Gifted

"Guys bring him to a spare secure room" Isabelle instructed Pan's clone, when Her and June caught up to them.

"Uhhhh... Why? Shouldn't-" One of Pan's clones was about to argue that the patient needed intimidate medical condition, when Isabelle cut her off.

"Just trust me on this, okay?" Isabelle said with a low voice, as if afraid that unwanted ears might hear.

Charlotte and Sharon both frowned, when Isabelle started acting odd and strange.

"Alright!" Pan's clone said, before rushing Halberd to a spare and secured room.

Upon entering the room, Isabelle instructed the clones to quickly lay Halberd on the bed.

Once the clones finished their job, they saluted to Isabelle before disintegrating into thin air, as sparkles enveloped their bodies.

June made sure to lock the room, to block out any potential intruder. The room has a noise cancelling system that anything that's happening inside will not be heard outside.

"Isabelle why did you instruct for Halberd to be brought here? There are no medical equipments here that could be used." Charlotte finally asked, once they entered the room. Isabelle and June were acting too strange for her own liking, but still, she decided to hold off the questioning for later. She trusts that Isabelle and June must have a reason for acting a certain way.

"June wanted to tell you something" Isabelle responded, before nodding at June to speak.

Getting the attention of everyone in the room, June released a deep breath before speaking. But what came out of his mouth was something that everybody never expected.

"I'm going to be honest here Charlotte and say that he's going to die. Even if we wait for Dr. Ahn, by then he would've already been dead. But...." June didn't beat around the bush and just spoke straight forwardly.

Sharon's eyes almost popped out of her eye sockets when she heard the words that June has uttered. She knew that the patient's condition is dire, but she felt that breaking the news like that was a little too heartless. Isabelle was also thinking the same, but she kept quiet as she knew June's plans.

On the other hand, Charlotte, who is the wife of the patient was still calm and collected. She gazed into June's eyes and saw that there was hope burning inside of them. There was spark of light in his eyes, that told her, there is still a way for Halberd to be saved.

"But?" Charlotte spoke with an expectant voice, keeping her eyes on June.

"There is a way for him to be saved" June finished, before continuing "He could still be saved, but the process is very risky and could still end up consuming his life. That being said, would you still like to take the risk?" June asked, giving her a choice. He didn't just want to impose himself, as this is an important decision. When he helped Andrew, there was the risk of Andrew not making it, since he was badly hurt. In the case of Jordan, it happened quickly, as his body was healthy. But in the case of Halberd, who's currently facing death's door, June wasn't very optimistic with what the outcome could be.

"I-I can't make a decision for him, since it's his life that we are talking about" Charlotte said with pain in her heart. She didn't want to make the decision as it's not her life. Of course she would very much like for Halberd to live, but she didn't want to make a decision, just because of her selfish d.e.s.i.r.es.

"Charlotte I'm just going to throw this out there. In medical practice, if a patient is not able to give a consent, the closest family member will be given the right to provide consent. In this case, his closest family member is you, since you are his wife. As a wife, what would you want for your husband" Isabelle said, which surprised the living daylights out of Sharon. But in June's case, understanding dawned on him, as he was finally able to piece the puzzle pieces together.

"I-I-" Charlotte stuttered, as she was visibly struggling as to what she should do.

"What does your heart say?" Isabelle asked with a gentle tone, which got Charlotte's attention.

"What does my heart say?" Charlotte repeated the question in her mind, over and over. As she kept asking the question to herself over and over again, only one answer kept coming up. Then just like a bright and blind light shining, it finally dawned on her "I want my husband to live".

"I want my husband to live! Please, help him." Charlotte faced June with a sincere and determined expression in her face.

"Alright" June answered with a proud smile on his face.

June proceeded to open Halberd's mouth, before biting his thumb finger. Everyone in the room had their eyes on June and in his every movements. When he bit his finger, their eyes widen with astonishment; not because June bit his finger but because the thing the came out of his wound was not red, but golden blood.

June visibly winced when he bit his finger, but powered through the pain and placed his finger above Halberd's mouth. While his golden blood steadily flowed out of his wound and into Halberd's open mouth, Halberd unconsciously kept drinking it, until he suddenly started chocking on it.

While June was doing his thing, Sharon saw something that the other couldn't. A majestic angel, engulf in golden flames, appeared and floated above Halberd. Sharon thought, that she'd already died and has already went to heaven, but suddenly the angel released a powerful force, that knocked Sharon so far back, the her hold on Halberd was released.

Everyone in the room was alarmed when they saw Sharon suddenly flew across the room and crashed on the wall. Isabelle immediately rushed to Sharon's aid, with panic in her eyes.

