Laying on the small grass, under the clear sky. Behind my closed eyes, memory of the first time I saw her. The face that has been etched in my mind for a long time.

  “Yue.” I whispered lost in the memory.

  “Xavier! I’ve been searching for you all over the pce. What are you doing, lying in a corner like that?” Leo stood over my head with his usual dramatic behaviour.

  “What happened? Why must you always come to ruin my peaceful mood?” I made a face of dismay.

  “Hey! I have no such wishes to be a nuisance. Duke Seymour summoned you. Apparently, you have been assigned with a task. And I am to accompany you.” Leo mirrored my expressions. Even the duke knew we were rarely ever separated from each other.

  “Let us head inside then.” I said

  **********

  “Duke Seymour!” Leo and I put our fist on chest. “You called for us.”

  “Yes, I heard you got back here from the negotiations with the Galkhein’s territory st night and will leave tomorrow to meet Gabriel." We nodded.

  "I have something that needs to be delivered to him personally. It is of utmost importance that no one else knows about this.” He ordered in his gruff voice.

  Leo gave a quick knowing gnce on his left to me. A fshback of our st year’s visit came to my mind. We bowed our head. “As you command my Lord.”

  As we were dismissed and turned to leave, I knew what was coming for me and gred at him. “Do not start now.” I grumbled under my breath. He stifled his ugh. He was not letting go of a perfect opportunity.

  “I should have never told you what happened that night.” I looked at him as soon as we got out.

  “Oh! but even if you did not tell me, My Lord, I saw what happened.” He chortled. I knew he was recalling the exact scene in his mind.

  “It’s te Xavier, you should go to your room now.” Gabriel’s voice was low because of his illness.

  “You should rest as well Sir.” I stood up and headed to my chambers.

  Unable to sleep, I walked to the balcony. This room has always been designated for me ever since I first came here. So, I knew the view from my terrace was beautiful. The pond was surrounded by plum trees. Moonlight made it look like diamonds were shining on the surface.

  The view has always been the same. But this time something was different. It was almost simir to the one I witnessed an year ago. The silhouette of a girl. My eyes went wide when she turned her face slightly and I realized. The face that had been haunting me even in my dreams was now in front of me.

  “Yue!” I breathed in disbelief. I had been searching for her for so long now. Unsuccessful, I was almost convinced, it was exhaustion that pyed tricks on my mind that day. But here she was again, sitting by the pond, her legs dipped in water. The wind blowing her dark, loose hair. I quickly stepped back. This time I was not going to let her disappear.

  She was picking her things up by the time I reached the pond. I contempted for a second, then stood beside her with enough space to not make her uncomfortable. She looked up at me, her eyes peeking from behind her thick shes. I had seen many beautiful girls from all the pces I had been to, but they never attracted me. And she was nowhere near the standards of ideal beauty, with her hair dark as midnight falling on her back and skin pale like a dead. Yet there was something peculiar about her that had drawn me. Notably that mole on her chin. She did not bother with my presence and continued to pick up her things.

  I tried to have her attention by clearing my throat. “What are you doing here at this hour Lady?”

  “Retiring to bed. I bid you a good night.” With that she went past me and slipped in the darkness. I was too shocked to notice Leo standing in his window, with his mouth hung open. It was only when he started ughing, I cursed under my breath, knowing he will never let me forget this.

  “I shall see you at breakfast.” He headed inside, making sure to ugh louder than necessary.

  I groaned at the memory, knowing he was going to start again. Even though the other two days went by normally. She apologized after knowing who I was. Yet I had a feeling she was avoiding me deliberately. Thus, I did not attempt to approach her again. Though when she would train, I could not help but stare at her when I knew nobody would notice me. I was not going to give Leo the chance to bring this topic again.

  It is going to be different this time. I thought to myself while walking away from him. I did not wish to confess but I was eager to meet her.

  I wonder if she is still that stern? Her eyes… Do they still hold innocence in them? Different thoughts were racing in my mind as I prepared to leave.

  ***********

  Surrounded with books, Sir Gabriel was sitting on his armchair. His eyes were focused on the board of chess set in front of us. He picked up the bck bishop and repced it with my knight.

