Memories: Two

Though I'm missing a lot of my memories, my time with Princess Sofia remains, clear as day. Maybe the gods deemed that it was necessary to keep it, to keep me going. Or maybe they just couldn't get rid of it. Whatever the reason, I find myself recounting them to myself as I walk towards the academy.

The first time I ever laid eyes upon Princess Sofia was when I had just turned 17 as Number 2, and had managed to slay a greater monster. The first one anyone had ever killed.

The king, Charles III, had invited me to his castle to congratulate me, and thank me for my service to the empire. I accepted his invitation in the hope that I might convince him to provide me with stronger weapons in my fight. King Charles sat high on his throne. To his right was his wife, Alanya. To his left however, was the only thing in the hall that caught my attention.

Princess Sofia.

She was beautiful, like the queen, but it wasn't merely her beauty that enchanted me. All of the guards and nobles, even the king and queen; their smiles were professional. They smiled because the people expected them to. Not because they wanted to.

But not Sofia.

No, there was a genuine happiness radiating from her. Her smile and her eyes told me that she truly wanted to congratulate me. That she was thankful.

In the end, the king gave me a medal. It might have been made of the purest gold, but it was useless to me.

---

My second memory of Princess Sofia was much more pleasant and informal. Having killed my second greater monster, the empire was forming a group of the strongest adventurer's to take out the third and fourth greater monsters in one fell swoop, before the Demon Lord could spawn from one. To celebrate this, all of the adventurers gathered for a massive, capital-wide celebration with any who wished to come. Among those who went was Princess Sofia, against her father's wishes.

When I saw her, I walked right up to her and introduced myself. I still had my manners back then.

"It's a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Princess Sofia."

"The pleasure is all mine. Say, I do believe that I have met you before."

"Ah, his majesty, the king, invited me to the castle to congratulate me for slaying one of the greater monsters."

"Oh, I thought that was you. Killing a greater monster is most impressive. Your medal is well earned."

I couldn't help but brag just a little.

"I killed two, actually."

"Oh, you should have said so right away. Would you like me to get you another medal?"

It took me a moment before I realized that she was joking. Comedy is very different in these worlds.

I can't remember many of the details from that night, though I think that's more my fault than the gods. I had rather a lot to drink. Even if Sofia's jokes were weird and foreign to me, I found them funny and delightful. They were moments of light during the dark times. An oasis of her happiness.

---

One of my stronger memories from when I was Number 2, comes from my proposal to Princess Sofia. Despite slaying two greater monsters by myself, I had never been more nervous than during that time. Our coalition had managed to kill the third greater monster, but the fourth had escaped us, and we had to retreat because of the many injured and dead.

I had grown very close to the princess during this time, but I hadn't mustered up the courage to propose. However, with the rise of the Demon Lord closing in, I found myself quickly running out of excuses to delay. And so it came to be that I would meet with Princess Sofia out by a lake we frequented together, one summer night.

I remember her lying on my lap. I was stroking her long silver hair as I looked out over the lake glittering in the moonlight. It took me some time to gather myself, but finally, I took a deep breath, and spoke.

"Princess Sofia, if I may be so bold..."

"Yes?" she looked up at me, questioningly.

I could feel my heart palpitating. Even to this day, mustering up the courage to ask was the most difficult thing I had ever done.

"Once the Demon Lord has risen, I will find him, and slay him. To protect this world. And to protect you."

She sat up and looked at me, curiously, almost expectantly.

"So, please, if it is at all possible... once I return... please allow me to ask for your hand in marriage."

I don't think I've ever minced words like that, but I said what I wanted to say. I guess I felt that I had to earn her love, even at the time. Knowing her, though, I guess I should've seen her answer coming.

"No."

"I... see..."

"However, you may ask for my hand in marriage now."

I still had trouble understanding her form of humor, so it took me off guard for a moment. For a few seconds, I sat still, taking in her words, as a big smile formed on her bright face. I dare say my heart skipped more than a few beats when I realized her meaning.

---

I have just one last memory of Sofia to share with you.

We had been together for only a few months when the letter arrived. We had settled down together in a beautiful cottage by the lake I proposed at. The letter was addressed to me. I knew what it was before I opened it. The Demon Lord had spawned from the last greater monster. It was time for me to fulfill my duty to the gods, and to the people.

I remember Sofia embracing me in her arms after I told her. A carriage arrived the next day. Those from the coalition that remained would join together one last time, to fight the Demon Lord.

Just as I set off, Sofia leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. I felt that she wanted to cry, but held back, so I wouldn't stay to comfort her. I would have. As I left, she spoke the last words I would ever hear from her.

"Come home safely, Sebastian."