The Emperor and the Knightess

Chapter 2

When Poliana turned 14 years old, she was drafted. Other boys from different noble families that were also drafted either cried or gritted their teeth in anger. They were in a similar situation as Poliana. They had to go to war just as she did, but at least, their parents or relatives paid the price for them to at least ensure their safety.

Poliana was the only girl in the bunch, but none of them realized that she wasn’t a boy. First of all, she was taller than most boys and she still had no curves which were common for the others around her.

She was dark-skinned from the sun and was covered in scars. Most of all, her hair was too short. No women in the kingdom, not even a peasant, would cut their hair this short. Even many of the noble men kept their hair long.

On top of that, Poliana wore something that was similar to the other boys. A pair of pants, a piece of armor, and a belt with a sword. No one could imagine her to be a lady. Everyone who saw her assumed that she was a bastard of a noble family.

The boys were sent off by their families, but Poliana was all alone, except for the old knight who came to say goodbye. The boys’ families cried and gave gifts of handkerchiefs, which symbolized luck, but Poliana received nothing. The only thing her father gave her was armor and a new sword. They were of poor in terms of quality, but at least, they were something.

Poliana didn’t care. She felt nothing for her family and they weren’t important to her.

They’ve been in war with Kukda, a kingdom adjacent to them for a long time. They took breaks during the farming seasons, which were spring, summer, and fall, but as soon as the first snow falls, they would go to war. And when spring begins, they would call a truce so they could back to toil their lands once again.

Such a long war took a huge toll on both countries’ coffers as well as their people’s morals, but the royal families didn’t care. They refused to call a permanent truce between them.

On the first day, while she’s on her way to her assigned position, Poliana was kicked out of the carriage.

It was because she was a girl.

During the ride when the boys introduced themselves to each other, they learned Poliana’s name and were shocked.

“You’re a girl?”

They kicked her out immediately and the other boys didn’t see Poliana as a lady.

A lady was supposed to have beautiful long hair, have the sweet smell of perfume, and wear a dress. Poliana had short hair, she was skinny, she smelled like sweat, and wore pants.

War was no joke. The boys yelled nasty things out to her as they pushed her out of the carriage. They told her to go work in the kitchen and bring out her brother instead for the coming battles.

She fell to the ground but thanks to her armor, she was able to avoid any severe injuries. She stood up quickly and started to walk. There were many carriages, some were carrying the drafted boys while others held their supplies, and Poliana moved fast not to lose sight of them.

If she didn’t keep up and reach the military base, she was going to be considered a deserter who’s bound to be executed immediately.

Poliana briefly considered running away, but she had nowhere else to go. Rather than dying while roaming around aimlessly, Poliana decided it would be better to at least experience a battle before her death.

Her armor saved her from getting injured, but it was too heavy for her. It impeded her movement and yet, she couldn’t just throw it away. She was sweating heavily underneath it since it was still autumn, but the battle would take place in winter where she would definitely need it for warmth and for her safety.

Some of the low-born boys who were drafted were walking to their destination as well and when they saw Poliana, they thought at first that she was another noble boy who was being bullied by the other high-born boys. They initially offered to carry her armor for her, but when they learned that she was kicked out from a carriage because of her gender, they frowned and spat at her.

One of the common myths among the soldiers was that if they touched a woman before their first battle, they would die soon. It was believed that abstinence before the war would bring soldiers good luck.

The boys continued to spit at her before they walked away.

Only

Then suddenly, one of the knights on a horse ahead of them announced firmly, “Anyone who doesn’t make it to the base on time will be considered a deserter!”

Poliana flinched and started to limp as best as she could. One of the knights on a horse behind her saw her and asked her name. When she gave him her answer and when he checked the document, he frowned and grumbled loudly, “Dammit, you’re a girl… Useless.”

The knight didn’t want her, but if she didn’t make it, she was going to be executed. He told her to hurry. “Take your helmet off. Maybe it will be easier for you if you do.”

Although men hated women on the battlefield, many also had a secret desire for a knightess. In popular stories, a beautiful female knightess would take her helmet off to reveal her gorgeous long hair and face.

Of course, Poliana was not one of these knightesses. To wear the helmet, she had to cut her hair very short and she was certainly not beauty.

When the knight on the horse saw her face, he was clearly disappointed. If she was pretty, he planned on allowing her to ride the horse with him, but when he saw her, he just rode away.

Poliana wiped her face with a towel as she walked. She was so tired, but shockingly, this was only the beginning of her long journey.