A One Day with You (pt.2)

Liliya said she wanted to play with animals but didn't say which animals. Ashnard had no idea that the animal she was referring to was a horse.

The horse in the stable is tame. Not all horses here are warhorses. There are some special horses just for celebration. The horse will pull four people dressed like the Four Wind Gods on a chariot decorated with beautiful decorations, around the city and accompanied by a musical parade.

Riding a horse for the first time is a thrilling experience. Ashnard, who had never ridden a horse before, was laughed at by Liliya for his excessive fear.

Ashnard thought that it was the girl who was crazy. Even a bird the size of an elephant won't scare him, instead of treating him like a harmless girl doll.

Ashnard and Liliya ran to get hay to feed the horses, took a bucket of water and bathed it, then cleaned the stables. Smell of the cage made Ashnard want to throw up the bread the flower shopkeeper had made.

The city stables became crowded because of Ashnard and Liliya being there. Sometimes Liliya teased Ashnard with horse dung or tickled Ashnard's ear with a straw tip. Their behavior entertained the stable keepers and invited them to play here more often.

The day slowly grew dark, only one last goal to close their togetherness today. As they headed towards their next destination, a crowd caught their attention, especially one of the figures in the crowd.

With the glittering crown, anyone could tell that it was the king. The king and several soldiers in full armor seemed to be talking about something in the middle of the road that made the citizens curious.

In the crowd, there was also a blonde-haired man just like Liliya. That man was Liliya's father, who suddenly approached when he saw her. "Liliya, what are you doing here?" The man's face was pale, and so were the king and his knights.

"What's the matter, dad? Why is the king here?" Lily asked.

"Why are you outside? Hurry up and go home and don't play outside anymore," his father ordered, but there is a slightly angry tone.

"No. I don't want to go home. I want to play a little more." Liliya brushed off her father's hand.

"What are you doing, Liliya!? How dare you disobey me!" The veins on the man's face tightened. The flames in his widening eyes brought his hands to grip Liliya's shoulders very tightly.

Liliya tried her best to break free and walk away. Ashnard focused on other things. Things the king talked about and caught in his ear.

"How did this happen? Doesn't Nous rule over there? There's no way he'd let that thing creep out of the abyss, right?"

"We've been trying to find him, My King, but he's gone, without a mark, without a trace," said one of the soldiers.

"How did one of the guardians disappear like a wind? What made him forget his duties and break an oath made thousands of years ago?" The king wondered.

"Then, what should we do now, My King?"

"We'd better wait for news from the other guardians. Keep watch around the city. Don't let any of the townspeople become victims."

"What if there is no news from them?"

"Then ... we'll have to fight for ourselves."

Ashnard's and the king's eyes briefly met before Liliya grabbed him and carried him away from the crowd, stay away from his father, who stood furious in the midst of the knights' fears but didn't chase after her.

Watching the entire city glittering at night from above was Liliya's final goal. She took Ashnard to the top of the windmill tower, which was taller than any building in the city.

The twinkling city lights provide a beauty comparable to the starry sky. Her legs swinging in high while leaning against the tower railing. For a while, the girl pondered before realizing that Ashnard had been staring at her all along.

"What is it?" the girl asked.

"No, I'm just curious, is the thing you don't like is your father?" Ashnard was referring to the events in the city.

"Yeah. I don't like being at home, that's why I always play outside. My father always manages my life, making me feel like I'm in prison with all the rules," said Liliya. The night wind ruffled her hair, revealing the girl's gloomy face.

"So that's why you took me out all day? Staying away from your father."

Liliya is just a girl full of curiosity about the outside world. Noble families full of strict etiquette and rules, against Liliya's desire to be free.

"I'm used to such things, so you don't have to worry." Liliya noticed Ashnard's concern without even looking at it.

"You're good at finding a good place, aren't you," Ashnard complimented, changing the topic.

"I still know a lot, you know. Want to visit with me next time?" The girl smiled back as usual.

"Sure, with pleasure."

Liliya gasped, but not because of the cold wind, "I just remembered! After summer, I have to prepare myself to enter the academy. Since I'll be busy later, how about going out soon?"

"That's fine. By the way, what academy are you referring to?"

"You don't know? It's the Evernia Academy. The biggest and most famous Elemagnia school. In that school, you will also be taught magic arts and swordsmanship. You don't want to go to school there?"

"I guess no. I never think about it."

"Well, you're only thinking about Roc's adventures, right?" Liliya smiled mischievously.

The moon was rising and right above them, signaling the night was getting darker. Ashnard and Liliya continued to stare at the sea of ​​city lights and all ongoing activities.

The night usually brings the impression of being dark, mysterious, and scary. Even the presence of stars and moons cannot erase the impression of a scary night. However, in this city, on this day, the night felt so romantic.

Ashnard fumbled in his trouser pocket. Then, thinking about whether he should do this or not?

A hot sensation spread throughout his body, came from a single point that continued to pump this feeling, then spread it to all his senses. Ashnard took a deep breath, preparing himself while the girl was still gazing at the night.

"One day, a man must be able to overcome his fear." Those words from Roc's adventure story strengthened his resolve.

Slowly, Ashnard took out a wilted white lily. Also, he slowly handed it over to the girl sitting next to him.

"This is for you," Ashnard said sincerely. "Sorry, the flowers have withered. I was going to give it to the river, but I can't do it."

At first, the girl took the flowers, her cheeks clearly blushing under the night light, then a smile appeared, and finally, she laughed. "Thanks, Ash. I like it."