Veronica jolted upright, clutching her chest. Her long blood red hair spilled forward, emerald eyes wet with tears. She clutched her dark violet dress.
"Gods above- I'm alive?!"
She sat in a field of wildflowers, dazed. The air smelled sweet, impossibly fresh. Birds chirped. The breeze was gentle.
Her favorite spot. Just beyond the palace walls.
No!
Her hands trembled. She ran fingers through her hair.
Just like it was before I met Theo.
She fumbled through the woven basket beside her until she found a mirror.
No scar. My face has no scar.
"T- this is the day I met Crown Prince Theodore," she whispered. "The day we fell in love…"
Her eyes widened.
"And the day the demonic beasts attacked!"
A growl shattered the peaceful air. In the distance, a hulking shadow barreled toward her. Low to the ground. Black fangs flashing. Eyes red.
"Gods above- it really is today," she shouted, scrambling to her feet. "But where's the prince? The knights? This isn't how it happened!"
The beast lunged at her-then froze. Shadows coiled around its legs.
An unfamiliar voice called, casual and unbothered.
"Oh, hey there, little lady. This one got away."
From behind the beast, a man strolled up. Armor black as pitch. A crimson glowing great sword sheathed across his back.
"These things are fun as fuck to kill," he said casually.
With a grunt, he lowered his fist. The beast's skull shattered in a single blow, gore spraying into the flowers. He licked some of the blood off his arm.
Veronica dropped to her knees.
That… that was not how it happened. Is this divine interference?
"W- who are you?" Veronica blurted.
The man extended a bloody hand. In shock, she took it, and he pulled her up with ease.
"The name's Rhenvar."
I've never heard of that name. Rhen… Var?
She looked at him. Handsome face, dirty blond hair, light blue eyes, with a common man's scruff, definitely not royalty.
"Demonic beast sighted!" a distant voice shouted.
"Theo…" she whispered, longingly.
There. Prince Theodore Lyonheart. Beautiful blond hair, short-cut. Marble skin. Blue garb under his shining silver armor. Riding in on a white stallion, his elite guard in perfect formation. Except this time, they arrived late.
The prince dismounted, frowning as he approached.
"This is your doing, isn't it?" He asked, eyeing the mangled corpse at Rhenvar's feet.
"Pfft, Hell yeah," the black-armored man said. "Got attacked by a few of these oversized beasts earlier too." Then he muttered: "They taste pretty good too!"
The prince didn't catch that, but Veronica did.
"You… killed the others?" The prince asked.
"Yep. Ten, maybe eleven? Hard to tell. They kept coming."
Even the elite knights looked uneasy now. For one man to slay so many and act so casually, it disturbed them. Only Clive Bellanor could boast such a feat.
Veronica's chest tightened.
This man never existed before. Not in my last life. Think, what could possibly be going on?
She composed herself fast.
Is he the reason I was sent back? If not… he's dangerous. This man wasn't part of my past.
"I don't recognize you and you have no sigil," Prince Theodore said. "What house do you serve?"
"Eh-?" Rhenvar hesitated.
Crap. He may be a God or something, but he's clearly not supposed to be here. If Theo doesn't get a straight answer, he'll grow suspicious and a fight could happen.
Veronica dropped to one knee.
I could use him. Var, was it?
"Your highness, this is Sir Var. A knight of House Venenatus. He was assigned to protect me during my stay at the palace."
You better play along. No God's above, make him!
Rhenvar blinked. Then offered a salute, hand to forehead. "Sure, knight of her house. The name's Rhenvar."
The prince narrowed his eyes.
"The late Duke Venenatus had a knight of your caliber?" Theodore asked suspiciously.
Veronica forced a smile. "My father entrusted me with the best."
"I see. And what is your blessing, Sir Var?"
"My what?" Rhenvar tilted his head. "Oh, my powers? Shadow magic, mostly. Two types of soul magic, blood and chaos magic, but I avoid those. Drive me a little insane, you know?"
Veronica nearly choked.
Three blessings?
"Okay, okay, enough, Sir Var," she said quickly. "He's not used to etiquette, my Theo- uh Prince."
"I noticed." The prince gave them both a look. "The high mage will confirm his blessing. Hiding it is a punishable offense."
"Of course, Your Highness."
That's what got me killed in my last life, how did Prince Charles know I had a blessing?
"Since your knight handled the beasts, I'll have the king and high mage prepare for your arrival. You're both expected at court."
He mounted his horse and rode off.
Veronica exhaled sharply, still shaking.
"Who are you? Where did you come from? In my last life-" She stopped. "I mean… forget I said that."
"Oh," Rhenvar said casually. "So, you died and came back to life? Neat. You must be the one I was sent here to help."
