You're not going to be a knight, (Name). You're going to be my lover."

-Gilbert Beilschmidt

~*~

I sat here on a stone porch, my hands under my chin, watching as two knights, practice with their swords. The other knight parried with his sword while the other tried to push harder but he regained his defense and pulled back himself to attack.

I sometimes wonder if I could be one. I sighed.

"(Name)!" Oh, that's the lady of the house. I look up and stood, stealing a last glance at the knights. Someday, I told myself, I would be a great knight.

I smiled sheepishly.

The only problem was that I am a...

lady.

I woke up in my room with dazed sight of the light escaping my curtains. This is not any other day. This would be the day!

I'd finally had the chance to let them see what a lady can do! Father would be very satisfied. To think that I only started fourteen when I accidentally won my first sword fighting at the same time he, asking me to marry already.I urged him to change his mindbefore that I would choose myself a man if I can prove myself today. I didn't tell him that I want to escort him in his battles.

Upon seeing my skill my father once told a lie to all his fellow lords that I am a young was only mother and my servant Eliza knew the secret.

I was practicing with another knight when my father's friend suddenly asked, "Who is that mighty fellow?"

"He's my son."

I nearly lost balance when I heard the words. I should've removed my helmet and said, "Father, look at me I'm a wee maiden!"

Why? Is he not proud of me?

After seven years, I attend parties and feasts whenever I was needed…to pretend the lie. But I enjoyed and managed. One of those years, I met a young man with a very pale skin and silver hair. At the sight of him, my heart started lurching. I knew I was attracted to him, then so I had to exit the party.

Guess who I was going to fight today? I heard it was father invited him in a feast this morning and he considered him to fight was already knighted actually at the age of twenty-one, two years my senior. He was one of the vassals my father had. I heard gossips about him so I had to ask, "Who is this knight?" my ladies at the gossip frowned. I find him irritatingly charming in quote of him when they'd said, "Hah! I'm the most awesome knight my lord had!"

Elizabeth, who was appeared at my dresser, offered me a gown to wear. "Eliza, you know what I'd wear. It's my day so please, would you bring the most glorious dress I have?" She scurried away before I made my point—it was a joke!

How would I ever bout when I wore a hefty dress? I waited her to return and as I predicted brought my most flattering dress ever. "Eliza—"

"My apologies mistress, but I am needed in some other place." She closed the door. My face flushed. I stared at the dress like it was an alien thing whether I would tore it or wear it. Here goes nothing...

I ventured the hall, with my sword Scipio, a silver hilted sword and peeked at the windows. I understand that the feast is working at the open grounds so I had to sneak at the back to avoid being noticed in my humiliation.

Once, I grasp the handle of the backdoor from the kitchen a voice made my body like an electrified fish. I jerked and tried to hide my weapon before turning around. A man with a pale skin greeted me with an unusual face. He chuckled a bit. "I'm very sorry, my lady. I didn't mean to startle you."

"That is alright. Are you one of the cooks?"

"Nay, I am but a man looking for his way to the feast."

"So did I…sir?"

"Gil. Just Gil."

"Well, Sir Gil you must be at haste. After you," you gestured at the door. "I forgot a little something at my room, if you'll excuse me."

Now, I had no other choice but to enter at the main hall. I gulp at the thought of how would the guests would think a maiden like me which they didn't even knew, enter a feast like this. Ugh, nevermind. I suffered more than this.

The doors opened and as I come in, heads turn to stare at me. I may be embarrassed because it was a very unusual feeling but I've come to enjoy it. I strolled down the stairs and scan the faces to find my father.

I wonder what would father thought at this moment.

"(Name)!"Ah~there's my call. Father's last, my last step felt the fertile ground. "(Name)," he came towards me. "what is the meaning of this?"

"Father, I—" I gulped. "You see there's a dress shortage." I gave nervous laugh.

He sighed. "Nevermind. I guess here ends the lie." He faced the confused guests with my arm arched on his.

"Lords and Ladies! May I present to you my long lost daughter, Lady (Name)! I apologize for not informing you my friends…" he stroll the hall with me.

"Unfortunately," he choked. Is he trying to cry? "my son as you know died suddenly on a horse ride." What?! My eyes widened. Everyone in the room was stunned in silence.

"So now she had to be the one who will bout with Sir Gilbert Beilschmidt~" WHAT?! I gasped. What? Why am I even surprised I'm the one he's trained all those years. So why am I flabbergasted?

"Father," I managed in a small voice. "may. We. Start?" I emphasized every word.

He stared at me. "Of course, darling." He finally released me. "Everyone! Gather 'round for the bout…"

As my father prepares the fight I gripped the hilt of Scipio. "This is it." I whispered.