The Saintess's Knight

Chapter 4: Rebirth

Plunging down the depths of the abyss, his soul was then suspended in this dark and eerie dimension.

He was conscious, not entirely sound of mind but he still remembered her last moments. Disregarding the soul crushing pain being inflicted upon him, he could only focus on the image of his Saintess. The blood seeping out her lovely dark eyes, hunched over and coughing blood.

A whirl of emotions he didn't even recognize weighed heavy on his heart. One stood out the most; regret.

Oh, how he regretted so much. 

If only he wasn't naïve, if only he hadn't listened to the words of whom he trusted, if only he had been by her side from the start, if only...

If only he had another chance to start over.

Tears streamed down the face of his incorporeal being. It felt like the walls were closing in on him, immense pressure gradually approaching him.

He couldn't see anything in the darkness, but he could feel and hear. The presence of another was near.

[Do you wish to go back? To the time before this wretched fate began.] A voice asked.

Vincent shuddered as he found himself under the eyes of this powerful being. As his mind worked quickly, he forced his heavy tongue to move.

"... At what cost?"

If his soul was to be sold and put under control, what would be the point in turning back time. He had to save her first and foremost, if he couldn't have the free will to do that, then he'd rather not make her relive her pain.

[I will not ask twice.]

"...yes." Vincent finally grunted in pain. Maybe, just maybe, his prayers will be answered.

[...Take care of my child, Guardian knight.]

"Ah...!"

So it was the almighty God. Vincent then understood, of course the god would not be pleased with him, for Vincent had failed in his duty of protecting the true Saintess.

Not to mention he had never worshiped the god despite using the holy powers he was granted. Whatever faith he had at the beginning, had diminished as he witnessed the fate of the Saintess.

Before Vincent could utter another word, he was plunged further down the abyss.

*******************

"Huk! Ugh..."

Clutching at his chest, Vincent awoke startled. Bewildered, Vincent sprung up and tensed as he took in his surroundings. This place was familiar to him, too familiar. It was home. The place he grew up in, where his birth mother died, the estate he abandoned or rather ran from.

He was back, before it all started. Before he succumbed to the threats of his step brother and step mother and ran away with tail between his legs. Before he became a holy knight.

Before he met her.

Vincent Pearce was once again 15 years old.

He took a deep breath to calm his erratic heart. Tears stung his eyes as he was overcome with emotion. He strode towards the window and opened the blinds.

The cool breeze and warm morning sun greeted Vincent.

He knelt on one knee and clasped his hands close to his face before muttering a prayer of gratitude. "Oh, my merciful lord, this undeserving knight will forever be grateful for this second chance."

Knock, knock, knock!

"Young master, the master calls for you-" 

The butler who had rudely entered without permission paused at the sight of Vincent Kneeling. A maid who came along side the butler snickered. 

"Goodness, kneeling so early in the morning when the madam hadn't punished you yet?"

Vincent quietly stood up as watched the maid enter the walk in closet, grab a simple blue suit outfit and throw them on the bed.

"Get changed quickly~ Can't keep the masters waiting~" Eva, the maid with dark hair and slanted eyes, mocked as she turned to leave.

"Pft-" Vincent chuckled into his fist, his turned to the side as he struggled to hold in his laughter. 

Ah, it's been awhile since he's been disrespected directly to his face. Even the pope maintained a manner of dignity in front of Vincent.

Eva whipped her head around, bewildered and thought she misheard. Not only was the second young master laughing, he appeared different than usual. His gloomy demeanor had diminished, his sliver eyes held vigor and strength before unseen. The sun had given him a halo, brightening his light skin and golden hair. 

"...Eva, head to the dinning room and help the head maid ready the dinning table." The butler dismissed the blankly frozen maid.

Vincent watched with cold eyes as the butler dared to speak in his masters place. The maid hurriedly nodded and shut the door behind her.

"Young master, please wash and ready yourself. You have but a quarter of an hour before breakfast with the count and the countess."

Vincent hummed in rely and entered the washroom connected to his room. He splashed his face with cold water before deeply sighing. Staring into the mirror, his cold eyes filled with determination. Things were to be done differently this lifetime, he wouldn't run away from his noble lineage. The title Count would be useful in shielding his saintess from the church and other nobles.

To take hold of the title Count Pearce, was his goal to be accomplished within three years. Three years was the time limit, by then she would be blessed by god to become a saintess. He needed to find her before the church or the royal family.

Vincent paused.

Why wait three years to bring her here? He knew the town she resided in, it was on the border of a neighboring country. But how would he convince her to come to a foreign nation, the empire no less, where those without adequate mana or power would have a hard time breathing?

'She wouldn't remember me. How can I tie her to myself?'

An idea flickered in his mind.

Marriage? 

...That might work. 

Exiting the washroom with a light smile, Vincent ruffled his short hair with a small towel. The butler had placed his clothing in the changing corner of his room, hidden behind a partial wall directly in front of the bathroom.

Standing behind the curtain, Vincent leisurely took of his shirt, button by button. As he did so he looked down at his body with a frown. His strength at this time was practically nonexistent, be it his adolescent and untrained body or his social standing in this house. Both needed to be risen before he could bring 'her' into this estate. 

The butler fastened the last button on Vincent's collar as he spoke. Pushing up his golden glasses, he glanced at the young master with curiosity. 

"All done. It's time, young master." 

"Lead the way, then." Vincent lazily spoke, still sleepy. Having to deal with his family so early in the morning was bound to give him indigestion during breakfast, he inwardly mused.

Vincent's room was in the left wing on the second floor of this three stories high mansion. The left wings on all floors were living quarters of the children, while the count and countess resided in the main upper floors, while the first floor was a dining hall. The right wings were guest rooms and a small ball on the first floor.

The butler lead Vincent down the main stairs and towards the dinning hall. 

At the head of the table, his father sat with his typical indifferent expression. To his right was Vincent's step mother. Her long burette hair was tied up with extravagance and she wore a fake smile that could barely hide her greed and hate. 

Vincent was lead to his seat by a maid. As he sat, his step brother sitting beside his step mother spoke up.

"Good morning, elder brother." 

The boy, 16 years of age, smiled. His face smug and eyes narrowed as he sized up Vincent. 

"Morning." Vincent nodded nonchalantly.