The nearby desert was scorched under the morning sun, the dirt which bloomed with grass came to life, two nobles, far into the west, striving in a life filled with tragedy and noble suffering, in a Kingdom so free, yet caged.
One afternoon, both looked at two carts filled with grain, like, a lot of grain. "Well, Lady Elisavith, My Father signed this one contract that said to give us grain" Explained William Veilßhän, a trustworthy Felosieß who often pretends as a commoner who peers with the countess of the Elisaviths, Rose.
(Felosieß means 'Noblefolk' from an old language)
"I do also remember signing one similar to yours.", she replies
"How did these get in here, you think?"
"If I were to speak from my heart, I do not have the knowledge pertaining where these are cultivated from"
"You could've just said you don't know.", and suddenly, a servant arrives breathless; On the way to work, this man heard about the eastern part of the village's farmer suddenly getting ill,
"I— I heard Sir Kärsett was bedridden, overworked yesterday", he mutters between huffs.
"Sir Veilßhän... I think I know where this came from",
"Oh you gotta be—".
She drags him into the farm along with the grain and Jonard, a servant.
A middle-aged woman sits tired at the terrace of their farmhouse, the farmer's wife, eyes hollowed by exhaustion, lifts her eyes and spots the Nobles;
"Madame Rose Elisavith! How dare you take away the grain!?",
Then lady Rose approaches her with the Regal finesse of a noble who fears nothing.
"It was a misunderstanding of mine, they lied to me",
William steps in, "Will you care to believe, Ma'am? We don't have enough time before those bastards come back to get more grain from you.", the wife's face darkened,
"How dare you tire my husband to death!?",
"Who did this?" Rose calmly asks, a boy, presumably their son, walks out of the house after witnessing their banter,
"It was the men in black coats with the badged hats.",
"The Lawmen", William mutters gravely.
"We will give back the grain, how many sacks did they take from you?",
"Lady Rose, they took 5",
"Jonard! Unload 5 sacks and carry them into the lady's house, now!", a bulky servant then starts doing what she commands.
William speaks,
"Well, Miss Rose, we can't keep them doing this for the rest of time",
"Worry not, Sir Veilßhän, I'll confront the sheriff tomorrow morning.",
"I'm going with you— don't you dare tell me no.",
"Alright, alright."
They leave, planning on what actions they must take, a misunderstanding that led to illness, the afternoon fading into sunset, light fading down into the earth.
The mist settled, a light shone, horses gallop along the dusty road, a glowing crest made for obedience and power, atop the head of the deputy who serves under Magner IX, from Magnerstied, the capital of Girdenai.
"Where is the farmer?", he asks an elder
"You chose the wrong dirt, sheriff."
"I am not an idiot, you old runt."
"Perhaps, you are."
The Sheriff then points his saber at the elder.
"Dare talk like that again."
Before the old man was able to mutter a word, Rose arrives along with William.
"Not on my soil.", Rose dares the sheriff, rapier drawn, pointing at the light.
"Lady Elisavith, what honor I must feel, yet here you are. Threatening me."
"You threaten my people."
"That is by order of the King!"
Rose then points her epeé at him with a stare that no noble would dare.
"What man are you to live under the tyranny of the Magners?"
"It is, but an order, it is my duty to—", the rapier creaks, as if it was thirsty for blood.
"Not on my manor, you don't.".
Behind Rose was William, right after she speaks, he chimes in, saying,
"We have different rules here, Sheriff."
"Not when his majesty speaks!"
Rose shouts, "Yes, when he speaks of lies and oppression!"
"How dare you defy orders?!"
"It is tradition of the Elisavith name. Right, Sir Veilßhän?"
"Very much, Lady Rose", he says as he slowly unholsters his iron.
A timid recruit notices this and also pulls out his own with trembling hands.
"Try me, kid. Hehe"
"Don't you dare, Mister"
Both aim at each other.
"Oh please, it's not like 20 people ain't aiming at you."
"Huh?"
From the distance, you hear metallic clicks from rifles, atop a silo lies Edward Brünswick, William's friend, aiming at the deputy's head.
"I-I think our business here is done!— we're leaving!" The officer cries, backing down his saber.
"Good grief", mutters Rose as the lawmen retreat onto their horses, galloping away as they tremble. She continues,
"Sir Veilßhän, I believe that I have told you not to point such a firearm."
