“Lelusha?” Blair tilted his head, brow furrowed in thought. “The name doesn’t ring a bell.”
A flicker of disappointment danced in my eyes. “Do you know of a female knight named Lelusha, perhaps associated with the second prince?”
Blair’s brow shot up. “A female knight? First I’ve heard of it. Sir Aidas Rashua, head of the Second Order, guards His Highness personally. Never heard a word about a female knight on his detail. Though,” he admitted, a hint of sheepishness creeping into his voice, “I am fresh back from abroad, so I might be a bit out of the loop. Still, why the sudden curiosity?”
My lips pressed into a thin line. “Just a rumor,” I hedged. “Perhaps you could keep an ear out – a female mercenary, or a woman protecting the Second Prince in any capacity.”
Blair chuckled. “Female royal knights? Not a chance. The entire continent would be buzzing if there were a woman among them. Trust me, I’d know.”
In my past life, Lelusha, Jocelyn’s renowned knight, graced these very halls. The first woman ever inducted into the royal ranks, let alone as the second prince’s retinue knight, her appointment sent shockwaves through the nobility.
…Am I a ghost in this timeline? I grappled with the unsettling truth. Matthias, Jocelyn, even Lady Odette – they were all constants across both lives. Yet, Odelliana from that time and Lelusha from this one were inexplicably absent. Perhaps Odelliana remained hidden, a secret I was never privy to. Regardless, the discrepancy gnawed at me.
“Intrigued by His Highness, the second prince?” Blair’s question pulled me back.
“How could I not be?” The mere thought of that treacherous man twisted my gut. Betrayed, murdered… the embers of resentment still burned hot.
He’s likely living comfortably, indulging in lavish meals and carefree pleasures. Meanwhile, I’m trapped in this wretched second life, clawing my way out of despair. The injustice of it all fueled a white-hot rage.
One can only hope his existence is plagued by misery, mirroring my own, or even surpassing it.
“Odelliana,” Blair began cautiously, “I’m only saying this because your memory is a bit hazy… Do you recall that Lady Odette is betrothed to Prince Jocelyn?”
The question slammed into me like a physical blow. “…What?”
Blair offered a hesitant smile under my stunned silence. “Oh dear, Odelliana. Prince Jocelyn and Lady Odette were engaged when you were both just seven years old.”
Seven? Engaged at seven? A humorless laugh escaped my lips. “Ha!”
So, he was already promised to another. All those sweet nothings, the stolen glances, the promises of a future together – a cruel game orchestrated by that deceitful Jocelyn. He’d manipulated me while shackled to another!
The revelation left me speechless. I knew whispers followed Jocelyn, rumors of a scandalous private life. But engaged? At such a young age too!
“Did you perhaps harbor feelings for the Prince?” Blair prodded gently.
“Don’t be ridiculous!” I scoffed. The mere suggestion sent a wave of disgust crashing over me.
“Then why the sudden interest?” Blair tilted his head. “It’s unlike you to be so curious about another.”
“I heard rumors,” I muttered, forcing a dismissive tone. “Apparently, he’s quite popular.”
“He is,” Blair agreed readily. “A good man, handsome and pleasant.”
My stomach churned at his glowing description. Blair couldn’t be more wrong. Jocelyn’s facade of charm hid a darkness. His “scholarship programs” for the underprivileged were nothing but elaborate schemes to exploit them for his own gain. Blair was blissfully unaware of the corruption that festered beneath the surface of Jocelyn’s noble acts.
How blind I was, I thought bitterly. Once, I too saw him as a beacon of hope, a worthy king to serve.
Infatuation had blinded me. Jocelyn’s name, once a whisper of affection, now loomed as the darkest stain on my life. I had believed I’d reached the depths of emotional despair, but this revelation plunged me even lower. Every memory we shared now twisted into something dreadful.
“Brother, how much longer do you plan to stay?” I inquired.
“It’s time to head back, I think,” Blair replied.
“Don’t worry about me,” I reassured him. “I’m truly recovered now, and Matthias is here. We’ve overstayed our welcome. The Lord seems on the verge of a stress-induced collapse.” Besides, lingering here wasn’t an option. The knight’s exam loomed, and preparation couldn’t wait.
Blair frowned. “You’re really taking that boy with you?”
“Indeed.”
“Do you trust him?”
“Absolutely,” I declared. “Saving my life wasn’t the only reason. Matthias, like you, is someone I can’t do without.”
Blair sighed deeply, unable to refute my logic. “Still,” he said, “keeping a young man so close… I might find someone to watch over him.”
“Suit yourself, brother,” I said with a hint of amusement. “Matthias would never do anything to jeopardize your trust.”
Blair shook his head. “You don’t understand men.”
A silent chuckle escaped me. No, I knew Matthias very well. He was the most dependable man I could have by my side. No matter what the world threw our way, the scenario Blair envisioned was utterly out of the question.
