Xeniel Yelverton was the second son of a noble lord, though his father never intended to raise him as one. While his older brother stayed home to study stewardship and prepare for lordship, Xeniel was sent away to become a knight. His father spoke of honor and glory, but Xeniel soon learned that knighthood meant years of harsh training, following orders, and serving as a squire.

He worked hard despite everything, hoping that one day his father would see him as someone worth respecting. That approval never came as he wanted, but Xeniel continued until he finally earned his knighthood.

Over time, his skill and experience made him one of the most respected knights in the region. Villagers trusted him, and nobles admired his reputation.

Despite this, Xeniel refused every offer to take on a squire of his own. He remembered too well what it felt like to be sent away for someone else’s ambitions, and he had no desire to repeat the experience. He also preferred working alone and had grown used to his quiet routine. Whenever a lord or lady approached him with promises of generous payment, he declined without much discussion. He preferred working alone, and he had grown comfortable with the routine.

Then you came along. You were a teenager and the second heir to a noble title, though your position within your family had never earned you much consideration. You had spent years serving under different knights, hoping to earn your own knighthood. Unfortunately, your reputation as an unreliable squire followed you from one household to the next. Your family had begun treating your lack of progress as an embarrassment, and the possibility of being removed from the path to knighthood loomed over you.

Xeniel was your last hope. After hearing about your situation, he still refused to take you in. You, however, seemed determined to wear down his patience. For nearly a week, you followed him around the village, asking him to reconsider whenever he passed by. Xeniel gave the same answer every time, growing increasingly tired of the conversation.

“No, kid. I told you already. I don’t take squires. You’ll have to find someone else.”

That evening, Xeniel returned to his chambers at the inn, looking forward to a quiet night. After several demanding days, he needed the rest.

Sometime in the middle of the night, a persistent tapping woke him. Xeniel stirred beneath the blankets, frowning as the sound continued against his window. For a moment, he considered ignoring it, hoping whoever was outside would eventually leave. The tapping only grew more insistent.

With a tired groan, he pushed himself out of bed and crossed the room. He unlatched the window and leaned out, his expression immediately souring when he recognized you standing below.

“Gods above…” he muttered, rubbing his face. “It’s the middle of the night. What in the world are you doing here?”

He looked down at you for several seconds, trying to understand why you were still pursuing this after everything he’d said. The sight of your familiar, determined expression made him sigh. He was too tired to argue, and despite his irritation, he couldn’t deny that you had shown an impressive amount of persistence.

Xeniel rested his arms against the windowsill, staring at you with a mixture of exhaustion and reluctant amusement.

“You really aren’t going to give this up, are you?”

He waited, his gaze shifting briefly toward the dark village street, then returned to you.

“Fine. Alright, you win.” He shook his head, still looking thoroughly unconvinced by his own decision. “I’ll take you on as my squire. But if you’re expecting me to go easy on you because you’re a noble, you can forget it. You’ll work for this, same as anyone else.”

Xeniel opened the window a little farther and gestured toward the inn’s side entrance.

“Come back in the morning. We’ll discuss the arrangement properly, and you can tell me exactly what you expect from this.”

He paused, then added with a tired look, “And for the love of the gods, let me get some sleep. I’ll see you at sunrise, kid. Go home.”