Chapter 2: Everyone's Support.

Chapter 2: Everyone's Support.

The Ultimatum was announced.

"Tch!"

Rowan began running towards her room, wiping her tears away doing her best to stop it. Perhaps this place didn't have much fun memories with her father, but the servants who've been taking care of her and her older sister will be left all alone once she leaves. 

"Rowan!" 

She could hear Aveline's desperate voice and footsteps trying to catch up with her. 

Step! Step! Step!

The steps were fast and heavy, the girl didn't stop calling out to her little sister. "Rowan you don't have to leave-! Please we can still talk to father and tell him you're sorry! That you're not leaving me like this-! Rowan, please listen to me!" 

Rowan couldn't say anything towards her cries and pleads to stay, it was obvious what her father intended- that he doesn't need a daughter who wants to enlist in a military career then so be it! 

'I finally found a place where I belong and I won't let father take it away from me, no matter how many noblemen with good background and prospects he gives I cannot accept to be married or tied down.' (Rowan) was dedicated to making sure to repay her debt towards the crown princess. Enlisting in the military, learning how to fight and be one of the knights of the kingdom would be enough-!

"Hear me out!"

"I can't."

Rowan opens the door to her room, finding a bag that could fit all of her necessary belongings in.

Clothing, memories and money. She wishes she could take a sword from the knight's armory but she didn't have the key or permission to do so.

"I'll buy a new sword when I get to the academy." 

She wasted no time in leaving, all the other servants watched her pack everything and leave without even saying a word.

"W-What's happened to Miss Rowan? Is she leaving?"

"I don't understand why she is leaving?"

"Did the Lord of the house and her argue with one another?"

The maids scurried and all didn't know what to do except some of them were very much indebted to Rowan, thinking of how they can help the other servants and began packing a few food for her to take- hoping that they wouldn't be too late by the time she left. 

"Please don't leave me, Rowan. I'll be miserable without you- in this god forsaken house you're the only reason why I've kept everything together!" (Aveline) pleads with her one last time, sobbing as she wipes the tears running in her eyes- blocking the exit door of Rowan's room. "Y-You're… my little sister."

Rowan's heart felt like it was going to be squished into a hundred pieces seeing her elder sister crying for the first time. 

She decides to place her trunk into her bed and comfort her sister. With her crying and having soft sobs, Rowan wrapped her arms around the girl and started to reassure her that everything will be alright. "Do not cry, be strong and once I am successful- I'll buy a house. Somewhere we can live a peaceful life if you ever need shelter."

"But… without you- I…"

"I… I'm sorry, Aveline, but I just don't want to live like a bastard's daughter any longer." 

Aveline's world came crumbling down like a brick wall being overrun by construction. She heard the word of 'bastard's daughter' realizing she sees herself as just that- perhaps it would be better for her little sister to go outside- beyond the mansion's walls and where she'll be happy. 

"Sniff…" 

Because with that determined look in her eyes, it looks like she won't be able to stop Rowan at all upon taking this adventure. 

Such fate. 

"Here." (Aveline) breaks the hug, letting in one huge sniff before taking something out of her [Storage Ring] and a small jewelry box appears in her hand. "Pawn everything for money. This should last you for at least two years- and make sure to write me letters so I'll know where I can send you more."

Rowan holds the small treasure box and opens it. She realized it was all the jewelry she got on her birthday from the guests. 

"I never use this but I've kept all of them here just in case." (Aveline) says with a smile, hoping that this would help her sister somehow.

"I don't… you shouldn't be involved with me like this I can't take it- if father knows you're helping then you might get punished." (Rowan) gives the box of jewelry back to her sister who shakes her head, insisting that she keep it to be pawned. 

"If you're at least leaving me to be happy- let me help you… because that's what sisters are for." (Aveline) hugs her sister one more time, burying her head to Rowan's chest admiring the crimson red hair that she loved so much. 

Rowan sighs, patting her sister's back before pulling back to get her trunk. "I… Thank you, Aveline."

"Don't mention it you dummy, just… sniff…" (Aveline) wipes the snot in her nose, chuckling at how inelegant of a goodbye she was doing. "Make sure to say goodbye to some of the servants and friends you've made here at least. I'll prepare you a carriage-"

Rowan felt guilty at how she was given things to be pawned and now have a carriage. "No need I'll walk, I can't get you into any more trouble. I'll just take the money and find a carriage I could ride when I can." 

"Okay… I… want you to say your goodbyes properly, go on, I'll keep father stalled so he won't take back what he said." They both left together but before Rowan and her could part ways. 

"I'll write, I promise to find a way to visit. I… I'll become someone you can rely on in the future." (Rowan) promises and Aveline laughs, seeing how her little sister has now become an independent woman- something she longs to be as well. 

"I love you."

"...I love you too."

…

Saying goodbyes isn't easy, first she had to run into the servants area where she was almost trampled by a crowd of people, crying and yelling that she mustn't go.

"Are you really leaving Miss Rowan?!"

"Please be safe!"

"Why do you have to leave Miss Rowan? I still want to see you train everyday!"

The young maids were upfront with their concerns and cried like a water fountain. Rowan felt a bit awkward seeing so many of these people care for her and even felt a bit shy. 

"I… I'm sorry but I have to go-"

All of the servants didn't let her finish and dumped in so many baskets of food that she could take. 

"Omph!"

Rowan's hands were now full and sees the maids' crying face being covered by handkerchiefs. They all wanted for her to stay, such great help around the house with a kind heart- the mansion will lose its color once she leaves.

However, they all understand why she has to.

