Knight in the castel

Four years ago, the horses stopped at the duke's palace. Henry stepped out of the carriage, looking upward at the marbled beast of a building. Towering over him.

The head butler greeted and escorted him while other servants carried his luggage.

"Good news Henry, you will be the duke's heir knight."

"The duke has a heir?" Henry resisted the urge to raise an eyebrow.

"Well, the nephew he took in five years ago proved himself competent. I don't plan on coronating you as his knight. Being his close friend will render itself more beneficial, actually."

'Can competency substitute blood?' He paused.

"We need the duke's favor In order to stand on our feet again. You brother is doing all he can in the west kingdom. I hope you can contribute." The Marquis eyed him, despite the phrasing it was never a request.

"Yes father."

He snapped out of his thoughts as the young master approached him. He stole an evaluating glance before wearing the face of formal greetings.

"Honored to be here. Your highness."

"Welcome, the road must've been exhausting."

Outside formal settings Antonio was found of chatting, had curious eyes that jumped on everything. Though he looked at however spoke to him with fierce encouraging attention, like they were the last person alive.

He stroke the balance between the stern etiquettes of high society and a lightheartedness of a lovable person. Henry quickly noted after attending the first party with him.

'But something is odd, something too good to be true almost.' He thought, sipping on his drink while the young master talked with some nobles and business men.

He could've swore he was in front of him seconds ago, after scanning the ball he found him across the ball three tables away.

'Keeping up with him alone is a race, he's like a jumpy frog.'

That thought proved itself correct months later, while eating supper with the duke and few of his wives the absence of the shining rubes stood out.

"Have anyone seen Antonio today?" Lester, the duke asked.

"We discussed the expenses report this morning. Haven't seen him since." Latifa, The forth wife answered.

"I asked him to send more gardeners to the west side yesterday...wait he asked about the royal wedding in the west kingdom." Meme, the third wife with dozing demeanor supplied.

"Oh great." The duke sighed before speaking to the butler. "Tell Karaza to retrieve him."

"Forgive me for not paying attention, this is my fault." Henry apologized in the dim lights of the duke's office. Three days and two nights passed.

"Don't be child. I don't expect you or anyone to keep an eye on him." Lester cleared, a tone that was surprisingly not disappointed or frustrated with anyone.

"But, if west kingdom knew a foreign noble attended the wedding they will consider it spying.."

"They won't know it will be fine." The older man cut off the worried rationalization. Absolute confidence in his voice and demeanor.

Before Henry can attempt to question such confidence someone knocked the door. Select few could knock at this hour.

"See? It is all good." Lester sighed in relief. "Come in."

Before he could be surprised because of the fact that Antonio was held on Karaza's shoulder like a sack of potato he was surprised she threw him like one.

"Good evening father. Henry how are you doing?" He greets, laying on the ground.

"Took you long enough. Something happen?" Lester asked her, Henry notes the guard down nature of his words.

"We exited the kingdom with no problems, young master's disguise as a tourist wasn't discovered. But young master insisted on taking a detour."

Henry observed as she supplied more information to her master.

'Why she's dressed like a jester?' He looked at her pink curls and the dirndl with many bows slapped on it.

"Care to explain going to the wild after going to the wedding?" Lester questioned, Antonio enjoyed his pastry, quite relaxed.

"Did you know that the west king like orange berries?"

"elaborate."

"Well everyone who wanted to be chosen as a spouse for the king's available sons and daughters wore an orange berry ornaments. And while Cherry dragged me back it downed on me." He took something out of his pocket in a dramatic fashion.

Lester bad a faint proud smile and henry realized that the orange berry in his hand wasn't an ordinary one.

"Apparently it have a shield property."

"A one time use." Karaza supplied.

Lester eyebrow rose in amusement.

"A tasteful gift for when you go to congratulate him." Antonio said.

"Not to desperately flashy, but memorable." His father continues.

'So they didn't lie about the competence part.'

"You sure no one suspected you?" Lester asked Karaza, softly fidgeting the berry in his hand.

"Yes."

'How can she be so sure?' Henry felt that he was kept in the dark, A mercenary who can fetch things from the wild while protecting someone and coming back unscathed?

He stared deeper at the mere dust on them and few scratches.

"Henry, this is our Cherry blossom! The favorite mercenary here." The young master put his arm on her shoulder, leaning.

Every cell in his brain fought the urge to point out the absolute violation of dealing with commoners protocols.

She bowed to him like a commoner should.

"She was my bodyguard when we were kids." Antonio bragged.

"A job that can't be escaped." Lester added like a tried father.

"I suppose you don't need me then." Henry said, trying to make his tone light.

"That was never my intent actually." The young master stated. Leaving the mercenary side and sitting down directly across him.

"Our time was short but it was enough.." He said with unusual seriousness. Henry blinked.

"I see it in your eyes, the ambition." He looked into his eyes.

"I want you to lead the defense line between us and the wild." He said, voice low and clear summing challenge and trust.

Henry was in a shock of the proposal.

Lester and Karaza locked eyes.