The Blade Keeper

"Get up."

". . . . Yes, Father."

A boy, about seven years of age, was in the center of a training field. In front of him was his father.

The father wore extravagant clothing and had on a calm expression. He was dressed in a plain white military uniform with golden embroidery. In his hand was an elegant sword a little shorter than two arms with a blade thicker than three knuckles. His sword would flash as it sliced apart the air. His silver hair fluttered alongside the wind.

On the other hand, the young boy was clothed in a simple leather tunic and held a worn down sword that was obviously too big for him. The boy was out of breath and was using his sword as support. His mix of black and white hair was wet with sweat.

Duke Cross noticed this and frowned.

"Alexander, if you are tired by swinging your sword around for a few minutes, you will sully our family's name. Never drop your sword. Ever."

"Yes, father."

"Good." Said Duke Cross, "Now raise your sword."

". . . . Yes, father."

Alex took a deep breath before raising his sword towards the Duke. The Duke nodded in approval before raising his sword as well.

There was a moment of silence before Alex quietly lowered his sword and charged. When Alex had gotten close enough to strike, he stopped himself and swung his sword.

"You are clumsy. There are many openings."

The Duke blocked the clumsy strike before lashing out a kick towards Alex.

Alex, having his momentum disrupted, couldn't dodge and let out a pained yelp as the Duke's kick connected with his stomach.

"Just because a person holds a sword, it doesn't mean he will use it. Be wary of all possibilities."

Alex dropped his sword before clutching his stomach with a pained face. Tears started to come out of the corners of his eyes.

The Duke frowned.

​

"Useless. No son of mine should cry with a simple kick. A member of the Cross Family should never show weakness. Get up."

Alex nodded his head while sprawled on the floor. He attempted to stand up however the pain made his arms give up.

The Duke sent a cold glance at Alex before saying, "Training is over. Go clean yourself up. Do not disappoint me next time."

Alex barely gasped out the words "Yes Father" before the Duke left him to return back to the castle.

Alex laid on the floor for a minute or two before slowly standing back up. A voice suddenly called out to him.

"Oh Alex, was your father rough on you again?"

Alex turned to face the source of the voice and was met with a beautiful young lady. Her silky black hair flowed like a river underneath the night sky while her red eyes burned like a warm sun.

Alex sent a sullen look towards his mother who had a wry smile on her face.

". . . . Father expects too much from me."

"He wants you to succeed."

". . . . By breaking all of my bones?" replied Alex with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh come on you silly little angel, come to mommy."

Alex gave her a wide smile before hugging his mother.

His mother gave him a warm smile before picking Alex up.

"Let's go wash you up, you stink like an undead."

Alex pouted.

"I don't smell that bad."

"Sure sure, let's just give you a quick scrub before we head out to dinner."

"Yes, Mother."

The mother and son pair made their way back to the castle with giggles and laughter decorating the air.

As they walked towards the baths, Alex noticed a beautiful woman walking towards them from the end of the hallway.

​

"Hello, Duchess Cross!" Said Alex while waving his hand excitedly.

His mother immediately reprimanded him.

"Alex, you need to retain proper etiquette when talking to the Duchess-"

"It's alright Marissa, give the boy some slack. Hello Alexander, how are you today? It seems like your father was a bit tough on you today."

Alex replied with a wide smile.

"He kicked me in the stomach!"

"Tch, that cold faced bastard can't even show mercy to his own son. . . I'll reprimand him later Alex, don't you worry."

"Thank you, Duchess! How is little Iris doing?"

"She was playing all morning. I think that tired her out. She is now asleep in my bedroom."

​

"Aw," said Alex with a deflated expression that was quickly filled back up, "Can I see her later tonight?"

Duchess Cross let out a smile before replying. "Anytime my dear. In fact, if you are lucky, you might see during dinner."

Excited, Alex waved the Duchess goodbye as his mother dragged him to the baths. He undressed immediately and entered into the bathwater that was deeper than he was tall. In order to breathe, Alex pushed off the bath floor, his head bobbing in and out of the water.

His mother watched him with a sigh before similarly undressing and entering the bath. She reached into the water and plucked out Alex before placing him into her warm embrace.

Alex glanced up towards his mother with a frown.

"When will I be tall enough to go to the bath myself?"

His mother couldn't help but smile.

"Very soon."

"Will I grow as tall as Father?"

His mom ruffled his hair. "Taller than your father."

"Will I be just as strong?"

"Even stronger."

"Just as handsome?"

"All the girls will go crazy for your charm."

Alex pondered deeply before looking up with an innocent expression.

