Chapter 20 Dame of Lilies
“No,” he said bluntly. “You’re a great example of a knight, but you still have a long way to go to earn my trust, thief.”
“Wh—but what about Their Majesties?? You’re just gonna leave them behind?” My voice unintentionally rose.
“Robin.” Jackson stepped out wearing his armor, his hazel gaze narrowed in a glare. “I am the captain of the knighthood. How lowly do you think of me?”
I winced and glanced away. “…Sorry, Captain. I’m just concerned for their welfare."
“I have my most trusted knights patrolling both in and outside the palace walls. Two dozen, if that sets your mind at ease.”
My gaze lifted as a small smile crept onto my lips. “Yes. It does, thank you.”
“Prove you're worthy of my trust on this patrol, and I might let you take a step closer to your aunt.”
“A patrol, sir?”
“No more chatter. We need to rally with the others.” Jackson’s nose wrinkled. “You smell like alcohol and vomit. Take a bath and meet me at the armory.”
Of course, he just had to be a jerk again…
I watched him head for the door, and my eyes widened. “Wait, are you leaving me here? Alone?”
“Yes.”
“Eh?? But—but, Captain, I don’t think—”
Jackson stopped at the doorway and glanced down at me, not bothering to hide the annoyance in his gaze. “Are you telling me you don’t know how to wash yourself and run your own bath?”
I fell silent before looking away. “Um… no? I know how. Why wouldn’t I know how? That’s, ah, that’s… that would be silly.”
“Good.” Jackson tilted his head toward his bedroom. “I bought you some clothes. Put them on when you're done.”
“Huh? When did you buy me clothes?”
“Last night.”
“What??”
“Don’t keep me waiting, or we’re leaving without you,” Jackson said before walking out.
“But—Captain!” I protested, yet he still slammed the door shut. I gaped, glanced around, and rubbed the back of my neck. It felt awkward being alone in someone else’s house, but nowhere near as embarrassing as admitting I can’t remember the last time I ran my own bathwater.
Maribel always did it for me.
A wave of homesickness crashed over me. Maribel’s sweet and playful attitude. Mother’s feisty finger wags and honeyed kisses. Father’s gentle smile and warm hands against my cheek. And Amina… Amina.
My jaw clenched, gaze falling to the floor. Every smile Amina had ever given me was nowhere near as bright as the day she happily married my fiance.
I wiped my nose and headed to the bathroom. Hesitation bound my hands. The thought of undressing another woman’s body for the first time made my cheeks burn until I did.
My body—Robin’s body—was lithe with muscle. Definitely stronger with better stamina than my old body. Her breasts were larger than mine too, though the same height. Unlike my baby face, button nose, and big eyes, Robin’s face was slender, with a slim nose bridge, and her dark ginger eyebrows were slightly lower. A few years older than me, possibly older than Prince Henry, but not as old as Captain Jackson. She may not have had my heart-shaped lips, but her lips were still lush, though thinner. Her sun-kissed skin was slightly paler than Jackson’s tanned skin tone.
Robin is actually kinda pretty, I thought to myself until I saw multiple scars lining her abdomen and ribcage.
These scars are so pale… they must’ve been deep. I can only imagine the pain she suffered. Poor Robin…
I quickly washed myself, scrubbing with scentless soap. The bathwater had turned a dingy color by the time I was done.
When was the last time Robin bathed?! Crap, how much time passed?
Wringing my shoulder-length hair dry, I wrapped myself in a towel and hurried to Jackson’s bedroom, looking for my new clothes. I spotted them folded on his dresser, basic commoner’s clothes: long-sleeve shirt, breeches, and boots. The shirt was surprisingly a perfect fit despite hugging my breasts.
One of his drawers was cracked open from his hurry, and spotted dried leaves hidden inside.
Curiosity kills the cat.
I slid open the drawer, and my lips parted. It was a flower crown; messily braided stems with lilies adorning the sides. The flowers were gray and wrinkled from age, dead for a long time.
Is that what I think it is…? He still has it? After all these years?
My heart that had always grown anxious at the sight or thought of him now softened.
Jackson…
I reached down to touch the ancient flower crown, and my chest twisted. The lilies were dead, just like my original body. My fingertip brushed a wrinkled petal, and it immediately chipped, snapping a lily in half. My face dropped with horror.
He’s gonna kill me!
I just broke his precious Princess Liliana’s flower crown. Gods, save me.
I accidentally slammed the drawer shut and raced out of his room, rushing out of his house before anybody could witness my crime.
The citizens I passed didn’t glance at me with beaming smiles like in the past, greeting me respectfully and staring in awe. Now everybody’s gaze was dull of color, some more lightless than others.
They’re still mourning.
It felt as though I was invisible, for once not receiving the attention I hated, but I didn’t want it to be like this.
By the time I reached the armory, Jackson was already standing there with his arms crossed and eyes narrowed. Again. I mentally prepared myself for his nagging.
“Sorry, Captain…” I panted, catching my breath from the sprint.
“You almost didn’t make it in time,” he said and led the way into the armory. Jackson handed me polished silver armor. “Put this on.”
“This? Wait.” I looked it over until it dawned on me, and I gaped. “Is this MY armor?”
“Hurry up. Time is short.” He nodded towards the wooden room divider.
I scurried behind the room divider and slid the armor over my clothes. Unlike all the other knights, mine didn’t have a scratch on it. Not even a speck of dirt. I stepped out from behind the room divider.
“This is so awesome…” I whispered to myself, struggling to contain myself.
Jackson looked me up and down, hand to his chin. “It doesn’t look half bad on you, actually.”
“It feels perfect!” I exclaimed, beaming a smile. The butterflies in my chest felt as though my heart would burst just from wearing simple knight armor.
I caught Jackson staring into my eyes, mesmerized by something. When I turned to him, he quickly looked away, his gaze falling to the ground. For the first time, he looked troubled if not uneasy.
What was that just now?
I gingerly approached him, tilting my head. “Captain?”