Chapter 29 Fleeting Petals
I twirled the knife in my hand, leaning against the battle-scarred tree. Deep gashes littered the bark and circled Jackson’s attack. Dead branches sprawled across the ground.
My aim and kick almost matched his, progressing rapidly. Whether I had a talent for the art or Robin’s body was attuned to combat was impossible to tell.
I stopped twirling the knife and looked at the leaf-green eyes staring back at me in its scraped reflection.
I can’t believe I almost forgot such a found memory…
I never got that sword-fight. I wonder… Can I still get it someday?
Shaking my head with a scoff, I ran my fingers through this short reddish-orange hair that replaced my long white locks.
You’re not a child anymore, Lily. You may be a knight, but… not like this. How did it come to this?
I desperately tried to be a fair, compassionate future queen. The price I paid was murder.
With a deep breath, I stood.
Right… Captain Jackson was waiting for me. I better go find him.
I wrapped my rope dart around my hip, fastening it like a belt as I returned to the camp. Almost every knight was ready to set out, gathering their weapons and getting their horses.
“Robin?” Erik’s voice called.
I glanced at the group tent and sighed in relief, walking over to him. “How’re you feeling, Erik?”
“Better. But…” His brows furrowed. “You’re not going with them, are you?”
“Huh? I’m a knight. Of course I’m going.”
“What?? That’s—” Whatever Erik was about to say, he quickly bit his tongue.
It likely would’ve been an offense to the captain.
“What?” I pressed.
“You haven’t even been a knight for a month, barely any experience. It just seems too soon.” He glanced around warily before whispering, “Too reckless.”
I frowned. “I thought you said you trusted Captain Jackson’s judgement.”
Erik’s blue eyes widened, taken off guard by my sudden shift in demeanor. “No! That’s not what I meant! I meant that…” He hesitated, and then murmured. “I’m concerned for your wellbeing, Robin.” He brushed some of my bangs behind my ear. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
I winced, gaze faltering. “I know, Erik. Sorry, I’ve just got a lot on my mind.” My practiced, pretty smile stretched my lips. “I’ll be careful, I promise. I’ll even come back with a good story or two.”
Erik grinned, chuckling. “There’s that spirit. Those stories better have me on the edge of my seat and bring me to tears! …Just don’t do anything dangerous.”
I giggled, my smile turning genuine. “I—”
“Ahem!” came a voice behind me. I whirled around, coming face to face with Cedric.
Cedric glanced from me to his younger brother. “Shouldn’t you be resting? And you,” he addressed me next. “Should probably get ready to set out.”
“R—right, see you,” I murmured, leaving their side. The brothers started bickering, though this time it looked like Erik was getting lectured.
I glanced around and spotted Jackson outside of camp, standing on the road, staring in the direction we’ll be heading soon, helmet in hand. The dark clouds began to part; rays of sunlight patched the land.
Jackson seemed deep in thought, oblivious to me approaching behind him. My gaze traveled over his body. He was far bigger compared to my young memory, and that flickering warmth in his hazel eyes was long gone. He may have been quiet back then, but I still recalled seeing his eyes smile.
What could’ve happened to make him grow up to be so aggressive? Was it the gore on the battlefield he witnessed at a young age… or something else?
I recalled Maribel gushing over many men, but not as much as the captain of the knighthood. Her words were starting to hit home.
He is handsome.
Even as I stood behind him, he didn’t react. Without thinking, I stepped closer and wrapped my arms around him, pressing my forehead against his armored back. He stiffened briefly before sighing.
“Robin?”
“How’d you know it was me?”
Jackson scoffed, a hint of amusement in his tone. “None of my other knights have the balls to sneak up behind me.”
“I wasn’t sneaking; you just weren’t paying attention,” I said. He grunted something inaudible.
I closed my eyes, embracing him tighter. My thin arms compared to his muscular body shouldn’t have restricted his breathing, and yet his lungs began to move irregularly. Jackson spun around. My hands and forehead rested on his chest until I lifted my head, not realizing how close I was until my nose brushed his, locking eyes.
That warm flicker was nowhere to be seen. If anything, the occasional flare I’d see in his eyes was fueled by rage.
That wasn’t the warmth I desired to see.
I knew I couldn’t bring that flicker back, not with the face I’m wearing.
Not as Robin.
Jackson’s gaze immediately darted away from mine, just like any other time, and an uncomfortable look dulled his lightless eyes further.
“…Robin.”
“Sir?”
Jackson faced me again, gaze hardened. “I’m giving you one more chance. ONE more chance to prove I can trust you,” he said. “As excellent as you are, your naivety and righteousness could cause more harm than good. Follow. My. Orders. Understood?”
My chest fluttered, giving a determined nod. “Yes, sir! I won’t let you down, I swear. What do you need?”
Jackson looked me up and down, as if still deciding whether he should follow through. Eventually he sighed, releasing my shoulders. “Scout.”
“Uh,” I hesitated. “Scout, sir?”
“I want you to go ahead of us and scout the area. They’ll immediately notice us if we arrive all at once, so you are to go alone. Estimate their numbers, their weapons, everything. If possible, try to figure out which one is the leader—even if it’s just a wild guess. That’s more than enough. I’ll find them from there.” He pointed at my chest, lip curled. “Do NOT engage the enemy. Unless you have a death wish. I may not be able to come to your rescue again.”
I gaped and scowled. “I told you, I don’t need saving!”
Jackson crossed his arms. “Right, because you had that funny situation in Moir Forest under control, aye?”
I winced, mumbling, “…Kinda.”
My captain watched me and then grabbed my arm. “This task is dangerous. More dangerous than combat. If you’re spotted and captured…. Look, if you feel that you don’t have what it takes, it’s alright. I understand.”
I hesitated, choosing my words carefully before beaming a confident grin.
“The best knights are heroic, yeah?”
Jackson’s eyes widened, that flicker briefly returning. He closed his eyes for a moment before opening with a small smile. Jackson handed me his helmet. “Yeah. Hop to it.”
I finally get to wear his helmet!
“Sir!” I put on his helmet and dashed off to my horse. Cedric and Erik watched me race through camp, but I didn’t stop to explain. My captain entrusted me with a crucial job.
I mounted Snowdrift and yanked on his reins. “Hi-yah!” I barked, and Snowdrift rippled a neigh. We rode off at full speed. Sunlight dappled the road ahead.