Knight

Meeting A Duke's Daughter

Ciel's Pov

I wake up early to train.  The sun is just starting to rise and I'm out in the woods near the castle training.  I'm mostly just swinging my sword and training my reflexes.  I am alone right now so it's silent and peaceful.  But my peace is disturbed when I hear a loud scream from north of where I am.  Quickly running towards I heard a girls scream, I see a long, curly, beautiful white haired teenage girl with golden eyes surrounded by a group of bandits.  From the looks of it, they are a part of the group we took out yesterday.  But we didn't let anyone escape so they must have not been with yesterdays group.  In total, there is about twenty grown men with huge muscles carrying large sword blades.  The girl is yelling at them to unhand her but her panicked expression makes the men continue on towards her.  By the looks of her dress, she looks like an important persons daughter.  

I ready my sword and get ready to attack.  When one of the men reaches out and almost grabs her, I quickly run and stand in front of her while hitting the man back with my sword.  I have absolute confidence about defeating all these men but I'm not sure if I can protect her.  That is, as long as she stays by my side and remains calm.  The sun's shining brightly in my eyes as I observe the mens' movements.

"Are you alright," I ask her and while looking back at the girl who is about my height but a little taller.  Now I realize that she is tall, it would have make me feel pathetic about myself if I was actually a guy.

"Yes, I am, thank you for saving me, but who are you?"  She asks surprised.  

"I'm a knight that's going to join one of the guards after I finish my last test today.  My name is Ciel,"  I tell her.  "We don't have much time to talk so if I may be bold, can you please stay close by my side so I can protect you?"  I ask looking her in the eyes.  

"Alright," she nods her head and looks less panicked now.  She grabs onto my white uniform with her small delicate hand and her wrist looks like it can snap easily.  She isn't strong, but she does look like she possess a little ability to protect herself judging by the fact some of the men have small injuries and she hasn't been caught yet.  Then she takes a step forwards and stands close to me.  

"Alright, let's dance," I say and motion for the men to dance.  They all charge forward without a plan and I take them all on.  Since they are attacking recklessly, it's easy for me to cut them down.  Not to kill them, but so they won't get back up.  Each step I take doesn't waste my energy and again, my fighting style is like a dance.  I can feel that the girl is amazed by my skills and with me by her side, not a single person was able to touch her.

Finally, all the men were defeated and I step away from her.  

"Do you need my help returning to your home?  Or will you be able to return yourself?"  I ask her.

"I'm actually going to the castle to meet the princess, so may I accompany you there when you have to return for your last test?"  She asks politely.

"Sure, I don't see why not," I say shrugging since it shouldn't be much trouble.  Who knows, she might be attacked again so it would be best if I just keep her by my side where I can protect her until she is safe behind the castle walls.  

"Thank you, Ciel," she says slightly smiling.

"No problem," I say and then realize that I don't even know her name.  "May I know what you are called?"

"My name is Mira Strattero," she properly introduces herself.

"It's nice to meet you, Lady Mira," I say greeting her with a fake smile.  I know I said it would be best to keep her by my side, but still, I don't know how to deal with ladies that of her class.  Especially since her father is Duke Strattero, who is rumored to get along with the king.

"Is it urgent that you have to return right away, my lady, or is it alright if I continue practicing out here until my exam starts and I can walk you back then?"  I ask her politely but distant.  She seems to notice the distance I placed between us and nods her head.

"I don't have to arrive to the castle right away, so we can wait here so you can train," she says and takes a seat in the shade.  I hesitate because I thought she would want to immediately return but I'm not sure if it would actually be ok if she can stay out here wit me.

"What happened to those who should be taking you to the castle," I say and begin with my practices again.  I don't let her staring bother me as I continue doing what I did before I heard her  scream.

"I left them behind, at that rate, we would have arrived next week when the journey should only take three days by horse," she say shrugging and I smile slightly but don't let her see it.  

"They must be worried about you then," I say amused by how she is acting.  She doesn't care if she has to travel alone, yet most girls should hate having to travel, especially if it's on foot.  But I'm not one to talk.  I'm a girl and I dress and act like a guy.

"Your different from other girls," I say laughing slightly.  I place my sword back in it's sheath and walk over to her.

"I should say the same to you, you are a girl and yet you are dressed as a man," she says also in an amused tone causing me to laugh.  I know staring into her eyes that I cannot change her mind because she already figured out my gender.

"Then can I ask you the favor of keeping my identity of a girl a secret?  I'm not suppose to let others know I'm a girl due to certain reasons I can't say and also that I've only just found out why," I ask her winking.

"I suppose, only because you saved me.  But I do hope we can be friends Ciel.  Actually, is that even your real name?"  She asks me looking me in the eye so I don't lie.

"My name is Cecile,"  I say smiling since a great weight has been lifted off of me.

"Cecile, call me Mira please, and when we are alone, I'll call you Cecile and Ciel in private, alright?"  She asks as I nod my head.

"Sure Mira," I tell her still smiling.  I get the feeling the two of us will be the best of friends, well of the same gender anyways.  Sage will be by guy friend.  But, can he be mor-, No!  Don't think such thoughts Cecile, I tell myself while hitting my head with my hand gently.