Moonlight After Sunset's
Allegiance

"Faith cannot be forced but with the hope that faithful will be realized."

**************#######*****************

The night wind gusts into the tiny body of the Moon. The air is getting colder and the night is getting late. Remembering about two days ago that made him unable to sleep peacefully. Now the feeling is somehow getting stronger.

The moon walked in her pavilion garden hoping to gain some tranquility, with a thick blanket perched on her shoulders. The moon was getting more alert, he looked around making sure that no one was watching him at the moment.

"Tomorrow it's time,"

When the Moon was about to sleep, she was surprised by the black shadow figure that was on top of the tree next to her bedroom window. Suddenly the Moon was startled while glancing sharply towards the tree.

"Looks like I should ask for a knight from master Duke." Moon decided to go to sleep, he deliberately did not report this to Duke because it might have been a messenger from his sister Dusk who was jealous of him.

****

Nievia Forest

Nievia is a tropical rainforest located at the end of the capital. This forest is so dense that very rarely there are people who want to enter the forest. If there is, of course, they have an important purpose to enter there.

Nievia Forest is not not a forest that is forbidden to enter, just because the trees that grow there are so dense, so many residents who often get lost and end - the ends become a food of wild animals.

But even so, this forest has its own charm for many parties. They sometimes come to the forest to hunt, or to simply collect medicinal plants. Of course, they only dared to roam the outskirts of the forest.

Who knows if in the depths of this forest there is an old house that still stands firm. The house was surrounded by herbs and many rare flowers, including the red spider Lily.

In the old house, a man was practicing martial arts. He looks very good at using his sword. Sweat pouring from his stocky body signifies how serious the exercise is.

"Sir, there's nothing special about him." The waiter came with a towel.

"Are you sure?" asked the handsome man who was answered nodding his head by the servant.

"Alright, then just stop the investigation." The handsome man then walked into the house while wiping the sweat on his face.

"Sir, what about the sale of illegal goods?" ask the waiter after entering the house. The handsome man just looked at her coldly while saying,

"South first until we find valid evidence." Upon hearing his Master's orders, the servant nodded and left the house.

****

At the residence of Duke Ari, a servant as usual was busy doing his duties. Today is a big day for the moon. As soon as he woke up from his sleep, he immediately rushed into the Duke's study.

"Good morning uncle. Is my dad inside? There's something important that I want to talk to father at this time, "Sapa Bulan to the Duke's personal servant.

"Miss Dusk is still early, you better come back after breakfast." The servant was polite to the Moon even though he refused.

"I can't uncle, this is an important matter for me. I need a guard knight just like everyone else."

The moon continued to corner the servant. He looked at the servant coldly, impatient with the servant's treatment. Last month pulled her aside and pushed the door open.

Inside the room the Duke was busy with all the documents on his desk, the Duke's hand halted instantly as he was about to see who had entered the room.

"Is there anything you came here in the morning - early in the morning?"

The moon quietly stepped into the room. "Dad I want a knight." asked the Moon without any bases - stale first.

The waiter who saw that lowered his head with a pale face, they were afraid that the Duke would be angry.

"Go to the knight barracks, you'll get what you want."

Duke said nonchalantly then resumed his work. The moon immediately went to the knight barracks, where he met the leader of the knight barracks.

"Good morning uncle. How's uncle doing today?" The leader of the barracks was named Keil. He looked quite cold and firm, his body was large with perfect muscles.

"Good morning Miss Dusk. Today is the same as usual. What's the need for Miss to come here?"

Moon knows Keil from the explanation of Dusk in his handwriting, although it looks cold and stiff but Keil is quite good against Dusk and also the empress.

"Uncle, father gave me permission to choose a knight so I came here" Moon said, looking around him.

" It seems so, then what kind of knight does Miss want?" keil asked while looking at the Moon who was watching the barracks.

"Uncle, I want a knight my age to keep me in the academy later, maybe he can study with me, too,"

Keil remained silent, his eyes glaring around, remembering those of the same age as the Moon.

