The Knights of Mount Luna

Chapter Three

I think, my arms will detach to my body, this sword’s weight is no joke. It’s like I’m holding that Moon Tree in Queen’s garden. I can’t help but stare at it and analyze every detail I can see. I got this a year ago and until now, I can’t wield it just by using one of my hands so I decided that I must train harder than before. A mischievous smile came out from my lips, it’s really cold outside because of the heavy snows falling from the sky but I don’t mind, I just want to wield this damn sword. Besides no one knows that I’m here, I am sure that no one is still awake at this moment and I successfully sneak out of my room, the sleeping knights didn’t move an inch when I passed them so I’m good! No one will know that I’m here.

“It’s really heavy!” I murmured to myself and starts to wield it just by using my right hand but I can’t even lift it even if just an inch. What am I going to do?! Why can’t I lift it like Ares?! They said that I’m too weak for this sword because when Ares got his sword that is made from that tree also, he immediately lifts it just by using his left hand the moment the king gave it to him. They always compare me to him and it absolutely sucks. They can’t compare Dimitri to Ares because their status is far from each other so I am the one who’s always been their target. 

“I am stronger than him!” I said to myself and tried again. One day, I will be able to win over him.

I can’t count how many times I fell on the ground but I will never give up! Try and try until you die. I tied my snowy white hair because it’s ruining my sight. It keeps on coming to my face and I started to feel irritated by it. Should I cut it instead? It’s a bit too long now…

I just looked at my hands and saw that it is freezing because of the temperature. I can also see a few cuts with blood on it, it does sting a little bit but I don’t mind. This type of cuts can’t kill you immediately. I just sighed and sat on the cold white ground. The true color of this ground is not visible because of this stupid snow. I don’t know why I hate this kind of weather, I don’t really like it when I can’t see the sun at all and the color of my hair is surprisingly blending to the environment, It feels like I’m a walking snow woman. 

“Tell me, you don’t really want me to be your owner that’s why you are not allowing me to wield you properly, aren’t you?” I asked my sword and glare at it. Why can’t this sword cooperate with me?! I just want to wield her with just one of my hands, what’s wrong with that? 

I started to feel the intense cold, the falling of snow is much heavier than the past minutes. Why this environment can’t cooperate too?! 

I picked my sword from the ground because of frustration. I don’t actually get it why I can’t do what I want with this sword. That blacksmith told me that this sword is meant for me but I guess, he’s just lying that moment because it’s my birthday and he just wanted to make me feel delighted.

I let out a deep sighed and looked at the sky, the cold snow is hitting my freezing face, maybe I should go back inside and starts to warm myself or else I’m going to die here because of coldness. I looked at my hands and automatically my eyes got bigger.

“Wait, what happened?!” I almost screamed because I didn’t feel that I already wield my sword earlier when I stood up just by using one of my hands.

“I did it! I f*****g did it! Oops, no cursing!” I jumped because of my happiness. Finally, after a year! I finally did it!

“Now, I’m going to beat him!” I stopped jumping and looked at my sword again, I think she’s tired of my nonsense dramas that’s why she allowed me to wield her properly.

“I should go back….”

“What do you think you’re doing here?” I’m so taken aback by his sudden arrival. What is he doing here? I thought he is already sleeping.

“Answer me, what do you think you’re doing here?!” his normal cold voice changed, he’s really mad right now.

“Do you know how many knights are looking for you inside the castle? Do you know how dangerous staying outside at this rate of weather? Are you out of your mind? Do you want to die because of coldness, huh?!” he fired me with questions, I can see his dangerous blue eyes looking at me intensely, how his jaw tightened when he saw my hand holding my sword.

Just like a blink of an eye, he got my sword from my strong grip. His bloodshot eyes looked at me again, he wants to say something but immediately close his mouth again. He is not wearing any coats, it is just plain black long sleeves and black pants. 

“Look at your damn hands!” he’s talking like a father who is angry with her daughter but he’s just five years older than me!

“Ares, did you found her?” a frustrated knight came and Ares just looked at me.

“Yes, I found the stubborn kid.” 

‘We should head back, it's freezing” Ares just nodded at him and pull my hands toward him. I can’t even utter a word because I can feel his anger. His grip on my hand is indeed tight, it’s like he’s scared that I will escape again.

“Don’t you ever do that again, Euryale Stheno. Sneaking out just to train yourself in the middle of a f*****g snowy night? You’re insane! Just tell me if you want to die, I’m more than willing to do that for you. Understand? Get inside your room, change your clothes!”

