Chapter 10: Nobility

The night was hard for a grieving outsider who's told his tale. It took hours for Jushiro's mind to ease and fall asleep. Soon the sun rose over the city, and beams peered through the glass window. Jushiro uttered a word as he opened his eyes. "Home. I want my home,"

Suddenly he heard someone knocking on his door.

"It's open. You can come in," Jushiro said.

Princess Lashida entered the room with a worried expression.

"I, ah. H-How are you feeling, Jushiro Motoshita?" Lashida asked.

"I feel fine. Thank you," Jushiro said.

She stood there for a moment. Jushiro felt as though she was about to say more. She approached and lowered her head to apologize in earnest.

"I'm sorry. The way I spoke and treated you was unbecoming of my status. I didn't think much of you after our first meeting. I had no idea that you lived a hard life. Forgive my earlier actions,"

He heard her remorse, and Jushiro felt the truth behind every word. He contemplated while looking out the window. Then his gaze met the princess's sapphire blue eyes. He spoke up to give her his response.

"There's nothing to forgive, your highness. You had your reasons. I'm an outlander to this new world and should be grateful for you and your family's hospitality. What I do or what occurred with me has nothing to do with any of you,"

"Oh. I see. In that case, will you join us for breakfast?"

"Sure. Just give me a minute," Jushiro said.

The princess looked around Jushiro's room and noticed a book with blank pages with some quills, paint, and ink. She asked Jushiro if he was a writer or if he was using it as a journal. Jushiro reminded her how he loved to illustrate and animate. She remembered the term but couldn't comprehend it. Jushiro tried to clarify the best he could.

"Well, um. To tell you in clarity, it's like moving drawings,"

"Moving drawings?" the princess asked.

Jushiro took a few pages from the book and drew a horse in different poses. He showed Lashida the pages of the same horse and started to flip them instantly. It looked like the horse was running like the drawing came to life. Lashida became interested and asked Jushiro to do more. But Jushiro proposed to do it at a later time after breakfast.

"Oh, right! Sorry, I lost myself in your creativity," princess Lashida said.

"It's fine, your highness," Jushiro said.

Lashida handed Jushiro some clothes. She suggested he wear something formal while dining with the royal court. Jushiro nodded and thanked her for the clothes. Lashida left, and Jushiro soon followed in his new attire.

Jushiro followed the princess into the dining hall. Jushiro's appearance with the princess caused many nobles and knights to glare with suspicion. Jushiro felt the tensity in the atmosphere and kept to himself. One voice called to him, and Jushiro saw the knight Vinbror inviting him to join. Jushiro sat next to him and two other knights.

"Good morning, Shiro," Vinbror said.

"Thanks, um. Good morning, Vin," Jushiro replied.

One knight asked Vinbror if he had given Jushiro permission to call him Vin. Vinbror nodded, and the knight said no more. Jushiro continued to eat with them, and Vinbror invited Jushiro to join them for sword sparring.

"If it's alright with you..."

"Of course, it's okay, Shiro," Vinbror said.

Jushiro nodded his head and soon followed the trio. The king suddenly approached, and all three knights bowed their heads. Jushiro nearly forgot and lowered his head. King Ericeth asked Jushiro to accompany him to the throne room. Jushiro followed, where he noticed the three princesses and crown prince waiting inside. Jushiro watched as he sat on his throne. He curiously wondered until the king finally spoke up.

"Jushiro Motoshita, I have an offer for you, lad. I heard about your brave deeds in the south. Let me say how much I appreciate your effort and sacrifice. As such, I offer to help you on your quest to return home. All I ask is you to swear to serve and become a knight of the realm,"

Jushiro expressed shock as he didn't expect the king to go as far as to make him a noble.

"Your majesty, I... don't know what to say. You honor me, but I am only an outsider and not of nobility,"

"Social status means nothing to me. As the ruler of this realm, I look for merit and goodness in other people's hearts. That is why some knights here hail from humble beginnings because I know that skill and merit trump over granted status,"

The thought weighed heavily, and Jushiro asked to give him time to think it over.

"Take your time, boy. Come to me when you have reached your answer," the king said.

Jushiro left to meet Vinbror outside. He found him training with other knights in sword combat. He watched as Vinbror defeated them all with ease. Then he noticed Jushiro slowly approaching.

"Shiro, come! Join us," Vinbror said.

Some knights looked at Jushiro with doubt and pondered why the knight's second in command invited the outsider. Vinbror offered to train Jushiro in the art of swordsmanship. Jushiro willingly accepted but questioned if it was okay. Vinbror brushed off his question and concerns, giving his word of approval.

"I made a promise to help you, did I not? So let me help how to use a sword," Vinbror said.

