Chapter 6: ~ The Accolade ~
Ezekiel's eyes glistened with greed. The accolade was a type of ceremony used to confer one's knighthood. The monarch would raise a sword over the apprentice's head, flip it counterclockwise so that the same side of the blade will come in contact with the knight's body, and place it on his left shoulder. It was a ceremonial right of passage, one considered to be the greatest honour for a knight. A knight swore to defend his master and to uphold virtues like compassion, loyalty, devotion and truthfulness.
Ezekiel was a mere squire, and a commoner at that. A knight had to be born of nobility, typically as a son of a knight or a lord. Commoners could also be knighted as a reward for extraordinary military service, but Ezekiel had never stepped a foot on the battle field before. He was lucky enough to be taken in as a squire for his raw talent alone, but he knew the chances of becoming a knight for him were slim to none because of his origin.
Yet, for some reason, the Princess chose him. Among a field of fury and chaos, she pointed at him with an unwavering stubbornness in her eyes. Ezekiel felt as if he was the only person in the world. The Princess wasn't looking at anybody else. He closed his eyes and savoured the moment, but never released his grip on his beat up wooden training sword. He vowed to become great enough to serve her one day.
The transition from lowly squire to honoured knight was something all boys dreamed of. He could hardly believe he was being presented with the chance. Ezekiel's knees felt numb from kneeling down, but he listened intently to what the priest was preaching. The dim morning rays streamed faintly through the stained-glass window onto the church altar. The colours danced quietly against the silk cloth- testing the monotony of its display. Ezekiel watched the lights and traced their path again and again.
The priest explained the high standards the new knights would be held to in terms of faith and chivalry. It was a long sermon, but it was necessary. Ezekiel let the words he spoke carve their way into his heart.
A flicker of silver danced under the sunlight. Ezekiel couldn't help but marvel at how pretty the Princess was. She had rivers of silver hair and eyes that burned with pale green fire. He watched as the priest handed her his sword that had been blessed. She struggled to make her way to where he was kneeling in front of the altar. The silver of the sword reflected the rays of light identical to the way her hair glimmered under its kiss. With the help of the King, she dubbed him.
"I promise on my faith and my life that I will in the future be faithful to the Princess. I will never cause her harm and will observe my homage to her completely against all persons in good faith and without deceit." Ezekiel said. "I will be loyal of hands and mouth, and serve her as best as I can."
~***~
"Why not?" Lysander asked, staring at Winter with wide eyes.
"Why can't you just be like Prince Alexion?" She huffed while casting a glance at Alexion's flushed complexion. "Prince Alexion just leaves me alone."
The accolade had only just finished and Lysander already began to pester her. Since her arrival two days ago, he's clung onto her like a leech. Winter could deal with the annoying praises and compliments, but Lysander's hands were far too careless for her liking. After her time in the attic, the idea of being touched by someone sent shivers down her spine. She refused to hug or hold him.
"But Winter," Lysander whined, "You're so cold towards me! At least call me big brother if you won't give me a hug!"
"I refuse." She declared. "This is why Prince Alexion is my favourite."
A shade of red blush spread across Alexion's cheeks and Lysander furrowed his brows in anger. Winter cast a look at Ezekiel who stood behind her with bloodlust seeping from his eyes. He glared at Lysander with clear contempt. He was her personal knight, after all, and Lysander was trying to touch her.
"Come on, Sir Rothmore." She said while tugging on his sleeve. "Let's go find Aiden."
King Caderyn watched the exchange and glared at his daughter dragging her knight away by his sleeve. At first he was reluctant to let the boy be chosen, but he let it go in the end. Sir Rothmore was exceptionally talented for his age and would grow to become an exceptional knight in the future. Furthermore, getting Winter to choose a knight was hard enough. He was sure she would change her mind if he made her pick someone else.
"Father," Alexion called, letting his eyes trail Winter and the boy. "Are you really going to allow her to have an inexperienced guard?"
The King sighed. "There's no reasoning with that child."
Alexion gritted his teeth. "Winter's a girl." He paused. "Sir Rothmore is a boy."
The King, feeling an inexpressible surge of anger at his son's remark, clenched his fists. "You talk to her. She'll bite my head off if I bother her about it again."
After a slight pause, Alexion replied, "I-I'll try..."
