It was early morning, and the sun bathed the world in a warm, golden light. As the gentle rays pierced through the morning mist, life began to stir, bringing with it the promise of a new day.
In Baron Senda's manor, however, a different kind of energy was brewing. Harry had invited Alice out for a rare excursion, something almost impossible for an ordinary person to achieve. After the recent troubles involving Alice, her father had become overly protective, wary of any chance she might slip away to mix with unsavory characters.
But Harry was no ordinary suitor. As the baron's favored future son-in-law, he had an advantage that others did not. Baron Senda had begrudgingly accepted their growing bond, perhaps even hoping that some time spent outside the manor would help Alice forget about those reckless outsiders.
"Remember, I'm trusting you with this," Harry said as they stood in a quiet corner of the expansive lawn, his voice steady. "I've arranged for the guards to give you some space. You have a little time now."
Alice's eyes sparkled with excitement, yet they were tinged with apprehension. "Did you bring it?" she asked eagerly, glancing around as if afraid of being discovered.
"Yes, I brought it," Harry replied, watching her closely. He took the item she handed him; a scroll filled with dense, intricate handwriting. It looked as fresh as the morning dew.
With a swift motion, he tucked it into his tunic. "Alright, you can go. But remember to return before noon. You know the consequences if you're late," he reminded her, his tone firm yet kind.
Alice nodded, her expression a mix of determination and impatience. She turned and walked briskly in the direction he indicated, her heart racing with the thrill of freedom.
As soon as she was out of sight, Harry focused on the scroll. He found a secluded spot and carefully unfurled the paper on the soft grass. The contents were rich and detailed, outlining the secret Knight's Aura Method of Baron Senda's family.
"Remarkable," Harry murmured to himself, his eyes scanning the text. "This technique can really be applied this way."
He nodded in approval, recognizing that what he held was likely 90% authentic. He didn't suspect any major flaws; after all, Alice was just an ordinary girl. Even if she had made modifications, they wouldn't be so significant that he couldn't detect them.
As he studied the scroll, Harry felt a rush of excitement. This was more than just a document; it was a key to unlocking his potential, a step closer to achieving his dream of becoming a true knight. The morning sun shone brighter, casting a golden hue over his plans.
"What a remarkable discovery," Harry thought, a grin spreading across his face.
He hadn't anticipated that a simple outing with Alice would yield such unexpected rewards. In her bold attempt to rebel against Baron Senda and pursue her true love, Alice had risked everything, even stealing her family's prized Knight's Aura Technique to secure their secret meetings.
Harry found himself at a loss for words as he considered Alice's actions. The Knight's Aura Technique was an extraordinary legacy, a treasure in this world that many would die to protect. Baron Senda would surely go to any lengths to prevent such knowledge from escaping his family. Yet here was Alice, giving it away so easily, was it truly just for the sake of love?
He shook his head, bewildered. "Is her life really so comfortable that she'd jeopardize everything for this?" He pondered, realizing that, as an ordinary person, Alice might not grasp the true value of what she had given away. To her, perhaps, it was just a means to an end.
Having only acquired the apprentice portion of the Aura Technique from Alice, Harry felt a sense of satisfaction. He hadn't expected much from her; the fact that she had procured anything at all was a pleasant surprise. The advanced techniques were likely beyond her reach, and that was fine with him.
As he committed the details of the Aura Technique to memory, Harry began to compare it with the Kumu family's own practices. The Kumu family's focus was primarily on strength, while Baron Senda's techniques emphasized speed. Though they shared a common foundation, their paths diverged significantly after that initial training.
This contrast would allow Harry to refine his abilities, bridging the gaps in his training to become a more formidable knight. He rose from his spot, ready to incorporate what he had learned into his practice.
Time slipped away unnoticed as he trained, the sun climbing higher in the sky. Eventually, the sound of footsteps drew his attention.
Alice emerged from the underbrush, her appearance markedly different from before. Her clothes were slightly disheveled, her cheeks flushed as if she had just come from an intense workout.
"Let's go," she said, her voice carrying a hint of urgency.
Harry regarded her without a flicker of emotion. Bringing Alice out was part of their agreement, and now that he had the Aura Technique, her value to him felt diminished. The prospect of marrying her seemed utterly unattainable.
