Thethia: Royal Palace, Queen's Chamber

• Jason •

"Your Majesty, I heard that you had requested for my presence," Jason mentioned, placing a hand over the left side of his chest as he bowed slightly to greet the Queen, Her Majesty.

Looking towards her, he noticed the worry and weariness in her expression and a sudden pang of guilt darted through him. He wished that he had returned back to the Royal Grounds sooner and after hearing everything from Marie, he couldn't help but feel a complicating mix of anger and sadness for her.

"Yes, Jason," the Queen nodded. "I have an important matter to entrust you with."

"I'm always here to serve you. Please do tell me about it," Jason gestured, waiting for her to speak to him about all that she had in her mind.

When Marie arrived at the knight's quarters to look for him, he already guessed what was expected of him. He knew that she would request him to protect the princess — the lonely princess residing in the solitude palace. Regardless, he had to hear from the Queen before deciding on which soldier under him could be promoted into a knight to take on the important task.

"Jason, you're my knight and I trust you the most," she said, pausing for a moment before continuing, "No one else can know about our conversation today, do you understand?"

"I understand."

"I want you to personally train Elianna, Jason. I want you to teach her how to fight and educate her, and I want her to start at the first moment she can walk and talk."

"Your Majesty?" Jason's eyes widened in surprise, taken aback by the Queen's request.

Jason had expected the request to be choosing several trustworthy men to be the knights and protect the princess. He also anticipated that she may request for him to find suitable tutors or assign a few more maidservants to attend to the newborn. Yet, the Queen had asked him to be the princess' mentor. And that's something that knights like him don't do. 

We don't mentor anyone. Moreover, a toddler. 

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• Queen of Thethia, Nadia •

"Jason, please don't turn down the offer," Nadia pleaded. "There's no one more appropriate than you to mentor my Elianna." 

Honestly, he was her only choice because she could not think of entrusting another person to fulfil the role. 

As a mother, she could not bear to be so harsh to her child. However, everything's different for Elianna. If she doesn't know how to fight, if she doesn't know about the world, it is impossible for her to survive in her harsh circumstances. Therefore, as her mother, she can only hope that all these can keep her alive. She wanted Eli to be safe and she hoped that she would be able to protect herself when the time called for it.

"Your Majesty, it is my honour to take up the role of Mentor for Princess Elianna," Jason held his palm against his left chest, as he bowed towards her. "I swear upon the knighthood you bestowed me that I will give in my best for this role."

"Thank you, Jason." Nadia felt a heavyweight lifted from her chest and was immensely grateful that he didn't turn her down. "Please take good care of my Elianna."  

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Thethia: Heather Palace, Entrance 

• Jason •

"Knight Wayland, I had been informed of your presence," the maidservant greeted him when he arrived at Heather Palace. 

"You must be Lylia," he mentioned. 

"Yes," she bowed respectfully. 

"I am here to see the Princess," he stated. Pulling the reins, his horse halted its hooves to a stop. Then, he swung his leg aside and got down in one swift movement. 

"Allow me to lead the way," Lylia motioned for him to follow behind. 

Jason stood right outside of Heather Palace, having mixed feelings at the first sight of this rumoured solitude palace. The thick stone walls had a moat of green and he spotted the dense mass of overgrown plants pouring out of windows on the upper floors. The metal railings on the main doors and windows had lost their lustre, showing how poorly maintained this palace was. 

When Lylia pushed the main doors open, they creaked noisily and what was inside didn't surprise him at all. It was so empty that when they walk through the hallways, the sound of their shoes echoed deafeningly through the entire place.  They stopped right before a bedchamber and Lylia pushed open to reveal a nursery. 

It was so much simpler as compared to Princess Elizabeth's nursery. There was nothing in this room except for one simple bassinet and several toys placed around the room. Jason was sure that the armchair placed beside the bassinet belonged to Lylia and that was where she would sit all day to take care of the Princess. Suddenly, Jason felt pity for this child. Born as twins, yet the other has an abundance of everything while she had close to none. 

"She is exceptionally quiet," he commented.

"Yes, it is really easy to take care of Princess Elianna," Lylia nodded. "She only whimpers softly when she's hungry. Other times, she stayed quietly in her bassinet." 

Lylia's hand brushed gently on Elianna's cheek as she smiled endearingly at her. It was as though the baby knew and she chuckled adorably in response. 

"Can I carry her?" Jason asked.

He saw her flinched as she turned around to look at him, scanning him from his head to his toes. He was unsure why she did that until she started stammering, "I-I am not so s-sure..." 

"Do I look scary?" he wondered, frowning a little at the sudden self-conscious feelings. 

"I-I'm so s-sorry, I d-didn't mean t-to be rude!" she fumbled with her words while trying to explain herself. 

Jason knew Lylia was scared of him because she stuttered even more than she already had. Sighing, he thought about giving that idea up but unwillingness tugged at his heart. He decided to try again. 

"Let me try carrying her, please?" he softened his tone, trying to convince Lylia that there was nothing she needed to be afraid of him. 

She opened her mouth, looking as though she wanted to put up with another round protest but her shoulders dropped and she turned around to lift Elianna off her bassinet. "Please don't drop her." 

"I guess that's the last thing I would do," Jason laughed. 

"Please be really gentle with her," Lylia nagged. "Hold her firmly but don't grip onto her tightly alright?" 

She carefully handed Elianna to him and he realised just how small she was in his cradle. Jason held the baby close to him, letting her rest on his chest. In his hold, she immediately struggled and whimpered sadly, causing panic to rise within him. But Lylia patted on her back, soothing her and she went quiet once again. 

Jason observed the way Lylia comforted Elianna and followed. Soon, the baby's breathing slowed down, becoming long and calm before she finally closed her eyes and drifted off in a world of her own. Washed over by serenity, he continued to carry her while she sleeps and hummed while softly patting her back. 

"You are unexpectedly gentle." Lylia smiled.

He immediately grew self-conscious and flushed bright red. Letting out an awkward cough, he moved Elianna slowly and returned her to Lylia. "I only came to acquaint myself with Elianna. Since I am going to be her mentor, it is only right that I introduce myself to her at the earliest time possible."

"I understand, Knight Wayland." she laughed.

"I am going to take my leave now. I will visit her again," Jason gawked, feeling utterly embarrassed. Yet, it was undeniable that he had taken a liking to Elianna and he looked forward to being her mentor in the days to come. 

"It must be tough to take care of an entire palace by yourself. Let me know if both of you require anything, I'll help out," he mentioned.

"Thank you, Knight Wayland. Please have a safe trip back." Lylia bowed. 

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