Empire 《Mikayuu/YuuMika》

⥈ Chapter Eight ⥈

The sun dwindled over the horizon as Yuuichirou finished settling in his temporary quarters, the memory of being reunited with his friend fresh on his mind. He still could not believe that he was a knight at last. After all his toils and failures, he could bestow honor to his family, protect his people, and most of all, he could boast to all of those who doubted him. He did not know of any of his ancestors ruling a kingdom or descending from royal blood, but he did not say a word to anyone on the matter. After all, he did spend his entire childhood working up to this moment in time, and he did not want to relinquish his efforts so soon.

His training would begin the next morning. He would be taught military tactics and strategies, as well as how to properly use a broadsword and bow. He thanked his background in cultivation for his strength and perseverance. Perhaps tomorrow, when he was dismissed from his training for the day, he would venture back out into the fields to announce his triumphs to his parents.

Subsequently, he would visit Mikaela, if he was not preoccupied with other matters, and he would keep his promise to the prince of gifting him a new childhood full of games and laughter, rather than one full of stressful situations, self-doubt, and lessons of princely propriety.

When Yuuichirou attempted to rest, his mind would not allow him. His thoughts raced and made him anything but tired. He sat up in his cot on the floor, staring out the window at the sterling moonlight that cut through the darkness like a sharp, silver blade.

"Can you believe it, Tsuki-san?" Yuuichirou grinned at the darkened sky. "We made it."

Soon after, his mind grew tired and Yuuichirou faded into sleep.

The next morning was hardly different than the last, except Yuuichirou felt anticipation for his oncoming training rather than dread for laboring in the hot sun another day.

He ventured to the stables to release Asuramaru from his cage and rode off into the fields to meet the other knights training and gaining strength to protect Sanguinem from invaders.

He had not any armor, as he would have to pay for it himself. He had some money hidden away, but he doubted that it was enough for a helmet, let alone an entire set of armor.

He was teased by several other knights, but he ignored them, hardly looking in their direction. In one of those occasions, he received an angered response, as well as the other man grabbing fistfuls of his shirt and pulling him up to shout in his face.

"Kimizuki!" a mousy-haired boy shouted at him. "Put him down. He didn't do anything! You're going to get in trouble again."

"He ignored me. He's new, and he needs to learn not to be disrespectful to his superiors."

"Kimizuki, let him go," said another silver-haired man. "We have training to do."

The man, who resembled a tall tree trunk in Yuuichirou's eyes, begrudgingly obeyed him, throwing the green-eyed boy back on the ground.

The green-eyed boy glared at the tree trunk as he walked away to join the other knights. Distracted by his anger, he did not see the mousy-haired boy approach him. Only when he reached his hand out to help him stand did Yuuichirou notice him. He knew it was wise to make acquaintances, but he rejected the hand and stood by himself.

"Are you all right?" the boy, who looked no older than fifteen, asked.

"I'm fine," Yuuichirou grumbled, ignoring the boy's talkative manner as he met with the other knights. He composed himself and contained his anger when he saw the taller boy cast a glare at him.

Guren soon showed, his countenance as resentful as usual. He spared a mere glance at Yuuichirou as he strode by, but he was knowledgeable of Guren's detestable personality. He would not be accepted as one of them. After all, he was practically the prince's pet according to many others' expressions.