Xierra's thoughts kept circling back to the star Leopold had flashed earlier that day.
It rested now in her memory rather than her palm—small, almost modest in its make. Not the sort of object that announced importance at a glance. No gilded edges, no theatrical gleam. Just a simple marker, content to exist without drawing attention. She had imagined something far grander when she first heard of point trackers, some ornate token meant to proclaim worth. Instead, it looked like something that could be overlooked if placed on a table among coins and buttons.
She exhaled through her nose, half-amused.
It would do its job just fine. Maybe that was the point.
The thought followed her as the wind combed past her ears and the sky stretched open above them, a vast wash of blue unmarred by clouds. Those stars, she had heard, were handed out by the Wizard King himself. The knowledge sat strangely in her chest, light and heavy all at once.
She wondered what kind of man he was.
The stories painted him in extremes—bravery sharpened into legend, wit honed until it cut through any battlefield. Some spoke of charm, others of wisdom earned through countless victories. To the Magic Knights, he was their highest standard. To the people of Clover, he was a symbol sturdy enough to believe in.
A king, shaped by magic.
Xierra's mouth tugged upward, almost despite herself. The idea felt distant, unreal, like staring at a peak hidden beyond layers of mist. Someone who carried a country on his shoulders had no room for missteps, no space for doubt. Expectations pressed in from every side, relentless and unforgiving.
She knew better than to place herself anywhere near that image.
The realization didn't sting as much as she expected. It settled instead, calm and honest. She was not made for dreams that large. Not for a role that demanded perfection. And yet—
She tilted her head back slightly, eyes tracing the endless stretch above them.
Even so, she hoped—quietly—that the Wizard King was human in the ways that mattered. Someone who stumbled, recalibrated, and learned. Someone who had lost before he ever learned how to win. Because if he wasn't, then the dream she shared with Yuno and Asta would remain forever out of reach, hovering just beyond what hands like theirs could grasp.
No one won every battle. Not truly. Strength was born from the cracks left behind by failure, from moments where things went wrong, and one chose to stand again anyway. That was how people grew. That was how they grew.
Still—
A breath of laughter slipped free before she could stop it, light and unguarded.
"A man who wins every battle," she repeated under her breath, testing the words like a rumor passed between friends.
Who wouldn't admire someone like that?
"What's with the grin?" Rhein's voice cut in, warm with amusement as he glanced over his shoulder. "You look like you're plotting something fun. And I want in."
She leaned back on her broom, letting her legs swing a little too freely. "Relax. We're high up. No one can hear my thoughts from here." Her gaze drifted toward the scattered clouds, bright against the sky. "And if it's fun, of course, you're coming with me. If I were to get into trouble, you'd go down with me."
"Right, partners." Rhein laughed and followed her line of sight, snorting. "What about Inari?"
"Don't drag me into this," Inari snapped, claws digging into the fabric of Xierra's crimson robe. The lion insignia fluttered faintly as he hauled himself closer, tail lashing for balance. "And stop riding your broom like it's a horse, Master. I refuse to meet my end by mere nausea."
Rhein slowed his broom, drawing nearer until the space between them felt companionable rather than measured. He folded his arms, letting himself drift with practiced ease. "I'm more surprised you're flying at all. After fainting, I mean."
Xierra angled her head toward him. "Hmm? Why wouldn't I?"
"I heard some people forget how to ride after blacking out," he replied, entirely too pleased with himself.
Her hand lifted on instinct, and he darted away just in time, laughter trailing behind him.
"Who told you that?" she called. "And on what logic?"
He shrugged midair. "None. Sounds ridiculous, right?"
"Foolish, really," Inari yawned out.
The silence that followed felt comfortable, unpressured. Below them, forests rolled outward in deep greens, hills rising and dipping like a living map. The walls of their headquarters faded behind them, swallowed by distance. For a brief stretch of time, there was only the sky, the wind, and the shared understanding that they were heading into town.
Xierra unfolded her map, fingers tracing familiar routes. "How far is Kikka again?"
Rhein glanced down, then forward. "Not too far."
She hummed in agreement, eyes narrowing as she tried to gauge distance. Half of Saussy, maybe. Manageable.
"Though," he added, "far enough that walking would've been a terrible idea. I wouldn't wanna walk with you even if you drag me, I'd die. My legs would fall off. Literally."
Her gaze snagged on the neat lettering near a cluster of shaded land on the map she held with one hand, her other hand holding to steer her broom.
