Reincarnated As The Dark Knight

In a quaint garden bursting with life, a young couple sat across from each other at a pink painted stone table embroidered with gold. The sun was beaming in the sky, casting a golden glow over the scene with rays of light filtering through the canopy of leaves above. There was a soft breeze that stirred the petals of the flowers lining the cobblestone path nearby. The young couple was none other than the duo of Darwin Ardenholt and Isolde de Beaumont.

Isolde was wearing something akin to a sundress with a hat hemmed with daisies hemmed on the border of the brim. She had a playful smile she stroked and cooed her Scottish fold. Darwin, on the other hand, was in a light gray three piece, calm and expressionless as he read a novel. On his side of the table there was some wine and a glass while on Isolde's side there was a teapot, a saucer and a teacup. To the right of Darwin there was a notebook, its pages fluttering gently in the breeze while to the right of Isolde there were two ceramic plates filled with cakes and biscuits and one more fruit dish.

"Darwin, I think something is wrong with Sylvester today" Isolde said, referring to her cat. "He's not as cheerful today"

Darwin chose not to answer for he knew that this woman would not like to hear what he had to say. He could not afford to make her mad for that would ruin the day's occasion. They had already done their engagement ceremony after seeing each other for three years and they planned to get married but that was when the tragedy of losing his sister struck and Darwin was so devastated that the wedding was canceled. He watched her and her family get cremated. Strangely, his nephew's body was never found so he assumed that he had been taken. The reason, he had no clue.

He was deeply hurt but he was not going to add to the wounds.

He had finally mustered up the courage.

Darwin closed his novel and placed a small box on the table in front of Isolde and she paused. Her smile faded away allowing a look of curious surprise to set in. "What's this?"

Darwin grunted and stood up from his chair. He walked over to Isolde and took Sylvester from her, setting him free and allowing him to run "Let the cat go first" He said before returning to his seat. 

"Ok, now tell me. What is this?" Her heart was beginning to race.

"Don't you want to find out yourself?"

"You know I don't like surprises. What is in the box?"

"Open it yourself" His voice was barely audible, but it had some weight.

The world around them suddenly became still as Isolde slowly reached for the box and took it in her hand. 

Her fingers trembled as she stared at the box, but she was finally relieved when she opened it. No, relief was not the word to describe what she felt, it was not even close. Shock, no. Bombshell, yes. She was speechless and absorbed into a state of static time. 

Sitting in the box and nestled in a crimson velvet was a small golden ring with a tiny sapphire at its center, sparkling in the sunlight. Her eyes darted up and he was kneeling on one knee in front of her.

"I know it's sudden" He started, not sure of what to say. His voice was shaky, but the words came to his mouth of their own accord. Perhaps today was his lucky day "I remember the first time I asked you to marry me. I was full of hope and excitement, but I never could have imagined all the ways you would make my life better since then. Because I couldn't bear to see the end of one chapter of my life, I closed another. But no more. Every single day with you is another day of sunlight to clear the dark skies in my heart.

Today, I kneel before and ask again, because I never stopped wanting you and I will want and choose you every single day of my life. Isolde de Beaumont, will you marry me and build this life together?"

She laughed; it was soft. 

"Sudden? We've been together for six years" Tears sprang to her eyes and Darwin grinned. 

Isolde plucked the ring from the box and slipped it onto her finger. Perfect fit.

She sprang onto Darwin who was now up on his feet, and he received her in a warm embrace. 

"Yes" She said "My answer is and always will be yes, anytime, anywhere, a thousand times over"

Their foreheads touched as the couple laughed together and Darwin was about to kiss her when the familiar voice of a child stopped him.

"Congratulations uncle Darwin. I knew you could do it"

A girl was standing across the garden on the cobblestone path. She had a cheerful smile on her face that could brighten up anyone's day. Her long black hair and thick eye lashes resonated with her outfit which consisted of a black top, a black skirt and black long boots. Strangely, the all-black outfit seemed to make her beauty radiate even more.

"What? What are you doing here? Are you done with your session?"

"No, but I asked my master to give me a few minutes for something very important" She said "You finally did it"

"Wait, how did you even know?"

"I saw you this morning messing with the case. I'm the one with Mana, remember?" In that moment her eyes gave a red glow that seemingly overpowered the surrounding light from the sun for a second.

"You are a troublesome girl through and through. Get back to your session" Darwin said. He was not angry, rather he was embarrassed that the little girl saw him.

"Uncle, you are blushing" She said "Don't worry, I'll go back inside, I'll be sure to pass on the news to everyone too. You two have a great time"

"Hey, wait" Darwin said but the girl did not answer. "Angela, get back here"

"Huh? Did you say something uncle? I can't hear you"

"Come here Angela"

"Huh? But you just told me to get inside. Is there something you want from me?" She had a sly smile on her face as she approached him, taking slow strides and delaying as much as possible "Uncle, what do you want?" She said when she finally got close.

Darwin also smiled slyly and immediately caught her right cheek between his thumb and index finger. A strong pinch with some added pulling.

"Ouch, uncle let go"

"You may be able to use your Mana but that does not mean you are pain resistant" Darwin said "It's not good to tease your elders, brat"

"Ouch, ok I'm sorry so let go. I won't do it again" She begged.

"We both know you will"

"You are right about that"

"Hah! You naughty girl" Darwin said and let go of her cheek "Now go back to your session"

"Ok, I'm going now" Angela turned around and went back down the cobblestone path the led straight to a mansion but before she was out of range she turned and made eye contact with Isolde and she grinned. Victor noticed this and when she was gone he glanced at Isolde.

"What was that? Some kind of lady eye talk?"

Isolde turned to face him and him, to her. "You don't have to worry about it"

Darwin attempted to give her a kiss again, but was interrupted, this time by a guard.

"Lord Ardenholt..."

Darwin was slightly annoyed that he could not spend time with his woman alone "And he snapped at the guard "What is it?"

"Lord Ardenholt I have come to inform you that the young master has returned"

"He has?"

"Yes sire, and he requests your presence"

"Right now?"

"Yes sire"

"Talk about bad timing" Darwin said "Tell him I'll be with him in a few minutes"

"Yes sire"

Darwin dismissed the guard and when he was gone, he focused his attention back on the beauty standing to his left. Her gaze met his and she looked at him with anticipation. It was like a blessed event because the garden seemed to come alive around them as the chorus of birds took flight, adding to the magic of the moment.

Darwin leaned down and Isolde tilted her head up so that their foreheads touched, and they laughed.

"I love you"

"I love you more"

***

In the dark of a shaded room sat a young man. He looked out the window wall, staring at the scenery through the tinted glass. Black hair drooping down from his head, jade eyes like the ocean, well-structured nose bridge, delicate looking lips and a well-defined jawline. He was very handsome. He was in a white uniform adorned with gold and red, with a black cape to match. On the stool to his right there was a glass of wine which he took a sip out of after sitting for a long while.

He rose to his feet and went to the window with the glass still in his hand and while standing the back of his cape was very much visible. On it was the emblem of the Loxley family embroidered with gold.

The huge doors of the room burst open and Darwin walked in. He smiled when he saw the young man.

"You are beaming today uncle" The young said without turning to face Darwin. "Did you finally ask aunt Isolde to marry you again?"

"You, do you have eyes everywhere or what?"

Darwin walked to one of the seats, sat down and poured himself a glass of wine too.

"It's nice to see you again uncle Darwin"

"You too. It's nice to see you again, Luther Loxley"