"Are you okay?" Isabelle asked in concern, as she gently helped Sharon to compose herself.

"*Cough* I think *Cough* I am" Sharon responded, still feeling a little dizzy from suddenly being flung across the room.

The moment Sharon's hand parted with Halberd's, a tortured scream filled the room. At that moment June knew that it was starting. Now it is up to Halberd if he wanted to live.

"Everybody, get a hold of his limbs!" June shouted, once Halberd started thrashing on the bed.

"What is happening to him?!" Charlotte's voice broke, as she watches her husband release cry after cry.

"It's beginning. Now it's up to him if he wants to live. He needs to fight, if he wants to live" June tried his best to explain, while holding down Halberd's left arm. Halberd was stronger that he expected, that he managed to slip from June's hold, giving June a hard punch on the face; Unintentionally of course.

The punch came in so unexpectedly, the June actually felt his head spin for a few seconds. June managed to regain his composure quickly and was able to resume his possession with holding Halberd's left arm down. Charlotte held her husband's right arm, while Isabelle and Sharon are trying their absolute best in holding Halberd's legs down.

Charlotte didn't know how much time has passed, but when she noticed Halberd's massive wound; It has already started healing. Charlotte could visibly see the muscle tissues and veins regenerate, right before her eyes.

"He's healing! His wound is already healing!" Charlotte exclaimed excitedly. Unfortunately for the rest of the people in the room, they were too busy holding down Halberd's limbs, for them to even celebrate.

Isabelle and Sharon were especially having a hard time, as they even used their whole body and weight to keep the leg that they're holding in place.

"You're doing great Halbie! Just a little bit more! You can do it!" Charlotte kept uttering words of encouragement and comfort to her husband.

A smile lifted on June's face when he heard Charlotte's words of comfort and encouragement. June knew that Halberd can hear her and that her voice can lead Halberd out of death's door.

Once Halberd's wounds were completely healed, his eyes suddenly shot open, glowing with golden flames. Halberd let out a long and anguished cry, as his back lifted off of the bed, while everyone did their best to hold his limbs in place.

After letting out the last cry, his body slumped on the bed with thud. With eyes now closed once again, he let out a tired breath, like he had ran for miles. His breaths were heavy for about a minute, before they started getting softer and softer. Eventually Halberd's c.h.e.s.t started to have a steady rise and fall, and that's when June knew, they've succeeded!

June slumped on the floor, breathing heavily but there was bright smile on his face.

"Is it finally over? Did we do it?" Isabelle asked cautiously, while still holding onto Halberd's leg, just in case.

"Is he really healed?" Charlotte turned to June for confirmation, as she held her breath in anticipation.

"He is completely healed!" June responded with a beaming smile. A strong feeling of Joy, washed over him, that he couldn't contain it.

"We did it? We really did it?" Isabelle kept saying in disbelief, before finally realizing that everything is real. A sudden scream erupted in side the room, as Isabelle jumped up and down in excitement.

"We really freaking did it! *SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE*"

Isabelle was so excited that she pulled Sharon to join her in her celebration. Together, the two jump around in circles, with bright smiles on their faces.

Even though Isabelle was so loud, Halberd wasn't awoken by her. He was so deep in slumber, that any noise that were made, didn't even had the slightest effect on him.

Watching Isabelle and Sharon's contagious celebration, made June chuckle. As if all the tiredness and fatigue that they were feeling just moments ago, has suddenly vanished.

"Thank you" Charlotte's soft voice entered June's eyes, making him turn to her.

"Thank you for saving my husband" Charlotte said in deep gratitude, as she looked at her sleeping husband's face with tender loving care.

"I only did, what I'm supposed to do" June humbly responded back, as his awkwardness towards compliments, started kicking in.

Charlotte softly shook her head before saying "You might've just done something that you're supposed to do, but for me it is everything, as you have saved my everything"

June felt Charlotte's deep sincerity, that it almost drowned him. June bashfully rubbed the back of his head, as a slight blush, tinted his cheeks.

Once Isabelle and Sharon were done with their celebration, both of them immediately slumped down on the couch and was swiftly sent to snooze town. The room was silent and the only noise that could be heard were Isabelle and Sharon's soft snores. June pulled a chair and placed it on the side of the bed and sat there silently as he rests. He wanted to monitor Halberd's condition, just in case. Charlotte on the other hand, sat on the edge of the bed, gently combing Halberd's hair with her fingers. A constant tender smile was plastered on her face, as her eyes never left her husband face.

