1.11 His very own knight

The duke, Flora, and the staff that stood in front of Blake's door walked in as soon as Blake allowed them. One by one, the staff expressed their wishes for Blake to get well soon. Soon, the knight that helped Blake came up to the young master.

"Young master, I express my deepest apologies for not protecting you earlier," The knight said.

"No, no it's okay… thank you," Blake smiled softly.

The face of a chubby 5-year-old smiling sweetly struck the hearts of all the people around the said boy, along with his younger sister.

The knight was a youth who had dark brown hair and deep purple-ish eyes. The youth had a visible scar on his chin, as his knight garments complimented his fierce but caring aura.

"What's your name?" Blake asked.

"Okumura Kenma at your service," the knight said with a bow.

'Japanese?' Blake thought, his eyes furrowing slightly.

"Oh, the eastern one. I express my gratitude for protecting my heir," The duke said, bowing his head in gratitude.

"Ah, m-my duke! You do not have to bow your head to this knight, I was merely doing my job," Kai said.

"I should express my gratitude also, for saving me," Blake said, smiling as he bowed his head.

"For saving my son, thank you" Aliyah said, bowing.

"Thank you for saving my brother!" Flora exclaimed, bowing to the poor confused knight.

Blake peeked at the Knight's face, seeing a flustered youth who struggled to say what he wanted to say.

"Sir Okumura, I would like to offer you a proposal," the duke said.

"A proposal, my lord?" The knight asked, confused.

"Become Blake's knight. Protect him and lead him to a great lord in the future, may I trust my heir's safety to you, Sir Okumura?" the duke offered, holding out his hand to Blake with a small smile on his face.

Blake, confused: WHAT?!

***

"Brother, I'll protect you!" Flora exclaimed cutely, holding up a wooden sword in her hands as she pointed it towards her own mother, the duchess.

Cruella's eyebrow twitched irritably, holding back the harsh remark that was about to come out of her mouth. She sighed and crouched down to meet their eye level and bowed her head.

"I apologize for my behaviour the other day. I was not in my right mind, a knight has explained to me what had happened, and I assure you, it would not happen again," she bowed her head apologetically towards Blake.

Blake tilted his head from behind Flora and pushed his sister's sword down with his hand before stepping up to the duchess. "What do you mean, not in your right mind?"

"As much as I dislike you, Blake, I would never assault a child," Cruella sighed, looking into Blake's eyes as she rested her chin on her palm. "That night, I was drinking tea before bed like usual, and suddenly I fell unconscious. Unfortunately, I can't remember anything after that."

Blake hummed, placing a hand on his chin and thought aloud, "how strange."

"Indeed it was," Cruella replied before standing up and brushing off the dust off her dress. "I would like to apologise again, for my unsightly and crude behaviour the other day,"

"Ah... it's fine, just know if this happens again, I can't guarantee your position in this household as the duchess to be intact," Blake said.

"I understand. If that is all, I shall take my leave," she said, giving a polite bow towards Blake before walking off.

Cruella: 'that kid is creepy-- I shouldn't mess with him anymore'

"Brother, I'll learn swordsmanship from sir Kenma and protect you from all the bad things in the world!" Flora exclaimed with burning determination in her eyes.

Blake laughed and nodded as he pet Flora's head with a doting smile. "I'll be in your hands then, Flora."