Emperor's Reckoning

Biane was in a stupor as if she was living her own world. It took several loops of Lyon's question before she realized what's happening.

"Ah, yes I'm fine," responded Biane. She didn't realize that a red warmth liquid was coming out of her nose.

"I'm sorry, I must have opened the door too hard and it bumped your face," said Lyon apologetically (Well actually no, I opened it on purpose but it looks like I'm a little bit too late... I need more 'smooth' practice hehe).

"It-it's alright, it's just bad luck, no need to feel apologetic for it," said Biane with a sweet smile. She still had not realized that there was blood coming out of her nose.

"Are you sure? There is blood coming out of your nose tho," said Lyon softly. He knew how Biane's relationship was with Clemora so he made sure that only Biane could hear what he just said. If Clemora were to find out, it was no doubt that she would bully her just like her older sister did when they were a kid.

Only then did Biane hurriedly wiped the blood out of her nose in a swift manner. However, that still could not erase the red nose she had.

"Biane, I'll be joining you ladies back to Luderia, so please take care of me," said Lyon while cupping his hand.

"Eh? EEH?!" Biane was surprised by his announcement. She was sure that she told him it's a bad time to come to Luderia.

She instinctively glanced at her sister which only responded with a nod. "Are you sure?" Biane still couldn't believe it. Any sane person would definitely avoid problems but this guy was about to do the opposite!

"He is hellbent on coming to Luderia," said Clemora with a sigh and yielded arms.

Biane then returned her gaze toward the young man in front of him before briefly closing her eyes and said, "Alright, it's time for the departure."

"Yes, miss!" replied the guard as they immediately sat on the driver seat and one of them was holding the reign.

Lyon suddenly raised his arm, "Oh, I will sit on the driver seat too, I'm sure it has enough space for three people right?"

The guards looked at each other before the one holding the reign said, "I'm sorry, but you should enter the carriage with young misses, leave the hard work to us."

"It's alright, I want to get familiar with the roads anyway," said Lyon as he waved his hand while smiling.

"I'm sorry but I must insist that you enter the carriage," said the other guards as he was getting impatient. "Besides you are their guest, it will be impolite if you sit with us."

(Their guest huh?) thought Lyon as he chuckled inwardly. "C'mon, it's alright, right Clemora?" said Lyon as he turned his back toward the guards and winked at her.

Clemora obviously noticed this notion of his. "If that is what you wish then so be it, but in return," she seemed to be fidgeting and had her face blushed before continuing, "F-Fenrir must keep us company instead."

"That's all?" Lyon proceeded to grab something from on top of his head. A sleeping little wolf was revealed as Lyon grabbed its red collar. "Wake up, time to do your master a favor," said Lyon as he swung the little wolf toward Clemora.

"Wu?" The little wolf opened his eyes mid-air before Clemora softly received him with a hug. He was still confused as to what happened as he stared at his master who just gave him a thumbs up. Only then did Fenrir's eyes looked disinterested.

"Aww, your fur is so soft <3," said Clemora as she rubbed her cheeks to Fenrir's back. His disinterested look made Lyon twitched his mouth. (You lucky son of a bitch!).

However, Clemora's sudden change of attitude stopped his twitching and turned into a wicked smile as he stared at her for a while, together with Biane.

Realizing the stare she received she hastily cough to get out of the awkward situation she made for herself but a shade of red was really visible on her cheeks.

With the permission, he got from Clemora, the guards didn't have anymore excuse to play against him. Lyon chose to sit in the middle of the duo as the group marched on toward Luderia.

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*tap

The sound of horses' hoofs hitting the ground was all Lyon could hear on the road. The guards were not talkative either as if they were a machine. Sometimes a random caravan would come from the opposite direction but that was all.

Lyon didn't ask the ladies how long was it for the journey to Luderia but slowly he realized that dusk was setting in. The road in front of him was heading toward a forest with a path for travelers. As his eyes lazily look at leaves that swayed because of the wind he reminisced about a certain lady he had experience within a forest.

(That sure bring back memories) thought Lyon as he smiled. The lady he was talking about was surely no one but Karina. The kissing scene he had with her looked like a painting painted by a legendary artist.

*bump

The carriage's right wheel hit a rock and woke Lyon from his reminiscing. He noted that the night was about to set in as he said, "Don't you think we need a break first, it's dangerous to go through a forest in the night."

The guard beside him refuted, "There is no need for that, we know this road's layout more than our parents."

Lyon was caught by surprise as he heard his remark, "Wow, that's a really interesting metaphor you just used."

The guard only replied with a 'hmph'.

Lyon then leaned back with his hands behind his head as he leisurely said, "Hmm, what if a group of bandits or assassins suddenly showed up and attack us."

Both guards suddenly turned rigid as they heard what he said. "Hahaha, of course, I'm just joking I mean this is under Luderia's jurisdiction or whatever right? There is no way that would happen," said Lyon as he patted their backs while laughing.

The guards looked at each other before nervously laughing.

"Hahaha, I mean, please... don't make it so obvious," Lyon's voice suddenly turned cold as he said the last part.