Aztra

"The Wisteria looks charming this morning," Huoqiang said to herself as she looked out the window.

She was done with breakfast and had agreed to meet Li Jun soon so they could tour around. She was pretty excited but the moment she came in and caught a glimpse of the Wisteria, she had to give nature its accolade.

Huoqiang just stood admiring it. Remembering how Li Jun had told her that it was his mother's favourite place.

"Then where is your mother?" Huoqiang asked more to herself.

Atleast she knew he had a father to some point but he hadn't mention anything much about his mother.

'Maybe I'll ask him' she concluded within her.

Remembering her 'appointment' she dashed into the bathroom. Out of excitement she used the shower feeling like the bath tub would be time restricting.

A tour? Around the kingdom? That was definitely what she needed at the moment. She needed to see more than Shang and several other servants every day. She needed a change.

Huoqiang didn't know how long she spent because it felt too fast for her to count but then she dashed out in a towel once the last soapy matter went down her body.

She walked in to find clothes already laid on the mattress with several ornaments to match.

Huoqiang sighed.

How was she going to get used to this princess treatment?

Applying necessary ointment and skin creams, she wore her clothes, paid no attention to the ornaments and walked out.

Like a hunter awaiting it's prey, Huoqiang was quite surprised when she met Li Jun waiting outside with his back to the door.

"M-master Jun," Huoqiang called.

"I believe you're ready. Let's go," Li Jun said and only turned slightly to offer Huoqiang his hand. Taking it, they both walked through the hallway and out of the house.

Outside two horses, one white and the other black, stood waiting for them.

"The white one's for you, my lady," Li Jun said and that delighted Huoqiang very much. She didn't like the black anyways. It reminded her of some wild mythic beast.

"It's beautiful master Jun," Huoqiang appreciated the horse's beauty, stroking its mane.

"Jun,"

"__"

"Call me Jun instead," Li Jun said and mounted his horse. Not giving her time to speak, "come on get on your horse, Aztra won't tour itself."

Aztra? Was that the name of the kingdom? Huoqiang thought but made no attempt to ask.

She mounted her horse which such ease that surprised her. Had she mounted horses before or was climbing a horse just that easy?

She shrugged.

They both set out without delay, Li Jun in front and Huoqiang trailing behind. Although Li Jun was not comfortable with this, she assured him she was fine staying behind and at regular intervals, he would look back and make sure she was alright before facing the road.

They soon spotted human activity ahead which meant they were close to Aztra. They arrived sooner than Huoqiang expected because she believed they lived in the middle of nowhere and it might take days to get out of that pastured wildness but here they were.

As they drew closer, she could see clearly now the inhabitants of the village now but she was taken aback when she realized...not all were humans. She was dazed when she saw those creatures with pointed ears.

I think they're called elves, Huoqiang thought. Ugh she needed to get her memories back.

Not just them though. Li Jun pointed out the different names of them all. There were the elves, goblins, fairies, pixies, sorcerers and ofcourse humans. One of the creatures not found here were demons.

"They're bad news," Li Jun said with a straight face.

"Oh..."

Li Jun spotted a tree close to the entrance.

"Let's tie up the horses there," he said.

"They won't get stolen right?" Huoqiang asked when Li Jun was tying the horses to the tree.

"The villagers here are modest. The touts and thieves live at the other side of Aztra. Because of a warrant against them, they seldom come into the village to cause trouble," Li Jun explained.

"Ohh," Huoqiang nodded in understanding, "you seem to know alot about them."

"Yes.. I am their guardian afterall."

He left no chance for Huoqiang to think about it, "come on."

Huoqiang didn't delay further and followed him.

When they stepped into the market square, the first place you enter before seeing the villagers' residence.

"Master Jun,"

"Oh look it's Master Jun,"

"It's the Young Prince,"

Everyone acknowledged Li Jun's presence. Each not letting him pass without a greeting.

"They love you," Huoqiang couldn't help but say.

"I love them too, each and every single one. After all they are my people," Li Jun said not looking at her but staring ahead, a smile on his lips.

"Such a pretty young girl besides him. Could that be his betrothed?"

Huoqiang's heart froze for a moment.

Betrothed?!

She turned to see if Li Jun heard. Oh he did and a smile was playing on his lips. He wasn't affected. She just shrugged the statement off and focused.

"So.. where are we going?" She asked.

"I intend on taking you somewhere but before that, are you hungry?" Li Jun asked.

Huoqiang felt her stomach.

"No I'm still full," she said.

"Good. Follow me," he said and turned a corner, Huoqiang following suit.

They kept on taking turns and paths. At a point Huoqiang desperately prayed that she wouldn't get stranded by herself at some point. Each turn they took, high recognition was paid to them, especially to Li Jun. At some point, he even stopped to play with the children before they continued on their way. The women played with Huoqiang's hair and chatted with her and she enjoyed their company alot.

Not only that, she enjoyed watching Li Jun play with the kids. He was a natural and seeing him with the kids stared up a place in her heart.

"You love kids, don't you?" Huoqiang asked.

"Yes I do," Li Jun answered sincerely, "maybe one day I'll have mine and to the heavens, I'll treat them like angels."

Huoqiang couldn't help but smile. His statement really warmed her. And a part of just wished that maybe....

No that was too far.