"You were sent?"
"Yeah. Dark-, or uh, Goddess stuff. Your world is in danger, apparently. I'm here to save it."
Veronica stared.
Did the Gods give me a second chance? A chance to fix my mistakes? Or is it something bigger? A higher calling?
"Fine. I'll play along. But I want answers." Veronica said.
"Sure. Let's talk on the way."
She turned to gather her things, then frowned.
It's useless. Just leave it.
"You're just gonna litter?" Rhenvar asked.
She blinked. "It's useless trash."
"Still trash that's on the ground. You shouldn't litter," he said.
"Ugh. Fine." She started picking her things up, muttering.
"So, what's your name?" He asked.
"Duchess Veronica Venenatus."
"Cool. So, Veronica, what're you gonna do with your second chance?"
She hesitated. "Kill prince Charles."
"Revenge, huh? Bold. But if it were me, I'd wait. Avoid repeating the same mistakes."
Wise words. From a man with unusual magic. Claiming to have three blessings.
"I just died, okay? It's the first thing I could think of."
"Fair."
They walked in silence for a moment.
I feel like I can trust him.
"You must be a divine messenger, as strong as you are. But I must be honest, I'm not much use to you, or worthy of protection, Sir Var," she said. "I was a heartbroken political tool, then a criminal. My first life was a disaster."
"Nah," Rhenvar said, glancing at her. "Those emerald eyes? They burn. That kind of fire's useful, even to the divine. They just need a little guidance."
She flinched, then blushed.
No one has ever said something like that to me.
She regained her composure.
"And where exactly are you guiding these burning eyes?" She said flirtatiously.
"To the closest tavern. Gotta get a drink before we deal with boring royal bullshit. I don't like doing introductions sober. I'm kinda broken."
Just… what did I just hear?
"You're joking."
"Dead serious. It's payment for saving your life."
No way. This man wants to drink before appearing before the strongest kingdom in the realm... is he insane?
"Being drunk in front of royalty is a punishable offense."
"Then I'll sober up before we see them. Loophole."
Gods above, he's insane. Ugh, Sir Var, you lost every point of being a fine partner…
"…Fine. But don't get wasted. Agreed?"
"Agreed!"
****
Inside the Tavern.
He got wasted… Gods above. This was a bad idea.
Rhenvar slammed his mug on the table, foam sloshing over.
"DID YOU ALL KNOW YOU'RE IN A ROMANCE NOVEL? AND I'M NOT BAD AT RELATIONSHIPS!"
Veronica buried her face in her hands. "Sir Var… behave yourself!"
"Awe, come on-hic! Here, have some."
"I'm not in the mood." She said arms crossed. "We have an appointment, Sir Var."
"Hey-hic-wanna see my blood magic?" He cut his palm on the table knife.
"What are you- "
"See! Cool, huh? Makes me thirsty though."
Blood swirled in the air, twisting, and spiraling. Then it snapped back into his hand. Wound sealed instantly.
"Amazing…" Her voice low, almost unwilling.
So, this is one of his blessings.
"Right? Hic-and that beast! I-hic-used its own shadow to hold it in place! Hic!"
A God. Or at least a messenger. No ordinary man could do this. He is telling the truth.
"What else can you do?"
He sat there thinking. Mug dangled from his fingers.
"Chaos magic but… naaaa. Using it-hic-too much."
He calls it magic, yet our magic requires tools. Blessings are hereditary, passed like hair or eye color. He talks like its so… casual. Madness.
Veronica stood, smoothing her dress.
"Rhenvar. We have an appointment. We need to go."
"Hic… yes. Let's get to it."
****
The Palace Visit.
Gods above, Gods below. I am going to die a second time.
Rhenvar stumbled beside Veronica, boots clunking against the marble floor as they crossed the palace's grand entry hall. His great sword pulsed a crimson light. Its glow reaching for her as if it wanted a taste.
"Hey… you're my gamble, but keep yourself in check," Veronica whispered. "I don't want to die again."
"Pfft, I swear I'm fine," he slurred. "Besides I could just kill everyone-."
"Don't you dare jest!" Veronica snapped.
"I wasn't kidding."
Veronica inhaled deep. Her face twisted.
"You reek of alcohol and blood," she hissed, forcing a smile at two passing servants who looked one breath away from fainting. "If you say one word about everyone being in a romance novel, I will personally poison and kill you."
"No promises," Rhenvar muttered, yawning. "I don't really sleep. Too many souls in my skull. They're chatty lately. Thanks, Karn."
Her eyes cut toward him.
You're going to get me killed again.
Guards stood at either side of the doors, watching him like he was a cannon ready to fire. A drunk, God-touched cannon with a deranged sense of humor and a haunting great sword.