"What element does Miss want?" ask Keil again. The moon and thought for a moment, he did not know what element suited him.

"I can't decide uncle yet because all I want is a knight who can protect me and also be loyal to me until he dies."

Keil thought back and looked around him once more.

"Protective knights yes, hmm. What about the Fire Knights? But the one with the same age as the princess is no more, then..."

Keil thought for quite a while until he decided that an ice-elemented knight would fit in with this master of his daughter.

"Opi, please bring Eza Brey here."

The knight who was combing the horse's hair turned around and looked at Keil.

"Good Commander." The knight left and soon returned with a boy of the age of the Moon holding a bow and arrow.

" Hail commander, hail princess. "

The young man bowed his body while greeting. Keil then held onto the young man's shoulder and looked at the Moon.

" Include yourself to Miss Twilight" exclaimed Keil who was replied with a nod by the youth.

"Miss, introduce my name Eza Brey and I'm from the city of Sina. I've been serving in this residence for the past two years."

Eza knelt down and kissed the Moon's wrist.

"Well, try to show me your face" Eza then raised his head and looked at his face on the Moon.

"I came here to look for a knight who will take care of me in academics, are you the one?" ask the Moon while glancing towards Keil.

"If Miss pleases then I will follow Miss and dedicate my whole life to Miss and if even if the world hates Miss, then I am the first one who will protect Miss from them."

Eza lowered his face again, Last month asked Keil for a sword and put it on Eza's shoulder.

" Can you swear on me?" ask the Moon with her domineering aura. Everyone who was there was shocked. The strange feeling evoked by the Moon was even able to make Keil shudder in horror.

Keil had been in this place for a long time but he had never felt a strong aura of intimidation aside from the Duke and empress. Then she looked at the Moon and saw her beautiful and graceful face was like an innocent angel but the cold aura made her look like a demon for a moment.

Eza who also sensed the domineering aura from last Moon closed his eyes and swore.

"I, Eza Brey, vow to be the only knight of my Master, protecting him from all dangers and becoming a shield in his life both now and in his next life. I'll just obey his orders and die for him. I, Eza Brey acknowledge that Dusk De Ari is my master and will serve him all my life."

Eza made his vows with all the knights in the barracks and also some servants passing by - passing on the road to the main house.

Sarah and Arina accidentally witness the oath. Their faces look upset. Sarah who was just about to go to the main house dining room had to witness this annoying thing in her life.

He involuntarily clenched his hands tightly until he looked white as well as Arina. The Main Concubine who saw the incident was quite shocked and immediately ran towards the main residence to meet the Duke.

Concubine Amaryllis remained silent. The moon noticed this, just smiled sweetly and looked at Eza while saying, "I am Dusk De Ari acknowledge Eza Brey as my knight,"

"Then come with me for breakfast, for it is almost time, we must hurry. We can't keep other people waiting, can we?" Eza just nodded and followed the Moon from behind.

Arriving at the Moon in the dining room of the main house, he was greeted with a murderous gaze by his sister and stepmother. The moon just put on an indifferent face and sat quietly while occasionally smiling casually.

A short while later the Duke entered the dining room, just about to sit down, the Duke was already showered with questions from both the Concubine and also the three Twilight sisters.

"Sir, why did you give the knight to Dusk? Why not just go to Arina who is the fiancee of the fifth prince," asked the Grand Concubine with a face full of jealousy.

"Why don't you just give it to Sarah. He'll also go to academia later." Consort Amarilis Duke.

"Bella wants daddy, too," Bella cut off as she stared intently at Dusk.

"Dad, Sarah will also enter academics such as Dusk. Sarah also wants a Knight." Pinta Sarah with a red face held in anger.

The moon just smiled at the silly behavior of her sisters. How long did it take for them to realize that Duke was upset. Moon looked at Noah who was impatient to eat his breakfast, he glanced at Noah at a glance and returned smiling.

"Geez, why is it so noisy this morning? Did I miss the news?" asked Noah indifferently. He deliberately raised his voice while looking at Duke and smiled innocently.

