39 His Priority

The maid smiled and quietly exited the room.

Rosaria smiles the moment she saws him and rushed in to settle next to his side.

" How did you manage to enter? There are knights outside "

Ilios disregards the book and held her close the moment he touched her skin, Rosaria could smell smoke and citrus from him and she thought he was smoking after Christopher failed to make a warning at him and dragged her away from him.

" Most of the workers around your castle are my people, those two outside are part of my special soldiers " he embraced her and Rosaria felt the bed felt more warm and comfortable than before.

" your feet must have hurt from standing around the whole night " he kissed her silver hair and forehead as he spoke, deep voice hush and sounded soft on his lips.

Rosaria immediately felt lulled to sleep from rhe comforts of his embrace and warn body.

" hmmm. There were blisters on my toes " she replied tiredly.

Ilios watches her as she slowly drifts off to sleep.

" Go to sleep, I'll be here with you "

His hand snakes around her back and Rosaria snuggles closer, the sound of his voice and heat of his palm gave her a sense of security and made her fall asleep.

The comfortable silence follows as Rosaria slept immediately next to him, he smiles at her soft breath that fanned on his collar, and brushes her silver hair away from her face.

With one last touch of their lips, rested his other hand on the back of her head, lightly combing his fingers between her soft strands.

Rosaria sleeps peaceful that night, clutching Ilios shirt with her small fingers.

When morning came, Ilios dissapeared from her side like a ghost. She thought she was hugging his torso but found out it was a pillow when she opens her eyes. She saw no handsome man next to her and rolled to the other side.

Eve yawned and was still drowsy from sleep.

There was a knock on her door and her maid Sandra came in to wake her up.

" Your highness, it's time to freshen up, his Majesty orders for everyone to have breakfast together " The ginger haired maid cheerfully entered and following behind her were a few familiar faces. Two of which were maids that she met yesterday.

Rosaria was look at the two and Sandra noticed her eyes set on them, she hurriedly introduced them.

" these are the new maids the butler has assigned to you, your highness. Prim and Nonna, who will be with you when I am not around " Sandra gestures for them to bow and Prin was the one who spoke first.

" I greet princess your highness, Princess Rosaria Elijah Serpentine Ronan-Rosemond, my name is Prim and I'll be taking care of your meals starting today " she cursty. She had a short brown hair and a very distinct eye color, gray eyes that she had noticed yesterday. She smiled and Rosaria nodded.

" Greetings Your highness, I am Nonna, I'll be in charge of your room " Nonna had a wavy hair that settled behind her, she also had gray eyes. Rosaria leaves her bed and the maids around helped her and started their morning tasked.

" Nice to meet you both " she smiled, both Prim and Nonna returned the greetings.

Sandra and the rest were busy fixing her room and bringing her meals when a knock on the door interrupted them, Rosaria was just sitting on her coach and reading the newspaper.

Her mind wondering what to do next since she had thrown the idea of leaving the palace now that Ilios was inside the castle.

" Your highness, this is the butler, may I enter?" a man spoke and Rosaria looks at Prim and Nonna, both of them didn't reacted suspiciously but Rosaria already knew they were expecting someone.

" Come in " she gave permission and the old man enters with a greeting and a smile.

" I've heard you have formally requested yesterday for a personal knight to be assigned to you, I have the suitable candidates ready in the training ground. " he beams and the old man looks at Rosaria very expectantly, Rosaria looks up wirh furrowed brow.

" When did I sent a formal request? " She thought and glance at the brown haired maid, she was lightly smiling and Nonna nodded at Rosaria's direction.

She folded the newspaper and laughed lightly realizing Ilios was making a bold move inside the palace.

" Yes, let them present themselves to me. I'll come down and choose one " she says.

After changing her clothes and covering her shoulders with a shawl, she heads down early in the morning to the training ground and the sigh of men around was to behold.

Rosaria almost mistaken the place to be a talent agency, just like in her previous life.

She mentally whistles and watch the men lined up in three rows. Their bodies drenched in sweat and their white shirt filled white crease from moving around, many of them had tousled hair and were out of breathe. 

" I must have arrived while they were having their morning run " Rosaria thought and she looks at the two person in front of the knights.

The old butler was standing next to the captain of the palace knights, he was discussing matters to the proud captain, who watched his men with hawk-like gaze. 

When the two noticed her arrival, they greeted her with a bow. 

" Greetings to Rosemond's princess. " The captain respectfully smiled and then straighten his back, he was a man in his early forties and was wearing his white uniform adorn with medals and badges of honor.

" I am Captain Uniad,  Captain of the palace knight's of Rosemond, I've received the emperor's orders to accept your request of choosing a personal knight amongst my men" 

Rosaria never written a request but emperor Philippe had thought the document was true and didn't further question of her reason, the emperor must have saw Rosaria yesterday during the ball and though having a someone watch her was a good idea.

