The darkest hour of the night, the time just before the dawn.
Alicia woke as if drawn by some invisible force.
It was strange. Usually, she wouldn't wake until the sun was high in the sky. But today, a suffocating pressure tightened in her chest, as if someone were squeezing her heart in their fist.
"...What is this?" Alicia muttered, pushing herself up.
That was when it happened.
BOOOOM!
A massive explosion echoed from the distance. The entire castle seemed to tremble.
"What was...?"
Alicia kicked off her duvet and rushed to the window. The moment she pulled back the curtains, her eyes flew wide.
Fire.
The castle's East Tower was engulfed in flames.
Crimson fire licked the night sky, and thick black smoke rose like storm clouds. And beneath it…
The screams began.
"Aaaaaagh!"
"We're under attack! It's an ambush!"
"To arms! Take up your weapons!"
Alicia stared at the scene, unable to process what she was seeing.
What is happening...?
Her mind was a whirlwind of confusion. Valencia Castle was under attack? By whom? Why?
"My Lady!"
The door slammed open, and Martha, the Head Maid, came rushing in. Her face was deathly pale with terror.
"Martha? What's going on? That fire—"
"My Lady, quickly! You must get out of here now!"
Martha grabbed Alicia's hand and tried to pull her, but Alicia wrenched herself free.
"Wait, explain this to me! What on earth is—"
"It's the House of Marquess Castel!" Martha's voice shook. "They... they betrayed us! The men who entered as envoys last night... they opened the gates at dawn!"
"...What?"
The color drained from Alicia's face.
The House of Marquess Castel. The envoys from the previous evening. The ones her father had asked her to dine with...
"The Count and Countess are in the main building right now, fighting the enemy. You must escape through the secret passage—"
CRASH!
Another explosion rocked the castle, closer this time. The sound of clashing steel and desperate screams began to filter in from the hallway.
"Agh!"
"Help me—!"
Alicia stood frozen, her body refusing to move.
This is a dream. It has to be a dream.
But the sensation of Martha's hand gripping her arm was far too real.
"My Lady, please!"
"Fa... Father? What about Mother?"
"You are the priority right now! Quickly—!"
Martha dragged Alicia out of the room.
The hallway was already a scene of carnage.
Bodies lay strewn across the floor—Valencia servants, knights, and unfamiliar soldiers in black armor. Blood stained the white marble. A torch had fallen from the wall, setting the carpet ablaze.
Alicia felt like she couldn't breathe.
"Hiiieee..."
"Close your eyes, My Lady. Just follow me."
Martha gripped Alicia's hand tight and sprinted down the hall.
The interior of the castle was a living hell.
Everywhere they looked, flames soared and the screaming never stopped. Soldiers in black armor were ruthlessly cutting down anyone associated with the Valencia name.
"This way!" Martha shouted.
But as they rounded a corner, two black-armored soldiers appeared.
"Halt!"
Martha shoved Alicia behind her.
"My Lady, run!"
"Martha—!"
"Go!"
Martha grabbed a decorative sword hanging from the wall. She had no idea how to use a blade, yet she stood her ground in front of Alicia, trembling with fear.
"I will not let you take the Young Lady...!"
The soldiers approached, sneering.
"Move, old woman. It's the little noble brat we want."
"Never!"
Martha swung the sword clumsily. A soldier parried her blade with ease, while the other's sword pierced through her body.
"Guh...!"
"Martha!" Alicia screamed.
Martha collapsed to her knees, coughing up blood. Yet, with a trembling hand, she pointed away and shouted, "Run... Please... My Lady..."
"No! Martha!"
Alicia's feet felt like they were glued to the floor. Terror had paralyzed her.
The soldiers advanced toward her.
"The Marquess is waiting, little missy. Come quietly, and we won't make it hurt."
"No... no..."
Alicia backed away until her spine hit the cold stone wall. There was nowhere left to run.
What is this? Why is this happening?
Her mind went blank.
Father. Mother. Anyone. Please... someone save me...
Just as a soldier's hand was about to reach for her arm—
Swoosh—!
With a sharp whistle of wind, something tore through the soldier's throat.
"Gurgle!"
The soldier collapsed, blood spraying from his neck.
"What?!"
The remaining soldier spun around in shock.
Standing there was a man.
A black-haired knight holding a blood-slicked sword.
It was Kyle.
"Y-you—!"
The soldier raised his blade, but Kyle was faster. His sword moved like a bolt of lightning, batting the soldier's weapon aside before the following strike opened the man's throat.
Thud.
The body hit the floor.
Silence returned, broken only by the crackling of torches in the hallway.
Kyle turned slowly toward Alicia. His face and armor were splattered with blood, but his eyes were unnervingly calm.
"My Lady."
"Ky... Kyle...?" Alicia's voice trembled.
"Can you stand?"
"I... uh..."
Alicia nodded instead of answering, but her legs had no strength. She remained slumped against the wall, shaking.
Kyle took a step forward. He knelt down to meet her eyes.
