As Their Paths Crossed I

After what seems like a long time, Seraphine finds herself waking up to a nightmare that is in the form of an underground pub.

The place looks like the inside of a cave that is filled with men who are talking with one other – all either uncouth or refined. A bar counter is stationed in the corner, illuminated by a row of candelabras that are hanging on the wall. There are long wooden tables everywhere and mugs laying all around.

Drunken cries of men and whoops of laughter fill the room – even in the dead of night.

Although the world above ground is silent in the night, the underground is filled with lively chatter of all kinds of men who have one thing in common. They're all outlaws.

'Again… I find myself in this kind of situation again…' Seraphine quietly agonized over as she finally regained her full consciousness.

'I'm all powerless again.'

"It's alright, Sera. I promise it'll be fine…" Clement reassured her out of nowhere, and only then did she realize that he was carrying her on his back the whole time.

"I'll protect you."

She's not sure what exactly happened before they got there. All she knew was that he and those two men who appeared with the carriage earlier had taken her away.

Now, adding to her tons of questions is what he just said. She has no idea why he's saying that when he has clearly kidnapped her with the help of those adults.

"Oh, little ol' Clement!"

Right then, some men turned their heads towards them before doing a double-take, nearly spitting out their beers when they saw their youngest comrade entering the pub with a very beautiful girl on his back.

For some time, both children remain at the entrance of their secret hideaway. As more and more noticed Clement, a round of boisterous chatters and chuckles scatter everywhere. Eventually, they all rose from their seats and left their mugs on the table to greet him.

Much to Seraphine's nonplus, these outlaws seem to be friendly – at least towards him, that is.

"Who's the lovely little lady?!"

"She a princess or something?"

"I see ya' stole a pretty big bounty there!"

"Congrats on the steal, young lad!"

"Ha…! He's got himself his own princess! That is ol' little Clement for ya!"

"Such a lucky catch! Very beautiful! He's gonna be the next Master Thief for sure!"

Clement stays quiet all through their praises.

Then, all of the sudden, the crowd of rowdy men were silenced by an unseen force all the way in the back. Someone's approaching – a formidable presence. They all turned their heads behind their shoulders to look. That's when the crowd parted and made way for the figure who was walking slowly towards them.

Seraphine squints her eyes to make out this person's appearance.

It turns out to be this good-looking man around twenty with ghastly white hair and a very familiar pair of amber yellow irises. He is wearing a black cape and a fedora hat that covers a good part of his frame.

She is surprised for a moment – for the man before them now is an exact copy of the boy who is giving her a piggyback ride. Her gaze then darts from Clement to him, and as he finally gets to stand in front of them, she learns that they indeed have a similar profile. It's as if she's seeing an older version of him.

Their new companion tips the brim of his hat the moment he locks eye contact with her, a meaningful smile gracing his features all the while.

"Welcome home, little brother," he greeted, taking her aback even more.

'B-Brother…? So, then… C-Could he really be… that other Evans…?' she thought in aghast shock, recalling yet another memory from the past.

'Clifford Evans!'

"I see that you haven't failed your mission at all, Clement. Good job… You're closer to earning the title of Master Thief than I thought. Congratulations," he commended as he peered over his shoulder and observed her.

When Clifford walks closer, Clement steps back as if keeping him from getting too near to Seraphine. He then furrows his brows and scowls a little, looking somewhat annoyed.

"Yeah, that's right. I've done what I needed to. I've proven myself to be fitting of that title…" Clement started before smirking smugly.

"She is the noble's daughter I'm talking about. Apart from her origin, she's extremely beautiful… I've gotta say, though. It was hard to lure her out to the forest."

At that, Clifford only returns a smirk of his own. He is undoubtedly a mirror image of Clement.