One could almost call his enjoyment of solitude a running joke. No friends, no romantic entanglements, not even close family ties. On the surface, his isolation might seem pitiful, but perhaps his striking looks warped the perception. People likely viewed his aloofness as him being selective in his companions, unaware of the truth: his crippling lack of social skills.
“Regardless,” Odelliana continued, “we’ll remain here. You’ll manage my daily routine, leaving the chores to the others. You can focus better. Additionally, I’ve requested a knight’s manual from my brother. We have a knight exam to conquer this summer.”
Matthias narrowed his eyes. “You wouldn’t be taking the exam yourself, would you? You must intend for me to become a knight.”
“Do you have any objections?”
He shrugged, a picture of indifference. Unlike most commoners who’d react with disbelief at the prospect, Matthias seemed oddly calm.
“Aren’t you nervous at all?” Odelliana pressed. “The odds of a non-noble or merchant’s child passing the knight exam are slim to none.”
Matthias met her gaze, a question of his own forming on his lips. “What about you, master?” he countered. “Do you truly believe your student can rise to the challenge and become a knight?”
Before she realized it, Matthias had crossed the room and settled naturally on the bedside. Taking her hand, he toyed with it, his noble face radiating a sense of ownership despite his lowly position. This audacity, which should have seemed vulgar, somehow came across as charming. Perhaps it was his striking features, or maybe because the so-called noble lady he served was far from a true aristocrat herself. Odelliana watched in silence as his large hand enveloped hers. Then, a smile played on her lips.
“You will meet my expectations. If it’s you,” she declared, her thin and frail fingers slipping between his.
The boy, who had been nonchalant until now, stared at her hand curling around his like a snake. She muttered, “I have high hopes for you.”
“I know you can rise higher,” Odelliana continued. “You’re too talented to waste as a squire. So, I’m going to make something big out of you. To fulfill the promise I made, I’ll elevate you to a position where no one can look down on you.”
“You have a keen eye,” Matthias finally responded.
“Yes,” she agreed, “the only thing this insignificant person has is the ability to recognize you. I trust my judgment. So I will surely keep my promise to you. Then, what can you do for me?”
Odelliana’s grip tightened around Matthias’ fingers, holding them like shackles. “What can you do for me?” she repeated, her voice low and urgent.
“Well, what would you like from this student of yours?” He squeezed her hand tightly and leaned in close, his face hovering just inches from hers. Though young, his cold eyes shone with a mature intensity. “What shall I give you?”
His arrogant tone implied he could offer her anything. Yet, it was laced with a strange affection, like a devil’s whisper promising to fulfill her every desire. It felt almost like a desperate plea to serve her, to be of use.
Odelliana’s shoulders trembled slightly. This clever boy, she realized, knew he was being manipulated, yet reveled in the prospect of being useful.
“Give me yourself,” she whispered, her voice husky.
The corner of Matthias’s lips curled into a sly smile. Whatever her words implied, he used his youthful innocence as a weapon, drawing her into a gentle embrace. Despite being as gaunt as her, his frame possessed a surprising breadth.
“That has already been given,” he murmured against her hair.
“You don’t have the world yet,” Odelliana countered, her voice laced with a hint of steel.
“The student who will conquer the world for you is right here in your arms, isn’t he?” He gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her face before burying his face in the slender nape of her neck. The scent of woodsmoke lingered on his clothes, a subtle reminder of his past.
“I will make you the most esteemed woman in the world,” he declared, his voice filled with the bravado of an inexperienced boy. “Someone no one can disrespect. Not in this shabby room, but in a castle more luxurious and splendid than a palace, adorned with countless jewels and attended by loyal servants.”
His words were fantastical, bordering on absurd. Even a stray dog might scoff at such grand pronouncements. But Odelliana, her heart heavy with unknown emotions, hugged him close and patted his back, a gesture unexpectedly tender for a woman in her situation.
“…This time, I’ve taken your hand.”
In response to her small murmur, a ghost of a smile played on Matthias’s lips. He closed his eyes and whispered something so faint she could barely make it out, “Well done.”
