1 The Lavender Knight

"Have you heard? The Lavender Knight is returning!"

"I heard he wiped out another group of bandits!"

"What about the horde of beasts and them monsters by the mountains?"

Many gossiped as the gate to Drak, lead by Viscount Fent Drak, began to grow crowded. Off in the distance, a large grey horse made it's way towards the gate. Atop it's back, clad in steely grey armor, was the Viscount of Drak himself. He had his helmet against his waist, his blond hair slick with sweat while his foresty eyes gleamed with confidence.

The crowd waved him down as he entered.

"My lord! Where is Sir Rex, the Lavender Knight!?"

Thise words alone made Fent Drak smile softly as he looked into the crowd.

"My son stayed behind for a little longer. Fret not, for the man of the hour shall be here soon! I, your beloved, Viscount Drak shall stay beside you until he arrives!"

Dismounting, Fent handed over his reins to a young man.

"Bring her to my estate. The stablehand will take her from there."

He flicked a silver coin into the mans hand as he turned away and stood in the center of the road. Before long, he began to spin a yarn of the recent exploits of his son.

-

"Hmm... Lu... can you slow down some more?"

Rubbing a soot colored horse's neck, the bored voice echoed from within the helmet. Almost as if he fully understood, Lu slowed himself.

"Good boy."

The knight sighed to themself as they watched the city drawing closer. One might say that they could hear cheers even at this distance.

"Father ran off ahead to tell stories again. I wonder how much of an embellishment he will add to this one."

Another sigh escaped from the dark helmet as the knight began to sulk. The city grew larger as they drew closer.

"Lu, look lively. Make the mares faint."

The knight stared as Lu shook himself up at little. The steed almost seemed to smirk as he approached the gate.

"Show off."

A hand patted Lu as they entered the gates, a deafening roar practically obliterating their eardrums.

"Son of a... he is literally right there."

Lu halted as the crowd surrounded him, his eyes narrowing under his armor.

"I know, I know. I wanna get this crud off too."

The knight watched the crowd, the proud eyes of their father causing another sigh.

"Sir Rex! Is it true that you beat sixty Kobolds? What about the eighty Gobs and twenty Trolls?!"

Rex wanted to assault their father as they glared between the slits of the helmet.

"Who cares about fighting?! Sir Rex, please remove your helmet! We wish to see the lavender eyes of the Lavender Knight!"

Fent smiled wider.

"Show them boy! Let everyone see the beauty your mother left with you!"

Rex began go seethe inwardly as hands unlatched and lifted the helmet covering the beautifully defined face underneath. One would mistake this otherworldly beauty for a woman, had the well defined face belonged to another. Deep black hair spilled out across the back of the armor as piercing violet eyes scanned the crowd. The thin lips were a slit on Rex's face as they stayed quiet.

Lu flinched as the crowd grew louder, the screams of the women erupting to new heights.

'You think they would be tired of this face.'

The crowd began to part as Lu shook his head. Taking this chance, Lu began to move forward though Rex took his chance. His foot flashed out like lightning, glancing off Fent's armor. The violet glare didn't removed the smile from the man's face as Rex continued to head home.

-

"Finally I can remove this crap!"

Armor began to fall to the floor as Rex stood alone in his room. He sighed as his mind wandered.

"You better be comfy, you goofy horse. Gotta say, I'm jealous of you. Being able to be yourself..."

The armor was fully removed, as well as a thin shirt, leaving Rex with a pale white bandage wrapped around his chest.

"This is gonna suck."

His hands rubbed over the bandage for a moment before he began to peel it, the binding shedding quickly. After half had fallen, Rex flinched.

"Ow. This binding could be nicer. Damn magic."

A pair of decently sized mounds had been uncovered by the time Rex dropped the binding. Violet eyes glared at the binding as hands began to massage the tender and sore breasts.

"Ugh... I need to finish stripping so I can bathe, but they hurt if I stop!"

A knock on the door brought Rex to attention.

"Hello? Is it Rex or..."

"Lydia."

"Ah!"

An excited voice echoed from outside as the door was quickly opened and then closed. Before long, a short and bubbly maid had appeared beside Rex.

"Lady Lydia! Welcome home!"

A small smile finally broke the thin line on her face.

"Thanks Scarlet. Finally someone welcomed me back."

Scarlet let her eyes wander for a moment.

"Sore?"

With a small sigh, Lydia nodded. This left Scarlet with a sad look in her brown eyes.

"Then allow me."

The maid began to loosen and remove Lydia's boots, followed by her belt and worn trousers. As the slipped to her feet, Scarlet pulled the last piece of clothing from Lydia's body. Scooping everything up, Scarlet moved them to the side before dipping her arm into the steaming bath.

"Hot enough to melt a man."

She smiled happily as Lydia began to submerge herself. As her neck and head were the only things above water, she let out a soft moan.

"Damn this is nice! You've outdone yourself, Scarlet. How is Jerr?"

Scarlet's face matched her name as she began to wash Lydia's shadowy hair.

"W-well!"

Lydia narrowed her eyes.

"You slept together, didn't you?"

Scarlet sealed her mouth as she slowly nodded.

"Finally. Was it nice?"

Without stopping her work, Scarlet quickly burst.

"H-he was so gentle and nervous! It was adorable and frankly, made me want it more!"

She giggled to herself as Lydia reached up and flicked her tiny nose.

"Cherish him."

Scarlet had a sad look once more.

"I'm sorry, my Lady."

Lydia just closed her eyes.

"Nothing to stress over. I'm not interested in a relationship. I just want to work hard and help this city beside my father."

"B-but, with your beauty and this body, any man would fall for you!"

With a slightly raised brow, Lydia shook her head.

"Far too many scars. Once the enchantment wears off, even I might recoil."

Scarlet pouted.

"But they only cover your hands and forearms."

Lydia continued to soak in silence as Scarlet finished washing her hair. As the maid began to walk away, Lydia spoke once more.

"If I am to find love, they need to see passed it all. From the Lavender Knight, to Rex Drax and my scars. I would like someone to love me as Lydia Drax."

The softness in her voice left Scarlet with a small vote towards Lydia's future.

"Someone will make your heart flutter and your face burn. I'm sure of it."

The maid left, leaving Lydia to soak longer.

"I hope you're right."

---

Thank you,

Anna Haig!