  “Quite expected if you ask me Sir.” I rexed in my seat. With one swoop, his rook fell —in its pce stood my queen.

  “Check!” I smirked

  His forehead creased in concentration. His brows raised in appreciation. “It is good to have a worthy opponent. But do not think I’m cornered just yet. I am not out of moves.” He chuckled lightly.

  “It is not every day we get to see the moves of Grand commander himself. It is an honour to even be here.” I smiled. Before he could make his next move, someone knocked on the door of the library.

  “That must be Lily. You have come after a long time, brace yourself.” He whispered mischievously. “Come in.”

  I looked at him in confusion. Before I could ask him what he meant, my eyes fell on her. Dressed in the colours of cherry blossom and dark hair tied in a bun. She was just as beautiful as I remember. I was not expecting to see her so soon. She seemed rather shocked herself. I knew she remembered me and the previous encounter we had. I barely heard what Lily was saying to me. Every ounce of my being was focused on her presence.

  “You must remember Yvonne, don't you? She has been here for three years now. And I have been wanting to brag to you that she is my best pupil of archery, just as much better as you, if not more, might I add.” I knew this introduction was Gabriel’s attempt to help me escape from Lily’s compints. We had met st year and he must remember that. Anyhow, I was grateful for that

  As if I could ever forget her. Though my eyebrows raised when he called her, his best archer which could soon repce me. An archer as good as me? I must see that. I had little doubts about her capabilities because if Gabriel acknowledged her, then she must be that good.

  “Stay for at least two days young man.” Lily sternly pointed her finger at me. I scratched my neck. I had to leave tomorrow, no matter how much she insisted.

  Getting back to the chess game Gabriel offered her to join us. She was sitting right next to me. Her dress was free of any extravagant embroidery. And yet it was hard for me to take my eyes off her. My focus shifted to Sir Gabriel, proposing for us to compete. It was going to be a good stay.

  At lunch Leo tarted to compin. Very expected of him. An only child who grew up pampered and loved by those around him. With his personality of a spoiled golden retriever, I would have been surprised if he had let it go.

  His reaction got even better when sir Gabriel told him about the idea for tomorrow. His eyes darted between me and her. Quite visible from her face that she did not wish to be here. For the first time I was gd for Leo’s tongue. He dragged her in the conversation directly. I did not wish for her to leave just yet. I could easily spend a lifetime at this table and it would be more than enough for me.

  ***********

  Next morning I got on the ground early, only to find her there already. She was sitting on the grass in her pid coat. Her neatly braided hair were unfazed by the wind. With her eyes closed like that she always managed to look so peaceful. I wished to be by her side to know how she did it. Soon the servants started readying the supplies and Leo joined us. His constant teasing almost made my charade fail.

  "Try to impress her. Dont get too competitive with a dy, you wish to court." He lectured. I suppressed the smile as soon as it slipped.

  I thought to hold back during the game but it would have be an insult to her efforts. I was not expecting much but she managed to surprise me by her wit. She had realised that she could not beat me in accuracy so she went for time. This woman kept intriguing me at every point. And I could not help but feel more drawn towards her. And that was not it. At the end of the day before leaving, she nonchantly refused to travel in the safety of her carriage but insisted on getting her horse. Even Lily could not change her decision. Guess the niece surpasses the stubbornness of her aunt. When she had mounted the horse, I held Leo back.

  “This is most probably her first time travelling outside like this. As brave and skill full she is, there is a high risk considering the current conditions of Indigo Street. If an attack occurs, you should be the one protecting her alongside the knights.” I could not trust anyone but him to handle the situation.

  “Only if you exchange that exquisite coat csp with me. Your silver brooch suits my outfit more.”

  “You are aware that this is my signature jewel as the heir of dukedom, right?” I eyed him

  “Come on. I like to travel in complete aesthetics. I do not intend to take your title… yet.” He unpinned his own golden pin from his white coat and exchanged with me.

  I tried to intimidate her one st time by the tough journey on purpose. Not that I really expected her to go down.

  Close to the street I looked at Leo and he signalled that everything was under control. I breathed a sigh of relief when we had passed through the path when an arrow whizzed by my ear.