"I understand. In this world, I know I'm not trained or properly equipped to adapt to the dangers this world has to offer. Thank you, sir Vin," Jushiro said.

Jushiro took a training sword from the rack and readied himself. The stance he used was new to Vinbror. Soon Vinbror made the first move, and Jushiro countered with a parry. Utilizing what he learned in kendo, Jushiro kept up with Vinbror for most of the dual. Soon dozens of knights gathered to watch the fight. Many were surprised by Jushiro's ability to match Vinbror's swordsmanship. The match ended when Vinbror found an opening and disarmed Jushiro.

All the gathered knights clapped and praised the two. Some approached Jushiro and professed their surprise as few could last long against Vinbror. One knight with silver grey hair extended his hand to Jushiro.

"A pleasure to meet you, mister. I'm the third officer of the Aredain royal knights. Hakbrand Reed is my name. May I ask where you learned how to wield a sword? I've never seen a technique like yous,"

A nervously flattered Jushiro admitted how he was a teacher with archery and sword combat on his resume.

"Oh! You were a teacher who taught those things and others?" one of the knights asked.

"Y-Yes, sir knight," Jushiro said.

Wanting to gaze at his bow skills, Vinbror led Jushiro to the shooting range. There Jushiro took a long bow and a few arrows. He took a moment to judge the breeze and determine the target's distance. Then Jushiro immediately released all shots dead into the bull's eye. Jushiro found himself met with applause and cheers from the royal knights again. Jushiro lowed his head in gratitude for their praise.

Sir Hakbrand extended his hand again, calling Jushiro a rarity to meet. Jushiro didn't know what to think but thanked him. Hakbrand bowed, admitting it was an honor to meet the outlandish stranger. Afterward, Vinbror invited Jushiro on a stroll through the city. Jushiro accepted the offer and followed him outside the palace.

They grabbed their steads from the stables and strolled the inner part of the city. All around were largely lavishing homes where the nobility and clergy dwelled. Jushiro noticed some of the nobles he passed looked at him with distrust. Vinbror nudged his shoulder and told him to ignore them.

The two approached one of the houses that looked larger than most in the district. Jushiro hardly could contain his stupefaction. Vinbror patted his back, "Hold your amazement for later, lad. You have yet to see the whole thing,"

"Ye... Yeah," Jushiro uttered, still admiring the size of the mansion.

They entered the house, where thundering footsteps and young voices echoed in the halls. There Jushiro saw three children lunged at Vinbror like a trio of joyed pups. Vinbror gripped the kids and twirled around before kneeling and letting go.

"Welcome home, father!" said one of the kids.

Another voice called out to Vinbror. A woman dressed in azure and shamrock approached to embrace the returning knight. Vinbror introduced Jushiro to his family, starting with his wife, Ishendy. Next was the boy who appeared older and stood taller than the other two children. Vinbror's oldest son, Binthror. The second son and youngest of the three, Arvedul. Lastly was the daughter and second child of Vinbror, Elieth. Vinbror introduced everyone to Jushiro, and his sons approached to greet him.

The boys tried and struggled to enunciate his name until Jushiro told them to address him as "Shiro,"

"Okay, Mr. Shiro..."

Ishendy also expressed her warm welcome to Jushiro. "Indeed. Welcome to our lovely residence, Mr. Shiro..."

"You can call me Shiro. It's much easier for us all. You don't have to be so formal with me," Jushiro said.

"Ha! Well, aren't you quite the gentleman, eh, Shiro? But I agree. But enough pleasantries. Come, let's have a feast together,"

He felt warmth after setting foot in Vinbror's home. Jushiro immediately thanked them for their hospitality and Vinbror for introducing him to his family. Vinbror accepted his gratefulness as they all dined together at the table. Seeing them before his eyes and full of light brought back a forgotten sensation Jushiro hadn't felt for a while.

"After I moved in with Seijuro's family, I learned the difference between a family that strictly prides on its name and one that accepts anyone with a bright warmth. Looking at Vinbror's family, I couldn't help but see my childhood friend and the happiness I felt,"

Jushiro decided to stay the night with Vinbror after dinner. He watched with a faint grin as the parents took the kids to bed. Arvedul approached Jushiro before going to bed, "Goodnight, uncle Shiro," That moment stunned Jushiro as he never expected to be called uncle. Vinbror smiled and took it as a sign of progress for Jushiro.

Jushiro slept in the guest room as his faint grin slightly grew into a smile. He suddenly realized what he started to feel. He thought of nothing but gratitude which caused him to sleep peacefully. What he once thought was a small delight from a stranger's welcome turned into a sense of appreciation as the dark cloud that hung over him for so long slowly faded.