On Another Side of the Royal City
The young man who had taken control of the mad horse finally managed to bring it to a stop and led it to a stable.
"Why did the horse suddenly go mad?" a stable boy asked. He was new to the job and didn’t understand much. The horse had been fine when it was taken out earlier.
"I’m not sure. Let the groom check it out. Also, inform the stable master not to let anyone use it until it’s treated," the young man instructed.
"Okay," the stable boy agreed.
The young man left and headed back to his quarters.
"I heard you saved a damsel today?"
He had barely reached the living area when someone brought up the day’s incident. The young man frowned. He hadn’t expected news to spread so quickly.
In truth, he had been sitting in a tea room, looking out the window. Whenever he didn’t have training at the military camp, he liked to go out. Everyone was used to this habit of his.
While sipping his tea and listening to the gossip around the royal city, he had noticed a young lady. At first, he hadn’t paid much attention, but when the wind blew her veil slightly, he recognized her it was the same lady who had bumped into him at the royal palace a few days ago.
He had just been thinking about the coincidence when he heard shouting in the distance. Being skilled with horses, he had immediately rushed over to assess the situation and offer help. As a member of the royal army, and given his status, he could not stand idly by. Fortunately, he had intervened in time; otherwise, he might have been forced to watch the beautiful young woman die.
Recalling her closed eyes in that moment, the young man imagined she must have been terrified.
"Ernest, what are you thinking about?" The man who had questioned him didn’t like being ignored.
"I was doing my job, which is to protect the people of Nixel," Ernest replied. He knew the man wouldn’t let him be unless he answered.
"Oh, how boring. I heard the lady was from a noble family. How did she thank you?" The man pressed, eager for more details.
Ernest looked at him, unsure what to say. He had simply done his duty, was there a need for a reward?
Seeing his confusion, the young man burst into laughter. He knew Ernest was always straightforward.
The two had known each other since they joined the training camp at the age of twelve. Ernest was the illegitimate son of the Duke of Ironhaven, a man renowned for his military prowess. His entire dukedom thrived as much as the royal city itself.
Ironhaven was less than a day’s journey from the royal city if one rode day and night, stopping only for short rests.
When Ernest was born, the Duchess of Ironhaven had already given birth to three daughters but had no sons. At the time, a male heir was essential, as only a son could inherit his father’s title.
It was said that the duchess had tried everything in her power to conceive again, but to no avail. When Ernest turned ten, rumors spread that she planned to adopt him under her name many believed this was the only way forward. If the family lacked a direct heir, distant relatives might begin to eye the Duke’s title.
However, shortly after these rumors began, the Duchess miraculously became pregnant. Many had believed she could no longer bear children. Some even speculated that she would have yet another daughter, but she gave birth to a son.
With a legitimate heir now in place, there was no longer a need to adopt Ernest.
At the time, some pitied the boy—just when he had the chance to shed his title as an illegitimate son, an heir was born.
Ernest had been just ten years old then. No one knew how he truly felt. He had always been a brilliant child, praised by all his teachers and excelling in everything he did. He was undoubtedly talented.
When he turned twelve, he made a shocking decision; he joined the royal army.
This surprised everyone. His father commanded a vast army of his own. Even though Ernest would never have absolute control over it, he could have still joined and risen through its ranks. As the Duke’s son, he would have been second only to his younger brother in the future.
Yet, he had chosen to enlist in the royal army, starting from the lowest rank.
Unlike at home, he received no special treatment. He was just another recruit, training alongside commoners most of whom came from poor families or lower noble houses without titles.
Training was grueling, but Ernest endured it. After officially joining as a foot soldier, he quickly distinguished himself, earning numerous merits. By nineteen, he had become the youngest Captain in the army.
His strength and skill were undeniable. Now, at twenty-one, he had recently been promoted to Colonel.
No one could question his ability.
The young man walking beside him was Edwin. They had trained together since childhood, and Edwin had admired Ernest from the start. But to Ernest, Edwin was simply too noisy.
Edwin was skilled in his own right and had become a Captain. His achievements should have been celebrated, but with someone like Ernest ahead of him, he often felt overshadowed.
Outside of training and official duties, Edwin treated Ernest as a friend, always trying to gossip about everything. Though Ernest found him irritating, he still considered him a friend; they had known each other for over ten years, after all.
"Do you have nothing better to do?" Ernest asked, noticing that Edwin was about to ask another question.
Sensing the shift in Ernest’s tone, Edwin realized his friend was in a bad mood.
"Did something happen to annoy you?" Edwin asked curiously.
Ernest sighed. "I’m tired and want to rest."
In truth, he had been feeling frustrated ever since he saved Anastasia. He didn’t know why, but he was deeply concerned about her. He kept wondering what would have happened if he hadn’t been there.
Though he barely knew Anastasia, he couldn’t deny that, for the first time, he was drawn to a woman. But he also found her careless.
The first time they met, at a royal gathering, she had bumped into him, spilling her drink. Fresh chapters posted on NoveI(F)ire.net
Now, she had fallen and nearly been trampled by a horse.
He sighed again, paying no attention as Edwin continued his chatter.