"The Common Realm," she read, recognition blooming. Castle Town Kikka. The name stirred memories—their first steps beyond Hage, the towering colosseum, the weight of that entrance exam pressing down on all three of them.
"Wait, Kikka's in the Common Realm?"
The creased paper fluttered slightly in her hands.
Rhein lifted a hand as he pushed his broom faster to match her pace, laughing. "Ding-dong! Five points for you," he said, delight bright in his voice as his fingers tapped the small pouch secured at his waist. "Kikka's famous for trade. Weapons, clothes, jewelry—sweets, spices, the works. I'm betting we'll stumble on something dangerous for our wallets. Well, my wallet, at the very least."
Xierra snorted, the sound sharp with amusement. She folded her map with care, tucking it away before adjusting the strap of her bag. Her palm brushed over the familiar weight inside—her mask, steady and secure—before she glanced back at Rhein. There was mischief written plainly across her expression, a spark she didn't bother to hide.
Rhein narrowed his eyes. "You're enjoying this way too much. You're planning something."
She didn't answer. Her laugh burst free instead, bright and daring. "Race you there!"
"What—hey! That's cheating!! We're supposed to be partners!!"
"Less talking," she called over her shoulder, already surging ahead, "more flying, Partner!"
They tore through the open sky, wind clawing at their clothes and tugging laughter from their chests. The blue above stretched endlessly, until their course angled downward and the world shifted—green swallowing everything as they plunged toward the woods.
Leaves blurred past them in streaks of green. Sunlight fractured through the canopy in scattered shards, painting their path in gold and shadow. Xierra leaned into each turn, heart hammering with thrill as trees rushed by close enough to count the veins in their bark. Beneath them, ponds flashed like mirrors before vanishing behind their wake.
Their voices carried freely as they twisted between trunks and stone outcroppings, hands skimming cool air just above the water's surface. This wasn't the shortest route to Kikka, but neither of them cared. The forest welcomed them without complaint.
Branches parted at the last moment. Birds scattered skyward in startled flurries. Somewhere below, hooves thundered as deer fled deeper into cover, and smaller creatures vanished into hidden hollows. The gale pressed cold against Xierra's cheeks, sharp and alive, tugging strands of hair loose as she laughed again, breathless and unrestrained.
The trees began to thin, shadows retreating as warm light poured in. The forest gave way all at once, releasing them into open land where tall grasses rippled in wide, endless waves. The air changed—earth and moss fading into something sunlit and free.
They slowed without speaking, the race forgotten as the moment claimed them instead. Xierra let her broom drift, shoulders easing as she took in the sight ahead. Water pooled in natural basins carved into the ground, reflecting the sky in quiet clarity. Wildflowers crowded the fields in careless abundance, color layered upon color as far as she could see.
For a breath of time, there were only two figures in the sky, sharing space with birds that flew alongside them as if curious.
Xierra felt it settle in her chest—this unshaped, untamed beauty. The world as it existed before roads and walls. Nature offered itself without asking anything in return, and she found herself bound to it all the same.
They hovered there, hair stirred by a gentler breeze now, cheeks flushed from laughter and speed. It felt like something worth remembering.
"Well, damn," Rhein broke the quiet, drawing in air. "Didn't think blasting through trees would be that fun. I should do it more."
Xierra swung back on her broom, ignoring the way Inari grunted and letting the tension drain from her limbs. "If those trees could complain, we'd be banned from the forest for life."
He laughed, shaking his head.
She glanced toward him, curiosity flickering to life. "Do you come to Kikka often?"
Rhein gave a thoughtful hum, gaze drifting toward the distant outline of the town. "Yeah. I head there alone most of the time."
"Alone?" Her brows lifted.
"Royals and nobles don't really like to hang around there."
She turned that over quietly. "I see..." Then, after a pause, she looked back at him. "So why take me this time?"
"To get my hands on things I haven't come across before, of course," Rhein spoke with easy confidence, as if the answer had been obvious from the start. His gaze drifted ahead, already searching for a horizon only he seemed to see. "Where else would I get to stare at gems and minerals like they're part of a living museum? I like collecting them."
Xierra's shoulders dipped as a bead of sweat traced its way down her temple. She could already picture the price tags hanging from such treasures—numbers with multiple zeroes that would make her chest tighten.
"And," Rhein continued, unfazed, "Kikka sits right near the upper center of the Common Realm. Nobles stop by once in a while, but not often. It's mostly commoners who pass through. Peasants even less so."
