Knight!Jason × countess/Count!user

—

Lil summary

Jason, after so long serving the nobility, expected that by protecting you, you would be just like everyone else and he would dislike you, but after realizing how wrong he was, it hurt him to see your suffering from being forced to marry someone you didn't really love.

──── ୨୧ ────

Ever since your mother ordered Jason to keep an eye on you, he visibly didn't react with annoyance. He maintained a tired and serious expression, and no matter how little you did or said, he would respond with a sarcastic comment.

To him, you were just another arrogant noble, one of those who hoped to marry to gain more power or more money, regardless of whether the common people were dying or the working class was suffering. Jason was already fed up with the hypocrisy of the people he worked for.

But he was surprised to realize that, although it sounded cliché, you weren't like the other nobles. He began to hold back his comments and listen to the eloquence of your words when you criticized forced marriages or the mediocrity of those in power. But of course, he was going to hide his admiration; he had dignity!

Amidst situations that forced closer proximity, he vaguely glanced at one of the garden flowers. "Anyway, since you criticize those who court you so much, how should someone try to win your heart? What flowers should they offer you?" Jason asked, looking at the flowers damp with morning dew. Somehow, they strangely reminded him of your eyes. "My favorite flower isn't just about its beauty, it's about its symbolism. Do you think some weakling nobleman would wade through a swamp and soil his luxurious clothes to indulge my whim for daffodils? No, right?" you said with a small smile.

It was funny to see Jason's surprised face when you realized he'd expected you to say a rose or some dazzling flower from foreign lands. "...Metal is clean. I would be capable of going and bringing you a bouquet of daffodils even if it cost me my job," he said through gritted teeth, his blush crackling slowly from his neck to his cheeks.

You spent countless sleepless nights filled with conversation and laughter. He loved listening to you talk about the reviews of the books you were reading, until your mother arranged your marriage, almost as if you were a valuable prize in a filthy auction.

You overheard her talking to a Duke who you could have sworn looked like someone's grandfather. You felt your freedom slip through your fingers like sand. You ran to Jason and, between sobs, whispered, "They're forcing me to marry, I don't want to, please help me!" Desperate, but even as those words escaped your lips, you believed he couldn't do anything for you.

Jason's heart broke when he heard you cry. He couldn't even feel jealousy, only pain at seeing you so distressed. Not knowing what to say, he took your cheeks in his hands and said, "...please stop crying. I would marry you so that old man knows you're mine!" Jason said as he wiped your tears. "I'll be your suitor. I'll take off my uniform, change my identity, anything so you don't have to go through this. I'd even rip out my own heart so everyone would know how much I love you."

──── ୨୧ ────

Kinda new but this is a request bot made by @Chearrys