"You are finally up boy, It's been four days since you fainted." Alvaro greeted sleepy Rian.
Rian groaned and sat up taking a look around him. The motel is back in its original form. Then he felt the pain he never felt before.
"Ugh."
"It will take some time to heal as per healer."
"Never knew it would hurt so bad."
"You did perform well kid. Rest for now." Alvaro ordered him.
Rian nods. A sudden loneliness hit him as the thoughts of his family entered his mind. Having Alvaro watching over him made Rian feel a bit better but he wished to see his family. Due to the sudden pain, he feels alone and wants someone to take care of him. Alvaro left him to rest. After a while, he heard a knock. He didn't feel like answering so he ignored it. The door opened and Jade entered, Her face lit up seeing Rian awake. Rian looked at her confused.
Ignoring his looks Jade approached him.
"I was waiting until you woke up. I guess you don't feel good. Should income later?" Jade asked politely. Rian smiled and shook his head.
"I didn't think someone would come to see me," Rian confessed.
"I was worried for you and here you are thinking nonsense. The pain is getting in your head."
"I was missing my family."
"Want to go back?"
Going back is tempting but Rian shook his head firmly. He doesn't know if they even care enough. He never got attention like his other siblings which made him sad. Jade taps his forehead gently causing Rian to snap out of his thoughts.
"You are thinking nonsense. It's fine if you don't want to go back, How about you recover first Then we can enjoy the festival tonight." Jade said gently.
"Who won the tournament?"Rian questions curious about his brother. Since he ran away it must be Ezio his older brother who participated. He hoped the Ezio won. Jade rubbed the back of her neck.
"Well, I was the one who won, "Jade said. Rian eyes widened and his mouth wide open. Breaking out of it he asked.
"You won okay but they allow you to fight. You didn't say anything about joining the tournament."
"Zebulon, he was the one who tricked me into participating in the tournament. He is a brat." Jade said with anger bubbling inside her but she calmed it down. It reminded her that she didn't take her revenge yet. Rian looks at her loss.
"He is royal?"
"Yes, he is royal and the one who got me in. I don't want to be Aide." Jade complaint. That reminds him of his sister Hestia. She used to complain a lot about not getting a chance to fight. A smile formed on his lips.
"So you beat everyone. I should have been there to see everyone's faces." Rain said while laughing. He felt proud of Jade.
"Those people couldn't believe in their eyes."
"Other participants were injured, considering your power." Rain said concerned for his brother.
"My power is to destroy. Don't expect it to go smoothly." Jade stated and shrugged.
"Great Champion. I am proud of you." Rian patted her back.
"Then I will leave you to rest. We will meet tonight at the festival. If you don't join I will be sad."
"I will come surely."
Rian bids her goodbye and watches Jade leave. His loneliness lessened as he felt better after talking to Jade. He has good friends now instead of the one he had in the territory who talked behind his back. A worker at a motel came inside with food in her tray. He remembered her, Alina who teased him every day.
"Good, you are up. Finish all of the food." She said sternly. Rian finished the food as he was hungry. He felt better after taking a long nap. Once he was ready Alvaro entered his room looking like a rich noble. Alvaro grinned at him.
"You look ready for then let's go to the festival."
"You coming with me?"
"Zebulon told me to bring you an assigned place, I will leave you there."
Once Rian reaches the place he realizes he is alone. He gazed at the people around him awkwardly. He isn't sure if he will be ditched today.
...
Jade and Valerie entered the festival late. As soon as they got in they bumped into a group of Royal heirs who were strolling in the group. Before Jade and Valerie can hide Lance already notices them. Valerie glanced at Riona and gulped trying to hide her face but failing miserably. Riona noticed her.
"Jade, you did pretty well back then?" Lance said with a smile. Jade returned his smile.
"Thanks, you weren't bad." She replied.
"Finally I meet the champion. I am Hestia, Ezio's sister." Hestia introduced herself politely. Jade nods.
"Nice to meet you."
Others stood awkwardly not knowing what to say. After their defeat meeting her doesn't feel good.
"Thanks for getting back to the kids safely," Lance said cutting off the awkwardness.
"It's fine Lance. How are your wounds?" Jade asked.
"It's healed, but I admit you hit hard."
"It wasn't that hard, maybe you are weak." Jade teased him. Lance laughed. The Heir of the demonic sect joined them after a while.
