Why did he choose to be a soldier? That was a question that many people had asked of him. Until this day he'd ponder it now and then. Sure, he was decent with swordplay but he had other options. His family were clergymen and merchants, a safer and more profitable job than a soldier’s.

Maybe it was the benefits of being a soldier in this particular household? Not exactly either.

The Royal Guards of the Kingdom were more prestigious and didn’t require expeditions like this. He could have been stationed in the capital city instead of travelling in discomfort. So why did he really?

"Will you please be my friend, Liam?" she asked.

He locked eyes with the lady and fought the urge to cover his face. Her gaze pierced through him in a way that only someone of noble standing could… but levelled in her gaze was a hint of vulnerability. Her lips were slightly trembling and her hands fiddled with her dress. She was uncomfortable asking for things. Of course, their every desire and whims were catered for someone like her.

“O-okay.” he found himself saying it.

“Thank you—” she stepped forwards and then clasped her hands together, “I think we’ll get along just fine, but first shall we get home? Would you escort me back to the Village Head’s place?” Her lips twitched into a smile.

“Of course, Lady Falcon!” He nodded, feeling his head spin for a moment. It must have been his imagination that she moved to hug him. He’d been reading too many romance novels.

“I told you to call me Rhine.” she strode past him and looked back with a crooked smile, “Let’s get going, Liam.”

He followed after her.

It was only a short while till he realized how things weren’t as good as it may seem. What were you thinking, Liam? Her brother asked me to spy if she was with Tom—he’s not going to like this. What if he asks his friends to beat me up. He could get away with it. He internally groaned.

“Um, are you alright?” A soft voice asked.

“Perfectly alright, La—Rhine.” he looked up to see her worried gaze settled on him. The noble could have been genuinely friendly, but their different stations made it almost impossible to maintain a relationship as this one.

“Oh good, I was worried that you were regretting my offer of friendship.” she scratched her cheek.

“N-not at all!” He managed a laugh, “I’m actually shocked and grateful to have gained your friendship.”

“I guess most people would be…” she murmured.

He held back a smile, “I’d agree with you, it’s not everyday you get a chance to meet a lady as lovely and intelligent like you are.”

“As you said,” She brushed back some of her hair behind an ear, her steps a bit faster than before. “it makes sense that people would want to befriend someone as brilliant as me, doesn’t it? I haven’t read every title in our library, but I know a fair share.” she glanced at him with a tiny smirk.

“Indeed, the Falcon Household’s library is quite impressive, said to be on par with the Royal Castle’s own.” Liam smiled. “Besides the magical inscriptions, tomes and the like, there’s a lot of historical accounts, spiritual texts, fairy tales, and—”

“You didn’t happen to join the Falcon Soldiers to gain access to our libraries, did you?” she halted his words with a question.

“Well…” he felt his face heat up. Maybe that had been the initial reason why he joined. The Royal Archives were inaccessible to everyone but the family and chosen individuals. The Falcon family on the other hand, it was open to everyone and especially the soldiers. Not that many people could read, but still...

“One needs not only strength but also judgement on how to act.” Rhine chorused, a small grin on her face. “What’s with that look? I may not be the heir to lead the soldiers, but I do know my fair share on how you guys operate.”

“Forgive this soldier for believing otherwise.” He lowered his head.

“You don’t have to apologize, it’s fine… most people assume that it’s only Hyde who studies the art of war and leadership, but it doesn’t hurt to know right?”

“Yes, it’s as you’ve said.”

“Mhmm.”

Their conversation paused a bit after that, and he was once again left to his thoughts.

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She didn’t seem to need his help to even find her way back, nor did she meet or mention anything of Tom. He wouldn’t dare ask or open a conversation about it. Her brother seemed relaxed and uncaring of matters but when it came to her, the young nobleman seemed to be a bit paranoid. She seemed perfectly alright though, she didn’t even look mad at all. Actually she looked quite pretty and—she looked back at him.

He turned away to stare at the houses. He had been staring at her back for who knows how long? He smacked his forehead with a hand. Why didn’t he notice it earlier?

“We’re almost there.” She sighed, slowing her steps to walk beside him. “I wonder if my stupid of a brother is still there.” Rhine crossed her arms, her forehead creasing.

“I can’t say for sure, but shall I stay with you until then?” Shall I leave now that we’ve arrived at your destination? The exact opposite words left his mouth.

“That would be appreciated.” Her face relaxed a bit as she smiled at him. It was with this that she made her way back into the house.

* * *

"Hey, look who's back." A relaxed smile was etched on a familiar soldier's face. He was seated by the table and scarfing down some cheese, a younger girl was seated across from him and busy with some handicraft.

Liam blinked, this was the soldier that sir Hyde wanted him to check...so why was he in the house with the noble? Were matters already resolved?

"I see that you've had your friend with you." Rhine sniffed aloud, her gaze settled on the other soldier.

Tom raised a brow at them, as if asking 'Aren't we friends?'

"It took you some time to clear your head, sis. You've… got company?" Hyde spoke up with an uncertain voice. His gaze settled on him with a worried expression.

Did the nobleman assume that he got caught by his sister and revealed everything? The power dynamics between the two seemed to be apparent.

