Disclaimer: Shokugeki no Soma is a work of Tsukuda Yuuto. I do not own any of the characters here.
A/N: I forgot to mention that you might see some Type-Moon or Nasuverse elements on the later chapters, for example, Soma using Reinforcement to strengthen his sword. Expect extreme OOCness since this is an AU and the whole story will be told through a first-person POV.
I only stared at her. I mean, if you ever come across with a woman of this pure beauty and to top all of that, she's the Queen! My teacher had told me on what to do when I'm about to face royalty but... geez! I'm still a commoner and she's a monarch, you can clearly see the big gap between us. Lady Erina is like, on the heaven and here I am, scraping off whatever food that I can find. The education that my teacher taught to me is to read, write, and wield a sword properly!
"Are you alright, Your Highness?" How long had I been staring at her. I quickly drop one knee and put my enclosed fist to my chest. This was to be at least known to any people; it is a sign of respect to royalty.
"Yes, everything's fine. Thank you, Sir Knight. If it weren't for you, my life could have been lost." she gave me a heartwarming smile and I couldn't help but stammer a bit. No one ever with the exception of my teacher had thanked me and those words coming out from Lady Erina's mouth is something.
"It was the right thing to do. But, I guess not everyone would do the same thing."
"You're brave actions saved my life and for that I am eternally grateful." it is a good thing that I'm wearing a hood right now. I don't want Lady Erina to see my flushed cheeks.
"You're Majesty! Are you unharmed!?" The four guards earlier were running towards us and they eyed me warily.
"Do not worry, Captain. This man here saved me."
"Is that so? Thank you, brave knight." I'm about to open my mouth to correct them that I'm not a knight but opted not to do so.
"Are you travelling to Kilian, good Knight?" I fidgeted at the title but nodded to her.
"I am, your Majesty." My muffled voice puffed out of my mask.
"Then please, come with me. The very least I can do for you is a ride." I only swallowed, I was like 'Hell yeah! Take that, Rossi!' This is a 'once in a blue moon' opportunity for someone like me. Nevertheless, I'm kind of nervous too. Lady Erina must have noticed my somehow dejected looks.
"I insist... please."
The guards escorted us back to the carriage, one of the guards us calming the horse down. The bodies of those that I have killed where put on the roadside. I could only look at them with pity in my eyes, I really don't know what could be their intentions, but if they want money, they have to earn it with dignity.
"Listen, Soma... all human beings, you and I, we are only limited beings. Not only that but sometimes, you could be loathing your own self because you lack something that others have for themselves."
The guard helps Lady Erina to climb to the carriage and I only climb onto the back. Man! Look at these things, if I could get my hands in one of these, I could make a small fortune just enough for me to survive. Lady Erina only looks at me and she giggled a bit. Did I do something to make her like that?
"Sir Knight, I want you to seat across me here inside the carriage." I only blinked at her and the guards open the carriage doors. Lady Erina's mirthful smile and her reached out hands. Man, this is getting a bit out of hand, I only hold out my gloved hands and let myself in. I should have removed my gloves... now don't get me wrong! I know what is appropriate.
The doors closed behind and Lady Erina prompted me to seat across. The carriage started moving and I try to seat gracefully but damn! My armor is a bit noisy as I try to straighten my posture. The awkward silence is getting me a bit nervous, usually; I'm the one who is like an unstoppable chatter box. Once, my teacher and Rossi told me that I could be a jester due to my 'funny antics'. The only time that my mouth is noisy is the times that I spend with my teacher... and to those unfair merchants.
A few moments later, Lady Erina cleared up her throat and gave me a small smile.
"May I see the face of my savior?" she asked me and I only shifted a bit... it's not like I'm not proud of my looks but I decided to let her see me.
"Of course, Your Highness." I reached for my hood, pull it up, and removed my mask. A muffled hair that hasn't been cut for months now and it still retains its redness. A scar in my left eye can also be seen.
