ℂhapter 2

Oh, the feeling of resting in a pleasantry room. I can't remember the last time I had...though, that doesn't really matter to me because I am trained to be a warrior & nothing more.

The open space is a decent size & the walls are very narrow but wide.

I leisurely begin to unbutton my shirt.

I am so tired & just want to retire for the night...but before I can, a faint knock is percieved through the door.

I cease to unbutton my shirt, sauntering towards the sound.

I should have asked who was there first but my mind didn't think that far ahead.

"Rumia." I blurt, sternly.

What is she doing here?

Her eyes point to my half unbuttoned shirt, revealing my chest, before glaring back up at me.

"You pervert...at least have some decency answering the door!" she screeches.

"Well excuse me, I didn't know the wicked witch of the west was going to visit me in my chamber!" I howl back & then grin, leaning on the wall. "Did you miss me that much?"

There I go again...saying things without thinking.

Rumia throws the insults first so that is my excuse as to why i'm talking the way that I am.

"Ew, miss you?" she gags. "Doofus, you're way in over your head. Hmph!"

"Doofus?" I whisper, confuzzled.

"Yeah. Doofus." she smirks.

I stand up straight & stomp my foot down. "Okay, is there a reason you came here? or did you just needed an excuse to call me a pervert?"

I ****** my hand to shut the door closed.

"Because in that case, you can just leave."

I am far too exhausted to keep up this act with her.

"Wait!" she shouts, sliding her foot in between the door crack to stop it from shutting completely closed. "I-I came for another...reason."

I wide open the door once again, revealing her. She appears calm but pouty.

"And what reason may that be?"

Her head swings to the side, puffing out her cheeks, as if she's embarrassed.

"Well? spill it!" I roll my eyes, checking the time on my watch.

"I-I jus-t wanted to s-say..." she mutters but stops mid sentence, closing her eyes, roughly.

"Okay, if you're not going to say it, then I will go to sleep...goodnight!" I mid yawn, shutting back the door.

"I'M SORRY!" she screams from the other side & my eyes open wide.

"What did you say?" I cough, seeking my face out the small split of the gateway.

"I'm sorry." She repeats. "I'm sorry you're a doofus who can't help saying jerky things!"

She crosses her arms, sulking again.

"Gee, thanks for the apology..." I respond, with a lazy voice.

"What i'm saying is..." she opens her mouth again. "Let's start on a fresh note...starting tomorrow..."

Her cheeks are red but return back to normal when she says the next words. "Now, if that's all...goodnight, doofus."

And with that, she marches off.

That...is one strange girl.

I close the door shut for the last time of the night & hit the sack. I'm too tired to even remove my shirt now.

...

The following day:

"How Futile." Silas scoffs. "Your stance is ever so boring."

"Perhaps you take over my teaching lesson then?" Rumia grunts.

"I bet I can get them into shape." he grins, walking over but Rias stops him. "Heh...let's not..."

Today, Silas & I have some free time on our hands so we decided to watch Rumia teach her fencing class...though Silas is strict when it comes to this stuff.

"That's the point of this lesson." Rias informs him, rolling her eyes. "They will be perfect with my sisters teachings soon."

"Yeah..." he sighs. "Let's hope they don't go on suicide missions with the way that female is grasping a sword."

I look over & one of the girls appear to be holding the weapon opposite from everyone else. Her cheeks turn pink from embarrassment.

"Well...I do not wish to see this catastrophe any longer." He yawns. "I'm going to go explore the Capital."

"I'll come with you!" Rias exclaims in a fake cheery voice, whispering "To make sure you don't get into any trouble."

I laugh at the thought.

"What's the point of exploring the capital if I can't put fat noblemen in their place." Silas mutters.

"Stop acting like a buffoon!" Rias' faint voice is heard as they disappear out of sight.

That just leaves Rumia & I now. She seems focused in her teaching methods so I decide to just observe & perhaps learn a thing or two. She hasn't said a single insult to me yet so I guess that is progress.

"Perhaps you should grab a sword & participate." She sneakly snickers. "You seem to be interested in the things you cannot do."

There we go.

"Whatever happened to starting fresh?" I irritatedly breath.

The whooshing sound of the blade is percieved through her laughter. "I am not insulting you...I am just simply deciding what's best for you."

I place my hand on my torso, calming the mind & body before I say something regretful.

"And what's best for me?"

She swiftly swings the sword right at me & grins. "Being a better swordsman."

Her eyes appear genuine but you can never tell with her, though I haven't known her very long.

