Suddenly, the carriage rolled to a slow halt, the gentle crunch of gravel and the soft rustling of leaves under its wheels melded with the surrounding sounds of the forest. The golden morning light flowed through the dense canopy above, spotting the carriage door as Captain Edwin approached it. He swung the door open and extended his hand, his face respectfully expressionless as he waited for her to take it.
Ophelia accepted his hand with grace, feeling the subtle warmth of his touch. As she stepped down, her foot met the lush carpet of grass, cool and almost cushy beneath her. Though wearing a pair of sturdy black leather boots, a surprising sensation drifted up from the earth, as though she could feel each blade, each stem as if she were barefoot.
She looked around, absorbing the vibrant green of the ferns nestled between trees, their leaves trembling slightly as if alive with energy. The trunks of ancient trees stood tall, draped in thick moss, their branches extending high above in intricate lattices that softened the sunlight to a soothing glow. Birds flitted from branch to branch, their songs crisp and clear as dawn soon drifted away. In the air was the faint, earthy fragrance of damp soil and morning dew, seemingly grounding her to the earth beneath.
The knights moved swiftly as they unloaded supplies and began setting up camp. Tents were quickly propped up, and a small fire pit was dug. Ophelia watched them for a few moments, her breaths slow and deep, her pulse naturally aligning with the tranquility of her surroundings. Each inhalation cleared her mind more and more, her mind becoming sharp and vivid as her senses continued to adjust to this new resonance with the world.
'Incredible. I truly am not human anymore,' Ophelia thought to herself.
Alexandra approached quietly, her eyes softening as she stopped just in front of Ophelia. "Everything's set up, My Lady," she reported with a small smile. "Some of the others are now preparing a light brunch."
Ophelia nodded, glancing over at the newly assembled tents and organized supply wagons. She let her gaze linger before Alexandra spoke up again, her tone almost hesitant. "Would you like to take a walk around the perimeter of the camp?"
Though, it seemed she wanted more.
Ophelia's answer was a simple nod. They set off together, their footsteps silent as they strode across the dewy grass. For a while, they said nothing, taking in the quiet, watchful atmosphere surrounding the camp.
As they rounded a small collection of trees, Alexandra's lips parted, almost as if she'd gathered the courage to break the silence. But before she could speak, Ophelia's voice cut through their silence.
"Why did you want to become a knight?" Ophelia's question was soft, her gaze fixed ahead, though there was a faint trace of curiosity in her tone.
Alexandra was quiet for a moment as if choosing her words carefully. The surprise in her eyes softened as she met Ophelia's gaze. "I wanted to protect people. I thought… being a knight would let me make a difference, to stand between others and danger." She paused, then gave a quiet laugh. "Maybe that sounds… naive."
Ophelia's face softened.
"That is very noble of you."
Alexandra's face softened and her lips slightly parted.
"You're kinder than you let off, My Lady."
"Please, do not insult me with such lies," Ophelia calmly replied.
"I'm not insulting you and I would never dare to lie to you, My Lady. It's but a compliment for the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."
Before they knew it, the gentle hum of trickling water grew louder. Neither of them noticed when they had arrived at the divide, where two narrow creeks branched out from a single point, each one tracing a path through the forest, lined with smooth stones and winding roots.
Ophelia paused at Alexandra's words, not realizing the separation until it had already formed between them. Alexandra stood on one side of the creek, Ophelia on the other. Each was flanked by their own stream.
For a fleeting moment, Ophelia's gaze met Alexandra's. Her eyes softened, just a trace, before she blinked it away. She quickly broke the moment, a subtle huff escaping her lips as she turned towards the path along her own creek.
However, she couldn't help but gently smile.
Alexandra seeing this, jumped over her own creek and ran beside Ophelia. "You're very beautiful when you smile, My Lady."
"Flirting is unprofessional," Ophelia jokingly replied.
…
"DAMMIT!" Ophelia yelled as she took another swing at the pack of demonic wolves.
She and Alexandra stood back to back, their breaths synchronized, their armor gleaming under the moonlight. Each wore a set of gleaming metal plates adorned with the insignia of a golden dragon emblazoned on the chest, fighting against a ravenous pack of demonic wolves. The beasts were massive, their eyes glowing an unnatural crimson and their blackened fur matted with the shadows of night, each snarl thick with malice.
Alexandra handled her side swiftly, her blade cutting through the air in powerful arcs, dispatching each beast with grace. Her focused eyes and the calm demeanor of her stance were unwavering, each swing timed perfectly.
Meanwhile, Ophelia fought fiercely, her movements elegant but bounded by a lingering hesitation. Her latest swing, though intended to kill her foe, went wide, slicing through the second-to-last wolf before she lost her stance. This misstep left her vulnerable, the last wolf leaping forward, its sharp claws glinting as it surged over its fallen kin, straight toward her.
