Chapter 103

As I stood outside the palace doors, I waited for the princess to meet me. She was running late, unsurprisingly. It was least expected that she would take a while to get ready.

"Young master, do you wish for me to be by your side?" Windson broke the air of awkward silence that surrounded us.

"Hmm, let me think," I replied, scratching my chin. "Perhaps it's best for you to not be with me today,"

He seemed surprised at first. But he gave me a pleased smile before walking away from me.

"I see," He said in a soft voice. "Have a pleasant day then, young master,"

With his final words, he left my side. I stared off at the gate, blank-minded and still awaiting–under the clear blue skies and brightly shining sun.

***

Ten minutes had passed since then. She finally came out.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!" Olivia called out from behind.

I turned around to greet her but was instead greeted by an awe-striking surprise.

She came out wearing a beautiful but stiff dark cyan coat. Underneath it, she wore a white dress which had a collar. It had a military-esque aura to it. Especially with the silver stitching done on the white dress.

Usually, I saw her wearing frilly dresses which have her collar revealed. But this was much more reserved and hidden, keeping her well-protected for winter as well.

"Sorry! I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long!" She exclaimed in a hurry.

"N-not at all," I stuttered, struggling to speak after seeing her.

She came running down the stairs, stopping right in front of me and fixing her dress. All I could do was stare at her in awe.

"Alright! Let's get going!"

"R-right,"

I took her hand and began to walk away. She took notice of my strange behaviour and gave me a reassuring smile.

"So, do you have any plans on where we should go?" She asked. "I'm curious where you will take me,"

"I thought you would have some plans,"

"Nope, I left it to you!"

All I could answer with was silence. Though I know this city well enough, I am still trying to figure out where to take her.

Nevertheless, the day had only just started, I could always figure things out as the day goes on.

The only place that comes to mind is the library. There are a few scattered around the city. Perhaps we can go to each of them.

There are also cafes. The city is full of restaurants and cafes. But that seems cliche. But then again… I have no clue where people go on dates.

Once both of us had exited the confines of the palace, a vast and bustling city was laid before us.

Each capital has a similar sight from the palace, yet each has a different tone to them.

For the Faunus kingdom, there were houses of plenty but with a similar style. Here, however, most houses are built of marble and stronger material.

"Have a pleasant day, your highness" A voice called from behind.

I flicked my head to see behind. A guard bowed down and gave his farewells to Olivia.

"Don't mind him," She laughed. "He does this to everyone,"

I shrugged it aside and continued walking. I had more to worry about than just simple gestures.

Before I could think of a place, I began to walk away from the palace. Olivia followed willingly. Her hands tangled with mine as we walked side by side.

"Have you made up your mind?"

"Yes, I have,"

I hadn't but I had to appear certain and with a plan.

The city was busy as ever. Stalls of plenty, each of them selling different kinds of goods. Most of these come from merchants that travel into the city.

Since it was made, the city has turned into a hub for trade in the empire. The empire's capital is still the most popular place, having more of these beautiful buildings and monuments.

One thing I forgot was my status. Though I was not dressed as dashing as Olivia, I still grew attention due to her.

Many waved at us while others only stood and greeted us. Still, I felt inferior to Olivia in many ways.

"Rumors will be spread like wildfire now, huh?" Olivia said, tugging onto my arm tightly.

"Can't be helped. Sometimes I wish we were not nobles and just commoners,"

"Hehe, if we were, we wouldn't be able to spend our free time like this,"

This is bad. All I've done is make small talk as we walked around the city aimlessly.

In the corner of my eye, I saw a store that interested me. It was not like most of the others around it.

It was built similarly to human architecture. Made of wood and brick. The roof was made of red tiles.

Outside was seating arranged neatly. Three roundtables with two chairs on opposite ends.

"Let's go there," I said, unconsciously.

"Where?" Olivia questioned.56

"That place," I pointed out with my other hand. "It looks interesting,"

"Huh, I've never seen that cafe,"

"Really?" I let out a short gasp. "Well now that you mention it… it looks new,"

"Must've opened a week ago perhaps,"

Luck seems to be on my side today!

FELIX'S POV

The sun was blistering today! My body began to burn from the heat as soon as I stepped outside.

