The Union 116 Side Story 1

Chronology: Continuation Of Chapter 9

They have been talking for hours under the moonlight but not a second of it was dull for Lucia. This person, Timothy Castonia, will become her husband in the future.

When she left the city of Holm, she was afraid. But now that she had finally met him and gauged his personality, she was relieved.

Timothy Castonia is kind and smart. Every word that came out from his mouth lulled Lucia into a beautiful trance. Furthermore, although she pridefully refused to give in to her carnal desires, she found Timothy to be good looking. His mellow eyes whose reach seemed to penetrate into her very soul, were a perfect match to his dark hair. She felt like melting whenever he looks at her.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Timothy asked laughingly.

Lucia was pulled back from her trance. "What?"

Timothy laughed. He leaned closer to her. "You had been staring at my face for a minute"

"Oh. Well... "

"Let me guess" he interrupted. "Do you, perhaps, find me good looking?" A smirk formed on his face.

Lucia was surprised. How did he know? she asked in silence. And then she reprimanded herself for asking a question with an obvious answer. This Prince must have swooned dozens of ladies already. Of course he knew the potency of his looks.

"Yes" she admitted.

Timothy jerked his head back. The moonlight revealed his flushed cheeks. "I was just joking you know. You didn't have to be direct" he said with a lowered head.

Lucia chuckled. "But you asked me!"

"Like what I said, that was just a joke." Timothy pouted and avoided her gaze "Now I'm embarrassed."

"So Prince Timothy Castonia is embarrassed whenever somebody praises his looks? Then what if I say that you are my type?" Lucia raised an eyebrow with her lips forming a smug smile. She will tease this Prince as much as she could tonight. His cute reactions delighted her.

"Stop it. You're enjoying this, aren't you? Well ha ha. Do you want me to retaliate?" He winked as if challenging her.

"Do your best"

He was silent for a while. And then he again leaned towards her. He looked directly into her eyes. She was drawn in. It was mesmerizing. It had little to do with his dazzling eyes but more with the sincerity of his gaze.

She could also smell his perfume. An Inkish one, probably of high quality. The perfume's virility combined with his natural delicate fragrance, concocted a scent that is both gentle and formidable.

"If I'm good looking, then how much more will be our children?" He whispered, a remark whose purpose was to tease her- and was successful at that.

That wasn't fair. This prince wasn't being fair. Using their imminent marriage to his advantage is not fair- because it's effective.

As soon as he stopped speaking, Lucia's cheeks warmed. She tried to open her mouth to rebut him. She had the upper hand just a while ago. But no words came out. He succeeded.

He laughed, a satisfied laugh. "See? I told you I'm going to retaliate"

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A Knight's Woes

Chronology: Between Chapter 24 and Chapter 69

"Have you ever had bison meat before?" Freya asked, skipping on the cobbled road of Solon like a child.

"Can't say that I have" Henry answered a few paces behind. He looked ahead and mused himself in her adorable movements.

Freya turned her head to him "Then are you excited for tonight's dinner?"

"Not really. I don't eat meat remember?"

"But you must try it!" Freya stopped and bent towards him "I've had it before. It's like beef but leaner and better, a little bit tougher to be honest, but it's good"

Henry just continued on walking and passed Freya. "Meat is meat. They all taste the same."

"Hey! What's with that bland outlook in life?" Freya said as she followed.

A few moments passed and Henry found himself carrying the ingredients they bought. Turnips, leeks, onions, cabbages and other vegetables filled their bags. There was also wine, cheese and outrageously expensive spices.

Too excessive for Henry's taste. As a commoner who just managed to gain power because of the order of the Knights, Henry considers himself as a frugal person. When he was still young and when the Tulosan civil war had still been raging, food was scarce and luxurious ingredients like cheese and spices were nonexistent.

"Hey" Freya tugged the sleeve of his shirt.

"Hmmmm?" Henry turned to look. Freya's hands were on her stomach.

"Wanna have lunch? I'm hungry and I know a good tavern"

"Okay. I'm hungry too"

*****

"You're out of bread? " Henry couldn't believe what he heard. Freya took him into this small establishment on the western side of the city. They walked for a long time and now the owner was telling them that there was no bread.

"That's not really the case mister. We are not out of bread, we just don't sell bread here." The owner pointed at the signage "I named my tavern..."

'Carnivore's Heaven' - that's what it says. Knights were taught how to read so Henry was literate. It's just, the name of the establishment confused him.

"We only serve meat" The owner explained. "A little bit expensive compared to other taverns but I assure you, the taste of our food is good."

"We will take two steaks and two servings of wine" Freya said with a smile.

"At once miss. One for you and one for this young man" the owner said with a cheerful wink. He went to prepare their food.

"Freya, you know I don't eat meat. It's against my beliefs" Henry whispered.

"Stop it Henry. I know it's not because of your beliefs. You're missing on so many things by acting like that. Now being your friend, I will help you taste the wonder of meat again!"

It didn't take long for their food to be ready. The owner handed them two plates with steak on them. It smells good. The aroma tickled his nose.

After saying a prayer, Freya dived in. She put a chunk into her mouth and made an ecstatic shrill.

"So good! It's worth the price mister!"

"Told you" the owner smiled "I used my grandmother's recipe. My grandmother used to hide her recipe but alas, my grandmother died recently." he said sadly.

"My condolences mister" Freya bowed a little "How did she die? If you don't mind me asking that is"

"She was killed by the Tulosans" the owner answered

Henry's heart skipped. He looked at the owner and felt angry with himself. It was his fault. He was evil.

"I'm sorry" Henry eyes were tearful. He was pushing himself not to lose his composure. If not because of him, the man's grandmother would still be alive.

"Huh? Why?" the owner asked confusedly

"Pardon my friend mister" Freya patted Henry's back "He's a little emotional when it comes to the Tulosans you see."

"Is that so? Such a strange man. Well, it doesn't matter anyway. I think I don't even hate them anymore"

"But killers!" Henry almost shouted "Murderers!"

"Yes. Perhaps" the owner said while pouring wine into their cups. "But not all of them are evil. Sure there were some who enjoyed burning our villages but I know many of them were just forced to do so. In fact, it was a knight who helped me get away. I didn't get to see his face because of his coif and helm, but I saw his eyes and I tell y that man was caged with guilt. I feel pity for him. Yes, it was his kind who killed my grandmother but not everybody is the same. I just hope that young man would forgive himself..." he paused and smiled "because I have already forgiven him"

The word 'forgive' echoed in Henry's mind. It gave him a pleasant feeling, freedom mixed with joy. Was it really possible for him to gain forgiveness after everything that he did?

He didn't know if it was him who helped this man. He had indeed helped civilians get away but he was too ashamed to look at their faces.

Henry looked at the food. The steak still reminds him of the slaughter that he was part of. His actions in the past still disgusts him.

But with shaking hands, he cut part of the steak and skewered it with a fork. He stared at the meat for a while. He was evil. He did horrible things. He must be punished.

But Freya was right. He at least deserves happiness every once in a while. He looked at her. He had already forsaken himself but she stayed by his side. She was his redemption.

Henry ate the meat.

Chapter end