Saat aku melangkah masuk ke pintu penginapan, aku disambut oleh lembutnya cahaya pagi yang meresap melalui jendela. Kenyamanan sarapan pagi sudah mengisi udara—scene yang jauh lebih menyambut dibanding kekasaran malam sebelumnya. Tepat ketika aku mulai merilekskan diri, seorang tokoh berdiri di hadikanku, menguasai seluruh ruangan.
Tinggi dan bertenun pelindung logam, dan setiap bagian darinya menyiarkan ketepatan. Rambutnya, berwarna merah muda, diketatkan erat dalam gabus, tergantung di bahu-bahu seperti bisa lepas kapan saja—serupa dengan segala sesuainya. Matanya ungu tak teralihkan padaku, dan wajahnya memiliki ekspresi tegas, hampir tak terbaca—seorang ksatria.
'Hmm...'
Ada sesuatu yang mengganggu dalam kombinasi warna rambut dan matanya. Rasanya seperti aku pernah melihatnya—sebelum.
'Kau adalah Lucavion?'
Suaranya jernih, membelah obrolan para tamu.
Aku terhentu sejenak, mengamati dirinya dengan seksama. Logam zermatauanya mengkil di cahaya pagi, namun tak hanya armor atau pedang dipinggang yang menarik perhatiku—tapi aura dirinya. Pengakuannya kaku seperti orang yang pernah berkelana perang, dan matanya memberi tahu-ku bahwa ia bukan orang yang bisa dicemoohkan.
'Setuju,' aku menjawab dengan nada tenang namun tidak yakin.
Pandangannya mengusutku, tak terlihat melalui, seolah mengulas ulang penilaikanku. 'Benar-benar?'
Matanya menyurvey aku dari kepala hingga kaki. Senyum tipis muncul di sudut bibirnya, namun tak mengandung kehangatan seperti senyum seharusnya. Justru, ekspresinya mengandung rasa kemiringan sejuk, seperti seseorang yang mengendalikan sesuatu yang jauh di bawah derajatnya.
'Jadi,' katanya, suaranya penuh kecuaian, 'kau adalah orang yang menyelesaikan Korvan?'
Kepalanya condong sejenak, matanya ungunya mengecil.
'Aku harus mengakui,' lanjutnya sambil menyurveyku lagi, 'kau tak tampak seperti yang kuinggambarkan. Aku mengharapkan seseorang... lebih tinggi. Lebih mengintimidasi.'
Aku tak bisa menahan tawa kecilku, menghadapi pandangan pengecutnya dengan senyum santai.
'Well,' kujawab dengan nada licin dan sedikit sindiran, 'bukan semua terlihat seperti yang tampak, bukan? Penampilan luar tak selalu sejalan dengan isi dalam.'
Wajahnya memiring dengan marah. Senyumnya menghilang seketika. Perubahan nadanya halus, namun tegas—matanya menyipil, mendingin, dan aku merasakan beban kemarahannya menekan.
'Apa yang kau maksud?' tanyanya dengan nada rendah dan bermuara tajam seperti melunturkan pedang.
Aku hanya mengulangi senyum, tak tergoyahkan.
'Tak ada yang aku maksud,' kujawab sambil menjaga ekspresi tenang, hampir bermain-main. 'Hanya fakta bahwa orang sering membuat anggapan berdasarkan penampilan, dan hal itu bisa... menyesatkan.'
Nyiam-nyiam di bibirnya. Napasnya tertahan sejenak, kemudian dia menarik napas dalam, menahan amarahnya.
'Tenangi kata-katamu, warga biasa,' sindirnya dingin.
'Setiap kata yang kuberikan?' tanyaku dengan nada santai.
Matanya menyipil, amarah tak terhindarkan. Sejenak kuharap ia akan mengeluarkan pedangnya — tapi ia tidak. Instead, sangksanya ambil napas pelan, menahan emosinya.
'Kau akan menyesal atas kesombongankmu,' ujarnya dingin dan tegas.
'Karena menghina bangsawan.'
Aku mengangkat alis, memalsukan keheran. 'Bangsawan? Benar-benar kau bangsawan?'
Reaksinye langsung. Tubuhnya tertahan, matanya tampak melebar sejenak sebelum kembali menyamar. Tapi aku menangkapnya—ragu namun nyata.
Kata-katanya terungkap tak terduga.
Ketika itu ramai pengunjung menonton. Antara kita penuh napas. Tegangan keduanya nyata, dan ketika matanya beralih, ia menyadari betapa semua orang menyaksikannya.
Aku mendengar napas lega sejenak.
'Tak apa-apa,' desisnya pendam. Pundaknya kaku, dan perlahan ia mengembalikan kemiringan pemandang.
'Mengapa kalian semua hanya melihat?' pintasnya pede, suaranya cukup untuk membuat gemetar ruangan. Para tamu langsung berpaling.
'Mengikuti aku sekarang,' lanjutnya. Tanpa menunggu jawaban, ia berbalik dan keluar, jalannya kaku dari kemarahan yang terpendam.
Aku menatapmu pergi sejenak, tersenyum tak pernah pudar.
