I walked for a long time. It was now obvious that I really had zero sense of direction, I couldn't even find my way back and the farther I walked, the quieter the Duchy became.
I finally heard sounds and I hurriedly ran to where the clanging sounds were coming from and lo and behold, men of different sizes and age, most of which were half dressed, revealing their well built upper bodies.
The men were having sparring matches, while some were fighting with sword. There were a few women too but they had their knight uniforms on and were training no differently from the men.
Ah, thank the heavens for the childish brain I have now. Such sights can't affect me.
I wanted to turn back but I stepped on my dress and fell.
"Ahhh." Even though I fell lightly, I still had the impulse to scream, even though I stifled it. I still happened to let out a sound.
I turned to the knights when i didn't hear the clanging sound. It seemed like I managed to attract all their attention to me.
"Oh, it's a child."
"I haven't seen one in a long time."
"She is so cute."
"Oh my goodness."
The strong-looking knight suddenly huddled around me, with smiles on their faces that seemed quite creepy considering their sizes.
One of the female knights pushed past the crowd and stood in front of me. She stared at me intently before looking up at the knights.
"Don't you all wonder why she has gold eyes?" She asked.
"Right, I just noticed."
"It suits her so well."
"Ah, and beautiful black hair."
The knights suddenly started whispering and giggling like teenage girls, which wasn't really a pleasant sight.
"Agh! You dumba*ses! Only the Blithwine family possess golden eyes in the whole of Pelonia!" The female knight said in between gritted teeth.
All the knights finally kept silent and stared at me with wary eyes.
But the odd atmosphere disappeared when one of them said. "It doesn't matter. It's even better if she's the sister of the lady."
"Exactly."
"She's a child, she won't harm the lady."
"Yo-You..." The female knight sighed in frustration. She was completely speechless.
A dark skinned knight that was particularly very burly stood right in front of me, he had a face of displeasure but then he suddenly revealed a bright smile.
I cringed.
These battle maniacs shouldn't have such creepy smiles on their already fierce faces.
It was as freaky as it could get.
The man stretched out his hand to help me up but before I could receive his help, he let out a shrill scream and plopped on the floor.
When his burly body landed on the ground, I finally saw the thin figure behind him, her white hair flowed like beautiful waterfalls.
"Ahh." The man of the floor rolled away.
The knights quickly took some steps back after seeing this.
Accorsa help me up and asked,
"What are you doing here?"
I gulped at the usual coldness of her voice.
I quickly racked my brain for an excuse and I suddenly remembered the muffins in my dress. I could only pray that they hadn't been smashed when I fell earlier.
"I touched my dress and when I felt that the muffins were still whole, I loosened the knot and took out a muffin.
"Tatiana came to share this with pretty sister." I held up the muffin with a smile.
"Such a sweet child."
"Ha, how pitiful. Lady Accorsa would not eat that."
"The little lady would be sad."
"Awwn, she actually brought snacks for the lady."
The knights whispered quite audibly.
Ahh, shut up, you're making things worse for me.
I watched the female lead's face contort at every word they say.
"I should probably take it." Caleb suddenly appeared from the side but a sharp glare from Accorsa sent him scurrying away.
Accorsa took the muffin from my hand.
I closed my eyes, expecting her to do something like throw the muffin on the floor or at my face... but none of that happened.
Just like me, the knights held their breaths in anticipation and fear.
Instead, the female lead took a large bite from the muffin.
Something that was never expected.
"Oh my God."
"The lady doesn't eat sweets, then that means..."
"She loves her sister so much."
"Awwn, I'm I dreaming? I guess I've overworked myself to the point of trance."
"Hey Dali, can you pinch me?"
"Ow."
While the knights conversed, I stared at Accorsa with wide eyes.
She sighed and picked me up from the ground.
I held my breath as she carried me carefully in her arms.
"Wow."
"This feels like a dream."
"Aigo, if the lady was the little girl's mother, I won't be surprised."
"Shhh, don't let the lady hear you."
Accorsa ignored the knights and walked away with me in her arms.
She held me in one arm like I weighed nothing and held her sword in the other hand.
I slowly relaxed my stiff body in her arms.
"You shouldn't go to the knight's training ground... it's dangerous." Accorsa suddenly said.
"Okay." I replied.
"If you want to see me, come to the rose garden at the left wing of the Duchy. Tell Irene to lead you there." Accorsa added.
My eyes widened in shock...
The rose garden was where the female lead's mother spent a lot of time before she died.
And with the exception of Accorsa, no one was allowed to enter into the left wing rose garden after the late Duchess died.
But Accorsa wanted me to visit her in the rose garden.
"Can-can I really come to the rose garden?"
"Yes." Accorsa gave a short reply.
"Your mother and mine usually had tea there together." Accorsa added.
My heart sank, I wonder how Accorsa felt when her mother's best friend went around with her father, just a few years after her mom died.
"I'm sorry."
"What?"
"Tatiana's aunt said that Tatiana's mother made you sad." I said, even though it wasn't that way. I just hoped the female lead understood what I said.
"Your aunt really said a lot of bad things." Accorsa smiled slightly.
"..."
"Your mother did not make me sad, she brought happiness into I and my father's life but she left after a few years then she had you."
"Why did mummy leave?"
"I don't know. Probably because she was tired of how the society treated her."
"Oh." I unconsciously rested my head on Accorsa's shoulder.
If what Accorsa said was true then Tatiana's mother was not bad, she only tried to console the family after they lost the Duchess. But, ended up falling in love with the duke.
"You know, I was eight when my mother died, and your mother stayed with us even when my father was broken and no longer cared. Your mother mended his heart. So, don't believe what your aunt said." Accorsa explained patiently.
I couldn't understand why Accorsa was revealing so much but I wanted to know too.
"Did mother mend your heart too?"
"Ha, not really but I was fine as long my father was happy."
My eyes stung at her words.
She was really pitiful.
I wrapped my small arms around her neck.
She held me with both hands and kept walking.
The female lead was just to sad. Why would a author make someone's life so sad.
Even with everything, she still strived.
I, I want to be like you, Accorsa.
I would be able to face any challenge in the real world if I had a mind like yours.