"Nyx?"
I ran toward her, I actually thought she'd left the academy early for her break since she'd need to train a great deal if she wanted to outdo everyone in the sword magic exposition and tournament.
"I didn't know you'd still be at the academy... today's the last day after all." I said, standing just some few meters from her.
"Yeah, I had to stay back for the noble celebratory of the three great noble houses... there's been a lot of work so these arranged meetings with family members will never end, it's really stressing me out." she exhaled a sigh that clearly defined how truly exhausted she was.
It was even more obvious now how much she detested being the eldest daughter of a prestigious family.
I wanted to sympathize with her, but didn't know how. Instead I let silence do the talking.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make it all about me. I know you have your own problems too.." quick to apologize for what I didn't think was offensive to me, after all I was planning on asking how she was doing.
"It's fine, you don't need to apologize. If anything, I should feel honored that you'd want to discuss your day with me." I looked for the positive side to things so she wouldn't feel the need to apologize.
"In fact.." I took a long stare at her, the dress she wore and how it fit her body were my main focus "Excluding how stressful these formal outings may be, the attire does suit your delicate physique. It does great justice in highlighting your radiance in a manner I'd have never imagined." this was me stating an undoubtedly acknowledged fact.
She was in a positive mood because of the comment, "Uh, thank you.." her eyes averted from mine momentarily. It made me wonder if there was something on my face.
"Anyhow, what about your day. You're dressed like you plan on going somewhere..." that was in fact the truth, any other day I'd either be in my training attire, uniform or in the dungeon.
"I already did, would you like to hear about it?" was there any use asking? she clearly wanted to.
We were seated on a bench next to the statue of Arthur Pendragon III.
"So let me get this straight, you went to the bookstore and then had lunch with Belitha and Laia? I'm sure you guys had the most wonderful time together.." she spoke with a hint of envy I was unable to detect, but why would I.
You wouldn't expect the eldest daughter of House Lunette to be jealous, she was already living the ideal life in my opinion. Yet, from her perspective it was contrastingly pessimal.
"It was enjoyable honestly, I haven't had that much fun in a while.." I said oblivious of her feelings. Typical.
She stood up without any warning and turned to face me, leaning forward and with both hands on her waist she informed me "Hey! I'm about to go get a few things before closing, I'd like if you accompanied me, and you can't say no.." she was domineering all of a sudden.
It wasn't in a manner that was overbearing or oppressive, it was more or less in a pushy quite frankly befitting her personality.
We'd gone to a small shop that sold fashionable clothes, jewelry and the like.
Rosemarie tried on a number of clothes and they were all honestly attractive in one manner or the other. They really brought out her feminine wiles, she was practically glowing.
Some attires made her look cool.
She looked absolutely stunning in all the clothes she wore. Her name, Rose, was so fitting for the color of her hair. I couldn't help but admire her beauty and grace. She was truly a sight to behold.
I waited in front of the dressing room while she was inside changing back to her initial dress behind the curtains.
She'll surely be purchasing the ones she tried out. "Hey Nyx?" she called out my name.
"Yeah?"
"You seem to be really comfortable around women, not that I have a problem with it but it's just a bit strange I suppose. It's not important but I just felt like I had to say it." she wasn't wrong in her observation, I was comfortably accustomed to associating with women.
"You're not wrong, my mom always taught me to treat women with respect so I guess it played a big role in how I associate with them.. does that make any sense?" I asked her.
Meanwhilst, kids running back and forth in the store bumped into me and I was unfortunate not to have had a door in front of me.
I fell through the curtains and into the dressing room. To make matters worse I landed on Rosemarie with my right hand on her "bazonga."
By the time I'd realized, it was too late. Her face had turned completely red but my countenance was an exceptionally calm one.
She had her undergarments on at least, so that was good for the most part.
"Are you okay Miss Rose?" I asked this because I'd fallen on her, wanting to be sure she hadn't sustained any wounds.
A loud, sudden, explosive sound emanated from the dressing room that caught the attention of everyone in the store. It was like a thunderclap, so instant and yet so loud.
Stepping out of said dressing room, the left half of my face was protuberant, abnormally distended and with a prominent red, open hand-shape marking on it. Water leaked out of my left eye which I could barely see through and I had a runny nose.
The people were appalled by my appearance.
"I can never be seen in public again.." said Rose, heavily embarrassed behind the curtains.
"I'm sorry Rose, I didn't mean to see you like that.." I apologized, it was better if she knew I hadn't planned on doing that. I just suddenly found myself in that situation.
"I mean, it's... it's fine, I'm sorry about your face."
"Don't worry, it's not that bad.." half of my face was visibly throbbing and discolored. Her physical strength was no joke, a slap like that would've hospitalized any normal person.
Moments later...
We were ready to leave. I'd helped her carry some of what she'd bought, as a gentleman it was only natural I did so.
"You know Nyx, I enjoyed spending today with you... we should do it often." as long as she's not slapping me, then sure.
She was genuine in her words, a veritable rose of passion, "I must say, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying our day other than attending noble galas and festivities. It was a pleasure to have your company, and I sincerely hope that we can do it again sometime. I'm sure it'd be just as enjoyable as it was today. What do you think?"
There was no response from me.
"Nyx?" she uttered before turning back to see why I hadn't said a word.
I was on the ground unconscious with an expression that was almost comical. The slap must've done more harm than I anticipated. I was definitely not waking up anytime soon, that much was clear just by looking at me.
"Oh my gosh! Nyx!" Rose panicked, "I killed him!"
At the Belmund mountains...
"It is time.."
Greerheart's voice was heard.
He was a young man of 180 centimeters tall, with bright blue spiky hair and blue slit-like eyes. Two yellow horns protruded from his forehead and sharp fangs were visible.
He wore a sleeveless garment with a low-cut neck and baggy pants tucked into combat boots. His forearms were covered with blue scales and he had long claws.
"How are you so sure?" Vania Croft inquired.
Greerheart decided to indulge her in what he saw, the villainous figure proceeds to speak "Will he be the same as before... King Zaratros."
"Are you question his lordʼs strength?" said Vania, she didn't appreciate the arrogance of this so-called Prince of Dragons.
"You don't understand... years ago.." he took dramatic pause, "I stood upon the sand, and saw a beast rise up out of a sea of blood. The beast which I saw was like a lion, his speed like that of a leopard, his strength like a giant and he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heavens. In the sight of men, he was... the beast, the conqueror, the chaotic king of dragons; Zaratros."
In actuality, he revered Zaratros with respect and Vania felt that in his veritable words.
"The Black Trinity has returned, we will reclaim this world.." Vania strongly uttered.