It was another day in the village of Wren, and its people were already back to their routines. Occasional talks and chatter among the villagers would emerge about last night’s event, and the arrival of the two nobility and their group but pretty much everything was back to normal. Children were playing in the streets, chasing one after another and laughing. A group of hunters were chatting on their way to the forest nearby with fishermen and the guardsmen were stationed in their posts.

Garret Booker yawned amidst it all and rubbed the corners of his eyes. It was still too early for him, besides, it wasn't as if anything really happened here that needed his attention— a flurry of red goes past him, a strange sight and pace in the village. Squinting his eyes, he recognized the figure.

"...that was Hyde's sister huh?" He muttered to himself aloud, appreciating the sight. "Where's lover boy?" he chuckled to himself.

In a matter of few minutes, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He frowned and turned, his gaze fell on a young man, just around his age. He didn't recognize him though.

"Excuse me? Have you seen a red haired girl around here?"

"You mean… Hyde's sister?" He chuckled, why bother with anonymity when everybody knew that nobility arrived. "Are you another lover boy of hers?"

"...yes, I am looking for Lady Falcon." The man sighed a bit. "And please don't insinuate things that can cause more harm than good."

"Geez, I was kidding," Garret held back a snicker and motioned a direction. "She went that way—and there he goes." He shook his head, the village was going to be a bit boring once they leave.

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A short walk to clear her head had turned into a long one, heading out the village itself and eventually making to the dirt road of the forest. The forest was located just behind the village with a river flowing beside it. Rhine huffed, how could her brother say such things? How could he—she sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, "Can you please stop sneaking around?"

It had been obvious that a certain someone had been tailing her around. She didn't need some sixth sense or skill to tell.

"My apologies, Lady Falcon." A young man moved out from behind a tree.

She blinked, it wasn't Hyde for once, nor his friends. "...have we met?" She pursed her lips together, he was familiar.

"Uh no—" he started.

Stolen novel; please report.

"I've seen you before," she cut him off, but for the love of all things—she couldn't remember. Taking in his appearance didn't all that helped. It was common to have dark hair and eyes. Was her memory that bad?

"Well..."

"Hold on a minute… the library!" She pointed at the book tucked underneath his arm, "That's a copy of the First Volume: Tales of Aria, a story of a young man who joined an order of knights to defend his country… at least from what I remember."

"Ah, you are correct, Lady Falcon." The young man inclined his head.

"... and you're a soldier?"

"Yes I am, Lady Falcon."

She let out a small puff of air, "...I suppose it wouldn't hurt if you would introduce yourself? You know my name but I have not gotten yours."

"Liam Clarke, a member of the Falcon Soldiers at your service." The soldier, Liam bowed.

"... are you truly?" She frowned at him.

"I'm not in uniform but I am a soldier—"

She fought back a chuckle, "I believe that, but are you truly in my service?" She motioned to him, "It's easy to associate that you got here because of my brother… so you're in service to him and not me."

Liam in his credit, the soldier kept a straight face for a moment or two. "I'm in service to Marquess Falcon, tasked to escort the two of you."

A quirk made its way to her lips, "That almost made me forget that I'm upset with my brother...I suppose that's a good answer." She looked around idly, noticing how deep they were in the forest already. Heat made its way through her cheeks, "Now that you're here… shall I request that you escort me back to the village head's home?"

"I shall, Lady Falcon." Once again he answered her respectfully, matched with a polite bow. It was comparable to the butler's and sir Darby's smooth movement. Another guy who could do it more properly than her brother.

"...thank you, sir Clarke." It felt odd calling him by his family name and also being referred as Lady Falcon. It reminded her of her mother. And that wasn't the most pleasant of feelings. She almost wanted to tell the soldier to just call her Rhine. But she wasn't outrageous like her brother could be.

"Are you alright, Lady Falcon?"

She paused, and gazed at him. The young man, he didn't look weird or odd… he wasn't tall and intimidating like sir Kelton, nor did he wore a smuggish grin like Tom, or had as much presence as sir Darby and didn't look cute as 'Jamie'. It should be rude to say that he didn't seem 'special', but...

"I—forgive me for being too forward. I hope you don't take it in an improper way... but could I call you as simply Liam? And you can call me Rhine?" She must be as red as her hair by now, her gaze settled on a spot just above his shoulder. "It's going to be a long journey… and it'll be kind of lonely. So if you wish, would you please be my friend until then?"

She wanted to be his friend.

"Feel absolutely free to decline!"

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He blinked, once and twice. Liam Clarke would have pinched himself hard to make sure that he wasn't dreaming or in some stupor. He didn't touch any alcohol at all last night either. So why was the cool and detached Lady Falcon asking him to be her friend?

"...uh, can I please ask why you want it to be me?" That didn't sound ludicrous right? He scratched his cheek. She could befriend anybody else in the soldier ranks, another noble like Cedric perhaps. Her brother was also there to keep her company. They'd surely make up soon too. So why did she ask him? Was it because he was the only one right here?

"O-oh, well… we seem to have similar tastes in literature." Her gaze was averted from him, as if studying the dirt was the most wonderful activity.

The lady wasn't so sure of her answer, but it only made her look cute. Why was he thinking of that right now? He had to concentrate, if possible deter her away to avoid complications. "Erm, I'm not versed in spellcraft and other…"

"I don't spend all my time studying lore and tomes." She chuckled, "I've read Tales of Aria, the book of Seven, Twisted Branches and other similar titles. It'd be interesting to hear of your perspective, and perhaps ask for recommendations? I haven't read every book in the library despite gossip of it." She smiled at him, finally meeting his gaze.

"Will you please be my friend, Liam?"

And that sealed the deal for him.