"You really love him, huh?" June said with a soft voice, after studying Charlotte for a few moments. It was just a few minutes, but June was sure that Charlotte's love for Halberd was the truest and the most sincere form of love.

"I really do" Charlotte respond with a soft voice, before continuing "Would you like to know, how we met?"

"I'd be lying if I said 'I wasn't curious about it' but I didn't want to intrude on your private life" June answered honestly.

"I really like your honesty June" Charlotte said, as she gave him a gentle smile.

"Uhhhh... Thank you?" It came out more of as a question, rather than a statement, as June wasn't sure if he was being complimented of not.

After a pause of silence, Charlotte, started telling June her story and how she met the love of her life.

"It all started when I was 18 years old..."

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The past

"Look at her acting so high and mighty, once again" One daughter of a noble said with ridicule.

"Hey, did you hear, she beat up another servant candidate" Another noble's child gossiped.

"Ehhh? Is she even going to approve a servant at this point? I mean, it's tradition for every noble child to make a contract with a servant. If she keeps beating candidates up, isn't she basically throwing shade at the servant's guild?" One noble child made a condescending remark

"Let her be. If she wants a war with the servant's guild, then let her. Even if her family is a family of renowned assassins, her family is still small compared to the servant's guild. They could all drop dead, for all I care." Another noble child, spat in disdain. This particular child has been spoiled rotten by his family, that anything that he wants, he will be immediately get on a silver platter. Well..... almost anything, that it. This particular noble's child, wanted a certain girl to be his wife, but instead of instantly getting what he wanted like he used to, the girl downright ignored him, like he didn't even exist. This made the young noble vengeful and petty. At the age when he finally could get his servant, he picked a young lady very similar to that of the girl that rejected him in marriage. The young servant became so pitiful in the hands of the young noble. At such a young age, the young noble has violated his servant in every way possible. He let out his anger on his servant, as every time he sees his servant's face, he was reminded of the girl that has the guts to reject him in marriage. If it wasn't for the fact that the girl's family is highly regarded by the other noble families, he would've already killed every last one of her blood, the moment she rejected him.

"Well.... they won't be dropping dead anytime soon. Last I heard, the servant's guild is very afraid of the Nightingale family" Another noble said with a smirk, as he rained on the spoiled noble's parade.

Standing on a quiet spot near a tall window, a young lady wearing a white dress, kept her eyes outside of the window. She exudes an intimidating aura that kept everyone from approaching her. Her aloofness and intimidating aura, caused her to be a loner for all her life. Not that she is complaining about it. The young lady actually prefers to be alone, rather than being with people that hides behind masks.

This young lady is the subject of praises from the a.d.u.l.ts, while for the younger generation, she is the subject of hate, envy, jealousy, gossip and other petty things that spoiled brats could ever think of.

"Charlotte you should be interacting with the other young nobles" A deep voice said, snapping Charlotte from her trance.

Charlotte turned to the source of the voice, to see a well built middle age man standing in front of her.

"We accepted the invite to this banquet with the purpose of making good relations with the other families. You standing alone in a corner is defeating that purpose" The middle aged man scolded with a stern voice.

Instead of answering, Charlotte just walked away, causing a vein to pop on the middle aged man's forehead. The man then let out a helpless sigh, before going around the banquet once again to mingle with the other guests.

Charlotte decided to go out, as she feels suffocated inside the foreign mansion. Strolling aimlessly, Charlotte entered the forest, connected to the mansion, without even noticing. As she walks deeper and deeper into the woods, multiple vicious animals started to smell her scent, spotting their next prey. Charlotte heard several snarls and growls around her but was never bothered by it one bit. She just kept walking aimlessly, until a huge wolf pounced on her. Charlotte was angered by the sudden interruption of her stroll that her eyes turned deadly. Just as the wolf was about to reach Charlotte, a silhouette of person emerged from the nearby brushes.

A silver glint passed Charlotte's eyes and the next thing she knew, the dismembered body of the wolf lay on the pool of its own blood.

"What the hell were you thinking?!" An annoyed young man's voice said.

Charlotte focused her gaze on the young man standing in front of her, getting a better look on the intruder that stole her kill. The young man has a short disheveled copper hair and a rat tail, lengthening up to the small of his back. The long stream of copper hair extending on his back was braided to perfection, putting any hair stylist to shame. The young man also has a handsome face, that could make painters and sculptors weep because of its pure perfection. His whole torso was exposed, putting his beautifully sculpted body on display. He's wearing a loose cargo pants that hanged low on his h.i.p.s. A tan colored shirt was tucked on his back pocket. He wore a black leather boots and on his right hand, he held a halberd.