"Sir knight, you must leave your weapon outside the throne room." The guard said.
"Hic-sure!" Rhenvar said, touching his crimson glowing sword. The sword vanished in a flash of red light.
Veronica and both the guards stood in disbelief.
Seriously... how the hell can I explain that?
"Ha, magic!" Veronica waved both her hands.
Both guards looked at each other and then nodded to the door.
The throne room doors opened. Inside, King Gerald Lyonheart sat upon his marble throne. An older Theo, greying blond hair, a full beard. Built like a warrior.
Prince Theodore stood beside him, unreadable. The high mage lingered near the throne, fingers laced, eyes faintly glowing.
"Duchess Veronica Venenatus, we welcome you." The kings voice echoed the chamber.
Veronica bowed low. "Your Majesty, thank you for allowing me to stay in the palace."
Rhenvar half-bowed, then wobbled. "Shello…"
The king raised a brow. "That is… your knight?"
"Yes," Veronica said tightly. "Sir Var has proven invaluable. He slew over ten demonic beasts in a single day."
"Yes, yes I did," Rhenvar said proudly. "And I only drank after."
Her fists clenched her dress.
What the hell! You idiot.
"Before you got here?" The king asked.
"Yup. Before I got here. I'm nervous, you know?"
He wasn't nervous. Just a damn fool.
Prince Theodore stepped forward. "Lady Venenatus, your knight is… unorthodox. And drunk. At a blessing assessment."
"Yes! He is…"
Her face burned with shame.
"He is also loyal, lethal, and highly protective," she lied smoothly. "And, if I may be frank, with Duke Clive in the north, your kingdom is currently lacking knights that could handle what he can."
The room was still.
Rhenvar glanced at her, puzzled.
Good. He knows I intend to use him.
"Ten or more demon beasts, bodies witnessed by Crown Prince Theodore, and I myself saw him smash one's head in a single blow. I feel that's more than enough to show his importance," she added.
"I am aware of the report Duchess, now let's see what blessing this knight has." King Gerald nodded to the court mage.
The mage stepped forward, crystalline staff in hand. "I will confirm his blessing." His voice low and raspy.
"Okey," Rhenvar said. "Cool staff-hic."
The staff touched his forehead. Silence.
Then the air snapped. The sound broke wrong. Shadows exploded outward, writhing across the floor like serpents. The mage stumbled back.
"What blessing- no, magic…? So many screaming voices…" his voice shook. "And… chaos. Pure chaos inside him. Too many voices- I can't-!"
The mage collapsed.
The king leaned forward. "Chaos?"
"Yeah, that chaos part's pretty nuts. Don't worry, I barely use it." Rhenvar said, pinky in his ear.
The crowd roared.
"We should kill him!"
"Look at the high mage! He's broken!"
"To hold this much power is a sin!"
Guards' hands went to their hilts. Veronica's stomach dropped.
The truth, I have no choice.
"Your Majesty," she said quickly, "Sir Var is bound by a divine mission. Sent by the Gods themselves to prevent the end. I truly believe he was sent to save us."
Prince Theodore's frown cut sharp. "You make a bold claim, while admitting you lied to a prince?"
The king waved a hand at Theo. His eyes glimmered. Judgment, the Lyonheart's hereditary blessing. The power to detect lies, and to see a promising future.
"She's not wrong," Rhenvar said. "Whole worlds probably fucked without me. Figured I'd have a little fun."
"And drink yourself into disgrace?" The King's voice roared.
"I mean, if I'm going to save the world, why not have a good time doing it?"
Silence.
Then the king laughed. "At least he has stones."
Veronica's jaw dropped.
Wait. No way.
"We've had enough cowards in this hall," the king said. "If he's truly here to save the realm, let him prove it."
Prince Theodore locked eyes with her. "Lady Venenatus. I will hold you personally accountable for him."
His words cut deep.
"I understand," she said, bowing.
"Then go. Rest. Sober up," the king declared. "You are expected at the Second Prince's Ball, Duchess, with your knight. We intend to have a good time after our hunt."
The ball. And the massacre.
She bowed lower. "Of course, your majesty."
****
Outside the Throne Room.
They walked in silence until they were clear of the palace staff.
"Okay," Veronica muttered, heart still racing. "Somehow… that wasn't a disaster."
Thank the Gods above Theo told me how his father's blessing worked.
"I told you I'm great with royalty," Rhenvar said, leaning on her shoulder. "Now, where's that tavern again?"
She pushed him off.
"You're going to drink more?!"
"I talk to ghosts, beautiful Veronica. I need to drink."
"No, you need a suit."
"Why?"
"Because we're going to that ball. And you're my partner."