Airelina Frembell, or 'Airi' as I affectionately call her, stood before me, her dragonoid features unmistakable. Her eyes, a shade of bright crimson, gleamed with excitement as she smiled at us. Her petite figure and delicate features made her appear more like a young girl than a woman, but her fierce strength and unrelenting courage were proof of her true nature.
As I looked at her, I was reminded of the countless battles we had fought together, the moments of triumph and the times when we had faced overwhelming odds. She was my partner, my friend, and my sister-in-arms, and I trusted her with my life.
"Are you okay, Amphy?" She said with a jolly smile. "Like, totally?"
"I told you a thousand times, it's Amphere, not Amphy." I groaned. Then I drew one of my photon sabers and showed it to her. "You need a sword?"
As Airi took the photon saber, her movements were fluid and graceful, like a swan gliding on water. Her body seemed to flow with the weapon's every motion, as if it was an extension of her being. It was clear that she was a master in the art of swordsmanship, a true warrior in every sense of the word. The way she held the weapon, her fingers wrapped around the hilt with perfect balance and control, was a testament to her years of training and experience.
As she prepared herself for the coming clash, her eyes narrowed with focus and determination. The wind ruffled her hair and clothes, giving her an almost ethereal appearance. She was a force to be reckoned with, a dragonoid partner who had faced countless battles and emerged victorious.
The Black Phantom is still there at the head of his dragon. He smiled at us. "You are not going to use Vesryn Pulse?"
"We'll try to kick your ass in this form first! Totally!" Airi shouted, pointing her sword to the flying white dragon.
"You're…the Crimson Dragonfly…" the masquerade's smile faded.
There was a long pause.
Then he patted his dragon's head. "We're not going to win this, Emy. We should retreat."
Confusion and concern filled my mind as I heard the name "Crimson Dragonfly" mentioned. Was it a code name for Airi? What was going on? My thoughts were interrupted as the ice dragon let out a fierce roar, indicating that it had accepted its master's proposal to retreat. In an instant, the massive creature launched itself into the sky, flapping its wings with immense power. As it ascended, the force of its movements created a strong gust of wind that swept through the garden, causing the delicate pink and white petals of the flowers to dance and twirl in the air.
"I'm pretty sure that we will meet again, young Dragon Knight!" The masquerade took his hat off and bowed as he and his dragon soared up in the sky. It was extremely fast that their silhouette in the sky suddenly disappeared.
My heart pounded in my chest as I watched the Black Phantom disappear into the distance. Every instinct in my body urged me to pursue him, to bring him to justice and put an end to his villainy. But as quickly as the impulse arose, I squashed it down. My duty was to protect the duchess, and leaving the manor to chase after the assassin would leave her vulnerable to another attack. I couldn't risk that.
With a heavy sigh, I forced myself to step back from the situation and assess it with a clear head. Adrenaline still coursed through my veins, but I knew that I had to control it. My focus needed to be on keeping the duchess safe, not on satisfying my own desire for vengeance.
It was a difficult decision to make, but I knew that the best course of action was to do nothing. I stayed put and remained vigilant, scanning the area for any signs of danger. A small part of me still longed to engage in a fight with the Black Phantom, to prove my worth and defend the duchess at all costs. But I couldn't afford to take such a risk with someone else's life on the line. I resolved to stay the course and wait for another opportunity to arise.
"Will you please bring me down now?" It was the duchess, and I was still carrying her on my right shoulder.
"…O-Oh."
As soon as I helped the duchess down, I noticed a subtle change in her demeanor. Her cheeks flushed with color, and I could tell that she was embarrassed by the situation. Despite her obvious discomfort, she managed to mutter a quick "thanks" to me.
I couldn't help but smile in response. Her gratitude warmed my heart, and I felt a surge of pride at having been able to assist her. Although the circumstances had been unexpected, I was glad to have been there to help her when she needed it.
I could see the duchess regain her composure and straighten up, but the faint blush on her cheeks remained. I wondered what she must be thinking, whether she was replaying the events in her mind or simply trying to move past them.
As for myself, I felt a sense of satisfaction wash over me. I had done my duty in protecting the duchess, and in doing so, I had earned her gratitude. It was a small moment, but it reminded me of the importance of my role and the impact that I could have in serving others.
"Hey, Amphy!" Airi shouted. "HERE'S YOUR TAIYAKI!!!"
I winced as I felt a sharp smack against my cheek, accompanied by the sound of Airi's frustration. In that moment, I realized that she had slapped a paper bag filled with hot fish pancakes that she had just purchased. The heat from the bag was intense, and I could feel my skin starting to burn where it had made contact with my cheek.