"Says the one who unsheathed her blade first."
"It was an act of protecting an elder."
"And mine was the act of protecting you, Miss Elisavith."
"Sensible cause"
"Of course.".
They return to the manor after the confrontation, knowing that danger lies around, that lies are starting to creep in Rußwäll.
(Rußwäll is the town which they rule as aristocrats)
Girdenai, the fatherland within a world desolate of peace,a land where beings sought for peace, where swords clashed, where cannons yell, and rifles shout, a Kingdom ruled by a tyrant, Magner IX; the nobles, William and Rose, never really followed his example.
The Elisaviths are known for having a very strict code, it was given by the Nine Roses, for their descendants to follow during the time of the Hålßenians, 1802. Their code includes helping the Commoners as a noble.
The Veilßhäns are the nobles who settled for dust, not finesse nor elegance, their code consists of courageous acts that promote the best situation, even in the face of death.
Not very Magner-like, they resisted temptations from missionaries sent by the government, they swore that no count, nor any noble, or commoner, even the King; will change their codes of honor and conduct.
In the foyer of the Elisavith Manor , they Converse about such events happening in Rußwäll.
"Say, Miss Elisavith, do you like that rapier more than me?"
"I refuse to answer that, as you may waste my precious time."
"Very cold of you today, Lady Rose."
"William, there are people plotting to ransack our town, how are you calm, if not obnoxious?"
"Let them in, Mason and Jason will rain hot hell."
"William."
"Ugh... Diplomacy is not my strong suit, do you realize?"
"Not like I don't always point swords at people, William. We have to talk sometimes with our hearts, not with blade not bullets."
"You are oddly poetic around me."
"That is the way I speak, Sir Veilßhän."
"Good, keep it that way."
Before they can resume their banter, Edward barges in, asking for assistance in the town armory.
"What a morning, Sir Veilßhän!"
"Edward, good to see you."
"Look, Mister Büllswerk and I need your assistance in the armory."
"Are you distributing the rifles given?"
"Yes, Sir Veilßhän."
"Good. What seems to be the problem?"
"Well, we kinda had trouble with the stocks..."
"And?"
"Everything scattered around... Heh..."
"Oh, to hell and back we go."
"We need two more people to help us clean the mess."
"What kind? Cleaning as in wiping stuff or carrying things and putting them to places?"
"Can we borrow your assistants?"
"The Twins? Yeah, sure. Mason, Jason!"
"You can also come with us."
"Sure, then. Hold on"
Minutes pass, he finishes preparing.
"Mason! Jason! Let's go!"
Both scramble onto horses, and gallop away.
Rose, who had been practicing the whole time finally speaks,
"Take care, Sir Veilßhän."
"I will, Lady Rose."
Edward check on them, and says,
"C'mon Will'!"
William exits the Manor, and hops into his steed which have been prepared by Rose's servant, Janet. Edward follows him as they leave the grounds of Elisavith land and began to ride their way to the northern armory.
"What with those bastards early this morning, Sir Veilßhän?"
"There has been a quarrel pertaining to the forcefully taken grain."
"And here I thought I was aiming at him because of an aristocratic cause."
Edward sighs, William chuckles, thinking of the reason.
"Ridiculous, you think of it."
"Well, it does sound so."
"Dig deeper, and it will make sense"
"Is that so? I'll try, hehe."
They pass through a pond, a woman stands atop a platform, aiming a rifle older than William. Edward lays eyes on her and says,
"WOAH!! Oh sweet Beräznael! Look at them bosoms!"
, he then receives a nice smack from William. The woman turns around and smiles mischievously at Edward, while swaying from left to right.
"Ye like 'em Mister?~"
William twitches from his mount,
"That is an act of indecency, Young woman."
"I am covering myself nicely, thank ye. Also, my name is Victoria of Hildegard."
Edward also smiles, eyeing Victoria.
"The name's Eddy, short for Edward"
William looks at him in disdain.
"Edward Brünswick of Goremia!"
"Pardon me, Sir Veilßhän."
"Excuse my friend, Miss Hildegard."
"Yer friend is interesting anyways, Mister."
"Alright. We're leaving, again, pardon."
Both start galloping their horses northward, Edward sighs, a little disappointed.
"C'mon, William, I was just amazed!"
"That is indecency, Edward!"
