Just let me sleep!

Chapter 15

"You are not allowed further."

The man in the high white robes didn't yell. Didn't need to, his voice was deep and rough, like it scraped the inside of his throat just to be heard. Each word dropped like a stone as he looked at the knight.

"But... I can't let our poor young master go alone!" The knight protested, whining with his hands raised. "Surely you don't expect him to carry all this by himself?"

The knight was holding my bags. When had he picked them up again?

I wasn't even allowed to pack by myself. The Duke made sure I was overpacked, as if I were being shipped off forever. Which, technically, wasn't far from the truth.

All three of us stared at the knight with similar dumbfounded expressions.

[Seriously?]

"Only those destined to become Holy Knights may enter," The white robe man repeated, sharper this time. His face was hidden beneath the hood, but even without seeing it, I could feel it. That look, that cold, judging look.

And by his tone, he was annoyed. Definitely annoyed.

"But—"

[Why is he like this?]

My brow twitched. Is he trying to make me look weak or pampered? Trying to paint me as the helpless young master, so everyone in there will pick on me.

No... no, that's ridiculous. Right?

"That's enough," I muttered with a sigh.

The hooded figures shifted, and for a moment, I felt their gaze like a weight. I looked up, just enough to make out the faintest glimpse of a face beneath one of the hoods. Pale skin, sharp features. Beautiful, almost ethereal, but their eyes remained hidden in the shadow.

I looked away quickly. Not out of fear. Out of habit.

My eyes drifted back to the knight. I walked up to him. He looked surprised, way too surprised.

"Oh! Y-Young master~ You've come to say goodbye to your loyal kn—"

I bent down and grabbed one of the bags. A medium-sized one. Not too heavy,  just enough.

"..."

"..."

He was quiet. Probably expecting a hug or something.

I turned around, my small frame consumed by the bag in my arms. I looked at the hooded gatekeepers.

"I'm ready."

There was a long pause. None of them said a word. All three of them were silent and stunned.

_________________________________________

The path ahead was white brick, smooth and spotless. I doubted even walking barefoot would leave a trace. It was just too clean, too polished. Like everything was made to be untouchable, not a training ground.

One of the hooded guards walked silently beside me. While the others had stayed at the gate.

We'd been walking for a while now. No conversation, just the steady rhythm of our boots and the occasional whisper of wind through the trees lining the road.

My arms were tired. My shoulders ached. This body was weak. Shouldn't kids have more stamina than this?

I kept holding the bag tight to my chest.  Not because I had to, no, but because I wanted to.

"Would you like me to carry that?" The guard beside me asked. Their voice was different. Softer and kinder, it reminded me of the warmth of tea on rainy days.