Ophelia's eyes widened, her pulse pounding in her ears. Instinctively, she shut her eyes, bracing for the blow.
But then…nothing.
Slowly, she opened her eyes, catching her breath as she saw Alexandra standing in front of her, her sword cutting through the air in a clean, almost beautiful arc. In an instant, the wolf was cleaved in two, its severed halves collapsing onto the ground. Alexandra turned back to her, a faint smile curving on her lips, her gaze both reassuring and steady. Sweat clung to her brow, and she wiped it with the back of her hand before lowering her sword.
Ophelia's cheeks warmed, a soft blush creeping across her face, as she met Alexandra's gaze.
"Th-Thank you," Ophelia stuttered.
"No problem," Alexandra smiled, ruffling her hair as soon as Ophelia took off her steel helmet. "Now let's get going. I'm sure the other guys are struggling against their own pack."
"S-Sure…"
Later that night, the two found themselves away from the quiet camp, walking side by side along a narrow, winding trail through the forest. The moon hung high above, casting its silver light through the web of leaves and branches overhead, illuminating the path before them in spotted patterns. The air was crisp and cool, thick with the earthy scent of moss and pine, each breath carrying a subtle hint of damp soil.
"Ophelia, why did you want to become a knight?" Alexandra suddenly broke the silence.
"Like a soldier?" She tilted her head slightly. "Or the Honorary Knight of the Golden Dragon Order that I am right now…?
"How about both."
"Well, I had nowhere else to go in life after the burning of my village, and… well, it's actually the same reason why I became a knight as well," Ophelia lightly chuckled.
"There's no other reason why you became a knight of this order?" Alexandra lightly smiled, causing Ophelia to blush and turn her gaze away.
"N-No…"
"Then can I say it? I feel it's about time we stop dancing around each other's feelings like this," Alexandra seriously muttered before stopping in place. "Ophelia. I love you. Please be my girlfriend."
Ophelia's heart beat rapidly. Then suddenly, tears dripped from her eyes. She tried to hide them but Alexandra took her hands and lightly parted them, displaying the embarrassed woman's blushed expression.
"I-I love you too…" Ophelia sniveled. "I l-love you so much… I w-would love to be your g-girlfriend."
Their walk back was silent except for the light tensing of Alexandra's grip around the sniffling Ophelia's hand. And once they arrived at camp, Alexandra gave the rest of the group who were circled around a fire pit, cooking up dinner, a cheeky thumbs up before leading Ophelia into their tent.
It was quite a noisy night… especially from their tent.
…
"My Lady, we have arrived at the village as you requested," A head poked through the window, waking Ophelia up from her hot and spicy dream. However, her face seemed unphased as she softly blinked.
"Alex…" She muttered subconsciously, causing the head to lightly blush and retreat back from outside the stopped carriage.
"W-What? When were we that familiar with each other, My Lady? Please just call me Alexandra," She huffed, hiding her face with the back of her hand.
"No… I think Alex is a suitable nickname. Do you not like it?" Ophelia lightly teased the woman as she stretched her arms high above her head while Captain Edwin opening the carriage door.
"I-If that is what you wish to call me, My Lady."
"My Lady, I ask of you to stop flirting with Alexandra otherwise she won't be at full fighting capacity during our next fight," Captain Edwin jokingly teased before reaching out his hand and Ophelia took it.
As Ophelia took her final step out of the carriage, her gaze was drawn to the small village nestled in a narrow, open prairie amidst the dense forest. The sunlight spilled over the grass, casting a warm, golden glow that softened the outlines of the rustic buildings dotting the village. Each structure appeared hand-built, with walls crafted from sturdy timber and roofs thatched with thick layers of straw.
The windows were adorned with simple wooden shutters, some half-open to let in the morning breeze. Small, handcrafted details decorated doorways. They were carved symbols of animals and trees, possibly marking family crests or protective charms passed down through generations. A few buildings had smoke gently wafting from chimneys, filling the air with the comforting scent of burning wood, mingling with the earthiness of the surrounding forest.
The villagers, predominantly beastmen, moved about quietly. They were a diverse mix with some having pointed ears, others with tails, and a few with patches of fur. Each had a unique blend of animal traits, yet all shared a general happiness that was a bit contagious.
A tall, broad-shouldered man with the furred ears of a wolf carried a bundle of firewood, nodding politely as he passed. Nearby, a young girl with a fox's tail chased a butterfly, her laughter carrying on the breeze as her mother watched, a soft smile plastering her face.
However, Ophelia couldn't but frown.
"How pitiful…" Ophelia muttered under her breath.
She knew this happiness wasn't going to last long.