Any way is a way

"Next is...Zero Jager vs Kiara lee!"the herald announced.

Zero appeared in the field and watched a feminine figure in armour come into view.

Her short blonde hair danced in the wind which carried the pungent smell of the perfume she wore.

Zero drew his sword as he eyed his opponent,a fellow chief knight take a defensive stance,sword in hand.

Her blue eyes held a deadly stare as she prepared to attack.

Kiara had just been given the tittle last winter but Zero knew she was quite skilled.

The sound of a whistle filled the air and with his sword by his side Zero sighed as he watched her appear before him.

He quickly raised his sword to block a fatal blow.

Zero gazed at her dispiritedly while she struggled,pressing her sword against his.

He sighed again before loosening his grip on his sword on purpose then vanishing to appear few paces away from her inorder to protect himself from her sword's downward plunge.

Kiara had noticed this,had immediately dropped hers and now stood in front of him.

"What was that for?!"She barked.

"You win!...You should be thanking me....to think you would drop yours as well"

"Fight me!_"She snapped

"Beat me!"Zero said, sounding uninterested as he sat on the white sand.

He could sense the puzzled stares from the crowd, just what he wanted,at least they would know the results were rigged if he became the emperor's knight.

The crowd was filled with important dignitaries but the emperor was absent,instead king maxmillian occupied the only sit of royalty, somewhere in the highest point of the grandstand.

Kiara crouched low,her blue eyes staring into his,she was just as confused.

"Then why did you take the exams in first place if you don't want to be the emperor's knight?".

Zero averted his gaze not uttering a word.

"Even if you lack the spirit to fight,don't think I'll go easy on you!"

Kiara said and landed him a punch on the face.

Zero landed with his back on the field and spread out both arms.

He gazed into the sky as a broad smile broke through his lips.

"You..watch the face ok"he muttered.

He quickly rolled away from the feet

coming down for his face.

"Hey!_"he muttered but didn't move as he saw the sharp end of the metal pointing at him.

The moment Zero heard a whistle he dropped his head against the soil and sighed,as the dust from below mingled with his breath.

*************************

Mia stopped to catch her breath when she arrived at the gates of the imperial field where the exams where being held.

The two guards stationed watched her pant not uttering a word before stealing glances at each other.

"Is general Rengyotsu in?"

"For what purpose do you need this information?"one of them questioned.

"Uhmmm....uhhh..."Mia giggled trying to come up with a reason.

She racked her brain but it was empty.

The scarlet prince of all people who never spoke to anyone,what excuse could a mere maid have for wanting to meet with him.

And yes...she looked down at what she was wearing_an imperial palace maid dress.

"Ummm...uhh_"just then a bright idea struck her and she leaned in closer to the guard.

"It's my little secret but since you asked_I have fancied the general for as long as I remember,I am in love with him".

Mia stared at their startled faces, convinced they had bought the lie.

Good,the other guard had overheard as well.

"Everyday I watch him from afar, unable to express my feelings for him because_"She paused and her gaze fell."You both know what kind of person he is...I am but a mere maid in love with a legendary general and sadly,...there is nothing I can do about these feeling clinging so tightly unto me but watch him from afar.I am certain if I told him of my feelings he might kill me instead"

Both guards exploded with laughter.

"General Rengyotsu of all people..wait is this some kind of joke or what?I can't believe I'm hearing this..."

"Sir...have you ever loved someone?"

The guards stopped laughing,both eyes was now fixed on her.

"Well...ye.. yeah _i think_"one of them responded.

"Then you must know how I feel to love and not be loved back"Mia clasped both hands together,her gaze pleading.

"I must see him everyday or I might die from my longing for him,pls help me".

"He is not in...I heard all generals were supposed to be present but surely that rule doesn't apply to the scarlet prince who shows up whenever he wants to".

"Then you must know his scent.."

The guard raised a brow.

"Yes,I do he hasn't passed by this gates nor arrived by teleportation"

Mia watched him for a while before putting on a disappointed expression.

"Oh no...what do I do_"

"Speak of the devil!...He's close by"one of the guards said,his gaze stern.

Mia's face brighted up.

The scent of different Semonios mingled in the air and she couldn't tell which was his.

She had heard about the general but had only seen him from afar.

From what she heard,he and Gerald was the emperor's most trusted,hence he was the only one she could trust with the information she held.

A general who never listened to anyone,not even the six kings of Delvin,who broke the rules yet was never questioned or punished for it.

Mia was certain Gerald's death was connected with the imperial prince.

They had probably killed him because he found out something he shouldn't.

She wanted revenge and knew just who to start with.

Since the general was close by she had to find a way to speak with him before he got here.

Exactly how she would do that she didn't know,but she had to somehow.

Mia flashed a bright smile before thanking the guards and taking off.