The King stifled a chuckle and watched as his eldest son turned on his heel and headed straight for Winter in a panicked fury, unable to ignore the possibility of Winter having a crush on a boy. He knew all too well that Alexion Del Silvermond, a cold Prince who had killed thousands in battle, was scared of approaching his little sister.
"Why is she so cold to me?" Lysander whined.
"She's been through a lot." He told him with a warning look. "She still doesn't let the maids help her get ready because she doesn't like being touched. If you keep coddling her, she'll keep pushing you away."
"Aiden's far easier to win over." Lysander admitted. "He reminds me of myself."
The King closed his eyes and vivid images of the twins getting healed burnt into the back of his eyelids. The Royal Physician had clearly stated that Winter's condition was far worse than Aiden's. Winter always protected Aiden, and in exchange, it rendered her cold.
"Don't push Winter too much." He said in a tone as cold as ice.
~***~
"Winter!" Aiden called out in joy as he pulled his sister into a warm embrace.
The knight who Aiden had chosen was Sir Emris. Winter tried to dig up memories of what she had read in the book, but no matter how hard she tried, she was unable to remember who Sir Emris was. She could understand why Aiden chose him though. Sir Emris towered over them with broad shoulders and a muscular build. He had red hair that reminded Winter of fire and a charcoal black right eye that watched them approvingly. A leather eyepatch covered his left one, and a twisted scar peeked out from behind it. Everything from the scars etched into his skin to the way he stood proudly screamed tales of battle.
Sir Emris bowed. "It's nice to meet you, Your Highness. My name is Sir Emris, I am your brother's knight."
Although Sir Emris was kind, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of resentment towards him. For her entire life leading up until now, she served as Aiden's protector. She gave her own flesh and bones in order to protect him. She had shielded him from beatings and gave him her bread when she was starving. The idea of another person stepping forward and claiming to be the one protecting him made her burn with rage.
"Take care of him." She said coldly before turning back towards Aiden who clung to her arm.
"Are you mad?" Aiden asked her hesitantly.
"No," She replied with a feigned smile. "I'm happy for you."
"Winter." A voice called out from behind them.
Ezekiel instinctively stretched out an arm in front of Winter to protect her, but stepped back as soon as he realized it was Prince Alexion. Winter looked at him with a confused expression. It was the first time someone had ever protected her. When their eyes met, a flush crept across Ezekiel's cheeks and he shifted nervous glances around the room.
Alexion gritted his teeth in annoyance at the sight of a blushing Ezekiel. "Winter, what sorts of things do you like?"
Winter was taken aback by his sudden question. "What?"
"Like," Alexion stuttered, "Boys. Do, do you like boys and stuff?"
"Seriously?" She growled aggressively, "Why, why are you asking me that?" Winter felt her cold cheeks and forehead getting warmer from embarrassment.
"Do you like your knight?" Alexion asked with a stern expression.
Winter swallowed nervously. "O-Of course I like my knight. That's why I chose him."
Alexion watched her with a face twisted with anger. "You're not allowed to date him. I have to approve of your boyfriend first."
Ezekiel began to malfunction after this remark. He scratched his neck nervously and turned his cherry red face sideways in an attempt to avoid Winter's gaze. Winter was mortified. She had no idea how to cope with her lingering feelings of embarrassment. Clearly Alexion had it all wrong. She tried to open her mouth to speak, but she was too traumatized to form proper words. Ezekiel only piqued her interest because of his character description in the book.
Aiden's grip on her arm tightened. "Winter." He said in a tone that she had never heard before. "You're too young to date."
Winter shivered when she met his eyes. Aiden's usual soft expression was replaced with cold eyes and a sternly set jaw. He was quivering with anger and rage ran red through his brain. Winter couldn't help but feel as if she was staring at a mini version of the tyrannical King. Alexion and Aiden were killing her with their glares. She felt nauseous under the pressure of their eyes.
Before she could process her own actions, she wriggled her arm free from Aiden's grip and grabbed Ezekiel by his sleeve. She began running so fast that she thought her legs were going to explode. The wind whipped her hair back from her face as she ran away from her doting brothers hand in hand with her knight. Her feet slapped the tiled floor of the banquet hall and she kept running. To where that might be, she didn't know. But she knew that she and Ezekiel needed to get out of there.
She fled unaware that she was being watched.
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