Ufalius covered himself with a white sheet. He poked two holes at the top and floated slightly off the ground. It was a ridiculous sight but it was already too late to tell him to change his disguise but I shouldn't have expected anything more from him. We were already on one of the dirt roads from the barony to one of the neighbouring nobles.

Since I had no idea about this world and Ufalius existed much before the current era, we had no idea where we were going. We just hoped that this road that had gone unused for sometime was infact a road that lead to a place with living people.

Either side of the path was covered in a thick forest and the walk would have been relaxing if it wasn't for Ufalius's constant chatter. "Honestly though! Why would you ever summon a zombie? They can't use weapons!"

I was about to retaliate when I heard a commotion in the far distance. It sounded like the sound of blades clashing and distant screaming. I turned to Ufalius. "Can you hear that?" He laughed. Ha, no! Does it look like I have ears?"

Aculus: "Then can you sense it?" He laughed again. "Yeah, easily, what do you take me for, a zombie? I sensed these lifeforms a mile away." I glared at him. "Then why didn't you tell me?!"

Ufalius: "Oh, well I was in the middle of describing how useless zombies were..." I groaned. "Let's go you useless pile of bones!" Ufalius pouted. "Hey! That's not nice..."

We ran to the direction of the sound,jumping over brush and shurb. As I got closer, I could clearly here the crossing of blades and the cries for help. When we got close enough, I was able to examine the scene. An expensive looking cart seemed to have toppled over, a few men lay on the ground either bleeding or dead, while several more stood fighting with their blade.

In the middle of it all seemed to be a girl with white hair and red eyes. Her skin was pale and she seemed too thin to be holding the sword in her hands. Nevertheless, it blazed with a red flame and she parried the multiple blows from the men assulting her.

I recognized the crest of the men that surrounded the carriage. A blue banner with a white lion. It was the same as some of the corpses around my estate. They were part of the noble faction that attacked the Lament family. Ufalius seemed to have noticed the same thing. "Boss, it looks like the girl's our ally here. Want me to kill all the enemies?" Crackling blackish-green lightning formed in his hands. I shook my head.

Aculus: "No, nothing too apparent, help her guards subtly, make sure she doesn't die." He nodded. "What about you boss?" I drew my sword. "I'm going to try and play hero."

I rushed out of the bushes and like instinct, my sword went through one of the blue lions. The man, who was about to be impaled by his spear stood stunned as I walked past. Pulling out my blade, I ran to my next target, the two men attacking the girl. Her eyes met mine for a second before I leapt up, not knowing what I was doing, and brought my sword down on one of the attackers.

His helmet split and my blade cleaved part of his skull. The other man looked at me in surpise. Using the opportunity, she drove her sword into the chest of the last guard. Panting and heaving she looked around the battlefield, finding that her guards had won out over the rest of their assultants. Around 15 bodies lay on the ground, 2 of them her guardsmen, the rest were the blue lions.

I extended my hand. "Aculus." She looked up at me and blushed, then shook my hand. "Aria... thank you for saving us."

I shook my head. "It was only natural." The guards surrounded us and the one guard I saved patted me on the back. "Nonsense, most men would run from a fight that bloody." Aria nodded. "Theo is right, the least we could do is thank you. Would you like to accompany us traveler?"

I nodded in thanks. It seems they precieve me as some sort of nomad. I could almost hear Ufalius from the brushes. One of the men turned around suddenly in response, and I suggested we leave this area first. The guards nodded and together we pushed back up the carriage, the horses were thankfully still reigned to it.

She invited me inside and for a brief moment I hesitated, wondering if Ufalius could catch up. Deciding that it didn't matter if he could or not, I accepted and together, we rode off.

Aculus: "So, is there a story behind that attack?" Aria looked down sadly. "You must not be from around here then... Those were Viscount Grelure's men an ally of my uncle. Her eyes narrowed as she almost spat out the world uncle. I inquired further. She seemed open to talk about what seemed to her as a potential ally.

Aria: "My name is Aria Ruby, from the House Ruby. Do you know the house Ruby?" I shook my head. She seemed surprised. "Wow, you must be from far from here. I'll try to explain to the best of my ability."

Aria: "I hope you at least know that this is the Avarian Empire." I nod, it was mentioned in the Interface. "Good. Here, the empire is split into many pieces called titles, my family happens to own one of those titles, the Duchy of Ruby." I nod. "Titles are inherited through family members, and by feudal law, its usually your sucessor or the closest male relative. My Uncle that bastard wanted the Duchy for himself so he ambushed us in our own home. I had to flee but I don't know if my family made it out alive..." She seemed close to tears so I put my hand on her shoulder.

She flinched a little but seemed to calm down from the gesture. I was geuinely curious about one thing though. "Why didn't the empire stop this?" Aria looked up and chuckled, seemingly recovered. "The Empire doesn't care who holds the title, just that their just amount of taxes are paid and none of the nobles get too strong. Otherwise, you could consider each of these titles as seperate countries." I nodded in understanding.

