Noble could not sense his emotions, but that did not mean she was clueless about his feelings. Over the years, Child of Promise had come to read people's body language and expressions, especially when they let their guard down.
For a split second, Steel had lost control and showed how much the provost's words had rattled him. His body had almost involuntarily let go of the little princess before he regained control. It wasn't until Steel had convinced himself that Noble was lying that he could continue his mission.
'Interesting…'
"I am not lying. If he were here, Master Flint would corroborate my words." Noble's assertion drew a scoff from the other Saint.
"He never mentioned you." Steel challenged.
Child of Promise smiled faintly.
"Didn't he? Who was his favorite Dreamscape champion?"
"Queen Bee," both Masters answered in unison, drawing their superior's ire once more.
Noble couldn't feel it, but Steel must have expanded his presence to silence his companions. They winced, and Lumi whimpered under the pressure.
"That was common knowledge. He did not mention you to me ever." Steel shook off the claim.
'That's because he met me in a Nightmare from which he never returned.' Noble knew this information would be less than helpful.
"Flint wasn't exactly forthcoming with his personal life with you or most anyone, was he? But he was a dear friend of mine. We were so close at one point that we were almost conjoined. He couldn't speak softly, but he always spoke truthfully. I respected that about him." Child of Promise meant what she said.
He had a special place in her heart. Flint was a friend that she would never forget.
"Prove it." Steel's eyes slitted, turning slightly yellow.
If she couldn't, it was over. The man's patience for her had run out. Vaguely mentioning Flint's Flaw was not enough to earn his trust, so she needed something more tangible. Only one thing came to her mind.
"The bobblehead of Queen Bee. The signed one. I signed it and sent it to your son. The note that said, 'From a dear friend on behalf of your favorite uncle'? I wrote it. I was that friend."
"Y-you..." Steel paled like he had been punched in the gut. No one had seen that note, including his own family. The news of his brother's passing had arrived that day, and the message was too painful for him to relay even to his child.
"This has gone on long enough!" Sir Bruese found his tongue once more. "What does Master Flint have to do with anything? The King of Swords bids us bring him the daughters of Song, and we will do it with or without you, Provost. Now, step aside!"
The Saint of Valor nodded sadly. "It is in everyone's best interest for you to comply."
"Not everyone's. Not those girls, not mine. Certainly not your son's and not Flint's." Noble insisted.
"Flint is dead," Steel answered coolly.
"But his memory is not. If you do this, I will fight you until one of us dies. Either way, memories of Flint will be lost." Noble continued without taking a breath. "And should you carry out this atrocious deed, your son will enter the Academy under a cloud. Is that what is in his best interest?"
"Lord Anvil's interests are our interests." Bruese tightened his grip on his sword. "Tell her, Lady Vesper!"
The other Master nodded. "You will not sway our loyalty. Now move before we make you."
Child of Promise shook her head. "I will not let you pass. If you insist on harming the future generation and ruining the legacy of past heroes, your only option is to meet my blade."
"ENOUGH!" Steel's voice boomed. "I am loyal to the King of Swords, Lord Anvil. That is unwavering. This ends now."
He raised his blade above Lumi's head, and her eyes went wide.
"Please!" Noble extended her sense to grab the sword away, but she could not grasp it.
She had ventured too close to the sun, and now she would be forced to watch Lumi die at Valor's hands. Noble raced forward, determined to put herself between the princess and the man's sword at any cost.
Only, before she could reach the invisible barrier surrounding the warriors of Valor, Steel's hand began to shake uncontrollably. His sword dropped to the ground.
Mechanically, he released Lumi and shoved her away. The princess stumbled forward, rippling the barrier as she passed through before falling straight into Noble's arms.
The Provost pulled the girl away and removed her bonds. "You're safe now." She passed the princess to Mori, who had newly arrived. "Get her out of here. But not with the rest."
Just in case it was a ploy to show where the other students were kept, Noble did not want to reveal the hiding place just yet.
Mori nodded, escorting Lumi away as quickly as her legs would carry her.
"After her!" Vesper took a step forward to chase after the girl.
Steel caught her arm.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Breuse's eyes were aflame with indignation. Their bargaining chip was disappearing into the crowd of Academy forces.
Steel picked up his sword and sheathed it. "We were told to do this quietly. This is anything but quiet. If the King wants this done loudly, he can order it. But he would be wrong to do so. This...is wrong."
Whether the Saint believed his words or he was trying to cover up the internal struggle going on inside of him, Noble wasn't sure.
'Wait, was I just saved by one of those blasted bobbleheads?'
No, she was saved by her desire to fulfill Flint's wish even after he was gone. And by the strange Flaw that the elder brother possessed.
Based on her observations, Steel could only act in the best interest of those he respected... or was it loved? His love for his brother and child trumped his fealty to even his clan and his king. The moment Steel believed Noble and her words, his hands were tied, literally.
For that, Noble was grateful.
'Wait, does that mean all the horrible things that Steel did to his brother were done with his best interest at heart? What kind of twisted love is that?!'
Perhaps he believed tough love was the only way to survive in the world. Flint had been rough around the edges, but he was a good man at heart. He only desired his elder brother's love and approval. It turned out he had one of them all along.
"Thank you, Saint Steel."
Steel dipped his head. "Don't forget my brother."
"Never." Noble placed her hand on her heart. "And I will welcome your son when the time comes. Be good to him like his uncle would have wanted."
"Hm." The Saint of Valor turned to his companions. "Let's go."
"But Sir," Bruese went to grab Steel's arm to talk some sense into him, but the Saint vanished from sight.
"He actually left." Vesper furrowed her brow.
Noble heaved a sigh of relief.
"You witch! Sir Steel does not back down. What did you do to him? In the name of the King, we will get what we came for." Bruese drew his sword. "Attack!"