[center][h2]Two Squires[/h2] [color=1a7b30]Louise[/color] and [color=0076a3]Erwin [/color][/center] [hr] Erwin stared at the small fortification in the wooded group of buildings. He knew his uncle was inside the biggest hall there, but he just wanted to ride away from the rest for that little while. He stared at it, the road, and all the smaller buildings. He saw pigs and animals in their tiny waddle pens that tied themselves to the hovels and homes of those who lived around them. It was a good community they lived in at that time and an important one. Some trading crossroad from a mine and some craftsman district of a larger town. His uncle was out here doing business, but he and the others in his uncle's guard were just left to do as they could if they weren’t near the Lord. Erwin just relaxed a bit and turned his horse down the road as he went off the pathway some. He didn’t mind being a bit out of the way; not many people could bother him, and not many people could really annoy him unless he ran into them or they were just pursuing him into the depths of the forest. There were few that he knew would, his uncle could send someone out, but most would just go and hide for a bit. But that one squiress… The squiress was somehow always near, and somehow just ran into him even if she wasn’t looking for him. He ran his hand through his hair and sighed deeply as he placed his hand to it, and he looked up. [color=0076a3]“That poor girl, her life has been given up to guard whomever she is told… She got lucky she got grandfather as her ward. He doesn’t look at her like some of the others. Maybe that is why one of the few women in arms is under him.”[/color] he said quietly in an out loud thought, [color=0076a3]“Imagine if war broke out, she would likely have to stay far back with old men while those who she stood beside die.”[/color] He stared up and stopped the horse he was on he saw something out in the forest. He saw blond hair, and he slowly got off his horse as he started to walk up towards the blonde figure. [color=0076a3]"Louise, I am usually the one who walks a bit too far, I wouldn't think you would do the same unless if it's to find me." [/color]Erwin said with a smile. [color=0076a3]"Is something wrong?"[/color] [color=1a7b30]“Fun stroll is over, comrade. I’m here to take you back. I need to go for my working shift today fast. Don’t waste my time.”[/color] His charming smile won’t affect her and this time she made a move in advance in order to pursue Erwin before he gets derailed. It’s been like routine already since she became part guardsmen of the relative of the King. She is the one mostly able to pursue Erwin, in fact that during her first time, she sent defeated Erwin back with a reversed princess carry. Being the only woman in the guardsmen group, she can't tag along with the rest of the group. She spends her time alone reading books about learning other languages around the world and their fighting style. Some of her fellow workers tried to disturb her peace and tried to hit her but ended up knocking her back out of the room with a wind burst. The man held his hands out in front of him, and sighed a bit as he relaxed, [color=0076a3]“Lady Louise, our shift will start in an hour, we are fine. Relax, grandfather will call us if needed.” [/color] He opened his arms and just smiled a bit, [color=0076a3]“also, I just got in the forest, a last walk before our guard begins, care to join me for it? I promise I am not drunk, and you will not have to carry me again. Just a walk, we have time… Plus, we can go meet the rider, we are supposed to be getting a letter, a warning came by pigeon a little while ago.” [/color] [color=0076a3]“It wont hurt… plus, maybe we can enjoy ourselves for once, plus… it’s likely the last time we will be able to; the pigeon came from the capital with the royal seal. So, we will likely have to go soon regardless, and on short order, our guard might not even start.” [/color] His hands slowly went down, and he held the note out towards her, [color=0076a3]“Lady Louise, care to join Bread and I?”[/color] he asked, looking back at his horse, then at her. Back then she didn't believe his excuses every time she pursued him from derailing. But right now, a pigeon courier appeared, received by Erwin himself. She looked at the letter and it had a royal seal, this satisfied her. She looked at the horse then looked back to Erwin. [color=1a7b30]“Alright then. I will join you.”[/color] She answered his offer as she decided to tag along with him. He slowly made his way towards her, and slid the letter back into his pouch as he sighed, and he just held his empty hand towards her, [color=0076a3]“Lady Louise.” [/color]he said softly while he walked by her, [color=0076a3]“We have been playing a game of cat and mouse for some time now, and although I am your senior, by two months. You still somehow always best me in hide and somehow walk in front of the hider as he is trying to hide and relax. But, eight months, a year now since you came to the capital to train with all of us… You distance yourself from most of us, squires, knights, and the lot. But for me and a few others, might I ask why? I know you like your books, but grandfathers curiosity has finally reached me I guess… but I was hoping to know.”