Everyday they have seen how Miss Rowan would always train in the field with the other knights, and in order to build up discipline as well as good conduct- she volunteers to help people in need around the mansion even if she doesn't need to.

She wasn't like this before, everyone was baffled for her new sudden change but-

"We know why you have to leave… sniff."

"We're just being selfish, we're so sorry, Miss Rowan."

"Please take everything we've prepared for you and… be safe." 

The servants lower their heads in thanks for the young miss. Rowan's face grows to be more red in color, holding the basket of food they worked hard on to give it to her. 

"I… please don't lower your head." (Rowan) pleads, and they all did as she told. "I want to thank you… for everything you've done for me. From making delicious food, cleaning the house, helping my sister get ready everyday and for making this place feel like home."

The elderly servants who were watching couldn't help but cry and feel guilty, the once bastard's daughter is now a respectable woman and they regret talking behind her back. After all, even all what they said, Miss Rowan helped them carry heavy things and even reached high places that they needed. 

"Take some of my earnings, young miss, please." One elderly servant takes out his wallet and gives Rowan some pocket money. 

Everyone follows and begins pulling up their hard earnings to give to the young kiss. "Mine too, thank you for helping me pick up broken glass when I broke a plate."

"Ah… my old ass can't see you living in the city without money, everyone's chipping in so-" 

The sounds of goings could be heard, it was all going inside the basket with the food. Rowan felt really embarrassed that everyone suddenly brought their money with a smile. "...everyone, please you don't have to- you might get in trouble." 

"Nonsense, your father won't dare fire us all. Who else is going to clean up some of his embarrassing secrets? Your father wet the bed when he was fourteen! If he fires me, he'll have to deal with such humiliation! Hahaha!" The head servant of the mansion laughs, and Rowan couldn't help but chuckle too. 

"...pfft." 

She really was thankful for having this many people caring for her. "Please, take care of my sister while I'm gone."

"You don't have to worry about that, young lass. We have it covered." All the servants nodded in unison on her request, they intended to do that anyways but the job felt lighter with her saying it. 

"Farewell, everyone." 

All the servants had to watch her go. 

One of the maids that was saved by Rowan from not falling flat into the floo, became her number one supporter and hoped someday they'll meet again. 

Her heart crumpled a little seeing her admired person go, but for her sake she'll do everything that she can to support her from afar. "Good luck, Miss Rowan." 

Rowan says her goodbyes, taking in so many things and placing it into her [Storage Ring]. "Food that will last me for days and some pocket money… I hope not to let everyone down."

There was only one more person she needed to say goodbye to.

…

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Come in." 

Rowan opens the door to his office and finds him sitting in his chair, she gives her mentor a salute before smiling sadly. "I've been expecting you, Rowan." 

Sir Arthur chuckles before standing up to pat her head. "A little knucklehead like you actually leaving, word travels fast- the knights heard that you were getting kicked out and I'm a bit disappointed in your father really."

"I just came… to say goodbye." 

He sees her loaded trunk and chuckles. "I know, it would be rude if you didn't say goodbye to your mentor now would it?" 

"Quick question, is that trunk really all you're going to bring? Do you have room for one more item?"

Rowan stares at her trunk and nods. "...I can just put it in my [Storage Ring]?" 

"Wonderful, I've been saving this for a special occasion." (Sir Arthur) goes through one of his back drawers and takes a long box out. "It was originally for your birthday in the next six months- the metal was hard to find and I thought it would take a while but thankfully it arrived early."

"What's…?"

"Go ahead, open it." 

Rowan nods, placing her trunk down on one of the chairs and opens the box. "This is- Sir Arthur!"

"Advanced happy birthday, my student. You're graduating from being my squire and- here." (Sir Arthur) gives her two stamped letters. "Your military recommendation, your tuition fee will be settled with this for I've put in a good word with one of my friends there."

A shimmering sword with a black hilt and black scabbard encrusted with silver linings. "This must've been expensive-" she wasn't expecting that so many people would care to see her leave- or even prepare gifts at the very last moment. 

"You expect me to let my squire just buy a cheap sword once she sets out for the big city?" (Sir Arthur) laughs, looking teary that the little girl she's always watched and looked after was going away. "You can repay me with a meal once you earn your first paycheck."

Rowan holds the sword in her hands and almost jumped for joy- 

"I will, Dad!"

"..."

"..."

Rowan looks away, placing the sword by her waist. "Forget I said anything, Sir Arthur."

"Ahem, make sure to write. Send me your address and don't leave your things out- eat properly- all that." (Sir Arthur) awkwardly coughs, he really wished that this little girl was his daughter, the Duke couldn't appreciate her talents for combat nor care for her wishes and happiness. 

"Thank you, sir."

Sir Arthur feeling a bit too attached to Rowan already seeing her like his own daughter felt like crying but he didn't dare show it. "Cough- excuse me I got something in my eyes. You should go- say goodbye to the others."

Rowan nods, saluting her final time as farewell. She left his office holding her new sword and the other with the trunk in her hands. 

"Thank you, everyone. I'll make you proud." She leaves the office, steps confidently as she leaves to enter the halls where her other knight friends who were patrolling the hallways jumped for joy- that she was leaving.

"Hey Rowan! You're leaving! We heard-! Guess you'll be getting into the academy attagirl!" They all wished her good luck on her journey and patted her back. "Don't break too many girl's hearts when you get there!"

"I… I don't think I can?" (Rowan) mutters to herself to which his other mates laughed at forgetting at how oblivious their friend is when it came to intimate things. 

Almost all the maids, knights and butlers in the mansion have taken a fancy at her after all! 

A few of them escorted her out into the gates of the mansion and soon, she was all alone. 

"To the city of Nightwind."