'Aku menolak.'
Suara itu mengalir lancar, tak tergesa—kuhadapimu dengan santai.
'Hmm,' kujawab dengan tatapan tenang.
'Tidak semua bisa dipaksakan, kan?'
Wajahnya memerah, matanya menguning lara. Di antara kedua orang itu, tegangan semakin tebasaan.
'Kau menghina bangsawan,' bisiknya terik.
'Tapi apa yang kuinggap seorang bangsawan?'
Suaranya tenang, tak berkedip. 'Kau tak pernah tahu, Lucavion. Itu yang membuatku ingin tahu.'
Matanya membelok, mencari arah pintu keluar.
'Aku tak punya waktu untuk permainanmu,' desisnya. 'Cukuplah.'
Matanya bertemu punggungku, tidak terelak.
'Tapi aku tak akan menyusulmu,' kupejalui kembali.
'Karena kau tak akan memaksa, kan?'
'Ingin membuatnya sulit?' kutawar, senyum bermain di sudut bibirku. 'Sudah, aku paham.'
'Dia menghela napas, menggigit bibir—lalu bertemu pandangku lagi.
'Jika kau tak mau...'
'Tenang saja,' kujawab. 'Tapi sebelum kita berpisah, ceritakan padaku, benar-benar siapa diri Olarion yang membuatmu takut.'
'Valeria Olarion,' desisnya dingin. 'Anak dari Keturunan Olarion. Aku takkan mentolerir perlakuanmu lagi. Ikutilu, atau kau akan menyesal.'
Kuhadapimu dengan tersenyum tak tergoyahkan.
'Wah, ini terlalu sulit?' kusindir. 'Kita sudah berhasil.'
Matanya menyala panas—nyawa terbahunyal.
'Kau tak tahu siapa yang kau lawan,' bisiknya.
'Aku tahu cukup untuk tahu itu bukan perintah.'
Nyawa bertiup kencang — sejenak kuharap ia menyerah.
'Aku akan ikut,' katanya akhirnya, suaranya kacau.
'Tapi dengan senang hati?' kujelaskan sambil tersenyum.
'Karena kau tak boleh bertindak drajjat,' katanya, tapi aku tahu suaranya terdiam.
Aku mengangguk rendah, senyum mengalir.
'Aku ikut, Lady Olarion.'
Dengan tatapan janji, ia kembali ke pintu, keluar dengan langkah cepat.
Aku mengikutnya.
'Sebenarnya, ini Valeria Olarion,' kujalan dengan senyum.
Setelah bertemu karakter dari novelku lagi.
As I stepped through the inn's door, I was greeted by the soft glow of the morning light filtering through the room. The warmth of breakfast already filled the air—a far more welcoming scene than the harshness of the night before. Just as I began to let my guard down, a figure stood before me, commanding the space.
She was tall and armored, and every part of her screamed precision. Her hair, a light pink, was braided tightly, resting over her shoulders as if it could snap free at a moment's notice, much like the rest of her. Her violet eyes were locked onto mine, unflinching, and her face held a stern, almost unreadable expression—a knight.
'This…..'
There was something that bugged me with the combination of her hair color and eyes. It was something that felt like I knew.
"Are you Lucavion?" Her voice was clear, cutting through the murmurs of the inn.
I paused for a moment, taking her in fully. The steel of her armor glinted softly in the morning light, but it was more than the armor or the sword at her hip that caught my attention—it was her presence. She carried herself with the discipline of someone who had seen battle, and her eyes told me she wasn't one to be trifled with.
"Yes, I am," I replied, my voice even but wary.
Her gaze flickered, almost imperceptibly, as though she was reassessing me. "Really?"
Her eyes scanned me from head to toe, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of her lips, though it carried none of the warmth a smile should. Instead, her expression held a kind of cold amusement, like someone inspecting something far below their station.
"So," she began, her voice dripping with arrogance, "you're the one who dealt with Korvan?"
She tilted her head slightly, her violet eyes narrowing. "I have to say," she continued, looking me up and down again, "you don't exactly seem the part. I expected someone… taller. More imposing."
I couldn't help but chuckle softly at her words, meeting her condescending gaze with a relaxed smile. "Well," I said, my voice smooth with a hint of sarcasm, "not everything is as it seems, is it? A person's appearance doesn't always match what's inside."
Her face darkened at my response, her smile vanishing in an instant. The shift in her demeanor was subtle, but unmistakable—her eyes grew sharper, colder, and I could feel the weight of her displeasure bearing down on me.
"What exactly are you implying?" she asked, her voice low and dangerous, like the unsheathing of a blade.
I simply smiled again, unfazed by the change in her tone. "Nothing at all," I replied, my expression remaining calm, almost playful. "Just that people often make assumptions based on appearances, and that can be… misleading."
Her jaw tightened, the tension radiating off her like heat from a forge. For a brief moment, it seemed as though she might draw her sword then and there, but instead, she took a slow breath, reigning in her temper.
"Watch your words, commoner." She warned, her voice icy.
"What if I don't?"
Her eyes narrowed dangerously, and for a moment, I could almost see the battle raging inside her—whether to strike me down where I stood or keep her composure. She chose the latter, though it clearly took some effort.
