Canorous

Twenty Three

Due to the crisis that dealt fatal blows to the knights of Eldia and their squires, they were forced to fall back into a nobleman's manor who reluctantly allowed them in his estate after seeing the injuries that the rebels bestowed to their Empire's protectors.

The manor, which belonged to a man named Strattman was surrounded with tall sunflowers that stood and proud like the sun worshippers in the Roman Colosseum. Their amber petals were warm to the eyes like melting caramel that a baker drizzles over the handmade pastries.

Sure, they were beautiful but they were only a nymph compared to the lavenders in Erwin's estate for they were straight from the looking glass of Venus.

The yellow hues of the towering sunflowers were to violent to Levi's eyes because he adored the serene calm of the periwinkle for it reminded him of the gentle side of the royalty.

But maybe, he despises the glorious, golden florae because Levi missed being in Erwin's manor but above all, he missed Erwin's company.

As they entered the gates of Strattman's manor, many of the squires talked in hushed voices, saying that Strattman was only noble for he was toady enough to reach nobility.

The dark haired young man was skeptical about the shared canard and he raised a brow, scrutinizing it.

Then again, it was not his business and he just ached from the wound he attained from the previous skirmish. Levi's wound did not send him to the edge of the doors of Helheim but no one ever thought that an injury to the toe was such a bitch.

He was wincing his way down as he slid off his trusty stallion. The Stygian horse neighed happily as Levi gave its forelock a pat but he cursed himself for he put pressure on his toes as he stretched to pat the horse.

Metals of different colors adorned the huge oak door of Strattman. His door knocker was in the form of a harpy who spread out its wings, all in the name of Freedom.

Erwin ambled in between the bustling crowd of knights and squires, passing between a sea of live men. The tall, blonde man took the knocker that looked like delicate as the first snowfall in his hands. Firm thuds reverberated thrice and filled the suddenly placid chat of the men.

Levi's eyes of argentum followed the physique of the man he loved. The thought made him grit his teeth. Levi is such a sinner, it was awful.

Even if Levi has not committed the sin, it is grave enough to earn him a place in every circle of Dante's Hell. 

The door was scraped open by a butler who looked like the sculptures of sweet, sleeping cherubims in the sanctuary.

Erwin greeted the valet who nodded curtly, acknowledging the renowned Knight and ushering him in, along with the multitude of exhausted human beings.

They were safe.

As safe as being in Hestia's hearth where firewood pops and crackles, where the fire cackles gently as a visitor makes its way to the fireside.

But little did they know that the manor was a Trojan Horse.

•••

Life slid down the roseate lips of a fallen virgin goddess.

Who would have thought that the tissue of a toddler would taste toothsome?

Her lips quivered as she stared at the half-eaten, mutilated arm. Anguish and satisfaction eddied Historia as she stared at her bloodied extremities.

"I'm a murderer..." She whispered, containing a scream but alas, Historia held it in because if any of her attendants noticed, they will barge into her room and query her to death.