"R-Right... that makes sense," Xierra replied, voice small, eyes drifting toward the distant shape of the town. The thought of polished storefronts and gleaming displays left her both curious and uneasy. Everything there must cost a fortune.
"You really are an odd duck, kid," Inari commented, tail swaying with something close to amusement.
Rhein turned his head, maroon eyes catching the pale blue of Xierra's. The sky framed them both, vast and open. "Anyway," he went on, grin returning, "today's about enjoying ourselves. This is your first shopping trip, isn't it?"
She hesitated, fingers tightening around her broom handle before nodding. "Yeah. Growing up, we didn't have much. Whatever we earned went straight to food, so..." A faint warmth crept up her cheeks. "This is new to me."
Rhein laughed, bright and unrestrained. "That's fair! Then I'll pick out a few things that suit you. My treat!" He tapped the pouch of yuls at his side like it was nothing more than a toy.
Her eyes widened. "W-Wait, are you serious? That's your pay. I don't want to ruin your fun."
He waved her concern away with a shrug. "Relax. I can get what I need or want without relying on this." A smug edge crept into his smile. "I am a royal."
Xierra stiffened, sweat gathering again. "O-Of course..."
Rhein hummed, thoughtful now. "I'm not from the main family branch, but I'm still a Vermillion. My brother's got more yuls than he knows what to do with. He wouldn't mind sharing."
"You have a brother?" The question slipped out before she could stop it.
He nodded, pride unmistakable in his grin. "Yeah. Best one there is. I wouldn't trade him for anyone."
Xierra smiled, something gentle blooming behind her eyes as the breeze lifted strands of her pale hair. Rhein's expression—open, almost boyish—pulled memories from her heart. Long nights in Hage, voices overlapping as she and her foster siblings talked over one another. No blood ties, yet their bond had been unbreakable.
They were alike, she realized. Children who still carried warmth for the people they loved.
That warmth surprised her most of all. Rhein was a royal, yet his joy felt honest, unguarded.
Xierra had never liked nobles who forced themselves into others' lives, who wore arrogance like armor. Who wore authority like masks to fool others into doing their bidding. Leopold and Rhein both carried hints of that same sharp confidence.
And yet, she didn't resent them.
Was it because they treated her as an equal?
Because she stood beside them as a Magic Knight, not beneath them?
She wondered, briefly, how things might have changed if she had chosen a different squad. The Golden Dawn. The Black Bulls. Or any other path.
Would she still be standing here, flying freely beneath the open sky, sharing laughter and unspoken understanding?
No—no. Not now.
Those thoughts crept too close, tugging at her focus until the broom wavered beneath her boots. Xierra drew in a breath that felt heavier than it should have and eased her posture, lowering herself closer to the handle. She let the sky do the work for a moment, letting the wide stretch of blue and drifting clouds steady her hands.
Below them, the land unfurled in gentle hums. Fields stitched together in shades of green, roofs glinting faintly where villages rested like peonies ruffling in the wind, winding roads threading everything into place. The world looked calm from up here—uncomplicated. She wished her head would follow suit.
"Hm?" Rhein drifted closer, matching her pace with careless ease. His grin carried its usual spark, but it softened at the edges when he studied her face. "What's that look for? You tired already?"
She gave a short huff. "Not even close."
"Then, are you sick?" he pressed, tilting his broom slightly as he leaned in. The teasing note dipped, replaced by something more earnest.
"Neither," Xierra replied. Her fingers left the broom just long enough to rub at the back of her neck. "I was just thinking."
"Oh?" His brow arched. "That sounds dangerous. Don't space out when you're flying, or you'll hit a bird and get pecked right in the eye."
She shot him a look, then sighed. "I was wondering why you and Leopold are so kind to me. I mean—" Her words slowed, weighed down by honesty. "I'm a commoner. No, let's not dress it up. I'm a peasant. You know what I mean."
The air between them shifted.
"Ah," Rhein let out, understanding dawning as he settled lower on his broom until they floated at the same height. "So that's what's been chewing at you."
"Yeah," she admitted. "It's been sitting there for a while."
He lifted a finger, expression turning thoughtful. "First of all, we're not those nobles who think the world bends for them. We've got decency. Or at least enough of it to get by." A crooked smile followed. "Second, you're one of us. A Crimson Lion King. That makes you family."
Her grip tightened slightly. "But what if I hadn't chosen this squad?"