"Geez sister, you know how much the prince loves me, that's not a problem for me right now" Arina said, holding back her emotions.

His face looked red and his palms looked white because they were too tightly grasping the spoon.

"Oh good, if so, because it'll be testing day soon." Continue the Moon while putting salad in her mouth.

Arina who had wanted to make Dusk aka Moon angry now can only speak a thousand languages.

"Dad, what about me?" sarah asked still with a look of annoyance on her face.

"My dad too" continued Bella. The duke who heard his daughter's protest could only sigh.

"Sarah, do you have James why ask for more knights? And to Bella..." The Duke looked towards Dusk before staring at Bella back.

"Senja will soon take the exam, so she must have knights to guard her there and you're Bella, aren't you the same as Sarah. I've given you guard knights before." Duke continued, Sarah who heard it looks unhappy.

"Dad, James is not my knight. He was just a waiter that I told him to look after me. He also never swore on my behalf, all I wanted was a real knight father. The knight swore by my name and will be mine" Sarah explained at length.

"Yes dad, I also want knights like that."

Bella looks funny to the Moon.

"My sister, you gave me knights. All that now depends on the knight wants to be yours or not, you can not force someone to be loyal," said Moon full of intent.

"Truely said Dusk, I only gave him the same knight as I gave you and the rest is up to that knight."

The Duke chimed in on the words of the Moon, Sarah and Bella could only keep quiet and look at the Moon like a doormat.

They turned to look at Eza who was standing next to the Moon with a dislike face while continuing to eat. After breakfast, Moon immediately headed to the cafe before entering the black market. Moon then told Amel and the other waiters to wait for him at the Bintang cafe.

At first Eza was surprised by the behavior of Dusk who told him to change into a commoner. Moreover, when they were about to enter the black market area, the shocked Eza could only look at the Moon with a question mark-filled gaze.

"Eza, this is a black market so be careful if you want to talk." Order the Moon and they immediately go to the ironworks shop before going to the battle arena.

"Eza choose what you want or you can choose your own design," exclaimed Moon at Eza who was looking at all the combat equipment in the place. Eza was so shocked because he had never seen such a cool weapon anywhere.

The swords made in the artisan shop were quite beautiful and powerful and beautifully engraved. Each piece shone unusually.

"Miss really can I have this?" ask Eza to make sure.

"of course. All the items in this place were made personally by the expert. Besides, everything is strong - strong. So choose what you want" explained the Moon as he approached the shopkeeper.

"Good morning uncle. I see you so happy today." said Moon indifferently.

"Good morning Miss. I'm just happy that I got that little bit of income, '" replied the honest shopkeeper.

"Ah yes, what do you need Miss here? Not that I told you, if Miss's sword will be ready in four days' time and this is only two days from the promised day."

"Uncle, I need you to make a bow and arrow. Make it with the same material you made mine and give the same carving in each part, As for the color, give silver with a blue scratch as the background. Does Uncle understand?" The shopkeeper simply nodded and smiled in satisfaction.

"Alright Miss, you can take it along with your sword."

The store owner said happily, Moon looked back at Eza who looked so happy.

"Have you chosen?" ask Moon.

Eza simply nodded and took out a sword and a dagger as well as a shield with carved roses on his side with a green screen that added a graceful impression to the weapon.

Afterwards Moon and Eza went to the fighting arena. Today the fighting arena is so quiet because the fight is only held once a month. Entering the battle area, the Moon was already greeted by his servant Count Servan.

"Please follow me Miss." The waiter took Moon and Eza to a room at the end of the hall.

Inside the room was already a Count and also six shabby-looking knights. The moon was watching them one by one, their ages looking not much different from her.

"Miss, I've brought what you want. They are small class fighters but their abilities are great."

The Count explained everything the fighters had.

They were not superior yet could still be trained to obtain great strength. Months later paid the Count a high price, then left the place.

Before leaving, they are taken first to Jina's boutique to get decent clothes and must be bathed to look clean.

"Eza do you know someone who can train them?" ask Moon while looking at the other six knights while being dressed.

"There's someone in my village who can train them Miss." Eza calmly replied while watching his surroundings.