"Hey, are you deaf?! I just said 'What the hell were you thinking!'" The young man said once again, as he became even more annoyed.

"You stole my kill" Charlotte just said with a soft voice that could be compared to a gentle breeze.

"Wha- Me, stole your kill?" The young man couldn't help but let out a laugh in disbelief, as he physically couldn't believe what he'd just heard. "For your information, I just saved your life! So, you're welcome, princess." the young man said, his voice oozing with sarcasm.

At that moment, Charlotte felt something that she had never felt in her entire life: vexation. She didn't know what caused her to feel such petty feeling, but the bubbling vexation in her heart was like a caged beast, demanding to be set free.

"I never asked for your help" Charlotte said with a cold voice, which caused the young man to be taken aback.

"You know what, I never expected too much from you noble bloods anyway." The young man said, while turning to leave. "Spoiled princess!" The young man muttered not so subtly, which Charlotte perfectly heard.

"What did you say?" Charlotte said with a glacial voice that could freeze a dessert.

"Oh wow, you can actually hear" The young man said in mock shock, which vexed Charlotte even more. She never really bothered with petty quarrels and speech, as she believes that it is just a waste of time. "So, how is this young man managing to pull all the wrong strings and succeeded in actually vexing her?" Charlotte asked herself, which in turn vexed her even more.

"I'm so sorry your highness, this lowly peasant will take his leave now" The young man said with a voice the dripped with pure and utter sarcasm, while doing a dramatic bow; taking a jab on Charlotte's noble upbringing and basically mocking her.

"Raise your weapon" Charlotte said with a deadly voice.

"Wha-" That young wasn't even able to finish his first word, when Charlotte charged at him with blinding speed. On her hand was a rapier that only God knows where it came from.

With a blinding speed, Charlotte thrust her rapier at the young man's face. Charlotte was sure that she will be able to land a hit, but was startled when the young man easily blocked her attack.

"How?!" Charlotte's thought in disbelief.

Charlotte has already faced multiple opponent in her life and not a single one could block her attacks. This young man in front of her was the first and only exception.

"Ho! You actually pack quite a punch" The young smirked, as he was pleasantly surprised and impressed by the young lady in front of him

"Don't you dare underestimate me!" Charlotte said with a voice filled with killing intent, as she glared at the young man in front of her.

Charlotte then fought the young man with all that she had, but in the end, she felt like her opponent was taking her lightly and was just toying with her. The young man managed to block, parry and dodge every attack that Charlotte threw at him. Every unsuccessful attack, only made Charlotte more and more vexed.

"Why, Why can't I land a hit on him" Charlotte agonizingly thought, as she kept her assault.

It was not long before Charlotte used up almost all of her stamina. She took several steps back, to distance herself from her opponent, while the young man just looked at her with an amused and smug expression on his face. The constant smirk on the young man's face irked Charlotte, but it also oddly made her heart race. This feelings were so foreign to her, that she didn't know how to respond to them.

"What, tired already? I haven't even warmed up yet" The young man ridiculed. "You were the first one to attack, yet you're the one falling back first. What a joke!"

The young man's unfiltered and blatant word were like knives, stabbing at Charlotte's pride and heart.

"Where are you going, we are not done yet?" Charlotte asked through gritted teeth, when she saw the young man started walking away.

"Don't kid yourself princess, with how you are right now, you won't be able to defeat me" The young man just said with a smirk that he knew irked the young lady, before he continued walking deeper into the forest.

It was the first time that Charlotte truly lost to someone, and she wasn't happy about it. The face of the young man that ridiculed her has been imprinted deep within her memories, and she was going to make sure that he pays for the humiliation that he brought on her.

Charlotte returned to her family's estate, still holding a grudge against the young man that she encountered in the forest.

She couldn't wait for the next time they would meet, as she was swore that she will make the young man pay.

Unfortunately for her, fate has a certain way of playing with people's lives.

It was afternoon and Charlotte once again snucked out of the family estate, to partake in her daily debauchery. The family has already been long used to the young mistresses daily escapades, but let her be, as she has been so excellent with everything that was being asked of her.

Charlotte walked deeper into the forest, heading towards a secluded area that has a waterfall and river. It's her go to place, whenever she wanted some peace and quiet in her life.

Just a couple of hours ago, she beat up another servant candidate.

Charlotte wasn't actually opposed to having a servant, but if someone where to be her servant, she wanted to make sure that the servant can protect her life. What is the use of a servant, if the master is stronger. That is why, Charlotte makes it to a point that she herself would be testing every servant candidate that's introduced to her.