Rhein didn't answer right away.
Instead, he reached out, palm open. Xierra hesitated only a second before placing her hand in his. His grasp was warm, steady.
"But you did," he replied. "And that matters."
He glanced ahead, then back at her. "If you'd gone somewhere else, the chances of us working together would've been slim. Maybe we'd pass each other once in a while. Trade greetings. That's probably about it."
Then he scoffed almost immediately, pushing away a thought that formed. "Or," he dragged with a crooked smile, "Leo would probably shout 'you're my rival!!' if you perform well enough. It's an annoying trade of his."
"Yeah," she conceded, a quiet laugh slipping out. "Can't really argue with that. He reminds me of Asta."
"That loud ass friend of yours? I could see it." Rhein nodded for a moment before a hint of mischief returned to his eyes as he studied her. "And besides, you're my partner. Royal or not, I'm not cruel enough to make your life miserable for fun."
She snorted. "Wow. Comforting."
"I try."
The moment stretched just long enough for the breeze to brush past them, cool and light.
Then Rhein's fingers tightened.
"All right," he declared, energy snapping back into place. "Enough of that gloomy stuff. Let's move!"
Before she could protest, he tugged her forward, broom surging ahead. Inari yelped as he scrambled to keep his balance, claws digging into fabric.
"Rhein—hey!" Xierra laughed, startled, scrambling to adjust her grip. "Slow down!"
"Watch it!" Inari barked, fur bristling. "Do you want my heart to give out midair?!"
Rhein only laughed harder, pulling them along as the sky opened wide before them, worries trailing behind like something finally let go.
.
.
.
Rhein guided his broom downward first, circling once before settling near the outer stretch of the castle town. Xierra followed close behind, mirroring his movements until both of them touched solid ground. The moment her boots met the stone-paved earth, she felt a faint jolt of awareness—gravity reclaiming her after the open freedom of the skies.
They secured their brooms along a wooden rack near the entrance, the handles clicking gently as they were set in place. From above, the town had looked compact, almost orderly. From here, it towered.
Stone buildings rose in layered rows, their facades painted in warm hues and trimmed with banners that fluttered lazily overhead. Balconies jutted outward like watchful eyes, and carved archways framed streets that spilled endlessly forward. The town breathed—alive, restless, and unapologetically loud.
Xierra stood still for a heartbeat longer than necessary.
The market unfurled before her in a brilliant sprawl. Color crowded color. Fabric canopies stretched overhead in stripes of red, gold, and green. Stalls overflowed with wares stacked high and wide, and the air itself felt textured—thick with motion, scent, and sound.
Children darted between adults, laughter bursting free as they chased one another across cobblestone paths. Merchants leaned over counters, voices raised as they debated prices with animated hands and dramatic sighs. Somewhere above, brooms skimmed past rooftops, their riders cutting through the sky with practiced ease.
Xierra's gaze lifted.
Several people lounged atop slanted roofs, legs dangling as they watched the market below as though it were a stage built solely for their amusement. Barrels floated near shop fronts, held aloft by faint magic, while translucent jars shimmered faintly—unknown contents glowing like secrets begging to be uncovered.
Her senses strained to take it all in.
This place felt louder than her memory of it. Brighter. Closer. As if the town had leaned forward to greet her now that she had returned not as a passing visitor, but as someone with time—someone allowed to stay.
Her eyes drifted across rows of stalls stacked with pastries glazed in honey, skewers steaming with spice, and baskets brimming with sugared nuts. Her stomach betrayed her with a quiet protest.
She shook her head sharply.
No. Practical things first.
"And don't forget my honey-dipped meats, Master," Inari added helpfully, tail flicking against her side.
Xierra let out a short snort under her breath. "Yes, yes. Your honey-dipped meats, too."
Her steps slowed near a fruit vendor, boots halting as her attention was captured. The stall glowed with color—deep purples, sunlit yellows, reds so vivid they almost looked painted. Some fruits she recognized. Others looked like they belonged in a storybook rather than on a table.
She leaned closer, eyes wide. "I've never seen half of these before..."
The scent alone was intoxicating—sweet, sharp, fresh. Her gaze slid sideways and landed on the next stall over, where wands and enchanted trinkets glittered beneath glass cases.
Her curiosity surged.
Then she spotted the price tags.
Xierra froze.
...Absolutely not.
A careful smile settled onto her face as thoughts of Hage surfaced unbidden—small hands, empty bowls, familiar hunger. She straightened, forcing herself to step back.
