In the Grand Palace of the ruler of the Nightwalkers' Dukedom, one of the five Grand Dukedom of the Human Kingdom, many maids were helping a little girl get dressed up.
This girl looked to be only five years old and was oozing with cuteness. Normally, she hates getting all dressed up but this time was a bit special. This could be seen from how she was humming happily while allowing the maids to do what they want with her.
This five year old is the first daughter of the current Lord of the Nightwalker's family, Daniel Nightwalker and his wife, Margaret Nightwalker. Her name is Livia Nightwalker.
This time they were going to another Dukedom of a Grand Duke , The Sunchasers' Dukedom. Her parents were going there to discuss an effective way to protect their boundary from the monster tide that is going to occur as both these Dukedoms are closer to each other and will be first to suffer from the tide.
But all these matters not in the heart of a five year old, as to Livia, she is being taken to a new place to play. Her parents had told her that there is someone there who she could make friends with and he was also her age. She was excited to meet with her new friend and wanted to play in a new place.
Finally, they set off on a wyvern to go there as soon as possible. Livia was excited by this new experience and was happy all the way. Soon they reached their destination.
There palace was just as Grand as theirs only the style was different. What intrigued her more is the garden behind the palace, which also seemed to have been made into a playground for kids.
As her parents went in to talk with the host, she was going to the garden to play. She was also told that her playmate would be here. When she came to playground, She saw a bit around her age there.
He looked cool and he was just reading a book under the shade of a tree. She didn't want to disturb this scene as he looked really peaceful with what he is doing. So, she decided to play by herself for a while. If he didn't notice even then, she will go to him and talk with him then. Having decided what to do, she went to the swing. Like everything , even the swings are enchanted to move in their own so the kids could have fun. This is especially so because this is the house of a Grand Duke.
This swing was newly fixed here though. It was installed just now. What no one knew is that this swing's enchantment was tampered with. After all, many wants the heir of the Grand Duke dead. But this kid doesn't play with it. Now our poor Livia is swinging in it.
It was also just then, the boy noticed someone using his swing. He turned to see who it was and saw a cute little girl playing with it by herself. He remembered then, that there were guests coming today. She must be the one they talked about, the friend I'll have.
Just as he was thinking this, he noticed something abnormal with the swinging speed. It was supposed to be the same speed throughout until you want it to stop but now it was slowly accelerating. He hurriedly ran there, fearing that something might happen and just as he feared, it had become too fast for the girl and she could not hold on. She was thrown off the swing. If she feel to the ground just like that, most likely she will have broken most of her bones, worst case, death.
The boy calculated her trajectory and jumped along her path to catch her and kill the momentum at the same time. He held her in his arms and rolled in the ground , this effectively reducing the damage to a minimum.
He looked at the girl in his arms, who was still in a daze with her tears still flowing, she seemed to be traumatized. He wiped her tears away and hugged her patting her head, saying it's okay and she's safe now. After a few minutes, she stopped crying and moved away, blushing. She was embarrassed. She was told that a lady should only hug her parents, siblings and her husband and children. (...For someone at her age that is...).
He introduced himself as Raynar Sunchaser and asked who she is. She introduced herself and they began walking towards the palace.
As they were walking, Livia was having a story in her heart. She didn't know what this feeling is but she wanted to hug him again. For some reason, it was comfortable and it felt safe.
After they went to the Palace and their parents came to know of what happened, they raged and sent orders to kill whoever is involved with this. And as the talk is over, Livia had to leave, albeit reluctantly.
This was her first and only direct meeting with Raynar.
***
She never forgot about Raynar ever. she wanted to be a perfect lady, one who would be the ideal partner for marriage, just so she could impress him. When she came to know he had the first ever God level talent in history, she almost panicked because of her talent is not up to par then she won't even have a chance with him. She was completely relieved when her talents were at the top of the hero level which is the best talent in history . Other than someone like Raynar no one would be able to say that are better than her. Her element was one of the rarest and the best out there, lightning. Even Raynar has to take the back seat here as his are the four basic element. She took her classes without fail and her temperament became something before a Noble Lady. She was the no.1 ideal partner in the entire Kingdom. Even the elves admitted that she was the only one comparable to their Queen.
Even when everyone praised her, many suitors courted her, she didn't forget Raynar. She was looking for a way to break this to her parents as she was soon going to have to marry. This was when her parents said that The Sunchasers wanted to matchmake their son and her.
She was very happy, happy enough to forget to even sleep that night. Then the day came. The day she was waiting for so eagerly came. She went to Sunchasers palace for the second time in her life, full of anticipation of what Ray will say when they were asked to marry. She expected him to be embarrassed out be cool about it, even indifferent. But what she didn't expect to hear it perhaps what she didn't want to hear was what he said.
--- Livia's POV ---
'He was asked whether he wants to marry me.
What takes him so long to answer though? It's he perhaps embarrassed? Hehehe. I will soon be with the man I love. I will marry him and he will be mine. Hehehe. '
"At the moment, my answer will have to be no. Please forgive me for that, Lady Livia."(Ray)
... What!?
He rejected her right away ? But why ? Was she not good enough for him ?
A lot of questions were going on in everyone's mind and they were feeling a myriad of emotions but the one that is predominant would be surprise.
Livia almost started crying as her eyes turned red and tears started forming at the corner of her eyes.
Her father was getting angry, her mother wanted to console her, his parents were dumbfounded as if they did it expect him to say that.
'Why did he say no? Is there a reason? Did he not like me? or is there something else? Why is it so painful? '
Her was feeling as if it was being crushed. She was finding it hard to breathe but she controlled herself. She wanted to know why he said No. She wanted to hear the reason with her own ears even if it will hurt her. She was about to ask him when he started speaking again.
" Currently, I don't think I am worthy of her. She is a talent and a great beauty. She also has same status as me. She is perfect. To marry her, as a man, I should at least have enough strength. I will grow strong enough in three years to take your hand in marriage, Lady Livia. I will become an S-class adventurer and then will propose marriage to you. If you find someone you love our more suitable before then, marry them. I won't cause any trouble. If not, I will take your hand then. This is why I cannot accept your proposal at the moment. Please forgive me if I had hurt you with my words."(Ray)
"No, Sir Ray don't have to apologise. I just misinterpreted your words. That's my fault. You don't have to apologise."(Livia)
' If this is the reason, then I can accept it. He didn't say he will never marry me, he said he will when he is sure that he is a perfect match with me. This means he loves me to right? '
As I was thinking about it, Father wanted us to exchange the Ring of Lover's Vows . Even then he asked me for my wishes first and only said yes after I accepted it. Not even my parents respect my opinions but he does. If this is not love then I don't what is. Then he should really love me. But still, I don't like the idea staying away for longer that this. Also with him going out there, there will be a lot of girls flicking around him. I honestly can't rest easy thinking about this so I will make a decision. I will go with him too. And why is he so hellbent on calling me 'Lady Livia' ? Can't he relax a bit. Right I have to fix this too. Then, since he is asking me on my opinions regarding the Ring of Lover's Vows, I will take this chance get what I want.
"So, what do you think, Lady Livia?"(Ray)
"I would love to. And I will be happier if Sir Ray stops with the 'Lady'-anecdote. And I will be even happier if everyone here accepts my requests or my decision" (Livia)
"Tell what it is dear. As long as it is a good thing, no one will object."(Lily)
"I want to become an adventurer too. I want to travel with Sir Ray too."(Livia)
I won't let you go. Ever.