"Meet my friend, Liam. He's quite a good listener unlike a certain somebody." Rhine gestured to him.

It still felt weird, he could guess she said it to spite her brother—but why did his face feel hot? Get ahold of yourself.

"Huh, I'm guessing that's Hyde eh." Tom chuckled, hardly glancing Liam's way. He poured himself a glass of milk. "Hey, you want some kid?" He prodded the girl close to him, but she simply shook her head.

"Why does it feel like everybody's siding against me?" Hyde sighed, his gaze still on Liam. The young nobleman looked peeved, but other than that… he wasn't as quite upset as Liam imagined he would be.

"Well, maybe you should just apologize and get it over with? You don't have to be too jealous that everybody—" the door swung open and revealed a man.

"I didn't realize we were having a gathering." A sheepish expression formed on the butler's face, standing awkwardly at the doorway.

"Aha! I knew he was here!" Jamie's head popped in from the butler's arm, "The cat doesn't stray far from the mouse's home." The boy squeezed in from behind the butler and moved forward to Tom.

"Geez, couldn't you have kept this to yourself, little brat?" Tom grabbed the boy and ground his knuckles on his head.

"Ow! Look who's being a bully, Fraaaaaaank!" James wiggled from Tom's grip, elbowing him.

Liam tried not to sigh, the two were quite childish. The butler allowed two more of the soldiers to enter the house. Liam couldn't help but feel they were taking advantage too much of the Village Head's hospitality. A glance at the child on the table would show her staring at the crowd.

"Are you going to let James go?" Frank asked, amusement tinged in his voice. He had his arms crossed over his chest, but didn't make a move towards his friends.

"Huh, it seems that the other soldier is also here. Greetings." Cedric mused aloud, his gaze falling on him. The soldier coughed before bending his knees and bowing slightly, "I greet sir Hyde and Lady Falcon my respects, we have come to pick up the soldiers."

"Ah, greetings to you sir Darby." Rhine inclined her head briefly.

Liam stared at his fellow soldier, an epitome of grace who commanded respect with just his words and movements. But—it was a foolish and silly thought—Rhine still made Darby call her by last name. Yeah, who was he to tell that James and Tom were childish? He rubbed his face.

"I swear that I just saw Tom right now! He barged into the house, Rose tell them!" Hyde threw a look at the little girl.

Her lips pursed into a small frown, "Don't get me into your mess, big bro."

It made the red haired nobleman pause, perhaps taken aback before he sheepishly smiled, "Anyhow, we're leaving today aren't we, Gus?"

"I'm afraid so, sir." The butler replied and then threw his attention to the soldiers, "Your Captain would like all of you to report back to him, please close the door after you leave."

Tom and Jamie stared at him, before reluctantly pulling away from one another. Frank nodded, while Cedric smiled slightly, "Thank you, sir Gus. We shall report back immediately."

"My thanks, sir Darby."

The four headed out of the room without a fuss, a bit of a surprise considering that Tom and Jamie weren't always so compliant—

"You too, run along."

Liam blinked at the butler before bowing his head, "Yes, sir!" Crap, he had been too busy observing that he didn't realize that he was among the ones ordered to return. He moved towards the door, until he felt a soft hand grab his wrist.

"U-uh, I'll see you later." Rhine released her grip with a short laugh and waved.

"Yeah! See you later, Lady Rhine!" He smiled a bit before he went out the door.

* * *

And so the numbers dwindled back to four. He glanced at Rose, Gus and finally Rhine. He half wished that the butler went out, how could he talk to his sister with the man around?

"It's great to see that you have returned, Lady Falcon." Gus' lips curved into a small smile, "Are you famished?"

"Quite so, sir Gus. I apologize for the scene I caused earlier this morning, I wish I could do something to make it up." Rhine moved towards the table but stopped with him blocking her way and line of sight.

"I think Tom ate all the food, maybe you can get some food, Gus?" He grinned and motioned to the door. Get out.

"Well, I suppose I could do so."

"Get some flowers or anything on your way back as an apology gift to sir Reuben and his wife. Thanks, Gus." The only more obvious thing he could do was push the man out the door.

But in a few moments time, the butler left to accomplish his task.

"You could have stopped your friend from inhaling every last bit of food, you know?" Rhine pinched the bridge of her nose, "You always let your friends take advantage of your kindness."

He raised a brow, there was an edge to her voice. A voice baiting him to argue with her again, he wasn't a pushover! Look at you befriending a soldier yourself. "Hey, wait just a sec—"

"Arguing in front of a child, tsk tsk. I'm going back to my room." Rose pushed past him, her shoulders colliding with his.

He blinked and watched Rhine's face heat up like her hair. "W-we weren't arguing!" she cried.

Rose simply walked past her and shut the door to her room, leaving him and Rhine in the living room. The girl really didn't budge with anyone.

He took a deep breath and sighed, "I'd like to apologize though for earlier…"

"And why is that?"

"The way that I treated you earlier, it wasn't right…" Hyde pulled out the wooden rose from behind him and held it out for her, "Forgive me?" Rose stuck it in his pants! The kid was probably laughing in her room.

"You're the hotheaded one between us, thanks." Rhine plucked it out of his hands.