Nearby, Rhein had slowed as well, watching her reactions with open amusement. His attention shifted briefly as they passed a jewelry stand, where polished metal and gemstones caught the light like trapped stars.
One piece stood out.
A crystal-blue necklace rested among rings and bracelets, its surface catching the sun in a way that reminded him, unhelpfully, of Xierra's eyes when she looked up at the sky.
He stopped.
The vendor noticed immediately, leaning forward with a knowing grin. Rhein glanced at the tag, then at his pouch. The cost barely dented it.
"Sir," Rhein called, already reaching for the yuls. "I'll take this one."
The vendor's smile widened. "Oh? Sharp taste, young man. Buying it for your girlfriend?" His gaze slid toward Xierra. "It would suit her beautifully."
Laughter rolled out of him, deep and booming.
Rhein stiffened, heat climbing his neck. "No—no, that's not—" He cleared his throat. "She's my partner."
The vendor's eyebrows shot up. "Partner, huh? Even better! A promising pair!"
Rhein's shoulders sagged. "This is going in a direction I don't like."
"Tell you what!" the man continued cheerfully. "I'll cut the price if you just admit—"
"No," Rhein interrupted, firm despite the lingering flush. His eyes closed for a second. "I'm not haggling. And she's not my girlfriend. I'll pay the original price."
The vendor blinked, then barked out another laugh. "Fair enough! Can't blame me for trying."
As he took the payment, his eyes flicked to the vermillion cloaks they wore. "Magic Knights, huh?"
"Yeah," Rhein replied casually, already turning away with the necklace secured. "Have a good day, sir."
He rejoined Xierra, who stared at him with clear confusion written across her face.
Behind them, the vendor watched the pair go, still smiling to himself.
"Ah," he muttered fondly, shaking his head. "Youth."
Rhein released a long breath through his nose, shoulders dropping as though something unseen had finally loosened its grip.
Xierra burst into laughter.
"What took you so long?" she teased, leaning forward with mischief bright in her eyes. "Also, are you—"
"No. I'm not upset."
"I didn't even finish my question." A bead of embarrassment slid down her temple as she stared at him. Rhein had already tucked whatever he bought away, hands slipping into his pockets as if the whole ordeal had never happened.
They drifted onward, steps unhurried, weaving through the crowded lanes of the marketplace. Their voices rose and dipped between stalls piled high with goods—gleaming trinkets, bundles of dyed cloth, food still warm from the fire. Sunlight spilled across the stone path, catching on Xierra's hair and painting Rhein's expression in gold as they traded stories and idle remarks.
Xierra found herself talking more than she usually did.
She pointed out odd-shaped fruits, nudged Rhein toward stalls that smelled particularly inviting, and paused whenever something strange or beautiful caught her attention. Rhein listened with an ease that surprised her, explaining without rush, his attention steady and unbroken.
For a while, the market faded into a distant blur.
Then a voice cut clean through the warmth.
"It's still amazing!"
Xierra stiffened.
"It really is lively," came another voice, bright and composed, accompanied by the gentle sway of twin ponytails.
Rhein felt it too—a sharp awareness crawling up his spine. He turned slowly.
Three figures moved through the crowd with curious eyes and careless confidence, two of them familiar. Black cloaks trimmed in gold stood out even among the riot of color.
"Well, I'll be," Rhein muttered. "What a shitty coincidence."
"Ooh—Noelle!" Xierra's face lit up instantly. She broke away and hurried over before anyone could react.
Noelle barely had time to register the call before arms wrapped around her. "W-Whoa!"
"I missed you!"
"X-Xierra?!"
Asta leaned forward, eyes wide, finger jabbing toward his own chest. "Hey! What about me?! Don't you miss me too?!"
Inari, perched atop Xierra's shoulders, curled his lip and flicked his tail. "Who would miss your grating noise, kid? Certainly not me. Anyone who does must have terrible taste."
"Hey! That's rude!"
"And yelling into people's ears is rude as well."
Xierra finally released Noelle, laughter spilling free as she stepped back. "I missed you too, Asta."
"Master!"
"What?"
Before Asta could protest further, another presence slid into the space behind him—unbothered, confident, unmistakably amused.
"Well now," a woman's voice drawled. "And who are these two darlings?"
