49 Youre Not Just My Knigh (1/2)

Chalice and Luke were met with a frantic household when they arrived back at the Amaranth estate. Levi, who was already up on his feet surprisingly, met Chalice with a death stare. It seems his injuries were a lot less severe compared to the others. That or he was just a veteran when it comes to fighting, getting injured, and recuperating. He stomped heavily with menace in her direction. Somehow, she felt that the usually womanly Levi looked a bit manlier when he was this angry.

'Hmm. He's still a shortie, though.'

Before Chalice could even utter a syllable Levi has already started his rain of tirades unto her. Chalice could only helplessly shut her mouth and let him blow his top off. After all, aside from being injured to protect her, Levi was as always worried about her safety.

”What were you thinking, my lady? Running off like that? What if there were still bandits lying in wait? Have you thought of what would happen to you? Even if you could fight all of them alone, what if they still had reinforcements? Are you an immortal to be so courageous to not fear death? What happened to your brains? Did they rot along with your sense of fear?”

Chalice shook her head at his antics but was also glad that he was well enough to nag her. She was initially worried that she'll arrive to see a bedridden Levi. Being in that sort of state did not suit him. Chalice preferred this Levi. A lively, albeit naggy and overprotective knight, almost to the point of resembling an overly doting older brother. She grinned at the thought before replying to former.

”Okay, mother! Thank you sooo much for worrying about me. I'm sorry I ran away. So, could you perhaps stop nagging already? My ears are about to bleed. I'm fine now. I'm back. My brain is not faulty. My intelligence is still way up there where you can't reach it 'cause you're forever a midget. My sense of fear is up and functioning. It is ringing all the warning bells and telling me to stay away from you at this moment actually for the possibility of you flicking my head is quite high. Even if your height certainly isn't, your face makes up for it though.” Chalice replied lengthily. A sheepish smile was in her fair face while a dainty finger touched her nose in embarrassment.

Levi froze up at her banter. His face darkening even more as he stared at her with anger, disappointment, and... hurt. Chalice saw all of this and realized her mistake.

”Levi, I-...”

”I know I have been very useless by needing my master to save me when I should have been the one protecting her. I know I have failed the Duke's expectations when I have failed to defend you and ended up injured in the process by measly bandits. I apologize for my incompetence. But my worry is not something that my lady needs to make fun of.” Levi muttered stiffly.

With her head lowered, a sigh escaped Chalice's lips. Now, how was she going to pacify this innocent midget knight of hers?

”You are not incompetent nor have you failed in being my knight. You have done what you could. I was not making fun of you, Levi. I merely don't know how I am supposed to accept your care and worry. I am thoroughly at a loss.”

Chalice held her head in her palm, her head was aching at all this fuss. She didn't like this heavy atmosphere one bit.

'It's not as if you can blame them though. They are merely looking out for you as best as they could.' She chided herself.

”I'm sorry, Levi. For giving you so much trouble.”

”A master is not supposed to apologize to her knight.”