Aria finished her story. "I was fleeing to one of my family's allies, Countess Grey when we were ambushed by Grelure's men... and then this is where you joined my story." She smiled brightly. "Are you safe now?" She shook her head. Not yet, not until we reach Countess Grey's land will we be safe. From there I knew what I needed to do, and apparently, so did the Interface.

New Quest!

The Duchy of Ruby Succession Crisis: Aria Ruby, the true heir of the Ruby Duchy is on the run from her uncle's wrath and his allies. Aria's allies can save her and restore her to her position if she's able to enter her allies territory. If you are able to protect her until she reaches her destination, she will be forever grateful and can perhaps help you with your own problems.

Rewards: 100 Gold, How to be a Noble lessons Failure: The anger of Duke Ruby

I suppose there's no other choice. I took her hand in mine. Her faced turned a deep red as she looked at me in surpise, taken further aback when she saw me looking back and I said...

---

Aculus: "Let me protect you on your journey my lady." His deep blue eyes staring deep into mine. My face was flush I was sure of it, I mean, why wouldn't it be? My heart was pounding hard as his hands covered mine and his tall figure lay kneeling in front of me.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Aria: "Ye-Yes, please, thank you!" I pulled my hand back as quickly as I could. He didn't even know common courtesy! Not that I didn't enj- NO! I struggled with myself. My nobless side arguing responsibility and dignity while the little girl inside me was squealing in excitement. He reminded me of those storybook princes who would come to take the princess and they would get married and live happily-ever-after.

I looked back at him. He had a gentle smile on his face as if he was genuinely happy he got to help someone today. Golden hair, a bright complexion a tall broad figure. God he was per-STOP! I turned to the window and glared outside, I needed to look at anything, anything that wasn't hi-

I saw a ghost.

Outside my window. There was just, a ghost. A white ghost with two eyes. It look almost adorable. It was just floating there. I couldn't almost stifle my laugh.

Huh. Wait...

Aren't we in a carriage right now?

The ghost was gone. I stood stunned. An vicious ambush, a fairytale prince and a funny ghost. Today could not get any more abnormal.

---

I think I saw Ufalius outside the carriage staring at me. I don't think he was very happy I left him behind.

Ufalius: 'No, I was defintely not!' I looked around surprised. I swore I heard Ufalius. Aria looked at me with concern. "What's wrong?" I shook my head. "It's nothing."

Ufalius: 'I'm speaking to your mind stupid. Don't you know how magic works?' I could hear Ufalius mocking me but I couldn't glare at him to make him stop. If he could talk to me, could I talk to him? 'Ufalius? Can yuou hear me?'

Ufalius: 'Yeah this ain't a one-way street buddy.' I silently stared forward. 'Okay, did you resurrect those fallen?' I could almost feel Ufalius grin. 'We think alike sir. Very alike. Never waste a body I say!'

Aculus: 'Good, do you know the situation?' Ufalius shrugged. 'Somewhat? We keep the girl alive until we to her friend's house or something?' I nodded. 'Basically.'

Ufalius: 'Oh hey boss, maybe you should look outside the window. It seems that girl can't handle you staring at her.' I turned back to the girl. Her face was as blush as a tomato and she seemed so alert that she could draw her sword at any moment.

Yeah... maybe I should do that. I looked outside the window, and there I saw Ufalius again, still in that ridiculous ghost costume. What did he think he was doing in that thing? 'Look, the blanket worked. The girl saw me and did nothing!' It's a blanket?!

Ufalius: 'Oh shit. Well, I'm going to find some future slaves, bye Boss! Good luck at the town!' With that, Ufalius flew away. I was glad to see him go- Wait...

Theo: "There's a town up ahead! Hide your emblems men, we can't let them know who we are." The carriage started to slow down, and the guards moved in various positions. Aria nodded to me before covering herself with a brown cloak. I asked her if I needed to do the same.

She pondered it for a moment before responding. "I don't think so, I don't know if Grelure's men would recognize you." Nodding, I left the carriage with her, the guards now assembled and their emblems hidden underneath black cloaks.

Aria: "Alright. Here's the plan." She pointed to Theo and another one of the guards. "Theo and Hadius will hide the carriage deep in the forest, James, Hansen and Patrick will scout the restof the area while Aculus and I will enter the town as adventurers."

The guards nodded and ran off to do their individual tasks. All of them except Theo who looked at Aria questioningly. "Mistress... I would usually never doubt your judgement but for you to enter the town yourself? With an unknown man as well?" He looked at me to prove his point, but when his eyes met mine his expression softened.

Aria put a hand on his shoulder. "It seems you innately trust him too. Don't worry Theo, this man as already pledged to me that he will defend me until we reach Countess Grey's territory." Theo could only agree. Without further words he ran off to join Hadius.