"Oh boy."
In the distance, crowds gather in the plaza; Rüßwall is a town, so special, ruled by two Noble families, William and Rose's line. It situated between the desert and the grass, prospered by oil and fertile land near the Norman River.
William wonders, and asks,
"Eddy, how come you two messed up the place?"
"Uhh, about that, Sir Büllswerk was bein' cranky about some man, and tripped on air."
"My Lord, what men does this town have, hm?"
"Aren't you nobles supposed to have shining platinum hair, like Lady Elisavith?"
"Oh, are you wondering why my hair is dark?"
"Are you perhaps adopted by the Veilßhän whom have been lacking an heir?"
"I just dye my hair, Edward."
"Why?"
"Sometimes, being a commoner is an advantage."
"Ah, I see."
"Rose tells me to bring my hair back to it's nobility. Hehehe."
"Lady Elisavith is always sharp and grumpy, isn't she?"
"Uh, no?"
"She is, William!"
"Not with me."
"Oh heavens above, William Veilßhän! Do you know what that means?!"
"Yes. But I'm not in the mood, nor time to deal with romance, Edward."
"No wonder you stopped me from flirting."
"For it's not the time; there has been quarrels."
"You are one amazingly idiotic yet smart one, William."
He sighs, "Oh, Edward..."
"What? Are you just gonna dismiss the fact she likes you?"
"And what if I do? She knows what's happening."
"You have a point."
"Told you."
"Goddamnit. It's hard to argue with someone who went to school."
"Can you even read?"
"Yeah."
"Good to know."
Out of nowhere, a man, presumably the cranky and loud Büllswerk of a cowboy, shouts;
"OVER HERE, FELLERS!".
Both look at him, shocked by his yelling.
William asks,
"Are my boys there?"
"Yeah, they' been carryin' rifles 'round, where'd ya been? Took ye a while."
Edward smiles, chuckling.
"Let's just say—... We ran into beautifuldistractions."
Büllswerk raises an eyebrow.
"It' a woman? I knew it."
William gets off his horse, leashing it to a pillar before entering the armory.
"We can't hope for maidens in times like these, right, Sir Büllswerk?"
"I've told this folk not to."
"Tomorrow, I want these handed to civil areas, and arm them in case of retaliation."
"Retaliation from which bastard, William?"
"The supposed helping government."
William sighs.
"How come?"
"Diplomatic liars, I'd say. Rose and I got into a quarell against them."
"And why d'ya need to give rifles to 'em folks?"
"It's the forsaken Torrentia family who sent them."
"Ah, those sons of bitches, I see. Always behind the damn king."
"Yes."
"I'd say, this ain't enough for all the townsfolk."
"Oh?"
"400, 450 more, yeah."
"Mason!"
The young man stumbles onto his feet and goes over to William.
"Yes, sir?"
"Tell every gunsmith in Rußwäll to make 50 each."
"Can I have someone to accompany me, at least?"
Jason Snickers, eyeing his brother.
"Hell nah, brotha', I ain't Goin' with you. I'm tired."
"Sir Veilßhän?"
William looks outside, crowds passing by.
"Go to the Elisavith Manor, tell them I sent you."
"And if they don't let me?"
"Take this.", William then hands a crest.
"What's this, Sir?"
"It's my badge, show it to anyone inside they'll know it."
"And why should I go there?"
"Ask them for Janet, a servant, she accompanies anyone."
"Alright, Sir. I'll be leaving." He exits.
William looks around the armory, counting the cases that contain firearms and ammunition.
"Sir Büllswerk."
"Yeah?"
"I want all of these distributed by next week, I'm afraid the Torrentia don't take things by diplomacy."
"They're arrogant fucks, I know."
"Terrible is their way of negotiation."
"Ye don' have to tell me how big of fucks they are, Will'."
"I know... I have to leave, Rose has an appointment with the Del'Fuente."
"Go ahead, Sir Veilßhän."
"Until we meet again."
Both bow to each other before William leaves the armory. Edward awaits outside, eating bread.
"Oh, You're leavin'?"
"I am, start helping those people, Edward."
"Yes, Sir Veilßhän."
"I'll meet you tomorrow."
Hours pass, William returns to the Elisavith Manor and finds Rose still practicing the rapier, lights open, servants spectating, a manor so grand which stood tall for 200 long years. He enters the Foyer, silently announcing his presence through intently watching.