Charlotte is usually a gentle and aloof kind of girl, but when she fought the servant candidate, she couldn't control her temper, upon remembering her lost to a certain young man, that has constantly plagued her thoughts. She was like a beast, released from its cage, when she attacked the candidate. The family butlers had to intervene and physically stop the "test", when they saw that Charlotte wasn't going to stop anytime soon. The candidate lay unconscious on the ground, as stab and slash wounds decorated his body.

Feeling the annoyance bubbling inside her once again, Charlotte shook her head and gave both of her cheeks a gentle slap.

"Calm yourself Charlotte." She said to herself with a low voice that almost felt like a whisper.

Once she got closer to her destination, the sound of the rushing waterfall entered her ears. Charlotte quicken her steps, only for them to abruptly halt. There, at the quiet and serene river, just below the waterfall, is a young man. The young man was enjoying the peace and quiet surrounding, as he bathe himself in the pure and cool water of the river. The droplets of water on his body glistened brightly, when the sunlight hits them, putting every precious rock to shame. The young man's body was only submerged up to his waist, but Charlotte knew that he was fully n.a.k.e.d, when she spotted the young man's belongings and clothes not too far from where he was bathing.

Just the thought of the young man being fully n.a.k.e.d, made Charlotte's face burn in embarrassment, while her heart thumped like there is no tomorrow. "You are a noble lady Charlotte, get a hold of yourself!" Charlotte scolded herself for actually having such improper and unlady-like thoughts.

What she didn't know was that the young man had sharp hearing, causing him to hear every word that Charlotte uttered.

"Liking what you see?" The young man gloatingly asked with a huge smirk on his face, but didn't turn around.

At that moment, Charlotte knew that she was found out. She wanted to dig a deep hole and bury herself in it. She felt so embarrassed, but her pride took over and didn't want to give the young man the satisfaction of seeing her embarrassed state.

"How ill-mannered of you to bathe n.a.k.e.d out in the open. How shameless of you!" Charlotte openly rebuked the young man, just to hide her embarrassment, which only made the young man laugh.

"Wh-why are you laughing?" Charlotte demanded, with a cute frown on her face. It's very rare for Charlotte to show genuine emotion on her face, so it was also a shock to her that she has done so frequently, only whenever she is in the presence of the young man.

"Ill-mannered? Aren't you the one shamelessly enjoying starring at my said n.a.k.e.d body, just moments ago?" The young man teased with a confident smile on his face, as he turned to the tomato head Charlotte.

"How did you even find this place? This place is supposed to be secluded and not many people know of it" Charlotte demanded, as she forcefully changed the subject. She didn't want to openly admit that she was indeed enjoying the tasteful view just moment ago, or else the young man will never let her hear the end of it.

Instead of answering, the young man just began walking out of the river, which caused Charlotte's eyes to widen.

"Wha-what are you doing?!" Charlotte stuttered in nervousness, as she turned her head to the side to avoid looking at the young man. It was so foreign to her, but her heart kept beating a hundred miles a second, that it almost hurts her c.h.e.s.t.

"What do you mean? I'm done taking a bath, since an intruder has shamelessly barged in on my bath time" The young man said, as he continued walking out of river. The smile that's plastered on his face couldn't be erased, as he enjoyed watching the young noble lady unnerved and squirming all over the place.

"So it's my fault then?!" Charlotte angrily asked, as her head swiftly turned to the young man's direction, which was a very big mistake.

The moment her head turned to the young man, her eyes landed on a certain spot that made the heavens open and the coir sing "Hallelujah... Hallelujah... Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelu!"

At that moment, the peaceful and quiet forest was disturbed by a long ear piercing shriek, which scared the birds and other animals, causing them to run/fly or hide.

Charlotte covered both of her eyes with both hands, as her eyes burned from what she just saw.

"I have been defiled! I'm no longer pure!....." Charlotte kept repeating, as a tear or two drop from her eyes.

Hearing the young lady's exaggerated reactions only made the young man laugh out even more.

"Pretty awesome, huh?" The young man teased the poor young lady once again, while putting on his clothes; causing the young lady to shriek out once more.

"Hey, princess it's okay to look now. I'm already dressed" The young man said once he's fully dressed.

Charlotte stayed cautious and still kept her hand over her eyes, while she peeked in between her fingers. Seeing that the young man was telling the truth, Charlotte took her hands off over her eyes, while letting out a calming breath.

The forest returned to its peacefulness once again, as the young man sat on the shore of the river, cleaning and tending to his halberd. Charlotte only quietly watched the young man, while deep in though.

