Chapter 13 (2/2)
“I can’t do nothing.”
Reynold reluctantly nodded his approval.
“As you wish. I will send a messenger to Lea Marquisate informing them of your visit, and send soldiers to guard you.”
“Please.”
Luke returned to his room, and laid down with his head in his hands. Looking up at the ceiling, Luke pictured Isabelle, the beautiful face of his fiancée.
“Isabelle…”
He remembered when he first met her at the Academy for n.o.bles.
Fellow students called her the ‘flower that cannot be plucked’. Isabelle did not socialize, or talk to other students. She concentrated on her studies with an unmatched elegance, and many male students could only watch from afar with longing.
However, the ‘flower that cannot be plucked’, was plucked by Luke. She had opened her heart for the first time to Luke.
Luke had grown up in a warm household, and had good people skills that made him popular amongst the students. Swordsmans.h.i.+p, or athletics, he excelled in every subject, was friendly and considerate.
He was of the direct line of the prestigious House Esteban, but did not use his status to lord over other students and remained humble, making many students like him. Female students were included, of course.
Surprisingly, the first to make a move was Isabelle.
It was a day of academic and sport compet.i.tions at the Academy. Luke had just finished an outstanding performance in the horse riding compet.i.tion and was returning to his dormitory when Isabelle approached him.
After fidgeting for a long while, she asked Luke if he had any interest in dating her shyly.
Luke, charmed by her beauty, had immediately accepted. That was roughly how they had become a couple.
The first feeling that Luke had after starting to date Isabelle was a sort of sympathy. Isabelle had grown up in a household that was especially strict and domineering, and therefore lacked the people skills or initiative to befriend strangers.
She had not approached any other students at the Academy not on purpose, but because she did not know how to treat other people.
Luke realized this, and became even more considerate of her in their relations.h.i.+p, falling deeper and deeper into her hidden charisma.
However, as graduation approached, Isabelle gradually became more and more nervous.
Her sisters at the Lea Marquisate had already become sacrifices to political marriages, and it was a path she would likely have to follow.
“I am not a legitimate daughter, so I’ll most likely become married off to an old n.o.ble.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t let that happen.”
After consideration, Luke opened up to his father about his dilemma.
“I have someone that I love. I am going to have to leave the House to marry her.”
Lea Marquisate was a House that strictly calculated its gains and losses. If Luke went under their banner as a Knight, Lea Marquisate would most likely allow Luke and Isabelle’s marriage.
Earl Esteban, Luke’s father, respected Luke’s decision.
“If that’s what you wish to do, I will not stop you. Start a new life at Lea Marquisate.”
“Thank you, father.”
Luke immediately left to Lea Marquisate, and received their blessings for marrying Isabelle.
Luke broke out of his reminiscence and smiled bitterly.
“She was so happy back then…”
The image of Isabelle jumping up and down happily with Luke in her arms after her House’s blessings was still clear in Luke’s mind. Luke gripped his fists tightly.
“I can’t just let her leave to the Church of Flora. I must find a way.”
The situation seemed hopeless. Lea Marquisate was smaller and less powerful than Esteban Earldom, but the Church of Flora could not be taken lightly. Luke’s bravery did not waver.
The next day, Luke went to Reynold with bloodshot eyes from a sleepless night.
“I don’t need any guards. I am planning on going with the apprentice knight I took in.”
“It’s too dangerous. We don’t know what they might do if you go without guards.”
“Our opponents are the Lea Marquisate and the Church of Flora. A few soldiers won’t do anything to deter them. Also…”
Luke lowered his voice.
“In the worst case scenario, they may only get in the way.”
Worry came over Reynold’s face.
“Please, keep a cool head before acting, Luke.”
“I will try, but I don’t know how the situation will change….”
Reynold accepted Luke’s decision.
“All right. Do as you wish. Thankfully Lea Marquisate is an ordered territory without chaos.”
“Thank you, big brother.”
“Wherever you go or end up, do not forget that you are the son of Esteban Earldom. And…”
Reynold took out a book from the drawer of his desk and handed it to Luke.
“What is this?”
“It’s the Aura cultivation method you asked for.”
Luke gave a start and took the book into his hands. He had requested it, but without big expectations. Aura cultivation methods were extremely valuable.
“I had originally meant to consider it a bit more. But with the situation you are in, I couldn’t put it off any longer.”
Luke felt a warmth in his heart.
“I can’t thank you enough, big brother.”
“I can give you even bigger things considering what you’ve done for the House. Anyways…”
Reynold lowered his voice.
“Don’t get your hopes too high. The Aura cultivation method has a single big flaw.”
“A flaw?”
“Its ability to circulate Aura is on par with the House’s Aura cultivation technique, but it’s an unstable technique.
According to Reynold, one of the trainers of the House had suffered from a rampaging mana and thrown up blood when he tried to train in the technique.
“We do not have any records on where we acquired it from, but the level of the Aura cultivation technique should be fairly high.”
Luke silently nodded. He understood now why Reynold would be willing to give him the Aura cultivation technique. Aura cultivation techniques could not be purchased even if you had the money, and required status and power as well.
Luke took the book and put it away into a pocket in his s.h.i.+rt.
“Yes, big brother. I will be leaving right away.”
“Please, be careful.”
“You don’t have to worry.”
Reynold’s eyes looked on with worry at the retreating figure of Luke.
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