// Chapter 6 \\

Why neglect authority? Why dodge the duties and troubles of a ruler? Of a High Monarch? Wouldn't it make one see cowardice? Wouldn't that be how they see me? Why had the mere utter of responsibility made me feel dejected?

Yunho.

Would it be weird if I were to say his name struck chord with the title he carried? It's now more like that title now carried his name: Captain of the Guard. And now I could never think of that title without him. But another name was supposed to take that title while his name dragged along. My fear was that his name would snap from the little seam that delicately clung to that title. The truth was his name would stray from that title. It seemed so much like the action of replacing something, but that's how the system worked. However, he seemed irreplaceable. But I was replacing him right now.

"Have you not a say of who stands out now before you?" Nanny whisper-hushed in chastisement as we rounded the room yet another of the many times since we've arrived. She pointed towards the figures in silver and black, who primmed themselves to be like an edge of a sword in which each wielded."The best are rightfully standing before you, enduring your everlasting pacing and, yet, you have not made one comment or critique since we've gotten here."

"I know," I simply commented in a monochromatic voice. It came out just as monochromatic as the room.

The walls of the training chamber were a brilliant pure white. Guaranteed, if sunlight existed in this plane of existence, it wouldn't be bearable to look at. It was already much to give it a glance. Greatly contrasting it were the black long rectangular pillars. They broke this white wall into sections with gaps of pitch black void. The floors were a less shocking white and more-so a calm cream in comparison. A darker tint of white— what could've been considered a grey— marked this floor with a pattern of faint twinkling stars in a white sky. It was perhaps the most calming gesture of this intimidating room. Then again, there was the windowed roof of the starry everlasting night that gazed down upon us. That was certainly the most normal thing of the training room. A training room only used sparingly by the top knights and guards of this court. So sparingly that it is sacred to use for the High Monarch to judge their next Captain of the Guard. I was here to do just that.

After the talk with Nanny since I'd returned, she'd only pressed the matter on me further. Night, and to think she wasn't forcing anything upon me. To think calling it odd would have her pressuring me into something once more.

The person implied gave me a scoff. The glint in Nanny's eyes almost made it out to seem that my reply to her was weak.

I ignored her implicative stare with the flick of my light golden irises as I set my sights back onto the four figures holding their formal, stand-tall positions. They were said to be the four most elite and deadly weapons among my forces other than Yunho. The term weapon referred to each of those four individuals as being dispensable and that was the term Nanny had used when we entered the room. My hand crumpled into a slight fist as the thought had irked me. I learned very well that Yunho was nowhere near dispensable. No one should be seen as that. My eyes now glimmered among the four in a new light.

"Run by me again, each of them," I deadpanned to the older yet shorter woman next to me.

Nanny nodded her head curtly before leaning towards my and lifting her frail finger to the first figure that was closest to us, despite the distance, "That is Rollonf Feyriar."

I looked in the direction Nanny was implying to inspect the person named Rollonf only to have my eyes widen a bit in surprise. I'd paid little attention to the details of four figures when Nanny and I entered the room. I did my best to look away and not take them in— almost resenting the truth that was presented in four potential souls. That realization wasn't what had surprised me though, no.

The man stood at least a centimeter shorter than me, with a broad chest and strong stoic figure. He didn't dare to give a glance at me as we approached. He maintained his stance at-attention with his arms folded behind his back as the others down the lane did the same. His attire was like the others as well: a silver jacket adorned with several treasured gems and tokens sewn into the intricate black lace which made swirling star patterns. He wore black pants, boots, and belt. Belt being where his sword was strapped. None of that was surprising— that was normal.

What was surprising were the dull grey eyes that reminded me of the grey tint of the friend who had the place this knight was standing before me for. Those grey eyes refused to glance my way as he continued his state of staring right in front of him— I knew he wouldn't look at me unless I commanded him to, however. Along with that was his lush lavender hair that curled and fell onto either side of his more rectangular facial structure compared to the person the hair had reminded me of.

"He's well known for his marksmanship and excellent ingenuity of weapons. As well as how to use them in the field," Nanny murmured to me silently. Though, the room was so quiet, she might as well have been yelling across the fields and mountain ranges of the worlds, "He is very resourceful in his sword wielding. Knows the best and which weapons are right for what onslaught. He can also command appropriate squadrons to wield said weapons. He was trusted with the task before-hand."

I only gulped in reply, making it as silent as possible and covering it up with a slight nod.

