Chapter 53
The twin suns almost set, the sky turning orange. Leo, completing his work, was heading back from the academy central hall. When he was about to move across the bridge, he saw a familiar figure sitting on the bridge — Maria, sitting with her head buried in her bent knees.
Leo moved towards her.
“Are you alright, miss?” he asked as he sat next to her.
She lifted her head. Leo could see her eyes were red, her face filled with tears.
“Leo—” she suddenly threw her arms around his shoulders and placed her head on his shoulder and continued to cry out loud.
Leo placed his hands on her head and let her cry. Time passed by. The sun finally set.
Maria’s face puffed out, her nose snorting mucus on Leo’s shoulder. She finally lifted her head and said,
“Sorr…y.”
“Never mind me. What happened? Tell me,” he asked.
Maria stared at the skies for a while and then started,
“My full name is Maria Starborn, the illegitimate daughter of the king’s guard, Reginald Starborn. He met my mother when he was in the outskirts searching something for the demon king. He met my mother, a waiter. Out of a one-night stand, I was born. He left afterwards. My mother brought me up with difficulty. Last year, on her death bed, she gave me this brooch and told me the truth about my father. I went to meet him. I found how much they all scoffed and hated me and my commoner blood. Even my father never looked at me once for the past year. Fortunately, I held some talent for the sword, so I came here trying to find my place. But today I heard even other demons reminding me that I am all alone. I have no one to care for me.”
Leo stood up.
“Don’t move,” he said as he wiped her face and handed her some water, which she drank.
He continued,
“Come with me.”
She asked,
“Where?”
“You will see,” he said as he caught her hand and started taking her out.
The duo walked under the stray sky, Maria following Leo’s lead. As they passed through the bustling night life of the city, Maria, her face tender, forgetting the previous pain, enjoyed looking at the children on the streets.
Leo stopped at a stand where they sold skewers. He bought two and led her to have a seat.
“Why are we here?” she asked.
Leo handed her the skewer and replied,
“Have a bite, miss. This is the best skewers in the kingdom.”
She giggled and took a bite of the skewers. The meat melted in her mouth. She closed her eyes as she was mesmerized by the taste.
Leo asked,
“Is it good?”
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She nodded her head with her mouth filled with meat and said,
“It’s good.”
The duo continued to roam around the market, the demons enjoying the night — some having beer, some whispering rumors.
“Have you heard about the children going missing in the area?”
“All are just rumors. Never mind them,” said another demon.
The duo, hearing this, continued their walk as Leo led her to a large, old rundown building.
“Where are you taking me now?” asked Maria.
Leo replied,
“To home.”
Her face turned soft.
Leo knocked on the door.
“It has to be brother,” said Lily on the other side.
The door slowly opened. Lily leapt forward and hugged Leo. Maria’s face turned pale.
“Who is this?” asked Maria, her voice breaking, her eyes almost moist.
Lily let go and spoke,
“Nice to finally meet you, miss. I am Leo’s sister.”
Hearing that, Maria smiled.
“Sister…” she whispered and continued to laugh.
Lily spoke,
“Welcome in, brother, sister. Grandma, we have guests.”
Hilda came down. Maria bowed down respectfully.
“Nice to meet you, Grandma. I am Maria.”
Hilda replied,
“Welcome, child.”
Then the children came, all overwhelming Maria.
Hilda spoke,
“Don’t disturb her.”
The children all let go of her.
“Maria, come join us for dinner,” she called.
Lily dragged Leo to the side and spoke,
“She is beautiful, brother. Finally, for the first time, I am actually proud of you.”
Then they joined the dinner table. Maria, Leo, Lily, Hilda, and the children all had a warm, happy dinner. Maria never felt more welcome in her life. She let loose and enjoyed herself.
The dinner ended. All went to their rooms. Lily shared her room with Maria.
In the middle of the night, Maria walked out of the room, climbing the terrace. She stood under the gaze of the blue moon, silently staring at the stars.
She heard footsteps behind her. She turned around — it was Leo. Her pale face turned pink.
He stared at her eyes.
“The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?” he asked as he went up to the ledge and sat down.
Maria came and sat next to him and replied,
“Yeah.”
The both sat, enjoying the silence and each other’s company.
Leo spoke,
“Miss.”
Maria replied,
“Yes?”
“Miss, were you happy today?” he asked.
She replied,
“Yes.”
He continued,
“Miss, as long as I live, you are never alone. You will always have someone to care for you.”
Tears flowed down the cherry-pink cheeks of Maria. She came closer, held his hand, and lay on his shoulder.
Leo trembled and asked,
“What does this silence mean?”
She stood up and slowly turned around and said,
“Idiot,”
as she ran.
Leo too stood up, his face blushing, his lips smiling.
She opened the door. Lily fell down as she was peeping at the scene. Maria ran past her.
Lily entered and spoke,
“What just happened here? Just who are you? Where is my brother?”
“Oh, shut up, Lily,” he replied.
He stood there, staring at the moon.
Lily said,
“Brother, she seems like a good girl. Don’t you dare let go of her.”
Leo smiled and replied,
“I won’t, till my last breath.”
Lily smiled.
“Now that’s my brother.”
Then the both went to their rooms and had a nice sleep.
In the morning, Leo and Maria got up, not talking a word to each other, got ready, and were escorted till the door by the family. They closed the door.
Maria took a few steps forward. Leo just stood there, not uttering a word, standing on his steps.
She turned around, looked at Leo, and said,
“After promising to always stay by my side, you are already stopping?”
He asked,
“You are okay with it?”
She moved back to him, held his hands, and whispered,
“Idiot.”
He smiled. She blushed, and the duo finally went towards the academy.
Finally, a happiness in the devoid life of Maria’s life.
But life is never that simple.
As the duo arrived at the knight academy, the entrance was filled with grand carriages from the royal capital. The duo stood at a distance.
The doors opened, out of which stepped a demon in grand armor.
Maria’s eyes widened. She spoke,
“My father.”
Just what is awaiting our new couple — wait and find out.
