[50.1] Forbidden is just a Word

I stood off in a daze as Caldwell took my measurements, moving my arms as he pleased. Cyrus and Zephyr stood to the side of the boutique as they watched me get fitted for the dress.

Cyrus tilted his head to motion to me, "Just how long will she be stuck like that?"

Zephyr put a handful of sunflower seeds into his mouth. His cheeks were full as he spoke, "Probably until after the wedding… Or longer."

Caldwell ignored them and grinned at me, "You're going to be so beautiful in this dress! I will put all those nay-sayers to shame!!"

I groaned, "Ughhhhhhh-"

He continued to speak, "Ah! It's such an honor for you to be the Honorable Maiden for your mother. It's such an important job, you know?"

I continued to groan, "-Ugghhhh"

He continued, "-You know everything you have to do right? Deliver the ring. Give them a blessing."

"-Ughhhhh-"

"-Shame you'll have to stay sober though. It'll be your job and Gonza's job to ensure everything goes alright… Speaking of Gonza, what do you think he's going to wear? Personally, I think dark green looks best on him… Strike that, I look best on him-"

"-Ughhhhh"

Zephyr snickered, "She's gone brain dead."

Cyrus pursed his lips, "Listening to Caldwell talk nonstop about Chief Gonza will cause that."

"Ah! I just remembered-" Caldwell turned to Cyrus, "Young Master. Would you like to match with Miss Reika?"

Before Cyrus had a chance to respond, I snapped out of my stupor, "Of course he will match with me! He's my date!"

Caldwell grinned teasingly, "Oh? He is?"

"Uh-"

I just realized I assumed and didn't ask!!!

I turned to look at Cyrus expecting him to be angry with my assumption, but I was shocked to see him wearing a smug, humored expression instead.

He gave a soft nod, "I would love to go with you."

I averted my gaze from his smug face and felt as though I had lost.

Zephyr snickered, "How romantic."

I immediately felt irritated and snapped at Caldwell, "Are you finished now!?"

He laughed, "I'm almost done."

My eyebrow twitched, "Why are you even measuring me? Don't you already have my measurements?"

Caldwell looked awkward, "Well, Young Miss… When you age, you grow."

Zephyr burst into laughter, "HE'S CALLING YOU FAT!"

I let out a frustrated grunt and took my shoe off. I threw it at him with all the strength I could muster.

He screamed and dodged my shoe, but I wasn't planning on letting him off easily.

I charged after him holding my remaining shoe while he ran away screaming.

Caldwell turned to Cyrus with a smile and held out his measuring tape, "You're next Young Master."

He frowned, "You just measured me yesterday."

Caldwell said without shame, "You're also a growing boy."

"...Get away."

…

After finishing our measurements, we left the studio and allowed Caldwell to finish his creations. As we walked down the town, we passed various stalls and peddlers trying to sell their goods. I ignored their chatter and chewed on my fingernails as I thought about the wedding and what that would mean.

Surely this wedding won't change anything…

Right?

Cyrus calmly reached out to take my hand so I couldn't chew on it, "Still upset?"

I let out a sigh, "I'm not upset. It's just… Weird."

Cyrus spoke, "Weird how?"

Zephyr snickered, "It's because they're-"

I smacked him over the head before he could finish his sentence. He cried out in surprise, "Oi!"

I clicked my tongue, "Honestly. Who taught you how to talk like that?"

He stuck out his tongue.

I turned back to Cyrus, "That thought doesn't help either, but-"

Cyrus suddenly jumped in front of me and brought out his sword just in time to block an aerial attack.

*Clang*

A bright light erupted, sending shockwaves out from the two colliding swords.

It all happened so fast that I didn't even register what had happened.

The Swordmaster pulled back, landing on her feet with a bright grin, "Excellent! Even from a surprise air attack, you're still able to block!!!"

Cyrus glared at her, "What is your problem!? We are in public!"

She pointed her sword at him and leaned in to attack, "Who cares about that!? Perfect for practice! If you hit any pedestrians, it's minus ten points!"

She lunged forward, attacking relentlessly.

Cyrus blocked to the best of his ability while shouting, "It's forbidden to swordfight in the capital!"

"Haha!" She laughed crazily, "I am the Master of forbidden!"

Cyrus was pushed back by her fury of attacks, "Well I'm not! The Royal Guards are going to come and detain us both!"

Zephyr and I stood off to the side watching. He pulled out a pouch of sunflower seeds and held it out to me, "Want some?"

"Yup."

I reached in and pulled out a handful of seeds. I munched on it as we watched Cyrus and the Swordmaster fighting and exchanging blows. A pair of marching footsteps echoed behind us, so I turned around to see Captain Lou leading a crew of men.

Ack. Seeing this scene is giving me flashbacks.

His nostrils flared, "Fighting is forbidden in city limits! Cease now and follow me for your punishment!!"

Zephyr and I took another bite of our snacks while watching him.

Seeing that the Swordmaster had no intention of ceasing, Captain Lou donned his sword and used an incantation to pour his mana into the sword. Fire burst forth, covering the surface completely.

He jumped onto the rooftops beside Cyrus and the Swordsmaster and shouted, "Last chance!"

The Swordmaster finally acknowledged him, "Oh. 'Sup."

His eyebrow twitched, "Sup!?"

She grinned, "That's what the new kids say."

His expression twitched more as he was losing his composure, "Put down your sword!"

She cackled then casually turned to shout, "Oi! Atta! Your boyfriend is here!"

A blur of a person jumped up from a nearby alley and skipped over along the rooftops to appear beside Captain Lou. Atta batted her eyes as she timidly looked up at him, showing off her innocent expression.

A wave of shock came over him before being replaced by anger, "I'm not her boyfriend!"

Atta didn't seem to understand his words and blushed, causing more men to glance at her with questionable ardor.

Captain Lou huffed and averted his gaze, but when he saw his men drooling over her, his face reddened with more anger. He pointed his sword at Atta, "Y-You foul demon! I will catch you-"

Atta's eyes lit up and she jumped to another roof. She turned back to Captain Lou as if waiting for him to chase her.

Captain Lou's mouth dropped, "..."

…Once again, Atta seems to have misunderstood the situation.

Captain Lou shook his head and then charged to chase after Atta. He was far too slow, but Atta was "kind" enough to stop and wait for him.

The men who came with him didn't know what to do as their leader just went off without them while Cyrus and the Swordmaster were far too skilled for them to attempt to stop.

I held out a packet of seeds to them, "Want some?"

One of the men shrugged and took a handful.