Chapter 2. The Final Chapter

'Sir Asher, do you want to repeat that?' Javier closed his eyes, sighing. His jaw ticked, veins stressed. We stood in his quarters, a small but comfortable room. I straightened, clasping my hands behind my back. 

'I want to be part of Her Grace's guard tomorrow.' I repeated. Lunaria was visiting the temple. It had been three weeks since her father's execution and the discovery that she was pregnant. Naturally, she was going to the temple to receive blessings and prayers for her unborn child. Since it was a ritual for the one carrying the child, Lucien wasn't attending, but he was sending guards with her. It was expected that Javier was part of Lunaria's knights, being the vice captain, no less.

Second to only Lucien, Sir Javier, the Storm Knight. His name was attributed to his speed and intelligence, though I supposed 'Lightning Knight' was too tacky. 

'You were always lazy and indolent, now you want to join Her Grace's guard, when everyone thinks you're a loafer?'

'Uhm, isn't 'loafer' a little harsh?' 

'That isn't the problem here.' He glared again. Then his face rested, and he sighed. 'The other knights will oppose. No one thinks you're capable. Even those rumours you keep dismissing are only around to spite you.' He clicked his tongue, looking distantly. That plain face of his was contemplating. 'But if it's you...'

'Can't you just put in a good word for me?' I smiled innocently. 'It's your word against theirs. They must respect your decision, Vice Captain.' 

'Tsk, when it serves you, you'll call me Vice Captain.' He glanced at me sideways. 'Fine. I'll do it. But as soon as there's an issue, you're being removed.' He grumbled. I felt my shoulders relax.

'... Thank you, Vice Captain. I appreciate it a lot.' 

I had joined the guard. Only Javier was crucial to the plot. Every other knight was a nameless background character like myself. 

'It shouldn't be an issue.' I assured myself, changing into my uniform on the day of the blessing ritual. A plain black shirt and pants, leather belt and straps, and a dark burgundy cape. I pinned the badge of the Benesse knights to my collar, muttering to myself. 'The final chapter ends without a hitch.'

I walked down the white corridors outside the castle. The morning sun was dim as it rose, the little light it provided occasionally broken by the shadows of large pillars. Then a ruckus of laughter sounded from around the corner.

'You're not serious, right? Why would that guy be joining the guard so suddenly?' 

'Vice Captain's orders. What can we do?' Familiar voices spoke. 

'That loafer will just get in the way.' 

I froze up behind the pillar in stupefaction. Was 'loafer' my tag name now? I felt somewhat irked. Turning the bend, I caught the knights' attention. 

'Hello.' Both knights flinched when they heard my voice, shutting their mouths. I couldn't help but smile in satisfaction as they looked at me uncomfortably. Yes, you were caught. 'I'll be joining you today,' I uttered, keeping a friendly expression on my face. 

'Oi, you rats.' Sir Javier's voice suddenly rang out lowly. He had a habit of appearing out of nowhere.

'Why are you still standing around here? The Duke will arrive any minute.' Javier glared daggers at the knights. Javier, it wouldn't do us any good to kill us before we complete  our duties.  

'With respect, Vice Captain, I do believe 'rat'  is not an accurate term for me.' The taller and broader of the two knights spoke. If bears could talk, there was one right in front of me. Javier glanced at him menacingly. 

'It's hard to call you anything else when all I can hear is your grating voice.' He looked down at the knights, who cringed bashfully. 'Asher, seems like you made it.' He turned his attention to me briefly. 'Do keep in mind, the two of you, that Sir Asher is one year your senior. Although this is his first time guarding Her Grace directly, he is no less a knight of Benesse. It is your collective duty to protect the Duchess.' The knights' expressions hardened.

It's that serious for them... But I knew that it was the end of the novel. For the past year, the novel had played out exactly as described. There were no more plot twists to be had.  

'Rest assured, Sir Javier. I have a feeling things will go smoothly.' I grinned. 

'Did I ask?' 

