Hard steel met flesh as blood splattered on the arena. The clamor intensified, creating gibberish roars. My lips skewed watching two men with disparaging physiques fight as if their deaths were on the line.

And it was indeed.

The tournament held in every decade was always a sight to behold with its countless participants fighting with their life at stake. An event that lacked the sophistication of talented citizens and royal knights. It was a battle for all criminals, mercenaries, and whoever defied the common laws.

The other man, with his bulging muscles and ripped skin, continued his onslaught but it only took one decisive move from his opponent, and his neck rolled on the gutter.

The audience's collective gasps ensued before a deafening round of applause broke out. My mouth stretched further and clapped.

It was no doubt an entertaining fight. I thought I was getting rusty and had seen wrong when the dead guy stabbed the winner's chest minutes ago but apparently, I was correct.

The moment I touched his hand at yesterday's gathering of finalists, I was definite he would win. Nevertheless, no one could stop me from watching. It was always the process that made it more amusing or else I would go insane with tedium after knowing their fixed fate.

I raised my hand and black smoke released from my fingers, rushing towards the champion. It covered the man's body and the blood stopped dripping from his wounds, healing everything in a second.

"Kneel."

The man instantly heeded my words. He appeared not older than his twenties. Maybe he was one of the youngest but seeing his skills, I could only assume what heinous crime he did to be sent here.

I signaled the temple servant to come. She handed me the goblet and my mind concentrated upon the numerous souls that died in this stage. The mist gathered and swirled inside the cup until it turned into a dense black liquid.

The exchange had been completed. With all the deaths, power would be born. Such a simple act could grant magic to an ordinary mortal.

"You've done well. From now on, your name is Siege, a Cattivo who will only be serving me as your goddess in your whole life. Welcome to the Knight Circle of the Goddess of War."

"Thank you for your grace, your holiness," he replied but only the chopped uneven hair was visible with his bending posture.

I gave the goblet to my temple servant who in turn delivered it to the young man. Once the drink touched his lips, his body convulsed.

Unlike Mhilrim who had the Amicas that could use magic without any dire consequence, the Cattivos were merely my version of Amica.

However, nothing was free in this world. Due to its origin coming from a life sacrifice, they were bound by my will and would bear the sufferings of souls used for their power.

A living nightmare and punishment no one would want to have but humans always had greediness lurking within themselves. It was their insatiability in the first place that led them to this arena.

If not for the consequence of their magic, Father would never allow this to happen and would be taking away my only source of entertainment.

***

ÝLIR DAY OF THOR

The loss of saturation and thick fog hazed the surroundings early in the morning. I tightened my coat as I reclined my body nearer to the lamp. I gazed at the splash of light on the horizon but even the heat of the sun could not penetrate the coldness of the ongoing winter. It was similar to how the weather could not affect my enthusiasm for watching this kind of entertainment. 

"My lady, Iets go back," Leni repeated countless times already but she was simply ignored.

I placed myself on the bench as more knights gathered. Metal after metal clashed with each other. The heavy grunts and boisterous voices of men filled the place.

"It's too early to spend your time here in the knight's ground, my lady. I'm afraid it will ruin your reputation to do this thing every day," Nora persuaded with her hand holding the umbrella, an object that really had no use in this current season.

"My lady..." This time both of them spoke simultaneously.

"What shall I do then?" I asked without giving them a glance. "I cannot go out and I don't want to study." 

"I know, my lady is a genius beauty but we shall uphold your reputation," she urged.

"Please pardon our rudeness, my lady, but I do agree with Leni. The nasty stench of men may cling to you. Please let us go inside."

The two women continued their pleas but I simply disregarded them, still concentrating on observing these men. After four days of inspecting their training, at least it was safe to say that we had decent knights in our family.

"Cannaria, dear," someone called from behind.

Before I could turn, Father was already seated beside me.

"Good morning, Father!" I greeted. Too eager, I supposed, when he winced.

It had been four days after I had an unplanned trip. These four days were also part of Father's punishment to confine me.

"Are you not angry with Father?" he questioned, those black irises focusing on me.

"Of course not."

That was the truth. I had already delved into the past and this father was different from that father. He never once raised his voice, even when he was obviously livid from last time. He simply pulled me into a hug and declared my punishment.

A mild one compared to all I had witnessed before. But I had to say the old geezer had never tried to hurt me even when I angered him to death. The only time he did and it led to my misery.

Nevertheless, cruel words spoken gouged deeper than any other physical injury.

He ruffled my hair and I inched closer towards him, encircling my hand on his arm.

"How about you, Father? Are you angry with me?"

The fingers on my hair drifted down and squeezed my cheeks. A smile made its way on such an ethereal face, doting flashing in his eyes.

"Upset, yes. Worried, absolutely. But remember, I will never be angry with you. You are my precious child, after all."

I bit the insides of my mouth to stop myself from foolishly grinning and dove into his chest. Father had always been acting this way in the last couple of years but I had no recollection of the past back then.

But now having comparison, those statements were more valuable than any treasure in the world. It was these kinds of words that he never once uttered after several centuries of living with him.

"By the way, dear." He pushed me back from his embrace. "Why are you staying here these days?"

"You did say I can't go out of the estate so I'll just watch our knights. They're pretty capable and I like watching them spar!" The more I talked, I could not stop my excitement.

Father's forehead wrinkled, alternating his gaze between the men and me. "I thought you had no interest in these kinds of things."

"I have nothing to do so I'm curious and it makes me want to learn---"

"Enough."

"Huh? Why?" Both my brows arched with the sudden interruption.