"Oh Jade, I saw the competition. Good job." Damien greeted her first and nodded at others.
"We meet again," Jade said.
"Yes, but we weren't able to talk last time. Join us for the festival."
"Thanks for the offer but I am meeting someone." Jade declined the offer. She is going to meet Zebulon and Rian.
"They can't be more important than heirs like us."
"He is important," Jade said.
Jade felt Zebulon and whipped her head in his direction. Zebulon approached her. Jade clenched her fist and threw a punch at him letting her mana flow. The heir around her tensed up. Zebulon held her fist blocking her impact and mana. He grinned.
"That's not a nice way to meet, love." Zebulon teased her.
"You are the most annoying person I met. I didn't forget what you did." Jade glared at him.
"Come on. I knew you were capable."
Jade, there is one more punch, Zebulon blocks it again. He glanced at the people around them tensed up except Valerie. Zebulon gazed at Jade a bit proudly.
"Sadly I wasn't able to see it," Zebulon said. Jade pulled her hands away and kicked him and once again he blocked it. His arm wrapped around her waist pulling her closer, their chest touching, he leaned into her ears and whispered.
"Rian must be waiting."
Jade nods and pulls away standing straight. Zebulon let his palm linger on her waist for seconds before pulling away. Jade glances back at the heirs.
"I will see you next time. Take care, Lance." Jade said to him. Lance merely nodded.
Zebulon grasped Jade's hand pulling her away from them before they could stop them again. Valerie followed them behind. They found Rian standing alone. Finding his friend Rian breathed out in relief.
"You guys are late, I thought you ditched me," Rian complained.
"Looks like you recovered since you can complain with the loudest voice," Zebulon said. Jade wrapped her arm around Rian's shoulder and smirked.
"Let's go and celebrate your achievement," Jade announced.
"Shouldn't we celebrate for you, the champion?"
"It's not something to celebrate. I will kill you next time Zebulon. Better not show your face." Jade warned him.
"Getting rid of me is hard, you are stuck with me."
"Guys, let's play magic ball. I want to try it." Rian dismissed the situation and dragged them to the shop. Taking darts he threw at the balls floating in the air, managing to hit only five out of ten. It's hard to hit since they are changing their positions.
"Damn it." He muttered.
Valerie took the darts hitting all of them making the shopkeeper and Rian look at her with their mouth open.
"What we should take?" Valerie question.
Four of them glance at the items available Jade likes throwing knives while Rian wants the magic ball. Jade agreed with Rian and he got what he wanted. Jade tried throwing darts managing to hit four.
"I thought you would be good at it too." Rian pointed out.
"I am good with swords but this isn't my thing," Jade said a bit disappointed about not winning the throwing knife. Zebulon threw darts and won hitting all of them. Jade nods knowing he is perfect. Zebulon took the throwing knife and gave it to Jade.
"I thought you would play with my feelings but thanks." Jade wriggled the knife happily. Zebulon offered her smile.
They wandered for to few more stalls and stopped near the restaurant. Rian pointed at it. Walking inside they took the table at the corners. Zebulon pulled out a chair for Jade, thanking him she settled down while Zebulon sat beside her. Rian and Valerie sat across them.
"I want to try the finest wine. I heard of the capital having the best wine." Rian whispered.
"I want to drink too." Valerie agreed.
"Alright then." Zebulon agreed making Rian feel enthusiastic.
Jade ended up drinking juice because she doesn't drink while Zebulon took a glass. Rian ended up drinking ten glasses and Valerie drank up the whole bottle but it didn't affect her much.
At the end of the festival, they settled down in the garden to see the fireworks. Rian passed out after a while so Valerie took him back to the motel and left for her territory. Jade and Zebulon waited until the end of the festival.
"So are you going to the imperial palace?" asked Jade.
"No. I need to finish some more work." Replied Zebulon.
"More work. Shouldn't you sleep, it's pretty late."
Zebulon ran his fingers through his silky hair, a smile on his lips. He felt happy knowing she cared.
"I am Royal, sleep is out of my schedule."He responds.
"Then let me help, it will be easier to deal with things." Jade offer.
"Go back and enjoy. I don't want to trouble you."
"I insist."
"It's alright, Aide." Zebulon smirk.
"I almost forgot about it but I will let you go for today."
Jade and Zebulon chuckle. They felt whole in each other's presence. And that's all Zebulon needs. At last, he has only one thought in his mind.
She will find out one day.