Aureliana is even more beautiful up close. She doesn't seem to mind my admiration of her. We're on our way back to the palace, but the crowds in the streets slow us down. 'I could get to know her better,' I think. It seems like a good idea since we'll spend a lot of time together.
"Where did you grow up, Aureliana?" I ask.
"In the north, in the Faust Kingdom, one of the member kingdoms. In a place called the Stratiotica valleys, hence my family name and clan name," Aureliana replies.
"Clan name?" I ask.
"My middle name is Fausta for Faust. All females in the Faust Kingdom take this as their middle name," Aureliana explains.
"It's a pretty name," I say.
"Some would say otherwise. An old myth says that the first King of Fausta sold his soul to obtain the perfect wife and Queen. Her name was Fausta, the foremother of all Faustian women. So they gave us all this name at birth," Aureliana says.
"But it's just a myth," I counter.
"Hmm, some still believe it's a curse," Aureliana says.
"Well, I don't. No one as beautiful as you would be cursed," I admit.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Still, some would say that is part of the curse, too," Aureliana says.
"Nonsense, you are who you choose to be. No one or no curse can determine that!" I urge.
"I am humbled by your confidence in me," Aureliana says.
A sudden jolt flings me out of my seat and into Aureliana's arms. She catches me with little effort and grace, holding me close to her chest. Her eyes are stunning, glimmering exquisitely. She carefully sets me beside her before exiting the carriage. As I wait for her return, I hear a commotion outside, with words in a language I don't understand. Whatever is happening outside seems to be escalating. Finally, I hear Aureliana shout something that puts me on alert.
"Draw your sword!!!" Aureliana shouts.
I hop out, struggling with the heavy door, before jumping to the ground. The sight shocks me. Aureliana is standing off against a young man. For a guy, he is magnificently gorgeous. He has short, silvery hair and an athletic physique. He is a knight, and I notice his stern, confident gaze — though even that carries an elegance that seems at odds with the sword in his hand. Thick white-haired eyebrows arch over his large, round eyes, which are a mysterious silver with golden pupils that catch the light in a way that makes it difficult to look away for long. He has a heart-shaped face, gorgeous high cheekbones, a sharp, narrow jawline, and a slim, dainty nose. Full pouty lips complete his girlish appearance. I can't help but notice his very feminine features — the softness of them entirely undiminished by the severity of his armor. His waist is long and slender, and his thighs are more like a young woman's than a man's. His legs are quite feminine, shaped more like mine. It's a strange sight for a knight, beautiful in a way I find genuinely difficult to categorize.
He isn't muscular like the male knights I interviewed before picking Aureliana as my Knight Commander. His physique is curvaceous, sending off alarms in my head. If this is a male Knight, then he is taking the gold as the most handsome Knight in all of Sidra. It was freaking breathtakingly extraordinary how youthful his beauty was. I have never seen such a pretty man outside of anime, but this is the actual world. At that moment, I thoroughly considered how his legs actually looked. He wasn't wearing Knight's leather underclothes that you would think a male Knight would be wearing. He wore excessively tight leather pants that conformed to his legs. It was something I would wear if I were a girl. A man wouldn't wear such tight pants as it would restrict his movement. However, a woman would prefer tight clothing in combat. Aureliana stood in front of me with determined eyes.' His armor bulges in a way that suggests a chest more like Leontia's than a man's. 'Is this a girl?' I wonder.
Aureliana stands in front of me with determined eyes. The young man has porcelain pale skin, revealing my complexion. I study him more closely. His chest is more prominent than I would expect for a male knight. His shoulders aren't broad, and his waist is petite. His hips are more like mine than a man's. His thighs are meaty but smooth. He is smaller than even the palace guards. His chest armor bulges more than it should if he had a flat chest. 'Is this a girl?' I think, tilting my head in confusion. 'For a male knight, he seems to have an ample bust. His chest resembles Leontia's, maybe a few sizes smaller.'
The knight's armor shines in the sunlight with a brilliance that seems almost deliberate, each silver plate catching and holding the light like a mirror. His armor is silver, with a white robe covering the front and back, leaving only the armor on his arms and legs visible. The craftsmanship is extraordinary — the fine etching along each edge speaking of a master armorer's patience. He stands ready to fight Aureliana with a long broadsword, his grip two-handed and his footing wide. When he sees me, he immediately drops to one knee, bowing with a reverence that appears entirely genuine, his head lowered until his helm nearly grazes the stone. His ladylike demeanor raises more questions.
"I am sorry for this uncivil display, my Queen. Please forgive me for any transgressions!" he says.
"It's okay, really! I just want to know what is going on," I say, trying to keep things calm.
"This person has disrespected my rank and position as your Royal Knight. As the new Commander of the Parthenia order, I cannot allow this!" Aureliana scolds.
"Who is he?" I question.
"He?" Aureliana says.
"I will introduce myself! I am Orlena Apocrypha Gin! First Dane of the order of Norna and Norn Knights!" he says.
"But wait… aren't you a boy?" I counter.
"I most certainly am not! All Norn Knights are female, and we are only sanctioned to protect the Fated Queens!" Orlena explains.
"Wait, you are a girl?" I blurt.
"It is of no concern! She speaks of an ancient myth. Nothing more than a wife's tale. The fated have protected the royals of Sidra since the beginning!" Aureliana says.
"The Order of Norna served as the first Trinity's personal army! It is our fate and destiny to serve the Trinity again!" Orlena shouts.
"What does that mean, Aureliana? What is this Trinity or Fated Queens?" I say.
"It is by which we brought you here. If true, you are one of the three Fated Queens, the Trinity. That would give her claim weight. But that is impossible. That would mean the first have been reincarnated…," she says.
"It is true! Look at her and find the mark. That will prove our claim!" Orlena says.
"What mark?" I ask.
"The mark of the Trinity will be upon the thee's body," Orlena says.
"But I have no marks like that…," I say.
"Only special magic can reveal it… which no one but the Order of Norna can perform," Aureliana says.
"Then…," I ask.
"You would have to undergo this along with your sisters, Your Majesty," Orlena says.
"I guess it can't hurt to do that," I say.
"If that is your wish, I will arrange it. If proven true, I will step down," Aureliana says.
"No, it's never going to happen!" I say, folding my arms.
"But Your Majesty…," Aureliana says.
"Nope, that is final!" I affirm.
"Very well, let us return to the palace," Aureliana says.
"I suppose she can ride with us, too," I say.
"Very well, come!" Aureliana says.
"I don't need your permission to protect the Queen!" Orlena says, getting in the carriage.
The two knights follow me back inside the carriage. A jolt signals we are back on track. Aureliana sits beside me, with Orlena across from us. There is tension between them, like an instant rivalry. The two are staring each other down in an intense standoff. I consider saying something, but I can imagine what Aureliana and Orlena would say. 'Stay out of this, Your Majesty!!! Followed by, please forgive me, Your Majesty!! Something along those lines.' It is cute the way they look. When they notice I am looking, they both look away simultaneously. They remind me of two high school girls fighting for their best friend's attention. I fold my arms, trying to break up their minor battle. It doesn't work as Aureliana makes a humph and folds her arms. Orlena does the same. Even knights have a human side, it seems. 'What is this magic she plans to use to reveal this mark? What is this mark? To my knowledge, I don't have one. I'm sure my parents would have mentioned something like that.' A bell rings as the gates of the palace open. I look out the window, still in awe of the palace's beauty.