"Follow me," he replied, turning away from her as he made his way toward the exit. Alice hurried to keep up, her heart racing for reasons she couldn't quite articulate.
Harry tried to dismiss the thought of the man selling out his own people for outsiders. It was a betrayal he couldn't wrap his mind around.
"Harry," Alice began, hesitating slightly before continuing. "Can you do me another favor?"
"Are you asking to sneak out again?" he replied calmly. "There will be opportunities for that in the coming days."
"No, it's something different," Alice said, her expression shifting from uncertainty to determination. "I want to leave my father's territory. Can you help me?"
"That's no small feat," Harry frowned. "This wasn't part of our original agreement."
Taking Alice out for a brief escape was manageable, but helping her leave for good was a different challenge altogether. The risks were significant. Not only would it likely offend Baron Senda, but it could also put him at odds with Rigg.
"Why should I take that risk?" he asked, weighing his options. "What's in it for me?"
Alice's eyes sparkled with resolve. "The Knight's Aura Technique. The part I gave you is just the first half. Don't you want the rest?"
"Can you really get the rest?" Harry's surprise was evident.
"Yes," she replied, nodding firmly. "If you help me escape, I'll give you the complete method."
For a moment, Harry fell silent, absorbing the implications of her words. He couldn't help but think Alice was being reckless. Was she truly willing to jeopardize her family's legacy for the sake of love?
The apprentice level of the Knight's Aura Technique was one thing, many families, including the Kumu family, would share that knowledge with promising students to build their ranks. But the knight-level Aura method? That was the very foundation of a knight family, something no one would ever willingly share.
Rigg would rather arrange a marriage for him than hand over that kind of knowledge. If Baron Senda discovered Alice's intentions, he would likely consider her a traitor.
But Harry's focus was on the potential benefit. "Alright, it's a deal," he said, a smile creeping onto his face. "As long as you can provide the full method, I'll help you leave."
"It's a fair trade," Alice replied, relief washing over her.
From that day forward, Harry assisted Alice several more times, each meeting deepening their bond and drawing them closer to the brink of a daring escape.
As the night wore on, the moment they had agreed upon was drawing near.
Under the dim glow of the wooden house, Alice found herself entwined with a stranger, her heart racing.
"Green, is it really okay for us to be doing this?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. Her cheeks were flushed, as if she had just emerged from some intense encounter, and uncertainty clouded her expression.
"Don't worry, nothing will go wrong," Green replied, his voice smooth and reassuring. He held her tightly, the warmth of his embrace comforting her racing thoughts. "Just think about our future together. Once we leave this place, we can find somewhere new, somewhere no one knows us. We can start fresh, build a life we've always dreamed of."
His words wrapped around her like a blanket, soothing her doubts. Alice took a deep breath, nodding slowly as she began to believe him.
As dawn broke, the anticipation hung heavy in the air. Today was the day Alice had planned to escape, and Harry had been preparing meticulously for this moment.
For weeks, he had studied the layout of Baron Senda's manor, mapping out the best opportunity for her to slip away. With Baron Senda out for the day, accompanied by a large entourage, the time felt right.
To secure the remaining guards' compliance, Harry had orchestrated a lavish banquet in the guise of a small chamber of commerce event. One by one, he ensured the captains and guards were served plenty of drinks, leaving them blissfully inebriated.
With the path clear, he stood vigil, waiting for Alice to arrive. But as the minutes ticked by, he began to worry. She was late.
Harry's heart sank as he scanned the empty road. "I didn't want to cause any trouble," he muttered to himself, frustration creeping into his voice. He sighed, a mix of helplessness and resignation washing over him.
After a long pause, he turned away, disappearing silently into the shadows along the path.
Meanwhile, on a different route leading away from the manor, Alice and Green hurried forward, hand in hand. Green's grip was firm, determination evident on his face as he clutched a heavy bundle against his chest.
"Can you believe it? We're actually leaving!" Green exclaimed, his voice a mix of excitement and disbelief. "I'm finally free from this life! We can start anew!"
"Is it really happening?" Alice whispered, glancing back nervously as they neared the manor's boundary.
Just as they stepped out into the open, a cold, indifferent voice echoed behind them. "So, you thought you could escape?"
Alice's heart raced at the sound, the thrill of freedom quickly replaced by a wave of dread.