" Thank you Captain Uniad, I'm sorry for disrupting your morning training  " Rosaria adjusted her shawl around her, it was early morning and the nights cold wind still lingers around even as the sun rose behind the cloudy sky. 

The captain quickly replied.

" No, no! We are honored to have you grace us with your presence this early, you shouldn't apologies your highness. I think your arrival had given these men a break. " He jokingly say and then step aside to gesture his hand in front.

" Please choose your highness, I've round up the one's which I think you'll be able to feel at ease with. Most of these youngsters are between ages of 19-30, they have served outside the palace or stationed on the empires borders, all of them have attended their required expeditions.  " Uniad gave praise the group of knights in front as he watched the princess looked around.

Rosaria had looked at them from head to toe and had look closer to their figure and weapon strapped on their body, she walks to the man in the first row with her eyes lighting up as she noticed a huge scar on his jaw. A tall browned haired knight stood properly still and strong as he sense the small princess stood in front of him with her curious golden eyes scanning his face. Rosaria stood in front of him for a few seconds before she felt the eyes staring at them.

" Name? " she asked.

" F-Finick Bhorow your highness, 19 years old " he replies and stutters a bit, his back was burning from the stare of a certain general that was on the far back.

 Rosaria places a finger on her chin and tilts her head, she circles around him, and returned to in front of him while smiles.

" How many weapons are you proficient with? " she asked.

"only t-two, your highness, I-I'm sorry. I am still learning how to handle a spear " Finick was not imagining the glare of his commanding general on his back, the young knight started to pray for his life.

She nodded in approval and looked pleased with his answer and everyone thought she had chosen him as his personal knight, which had made the other knights held their breath knowing a certain man was sharply throwing daggers with his stare.

Rosaria brushed her silver hair away from her shoulder before she moved her feet and smiles at the young knight.

" At such a young age you're already adept with two weapons, that's not something to apologized about. Keep up the good work Sir Bhorow, you look like you have a good future ahead. "she says and Finick thanks her when he hears the compliment. Forgetting about his commander, he bows his head.

" I will remember your words and train more, your highness. " Rosaria laughs lightly and then pats his shoulder.

" I like that spirit " she smiles and moved away. The rest of the knight looked awed at her as she moved from one knight to another, she kindly looked at them and had a curious gaze that even without her speaking, they thought she was complimenting them just by how her eyes were showing interest in their weapons and scars.

She moved to another person  on the second row behind and turns to look at one person, she stops at a man who was shorter than Finick but had a bigger mass of muscle, he had spiky hair and fierce eyes.

Rosaria was already assessing him, he had no weapon on him and was very much free of visible scars and bruises. He had uneven skin tone as if he had been outside for years, the freckles on his face indicated exposure from the sun for too long.

" Was this person from the expedition team recently, Captain Uniad? " Rosaria calls the man and he looked surprised at her words.

" Yes, Jericho had just been recently transferred from his last expedition and had been assigned to the palace. He has been with us for two months. He was also from the fifth army stationed on the border near the south " She smiles and nodded in response to the captain.

" He looks strong, if I'll take him, I think he could guard me well " she crosses her arms on over her chest.

He thanks her stuttering and Rosaria laughs heartedly at how he replied. She was reminded of how she used to be a general in her other worlds, and standing in front of soldiers were familiar to her.

The training ground seems to grow cold and Jericho felt the chilling dagger sent on his back, he knew too well whose killer gaze was staring at his unguarded back.

Rosaria saved the poor man from being traumatized and moved away.

" But I think I'll need to see the other candidates too, I'll choose him if I don't find anyone "  Captain Uniad laughs and approves of her decision. Everyone around this training ground were praying that she arrived quickly at the back.

Rosaria proceeds to look around and manage to find who she was looking for. The princess was a small woman and had her view blocked by all the tall men around, she didn't managed to see him. 

In the back of the line, she manage to find her perfect knight.

Her eye's couldn't hide her interest and she walks towards the large man which left her bed once the morning came.

Ilios stood imposingly tall like a general with his strong aura and sharp brow, his eyes look straight in front and his arms behind his back. Broad shoulder were more distinct now that he only wore a sleeved shirt, unlike last night that he was dressed to the nines. He looks cold and unfeeling with handsome face stoic and serious. Sharp jaws lightly clenched and lips thinned.

As usual, Rosaria had to look up at this tall bear. 

" Found you " she thought.

Rosaria strides towards the man and encircles around him like a hawk, her eyes were smiling and there's a smirk on her lips.

" This person looks strong enough to protect me " she halted her steps from behind him and extended her hands to touched his rough fingers. Ilios looked unbothered and uninterested, face void of emotions but his hands very much actively seeking her attention as he holds her hand.

She tries to hide her amused grin knowing how bothered he was when she watched the other males with great interest.

Rosaria smiles and breaks their touch as she walks back to the front.

