Violence

Last night's dinner was a truly remarkable experience. Sitting at the table, surrounded by the soft glow of candles, we dove into a conversation that flowed like a tranquil river, taking us to unexplored places. Amelia revealed herself not only as a woman of incomparable beauty but also as a bearer of knowledge that challenged all my expectations.

As we shared stories and opinions, it was impossible not to admire her intelligence and insight. Her eyes sparkled with an inner flame, an insatiable thirst for learning and understanding the world around her. Every word she uttered carried a depth that left me intrigued, captivated by her wisdom.

Amidst our exchanges, I realized how rare it was to encounter a woman like Amelia in the village. Her ability to read and understand the books I so cherished was something I had never witnessed before. In fact, I had never seen a woman even hold a book, let alone read it.

As I listened to her speak, my respect for her only grew. She was a true treasure, a rare gem amidst the simplicity of life in the village. And there, in that unforgettable dinner, I discovered that Amelia was not just a beautiful woman, but also a brilliant mind.

As I prepared to depart, the weight of responsibility was palpable, but so was the hope that everything would go smoothly in my absence. Sandy, with her serene and understanding gaze, listened to my words attentively, as always.

"Please, Sandy, take good care of Amelia. She deserves all the comfort and care while I'm away," I requested, knowing I could fully trust her to look after the well-being of my dear friend.

With a tender smile, Sandy agreed, her commitment evident in every word. "Don't worry, Antony. I'll do my best to make sure Amelia feels at home and has a breakfast fit for a princess," she assured me, conveying a sense of reassurance.

I mounted my horse, feeling determination pulsing through my veins as I prepared for the journey that lay ahead. With one last glance at the house, where Amelia rested peacefully, I set off towards the castle.

The distance from Amelia, I thought, would be a necessary pause to focus on work. But it seems I was completely mistaken. Her presence still resonated within me, as if she had left an indelible mark on my mind and heart.

"It's barely been a day since she was here, and I'm already completely distracted," I murmured to myself, feeling overwhelmed by memories of her. Her sweet perfume still lingered in the air, like a gentle reminder of her proximity.

Amelia was like a drug, addictive and irresistible. Every thought of mine turned to her, her smile, her voice, her delicate gestures. It was as if she had infiltrated every corner of my mind, leaving me with no chance of escape.

I sighed deeply, resigned to my condition. Even amidst my duties, my heart beat for her, and I knew it would be a tough battle to maintain my focus while her presence still echoed in every part of me.

As I worked, the thought that soon I would be home, and the first face I would see would be Amelia's, consumed me. A wave of happiness and anticipation washed over me, coloring my cheeks and making my heart beat faster than ever before.

"I can't wait to be back home," I murmured to myself, imagining the joy of seeing Amelia again. It was strange and wonderful at the same time, to feel this urgency to be near her, even when my duty demanded my attention elsewhere.

For the first time in a long while, my work wasn't my priority. All I wanted was to return home and see her smile, hear her gentle voice, and feel the comforting warmth of her presence beside me.

As time passed, each minute seemed like an eternity, but I knew that every second would be worth it when I finally returned to Amelia's welcoming arms.

The setting sun painted the scene with shades of orange and red, creating long and cozy shadows. However, peace was abruptly interrupted when my eyes were met with a scene of horror unfolding before me.

A ragged man emerged from the shadows, brandishing a rusty sword towards a defenseless lady. His eyes, filled with hatred, gleamed with wild ferocity as he menacingly advanced towards the helpless woman.

Without hesitation, my instincts kicked in. My heart raced as I assessed the situation in split seconds. There was no time to waste.

I grabbed a sturdy stone from the ground, feeling its rough texture in my sweaty hands. With a swift and precise movement, I hurled it towards the assailant's hand. The impact was accurate, hitting him with enough force to make him release the rusty sword.

A metallic sound echoed in the air as the weapon fell to the ground with a dull thud. The lady, freed from imminent danger, seized the opportunity to flee, running towards safety.

With my muscles tense, I moved swiftly towards the assailant. He stared at me with fury and disbelief, but I didn't falter. With determined steps, I approached close enough to intimidate him and ensure he couldn't harm anyone else.

With a swift and impulsive movement, I grabbed the man by the shoulders, applying enough force to make him stagger and collide against the rough, cold wall. His eyes widened in pure terror as he realized who I was, recognition spreading across his face as his mind processed the inevitable punishment approaching.

Rubens, the infamous villain who had sown so much trouble in our community. His dark past and nefarious actions were known to all, but until that moment, he had escaped unscathed from any retribution. However, fate seemed to have conspired in my favor at that crucial moment.

Observing him closely, I felt a wave of disgust and anger growing inside me. For so long, I had wished for justice for that man, longing for the opportunity to make him pay for his sins. And now, before me, he was at my mercy.

I approached slowly, each step echoing in the tense silence around us. His breathing became erratic, his desperate eyes searching for an escape that would never come.

"Rubens," I murmured, my voice laden with authority and coldness, "out here, I am judge, jury, and executioner. And you, my dear, are sentenced to the maximum penalty."

His lips moved in a desperate attempt to plead, his words swallowed by the growing terror. But my words were irrevocable, and he knew it. As I slowly suffocated him with the weight of his own guilt, his pleading gaze met mine, reflecting the indescribable fear of a man finally facing his sentence.

The decision to spare Rubens was not made out of weakness, but out of a strange compassion that had been blossoming in my heart since I met Amelia. I imagined her pure face, without the slightest stain of cruelty or violence, and it made me hesitate to bring any trace of darkness near her. There was no glory in staining my hands with the blood of a man, not when Amelia awaited me at home. Upon returning to the village, I was greeted with applause and praise from the other guards, who couldn't contain their admiration for my deed. However, I kept myself distant from their celebrations; my mind and heart were focused only on one thing: Amelia.

While they suggested going out to celebrate, I politely declined, my mind already plotting the path back home. There was nothing more important to me at that moment than seeing her again, feeling her sweet and reassuring presence. Only she was capable of bringing peace to my tumultuous heart.