The Villain Who Fell In Love

Today is the day Emelia will meet Argus. But she isn't going alone since Elliot and Alan were coming along. Ever since she was set free from prison, there were many changes.

The iron bars looked clean and new, the bad smell from the weeds was gone, and the cells looked as if they are cleaned every two days. The improvements made Emelia give Elliot silent applause.​​

Before reaching Argus' cell, Emelia asked Elliot and Alan to stay by the corner and stay quiet, just so ever Argus doesn't tell her the information after seeing the two.

For the past two days, Elliot and his men tried interrogating him but didn't get an answer from him. Usually, if the prisoner doesn't answer, they would get slashed on the back or, worst, tortured.

But Argus is one lucky man since Emelia asked Elliot not to do those and instead will be the one to ask. Emelia knew Argus is a loyal man. He only speaks the truth to the master he acknowledges. Every knight is loyal to their master, but some fear their death more than their master's.

After all, being a knight doesn't make them from being humans. They are people who have fears.

The cell Argus was stationed in didn't have much lighting. At first, Emelia had a hard time seeing him. But when she walked closer and entered the cell, she sees him sitting in the corner, looking down the ground.

On the other side of the ground laid a plate with a fresh piece of bread. But is left untouched. According to the soldier guarding his cell, he didn't bother touching or eating the food given.

The soldier opened the gate for Emelia and was about to close it, but then Emelia stopped him, "Leave it open," She said, further going into the cell, making her way towards Argus, who didn't recognize her.

"You look pathetic," Emelia told Argus, who lifted his head after recognizing her voice. His mouth slightly opens, surprised to see her. He never thought Emelia would come down to this filthy place and talk to him.

Argus tried standing up, but his legs gave up, dropping him on the ground with both of his knees, "Please forgive my rudeness. For some reason, I can't stand up." Of course, he couldn't. He had been sitting on the ground for so long, not to mention not eating anything.

"Of course, your legs would feel weak. You haven't eaten anything, " Said Emelia with her usual stern voice and hearing Argus' stomach grumble out loud. Loud enough for Elliot and Alan to hear, "Eat the bread. I can guarantee it's safe."

Argus looks at the piece of bread but didn't touch it. Even if Emelia said so, how can he trust the Vivians, his enemy?

"Do you wish to help me?" Emelia asked Argus, who looked back at her with her arms crossed. He nods his head slowly, "Then start by eating. I don't need men who can't work because of an empty stomach."

Her usual charm never faded away despite being separated for months. Argus thought Emelia changed, at least a bit, but she didn't change at all. She's still the same Ice Princess.

Elliot touched the bread and broke it into pieces while Emelia hands him a cup of water since the bread was dry. Emelia watched Argus gobble the whole food down and waited for him to finish drinking his water.

"Are you finished?" Asked Emelia, "If you are, I'll get straight to the point. Where is Henry's hideout?" Despite not looking like it, Emelia was angered.

Argus avoided Emelia's eyes and stuttered letters that were hard to understand. But Emelia's cold tone scared him, "I never knew you were loyal to him." Just like a blizzard that passed, Argus shivered as he felt his spine crawl.

"Y-you're mistaken," Stuttered Argus, who notices two people by the corner. He glared at them not until Emelia said, "I trust those two. So stop avoiding me and answer. Are you worthy of calling yourself a knight? I never knew you were a coward, Argus."

Being a knight is not an easy task. It requires great skill, leadership, and intelligence to become one. Not every soldier could become a knight. There are only a few of them, but most of them are garbage by abusing their status.

"I am a proud knight. I devoted my heart to serve you, the Princess," Answered Elliot, using his strength to kneel onto one knee, "Sir Henry wants the original crown because of that, he decided to come for you."

"The original crown?" Alan questioned softly, looking at Elliot, who answered, "The original crown is needed for one to become the next ruler of the empire. It doesn't matter if they are royal or not. Anyone can become the next ruler." Alan looked as if he had more to ask, but then he needed to focus on the conversation between the princess and the black knight.

