Face Of Fate

10. An encounter

The castle was visible, brightened by lights ignited at every place. Night sky behind the castle illuminated by stars, stars that appears dim against the torches of the castle. Soldiers guarding the palace, covering the surrounding farther than they usually do. As he got closer, eyes of soldiers were turning towards him, they gawked at him. His dirty clothes sweated hair and a patch of blood on his arm was means of attraction. He glared at them to kill their stupefied amazement, they averted their heads quickly. Moving further, he halted his horse, seeing people dressed neatly for the event. Looking down at his attire, he thought 'I am not presentable.' Turning his horse, he changed the direction to the back, avoiding unwanted stares from the people he thinks as nitwits. Surprisingly, the back of the castle was crowded as well, more with the soldiers than the guests which was favorable for him. As he got closer to the rare entrance, he found the least expected person. Zorion was standing at the gate leaning back on the wall, with one leg folded and pipe in his mouth, a hand placed on the pommel of the unsheathed sword dug in the ground.

"Tch." With a quick pull, he halted his horse and wandered his eyes around to find a loophole entrance. He was pretty impressed when he couldn't find it. Looking above him, he thought 'that is the only way.' He was exactly below the balcony. Standing on his horse, he held the bottom rail of the balcony. Lifting his weight on his hands, he raised his body. Keeping his weight on one hand he reached out his other hand to hold the upper rail. Holding on, he did the same with the lower hand. Once his hands were on the upper rail, he pushed his body forward and jumped in. His eyes quickly caught a shadow on the ground which marked someone's presence. He raised his eyes from the floor, a dress is what he noticed first, and viewing further he found a lady, dressed exquisitely. A single color dressed, with matching gloves, fitting perfectly on her delicate form. Her hair tied in a neat bun, a golden hair stick with a rose of the same color as the stick ideal for her black hair, exactly like her golden dress.

She frowned narrowing her eyes. "Lycaon Valdemar." She stated more like a question.

Straightening his form, he stood venerable. "I wouldn't have tolerated if you were not a girl."

"You mean being a witness to your confidential act?" She raised her brow.

He scoffed on her sense of humor. "Daring much?"

She sarcastically smiled at him. "I presume it's your actions Lyca-"

She stopped when he moved closer to her. They both glaring in each other eyes. Stepping close, he spoke. "Regard the Lord of the west respectfully."

She found his eyes rather strange. The first time she felt this peculiarity in the eyes of Vidaar. She slightly narrowed her eyes and brighten her smile into a gentle laugh. Stepping back, she turned away, "The Lady of the south addressed you correctly, Lycaon Valdemar."

"Lady of the south?" He raised his brows. "Why? Oh, I remember you don't have any brother."

She turned to face him. "I take your contempt as ignorance."

Narrowing his eyes, he thoroughly looked at her. He found her elegant and confident and strangely familiar. "You do have a younger brother." He said remembering correctly this time.

She gave him a smile on his remembrance. Keeping her face straight and serene, she asked. "And what does that imply?"

For a moment Lycaon was confused, 'isn't it obvious?' he thought. Specifying, he said. "Why Lady than Lord?"

"Why can't? She questioned.

"Weak."

The moment he said that she pulled out the hairpin and threw at him, her hair flew open and fell straight on her back. Averting his head right, he caught the pin in between two fingers with his left hand, exactly beside his face. Lifting the corner of his lips, he smirked at her. Smiling at him, she hopped back, sharp tiny needles flew around from the rose of the pin. Dropping the pin he jumped back whilst dodging the needles and noticed she kept the proper distance, needles were exactly in front of her but none hit her. His smirk widened by the successful dodge and he held his eyes with her. Not too soon a smile on her lips brightened and a red scratch on his cheek appeared with a droplet of blood leaking out.