The young man was the only one who was able to give color to her dull and grayscale world. He brought her excitement and unknown joy that she didn't even know she needed, or perhaps longed for.

"Are you just going to stand there, princess?" The young man asked but kept his attention of what he was doing. He long felt the young lady's piercing gaze directed at him. He wanted to take her attention elsewhere, since he was afraid that her eyes would burn a hole on his back.

"I have a name, if you must know. My name is Charlotte Nightingale" Charlotte introduced herself with an annoyed expression, while walking closer to where the young man sat. She was really getting tired of hearing the nickname given to her by the young man.

"Nice to meet you princess, the name's Halberd. Halberd Wisteria" The young man introduced himself, which caused a vein to pop on Charlotte's forehead once again, upon hearing the nickname.

"Halberd? What kind of parents would name their child after a pole arm?" Charlotte asked, taking a not so subtle jab at Halberd's name.

"Well, it's a family tradition to name their child after a weapon" Halberd responded in a nonchalant way, not minding the young lady's attempts of taking jabs at him.

After they both introduced themselves, both fell into silence once again.

"Why are you here, princess?" Halberd asked with a carefree tone in his voice, initiating another conversation.

"To have a little bit of peace and quiet. Unfortunately, I didn't get to have that because of a certain someone." Charlotte replied in her usual cold voice.

"I'm hurt, princess" Halberd said with a chuckle.

"How about you, what are you doing here?" Charlotte then asked, as she was really curious.

"To train. To get stronger." Halberd responded, while putting away his cleaning tools, before placing his halberd beside him.

"To get stronger? But you are already strong. Why do you need to get stronger for?" Charlotte asked with a frown as she couldn't understand the logic of the young man beside her. Charlotte has been trained in fighting all her life, so she is by no means weak. But when she first encountered Halberd, she felt that her strength is nothing compared to him.

"I'm not strong princess. I'm far from it." Halberd suddenly said with a solemn voice, which startled Charlotte. "Never mind, you won't understand it anyway" Halberd let out a sigh, before standing up.

"I'll see you around princess" Halberd said, as he grabbed his backpack and halberd, before he started walking away.

Charlotte's eyes never left Halberd and continued to watch him until he entered the forest and disappeared from her sight.

Charlotte then looked up to the now darkening sky, as a single though plagued her mind.

"When will I see him again?"

Charlotte didn't know what got to her but her heart started aching when she saw the helplessness and desperation that flashed in Halberd's eyes. She wanted to know how such a strong and carefree young man is hiding behind a mask.

When the next day came, Charlotte headed to the forest, the same time as she did yesterday. With her every step, anticipation and expectation bubbled up from inside her. Deep inside her heart, she wanted to see the young and mysterious man that has constantly appeared in her dreams and thoughts.

Well…. Ask and it shall be given. Fate didn't disappoint, as the first thing that entered her line of sight when she entered the secluded area, was a silver halberd.

Sweat trickled down Halberd's face and body, as he trained with his halberd in hand. He was near the same spot where he and Charlotte talked.

Just the mere sight of Halberd made Charlotte's heart thump so hard, like it's going to burst out of her c.h.e.s.t. She also started breathing heavily, but forced herself to calm down, before letting Halberd know of her presence.

"Yow! princess, can't get enough of me, I see." Halberd said with a bright smile when he saw Charlotte, which in turn made Charlotte's heart even more erratic.

"Speak for yourself, I'm only here to get my peace and quiet, to which unfortunately I won't have, yet again." Charlotte just said with her signature cold voice, but inside her, she's a total mess.

"Don't be like that princess, I know you like seeing me" Halberd said with a knowing smirk, which actually rendered Charlotte speechless.

As the days became weeks and weeks became months, the two kept meeting "coincidentally" at the same secluded area. They chatted, bantered, teased and even flirted with each other, unknowingly deepening their bond with each other.

Everything was going fine until one day Halberd came to the secluded area, later that he normally would. Charlotte thought that he wouldn't come but was so glad, when he finally arrived.

When Charlotte approached Halberd, her happy mood was dampen when she saw the serious and hard expression on Halberd's face. It was so different from his usual happy go lucky attitude, that it startled her for a moment.

"Halberd, you're late" Charlotte jokingly scolded to try and lighten up the mood.

"Charlotte, I won't be coming here from tomorrow onward" Halberd said with a hard voice, but Charlotte could hear a hint of pain in it, which he was trying his best to hide.

He even said her real name, which he rarely says at all.

"Why?" Charlotte asked calmly

"I-I'm going to be someone's servant soon" Halberd said through gritted teeth.