" I'll choose him " Rosaria smiles at the butler and old man acted as if he isn't one of Ilios's own men and didn't planned for this whole thing to happen.

" Sir Lios?" The captain Uniad says and nodded approvingly " he is part the fifth army and was stationed outside--an outstanding soldier. " The captain says.

Rosaria wanted to scare the captain and smiled at him.

" Huh he does looked very outstanding " She asked and continues.

" The army might need this young soldier rather than be stuck here in the palace and follow me around, should I reconsider? There is a war after all.. " She could feel Ilios staring at her even without looking back, she laughs as she saw the butler and captai Uniad trying to convince her not to change her mind. 

" No! Your highness, please your safety is also our priority! Sir Lios would be pleased to serve you, your highness! " the captain explained

" Your highness, he is the most reliable as your personal knight. Sir Lios would be honored to be chosen amongst the rest " The butler adds and his gaze pleading.

Rosaria was just only teasing and didn't want them to get more nervous, she nodded and looked back to Ilios.

" Then, Sir Lios will be my chosen knight. " she smiles and turn to the captain and butler.

The old man sigh in relief and he strikes while the iron is hot.

" Then, I'll prepare the oath taking ceremony-- " the butler says and Rosaria stops him.

" That's fine, we can do it another time, I need to have him on duty starting now " she had somethings to discuss with her new personally knight and they'll do that first before anything else..

The butler and captain looked at each other before replying to the princess.

"Of course, we will do as you say your highness " the butler nodded and grabs the uniform ready for Ilios to wear.

Captain Umiad looks at Ilios a bit nervously, there's fear present in his eyes but he acted well and so did the rest of the people. Rosaria saw a few other palace workers watched their direction and even the Emperor's own personal knights were hidden in the crowd.

" Sir Lio,  come forward " The captain ordered his obedience and Rosaria glance back to Ilios, he steps aside and walked towards her with large strides, his posture was good and his confidence and arrogance seemed to some make people around feel nervous.

Rosaria faced him and smiled as she looked up.

" Greet your new master. You'll be the princess personal knight starting today " 

Once Ilios or Lios, as the rest seems to call him, looks at captain Umiad in a cold manner, the older man looks away. Umiad nervously pretends the walls were interesting enough to be stared at rather than looking at his superior.

Ilios then set his gaze towards her and kneeled with one knee and a hand on his left chest. A first greeting  of a loyal knight to his master.

" I greet Princess of Rosemond, Rosaria Elijah Serpintine Ronan-Rosemond  " he respectfully lowered his gaze and Rosaria smiled.

" You may rise " she gave her orders and he obeys. 

Usually after this, she would have to personally knight him as her own people but she knew that can wait.

She turns to the butler.

"Have the closest room to my chamber cleaned by my maids, Sir Lios will be staying there for my protection. Bring him a formal uniform, I'll be having breakfast with the family in an hour. " Rosaria instructed and the butler which he bowed in response.

" It will be done your highness " it seems like the butler had already prepared well as he was not rushing away.

" Also, prepare a warm bath for Sir Lios. He will escort me the whole day " Rosaria saw the butler looked up to Ilios before looking at Rosaria, the silver haired princess had glance to Ilios and saw his face was stoic as ever, but she wouldn't be fooled by him. 

She then turned to Ilios she gestures for him to follow her.

" Then I'll be leaving, pleasure resume your training Captain Umiad " she bids farewell and adjusted her shawl around her arms.

She returned to her room and both of them were quiet, Rosaria would greet back passing servants and knights. Ilios only follows her without a word, she smiles at the how his footsteps were unheard through the rest of their journey back to her chambers. 

When she arrived on her door, Prim and Nonna were already leaving her door. The two knights guarding her door noticed the pair and they immediately bowed, the two maids followed. 

" We've been notified by the butler, Sir Lios room has been prepared for him " Prim smiled and Rosaria was about to reply but the man behind her stepped forward and place a hand on the princess back.

" Have someone else stay there during the night and act as my double, bring my garments inside Rosa's room " He orders and then guides Rosaria to the door.

" Wait " Rosaria held his arm and stops him from entering, she looks at Ilios with wide eyes.

" you can't sleep here today " Rosaria says and the rest of the people around, which were Ilio's people, stood frozen in their place.

Ilios was also surprised and confused.

Nonna looked like she wanted to leave the hall before Rosaria continues her words. 

The princess noticed the awkward atmosphere and immediately diffused any ideas of their head.

" The emperor might order for the crown prince to visit my chamber's tonight, every time they ask for me to attend breakfast, they would always ask for our progress " Rosaria really didn't want to tell this to Ilios nor the rest of the people around.

" Progress of what exactly? " Ilios asked his voice turned chilly. 

" you know, progress of pregnancy? Your biological dad want's grandchildren and then probably dispose of me. I'm only here to produce an heir "

Rosaria didn't want to tell him about the whole truth so she settles with something less scary.

" My pregnancy. " she replied nonchalantly.