"My name's Soma, Your Highness." Even though my voice is slightly hoarse due to the cold, it was more defined when not under layers of cloth. Lady Erina's eyes widened a bit, I have probably seen that reaction many times already that I'm kind of immuned to it.
"Where do you hail from, Soma?" I suppress the slight shiver that run down on my spine when she said my name.
"I... don't know where I exactly was born. When I was a kid, my teacher assumed the role of both father and mother to me."
"I am sorry, it must be hard for you... losing your parents." Lady Erina's voice is now more thoughtful than usual.
"There is no need to worry. I was trained by my teacher and I am grateful to him since he thought me how to handle a sword."
"I find it hard to believe that a knight such as your skill and valor is wandering around these parts."
"I'm not, your Highness. I just wander around, competing for any money I can get." It wasn't until it left my mouth that I was aware of how uncouth it sounded. I curled further into my seat. The queen didn't comment on my statement. She merely looked even more thoughtful than before.
"May I ask you a question, Soma?" There it is again, the Queen calling my name again. You're not going to say to her this words: 'Mind your own bloody business, dammit!' The only times that I use such language is when I'm thoroughly pissed.
"Where will you stay during the tournament?" I inwardly sigh at her statement,... where will I stay, anyway?
"Most of the time there are taverns that I can accommodate with bit of gold. However, if luck is not on my side; alleyways without any drunkards serve their purpose." I only let my mouth run... that is when I notice Lady Erina's look of distaste. I slammed my hands on my face... I just told her that I sleep in alleyways!
"An alleyway is not a place even for beggars or warriors such as you to sleep! You will stay on the castle grounds." My jaws are gaping in the air, surely my ears had heard incorrectly. Lady Erina asks me to stay in the castle grounds.
"Y-yo-your Majesty, I couldn't. I…" I wasn't really sure what to say, but I didn't have the chance to sputter incoherently in front of the queen as Lady Erina cut me off.
"You can, and I insist you do. I owe you my life. A ride, food to eat and a bed I can readily supply you. It's the least of which I can do for what you have done for me, Soma." I stared stupidly (as though she could stare any other way) at her. With Lady Erina's mesmerizing gaze... her face tells me that I must accept it.
"I... uh, thank you so much, your Highness." I managed to choke the words out. Lady Erina smiled at me and she gaze on the windows. It has been almost half an hour as we both sat in silence, Lady Erina might be satisfied with this. I released a yawn and I slowly closed my eyelids... taking a nap might suffice.
I stare at the windows and I just couldn't get Soma out of my mind. He said that he's a wondering swordsman and that is his living, I furrowed my brows. There are less valor knights in our kingdom and I could still remember some of them. Such lesser knights was Sir Derek, he killed a fellow knight on a tourney, four years ago.
I witnessed the spring tournaments since I was a child until I reached my teenage years. Most of the time, I seldom myself to attend any events outside of the castle. The castle is open to everyone, may it be poor or rich. Soma said that this was his third year to our kingdom. I should have remembered Soma... if he's not wearing helmet that is.
I turned my head to ask Soma again and... is he sleeping? He is! Soma's head is down, eyes closed and his breathing is a bit ragged. I reached out to his hand when he suddenly jerked and grab mine!
"Hmm... just 10 more minutes, teacher..."
I cleared my throat and shake him, we will arrive at the castle soon and Soma here could rest. His hands are so... rough, is this same as those who worked under my father?
"S-Soma..." I couldn't help the small smile when the red head jolted, glancing around before my eyes were trained on him. I managed to keep my face neutral as I watched the Soma's face go scarlet and keep his hand to himself.
"I am terribly sorry, you're Highness! I didn't mean to grab your hand!" He stuttered softly. Even though I wanted to grin, I kept my composure.
"Have you come to the spring tourneys before?" He nodded releasing a huff of air that tousled his bangs.
"Every year for the past three years, and at summers end, I travel back north for fall and winter tourneys." Soma shrugged as he summed up the entirety of his life. "Traveling, fighting, eating, and sleeping."
