The Extra Who Stole the Hero's System-Chapter 27: A Promise - 3

THIRD PERSON POV

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What are promises, really? Are they just words, or the fragile expressions of the lingering desires buried in our hearts?

Many make promises far beyond their noble reach.

Men vow to give their partners the world, while they themselves own nothing.

Men swear to protect, even when they can’t so much as lift a sword.

They promise the world because they yearn for riches.

They promise protection because they crave to be protected.

In truth, their promises are veiled cries — desires disguised as devotion.

***

Evelina’s mind drifted, searching for the moment everything fell apart.

She was just eight when her world came crashing down.

The one meant to hold her hand through thick and thin...

was, in truth, the one who needed holding most.

Evelina cradled the small, white-furred puppy in her arms, its tiny body warm and soft against her chest. She lay on her bed, the afternoon sun streaming through her window. Her heart swelled with a tenderness she hadn’t known she possessed. Prudee had rescued it for her, a living embodiment of his promise to protect her. Now, it needs a name.

She murmured softly, testing out names. "Sky?" she whispered, stroking its head. The puppy’s fur was as white as the clouds that filled the late summer sky. It seemed fitting, but somehow, it didn’t quite capture the preciousness of the gift.

"Pearl?" she tried next. Yes, this puppy was a pearl, a precious jewel given to her by her brave knight. But then, a thought pricked her. Pearl sounded a little... girlie. What if it was a boy?

Her gaze dropped to the small curled-up form in her arms. She knew how to check, of course. She had seen the manor’s stable hands check the gender of newborn chickens. But to actually... to actually look at this tiny, innocent creature, to prod and poke... A blush crept up her neck. She shook her head, a small, embarrassed laugh escaping her lips. She simply couldn’t muster the courage. It felt too... improper.

With a determined sigh, Evelina carefully placed the puppy on her pillow and slid off the bed. There was only one person she could ask. Prudee. He wouldn’t be shy. He was brave and practical, her knight. She left her room, closing the door softly behind her, and started heading towards Prudee’s room.

As she neared his room, however, her steps slowed as she heard slowed voices. Raised voices. Her father’s voice, cutting through the usual quiet nature of the manor. And Prudee’s voice, full of defiance. Evelina’s face was filled with concern. She hated when they argued.

She crept closer, her heart beginning to pound with a familiar anxiety. The door to Prudee’s room was slightly opened, allowing her to hear snippets of the heated conversation.

"...why don’t you understand?" Lord Sapphire’s voice clear, laced with frustration. "How can I make you understand? You are my heir, for God’s sake! We are not a family of knights!"

Evelina sighed. This was their usual argument. Prudee’s unwavering desire to wield a sword, to become a knight, clashing with their father’s insistence on scholarship, on the Sapphire family’s legacy of knowledge and intellect.

"We may not be a family of knights, Father," Prudee’s voice responded, clear and unwavering despite the anger in his father’s tone, "but a knight is not made from lineage, but by every deed he does while wielding a blade."

A gasp escaped Evelina’s lips. Prudee had never spoken with such defiance before. He had always argued, yes, but never with such a direct challenge to their father’s authority.

Lord Sapphire’s response was immediate. A furious roar erupted from the room. "Why do you wish to hurt me, son?! To defy our family heritage?! To bring our household shame?! We have a duty to this country, as scholars!"

Evelina eyes widening in horror. Lord Sapphire had seized Prudee by the collar of his tunic, his hand clenched tight, raising him off the ground, pinning him against the wall. Prudee’s feet dangled, his face flushed, but his eyes, even in that terrifying moment, still held a spark of defiance.

A sob tore from Evelina’s throat, a small, choked sound of pure anguish. She hated seeing them fight. She hated seeing her father so angry, so violent. She hated seeing Prudee, her brave knight, so vulnerable.

Lord Sapphire, his face filled with rage, heard her cry. His head snapped towards the door, his eyes, once filled with fury, suddenly softening, turning into a look of startled regret. He released Prudee, who dropped to the floor with a soft thud.

"Eve, my dear," Lord Sapphire said, his voice instantly softening, filled with remorse. "I’m sorry you had to see that." He took a step towards her, his hand reaching out, as if to offer comfort.

But Evelina didn’t wait. The sight of her father’s anger, his hand on Prudee, had terrified her. She quickly ran, her bare feet pounding on the polished floor, tears streaming down her face. She ran back to her room, burst inside, and slammed the door shut, locking it with a trembling hand. She hated seeing family fighting. It tore at her heart.

She huddled on her bed, sobbing, the image of Prudee against the wall seared into her mind.

After what felt like an eternity, a gentle knock sounded at her door.

"Eve?" Prudee’s voice, soft and tentative, reached her. "It’s me. Can I come in?"

She sniffled, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, and slowly, unlocked the door. Prudee entered, his face still a little flushed, but his eyes filled with gentle concern. He walked over to the bed and sat next to her.

"I’m sorry you had to see that side of Dad," he murmured, his voice low and apologetic. "He just... he doesn’t understand."

Evelina leaned into him, burying her face in his lap, her sobs shaking her small face. He gently stroked her hair, his touch comforting, reassuring. She cried until the tears finally ran dry, until only sniffles remained.

She then pulled back, her eyes red, and looked at the white-furred puppy, who had been watching them with wide, curious eyes from the pillow. "I... I still can’t figure out a name for it," she whispered.

Prudee smiled, a soft, warm smile that always made her feel safe. He reached out and gently stroked the puppy’s head. "The dog is a promise by me to you, Eve. A sign of our bond as siblings. A promise that I will always protect you." He looked at her, his eyes shining with affection. "Let’s name it Evedee. A word for our names. For Evelina and Prudee. For our promise."

Evelina’s face lit up. Evedee. It was perfect. She hugged the puppy close, a small, genuine smile finally filled her face.

Prudee leaned back against the pillows, gazing at the ceiling, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Truly, who’s a knight?" he murmured, almost to himself, the question, a remnant of the argument with his father.

Evelina looked at him. She knew the answer. "You are," she said. "You’re the true definition of a knight. The one in every girl’s dreams, the one that saves the damsel in distress."

"I’m happy to know I’m a Knight," Prudee said, his eyes still lingering at the ceiling.