"Will I get a wife just as beautiful as mom?"

". . . . Maybe a little less pretty than me."

Alex furrowed his brows as if he was deep in thought. "I guess that is ok since mom is the most prettiest."

(A/N: I know it's incorrect grammar, I'm trying to make the MC seem more like a child. Pls no bash)

"Of course mom is the prettiest. You have good eyes."

His mother gave him a big hug before taking him out of the bath.

"Let's get you cleaned up and ready for dinner."

——————————

After cleaning Alex up, the two of them made their way down to the dining room. Duchess Cross has already arrived and was seated near the end of the table. Next to her was a tiny girl with golden hair that took after her mother.

"IRIS!"

"Al?"

Alex immediately ran towards the sitting Iris and gave her an enthusiastic hug which was returned with equal passion.

"What did you do today?"

"Mommy gave me wabbits to play!"

"Oooh! Rabbits? What color?"

Iris took out a white rabbit doll and showed it to Alex.

"White wabbit!"

Alex patted Iris on the head.

"What a cute rabbit, just like you Iris!"

"Ehehe."

Marissa let out a sigh.

"Alex, stop bothering the little girl and come sit down, it's almost time for us to eat."

"Okay, mom."

Alex petted Iris on the head one more time before happily making his way towards his mom.

The doors opened with a creak as Duke Cross entered the room, still having his formal attire adorned.

Duchess Cross let out a scoff.

"What took you so long? How could you keep your wives waiting?"

Duke Cross slightly lowered his head in apology.

"I had some paperwork left so I decided to finish it first."

"Hmph, be sure to be on time next time, or else, you will be sleeping in a different room."

Alex watched the scene with a curious look. He was constantly amazed by how his stiff and rigid father would seem weak in front of the Duchess. It didn't matter that his father was a Sword Saint or a Duke. He was powerless in front of his wives.

Even when it was his birthday, his father gave him his dagger with a stone-cold face. It was only in front of his wives did he ever lose his cold demeanor.

"Oh, and go easier on Alex when you two are training. He is your son for gods sake! Imagine how the other nobles would react if they knew that the Duke enjoyed beating up his own son! Absolutely humiliating! I don't wanna see Alex harmed again! Do you understand?"

Duke Cross sullenly nodded his head in affirmation a couple of times before the Duchess let out a snort.

"Good, shall we dine now?"

When the Duke wasn't looking, she sent Alex a thumbs up who returned it with a giggle. Marissa watched the scene with an expression that seemed as though she wanted to sigh and laugh at the same time. Iris was currently attempting to feed her rabbit doll food.

"Iris! Rabbits don't eat chicken!"

"Wabbit no eat chirpy?"

"Yeah! Rabbits eat grass?"

"Gwass?"

Iris hesitated before reaching out to grab the thing that resembled grass the most, green soup.

Duke Cross watched the scene with an emotionless face before speaking.

"Hey, Erika."

"Hmmm? What is it?"

"Be careful whenever you head out by yourself."

The Duchess let out a scoff.

"Me? Need protection? You surely jest! You out of everyone should know the full extent of my power! What was it that brought on your concern for me?"

The Duke took a sip of the soup.

"Reports from nobles and villages throughout the kingdom. Children disappearing, assassination attempts, and the invention of a new anti-magic device used in warfare-"

"Anti-magic?"

The Duke frowned, "A type of device that disrupts the flow of mana. It makes it impossible for mages to cast spells."

"Hmm, that's concerning."

"Indeed, you should watch out. You might be a strong mage, but even an Archmage can't do anything if they can't cast spells."

"Fine, I'll be more careful."

The Duke nodded his head in satisfaction.

"You should also be careful, Marissa. They might come for you too."

"I will."

The heavy mood was suddenly interrupted by Iris's yell.

"Wabbit is dirty!"

The pure white doll was now stained green and Iris was wiping the green with tears in her eyes.

​

Alex got off his seat and picked up Iris off her seat and placed her on the floor.

"Let's go give the dirty rabbit a bath!"

"Wash wabbit?"

"Yeah! Can I go help Iris wash her rabbit mom? Duchess?"

The Duchess gave Alex a warm smile, "Go ahead, my dear."

"Make sure you two don't get hurt," added Marissa.

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Yesh ma'am!" Iris copied with a giggle.

Alex made sure he had his dagger on his waist before grabbing Iris's hand and headed down to the baths.

Along the way, they passed butlers and maids who bowed to them before heading off to do their jobs. Some of them even gave them warm smiles.