"Sleeping in alleyways." I couldn't stop myself before the words left my mouth. I immediately felt bad Soma curl up a bit as though it were a rebuke.
"Only when necessary…" he mumbled. The silence that followed was heavy and awkward. At least for me. I chastised myself for the faux pas. The last thing I wanted to do is make Soma uncomfortable.
I wasn't sure what to say and I sighed in relief when one of the guards knocked.
"We've arrived, Queen Erina." The door opened and I stood. I took the guards proffered hand and stepped out with Soma following behind. The chariot gave a small shake when he hopped out causing me to grimace. A guard turned to speak to me but stopped, as he looked upon him now bare face. The other three noticed as well. Surprise evident on their faces. I diverted their attention.
"It's alright, Captain. Follow me, Soma" I took quick sure steps through the open gates into the courtyard. Soma gave a curt nod to the guards before following me. I glanced over him. Soma seemed to marvel at the gardens as they passed through. Large bushes grew all around them. Different flowers are decorating the entirety of it, he could appreciate it later.
"You're Highness." As I stepped into the great hallway, a maid immediately attended us.
"Guide our visitor here to his room." The maid nodded before leading Soma away. I continued down the hall to her study with Hisako in tow. Hisako here is the one that is training all of the kingdom's soldiers and guards. Even though some didn't entirely agree with Hisako due to her being a woman. She has pledge her loyalty to me.
"It was all well until a group of bandits ambushed us. Thanks to Soma that we all returned unharmed." She told her the story. She was relieved when the story ended with my rescue at Soma's hands and the invitation to board in the castle.
"I have to thank her myself as well." She smiled fondly at her. Her family had been serving us for many years, since I was a small child. I couldn't imagine the staff without her.
"Will you make sure a place is made up for Soma at dinner tonight?" Hisako nodded and with a quick affirmative left the room. When the door shut, I turned back to the shelf of books searching for one in particular.
The maid had lead me through the halls before stopping in a door. "Here we are, Sir. I'll return shortly with warmed water for your bath." With that, the maid quickly disappeared around a corner. I only gazed at the room in wonder; this is one of my life-long dreams! Just a few hours before this, I'm imagining myself staying here but now! It was unlike any place I'd ever stayed. The hard polished wood floors were draped in red and gold rugs that looked to cost more than I made whenever I won a tourney. The papered walls were a soft cream color accented in gold. A few antique looking chairs with plush red cushions, polished wood lions feet and arm rests sat in the corners of the room. But what really caught my attention was the large four poster bed covered in smooth red sheets. I pulled off my gloves and ran my fingers over the gossamer material. They were silk.
I tossed my gloves onto one of the chairs, fur and wool layers added moments later. I laid the sheathed sword against the chair as well before working on the clasps of my armor. A knock has been heard through the door.
"Sir, here is the hot water for your bath."
"Thank you, um... you can just leave it there."
"Lady Erina has requested your presence before dinner starts." With that, I've heard the maid's footsteps away from the door.
I immediately grab the hot water and close the door. I carefully slid myself on the tub. I wonder if Lady Erina is mad at me... I instinctively grab her... hands. That was an accident! A natural response that my teacher taught to me: the 'Eye of the Mind', you can say that I wanted to hone for myself. An ability allows a warrior to dodge or feel his surroundings for any kind of danger. Maybe the moment that she touches me, it triggered, and I must have nearly took out my sword to attack her. Fortunately, that's not going to happen again.
I breathed out a content sigh. When was the last time that I had a hot bath? Or a bath at all? I found myself cringing. Not since I'd left 4 days ago. I slid down, the water rising over my nose. I sat there for a moment in the warm water before my eyes widened and sat up, violently sloshing water over the rim of the tub to the floor.
"Wait! A dinner with her!? A formal dinner with the Queen herself!? Damn! My mannerisms on the table is barely passable to a tavern!? What am I..." Another thought and problem struck me again.
"What am I going to wear!?"