[/color] Erwin just smiled as he stopped beside her, and stood beside her with his palm open towards hers, Bread just stared at the two, but was more interested in just being a horse. [color=1a7b30]“Things just overwhelm me and I’m uncomfortable with that, especially for those who have wild behavior. Despite that, I managed to socialize with other people who are less wilder, but still I haven’t found a friend yet. Back in my younger self before I joined, my time was always full of training and learning things and I haven’t socialized with others besides my relatives since we lived in the woods far from town. The only time I got home was when I started to learn etiquette as a noble woman. Maybe someday, I can find a friend that I can lean into and rely on.”[/color] Louise said. He slowly took her hand while she was talking and started to walk, [color=0076a3]"I'd say I'm your friend, I constantly drag you into new small adventures. You seem to be straight faced with most things, but deep down I feel as if you enjoy chasing me around. Dealing with those fun things in life, you might see it as work, but you seem to do it when we are on off time more than the few times I've been slightly late to our guard." [/color] [color=0076a3]"But, still… I would like to think we are friends, or that you enjoy me more than your usual demeanor suggests. Not because of my charming face, or smile, but because you see something you want in me. Something besides rigidity and that constant straight line people have decided for you. It's why I'm going to make you live a bit."[/color] Erwin said as he pulled on her and Bread continued down the nonroad path slightly further away from the actual road anyone would use. As he said, she began to think of it. He expressed what he felt to her and made her think deeper. It would not be nice for her to refuse it since it made sense that she indeed had fun during the time of pursuing. Her heart began to pound more. Perhaps, she can trust him despite his rowdy behaviour. Maybe it is not hurt to try. [color=1a7b30]"It is true that I did have fun during our time. In that case. I will accept you as my friend. You will have my trust and it will never if you break it. I am looking forward to it. Also, teach me to make more friends."[/color] She replied and looked at him with a beautiful innocent straight face. Erwin smiled as he slowly rested his her hand in his, and he smiled as he looked over at her, [color=0076a3]“I wont… as I said when I first met you, I’ll make sure to keep you safe. The amount of fights I’ve been in over you was worth it. I am just glad I got to always stand beside you, even if you do treat me like a child sometimes. I just wish we weren’t confided to our lives as nobles, maybe we could have had a different life together, instead we are stuck together with little thought to anything but making sure that my grandfather isn’t in trouble.” [/color] He stopped listening down the road, he heard nothing, he looked back and forth and smiled, [color=0076a3]“Can I steal something from you? It will not be much, but just close your eyes for a moment.”[/color] he asked before double checking their surroundings. Louise cross her arm and make an upset face. Surprisingly it is a cute one. [color=1a7b30]"I told you. Don't break my trust. This is familiar, I read this in a book. No. I'm not going to close my eyes."[/color] Louise said. He stopped and smiled at her, [color=0076a3]"I hope to not break your trust, but. Close your eyes for just a moment." [/color] For a moment there he just held his hands out towards her after putting the reigns to his belt. [color=0076a3]"I plan on building a strong trust between us, and hope that we can grow it together. Once we get back to the capital, I bet we will have some time, and I wish to take you somewhere. It is a nice spot, but I just want to steal one thing first, for that your eyes should be closed, it is a surprise. You have trusted me before, like with that one brute we had to calm down after grandfather spilled his tea. So why not trust me now?"[/color] [color=1a7b30]"I don't like it. It makes me uncomfortable... Since you will steal something from me." [/color]Louise replied. Started to be scared and make a defensive pose. Erwin sighed, and just chuckled, "[color=0076a3]I want to kiss you, and then when we get back to the capital, I know a little restaurant that is quaint. I wanted to take you there and just talk."[/color] he said quietly, [color=0076a3]"I wanted to steal a kiss, that is all Louise."[/color] [color=1a7b30]"Kiss. Why? Isn't that supposed to be for someone you love?"