"My Lady," he said, his voice firm. "Listen carefully to what I am about to say."
"..."
"The Count and Countess gave me an order. I am to ensure you survive and get out of here, no matter the cost."
Alicia's eyes wavered. "Father...? Where are Father and Mother?"
Kyle didn't answer immediately. His gaze darkened for a split second.
That was all the answer she needed.
"Liar..."
Tears began to spill from Alicia's eyes.
"You're lying... Father... Mother..."
"My Lady," Kyle said quietly. "We do not have time for tears. The enemy will be here soon."
"But—!"
"It is the Count's final order. I will protect you. So please, stand up."
Alicia looked into Kyle's eyes. There was no deceit in them—only a rock-solid resolve.
"...I don't want to." Alicia shook her head. "I can't run away alone. Father and Mother—"
"They are already dead."
Kyle's voice cut her off coldly.
"In the Great Hall. At the hands of Marquess Castel."
"..."
The world seemed to stop.
Her father. Her mother.
Dead?
"Liar..."
Alicia's body gave way. Kyle caught her quickly before she hit the ground.
"My Lady, pull yourself together."
"You're lying...! It's a lie...!"
Alicia beat her fists against Kyle's chest. But there was no strength in them. They were just weak, desperate thumps.
"Why...? Why is this happening...? What did we do wrong...?"
Instead of answering, Kyle hoisted Alicia up into his arms.
"Forgive me, My Lady. This is not the time for grief."
And then, he began to run.
They ran through burning hallways.
They leaped over corpses.
They bypassed the sounds of screaming.
Kyle looked only forward. He held Alicia in one arm while gripping his blood-stained sword in the other.
"Over there! The Valencia remnants!"
Shouts erupted behind them. Black-armored soldiers were in pursuit.
Kyle didn't look back.
"Capture them! Bring the girl back alive!"
The sound of boots grew louder.
"Tsk...!"
Kyle grit his teeth. Blood was seeping from his left flank; an earlier wound must have reopened during the sprint.
But he couldn't stop.
Count. Countess.
It was their final plea.
'Kyle, I entrust our daughter to you.'
'Please... save Alicia...'
Even as they fell to Marquess Castel's blade in the Great Hall, their only thought had been for their daughter.
He could not fail. Even if he died, this girl had to live.
"Got you!"
A soldier lunged at Kyle's back. Kyle spun, his sword carving a bloody arc across the man's chest.
"Gah!"
But in that opening, another soldier thrust a spear. Kyle twisted his body to shield Alicia. The spearpoint grazed his shoulder.
Splat. Blood sprayed.
"Kyle!" Alicia screamed.
"I'm fine. Stay still," Kyle replied curtly, counter-attacking. His blade slit the spearman's throat, and more blood misted the air.
"Kill him! Kill them all!"
More soldiers swarmed in. Five, ten, fifteen...
Kyle fought with Alicia in one arm and his sword in the other. It was a bizarre, handicapped way to fight, but his swordsmanship was demonic. He cut down, parried, and struck again. Every time his blade moved, a body hit the floor.
"What is this guy...?!"
"He's alone! Why can't we take him?!"
The soldiers were panicked. They had heard he was a mere wandering knight, but this was something else entirely. Kyle didn't answer. He simply kept swinging.
His eyes held only one objective.
Forward. Forward. Forward.
He had to get her out.
After what felt like an eternity, Kyle reached the postern gate. He could still hear the footsteps of the pursuers, but they had gained some distance.
"We're here," he whispered.
Near the back gate was the stable. Fortunately, it was in a sector the fire hadn't reached yet. Kyle led out a horse.
"Get on."
He lifted Alicia onto the horse and climbed up behind her.
"Yah!"
The horse galloped forward. The enemy controlled the main gates, but Kyle knew a spot where the perimeter wall was low. Crossing it would lead directly into the forest.
"There! They're on horseback!"
"Shoot! Archers, fire!"
Whiz—! Whiz—!
Arrows rained down. Kyle leaned forward, shielding Alicia with his body. One arrow buried itself in his back.
"Ugh...!"
"Kyle!"
"It's nothing. Keep your head down."
He spurred the horse harder. The wall appeared—the low section. They could clear it.
"Stop them! Don't let them escape!"
The shouts were closing in, but Kyle never looked back.
"Hya!"
The horse leaped.
As they cleared the wall, Alicia looked back one last time.
Valencia Castle was burning.
The place where she was born and raised. The place that held her everything. Her golden cage. Now, it was collapsing in a roar of flames.
"Ah..."
The tears wouldn't stop. Her mother's smile. Her father's warm hand. Martha's nagging. The roses in the garden. The melody of the piano.
It was all disappearing.
"..."
Kyle heard her weeping but said nothing.
Now was not the time for comfort. Now, there was only one thing to do: keep this girl alive and get her somewhere safe.
The horse galloped into the forest. The burning castle grew smaller and smaller, but the image would never leave Alicia's eyes.
