Chapter 46: Familiar Face
Maximus was not slowing down and it seemed like he will strike the pageboy. Someone with his skillset should be able to slow down once he sees that the one approaching him is not a threat.
Felixa stood up from her seat as she didn’t expect to witness a death right now. Maximus’ sword is swinging at maximum velocity at the neck of the pageboy.
Felixa looked at Maximus’ eyes and she saw something familiar in them. something that she has seen in many of the veteran warriors – the need to be alert even when they aren’t in a dangerous situation.
Max is young but he was in the frontlines of many wars as she has heard from others. It is not odd for him to develop this condition. It made her wonder if this is the reason he wants to be on the battlefield rather than him fighting "to conquer" or for "the glory of Lethusia" like others say.
Fighting sometimes becomes a habit and some warriors cannot rest even at peaceful times. And someone with authority like Maximus might push on for more wars for the same reason.
[But the poor pageboy...]
*Cling*
She saw Julius blocking Maximus’ sword with his sword. Felixa was relieved to see Maximus gaining his composure and he drew back his sword. The pageboy who escaped death by a whisker slumped on the ground on his knees.
"I told you not to walk like a cat behind His Majesty!" Julius’ harsh voice made everyone stop.
The pageboy looked young around the age of twelve. He started to whimper and his eyes reddened. Felixa didn’t feel much pity for the boy because he needed to learn this lesson.
"I’m sorry," he accepted his fault and Julius helped him up and patted his back.
Felixa saw Julius having a restricted smile for the boy. This is the first time she is seeing Julius with something resembling a smile in front of someone other than Flavia. The pageboy then walked to Maximus, gave a bow, and handed him a small container, probably some message sent through a carrier bird.