Despite the pain, my reflexes kicked into action. I was able to catch the falling fish pancakes before they hit the ground, despite the heat that was almost too much to bear. I quickly returned the fish pancakes to the paper bag, wincing as I felt the heat searing my fingers.
Airi held her hips again and pushed her face towards me. "Don't you dare leave me again, okay!? Like, totally!"
"Y-Yes ma'am…" I looked away while forcing a smile. How forceful.
"Fufufu…"
To my surprise, the duchess was chuckling. It was a sound I had never heard before, and it caught me off guard. I had always known her to be arrogant and serious, so seeing her let loose and laugh was a rare and unexpected sight.
"I've never seen any Dragon Knight who was being scolded by his Dragonoid."
I paused for a moment, considering the situation. On the one hand, Airi was technically my senior, but on the other hand, she was a dragonoid - a group of beings that were often looked down upon by many in society. Despite this, I couldn't bring myself to be so selfish as to take away her honorifics.
It was true that many people viewed dragonoids as inferior, but I knew that Airi was much more than that. She was intelligent, powerful, and fiercely loyal to those she cared about. She deserved to be treated with respect, regardless of what others might think.
As I thought about this, I couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration. Why did society have to be so judgmental and unfair? Why did people have to look down on those who were different from them?
But then I looked over at Airi, and I saw the strength and determination in her eyes. She didn't need anyone's approval to know her own worth, and that was something to be admired. I decided then and there that I would always treat her with the respect she deserved, honorifics and all.
"Is that girl the duchess?...Like totally???" Airi whispered at me.
"Yes. I told you before, right? She's a twelve year old kid." I whispered back.
Airi walked towards the duchess, extending her hand in a gesture of kindness. I watched as she approached, noticing the gentleness in her movements and the warmth in her expression.
It was clear that Airi had a soft spot for children, even if the duchess didn't exactly fit the mold. Despite her regal and aristocratic mannerisms, there was something undeniably cute about the young duchess, something that drew people to her despite her stern exterior.
As Airi reached the duchess, she took the young girl's hand in hers, a smile spreading across her face. I could see the way that the duchess's face lit up in response, her demeanor softening in the presence of Airi's kindness.
"You must be Duchess Carousel. I am pleased to meet you…Totally!"
"It's Corasell. Nice to meet you, Miss Airelina." The duchess shook Airi's hand with a smile. Hey, why is there a special treatment? She's not rude with Airi!
Airelina's usual demeanor towards nobles, especially those of the human variety, was one of hostility and disdain. It was clear that she didn't hold them in high regard, and often made her feelings known through her actions and words.
But there was one noble that was different - the young duchess Corasell. Known for her kindness towards dragonoids like Airi, the duchess seemed to hold a special place in Airelina's heart. It was clear that the two had formed a bond that transcended the usual barriers that existed between nobles and commoners.
As the duchess approached us, I could see the way that Airelina's demeanor changed. Where once there was hostility and suspicion, now there was a sense of openness and warmth. It was clear that the duchess's presence had a calming effect on Airelina, and that she trusted her in a way that she didn't trust many others.
And while the introduction between the duchess and myself had been less than friendly, her approach towards Airi and Airelina was vastly different. There was a sense of familiarity and ease between them, as if they had known each other for years rather than mere moments. It was a testament to the power of kindness and understanding, and a reminder that sometimes, the barriers that separate us can be broken down through simple acts of compassion and empathy.
We returned to the office, the tension from earlier still palpable in the air. The duchess was already seated when we entered. She started the briefing right away. She told us that the wounded bodyguards were receiving treatment from her medical team, so there was no need to worry about them.
The dragonoid maids quickly offered us some refreshments, a cup of green tea, and a slice of black forest cake. Airi's eyes lit up when she saw the cake, and she eagerly took a big bite. She finished her slice quickly and asked me if she could have mine, to which I obliged.
As we were enjoying our tea and cake, the old butler stood silently beside the duchess. He looked like a bodyguard, but his earlier actions during the attack had shown he was useless in battle. I wondered why the duchess still kept him around.
"If I may ask, milady… You have an idea who is the one behind this assassination attempt?" I asked the duchess after sipping my tea.
"There are a lot of nobles who hates my family for generations. Dukes, knights, and more importantly, government generals. They all hate me for supporting the dragonoids. It seems like my only friends are the dragonoids themselves."
