Emperor's Reckoning

The street in the upper-class part of the city was quiet, unlike the downtown. With the recent event, there were fewer people than usual.

In this empty street, two figures were walking side by side.

The young man was staring at his front while his hands lazily supported his head from behind. With the accompany of a beautiful woman, he felt bliss as he sometimes smiled at this world he was currently living.

The young woman beside him emitted a heavenly beauty. Though she was wearing casual noble clothing, it still couldn't hide her if she were put among the masses.

The two of them walked without talking at all, which was a very rare case for the young man.

"Oh look, a batch of pigeons!" said Lyon with enthusiast as he pointed at the objects he was referring to beside a fountain.

His sudden words sent the princess into a slight fright as she didn't expect him to suddenly shout. "Eh... What of it?" asked the princess as her mouth twitched a bit.

"Well, have you ever run through it, it's an amazing sight you know," asked Lyon with a smile.

"Um... Well..." She was having a hard time answering the question. For all she knew or been taught, such act only befitting of those from the commoners.

Before she could come out with an answer, her hand was dragged once more as her body instinctively followed.

In front of her eyes, the world seemed to run slower than usual. The pigeons were slowly flapping their wings as they took off from the paving. The sound of hearty laughter ringed in her ear as she averted her gaze to the frivolous young man. She could clearly see that his eyes were closed as he ran through the pack of pigeons.

The princess felt the gentle hand that held her's as she thought (How warm..). Her heartbeat slowly increased as the adrenaline started its motion. (Such freedom...) Her eyes closed as her feet started to run faster than Lyon's.

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Lyon was surprised as the lady she was dragging was now dragging him. (Eh? Wait a minute!).

She closed her eyes as her chestnut hair fluttered against the wind. With every unwavering step, she took, she felt that the 'her' she wanted to be was slowly revealing 'herself'. (Not to live as a princess, but to live as a person!) thought the beautiful woman as she charged through.

*thud

(Eh?) suddenly her feet hit something as she tripped forward. She could see the reflection of her face as she fell. Closing her eyes she prepared for the impact.

.

.

.

The more she waited the more agitated she became. She braved herself as she opened her eyes slowly. Her reflection was there staring at her once again.

"What's gotten into you? This is not a race you know..." said Lyon nonchalantly with a smile. One of his hands was grabbing her clothes as she hanged because of it.

Her face blushed as she couldn't help but covered her face with both hands.

"Ah well, a little water won't hurt," said Lyon as he let go his grip.

*splash

The princess fell into the shallow fountain as her whole clothing was wet. She immediately stood up as her body soaked from head to toe. With her chestnut hair covering her face, Lyon couldn't make out her expression.

She blew an air as strings of her hair moved along before coming back to hid her face.

"Hahaha," laughed Lyon without care.

After having his fill, Lyon stretched his hand as he said, "Here, let me help you get down."

The princess took his offer as she stretched out her soaked hand. However, she landed on his wrist instead. Hidden to Lyon's eyes, she smirked.

(Eh?)

Lyon was surprised before his hand was pulled and lost his footing. Since he was standing straight at the edge of the fountain, it was really easy for him to fall.

*splash

Like her, Lyon immediately stood up as his figure was soaked and his hair was also covering his face. Both of them were staring at each other albeit their eyes couldn't see directly.

The sound of footsteps was heard as a figure was approaching. A clanking sound was apparent as the figure got nearer. Wearing a silver armor with a silver sword, the figure revealed himself as a guard patrolling the street.

"What a quiet afternoon, I wonder why do I even need to patrol this street," sighed the guard as he slowly got to the fountain.

"?!" The guard immediately took a step back as his heart leaped for a second. (Ghost?!).

He could see two figures were facing each other. From their outline, he could make out that they were a man and a woman. He gulped as he thought (Did a couple died here a century ago? I-i think I heard something like that...).

His armor rattled as he tried to draw his sword with his shaking hand. "I-in the name o-of Luderia, I will vanquish you and let you rest in peace!"

His voice caught Lyon's and the princess's attention as they turned around to face him.

"Eek! I-i'm warning you! Though I'm not an exorcist, I'm still Luderia's guard! By my mother's milk that gave me courage... no wait I-I mean my heart of loyalty."

(Shit! Why am I embarrassing myself to a couple of ghosts!) thought the guard as he started to hate his life.

"Pfft! Hahaha!" both Lyon and the princess burst into laughter as they heard what he just said.

Hearing their laughter, the guard's fear turned into anger as he realized something, (Wait a minute, why would a couple of ghosts appeared in the afternoon).

Drawing his sword, he pointed it at the two of them, "You two may be nobles but to... to...to...to...?!"

His voiced stuck as he took a glimpse at the woman's face. Chilled to the bone the guard was, as he realized that the figure was more terrifying than a ghost.. Not because of the face, but rather her identity.

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