Alex and Iris finally reached the baths and opened the door. There was no one inside the baths and the lights had been dimmed down. Shadows scissored across the floor as each light cast multiple shadows in all directions.

Alex led Iris to the edge of the water and got a basket. He dipped the basket into the bath until it was filled with water before pulling it out. He placed the basket on the floor and Iris immediately dropped the rabbit into the basket.

The two of them then proceeded to wash the rabbit with soap and water until it looked white as snow.

"Yay! Wabbit is white!"

"Good job Iris!"

Iris let out a giggle before turning towards the door.

"Hello, mister! Look at white Wabbit!"

And an unfamiliar voice called out to Alex and Iris.

"Huh, how easy. Are these the brats?"

Another man replied with amazement.

"It seems so, I can't believe it was this easy! Who would've thought that the two children of Duke Cross would wander around with no protection?"

Alex frowned.

​

Something didn't seem right.

"Who are you?" Asked Alex with narrowed eyes.

"You don't need to know do you?" Said the man with a frown. "Let's hurry up and knock them out. We don't have a lot of time. Any second now and they will realize that something is wrong."

"Fair point, let's get this over with."

The man reached out for Iris's hand.

"Come with mister, okay? I'll give you candy."

"Iris, don't let him touch you," said Alex calmly.

Iris avoided the man's hand and ran behind Alex. The man sighed before glaring at Alex. He could feel her trembling as she clenched on his shirt.

"All you two had to do was listen to me and just go to sleep. However, you just had to make it difficult."

The other man lazily replied from the door.

"Don't break them too much, we need them alive and in good condition."

"Sure, I'll keep them alive. Just barely, that is."

"I guess that's fine. Just hurry up. I put up a sound barrier so don't worry about the noise."

The man nodded before sending Alex a smirk. In response, Alex slowly drew the dagger he carried on his hip.

The man saw this and let out a snicker.

"Oi, take a look at this! It looks like this kid has some guts."

"Shut up and finish it already."

"Tch."

As the man slowly drew closer, Alex felt his heart pound faster. The man held such malicious intent that Alex could almost see it surrounding the man like a cloak.

"Stop looking at me like that, it's annoying."

The man suddenly disappeared from his sight and Alex felt a blow to his face. Alex dropped his dagger and immediately crumpled as he was forced to the floor. A head-splitting pain took over his mind as his head hit the floor.

When Alex opened his eyes, he saw that his hands were covered in blood. A sharp pain invaded his nose.

Alex could hear Iris screaming as the man clicked his tongue.

"I swear brats are so annoying. Shut up-"

Just as the man was about to hit Iris, Alex sent out a weak kick towards the man. The man ignored the blow but gave Alex a surprised look.

"Oh? You are sturdier than you look. I guess it makes sense as you are the Sword Saint's son."

The man sent another kick at Alex, sending him skidding across the wet bathroom floor. Blood decorated the marble floor, painting it a dark red.

"AL!"

"My god! Shut up! I swear I hate brats the most!"

Iris ran towards Al and shook his c.h.e.s.t.

"AL! AL IS HURT! MOMMY HELP!"

Alex g.r.o.a.n.e.d as the pain from his head and stomach tore into his consciousness. He felt very sleepy all of a sudden and the world started to dim.

"Shut the little girl up."

"Fine, I was getting annoyed by her anyways."

"NO! AL!"

Alex struggled to open his eyes and saw that the man was reaching out for Iris. Alex saw a silver cross dangling from Iris's neck and immediately froze.

With the last of his remaining consciousness, he let out a loud yell.

"IRIS! CROSS!"

Iris immediately understood his meaning and pulled on the cross. A silver bubble formed around her keeping her safe from the man.

The man frowned before striking the bubble with his sword. When the bubble came in contact with the sword, there was an ear-shattering screech as the blade was deflected.

"Damn it! It's a protection amulet! Most likely made by the Duchess herself!"

The man by the door paled.

"The alarms are going off. We've been found."

"SHIT!"

The man kicked the bubble one more time before glaring at Alex who was gasping on the floor.

"ITS- ALL- YOUR- FAULT- STUPID- BRAT!"

The man stomped on Alex with every word, his actions void of mercy. Through the entire process, not a single cry was uttered which angered the man even more. When the man stopped, Alex was still.

The man at the door was starting to visibly panic.

"Don't kill the boy! We need him alive! The least we can do is bring the boy!"

"Dammit!"

The man picked up Alex before disappearing. The man at the door quickly followed suit.

Only the little girl in a silver bubble remained in the baths, drowned in the loud drone of alarms.