Finally, at long last, the Holy Grail will be mine...my wish...our salvation...will be fulfilled.

I gasped awake and looked around. My nightgown stuck to my back with the cold sweat that had formed during my nightmare. I glanced feverishly around my surroundings, only realizing that I was just in my room. "Phew.."

Laying back down, I drew the covers up to my chin and closed my eyes. Flashes of the past nightmare haunted me and I jerked my eyes open again.

"I'm never going to go to sleep tonight now am I?"

"I'm afraid not, master," a deep voice said behind me. A young man with unkempt, long white hair and fused with distinct golden armor materialized to my bedside. I turned over to face him. "I am not your master so don't call me that, Lancer."

"Plus it's creepy that you watch over me..." I mumbled.

Lancer's steel blue gaze met mine and he smiled. The gesture shocked me. I haven't seen such behavior from him before. He always seemed so cold and nonchalant. So mysterious...but attractive. My heart skipped a beat. "What?" I said irritably. I didn't like that fact that he made me feel this way all of a sudden. I couldn't afford to catch feelings for a heroic spirit. And my brother's to be exact.

"I find it amusing that you refuse to take part in this war, and yet my master will not let me leave your side."

"Take it up with him, then. I can take care of myself!" I retorted and rolled back over. I shut my eyes and forced myself to sleep and forget about him.

Lancer watched her until he thought she was sound asleep. "You have no idea of your importance, Duchess..." he whispered as he dematerialized.

Sunlight filtered in through the window, the bright light cascading on my face. I wrinkled my nose and brought the covers over my head. My head ached from lack of sleep. Just as I was about to fall back asleep, there was a knock at my door. I proceeded to ignore it. The rapping wouldn't stop. Groaning, I lifted myself from my bed and opened the door.

A young man with black curly hair and dressed in formal black clothing greeted me. "Good morning sister, I have news," he smiled down at me.

"Better be some frickin' good news," I mumbled. My brother cracked another one of his smiles. "You bet it is, love. Listen. I'm going out and I'm taking Lancer with me."

I perked up at that. "That is good news. Except not really...what are you doing that requires his help?" I asked nervously. As much as I hated having Lancer follow me around(not that I hate Lancer...I just hate having followers), at least that sign alone told me that my brother would not do something dangerous.

"This is a war," my brother stated bluntly. His eyes lost their cheer for only a moment before he broke into his infamous smile. Gosh, I was already sick of it. He opened his mouth to speak and I embraced him. I wrapped my arms around him tightly. "Shut up, Luca. I get it. Now go, I'll be fine," I spoke into his clothes. Luca hugged me back. He let go and left without saying another word.

I strolled in the gardens of the estate, enjoying the warm breeze and sunlight. I came upon the small pond that my father built for us when we were kids. Gazing down, my reflection smiled at me. I wore my long black hair down and pulled back by a single gold pin. The reflection mirrored my soft green dress that ended right below my knees and the rugged brown boots that I wore when adventuring in the garden.

"M'lady what a sight you are!" I heard a shrill voice call out. I glanced back to see the head maid rushing towards me. My cheeks grew red. "Sorry..." was all I could say as she lectured me about wearing proper shoes with the outfits I wore. She saw that I was not going to change, shook her head and left with an exasperated smile on her face. After my encounter with the maid, I found a bench underneath a willow tree. My feet meandered toward it and I sat gazing out over the magnificent garden.

It was so peaceful that I almost forgot about Luca. Almost. My thoughts eventually made their way to my dear older brother. I knew that Lancer would do everything to protect him, but that didn't stop the queasy feeling in my stomach. My thoughts shifted from Luca to Lancer. Lancer, or Karna, his true name, was one of the best of the best. From what Luca said. I've never done any research on his heroic spirit, but I knew that being the son of a Sun god must have its benefits.

A burst of wind suddenly blew, the willow tree's branches whipping across my face. I sputtered and blocked my eyes. When the branches slowed, I was about to put my arms down when I felt a hand grab me from behind. I shrieked. The world went black and my mind shut down.

"Duchess?"

"Hey. Wake up."

A hand prodded me.

"Are you listening? I said wake up."

A tug.

"Duchess."

The persistence grew rougher. My head hurt and my body ached. Did I have to wake up? My eyes roamed behind my eyelids but I couldn't seem to open them. Am I safe? I wondered. There was something tugging at the back of my mind.

"Master."

Master? The word rang a bell. Realization hit me.

"Duchess Nicola, wake up."

I forced my eyes open and watching over me was Lancer. He breathed a sigh of relief and focused on something away from me. The headache hit me as I tried to sit up. Lancer noticed and caught me before I lay back down. "I have to get you out of here. Master's orders," Lancer said as he scooped me up. I opened my mouth to ask but closed it. I didn't need to ask why Lancer was back. Another servant must have chosen to come for me instead of my brother. It would make more sense since Lancer was always hanging around me. I noticed that we were in the garden still, but now it was on fire and there were battle noises. Fear took hold of my heart and I clutched Lancer's shoulders to make sure I wouldn't be put down.

"I'll keep you safe."

I smiled into Lancer's chest. Of course, he would. "Hurry up then," I rasped. I was surprised that my voice sounded like that. I cleared my throat. "Sorry," I mumbled. Lancer took no notice as he snuck around the garden. We dodged burning branches and ashes as Lancer carefully made the way to the mansion. He lowered me. "Can you stand, Duchess?" My feet touched the ground, I was a little wobbly but I didn't fall. I grinned up at him. He shook his head. I saw the slight smile but I knew if I said anything, he'd deny it. My heart pounded.

"Lancer..."

Lancer glanced at me. He nodded and turned to face the doorway, his spear in hand. "Wait!" I called. What am I doing?

Lancer looked over his shoulder. I put on my best show and begged him with my eyes to come back. He faced me and took my chin in his hand. I stared into his deep blue eyes from what seemed like an eternity. "Is this what you want?" Lancer mumbled as he leaned in and brushed his lips against mine. He drew back and I had to cover the shocked look off of my face. My cheeks were burning.

"I'll be back, Master."

"Don't call me that!"