"You've been at that for an hour and two."
She halts; turning around to look at him.
"Took you a while to return, Sir Veilßhän."
"We came across a hefty problem along the way."
"Understandable."
"Don't you have negotiations with the Del'Fuente?"
"Apparently, they encountered adversities that cannot be put aside."
"Let me guess, someone died?"
"You comprehend my words well enough, sir Veilßhän."
"Excuse me, I understand nobility, for I am one."
"Pardon me, it's that your hair tells me you're a commoner."
"Look, I need to hide my nobility when outside of Rußwäll."
"Why so?"
"Long story!"
Rose looks back at the servants
"Can anyone care for to cups of tea?"
"Yes Madame", says one after bowing.
She then looks back at William.
"Sit down, will you?"
"Oh, lady Rose...", he groans as he sits.
"Can William and I have a moment of privacy? You may leave."
The servants leave quietly.
"I am worried, William", she says in a worried tone.
"About what?"
"The Torrentia are nearing. I've received word."
"What does it say?"
"They are on the way to Rußwäll. You should have listened to me when I said don't point your gun."
"Now, I realize... Oh no."
"Yes, Sir Veilßhän."
"Look, by next week, we will have the Entirety of Rußwäll armed to the teeth."
"They are arriving in two days."
"To Hell be with us."
"I have acknowledged the possible units, the Torrentia we will be facing."
"Such as?"
"Cavalry men, and standard mercenaries."
"We have a machine gun."
"What kind of noble are you?"
"The one who doesn't want to be one."
"I will need 50 men, armed."
"You could just do a diplomatic negotiation."
"You do know that is not the way we handle things, am I correct?"
"Look, I'm not in the mood for sabers and guns!"
"The Torrentia are wretched heirs of blasphemy."
"And violence."
"Exactly!"
"Rose. I'm too lazy to do this."
"You are not!"
He sighs
"Heavens, why are you people are the violent kind??"
"Says the one who made 5 people kick the bucket in 3 seconds.", She rolls her eyes.
"You did that too."
"I have not, yet I will try."
"Don't."
"Oh, Sir Veilßhän... Don't let cowardice convince you to back down now."
"It's not cowardice to have peace."
Silence, then, a beat.
"You're not like the first time I met you."
"And when's that?"
"3 years ago..."
A train passes by, a younger Rose steps off onto a platform, wearing a dress, dark as the night. A gentleman— or so she thought. —bumps onto her and curses.
"Watch where in the bloody hell you're—"
"How dare you!? You are the one who is not paying attention to where you journey!"
"Well pardon me!", he angrily shouts
"Never, did a man talk to me this way."
"Who cares?"
Rose glares at him.
"I do!"
"Look, I have to seek Gerono—"
"How do you know this man!?"
"WHAT'S WITH HIM TOO??"
"That man is courting my sister, and I do not approve of that De'Lithesia!"
"WHAAAAAT!? SINCE WHEN!?"
"Can you silence your mouth, everyone has their eyes on us."
He looks around, his face blank.
"So?"
"You seriously don't care!?"
The scene turns back to the present time, a banter that happens once in a blue moon between William and Rose.
William Snickers, "What? I've always talked like that."
"No, you oddly sound more like a proper gentleman nowadays."
"Well, let's say... I'm a little too problematic back then."
"Well, I like the way you are now."
"Pfft. Charming me to cause a violent action?"
"Nay! I do not have that motive!", She laughs.
"I've never seen you laugh before."
"Well, now you have."
Both bask in the warmth of their banter as the noon fades to evening, Rußwäll was yet to face it's biggest challenge.
Later on, at the balcony of the Veilßhän Manor.
"I swear... We had different personalities early this morning, I think we switched, Lady Rose."
"Oh yes, weren't you the one suggesting bullets?"
"My, My."
"Anyways, are you buffoons done with that time bending machine of yours?"
"Ah, we had to discontinue the project, we ran out of Evulum."
"If you try to mess with time again, William, I'm not going to forgive you, even if you return safely."
"In what way?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"I prefer not to, Lady Rose...
Besides, aren't we also waiting for your sister's return from Våronia?"
"It's your fault for unleashing that flamboyant of a poet, William Veilßhän."
"My bad, Lady Rose."
- End of Chapter 1.