Charlotte thought she was hallucinating, when she saw the cry for help in his face. She was visibly stunned by his expression, that her heart started hurting like crazy.

"I just wanted to tell you, before saying goodbye" Halberd just said, but in his heart he begged for Charlotte to hear his cry for help and save him.

When Charlotte didn't respond, Halberd heart dropped in disappointment.

"Why did I even expect?" Halberd reprimanded himself in disappointment. "She's a noble blood, she wouldn't understand what you are going through."

"Well then, this is goodbye" Halberd said with a sad and forced smile on his face, before he stared walking away.

As Halberd slowly walked away, blood started to drip down from Charlotte's bottom lip, from biting it way to hard.

Halberd was about ready to accept his fate, when his steps were suddenly halted by a single question.

"Have you already completed the contract?" Charlotte's voice entered Halberd's ears, making him turn to her.

"Not yet" Halberd answered honestly, as hope started to once again sprout in his heart.

"Then, do you want to be my servant?" Charlotte asked seriously, while her eyes never left the young man that made her experience what life truly was.

Halberd's heart drop once again when he heard her offer, but then he suddenly realized something, that made him snap out of his one tracked mind.

Halberd was born to a long line of family that are servants and as such, he was bound to a destiny that he never wanted. The reason he kept training and training, was for him to break free from that destiny, but no matter how hard he tries to resist, it just kept chasing him wherever he goes. Now, it finally caught up to him. The second child of the most influential noble family has taken a liking on him and wants him as her servant. He was successful in not getting contracted thus far because he always kept a low profile and he had a really good relationship with the head of the servant's guild. But everything changed when the head of the servant's guild personally suggested him to the noble family's second child, which in turn became his worst nightmare. Since it was the child of the most influential noble family, he couldn't oppose to the agreement, if he still wants to live.

Now, Charlotte is giving him a way out. Although, he will still be a servant, he would rather be a servant of someone that doesn't hides behinds masks, than a spoiled brat that only knows how to demand for everything, including the kitchen sink. For the past months, he has already formed a deep bond with the young lady that stood in front of him. Now, that same young lady is extending her hand to him, to save him.

"Will you be okay with having a servant like me?" Halberd asked, wanting to make sure that Charlotte meant what she is offering.

"I, Charlotte Nightingale preforms this sacred rite, to create a contract with Halberd Wisteria as my servant" Charlotte spoke with straight conviction and sincerity.

"You-" Halberd's eyes widen in disbelief. He couldn't believe that Charlotte stayed true to her words. A small smile finally appeared on his face, before saying "I, Halberd Wisteria performs this sacred rite, to create a contract with Charlotte Nightingale as my master."

And with that Charlotte approached Halberd and wrapped her arms around his shoulder before kissing him deeply. Halberd was stunned that Charlotte was the one that initiated the kiss, but he wasn't complaining at all.

While they kiss, the metallic taste of Charlotte's blood entered Halberd's taste buds. Drinking the master's blood is only a formality to finalize the contract, but for Halberd, Charlotte's blood tasted like freedom, so he ravishes on it and kept drinking her blood.

They kissed for God only knows how long, but once their lips parted, both were left breathless. Halberd held Charlotte's body close to him, as if she was going to disappear soon and all that just happened was just a dream.

"I'm yours and you are mine now." Charlotte said breathlessly, as she look into Halberd's eyes with tenderness.

Halberd felt hot tears, silently stream down his cheeks, upon hearing what Charlotte just said. He felt like he was dreaming, but it's all true. He never knew how much he really loved Charlotte, until he was about to be taken away by another lady.

"Thank you for saving me, princess." Halberd said with a teary smile as he gazes into Charlotte's eyes, lovingly.

"Anybody that dares to separate you from me will have to face me first" Charlotte said tenderly.

Then the next thing that came out of Charlotte's mouth absolutely stunned Halberd.

"Let's get married" Charlotte said like it was not a big deal.

"Huh? Did I just hear that right?" Halberd eyes widen in disbelief. "You… want to be married to…me?" Halberd pointed at Charlotte before pointing at him. "But how about the contract?"

"I love you and you love me, that's all that really matters. The contract was just a way to bind you to me first before any filthy hands could take you away." Charlotte explained, like it was the most logical thing in the world, which in her head, it is.

"Pfff" Halberd couldn't help but laugh. It was truly a great day to be alive.

"Then I gladly shall accept your proposal" Halberd said with a huge grin on his face.