Not for the rest of her life.
At dawn, Kyle finally brought the horse to a halt.
They were deep in the woods, surrounded by dense, ancient oaks. The pursuers wouldn't find them easily here.
"We'll rest for a moment."
Kyle dismounted and carefully lifted Alicia down.
She was still crying. Or rather, she was sobbing from exhaustion. Her eyes were swollen and red, her cheeks stained with dried tears. Kyle sat her down beneath a tree and slumped down a few paces away.
"...Phew."
He let out a long breath. Only now did the pain from his wounds rush in. His side, his shoulder, his back—blood was flowing from everywhere. The arrow was still lodged in his back.
But there was something more important.
"My Lady," Kyle called out softly.
Alicia didn't respond. She just sat with her knees pulled to her chest, head buried, trembling.
"...My Lady."
He called again. Still no answer.
Kyle didn't push. Instead, he sat beside her and waited for the sobbing to subside.
Time passed. Birds began to chirp. Morning sunlight filtered through the canopy.
"...Why?" Alicia finally spoke. Her voice was cracked. "Why did this happen?"
"..."
"Marquess Castel... he was Father's friend. He came to dinner just yesterday... why?"
Kyle was silent for a moment before answering quietly. "Power."
"Power...?"
"The Valencia estate is the most fertile land in the North. It has mines and sits on key trade routes. There have long been rumors that the House of Castel coveted it."
"So... that's why they killed Father...?"
"Yes."
Tears streamed down Alicia's face again. "Because of that...? Because of land...? Because of money...?"
"..."
"Is that a reason for Father to die?! Is that why my mother had to die?!" she shrieked.
Kyle didn't answer. He couldn't.
What she was expressing wasn't a question—it was rage. It was grief. It was a scream against a reality she couldn't comprehend. There were no words that could answer that.
"..."
Alicia buried her head again and wept.
Kyle sat silently by her side. Blood dripped from his wounds, but he didn't care. At this moment, this girl didn't need medicine.
She just needed someone to be there.
That was all.
The sun rose high.
Alicia had cried herself to sleep, leaning against the tree. Her face was a mess of tear tracks, dirt, and bloodstains. Once Kyle was sure she was asleep, he stood up slowly.
"Ugh..."
His injuries were severe. He had to get the arrow out of his back soon.
He went to a nearby brook and washed his wounds with water. Then, gritting his teeth, he yanked the arrow out.
"Nngh...!"
The pain was agonizing. But if he screamed, Alicia would wake. He endured the agony in silence.
He splashed water on the wound and tore his shirt to create a makeshift bandage. He needed proper treatment, but this would have to do for now.
"..."
Kyle looked down at his reflection in the stream. He was covered in blood. Most of it belonged to his enemies, but a fair amount was his own.
'Kyle, I entrust our daughter to you.'
The Count's final words echoed in his mind. The man had fought to protect his family until the very end. Even as he fell, his first and last thought was for his daughter.
'Please... save Alicia...' the Countess had said, coughing up blood.
"I will," Kyle whispered. "I will protect her, no matter what."
It was a vow. His final act of loyalty to the family that had taken him in. And at the same time, it was his only remaining reason to live.
Kyle returned to where Alicia was sleeping.
She was still out, but her face wasn't at peace. Her brow was furrowed, and she whimpered occasionally. She was having a nightmare.
Kyle sat quietly beside her.
Where should they go?
They couldn't return to Valencia. The Marquess would have full control. The neighboring estates were dangerous too, as most were allied with the House of Castel.
Then... Kyle pondered.
The Countess's maiden home. The House of Duke Estelle.
It was an estate on the western edge of the continent. It would take nearly two months to get there. But he had heard the House of Estelle was on bad terms with the Castels. If they could make it there...
"Mm..."
Alicia stirred and opened her eyes. She looked around blankly for a moment, and then her face hardened as the memories returned.
"...It wasn't a dream."
"No," Kyle replied shortly.
Alicia sat up slowly. She looked at Kyle. "You... you have so many wounds."
"I'm fine."
"You don't look fine."
"It is not something for you to worry about, My Lady."
Alicia's eyes wavered. It was strange. Why did this man ignore his own pain while worrying only about her?
"...Why?"
"Pardon?"
"Why did you save me?"
Kyle was silent for a moment. "It was the Count's order."
"Is that all?"
"..."
"If it hadn't been Father's order, would you have abandoned me?" Alicia asked sharply. It was a provocation, but also a hidden fear.
If this man left her... if he abandoned her, what would become of her?
Kyle looked her straight in the eye. "Even if it hadn't been the Count's order, I would have saved you."
"Why?"
"Because I am a knight."
It was a short answer, but his gaze was sincere.
"..."
Alicia didn't ask anything else. She turned away to look at the distant sky. Smoke was still rising, smoke from her home.
Where would they go now? What would they do?
She didn't know anything.
But one thing was certain: at this moment, the man sitting beside her was all she had left in the world.