That hazeled hair of hers flow into the air while cherry blossoms are slowly falling from the trees. For a second there, I can hear no sound from this so called "nature." It's just me & my blank thoughts.

"Felix?" "Felix are you listening?"

I am bought back into reality with an annoying voice.

I sigh & shake my head.

"You just stick to teaching your class." I move her sword away. "I am better on my own."

Giving her a little heartfelt smile, I exit her side & head towards the gates. She didn't seem too happy but being positive is what I ought to do.

Silas & I have another mission to attend in months time orders from His Majesty. I won't have to see nor hear Rumia for a while during that time...I will be at peace, getting back into sword wielding & traveling along side Silas.

...

"Felix." The Emperor calls out, severely from down the hall.

"Yes, your majesty?" I kneel down right before the very man strolls up closer.

"You needn't be so formal with me" his hand gently taps my head & I look up at the smile formed on his face right before me.

I rise back up into an appropriate position.

"What may I do you for?"

His smile fades & his eyes darken.

"What are your intentions with my daughter?"

The sweet look he gave me took a twisted turn so quickly. How can an expression change so rapidly?

I suddenly forget to breath, my legs feel numb. What is this aura surrounding him? does he prefer I avoid all contact with Rumia? It shall be easy if that's what he desires...so why am I afraid?

"I-intentions?..." I stutter, nervously. "I only just engage with her like a proper guest."

I step back to avoid a scolding from the Emperor. My body is stiff & I feel threatened. I close my eyes while he steps foot near me.

"Oh dear." He sighs, putting his hand on my shoulder & my eyes shoot wide open.

"O-oh...dear?"

Taking a seat on the side hall bench, he taps his fingers on the spot next to him for me to sit.

"As you can see, Rumia has no purpose of finding the one whom she'll spend her entire lifetime with..." he informs me & I nod. "Yes, I kind of figured that."

She gives the impression to keep to herself for the most part & enjoys looking down on people who don't meet her standards. At least, that's how I view her.

"You see...her mother was a swordswoman." He continues. "She was my love at first sight, though our countries were at war."

His smile is faint, reminiscing of his past lover. Even after all these years, she must be the only woman in his heart.

"Rumia wants to be just like her mother." his eyes appear of grief. "Which isn't quite frankly a bad thing..."

I get that. Anyone in her shoes would want to be like the one whom she cherished the most.

"I just expected her to be more like Rias." he reveals. "I know Silas is a good man & will take care as well as protect my daughter..."

He delicately places his hand on my scabbard. "I had thought the same of you."

Hearing him say such things, it makes me think differently of Rumia. She must really resemble her mother.

I am not the one who can be given such a task though. I am just a lone swordsman.

"I-I am honoured you feel that way, your majesty..." I stand up from the bench. "But Rumia is the type who would rather protect herself than want a scrawnly fella like me to rescue her."

I chuckle under my breath.

"That...and she is nowhere near a damsel in distress for a man to save."

I exit the perimeter after a sigh as the words have left my lips.

I know she can take care of herself, everyone is aware. She teaches her own fencing class & has the attitude of a vicious cat. She will be just fine.

...

{"I know I may look young...but I cannot look after those precious girls forever."}

   - Inside the Emperor's mind

...

Soon after, Silas & Rias return from their small journey outside the capital. They come back completely arguing upon eachother.

"You made me look like a baffoon!" Rias screeches whereas Silas replies "That was the work of the Gods, not me."

Rias is drenched from head to toe in water, I wonder what happened.

"You stupid little...ughhh you're so immature!!!" her face turns bright red, screaming from anger.

"Immature, maybe, but I had a good laugh today." he grins.

Silas may be at fault but I guess Rias bought this upon herself when she decided to go with him...to "stop" him from causing a ruckus.

"What is all this noise?" Rumia shouts, marching from the front gates.

She eyes Rias up & down, then adds "What happened?...you're all...wet."

Rias pouts angrily & stomps her foot down. "Silas pushed me into the magic waterfall on purpose!"

All eyes turn to Silas & he seems unfazed.

"On purpose?..." he flicks his hair. "I recall you standing there, stopping me from entering...perhaps I assumed you wanted to go first, so I simply, just gave you a little...push."

I just know that smug look on his face is making Rias exasperated.

Rumia is containing her laughter, I can tell that much. I am holding it all in as well.

"ACGKH!" Rias groans, making a weird sound. "I'VE HAD IT WITH HIM, I AM GOING TO BATHE IN RICH WATER!"

As soon as she leaves, Rumia & I burst into laughter, synchronizing together in harmony so unexpectedly.

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