“Alright! You don’t need to shout at me!” I can feel my tears slowly forming in the corner of my eyes. We always bicker at each other like cats and dogs but this is the first time he shouted at me like this.

“You have the guts to sneak out in this kind of weather yet you are crying now because I shouted at you? I can’t believe you, kid.”

“Stop calling me a kid!” I shouted at him

“Why would I? Get inside of your room now before I make something you’ll never like” he walked away and get inside his room. I hate you so much! You, blue-eyed devil!

The next morning, I went to the clinic and asked one of the healers if she can spare some time and heal my cuts. It’s early but they are all busy with their individual patients. Some are knights but most of them are people from the community. 

“Eury, where did you get these wounds? It may look so small but they are deep ones” I just awkwardly smiled at her and let the questioned unanswered. I don’t want them to know that I sneak out last night.

“Is Euryale here?!” a rushing knight asked, he’s a bit in a hurry and seems so terrified.

“Calm down, she’s here,” the healer said and I saw the knight breathes in relief. He comes to my direction and looks at my hand.

“Prince Dimitri is looking for you”

“Where is he?” I asked him and thanked the healer for treating my wound.

“Follow me” I nodded at him and went out of the clinic. Nothing is special today, everything seems so normal. Everyone is doing their duties. I saw three familiar figures standing in the garden. A garden filled with snow. I can feel the bitterness in my thoughts. 

“Where have you been?” he asked me with his serious tone. His brother, Darius just look at me and smiled. He also mouthed something.

It’s like, “You’re dead, he’s mad” Ares is also here, looking at me like I did something wrong again.

“I guess that’s your way of greeting me a good morning” I smiled at him and he just rolled his eyes at me

“Look what happened to your hands” he worriedly touch my hands and glared at me when he saw it properly.

“Phew, I thought I’m finally going to see how my older brother will be mad at you,” Darius said and let out a chuckle. 

“Shut up, Darius” Dimitri warned him and he just shook his head in disbelief

“If Ares is the one who’s in your position, he is already fuming mad” I felt a sudden lump on my throat and the way Ares look at me is making me uncomfortable.

“Next time, don’t sneak out, Euryale. It’s good to hear that a Knight immediately found you last night.” Darius added, Dimitri is still quiet and examining my hands. Wait, what did he say? 

A knight? Ares is the one who found me last night! I bet, he didn’t tell them about that?

“Let’s go, I’m hungry” Dimitri announced and hold my hand.

“Ooops, did I say something to make you mad, brother?” he teasingly asked Dimitri but Dimitri just cursed at him. Ares is not talking, he’s just listening to Darius’ blabbering.

“Are you sure you're okay?” he softly asked me when we reach the dining hall.

“I’m fine, I already got my wounds treated so there’s nothing to worry about anymore,” I answered him and he just nodded. He’s still holding my hand while waiting for the food to be served. I am kind of used to him, it’s not like he’s harassing me or what.

“Let’s eat!” Darius said and looked at Dimitri’s hand who is intertwined to mine.

“How can she eat properly if you’re holding her hand?” he smirked at his brother and I quickly pulled my hand back.

“Let’s eat!” I awkwardly repeat what Darius said and get my own plate. This is awkward, Darius is laughing whenever he looks at his brother who is clearly irritated to him.

“Thank you for the meal but I need to go” Darius stopped laughing and looked at Ares.

“Where are you going? I thought we are all going to train together?” he fired him with two questions and Ares just sighed.

"I just need to see Elaine’s mother” he caught my attention with what he said. Does he need a healer? Why? Does he have an illness?

“Oh, alright. See you later” Ares just nodded and walked away. He didn’t bother to bid goodbye to Dimitri.

“Hey, you should eat more!” Darius just laughed again and I just nodded at Dimitri. I don’t want to start a petty fight with him just because I don’t want to eat anymore. After eating we went to the training ground and warm ourselves up but Ares is still not here. I’m also not in the mood to start so I let Dimitri and Darius start first.

Dimitri is so serious with his golden sword and having a duel with Grimore while his brother is busy goofing around, he’s drawing something on snow with his silver sword. They are completely the opposite of each other. I wonder if they will have another brother, is it version two of Dimitri or the second version of Darius?

I felt something hit my head. I turned my back and saw Ares.

“Used that, it will make the scars fade” he coldly said and leave me hanging. He starts his normal warm-up session while I’m still frozen here and glaring at his direction. I saw the small bottle with a purple liquid inside of it so this is the reason why he went to Elaine’s mother. Stop being so delusional, maybe Elaine’s mother asked him to give it to me because she heard about what I did last night.