"We can no longer trade with the Minatos. The Castro bridge has been taken over by the Black Wolves", the pale looking man said worriedly. " Black wolves?", I asked looking at Noah for the answer but the other man replies. "They are a bunch of assassins who work for those bas-"
"Yoshio! Don't curse in front of a child", Noah raised his voice at the man, not letting him swear in front of me. " Okay, they work for those Revons", he explained now in a calm tone which was harsh a minute ago.
The Revons have been Astrada's rivals for generations. They keep on plotting against us from time to time. "Can't we declare a war against them?", I asked knowing that a small troupe of assassins would be a piece of cake for the Armantos. " Poor girl, don't you know that Astradas are peaceful people ", Yoshio mocked. " Peaceful?! My foot! You are forgetting that I am a warrior's daughter Mr. Chloros." The Emperor had my father gone for wars more than often. I have only few memories with him because of that.
"Astradas are not attackers, kid. They only fight in defense. Guess you don't know the history of our Empire. It would be a good start for your lessons. This smart pants knows it all", he implied teasing Noah with that name. This Yoshio guy getting on my nerves because of the way he refers me, I excused myself and went to stroll around in the market. A unique mesmerizing sound went through my ears, relaxing my mind and soul.
A group of kids surrounding the place where the sound came from. A man playing Koto, a traditional instrument. His fingers stroking the strings delicately creating a music like I had never heard before. Everyone clapped for him when he ended it with a high note causing him to smile shyly. "Brother Noah!", he exclaimed at Noah's sight and jumped into his arms clinging onto him like a Koala. I laughed at how this grown up was behaving like a little kid.
" You guys know each other?", I asked. "Yes, his name is Tael Dunsmore. I've learnt playing Zither from his father. This guy is a master in six different traditional instruments from various countries", he said with a straight face clearly annoyed by the man's behavior. " Hey don't be like that. You know I am not good with taking compliments, I'm turning red ", he whined hiding his face between his palms.
" How about a candy, little girl?", Tael offered. My lips turned into a curve just by listening to it. Nobody can ever measure how much I love sweets. Both men laughed as they didn't need to hear the answer, my face said it all. Noah still had to deal with Yoshio because of which he left the two of us alone.
"Rigel, please let me buy you something since this is the first time we met", Tael said as we stood at a stall which had all sorts of female accessories. He bought me a pink ribbon with white flowers to tie up my hair.
" Miss Rigel, I am going to send you back to the dorm with Chernoff. He will escort you safely", Noah appeared out of nowhere startling us both. "I have to go to the Frosta Land. If we are able to convince the Duke there to let us cross their land then we can continue our business with the Minatos", he sighed. It won't be an easy task. I've heard that the Duke of Frosta Land is very cruel. I hope he would come back safely.
" Bye, Tael. Hope to see you soon", I beamed after spending good time with him. I was now left with a near stranger whom I only knew by his name. Chernoff. Jimit Chernoff. All the eyes following our each step closely while we were walking towards the place where our horse was tied.
"Why are these people staring at us?", I asked looking at the girls eyeing me up and down. " Probably because of me. You know these girls won't even hesitate to fight in order to be in your place. Beside me, I mean", he laughed noticing me getting tensed. He's quite popular among girls it seems. I am now at the center of attention because of him. I don't really like it but have to endure it until we reach home.
Meanwhile
"Ain's daughter, huh? Interesting. Keep a close eye on her and look around her past. Looks like we are going to get a weak point", an unknown man let out a scary laugh. " And about my second son, admit him to the Royal Academy as soon as possible."