v e g a ' s s e c r e t

So, Katarina has returned to the Castle. And she brings grave news.

I watch my sister as she watches her. We just cannot abandon her when she has just lost her home. And if what she says is true...

"Welcome to my Pegasus Knights, Katarina,"

Here goes. I must tell sister what I know without alarming her Knights or Katarina.

I take a step forward and show concern, "But, sister, that is below the required age to become one of our Royal Knights. Our father created those rules and we must follow them,"

My sister turns to me and gives me a bewildered look like I have spoken ill about our rules and father.

"Is there something wrong, brother? What is wrong with one young one who is just a couple of years younger than the minimum?"

My eyes widen slightly. She does know. Good.

Now to tell her of my request from my Knights so she is aware. There are more things going on here that she may not know yet.

"O—Oh, it's nothing... I do not have any say with your Pegasus Knights, I suppose... Um, may I speak to you for a moment, sister?"

"Y—Yes, of course," She spins around and looks to the side towards her Knights and Katarina, "Please excuse me, I shall return momentarily,"

She turns to follow me, and I lead her a decent distance away from our company. When we reach the edge of the room by the edge overlooking the courtyard, I spin around to face her. Our gazes meet and everything about her changes for the better.

"Did you hear all of that, brother? That is why Katarina is here without her father. What if those dastards killed him too? He was one of our best Generals, despite the fact he's retired now, he still keeps his skills!"

I nod sternly and narrow my gaze, "I know. This raises the stakes drastically. Rhea is not playing around now, and I must stand up for our Kingdom, sister. I wish to inform you of some of my Knights' request. I hold a secret that I will tell you later. But for now, I have more serious matters to speak to you about, first. But, some of my Knights asked of me not to tell anyone they are working for me, so don't ask,"

She nods, glances back at our guests and watches me patiently, "They ask of me some privacy. So, can you inform your P Knights that mingling with my C Knights is disallowed for the time being? I still have some tasks to attend to, but this news Katarina bring forces me to gather my Knights to fight Rhea head on. And many of them are still in need of training,"

She studies me for a moment, with a bit of interest in her eye but she just nods at me in return, "Understood, brother. Consider your request done. Please let me know if myself and my P Knights may assist you in any way. For now, I will forbid them from mixing with your C Knights for now. From what Katarina says, we do have important matters to attend to and time is running out fast,"

I nod sternly as I clench my fist by my side, "I was hoping you would train Katarina as one of your Knights, but she is much too young to be forced into this on our behalf. But we just cannot leave her alone after what she just went through. And I just recently had that request of privacy and I needed to tell you,"

Her expression flashes a bit of anger as she nods, "I see. I am upset to hear that Portia Village was destroyed, brother. We must retaliate. If Katarina believes her father is dead, then Rhea is somehow getting smarter and stronger,"

I look away and look down at our training recruits in the courtyard below, "I agree. General Draco was a fierce warrior. If he has fallen to those vile Rhea warriors, then we must step up and show what we got, sister. I have a proposal for you,"

"Lay it on me, brother,"

I continue looking away, at our training recruits below, "In a few days, I must lead all of my C Knights to meet the advancing Rhea army at the borderlands and stop their advance,"

I slide my gaze back up and meet my sister's gaze. Her green eyes are shimmering with anger and passion to become a great leader like our father, "I request of you to stay here and protect our home front while I step out and defend our Kingdom from that evil King Xenon,"

I pause and study her for a moment, "Can you do that?"

She nods at me with determination flaring in her eyes, "Of course, brother. We will not let them take our home. Call upon me if you require my assistance,"