Onyx Magical Academy (GXG)

Chapter Three

The knight's presence was almost overwhelming, the glint of his armor catching the light and reflecting it back in a dazzling display. My heart raced as I struggled to process everything. I had woken up in a lavish room that belonged in a fairytale, and now there was an actual knight standing before me.

"Who are you?" I asked again, my voice steadier this time, though a tremor of uncertainty lingered.

"I am Sir Cedric, protector of the Astley dukedom," he replied, his tone even but laced with urgency. "You are safe now, but we need to talk."

"Talk?" I echoed, my mind swirling with questions. "About what? Why is the Duke coming? And... who am I?"

His expression shifted slightly, a flicker of sympathy in his eyes. "You may be experiencing some memory loss due to the incident. You're in the Larkin Barony, and you are... the illegitimate child of Duke Astley."

The words crashed over me like waves. An illegitimate child? The reality of my situation began to sink in, and a whirlwind of emotions surged through me—shock, confusion, a hint of fear. My hand instinctively went to my throat, feeling the pulse racing beneath my skin.

"I don't remember any of this," I admitted, feeling vulnerable and exposed. "What happened to me?"

"You were gathering herbs in the mountain when you were attacked by bandits," Sir Cedric explained, his voice softening. "You fought bravely, and just when it seemed all was lost, your protector arrived in time to rescue you. Your injuries caused a kind of shock, leading to your current situation."

A flicker of unease sparked in my mind. "It sounds too convenient. Bandits just happen to attack someone gathering herbs?" That seems... suspicious."

Sir Cedric regarded me with a mixture of concern and curiosity. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal, "that my memories are hazy. It feels like there's something deeper behind this attack, something I'm not remembering." I could see his expression shift as he processed my words, and I felt a wave of nervousness. "I'm just... I'm still trying to grasp everything. Am I living with the Duke?"

He looked at me with a hint of suspicion. "Why do you ask?"

"I... I just thought maybe I should know where I fit into all this," I stammered, feeling exposed under his scrutinizing gaze. "Some of my memories are lost, and I don't know how I ended up here."

He regarded me for a moment longer, then nodded slowly. "You will be living in the Duke's residence. He wishes to take you under his protection."

The weight of his words settled heavily on me. I had lost everything I once knew, and now I was meant to step into a new role that felt both alien and alluring. "What if I'm not ready for this?" I whispered, fear creeping back into my voice.

"Then you take your time," he said firmly but gently. "No one expects you to have all the answers right away. But you deserve to know your place in this world."

I took a deep breath, the reality of my situation settling heavily on my shoulders. "What if I don't want this?"

Sir Cedric's expression grew serious. "That choice is yours, but you cannot ignore who you are. You have a right to understand your heritage, to decide what you want to do with it."

His words resonated deep within me, and I felt a spark of defiance. I was not going to let fear dictate my choices. "So, what happens now?"

"You prepare to meet the Duke," he replied, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "I can help you with that. You will need to know how to navigate this world, and I will be by your side."

I nodded, a mixture of determination and uncertainty swirling within me. The idea of facing the Duke was daunting, but I was not going to shy away. "Alright, let's do this," I said, my voice stronger than I felt.

As Sir Cedric stepped closer to assist me, I caught a glimpse of the future that lay ahead—an uncharted path filled with intrigue, challenges, and the chance to discover who I truly was. And maybe, just maybe, I could find a way to make this new life my own.