He asked for it

After one hour all three had left Jordan's office moving down the stairs and seeing the tavern getting busy by the minute thankfully no bar fights at the minute.

“you're going to pay for looking at my wife Dylen!!”

‘Well, there goes that thought’ Natalia thought.

“Hey, can you give me a minute?” Edmund asked, his voice was a mixture of urgency as he glanced back at the bar where Maria was darting around, juggling drinks and orders with an impressive efficiency that only added to her charm. Natalia raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk forming beneath her mask as she caught the look in his eyes the same look, she had seen far too many times from her brother when staring at their boss’s daughter—it was part admiration, and part something else entirely. “Sure,” she replied, her tone light and teasing, “Wouldn't want to leave your girlfriend behind.” she joked making Ed shoot her a playful nudge with his shoulder, as a hint of embarrassment started to show behind his neck making him feel warm all over as he scratched behind his neck. “She’s not my girlfriend,” he muttered, his gaze dropping to the floor as he tried to hide the telltale redness spreading across his cheeks. “Oh, of course, not your girlfriend,” Natalia said, her laughter ringing out like a bell. “It’s not like you two have heart eyes for each other every time you talk, or that your eyes practically scream jealousy every time Dylan shows up. Or well any other man or woman speak to Maria.” She leaned in closer, her playful tone making it clear she was enjoying this far too much.

Edmund’s expression turned from embarrassment to mild irritation as now music travelled through the tavern drowning out the fighting match that happened below them. “It’s not jealousy!” he protested, though the way his eyes flickered towards Maria as her laughter could be heard from the other side as seeing her talking to Bill (one of our friendly books story owners who Nat liked as the only man always allowed her to take one free book home) the look of Edmund's face suggested otherwise. “I just... I mean, we’re friends. Good friends.” “Right, friends,” Natalia replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Friends who share lingering glances and blush like school kids whenever they’re in the same room. You know, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re crushing hard.” Edmund sighed, running a hand through his hair, his heart racing as he thought about Maria. She was captivating, everything about her was undescribed not only was she gorgeous, kind and just incredible but she wasn't someone who beat behind the bush and wasn't afraid to speak her mind, she knew how to hold her own in a fight I mean she is Jordan daughter so she had to and the way she would command a room or well a bar full of dunking people with a single word, it what make her so incredible and so important to Edmund and he never wants to mess that up.

“It’s complicated,” he finally admitted, smiling sadly as he glanced back at the bar where Maria was now chatting animatedly with another drunk, her laughter ringing out like music. “Complicated? Or just scary?” Natalia pressed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “You’ve got to admit, it’s a little thrilling, isn’t it? Loving the boss’s daughter.” “It's crazy,” Edmund replied, shaking his head, though he couldn’t help the small smile that crept onto his face as Nat looked at him with comfort. He had tried to hide his affection for Maria since the beginning but it didn't take long for Nat to find out he was so afraid that Maria knew but she never showed any signs of knowing it was ever a blessing or a curse.

“Go on. I'll wait outside for you.” Natalia insisted, already moving to leave not before panting him on the back; maybe this would be his chance.

Natalia had finely left the packed tavern as the air around her got better to breathe As she glanced at the burning heat of the sun, she couldn't help but wish Edmund luck in asking Maria out she could hear the tavern buzzing with laughter and music; a warm glow of the sun hit Nat skin make her feel warm she knows winter would soon come so she never takes the sun for granted. As she leaned against the wall, she let out an exasperated groan as she heard a taunting voice moment of peace, can't she just have a second to herself is that too much to ask? “Well, well, look who we have here, boys. My dear friend Azura,” the taunted spoke, as Mat's mocking voice pierced through her a smug grin plastered on his face. Natalia rolled her eyes; ‘the silence was soooo nice’ she moaned. "The last time I checked, Mat, we aren’t friends,” she replied, her tone laced with boredom. She turned her attention back to the lively tune drifting from the bar, the rhythm catchy enough to make her hum along, blissfully ignoring the group of men who exchanged confused and annoyed glances. “Now you listen to me—” Mat began, his voice rising in a way that suggested he thought he was more important than he was. “Careful there, Mat. You’ve only got one brain cell left; wouldn’t want to lose that now, would you?” Natalia shot back, a smirk dancing on her lips. The teasing glint in her eyes only fuelled Mat’s frustration, and she could practically see his head ready to explode. “Now you listen to me?!” he bellowed, drawing his sword in a hasty motion. In his flustered state, he miscalculated, the blade slicing into his hand, causing him to drop it with a clatter. “Fuuuuuck! Shit, I’m going to kill you!” he exclaimed, his face a mix of pain and rage. Natalia couldn’t help but laugh, the sound ringing out amid the tavern’s lively atmosphere. “Good luck with that, Mat. You’ll need more than a single brain cell for this one!”