"If I'm not mistaken, Sir Henry had visitors, and they all looked wealthy. One of them looked like someone of the Honani tribe," Continued Argus, remembering other things he saw or heard, "They claim to be part of the council. If I'm not mistaken, one of their names started with an m,"

Elliot didn't think twice and entered their conversation, "How are you sure it's them?" He looked down at Argus, who looks back at him with determined eyes, saying he isn't lying.

"I swear on the Princess's name," Announced Argus, which shocked everyone present.

"If you are that sure. Tell me where their hideout is," Elliot Argued even if he knew Cheif Malzan took part. His way of pushing someone to tell him gets annoying, but it works every single time.

"They are near the borders. If you give me a map. I can point where the base is," Answered Argus, who thought Elliot would ask more but didn't, "Princess, you must retrieve the original crown before Sir Henry does. If not, things will be worse."

Is it time to go for an adventure? An adventure that would risk her life just for a crown? When there are other more things to do than be an emperor? Emelia found it stupid that anyone could become the next emperor if they obtain the original crown.

"But he won't be able to find it because no one except me knows where it is," Said Emelia, but despite saying that, she felt uncertain about a few things, "The last question, Argus Gebrat will you become my personal knight?"

Argus looked at Emelia with disbelief. How could she forgive him after his attempt to kidnap her back. "Don't get the wrong idea. If you wish to be forgiven, accept it," Said Emelia as she places her hand in front of him.

Argus question and held Emelia's hand, "I promise on my faith, I will only be faithful to the lady, never cause her harm and protect her with all my life. I, Argus Gebrat, offer my life to you." He places her hand on his forehead lets go after.

"With this, I am your master. The only one you will obey orders from." That day Argus felt renwed. He never thought the day would come for him to serve Emelia as her personal knight. For a knight, it's the highest honor they could receive.

As Argus recited the oath, Elliot walked back to the corner, stood beside Alan, who asked, "Can we trust him?" Instead of receiving an answer, Elliot asked, "Do you trust Emelia?" He then gives Alan a mischievous smirk while one of his brows rose.

"If my master trusts her, then I am forced to," Sighed Alan, which made Elliot laugh.

After Argus said the Oath of Fealty, he was freed from prison and immediately served Emelia by her side. However, there were a few things he needed to follow.

Argus will wear a mask wherever he goes. This is to protect his identity from the nobles who saw him. Second, he will tell Elliot where the enemy's base is and a full detail of their goals. The third condition is what he had hated the most. Third, Argus must follow Elliot's commands and wishes.

As much he wanted to rebel, Emelia made this up. Even if Emelia had explained to Argus why he needed to, he didn't like it. The only master he wanted to serve was her.

Vanessa entered Emelia's room, holding a tray filled with snacks. Her first time meeting Argus scared her because he was wearing a black mask. It made him look intimidating.

"H-hi S-Sir knight. W-would you l-like some snacks?" Vanessa offered as she stuttered. At the same time, she forced a smile to hide being frightened of him. Argus looks down at Vanessa, who politely rejected, "Thank you for your offer, but I'm currently working."

The scary man Vanessa had thought wasn't frightening at all. It was just the mask that made him look frightening. She bowed her head before placing the snacks on the table, slowly moving towards Emelia, and whispered, "Who is that man?"

Emelia, whose eyes were glued to the book she was reading, answered, "That's Argus Gebrat." Gebrat? What a weird last name, Vanessa thought.

"Is he going to replace Dame Ayfara?" Vanessa asked, and Emelia nodded.

"Ayfara currently is on a mission. Argus pledged the Oath of Fealty to me," Emelia said while Vanessa shrieks in excitement. It was a dream of hers since she was young to marry a handsome young knight. But her dreams were all crushed when she saw the attitudes of the knights.

"Are you interested in him? I don't mind giving him to you. Either way, I doubt he would accept it," Emelia teased, which was the first for Vanessa, who played along with her joke. "Why does he cover his face? Just by looking at his body build, I'm sure he's a handsome young man."

"So you are interested," Emelia smirked, and a laugh followed after.

Seeing the two smiling and laughing, Argus was shocked at her change. He was wrong when he said the Princess never changed. But she changed just by showing her laugh.

"So she could smile like that, huh? Sir Henry, you are never going to beat these people," Argus smiled as he continues watching Emelia smile. "What a beautiful smile," He muttered to himself.