Rare Gemstone (Kirito x reader)

Chapter 2

(Y/n)'s POV

~The next day~

The maids pulled the curtains apart, allowing the sunshine to come in. Ugh, was it 'tomorrow' already?

Shiki had already left. *sigh* Waking up at 4:30 must be really tiresome.

"Lady (Y/n), today you'll be leaving to go to Swilvane. I've already prepared the clothes and equipment you'll need," exclaimed Marie.
"Thank you."
"Do you need help?"
"No, I'm fine."

She left after making sure everything was in place. I slipped out of the night gown and changed into the outfit (imagine some outfit that you'd use in SAO) she had prepared for me.

No more dresses, one benefit from going on this trip.
After checking that everything was alright, I went to the hall where I would see my parents for the last time before going on the journey.

"Has everything been prepared, (Y/n)?" mother asked.
"Yes, everything's ready."
"Good, then we can introduce you to the knight," said father.

A boy wearing a black cloak walked through the door and bowed before us.

"Your highness, I'm here to accompany you on your trip to Swilvane. My name's Kirito. Pleasure to meet you," he greeted.
"The pleasure is mine."
"Right, you can leave anytime now that you've already prepared everything. But don't forget, if you fail to complete this mission, there will be a punishment...your brother's life," father warned.
"I know, please leave everything to me. I'll make sure to come back and bring you good news."

My parents nodded before taking their leave. Tch, not even one glance back at their own daughter.
But where was Shiki? Was he still training? I wanted to see him before leaving.

"Kirito, get the horses ready and wait for me at the palace entrance."
"As you wish."

I headed off to the shed where my brother usually went for his harsh torture.

When I arrived, what I saw was something that would probably shock me for life. Shiki was getting beaten up by three other knights. But what was eve  more shocking was that his instructor didn't even bother to stop them.

"What is the meaning of this?"
"Ah Princess (Y/n), pleasure to see you here. You see, your brother has to defeat those three knights to pass the test," explained the instructor.
"That is not a test but torture. By the order of the princess of Aincrad, I command you to stop this test at once and change the harsh conditions of what you consider 'training'."
"I'm terribly sorry, Lady (Y/n) but I have an order from the king to give him this training."

Damn it, what now? I quickly kicked the chubby knight and knocked the sword out of his hand.

"You know...if you hurt the heir to the throne of Aincrad, you realise what punishment lies ahead, do you not?"
"Tch, stop the test!"

I threw the sword to the side and picked Shiki up. There was no way I was going to let him stay here.

When we were in the gardens, I put him down and wiped away the blood dripping down his chin.

"Nee-chan, don't worry about me. I'll be sure to beat them, you'll see," he exclaimed with a forced smile.
"Shiki, stop pretending. I can see through your smile. Anyway, I can't do anything right now but when I come back, I'll be sure to stop this."
"Nee-chan..."
"Now go tell Marie that I asked her to help clean you. If mother and father ask, just say that I did everything. I have to go now, stay safe."

After making sure that he had gone inside safely, I went to the entrance. Just like I had asked, Kirito had gotten the horses ready, along with the equipment and was leaning casually against a tree.

"Sorry for making you wait so long."
"Don't worry about it," he replied with a grin.

~Some time later~

We were already in the forest. Surprisingly, there were no bandits and thieves lurking behind the bushes. It was quite peaceful but I just wished that Shiki was here.

"You worried about your brother, your highness?" asked Kirito.
"Yeah, I'm scared about his life. And just call me (Y/n), don't be too formal with me. I don't like it."
"Alright then (Y/n)."
"How do you know about my brother?"
"It's kinda a long story."
"You can tell me after we eat lunch."

I got off my horse and picked an apple off the tree.

"Catch!"

I caught the pear that Kirito had thrown. Luckily this place had simple fruits and vegetables, nothing too fancy.

I hope the peace treaty would go well. If not, my brother's life would be in danger. The only reason for this peace treaty was so that we could defend ourselves against Glocken, the only ruling kingdom that hasn't shown anyone - including its own subjects - the heir to the throne. No one knew what he looked like. The only thing they actually did know was his name and gender, nothing else was said.

"(Y/n), flies are going to eat that if you don't," exclaimed Kirito.
"Oh."
"*laughs* You're cute," he suddenly said out of nowhere.
"Stop with the flattery, I've already heard enough of it at the palace. It means nothing."

He just smiled and sat down while patting the spot next to him. I hesitantly sat down, allowing myself to relax.

"You don't have to be so stiff around me, I'm not going to hurt you," he said.
"Sorry, I was just-"
"It's tough living like that, right?"
"Yeah...anyway, what was the story you were going to tell me?"
"...I first stumbled across your kingdom while searching for a place to stay. I often fought people for money, like beating up people who were hurting others. That was when word got out that I was defeating whoever I came upon. Your parents offered me a place as a knight and allowed me to train at the palace. I met your brother while training and we became good friends, I think that's why he could continue, other than the fact that he had a great older sister supporting him. While resting, I saw him being threatened and beaten up. Of course I wanted to say something but I had no power or authority to do so. Even if I tried, they would just threaten me."
"I see..."

So that was how he knew my brother...but who exactly was this knight? Where did he come from? I hope I wasn't travelling with someone dangerous.