A young woman with soft pink hair and half-lidded violet eyes leaned forward, a wide-brimmed maroon hat shadowing her smile. Her attire was bold and carefree, fabric draped with deliberate intent rather than modesty. The Black Bulls' robes marked her clearly, though her presence alone already did that work.
Xierra straightened immediately. "Hello! Nice to meet—"
"Absolutely not," Inari snapped, batting her hand aside before it could reach the woman. "Step away from us, you witch."
"Inari!" Xierra whirled on him, panic flashing across her face. She bowed sharply, again and again, nearly folding herself in half. "I'm so sorry! Please forgive him—he doesn't mean harm, I promise!"
The woman laughed, rich and unrestrained. "Oh, don't fuss, sweetheart. I've heard worse." She waved it off easily. "Vanessa Enoteca. Nice to meet you. And—" her gaze flicked between Xierra and Rhein, amused, "—oh, you're both lions, aren't you?"
"Yes!" Xierra straightened at once, the tension easing from her shoulders as if a weight had been lifted. "I'm Xierra. It's nice to meet you."
She extended her hand without hesitation. Vanessa accepted it with a warm squeeze. For a split second, the world continued as usual.
Then Inari froze. His body went rigid atop Xierra's shoulder, ears standing straight, tail halting mid-sway as though time itself had stalled.
"...Y—You shook hands."
Xierra didn't look away from Vanessa, eyes still smiling. "Yes, Inari. We did."
The fox let out a sound somewhere between a gasp and a whine before flopping dramatically against Xierra's collar, one paw pressed to his chest as if struck by an unseen force.
"Master, how could you be so cruel...!!" he cried, voice trembling with theatrical despair.
Xierra stared forward, unamused, even as Vanessa's shoulders shook with silent laughter. "Oh, stop it."
"I have been betrayed in broad daylight," Inari continued, dragging himself lower, tail twitching weakly. "My heart—my trust—reduced to ashes."
"You're impossible," Xierra replied, nudging him aside with a finger.
"And yet," Inari sniffed, peeking up at her with one eye, "you continue to wound me."
Rhein watched the exchange with thinly veiled amusement, lips twitching as the market carried on around them—unaware, uncaring, alive in all the ways that mattered.
"Rhein Vermillion."
The introduction fell flat, delivered with practiced distance. His posture remained guarded, arms folding across his chest as though that alone might discourage further interaction. The Black Bulls were not the company he sought—not today, not when the market had finally given Xierra room to breathe.
Vanessa tilted her head, amused. "Oh my. A chilly one, aren't you?" Her laughter came easily, light as spilled wine. "How cute."
Rhein clicked his tongue. "Right. Anyway—Xierra and I were about to go shopping, so—"
"Shopping?" Vanessa's eyes gleamed. Her hands came together in delight. "Oh, perfect. That's exactly what we were planning, too!"
Before either of them could protest, Vanessa reached out.
Xierra startled as warm fingers wrapped around her wrist, surprise flashing across her face before it softened into something resigned—and curious. Rhein barely had time to register the tug before another hand caught his, firm and insistent.
"Now, come along," Vanessa urged, already moving. "No need to be shy!"
"Wait—hold on, woman—! I barely know you!!" Rhein's words tangled as he was dragged forward, boots scraping uselessly against the stone path. He twisted his head back toward the remaining Black Bulls. "Noelle! Asta! Help us out here!"
Noelle paused, watching him with a blank stare.
Asta blinked once. Then shrugged.
"Good luck!" he offered cheerfully.
Rhein stared in disbelief as the two fell into step behind them, clearly entertained. Noelle even hid a small smile behind her hand. "You're both useless!!"
Xierra glanced back over her shoulder, lips twitching as she caught Rhein's expression—half-offended, half-defeated. She leaned closer, lowering her voice just enough to reach him.
"You okay?" she asked, eyes bright with humor she didn't bother hiding.
"This," Rhein replied tightly, allowing himself to be hauled along, "was not part of the plan."
She laughed, unable to stop herself.
Ahead of them, the market widened into another stretch of color and sound, banners fluttering overhead, vendors calling out their wares with renewed enthusiasm. Vanessa strode forward as if she owned the street, dragging the two Crimson Lions straight into the heart of the chaos.
Rhein let out a long, weary breath.
This was supposed to be a rare and peaceful outing. Their first break together as mission partners.
He shot a glare toward the Black Bulls trailing behind, who looked far too pleased with themselves.
This was going to be a perfect day, he thought bitterly. Damn you, Black Bulls!
To Be Continued...