"Do anything but you are never allowed to touch any weapon," he stated, his tone becoming stern. "We have the knights here to protect you and ladies shall enjoy parties rather than engaging in fights."

"But we have female knights here," I retorted.

"You're different. My only wish in this life is to never let you get hurt or suffer any hardships," he said.

I contemplated upon his sentence before bobbing my head. Father had a point. I was just an ordinary noble, not a god or a royal. It was indeed better to live my life leisurely this time around.

***

Breakfast came and I dined with Father. However, he was taken away in the middle by his aide. Time progressed so fast when in idle and it was already four in the afternoon when a knock resounded on my chamber.

I signaled Leni to open the door.

"My lady." Raz bowed.

"You're back. How is it?"

"I have found their location, my lady. They've been staying in a cottage owned by a single-parent family at the border of Aria City."

Nothing less from Raz. It was as I expected, I truly had sent the right person. Tracking someone could take a week at least, especially if they were following someone skilled.

"How about those men's identities?" I inquired.

They were undeniably not commoners and knowing they were Crusaders, it was not unusual for them to stay in a small cottage to remain inconspicuous.

"As for now, I only have their names which are Heath and Alistair, my lady. Nothing of import has been discovered."

I hummed, momentarily lost in thought. I could not discern if 'Alistair' was an alias or his real name. I was dying of curiosity and finally made a decision.

"Nora, Leni, prepare an outdoor dress. I'm going outside," I ordered and left the room as I headed to Father's office.

The knights on the side bowed after seeing me and opened the door.

"What's wrong, dear? Why are you in a hurry?" Father asked as he put down his pen.

"Father, please let me go out!" I bluntly put out.

"Why? It's almost evening. What will you even do in town?"

"I really have something urgent to do---"

"No. You're still under confinement as far as I can tell," he interrupted.

"Huh? I thought we were okay already?" I countered indignantly.

"Have you ever heard of a confinement that lasted less than a week?"

"But, Father!"

"I'll lift your ban after three days. It is already enough since it should be for a month with all the anxiety you caused. Besides, the Day of Sun is more jovial than those on the weekdays," he spoke without a pause as he got up and drew closer toward her.

"Father..."

"I'll see you during dinner, dear," he said and led me out of the room.

The door shut closed before I could say more.

Shall I escape? I pondered to myself. My maids were still in my room together with Raz. What I was wearing was still decent but not overly conspicuous. I was also wearing jewels for today's ensemble. It was small but it could be traded with hundreds of grands for the least. It appeared like I was set to go.

***

The Knight of Circle of Niveus was a force to be reckoned with but escaping was an easy feat when I knew the estate like the back of my hand. The morning walks I did were proven useful at this moment.

It was a thirty-minute walk from the borders of our estate going to the road. Another thirty minutes before a hackney arrived. I waved both my hands, desperately hoping there was still space inside.

It stopped in front of me and breathed a sigh of relief after I saw there was only one person inside. I rapped the carriage's roof and the ride continued.

It did not take long before we arrived at the nearest town but the woman opposite me had never taken her gaze off me. It couldn't get more awkward with only the two of us.

Eventually enduring enough, I met those hazel eyes staring at me.

"Good afternoon, Madam, do you know any pawn shop in this town?"

The lady smiled and answered. "Unfortunately, no. Why, child? Are you in a dire financial strait?"

"Kind of. I don't have grands to pay the coachman. I thought of giving him the jewelry but it might not be appropriate," I replied.

"Oh... I have several grands here. I can buy it for you." 

My eyes widened as I studied the middle-aged lady smiling at me. From the quality of her gown, one could tell it was made of an expensive fabric. Her hair was tied in an elegant updo and neat tendrils framed her face. 

"Are you certain? What if I'm a swindler?" I question with furrowed brows. 

"A swindler will not admit themselves in the first place."

Laugh lines became more prominent on the corners of her lips, making the woman appear younger. I seldom appreciated a human's beauty but she was definitely one. Even the signs of aging did not hinder her attractiveness.

"Will five hundred grand suffice?" she continued.

"Hold on. That's plenty. A common pendant necklace was not more than three hundred and mine might be lower since it's only one gemstone."

As much as I was in need of money, I could not extort her. She emitted a graceful air of the noble but it was not an excuse to charge such a large sum for a simple accessory.

"It's worth the price. If I am not mistaken, this is a rare pink ruby."

"Huh? Nevertheless, it's just a necklace. I'll take three hundred and I'll give this to you, Madam."

"Alright. But first, can you tell me your name?"

"I'm Ria," I replied with the same pseudonym I used before.

"Oh, what a coincidence. We have the same name. I also go by Ria. We must be fated and you even resemble someone I know."

My ears perked. "Really? Who?"

"She's no longer here..." Solemnity encroached the air in a second.

I cleared my throat, not knowing what to do with the stifling atmosphere.

"Before I forget, here's the money," Madam Ria said after she snapped back to reality.

"Thank you." I unclasped my necklace and also gave it to her.

It took several more minutes before I was dropped off by the carriage.

"Thank you, Madam!"

"No worries. It is a pleasure to meet you, Ria. I'll see you around," she said before closing the door.

I opened the coin bag but the carriage already moved.

"Wait!"

With an empty street and the fast strides of the horses, no one paid attention to my shout. I followed quickly but my steps slowed down upon seeing the crest on the back.

The seemingly small details became smaller as they drifted away but they only appeared clearer in my mind. How did I fail to notice the gold gilded on the border and the eye-catching red crest on both sides?

That was no ordinary hackney. It was the royal coach! 

***

Note: Finally found a face claim for Alistair lol. Procrastinated a lot and did the character banners instead of writing. You guys can check the prev chaps or the gallery to see :)