freezing in her tracks.
Rex furrowed his brows, "What?"
Flynn shook his head, "I don't know. Sir Luke assigned me to cover this shift. I was excited to go inside, but now my knee is killing me," he complained, tears welling up in his eyes. Rex shook his head, resignedly, "Typical of you. Anyways, Now what?"
"Hey, I've got an idea," Flynn smirked suddenly, his gaze lingering on Enya as if a solution had just dawned on him. Rex eyed him skeptically.
__
"No," Enya rejected outright.
"Oh, come on!" Flynn retorted, "I limped all the way here with a busted knee just to ask you for a favor, and this is what you do? Aren't we friends by now?"
Enya smiled sarcastically, "Oh...Friends? Misconception or credulity? I never knew that. I don't even know you."
Flynn bit his lip, realizing, "Yeah...you've got a point...Well. I am Flynn. A recent recruit to the Imperial Knights. Consider me your comrade. Nice to meet you, little fellow." he said, smiling and shaking her hand. Rex crossed his arms, rolling his eyes as Flynn pointed at him, saying, "And, he is Rex."
Enya twitched her brow, withdrawing her hand, "Little fellow? Sigh. Enya Verne. The leader of the twelvth battalion of the Knights training base." she told.
"Oh..." Flynn gasped, impressed.
"But you see, I can't afford to do anything I'm not told to do because I am not a regular Imperial knight, only a substitute for night patrol. I don't want to get fired," Enya explained.
Flynn pouted, his eyes teary, "Please... Help me. You're the only one I can count on here. Please. Just this once. Otherwise, it's my leg now. Next time, you won't even find me here," he gulped.
Enya, caught in a dilemma, pursed her lips, looking around, "Seriously, why drag me into this out of all people? Don't you have any other acquaintances?"
Flynn shook his head, "Like I said, I am new. My senior partner is, you know... you know... a mad man," his voice trailed off as he referred to Rex, who glared at him, displeased.
Despite his persistence, Enya gasped, agreeing, "Alright. Alright. Let me think," she conceded, wondering, "Why do I feel like he's another Elix?"
Rex crossed his arms and scoffed, explaining, "Part of the deal is taking shifts. Go over there and hold the fort for a while. Signal us from the large window below. If you find us, you're in the right place. If not, you're not. Once an assigned cavalier returns, you come back."
"..."
Enya stood there, blank. Not a single word formed in her mind; it all just flew over her head.
"Who does he think he is? Ordering me, huh?" she thought, twitching her brow annoyed.
Flynn smiled with beads of sweat, "Relax. Do as I say. Enter the palace, showing this token to the guards. If anyone asks or interrogates, tell them it's Sir Luke's command, got it?"
"Uh... Who is Sir Luke again?" Enya questioned clueless.
"It's our great vice leader of imperial knights, anyways just say so. The guards know it."
"Oh,"
Enya nodded as Flynn cleared his throat and continued. "I'll keep an eye on your spot in the meantime. So, cross the corridors, and I believe it's the third floor. Signal us from the large windows below. If you find us, you are in the right place. Don't worry. No one would catch wind of a thing," he reassured, handing her his token. Enya glanced at it, nodding, "Whatever. But if I get into trouble, I'll bring both of you down with me," she warned with a beam, slipping the token into her pocket. Flynn blinked as Enya left.
"Is this the right idea?" Rex asked, doubtful. Flynn shrugged, "Who knows..."