I'd allowed my lips to part for a mere second as Nanny continued talking and we passed in front of him. I was quick to shut them tight once more and look away before those eyes could look into mine. I knew they wouldn't though— for standing at attention meant focusing on a focal point and not the one who was inspecting you. I couldn't let the paranoid scenario leave my head, however.

I began to try and compose myself as we moved onto the next knight Nanny had begun to point towards, "And this is Palemo Idari."

The man towered over me and was broad shouldered. He was indeed much more broad and strong than the appearance of the previous knight. His face was sharp and tone of skin as dark as the night sky above. His sleek black hair was long and tied back. His dark irises of his eyes would've been completely black save for the glimmer in them that I'd almost searched for in the previous knights eyes. The glint almost made his eyes look like a dar, tainted silver. Almost as if a dark reminder of what I'd done.

I felt my stomach twist and I found myself close to wanting to wince, but I bit down on my lips and had allowed Nanny to further explain the second knight, "He's an expert in stealth operations on onslaught attacks or defensive ambushes. He's been in part of coordinating many stealth attacks and Taker hunts. He is the one responsible for increasing on-going spy operations for our benefit here in the Night Court."

I didn't bother to give a gesture as I distracted myself from the tall taunting man, even though those factors weren't what had me wanting to convulsively shake onto my knees.

We moved onto a smaller figure, much shorter than me. It didn't take me any time to realize she was a woman. I relaxed a bit at her unique and entirely new features. Yes, she wore the same uniform with the sword at her side and stood tall as the others did. She had dark honey skin— perhaps a tad darker if this room wasn't illuminating it— and darker freckles flaking all over her face. Her hair was a volume of curls pouring out slightly from the top of her head. The curls were so short, they didn't topple over and cover her ears. It was a shiny black with strands and segments of a neon cyan which glowed brightly and stood out in this room. Her boldness was shown in her sharp features, even if her head was a bit more narrowed— making it look round. The boldness was only shown even more in the bold black of her lips.

She stared off onto a focal point away from us, just as the other guards had done. Except, her stare was different. I didn't want to say it was more blank, but her eyes almost seemed like foggy orbs of a dark cyan. Her pupils were a hazy glow in her ocean of fog. Somehow, I looked to those eyes as if they were a reflective mirror.

"This is Elara Omal," Nanny began, dragging me out of my thoughts, "Many call her The Menkalinan. She's note worthy for picking out and taking down any taker onslaught she's ever been assigned to. She never misses her target. The Takers have come to know her face in our area. They fear her like a bright shining star deflecting their darkness. That is how she became known to carry her title which she now carries over her Monarch name."

I stiffened at the last of Nanny's words and almost jolted in surprise.

Normally, Captain of the Guards, or the ones that live up to succeed the role— were of delegate class usually. It was rare to get a minor class citizen. It was even more rare to have a Monarch step down in rank. Many chose a more comfortable life over the ever-so challenging one.

I watched the woman as we walked in front of her. Her eyes didn't flicker towards us but her composed face had faltered: her eyes narrowed slightly. I reflected the expression with my own as I took note of the gesture before I turned my head to move on to the fourth and final knight.

"This is Zang Itec," Nanny began as my eyes adjusted to take in the bright figure before me.

It wasn't that he was glowing bright, no, it was the room which made his already pale— almost white— features glow. His skin was pale and his hair white. Along with this, he was tall and thin. His figure could almost be described as lanky— no— skeletal. This did rile my emotions of unease from the first two knights, but it didn't send me over the edge as it did when I looked into his eyes.

Deep ice blue.

The irises reminded me so well of a tainted lover, a liar, a betrayer, a killer, a Taker.

"He's well known for his acts of persuasion and illusion— a good spy if you will—"

I turned around and began to walk away from the four knights.

My stomach heaved and riled and my face had become unusually warm but clammy— almost making it cold.

I had to always be constantly reminded of those many months ago.

And I hated it.

I walked briskly, towards the broad open doors of the room where Nanny and I had entered hours before.

"Star," Nanny warned in a calm but raised voice as I finally made it towards my exit.

"Another day," I monotonously spoke, though, my voice was raised.

And then I slammed the doors with a wave of my hand and left.

Tea, tea, teaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Aha, Star can't choose anyyyyyyy

I wonder why- it's not like they remind her of ppl from the scarring events of her past 🤡

In conclusion, I'm cruel

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REMEMBER:​​​​​​

1. Smack dat butiful star

2. Leave a comment talkin abt dis tea

3. Share dis tea induced book with yo fwends

WHY? Because I appreciate it 🥺

\\ See u in the next chapter! \\