Well, naturally I do have my reasons of going spying tonight. His figure and the way he swiftly moved was just like that mysterious guy I’ve seen last time when I went ‘spying’ on my consort.

Plus, although the young Duke looked interested in bows, he hands were calloused with bumps when we danced and held hands. It felt quite obvious despite the fact that he was dancing with his gloves. Perhaps too much swords fighting. Lastly, when we danced, his clothes smelled earthly. Where did he get that earthly smell from?

There was a slight glimmer of hope that he was that dark guy.

Just like last time, I waited for a couple oof minutes to sound like I was asleep, quietly changed into my usual spying clothes and took the same route--- walking on the high wall.

Tonight seemed way busier. There were knights patrolling more than usual. I was lucky that I thought things out far out, by sending most of them inside the Guest palace, others were standing by the outside castle walls. Or I could’ve used a tranquilizer dart on them or fought my way but that would be pointless and cause a commotion.

Hmmm. How should I find him? Jump down like last time?

Just before jumping down, I spotted a figure on the rooftop--- where even I have never been before. I never thought of going up there.

My eyes focused better. The same black coloured clothes and design. I was 98% sure it was the mysterious guy I was looking for.

I scanned around, trying to find a way to go to him. The trees seemed pretty frail. There didn’t seem to be ladders or rope tangling. Maybe I should use a little bit of my limited mana-- but that might freak him out, and alarm the guards.

Without having any more options, I took out my newly bought dagger and carefully, to not dull or damage the blade, scraped it on the high wall, hoping to catch his attention. It didn’t seem to affect him. I loudly tapped my dagger.

Then, he suddenly turned this way and I raised my hand as a ‘Yo’ gesture. He threw a shuriken or something that looked sharp and flat and ‘yeowch’ if it sliced me. I dodged just out of luck, but if I wasn’t so alert then maybe I would've had a big wound.

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I quickly took out my dagger ready to deflect, while waiting for him to rain me more shurikens, but he stayed still.

“What are you doing here?” he whispered.

“Planning on spying on someone.” I sheathed my dagger. “Um, how did you get up there?”

“Oh.. I just jumped from there...” he pointed at the spot where I was standing.

“What? No way..” the distance was roughly a toddler’s stone throw away. Not impossible. Just unthinkable.

“You need help?” he asked, sounding quite concerned.

“If you just stood there, that would be fine.”

I took a few steps back, and ran towards the roof. I had a slight glimmer of hope since I was running, but I wasn’t a very good distance jumper.

I jamp.

I heaved, as the guy helped me climb. I wondered how we were going back down, but I spotted a thick rope. Maybe he was going to slide down with that.

“So,” he kicked a small stone and sat down. “How have you been?”

A usual question and greeting. “Nothing much. You?” I sat down next to him.

“Same. nothing much.”

We sat in awkward silence for a few seconds.

“Uh, have you heard of the knights competition that’ll take place tomorrow?” I asked.

He took in the question. He sat there silent for a few more seconds, which made me wonder if he heard my question. Just before I could ask again he spoke.

“Ah, it’s tomorrow wasn’t it?” he asked, although it felt like he already knew the answer..

“Yeah it is. Are you going to participate in it?”

“Maybe.” then he stopped like he realized that answer didn’t answer my question. “Yes, I will participate.”

“Oh really? Then I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“What about you?” he asked.

“Ah, I’m still young. Plus I like to blend in the crowd… but stand out at the same time, so I’m not sure if I’ll even participate in a big competition. Plus I don’t mind staying as a shadow.” I complimented myself for improvising smoothly.

“That’s sad. I would've liked to duel with you officially.”

But whoever you really are, because of your dam skills, tomorrow’s match is hopefully going to be interesting, I thought.

I started chucking dirt off the roof. The guy who was watching did the same thing.

“Hey,” he chucked dirt down the roof. “Whoever hits a stone or something to one of the guards standing there wins.”

“What does the loser do?”

“The loser’ll have to go and retrieve the rope the winner is going to escape with. So the loser will have to go via the staircase-” he pointed at a small corridor I didn’t notice before, “and into the Palace. The Guest Palace of course.”