Duchess Corasell's authorship of the Dragonoid Rights Bill has caused quite a stir among the citizens of the country. The bill itself is still under scrutiny by the highest nobles, and has been the source of much controversy and animosity. There are those who fiercely support the bill, believing it will bring equality and justice to the dragonoids, while others vehemently oppose it, viewing the dragonoids as inferior and unworthy of the same rights as humans. Despite the mixed reactions, the duchess has remained steadfast in her beliefs and has continued to push for the passage of the bill.
The story behind the Dragonoid Rights Bill was shrouded in mystery. It was said that the duchess' parents were the ones who came up with the idea and drafted the bill. However, their tragic end remained undisclosed. It was rumored that they died in an accident, leaving the duchess as the sole inheritor of their legacy. The circumstances surrounding their deaths fueled rumors and speculations among the people, adding to the intrigue surrounding the bill.
The Dragonoid Rights Bill is a crucial piece of legislation that aims to bring equality and justice to the dragonoid population of our country. Once approved by the senate, it will grant dragonoids the basic rights that humans enjoy, including the freedom to own property, receive free education, and be treated as individuals rather than objects or slaves. It is a landmark piece of legislation that will pave the way for a more just and equitable society, where dragonoids and humans are considered equals under the law.
The atmosphere surrounding the Duchess is tense due to the controversial Dragonoid Rights Bill she authored. Many humans, particularly the nobles, are deeply resentful of the bill as it would grant dragonoids basic rights and freedom, which they perceive as a threat to their own power and control. They are scared of dragonoids and their inherent abilities, and harbor the desire to keep them as slaves and property. This makes the Duchess a target of hatred and danger among a significant portion of the population, with potential for violent retaliation.
If anything were to happen to the Duchess, it would be a great setback for the Dragonoid Rights Bill, as no one else in the country had the same level of influence and power to push the bill into effect. The possibility of her being assassinated made everyone on edge, especially those who supported the bill. Anyone who had a vested interest in keeping dragonoids as slaves or objects could be considered a suspect in the case. The potential consequences of the Duchess' death went beyond just losing a political figure, it would be a major blow to the progress and hope of dragonoids gaining basic human rights in the country.
Despite the importance of the Dragonoid Rights Bill to the society, I have no personal interest in it. As a bodyguard, my main objective is to protect the duchess from any potential harm or assassination attempts. It is my duty to ensure her safety until I am reassigned to another task. However, I find the unnecessary clown acts that Estoff forces me to perform quite bothersome, as they do not contribute to my primary objective of keeping the duchess safe.
"Sir Estoff already knew that there would be an assassination attempt, which is why he sent you here." The duchess said.
"That guy is really doing what he wants…" I said to myself.
Sir Estoff, a senior Dragon Knight, has been my mentor in battle since my days at the Dragon Knight Academy. All of the techniques I have learned were taught by him. His strong-willed personality has certainly helped me in honing my skills as a warrior. However, if it weren't for him pushing me towards this mission, I might have rejected it. But, given the monetary benefits, I ended up accepting it as a routine task.
"I never thought that an uninspiring boring bland teenager like you is a skilled Dragon Knight." The duchess said. It's a brutal insult, not even close to being a compliment.
As I contemplated her words, I couldn't help but wonder if she was right. Perhaps I do come across as tedious, always quiet and reserved. It's not that I don't have my own thoughts and opinions, but I tend to keep them to myself. I don't want to offend anyone or cause unnecessary conflict. Maybe I need to work on being more assertive, but for now, I'll just keep my mild personality to myself.
"Amphy is one of the most powerful knights I ever seen, totally!" Airi said happily. "Well he has an unexciting personality so he just keeps his silence a lot."
Darn this lizard. You two get along in so many ways. Like totally!
"Tell me, what kind of dragon are you?" the duchess asked Airi.
"Futuretech Dragon. Why?" Airi tilted her head.
"Wow. Futuretech Dragon's powers are hard to control."
"That is because Amphy is totally amazing~ We have a ninety seven percent compatibility rate, that is why I chose Amphy to be my dragon knight!" She said. For the nth time, it's Amphere. Stop making weird nicknames.
The duchess' mouth opened like an oval. "Ninety seven percent… How did you achieve such a high compatibility rate? How did you two meet?"
"Well, I think it's meant to be…totally…"
Airi turned her gaze towards me, her expression softening into a warm and reassuring smile. It was as if her smile had the power to make all my worries and anxieties dissipate into thin air. In that moment, I felt a sense of comfort and security that I couldn't explain. Her smile was like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day, and it was all I needed to feel at ease.