"You'll be punished for your insolence," she spat, her voice cold and commanding. "For disrespecting a noble."
I raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. "A noble? You're a noble?"
Her reaction was immediate. She froze, her violet eyes widening ever so slightly before she quickly masked her slip-up. It was subtle, but I caught it—the hesitation, the brief flicker of uncertainty. She hadn't meant to reveal that.
The inn fell quiet around us, the patrons watching with a mix of curiosity and fear. The tension between us was palpable, and as her gaze darted around the room, she seemed to realize that there was no taking back what she had said. She was caught, and now everyone knew.
She let out a soft, exasperated sigh, her shoulders tightening as she regained her composure. Slowly, her gaze hardened once more, but this time it was directed at the onlookers.
"What are you all staring at?" she barked, her voice sharp enough to send a shiver through the room. Several patrons quickly turned back to their meals, pretending they hadn't been watching at all.
Turning back to me, she gave me a cold, calculated look, as if sizing up her next move. "You," she snapped, "follow me. Now."
Without waiting for a response, she spun on her heel, her cloak swirling behind her as she strode out of the inn, her posture rigid with barely contained irritation.
I watched her go for a moment, the amused smile never leaving my face.
"I refuse."
The words left my mouth smoothly, almost lazily, as I leaned back slightly, folding my arms across my chest. The room fell into a tense silence. The knight, already halfway to the door, halted in her tracks, her cloak swirling slightly before settling. Slowly, she turned to face me, her eyes now dark and brimming with cold fury.
"You refuse?" she repeated, her voice low and dangerous, each word dripping with barely contained rage. The room seemed to shrink under the weight of her presence, her violet eyes locking onto mine as though daring me to repeat myself.
I met her gaze evenly, the smirk still tugging at the corner of my lips. "Yes," I said, my tone casual. "I don't think I'll be following anyone until they ask me nicely."
Her face tightened with anger, the tension in her jaw clear as she took a step forward, her boots clinking against the floor. "I gave you an order," she said, her voice cold as steel. "I am a noble, and you will obey."
I shrugged, completely unfazed. "That's the thing, isn't it?" I replied. "Anyone can claim to be a noble. If I followed every person who shouted orders and claimed a title, it'd be quite the mess, wouldn't it?"
Her eyes narrowed, the fury in them unmistakable now. "You are insolent," she hissed, her tone like a blade drawn across a whetstone. "You think you can ignore the orders of someone like me?"
I raised an eyebrow, maintaining my calm as I replied, "I'm more than happy to follow orders… when they come from someone who's earned the right. But if you're asking me to follow you on the basis of being a noble, you'll have to do better than vague claims. If you want me to obey, then reveal your identity. Otherwise, a polite request might work."
For a moment, her mouth tightened into a thin line, and I could see the war within her—whether to keep pushing or to back off. The room remained utterly silent, every patron too terrified to breathe, let alone speak. She opened her mouth to retort, but I spoke again, cutting her off before she could gather steam.
"Besides," I said, my tone still light but edged with challenge, "if everyone here were to claim they were a noble and bark orders around, the world would be chaos, wouldn't it? Surely, a true noble would understand the importance of order."
Her face darkened further, and for a split second, I thought she might actually draw her sword. But instead, she exhaled sharply, forcing her shoulders to relax—barely. Her pride was wounded, but she wasn't entirely reckless. She glanced around the room, no doubt aware of the many eyes watching, even if they pretended otherwise.
"I don't have to explain myself to the likes of you," she said, her voice quieter but still laced with venom. "But fine. If you want to make this difficult, then so be it."
She took a step closer, her face inches from mine, her breath cool and deliberate. "I am Valeria Olarion, daughter of House Olarion, and I will not tolerate any more of your disrespect. You will follow me, or you will regret it."
I smiled, unbothered by her attempts to intimidate. "Now, was that so hard?" I asked, my tone still light, though there was a flicker of challenge in my eyes. "See? We're making progress."
Her eyes blazed with cold fury, and she took a slow, measured breath. It was clear that, for the moment, her patience had reached its end. "You have no idea who you're dealing with," she whispered, her voice dangerous. "Follow me now, or I will ensure you suffer the consequences."
I let the silence stretch for a moment, holding her gaze. "It's still an order, Valeria," I said softly. "And I already told you. I don't follow orders."
Her jaw clenched, the fury boiling beneath the surface. The tension was palpable, hanging in the air like a sword poised to drop.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she exhaled sharply, a mixture of frustration and resignation. "Very well," she said through gritted teeth. "Lucavion, will you please follow me?"
The words were practically spat out, but the fact that she had said them at all was a victory in itself.
I grinned, bowing slightly in mock respect. "Now that wasn't so difficult, was it?" I straightened, my tone becoming more neutral as I nodded. "Lead the way, Lady Olarion."
With a glare that promised retribution later, Valeria turned on her heel once more, storming out of the inn. This time, I followed, the amused smile never leaving my face.
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Bottom of Form
'She is really Valeria Olarion…..'
After all, I had met another character from the novel.
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