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CHAPTER FIVE A true Knight
It was a bittersweet morning at Veloria’s grand hall. Sunlight poured through tall windows, illuminating the gleaming suits of armor and swords displayed in honor of the realm’s brave knights. Today was the day Evander, Catherine’s younger brother, was leaving for his first knight training. At only thirteen, he was excited but visibly nervous, his eagerness tempered by the gravity of what lay ahead.
Catherine stood beside her brother, adjusting his cloak with gentle hands, a mixture of pride and worry in her eyes. She knew this was a vital step for him—one that would begin shaping him into the man he was destined to be.
Evander gave his sister a teasing grin as she fussed over him. "Don’t worry too much, Catherine. I’ll be back before you know it. Try not to miss me too much, alright?"
Catherine laughed, shaking her head. “Oh, I think I’ll survive without your constant pranks. Just… stay safe, Evander. Promise?”
He gave a confident nod, the hint of a mischievous smile still playing on his lips. “Of course. I’ll come back a better fighter than you’d ever expect.”
They embraced tightly, and Catherine held on a bit longer than usual, not wanting to let him go. But the time had come, and soon Evander was off, his youthful eagerness carrying him forward into the unknown.
Meanwhile, Kaelen was preparing for the most challenging phase of his own knight training, one that would last five grueling months. At eighteen, he was nearing the final stretch, ready to prove himself as a worthy knight and future king. His training took place in a mountainous region known for its harsh conditions, designed to test every ounce of strength, endurance, and skill that a knight possessed.
For Kaelen, the days were filled with the clanging of swords, the weight of heavy armor, and the unrelenting commands of his instructors. The rigorous drills left him breathless and bruised, but his determination kept him pushing forward, determined to make his family and kingdom proud.
Damian, now sixteen, was still training in the lower levels, too young for the advanced trials Kaelen faced. Nevertheless, he found himself working hard alongside Evander, and they quickly became close friends. Over the course of three months, Damian’s steady patience balanced Evander’s restless energy, and the two bonded over shared goals and their admiration for their older brothers.
While their brothers were away, Catherine and Rosalie kept themselves busy. One weekend, they were invited to visit Ryan Penting again at the Penting Estate, where they were introduced to his younger sister, Eliza. She was a spirited twelve-year-old with a quick wit and lively curiosity, only a year younger than Evander. Catherine and Rosalie instantly warmed to her, admiring her bright nature and clever humor.
Eliza took to them as well, looking up to Catherine and Rosalie as role models. They spent their days at the estate learning new etiquette lessons, but in the evenings, they enjoyed lively conversations and laughter.