Vincent and I stepped out of the palace to take a walk around the city. We visited a shop to cool off the heat before stepping outside again.

"Agh… This heat is going to kill me…" I complained silently. "Wish we could change out our clothes for once,"

"I learnt to live with it," Vincent snickered arrogantly. "I thought you would too,"

"Never got used to it," I shrugged.

The two of us were on a leisurely walk for now. We both had to leave for the capital later on, however.

It had been enough time since Artorius went into the cave. My suspicion had been growing. No one had heard from him for a while and the news of the fire had grown my anxiety further.

Vincent and I talked about it and I decided to leave for the capital the next day. Vincent, for some reason, wished to tag along with me.

"Do you think anything happened to him?" Vincent asked me, bringing an end to the silence we had.

"I'm… not sure,"

"You always seem certain, there must be something bothering you,"

An uneasy feeling grew in my chest. "It's a dangerous risk he took. I just hope he's doing fine,"

"You care a lot for someone like him,"

"I vowed my life to serve under him," I held a hand to my heart. "If he would die without me being by his side, it would be a grave mistake to me,"

"Heh, look at you," Vincent suppresses his laughter. "So loyal and righteous,"

"Do you find loyalty a sin?"

Vincent shakes his head. "Not at all,"

"Well, you seem quite disapproving of pledging loyalty towards anyone,"

"If you're talking about betraying Lukas, it has to be done. Not only for the sake of my family but the sake of peacekeeping,"

He spoke rationally but what I couldn't tell was his motives.

"But betraying one's king and sticking to the other side isn't chivalrous. What are your true intentions?"

He fell silent, trying to muster up a proper answer. He licked his lips and continued walking in silence.

"No answer?" I smirked arrogantly. "Seems like you have deceitful plans,"

"Not at all," He managed to muster a few words. "I have no ill intentions.".

"Do you think I will trust the same man who betrayed his king?"

"Felix, you know me well enough," He raised his voice. "You know why I betrayed Lukas,"

"No, I couldn't figure that out. Even Artorius couldn't,"

"Do you want me to spell it out?" He snapped. "Are you looking for an answer from me?"

I couldn't help but smile at his temper. "Go on, I'm listening,"

"Safety, Felix, safety,"

"How did you even think that Artorius would let you off the hook so easily?"

"He hasn't!" Vincent shouted. "Artorius still has his eyes on me, even after two months,"

Before things could get heated between us, I sighed deeply and shook my head. Vincent realised my will to not argue any further and calmed himself.

"Let's forget this argument ever happened," I said, looking around us. "The public has taken quite the interest in this matter,"

I noticed a growing crowd around us. Vincent and I had stopped walking around because we were focused on arguing. Vincent hadn't realised it till now.

"Well… This is quite awkward,"

The two of us excused ourselves from the growing crowd. Most of them must've realised who we were, causing the crowd to grow further with rumours spreading.

"Gods, only if you hadn't gotten on my nerves!" He complained. "Maybe we could've saved ourselves the embarrassment,"

"Forget it," I uttered. "Let's just go back and get ready for the trip,"

Both of us turned around and started heading towards the palace. The people that crowded around us noticed and began to follow us again.

The two of us shot each other a look before darting it away.

"Damn it, Felix!" Vincent cursed loudly. "Why did you have to get us in this predicament!"

"Speak for yourself, short fuse!"

Before we could be swarmed, we made it back up the incline to the palace. The both of us turned to look at each other. We were beaten from running up the incline.

"That… could've been… bad…" Vincent stammered, taking quick and sharp breaths.

"Let's forget this happened…"

After we caught onto our breathing, we continued towards the palace. The guards noticed the two of us walking and opened the gates.

"Afternoon, Sir Felix, Sir Vincent," He greeted as the two guards inside opened the gates.

I gave him a friendly smile before greeting him. "Good Afternoon to you too,"

Vincent was still despised by a lot of the public. The only reason he has not been sent to the gallows is Artorius. If it wasn't for him, Vincent and perhaps his family as a whole would be burnt at the stake.

Yet, Vincent seems unfazed and calm about it. Strange to see a man walking a tightrope between life and death be so composed.