The Story of Dhanvanthri

seven

The Chosen One

.

Dhanvanthri stared up at the intimidating-looking knight. He had long, braided red hair and a large scar stretched across his forehead. The knight stared at him before going onto his knees, respectfully keeping his head down and uttering the customary greeting. Following his lead, the other knights followed his motions and kneeled on the ground with their heads down. The barracks were silent with Felix standing behind him and Dhanvanthri remaining silent.

"Stand," Dhanvanthri ordered, looking towards the sunset for a split second before facing the people before him once more. The knights were orderly, they stood in a manner enough for him to see everyone at once without having to feel as if they were crowding him. At least the knights weren't disappointing. He stepped closer to the red-haired knight, figuring out he looked somewhat similar yet different to Felix. Who was this, Dhanvanthri wondered. A distant relative, perhaps?

"Are you the Calvary Captain?" Dhanvanthri smiled up at him, not at all showing any form of inferiority despite their vast difference in strength and height. The red-haired man kept his voice respectfully monotonous and answered the question at an eased speed. "I am, your highness."

"What's your name, Sir?" Dhanvanthri asked.

"Dixon Robane."

"What's your relation with Sir Felix?" Dhanvanthri asked pointedly.

Dixon remained silent for a moment before speaking up, answering his question once more. However, this time his voice was laced with tension and a hint of unwillingness. "I am an illegitimate child of the Robane branch family."

"Is that so?" Dhanvanthri hummed. "And how well do you rate your own ability as a knight?"

Dixon blinked, "Pardon?"

"Do you think you deserve the position as the Calvary Captain?" Dhanvanthri pressed.

Dixon fumbled, unable to respond to his question. He opened his mouth before closing, finally settling on a subtle nod. Dhanvanthri nodded, "It's good to know that our Calvary Captain has faith and confidence in himself. Now, then, Sir Dixon."

"Which among your knights do you feel is the most incompetent?" Dhanvanthri questioned, turning to survey the knights before him.

"There is no one in the ranks who is incompetent, your highness," Dixon stated bluntly, making Dhanvanthri feel thrilled. It was lovely to see how confident these knights have, it was a good thing. To have confidence in your ability as a knight means you truly understand what it means to be one, in other words, it also means Dhanvanthri can trust his life with them. Not that he would, but it would be pleasant to have someone guarding his back if he happened to let his guard down.

"Brilliant," Dhanvanthri complemented. He stared straight at the knights who were looking at him with firm gazes on their own, no one fidgeted or averted their eyes. It seems that the Imperial Palace had been trained like dogs by his own Father, Dhanvanthri supposed he may have forgotten his father was a tyrant in everything but written history. And these men knew the truth.

"My name is Dhanvanthri de Alger Obelia. My father had decided that I am in need of an escort if I wish to visit outside the palace walls. May I request for a volunteer to be my personal knight?" Dhanvanthri smiled at them as he asked his questions. He wanted to know who was willing to offer themselves to guard a prince, not to mention the potential crowned prince if his father truly decides to name him as one. Anyone who was confident enough among this group of knights was someone Dhanvanthri wishes to associate with.

There was a beat of silence, no one stepped forward. Dhanvanthri was already beginning to feel that bubble of disappointment when a shallow footstep began moving. A young man, looking among the youngest compared to the others, advanced closer. Dhanvanthri had noticed him before, as he had noticed everyone else, this knight was one of the youngest in the present knights. He had dark blue hair and black eyes.

"Your Highness, forgive my impudence, but I am willing to guarantee your safety as your escort," the knight knelt down and said. Dhanvanthri was instantly interested, staring down at the knight with a contemplative expression. Seeing as he remained silent, the knight took it as permission to continue speaking. "My name is Noah Asquith, would your highness be willing to accept this one as your knight?"

Dhanvanthri got onto his knees, lifting Noah's chin up to meet his eyes. He stared at the young man who looked around his late teens, Noah's eyes were filled with determination and interest. Or rather, the proper word would be fascination. He was also confident in his own skills, he knew that the best way to appeal to Dhanvanthri right now was to mention an ultimatum of the sort.

"Why did you volunteer yourself, Sir Noah?" Dhanvanthri asked. "You are allowed to respond as you see fit."

Noah smiled up at him, for a moment, Dhanvanthri wondered if the man would refuse to reply but he was proven wrong when Noah spoke. "Your Highness, I find your personality truly fascinating and wish to serve by your side. This is my personal interest."

"And if your interest wanes?" Dhanvahtri asked, curious.

"That will never happen." Noah shot him down instantly, "Your highness is the most interesting thing I've seen for many years."

"How insolent of you," Dhanvanthri curved his lips into a smile. "Sir Dixon, it seems I have chosen my knight just have he had chosen me."

Dixon still looked stunned at the transaction before he hastily nodded. Noah was gestured to stand up by Dhanvanthri and they departed from the barracks, with Felix looking at them before following after, like a lost puppy. Noah followed behind Dhanvanthri with the grace of a knight and remained silent through their whole journey, never once speaking but always full of fascination whenever he glanced at Noah.

.

"Who are you?" Dhanvanthri demanded, pressing the knife against the strange man's throat. The man bore his black eyes straight into Dhanvanthri's jewelled blue ones, interest could not be contained in his sight. Such a thing simply made Dhanvanthri step on the man's leg harder, containing him and refusing to allow him to move an inch.

"My name is Noah Asquith," the man introduced. "You are of Imperial Blood, I assume?"

"And you are of Noble Blood," Dhanvanthri shot back easily. "Noah Asquith, the disgraced son of the Asquith March. Said to be an idiot, nothing but a fool, and even expelled from the Imperial Calvary due to his own incompetence."

"But you don't believe that, do you?" Noah grinned. Dhanvanthri loosened his hold, "I don't. No one incompetent can remain in the Imperial Calvary for six years. You chose to banish yourself, and now you crawl to my doorstep. Why are you here?"

"I find you fascinating," Noah admitted. "You shine brighter than anyone I've ever seen, you're like the sun! A need for the whole world but stand too close and they burn. But I want to burn, take me in, allow me to be your knight."

"I have plans," Dhanvanthri said, unable to explain to himself as to why he was doing so. Noah's eyes sparkled even further but made no move to interrupt him. Dhanvanthri took a step back, completely letting Noah go as he stared at the man. "I am going to war, one day. I will wreak havoc, I will bring destruction, I will be merciless. Do you still wish to follow me, disgraced son of the Asquith March?"

"My Prince, My Sun," Noah knelt down, ignoring the fact Dhanvanthri had thoroughly injured him. "My body is yours to use, my soul is yours to bargain, my life is yours to play with. I devote myself to you, Dhanvanthri de Alger Obelia, the abandoned prince of Obelia. Will you accept me?"

Dhanvanthri smiled, "Take my hand, Noah Asquith."

- 'Lonely Emperor; Chapter 3 'The Strange Man'

.

.

.

A/N: Noah isn't the ML. Just saying it right now, he's not the ML. But do you LIKE Noah? Now, that is the question.