I looked towards Aria. "Was this the right decision?" She looked towards the wall in the far distance. Then she smiled. "Probably not." Then she started to walk. I sighed and wondered if most nobles were like this. We started our trek towards the town.

---

As we approached we were given a less than appealing image. The wooden pallisade that surrounded the interior of the town was packed with Grelure's men and a large line had formed outside the town gates. At the very front, I could barely make out two guardsmen, investigating those that wanted to enter.

Oh no. Aria started to tuck away her hair as the constant wind kept threatening to ruin her disguise. It seems she was thinking the same as I was. I whispered to her, "Should we try and turn around?" and she shook her head, whispering back "No, it'd look to suspicious. They're already watching us approach." With no choice, I had to agree, but one thing still remained on my mind. "Aria, if we are caught, what's the plan then?" She stood silently for a moment before saying; "We fight or try to run."

Reluctantly, we joined the long line of heavily-armed warriors and simple townspeople, trying to get back inside the town. As we got closer and closer to the gates, I started to worry, they were investigating everybody very thoroughly, if they did the same to us, what would Aria do to get out of that situation?

I looked back at her to ask her of her plan when I realized her hand was already on her sword. She didn't have a plan either. I started to rack my brain for a solution. What could we do in this situation? The line shifted by one person and I realized that I only had until we reached the front of the line before we would be caught.

It didn't help that Aria didn't know what she was doing either. I looked around to see if I could use anything. I saw a villager with a wagon of hay, but there were too many guards above and people in the line behind for them not to realize. I looked around judging if we could truly take on all these men, but the amount of armed men on the walls with their crossbows would make both runningand fighting impossible without Ufalius.

The one time you need that sack of bones he's gone. I groan in anger and before I realize it, we're already at the front of the line. A bored looking guard with black hair yawned as he looked up at me. "Huh, tall guy. What's your name?" No plan in mind, I did the only thing I could do. Stall. "Aculus." He nodded. "Got a last name?"

I shook my head. "Alrighty then." He scribbled some things down on a piece of paper. I looked toward the other guard on the ground. Unlike the man in front of us, his face was scrunchedup like a raisin and he looked as if he hadn't smiled a day in his life. "What's your occupation?" I stood still for a moment. What did he mean by occupation? Did he mean my class, cause currently, last I remember the Interface labled me as jobless.

Guard #1: "Where you coming from?" I pondered it for a moment before Aria spoke up. "The Lament Barony." The guard's eyes perked up and as did mine, but I did my best to not show any reaction. "The Lament Barony? What're you doing there?"

Aria: "We were there to hunt some of the straggling demons." He nodded his head. "Dangerous work. What's your name lady?" Aria responded quickly. "Lucy."

Guard #1: "Alright, now I'll just need you to lift your hood and you two will be good to go." Aria paused. If she lifted her hood now, everybody would see her white hair and we would immediately get caught. She seemed forzen, but I could see her hand inching towards her blade. Realizing her intent and with no other options, I quickly whispered something in the man's ear.

Aculus: "She... her face was terribly burnt a long time ago when he village was destroyed by demons. That's why we hunt these demons now." The guard looked at her with pity. "She hasn't lifted her hood ever since..."

Guard #1: "My apologies miss, I didn't understand your situation. You're free to go in now." He gestured us inside and just as I was to breathe a sigh of relief, the other guard slammed his spear down in theground in front of us.

Guard #2: "Are you mad?! We haven't seen what she looks like! Do you want the Viscount to find out about this?" The second guard's face was even more contorted, if that was even possible. The black-haired guard walked over to him and tried to describe our situation but hejust responded with anger.

Guard #2: "I don't give a shit if the bitch was burnt! Orders are orders andI'm not going to lose my job!" He turned towards us and pointed his spear at Aria. "Take your hood off or else." He brandished his spear as to prove his point.

Aria was just about to pull out her blade when a pompous looking man stormed to the gate, screaming. "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE! YOU'RE INTERUPTING BUSINESS!!" He was dressed head to toe in fancy colourful clothing and marched straight to the angry guard.

Guard #2: "I'm under orders from Viscount Grelure to find the traitor Aria Ruby. We had information that she was around this area and set up a block-" The man interupted him, smacking him across the face "I'm losing all my business! I don't care about Viscount Grelure, if he wants to challenge the merchant's guild, then let us discuss the massive debts he has to our banks!! Speaking of, what's your name?! I'll teach you for being so rude to me!"

The second guard and the merchant started to argue. Aria then turned to me. "I think we should get going now." I nodded in agreement, thanking whatever circumstances lead to this situation. The other guard waved us off as we entered into the town. With the worst behind us, we could relax and calm down.

We entered into the town with revitlized morale and I with a renewed intrigue. The heart-pounding situation and feeling of acomplishment... perhaps following these blue boxes wasn't so bad after all.