A Familiar Man

Vladis was right on time and his carriage was parked outside Taylor's mansion.

Inside the carriage were two people already sitting. Vladis was wearing a calm smile, "Hey, you didn't have to come."

"Aren't you, my shadow guard? It's your job to protect me from any harm. Instead of ordering you around, I am helping you out. You should at least be thankful" the other man snorted.

"Fine, fine your majesty. This shadow guard is utterly flattered by your humbleness. Now shall I go and fetch my guests?" Vladis said with a cheeky smile.

"Your guest", the man eyed him.

"As far as I remember I was the one who asked them to come. Wasn't I?" Vladis faked a confused look.

The other man gave a pointed look to Vladis. "Aren't I the one who gave you, the permission to bring two of them with you"? the man said smugly.

".."

"Yes. Your Majesty is the best." Vladis chuckled. With that, Vladis came down from his carriage and saw two beautiful women coming towards him. His heart was instantly fluttered but he maintained his composure.

"We are sorry we made you wait", Camy said with an apologetic tone.

"It's fine. Now let's leave", Vladis said. He gave his hand to Camy and Ceci so that they could easily enter the carriage.

Ceci was the first one to enter and as soon as she entered inside the carriage she tripped. Her gown was long with frills so she easily got tripped on it but before she could have an embarrassing fall inside the carriage, a strong arm caught her and within seconds she was sitting on a sturdy lap. It was so sudden that Ceci's mind went blank for a few seconds and before she could stand up from his lap, Camy came inside worriedly.

"Ceci"

"Ceci are you okay?" and before she could utter other words she saw Ceci sitting on a man's lap. Camy was dumbfounded by the scene in front of her. She heard a chuckle from behind and soon Vladis manly scent engulfed her and with that, he pushed her gently towards the seat so that she could take a seat.

Ceci too gathered herself and glared at the man in embarrassment. She hurriedly went beside her sister to take a seat.

"Camy and Ceci pardon me. I forgot to tell you that today another person would also be joining us too. Actually, I myself got a sudden notice so I didn't had the time to rearrange it. I hope you are comfortable with it" Vladis asked carefully. He was really afraid that they would both get angry.

When Vladis was afraid the other man was casually sitting inside the carriage, looking out of the window. It was as if the earlier incident had nothing to do with him.

" It's okay," Camy said uneasily. she wasn't afraid after all they had learned spells and sword art but her instincts told her that this man in front of them was not an ordinary person. Then again Vladis himself was not an ordinary person so it was understandable that his friends would also be un-ordinary.

Vladis pointed at Arthur and introduced him."He is my best friend and he came here for a secret mission so I can't disclose his identity. I hope you both understand"Vladis said with a sigh.

"It's okay Vladis," Ceci said casually but only god knows how fast her heart was beating at this moment. Earlier when she fumbled and landed on his lap she was stupefied and felt that his touch was familiar but she couldn't recall it. The man in front of her was wearing a mask but she could easily see the black midnight iris. She was captivated by them and for a moment she forgot to breathe. It was as if he was a familiar man. His charms were off the charts. Though he was just sitting there lazily his aura was no less than Vladis or maybe he was just suppressing it.

Arthur had his face towards the window but from the corner of his eyes, he could clearly see the expressions of Camy and Ceci. After seeing Camy's awkward expression and Ceci's lost expression, he felt good. He himself didn't know why but he felt happy to see them. This afternoon when Vladis had come to him to report about the current mission he told him that he was going to fetch them. Arthur didn't know why he suggested going with Vladis to fetch them. He was the lord, the most powerful magician, and had never ever waited for anyone, lest fetch someone else. He was never an impulsive person but for once he decided to be impulsive thus he came with Vladis to attend this festival in a disguise. He knew that his enemies were also lurking in the dark but he didn't care.

So what if they show up. He was enough to protect himself as well as others. With this thought, he just closed his eyes for the rest of the journey.