Have a Heart

"Sierra?" asked Daniel.

"He was Ellona's first betrothed." Gregory stated. "He's also kind of the reason you're here."

"Died in battle?" guessed Daniel.

"Close." Gregory admitted. "He died after a battle with demons. Shoved 'Lona out of the way of a big bull boar demon. Things are vicious mean. It mauled him. But that's not what killed him."

"What did then? Infection?" questioned Daniel.

"The females are poisonous. He didn't tell 'Lona that he had been bitten by one until it was too late. He didn't think he'd have made it anyway, cause the bull completely crushed his ribs and a lot of his organs. He was her best friend before they even knew what being betrothed was. It was a real blow to her, mentally I mean" Gregory stated. "She didn't used to be so bitter"

"I see," Daniel replied. "That's rough. It's rare to be betrothed to someone you already care for, much less someone who likes you back."

"Ellona was betrothed to Seirra when she was born, as a promise to our Dad's best friend, who was Seirra's dad. They grew up together, Ellona was also the reason Seirra started training to be a knight. They were supposed to marry on her sixteenth birthday, but he actually asked to postpone it until he finished his training in a year. He thought he wasn't good enough for her." Gregory stated. "They were ment for each other. He used to sneak into the castle and climb up to her window to see her after dark."

"And yet it didn't happen. Fate is cruel," remarked Daniel. He almost felt bad about it. Clearly she would never love him the way she had Sierra.

"Yep. Fate is a cruel mistress and life is her plaything." Gregory agreed. "But I'm sure she can warm up to you. She's still a girl after all."

"I hope so," Daniel agreed. He had his doubts of ever being close to her himself though, due to his...maturity. He couldn't be attached to things like he once could. Sometimes he almost missed it. But at least he could still act like he could.

"I at least know how you can earn her respect." Gregory stated with a small smirk.

"Oh?" asked Daniel. "And how's that?"

"Kick her ass in a practice sword fight. If you can beat her she'll respect you, grudgingly, but respect is respect." Gregory stated. "She's only ever been beaten twice though and they were both flukes."

Daniel smirked. "Well here's hoping my good breeding kicks in."

"Just don't step on her feet." Gregory stated. "As in nose your way into her business."

"I try not to do that anyway," Daniel replied. Not that it always works

"She hated it when Seirra did it and she hates it even more when I do it." Gregory stated. He stopped in front of a portrait on the wall. "There's Seirra" He stated, pointing to the portrait.

The portrait only had two people in it. A younger version of Ellona was easy enough to recognize. She was in a green tunic and riding breeches, being lifted into the air by a taller blonde, a young man, in a similar outfit, though his outfit was blue. He had a playful look painted to his face while Ellona looked caught off guard and embarrassed.

Daniel studied the picture for a while. "Looks like he was a fine man. Was he Hero-class?"

"Nope. Farm boy born and raised. Only boy out of nine children." Gregory stated. "His mom raised them all like she had been, and his dad actually gave up a lot to be with her."

"I see," Daniel replied. "Breeding helps sometimes, but other times it doesn't matter. Or seems to worsen things." His expression darkened slightly.

"We don't judge others by their heritage." Gregory stated

"That's a bit unusual for a royal family," Daniel replied. "Not necessarily bad, though. I know quite a few people who are good Heroes despite a lack of breeding. And then there are things Hunters do better than us, like capturing demons."

"Training and instinct serve you better than breeding. Talent is rare and unpredictable. Take me for example" Gregory stated as he started walking again. "Our family has no magical background yet I'm training to be a mage and have almost surpassed the castle mage."

"Nice," replied Daniel. "...Yeah, I guess I'm not into the whole bloodline thing myself, but don't let my uncles hear that. The whole family's obsessed with bloodline."