  “Protect the Lady.” Jumping from my horse I roared. A bunch of masked men came running from all directions. Chaos had erupted due to a mere moment of carelessness. Cnking my sword with one of them I saw Leo trying to make his way to Yvonne. Taking care of two men on his way, I saw him stagger.

  “Leo!" I yelled. I did not know what had happened. I tried to get to him but was surrounded by three more men. As soon as I yelled his name, I noticed the men stopped moving towards him instead they were now coming at me. A direct attack. I plunged my sword in the chest of the man closest to me and pushed him on the other. I swung the leg and hit the men approaching from behind right across the face and stabbed the sword deep in his guts. A rush of energy took over me, I kept sshing through all of them to reach him. A little wound could not make Leo fall, yet his scream was telling me other tales.

  “Damn it so you are Xavier Seymour. Heir to the dukedom.” The st standing man cursed. Behind his back I saw someone kneeling beside Leo and pulling him to a side. Relief washed over me and I turned my eyes back to the man in front of me.

  “And you must be the bastard responsible for tonight’s events.” I clenched my jaws and moved forward. Instead of swinging my bde, I crouched and punched him in the ribs. Not expecting a close attack, he doubled down. Twisting his arm, I made him throw his sword and hit his back with the hilt. “Now I will ask all the questions, and you will sing like a nightingale.” I held his jaw.

  Taking in the situation my mind went to her. Grabbing their leader by his colr I moved to where her horse stood agitated. There she was in the midst of all knights, with her dagger on the throat of a man kneeled in front of her. Even among this chaos, the scene filled me with pride.

  “Oh! Are you one of those kinds? I do not need a man type?” The man in my grip mocked her. Fury took over me. Before I could punch him again. I heard her say,

  “Indeed I am. I do not need a man to protect me for I am no damsel in distress. I am a woman more than capable of saving myself.” She held back from hurting him, even I could tell her intent was not murderous. They must have been ordered to die instead of getting captivated. He lunged straight into her dagger. The leader’s loud chuckle boomed on the street as she stumbled on the ground. Unable to hold back, I punched him in the nose.

  Someone came running calling her name. Frantically searching her for any injuries was Kacie. Which means she was the one who had also came to Leo’s rescue. What was she doing here at this hour? Whatever the reason was I was gd she was here. I wanted to hold her to make sure she was fine. But you have no right to touch her. Making sure she was okay from afar, I went back to see how Leo was doing.

  “Is Lady Sterling alright?” Upon seeing me coming, he asked in a strained voice.

  “Yes, fret not. She is completely alright. How are you holding up?” I kneeled beside him.

  “I am fine. Worry not about me.” He kept saying but his voice got heavy and eyes started to droop.

  “Show me your wound.” I pulled his shirt up to examine the injury on the side of his abdomen. It was not deep enough to cause such conditions. His temperature was rising. It's better to let Kacie examine it. I stood up to fetch her, knowing she would be by her dy’s side. Leo held my hand.

  “Take this. It is not safe with me.” He handed over my brooch, covered in blood. So, even he realised. I clenched it in my fist and made my way to her. I need to make sure he will be fine.

  “Lady Ravenkind, may I have a word with you?”

  She looked at me with questioning eyes.

  “It is Leo. He does not seem to be doing well to me. I believe it would be better if you take a look at him.” I walked her to Leo. He was still half conscious. She kneeled beside him and started to check.

  “The wound is not that deep. But I am afraid, it seems that the weapon through which he was attacked was ced with poison. I am not yet sure what it is. But we need to hurry. He cannot afford to travel to Nicholson estate. We need to head to Sterling Mansion.” She was visibly distraught. “Meanwhile ask someone to immediately bring me bandages and some clean water.” I eyed the knight and he rushed off.

  “I shall go and talk with Lady Yvonne for the arrangements.” She nodded without looking at me.

  After talking with he, we managed to send one of the knights beforehand to announce her arrival. I came back to see two knights helping Leo mount his horse, while Kacie held its reins.

  “He cannot travel on his own and we can no longer afford to lose any more of our protection squad. I shall travel with him safely to mansion.” She was firm.

  I trusted her judgement. This time I could not afford to let my guard down even for a second.