Sols greeted the entire receiving line, even taking longer than usual in greeting Lyra.  I was fuming but I couldn’t do anything about it, I wasn’t ready, and he was a lot more powerful than me.  When last I saw him he was at the late Emperor stage, I believe 8th or 9th stage, at this time he must be more powerful now so I’d have to step lightly and not give him any reason to look at me too closely.  Ah shit, now he was kissing Lyra’s hand and she had a look on her face that said that she had no idea how to deal with this situation which was definitely not to her liking.  I calmly left the line and went down to Lyra and pulled her into my embrace.

“Everything ok Lyra?” I smiled at her while holding her waist.

“Sure thing Hiro,” she replied with a smile as she realized that I was next to her now, “this is the famed Hero Sols”

I greeted Sols and held out my hand to shake.  He gave a smile which was mixed in with a smirk and firmly grasped my hand for a bone crushing squeeze.  Honestly these childish games didn’t bother me a bit but I couldn’t let him know that so I frowned and looked down at my hand in a sort of protest.  He simply smiled even wider and held on longer before finally letting go as he was starting to border on creepy and people were all around.  He winked at Lyra before heading into the reception hall.  He’s still a creep even after all these years; he’s old enough to be her grandfather and yet he’s ogling her.  Disgusting lecher. 

The reset of the evening passed nicely, though I kept seeing him ogling her from afar.  This pretentious bastard hasn’t changed at all, and he’d better not get any ideas about Lyra either.  When the evening was complete I managed to get Lyra alone for a bit.

“Lyra, I need you to promise me one thing.” I said as I smoothed her hair back behind her ear.

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“What is it Hiro?” she said as she looked into my worried eyes.

“Avoid Sols at all costs.  If he wants to talk to you, give an excuse – any excuse, but stay away from him.  There’s something about him that has me worried, and he’s been watching you covertly all night.” I replied as I frowned at the thought of him watching her while I couldn’t do anything about it.

“Ok, I have no problem with that.  Besides there’s something about him which sort of puts me off.  I mean he’s supposed to be a Hero who’s killed the Demon Lord and supposed to be righteous and just but…” she sighed as she hugged me.

“Yeah I know but just like you, something about him just doesn’t sit right.  Maybe I’m just jealous?” I smiled at her as she looked up to me.  I smiled as I looked down at her, I couldn’t help it.  I leaned forward and kissed her on the lips.  We only broke apart when we heard a coughing in the background.  It was Christof.

“My Lord and Lady, the Goodard carriage is ready.” He said with a bow.

“I’ll see you in a few weeks?” I said as I held her.

“I’ll see you Hiro,” she replied with a blush before she turned and headed out the door with two of her guards.

“My Lord, is there something on your mind?  I happened to overhear the last part of your conversation with Lady Goodard.” Asked Christof with a concerned look on his face.

“Something?  Yes maybe.  I can’t be certain, but for now execute order 66.” I replied with a frown.

(**Bwha ha ha, the force is strong with this one!**)

“My Lord, are you certain?” Christof said as he started to worry.

“Yes, let it be done.  I hope that I am wrong but I just have this feeling.”

Christof looked at Hiro for a while before bowing and smartly turning and heading out the door in a hurry.

When Christof left the door closed with a click.  Then Darian stepped out from the shadows.

“We’re beginning?”

“No, we’re not ready yet.  But we are going to an alert status.  Hopefully it’s nothing but with Sols and his demented mind who knows?” I replied.  “Something is going to happen, be ready with plan 66.”

“As you wish,” Darian replied as he faded back into the shadows.