"Alright then, five of them are your business" exclaimed the Moon answered with a nod of the head by Eza.

"Eza you may be wondering why I'm doing all this, but trust me that I'm doing this because I know that someday something big will happen to me. Moreover, with my current position," the Moon shirked indifferently, Eza just kept quiet and heard it carefully.

"You must have heard the rumors of my suicide but know that it was someone's plan to get rid of me, too many oddities in that big house. I don't want to be betrayed a second time let alone, after my engagement to the fifth prince was annulled." The Moon is back.

Eza just silently did not answer now his face lowered down while tightly grasping the cloth. More or less Eza knows what happened at the Duke's residence when he first arrived.

The younger brother - the brother of the Twilight who always pranks him and the Duke's concubine who likes to intimidate him plus the Duke's indifferent attitude towards him makes Dusk look sad.

Eza was just a young knight but he had long since noticed the manner of his master. Therefore, when he knew that Dusk was looking for a protective knight, he immediately agreed and swore. Eza fulfilled his promise two years ago to protect Dusk from the evil of his sister and stepmother.

after finishing dressed neatly and cleanly, the six fighters were taken by the Moon to the dining area. There they looked so voraciously, all the food at the table ran out at a quick meal.

"Slowly, there is still a lot of food that you can eat here" said Moon as he sipped tea in front of him. They also began to eat quietly.

"Who are your names?" ask the Moon while watching them one by one.

"My name is Tia and this one is Dian," Tia said with a mouthful of food. Last month, seeing the man next to her, the man swallowed all his food immediately and drank some water afterwards.

"Miss, my name is Sina and this is Adi whose name is Cown and it's Huil" explained Sina as he pointed at one by one his friends.

"My name is Dusk, from now on you are mine." They all stopped eating and watched the Moon with restless faces.

"I won't do anything strange to you, as long as you promise to be loyal to me then your life will be assured."

The moon then glanced towards Eza.

"This is Eza, my knight. You, Sina and your four friends including Tia I will send to the village for training while Dian will be my servant."

"You will be trained strictly by skilled knights there. When the time comes, you will come back to me. Prove your loyalty by being great as my knight later," explained the Moon with a flat face and an aura of dominance around it.

The aura was very intimidating and powerful. Whoever felt it would bow down and his body became stiff, they all nodded in agreement with the Moon's orders. They knew that the girl before him was so strong and would become a great person later.

"With this my grudge will be avenged," thought the six of them with obedient faces.

After everything was done, Eza took the five of them towards the horse carriage that was about to go towards the village. While Moon and Dian walk away to the boutique to buy Dian's supplies during their time in academia later.

"Dian, vote immediately, we must finish before lunch time," the Moon's orders were answered a nod of the head by Dian.

After finishing choosing dresses and other academic purposes, Moon decided to get out of the black market area.

"What is a lot - a lot?" ask the Moon as they arrive at the iron door leading to the black market outer area.

"Miss, can you wait for a while, I'll find out what's going on there," Dian replied as she lightly ran over to the crowd.

It turned out that the commotion came from the fighting arena. Some of the people who worked there were arrested for selling illegal things including human gambling.

"The noise came from the fighting arena, they were arrested for selling illegal goods" Dian said. Last month glanced at the crowd and looked back at Dian.

"Tell me what you know about the battle arena, tell me the whole truth,"

Dian then told her everything she knew about the fighting arena while walking out of the black market.

The truth will be human gambling until the illegal sale of magic objects makes the arena temporarily closed until the case is settled.

"What about the Count?" ask a Curious Moon. Dian explains that the Count is just an agent of a group of fighters, he seeks and brings and buys fighters who want to get a decent life just like Dian and the others.

So in other words the Count was clean, he had no interference at all with human gambling nor any magic objects. Dian also explained that it could be revealed due to the intervention of the crown prince.

Dian explained that if one of the princes has a relationship with the arena while the other has a relationship with the illegal sale so that to overcome this the prince was forced to take care of it so that his good name was not destroyed.

"Politics is hard."