"You better, if you don't want your precious treasure to be cut off and be fed to the fishes" Charlotte said with the same huge grin on her face. On the other hand, Halberd knew that Charlotte was just teasing him, but he was still afraid for his precious treasure.

Halberd was over the moon happy for the both of them and would say that he wouldn't exchange it for the world, but he still had to voice out one concern.

"You know that romantic relations between servant and master is strictly prohibited right?" Halberd said with a serious tone

"I completely understand your concern. We will just have to hide it, until you get acknowledged by my family and be free from your servant status." Charlotte's respond was straight forward.

"Do you really think we can do it?" Halberd asked the last of his concerns

"With me by your side, we absolutely can."

And with that, all the doubts in Halberd's heart all came to rest and was replaced by unspeakable joy and peace.

"I love you Charlotte Nightingale. My heart, life and body are yours and yours only" Halberd said with so much sincerity, wanting to convey how much he really loves the young lady in his arms.

"And I love you Halberd Wisteria. My heart, life and body are yours and yours alone" Charlotte spoke the same words that Halberd just said, but with as much, if not more sincerity in her voice.

Already made their vows, now, the only thing that was missing was the rings. Charlotte and Halberd didn't really care much about ceremonies. What matters most for them was their love for each other and God being their witness; and the rest are just formalities that burns away money and resources.

Halberd lifted Charlotte off the ground and carried her to a grassy spot near the waterfalls. There he gently laid Charlotte on the ground, before kissing her. Their kisses were soft at first but once the fire of love in their hearts blazed, their kisses became even more intense.

At that moment, Halberd made love to his now wife, Charlotte. At that moment, their hearts became one. Everything around them ceased to exist and only the two of them mattered.

After their passionate love making, Charlotte napped, as she lay on top of Halberd's body. Halberd's arms enveloped his wife's delicate body, cocooning her in his embrace.

"I swear with my life, that I will protect you."

And it was at the moment that Halberd's Gift manifested, through the oath that he made to himself, that he will offer his life to protect his now master and wife.

Halberd felt his heavy eyelids starting to close. When he fell asleep, a sliver glowing chain appeared out of thin air. One end of the chain was a cuff that's bounded to Halberd's right wrist, while that other end of the chain was a beautiful bracelet that's bounded to Charlotte's left wrist.

When the newlyweds finally woke up, the sun was just about to set. Both hurried to put on their clothes and head back to the Nightingale family estate. It was safe to say that everybody in the estate was shocked when Charlotte told them that she had finally made a contract with a servant, but everyone's shock, soon turned into celebration. The family head was so excited and happy, that he actually threw an impromptu party, just for Charlotte. Everyone in the estate was having a great time. In the morning, the next day, Charlotte and Halberd secretly commissioned a pair of rings from the last and only blacksmith, located in their city, which they also got in the same day. The designs were very simple, so the blacksmith didn't even had a hard time making the rings. Now that they have the rings, both Charlotte and Halberd finally has a physical symbol of their love for each other.

Everything was going great, until the family that Halberd was supposed to make a contract with, got wind of the news; which caused the second child to throw a catastrophic tantrum, that almost destroyed every antiquities displayed in the mansion.

The young noble that Charlotte rejected in marriage was actually from the same family, and the family's second child was his sister: a.k.a the most treasured child of the family. Alas, since the treasured child has spoken, everything that comes out of her mouth must be obeyed.

The second child only said one thing, "I want that b*** and everyone in her family dead."

Being the powerful and influential family that they are, they managed to persuade a lot of the noble families to their side. Once they gained more power, that is when they lay siege on the Nightingale family estate, causing for the Nightingale bloodline to be wiped out except for only one.

Halberd did as he swore, and protected Charlotte with his life. He demolished through opposing noble family after opposing noble family, but he was still deeply overwhelmed by sheer numbers, even with his Gift that he was still unaware of.

Halberd's bloodied body fell in front of Charlotte, which caused her to snap and manifest her Gift. She wiped out all the attackers of her family, leaving only one: The young noble that she rejected in marriage.

When everything calmed down, hundreds of bodies littered the family estate. Charlotte gently cradled Halberd's head in her arms, as she wept for her husband.

It was also the same day that Gifteds from the Castle came and brought her and Halberd (Without her knowledge) to the Castle.

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Present

"Wow" June said breathlessly, feeling like he just rode an intense roller coaster ride, causing Charlotte to softly chuckle.

June wanted to give Charlotte some alone time to be with her husband, so June quietly stood up and informed Charlotte about his plans, which Charlotte responded with grateful smile. June gently woke Isabelle and Sharon up from their naps, before heading out of the room with the two girls in tow.