[/color] She replied as she is confused still on defensive pose. Erwin just nodded a bit, and he smiled, [color=0076a3]"It is meant for a few reasons... but, the kiss I wanted to give you is, something like an invitation to that thought. I thought we worked well together, you with your logical thought like grandfather, and I think with my heart. I was hoping you would think your heart in this moment." [/color] His hands went out in front of him, again, palms up towards the sky as he just stood there in front of her. [color=0076a3]"I have some feelings for you, but, that was my intentions. I should have realized who I was talking to, be plain, straightforward, and you will get an answer. Miss Louise, may I steal a kiss from you, and when we return to the capital, may I take your hand and invite you to dinner?"[/color] [color=1a7b30] "..."[/color] She paused still in her defensive pose. [color=1a7b30]"About that. If you are really serious about it. You should ask my father's approval first before you ask me for something like that and then I will think about it. You won't like it if you cross the line with an Ironside clan."[/color] She answered. [color=0076a3] "I have... I might act like an idiot and act a fool, but I am not that idiotic. Some rules we must live by are crude, but they are there for a reason, and I try to abide by them. So, I asked your father before we departed if I could court you, he agreed due to my pedigree and relations to the king. He said that we could branch off into our own house should we wish."[/color] his hand was out towards her, and he moved his hand to his pocket to pull out another small letter with a stamp of her house as proof. [color=0076a3]"But he said it must be with your permission..."[/color] [color=0076a3]"I would not mind crossing that line of the Ironside family, if it was to get you."[/color] he said relatively proud, [color=0076a3]"Plus my uncle would agree getting me father from his throne would be a better option than finding a way to kill me. I would have tried sooner, but, you typically are around others when chasing me. I am lucky that today, you decided to be more prepared than usual."[/color] His hands went back out in front of them empty after he put the note away, "I was also hoping to ask, that if you opened your heart, and thought like I did without all the logic and reason for a moment, if you would be interested in the same?" Louise was surely surprised especially since it had a seal, she couldn't deny that because she knows how authentic it is. She put down her defensive pose. [color=1a7b30]"The authenticity of the seal... It seems that you are really that serious and you are related to the king. I came here to follow the step of my clan. I didn't think about the marriagement...."[/color] she said. [color=0076a3]"That can wait, I just want to be close to you, and enjoy life with you some."[/color] he said not moving an inch, still there holding his hands to her, [color=0076a3]"I wanted to see... if you were also interested in the idea, even in the slightest with all we have been through. If there was even a chance that behind all of that logic, reason, behind that locked away mind, there was something that saw me in a similar way." [/color] [color=0076a3] "I will ask you again before we continue our walk, may I steal a kiss from you? May I start a journey together with you at my side? I am not asking for your hand in marriage yet, I am just asking to take you to dinner."[/color] [color=1a7b30]"For the kiss... I'll save that and my answer. For now, I accept your offer for dinner."[/color] She replied. He nodded, and he smiled a bit, then he heard something and turned his head as he dropped his hands, [color=0076a3]"I thank you Lady Louise, hopefully we will have time do such a thing when we get back."[/color] He saw a rider, and the rider broke off when it saw them both. [color=ed1c24]"Sir Est Eluin, this is for you and your grandfather. You are to return immediately, read the letter."[/color] he said holding it out to the young squire. The squire took the letter and slowly opened the wax seal with his fingernail, and he opened it up as his face almost sunk. He looked up at the man, [color=0076a3]"Go, ride, we will be with haste there..."[/color] and the rider did as told and continued down the pathway past the hamlet. But Erwin looked over at Louise and just sighed, [color=0076a3] "hurry, get your things together, I will get grandfather... Hopefully, we can ride quickly enough for that dinner arrangement."[/color] he said in a worried laugh as he just started to move towards the hamlet, and then he almost went into a run, leaving Bread with her, [color=0076a3]"Get the horses, take Bread."[/color] He stopped momentarily, turning, [color=0076a3]"I hope we can make that dinner... I enjoy being around you."[/color] he said before deadpan sprinting towards the manor house where his grandfather was. Louise nodded at him. She took Bread to ride upon for the urgent call to make sure everything was prepared before they left the hamlet.