Ah, Javier, you jerk. My smile turned irritable. Why exactly was he my favourite side character in my past life? It was then the gravel of footsteps sounded, catching all our attention. So, he was here.

The Duke, Lucien Avery Benesse.

Tall, with dark red hair and striking golden eyes. A blood-soaked and fierce lord, a demon amongst devils.

Of course, that was before he met Lunaria. 

Lucien approached us, causing us all to straighten. He was dressed in his usual uniform, a black suit adorned with gold buttons and filigree designs. A gilded hilt of a sword stuck out from his similarly-decorated sheath at his hip. A main character, indeed. He acknowledged Javier with a nod, before beginning to speak. 

'Knights of Benesse. My wife is now with child. You will be accompanying her to the Temple, where she will receive blessings for our child. You are not only protecting her, but also the heir of Benesse. Things may seem peaceful now, but always be prepared...' 

Wow... would you look at their faces... I thought quietly. Lucien's briefing continued, the other knights listening attentively. I sighed, a sense of boredom hitting me. I had read this all before. Javier was the only person with any significance here. I could be watching the birds and Lucien wouldn't bat an eye. A bright blue sky, cloudless above the sweltering air. Birds tweeted overhead, rustling leaves as they swooped down to their nests. No one paid me any mind, as much as they did the birds.

'Then, I leave my wife in your hands.' Lucien finished. I glanced at him with dull red eyes from a distance. He walked away, returning to his duties, I supposed, without sparing a single glance at me. 

The temple was a large place. Large beams rose from the white stone grounds. The gush of water from the fountain in the central courtyard could be heard even from a distance. The tweet of birds echoed with it. 

I leaned against the marble pillar, folding my arms. We had been standing guard since the morning. Javier had been assigned to Lunaria's quarters, guarding her directly. Though Lunaria would only be staying here until sundown, the temple had given her quite the room. Though, I didn't expect they had much choice. She was the Duchess, after all. The other knight was a little further out, and the bear stood outside the building, in the white corridors with arched pillars. I stood with him, as an extra guard with simple orders- to assist if needed. Though I knew the situation wouldn't arise. The day would be uneventful.

Still, I wanted to watch the resolution of the novel, the final chapter.

'Hey, Rowan.' I spoke, getting the bear's attention. "What time is it?" Rowan looked back away from me and sighed briefly.

'How should I know?' Why did no one ever give me a straight answer? 

I glanced down at my shadow, cast by the late morning sun. Lunaria's blessing ritual would occur during solar noon, when the sun was at its peak. The temple clergy would work the time out, but I had no way of knowing how long left. We had been standing for a while, and the sun was getting hotter. 

'Surely, it'll begin soon?' I muttered. Rowan glanced at me again, but said nothing. Then, in the silence,  a clang sounded. Metal against marble. 

Rowan and I straightened, our senses alert. 

'What was that?' I asked, half to Rowan, mostly to myself. The final chapter ended without issues. Without issues. I stepped forward, hand gripping the hilt of my sword. 

'I'll check it out.'

'I will go.' Rowan tried to stop me. 

'No, I will.' I said without looking back. Rowan didn't resist. I walked towards the sound, keeping my steps quiet. Pillars blocked my view of the bend where voices started to emerge. 

'You snake. Did you think we would let you do such a thing?' A girl's voice? I backed up against the wall, peeking my head around. On the ground, a puddle of water and an empty copper pitcher lay. That must have been the sound. Around it, three sisters stood.

No. Two sisters, one volunteer. 

Two of the girls wore the clergy dress. Fully covered from head to toe, white linen rimmed with gold. And the other girl in a simple long, cream-coloured dress. Her dusty pink hair fell down her back, braided at the crown of her head. Though I couldn't see from this distance, I knew there was a small mole was situated beneath her left eye. And like an ocean, her eyes were a deep blue. In them, darkness swirled, as fleeting as a tide. 

It was a face I would recognise anywhere.

Daughter of Viscount Esteban, Lady Yurielle Esteban. 

In other words, this novel's villainess.