>> A new morning. The sun rises at the zenith, lurking the light penetrating on the huge windows of the castle.

Everyone turns to their works for the day; guards exchange with their relieved colleagues in shifting schedules.

“Your Highness, it’s morning. Time to wake up.” At the front door, a voice calls out with a knock. Clicking the doorknob, Abigor, who is the personal attendant of the queen enters.

Walking to the window of the room, she spreads the curtain cover. Beaming sun rays dyed the dim room. “Your Highness...” Abigor turns to go on the bed where the Queen is.

Removing the blanket, she sees the peaceful looks of the Queen sleeping. “Your Highness...” Abigor calls out again. Though, she sees this so many times before, the situation now has changed.

The once child she used to follow is now a leader of the Kingdom. “Hhmmm...” Astarte grunts, as sun rays hits her eyelids.

“Wake up, it’s already morning.” She called. “Already? But I want to sleep more.” Astarte grunted further.

“Come on, now. You’re the Queen. You have workloads to do.” Abigor rebut. Astarte’s eyes open as she heard it. That’s right; this time it’s her turn to be responsible.

Getting off the bed, she looks at Abigor and smiles. “Good morning, Abigor.” The servant smiles at her as well. “Good morning, Your Highness.” With a bow, Abigor greets.

Astarte leaves the bed right off the moment and goes to the window. “A great morning...” she opens the window and views the clear sky above. “How’s Justine—-my King?"

“He’s starting to take classes from Alecto. Currently on his studies with our syllabaries.” Abigor replied while fixing the bed.

“I see. A sudden change of heart, huh?” her lips form a smile. “He may be trying to learn our language to be an appropriate King for me, don’t you think?”

“I guess? Well, it’s still early to say...” Abigor answers as she goes to the Queen. “Your morning bath’s ready, Your Highness.”

They both leave the chamber and goes to the grandiose bath house located in the castle. Other servants waiting for her arrival stands at the corner.

“Good morning, Your Highness.” They greeted synchronously as Astarte arrived.

Removing her sleeping dress, Astarte soaks her body in the tub. The lukewarm water nurtured on her skin. Flower petals floats, giving an aroma wafting on her nostrils.

“What are the agendas for today?” while soaking, Astarte asked Abigor as she stands beside. “Reviewing documents from our noblemen, and our annual economic transactions.”

Abigor answered politely as Astarte nods. “And also, The Ministry of Knighthood assigned a personal Knight to be work for you, Your Highness...”

“A Knight, huh?” Astarte mumbled. She is familiar with the Knight serving the Queen as the personal attendant. Like how her mother, Juno, has a Knight named Ziminiar, who has a title of Paladin.

“Yes. Now that you’re a Queen, someone must be on duty to be your guard in case.”

“What about Ziminiar? He’s a good Knight who served the previous Queen. Why need to hire a new one?”

“Master Ziminiar has been appointed to lead the Legion, as per the will of the Queen Juno.” Abigor advised. Astarte nods to her response.

After 15 minutes, Astarte rinses her body and starts preparing for the day. Each servants attend the Queen to be presentable. “Will the Knighr be coming today?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Around 15 minutes right now.” Abigor answered. At the throne room, Astarte, together with her servants come over.

Confidants Mashtema and Ifrit stands side by side as they greet the Queen. “A pleasant morning to all of you here...” the Queen greeted back, holding a scepter as she ascends on the throne.

“Your Excellency, we believed since you are our Queen... we must not let our guard down. So, in charge of your safety and security, The Council of Elders and Knights of Gehenna introduces to you, the Knight of Light.”

Mashtema delivered the speech, as the door opens. A person standing with a full armor get-up then starts walking. Clacking sounds of chainmail faintly heard.

A short, pixie cut hair tainted in azure hue glimmers on the sunbeam luring on the windows of the room. Pair of horns plucked on its forehead visibly seen.

Eyes dyed in dark crimson brims with life; a face of a young man in his prime that can capture any lady’s eyes lure on the view of the Queen.

Physique is stern and prim; his stance is perfectly fit for a Knight. Indeed, a true warrior who is ready to defend the Queen and the Kingdom in its adversaries.

Standing before the throne, the young man then kneels down. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, and bow before you, Your Excellency.”

His voice has a little falsetto on it, but tried to mixed it with deepness to conceal. The Queen didn’t say anything, but instead keep gazing the Knight.

“From today on, my life will be yours to hold. My name’s Naamah, and as my duty to be your Knight, I will serve and protect you with my sword.”

Astarte, currently sitting on her throne, stands up and steps down to see the Knight. “Your name’s Naamah...”

Her voice, show authorization, speaks. “Yes, Your Excellency.” Naamah answers. “And you told you’re protecting me with your sword.”

“It’s my duty, to live, be of use as your Knight, and die before you.” Naamah answers. “But I don’t like people dying for me. You may fulfill your duty to me as your Knight, but you don’t need to extend further.”

Naamah remained bowed, all while the Queen deliberates her statement. “Raise your head.” She commands. Naamah follows the Queen’s offer. At the dazzling sunbeam luring in the room, the Queen’s face brim with a sweet smile.

Astarte’s hands cupped the Knight’s face as she looks straight in the eyes.

That made the Knight’s heart skipped a bit. “She’s pretty...” through her mind, that statement heeded up. “Welcome to Tophet Kingdom, my Knight.”

“Ah... uhm, Your Excellency...” Naamah’s voice stutter out of the moment. “And promise me to protect not only me, as your Queen, but your King as well.”

Everything turns muffled, or the Queen’s voice become cacophony. But it mustn’t go like that. Naamah quickly composed, and nods to response.

“I hereby swearing my life to be of use not only to the Queen, but to the King of this Kingdom.”

Astarte then let go and presents her hand to the Knight. Naamah gulps, seeing the slender fingers of the Queen. “Swear your fealty, to me and this Kingdom.”

Grabbing it, the Knight kisses the hand of the Queen, engraving the loyalty to work for this Kingdom.