ALL NOVEL Chapter 71: Defend
Though assuring the male protagonist that she was fine, Elaine's pulse remained quickened more than usual. Around her was nothing less than pandemonium, with entrails and limbs of men and monsters flying in all directions. Elaine wanted to hurl but forced down the nausea with her mana. She then used a strength enhancement spell on herself to match Elias' pace. Elaine knew she was a burden and did not want to slow him down further.
Prince Nickolas was slicing two monsters with his swords in her peripheral vision. Elaine sneaked a peek and saw the Léonas Prince drenching in blood and riddled with wounds, though most were not life-threatening. His sharp features held the same unyielding expression she had witnessed when first arriving on the battlefield.
"Do not get distracted, Lady Estella," Elias reminded her while steering her to the left, evading an incoming assault.
"Y, yes." Elaine immediately turned around, not daring to continue her observation.
The battle raged for hours, with both Étoile and Léonas knights in training and soldiers on the verge of exhaustion. However, because of Étoile reinforcement, the humans eventually gained the upper hand. And though still vicious and deadly, the enemy's number slowly dwindled, trapped inside a siege orchestrated by both troops. The men pushed forward, driving the remaining monsters into the center. Finally, Prince Nickolas delivered the last kill, plunging his double swords into the creature's back, cracking its hard shell, and piercing its heart. The battle ended in victory, yet the mood remained somber. The bodies of the men's fallen comrades surrounded them, painting the soil the color of dark crimson.
Elaine glanced around, attempting to find Cecil and Celeste. Yet, she could not locate them. The chaotic fighting created the smoke and dust that obstructed her view. Then, when she was about to give up, a voice called out to her. Elaine's ears perked up and turned toward its originating direction.
"Milady, I am glad you are safe." Roland's muscular silhouette appeared on the other side of the battlefield. As he approached, Elaine could see his partially torn armor and many fresh scars that marked his body. However, his expression was not exhaustion but exuberance, like a lion returning from a successful hunt. From behind him emerged a familiar figure, and she immediately recognized the distinctive heterochromia. It was Cecil.
He is safe, Elaine exhaled.
"Milady." Upon seeing her, Cecil dropped to one knee with his eyes firmly planted on the ground. "My grave mistake has endangered your life. I feel ashamed and am unworthy of continuing the honorable duty as your guard. Thus, I bear full responsibility for my actions and am prepared to receive the severest punishment upon returning."
"Lady Estella, please listen to my explanation. Sir Ascania is not at fault."
Before Elaine could reply, someone had already come to his defense. She raised a brow, tracing the pleading voice to its owner. Behind Cecil stood Celeste. Even though she remained inside the d'Artois' soldier uniform, her long blonde hair was now loosed and flown free on her back, exposing her identity.
Though a bit annoyed at the female protagonist's interruption, Elaine ignored her and continued her conversation with Cecil. "No, it is not your fault, Sir Ascania." She shook her head. "No one could have predicted this disaster." Similar to other knights in training, blood and dirt smeared his face and body. Yet curiously, she noticed his wounds were few to none. Celeste must have healed him throughout the battle, Elaine deduced. She was correct not to report the female protagonist and allowed her to join the expedition. Celeste's presence prevented Cecil from acquiring fatal injuries.
Elaine's eyes hovered between them, recalling Celeste's impassioned defense of Cecil. Something must have happened between them. But with the female protagonist's natural sense of justice, she would do that for anyone, wouldn't she? Whatever the case, the event is progressing along smoothly. She again got lost in thoughts, mulling over the original storyline. However, to onlookers, Elaine appeared displeased at the d'Artois Young Lady and her handsome guard relationship.
"But milady, I…." Cecil started.
"Stand up, Sir Ascania," she ordered. "As your master, I will be the one to decide whether you deserve punishment."
After an extended silence, the blonde-haired young man finally relented and returned to his feet. "I understand."
"Good. And you will continue as my guard until I relieve you of your duty." Elaine was determined not to release Cecil, at least not yet. She still required his help to investigate the poisoning and other matters in the plot.
"As you wish, milady." He inclined his body and then shifted his gaze toward the female protagonist. "Lady Celeste, please accept my gratitude for your assistance throughout this battle. I might not be standing here in one piece without your healing." Cecil bowed before her.
"Please don't say that, Sir Ascania. You have protected and rescued me many times." Celeste's ears reddened, embarrassed to receive the blonde-hair young man's sudden acknowledgment. "I should be the one to express my gratitude."
Elaine observed the heartwarming scene with strong interest. Cecil was a young man with few words. For him to take the initiative, Celeste must have saved his life. Like a magnet, Cecil would feel an intense attraction toward the female protagonist after this incident. Likewise, Elaine also felt excitement in her chest. The scene unfolding before her signified the first event that followed the book's description.
"You don't seem upset, Lady Estella," Elias commented.
"Should I be? I, too, am grateful to Lady Celeste for saving my guard," she replied, smiling at him.
"Is that so?" he chuckled, and Elaine could see the crimson pupils gleaming within his radiant amethyst eyes.