“Fuck you Azura! Your days are numbered” Mat yelled; he tried acting confident but the feeling of his racing heartbeat was sending him astray as he fumbled with his swords but the pain in his hand was making it harder to act tuff.

The air crackled with anticipation as Mat stepped forward, his chest puffed out with confidence, his voice booming with pride. "I've been waiting for this day for years! You're outnumbered, outsmarted—"

But before he could finish his grand speech, a sharp snort of laughter ripped through the tension. Natalia’s head tilted back slightly, her lips curling into a mocking grin. "Careful, Mat," she said, the amusement in her voice unmistakable. "Those are big words for you." Her eyes glinted with something dangerous, something fierce — the fire of someone who had already fought and won, and the smile she wore wasn't one of kindness. It was a challenge, a dare. She uncrossed her arms slowly, her fingers brushing against the hilt of her sword, and with a practised flick of her wrist, she drew it free. The steel caught the sun, its gleaming edge reflecting the light as if it were an extension of her own will.

Her gaze never left Mat's, her smirk widening as she took a step toward him, her boots crunching softly on the dry earth. "You see, Mat," she continued, her voice laced with amusement but also a hint of something more—something colder. "No matter how many stood before me how many had challenged me before you- yourself included they always fall."

“Isn't that where that scar comes from Matt” Her taunt was promising, and she felt her magic buzzing in the palm of her hand as she smirked, "You should back down why you can!" she added, her voice dropping low as her eyes narrowed with a challenge. "You never stood a chance."

Edmund wasn't able to wipe the smile from his face (sure he wasn't able to ask Maria out but he got her to dance with him. Somehow) somehow that was even better than asking her out for a date as he had finally able to just hold her hand without running off; was is hands sweaty when he held her head. Yes. Was his heart fretting to leave his chest allowing everyone to have a glance at it. Yes. But at least he got to have one dance with her that made him feel like he was on top of the world and what mission he had. It is easy peacey lemon squeezy and we'll be back my breakfast tomorrow. He thoughts with so much hope that when he leaves the tavern, he needs to do a double take at the mess that was shown;

“I left you for five minutes,” he whispered with astonished, eyes wide as his sister who he loves with everything albite she does scars him to death, exbibit A:

Natalia stood cleaning off the deep red blood from her sword as she stood silently looking at the mess Shes made even without seeing her face Edmund could tell she was smirking behind her balaclava as groans could be heard as a body tried to drag itself away from the on slater going on behind him as blood was creating a snail-like trail in the ground as words became unclear to hear. “I thought I left you for five minutes!” Edmund yelled, as he shook his head with annoyance “Actually it was ten minutes you left me for!” Natalia corrected, grinning as she swiftly pulled out a dagger with precise aim and landed in a dull thud making the body well... stop. The sun glittered as it showed the sea of red that covered her boots where bodies lay beneath her the sound of metal swished through the air as she coarsely wiped the dark blood on her once clean shirt.

“So, which one pissed you off today to course what seems a mass genocide outside of the tavern in the afternoon?” he jokes casualty, a smirk started to place on his face making Nat roll her eyes, “he asked for it” she mumbled shrugging her shoulders as she looked down at her shirt in disgusted written on her face making her huff. “Let me guess-Mat?” he questions rhetorically, moving to grab a spear shirt, he had in his bag before throwing it at her “Hurry up don't have much time.” he urged, frowning with a hint of concern in his eyes before he heard the sound of the tavern doors opening with the sound of the music still playing and laughter “well this is a sight for sore eyes.” “Poor guy could never keep his mouth shut.” James signed shaking his head he made sure he didn't go near the sea of red on the floor he wasn't one to get his hands dirty if it's not needed to, “mm- mm let's get this cleaned up shall we-” as he let out a whistled into the air around him as he looked at the mess - giving the two assassins a pointed look; telling them to get going like right now making them scurry off with a hurry as the sounds of scuffles moved across the ground with the snapping of teeth before the sound of bones and flesh turning apart. “atta girl enjoy your breakfast,” James laughed as his beast let out growls of enjoyment as the 20feet crocodile munching on her snack; blood showing on her teeth staining them red.

“Come on girl play time is over.”