Emperor's Reckoning

Lyon stood up as he looked around only to find no one but himself. With his hands supporting his head from behind, he walked nonchalantly as if it was his mansion.

As he stepped outside, the blinding light from the sun blinded him for a second before his eyes adjusted. He could make out two figures were in the garden inside the greenhouse.

He slowly opened the door and the thousands of plant variations filled his gaze. Despite the look from the outside, the greenhouse was pretty spacious. The pot was neatly placed on a rack on each side. In the middle of the greenhouse, there was a mini banyan tree that tall enough to hit the roof.

The serene smell hit his nose as he slowly closed his eyes to enjoy the atmosphere. He suddenly felt a hand was covering his eyes as a giggle was heard.

Lyon smiled for a second before his expression vanished with a twitching nose. He lifted his right knee as he heard an 'eh?' from the figure that covered his eyes.

*boom

"Guh!" the kick sent the figure rolling to the outside of the greenhouse. Lyon slowly retracted his kick as he stared at the figure on the ground with a smile. "You smell like your older sister, but she won't do that, so it can only be you."

"Oh c'mon big brother, you don't have to kick me for that," said the figure as he stood up with his hand covering his stomach.

The handsome blonde young man that could be described as beautiful was none other than Jugen, the sole follower of Lyon since the academy.

"Only sexy cute women are allowed to do that to me," said Lyon after he clicked his tongue.

Jugen twitched his mouth as he thought (Man... aren't you too shameless?). He shook his head as he said, "Well anyway, how his big brother journey to court the princesses?"

Lyon immediately turned away and rubbed his chin as his smug expression showed up against the roof. "Well, I did, meet one princess yesterday, she had a fiery temper and we bonded with our fists."

"What do you mean bonded with your fists?" asked Jugen curiously.

"You know, first start out as enemy then as husband and wife, hahaha!" his hearty laugh was interjected as Clemora appeared in front of him and said, "Except that she is probably gone to Mabia by now."

"Oh that's right, she said she enrolled in an academy there," mused Lyon as he stared at the ground.

"Isn't that what the old master in the Mist Clan said he heard rumors about the Legion group?" asked Jugen.

"That is correct," said Biane as she was still carrying a watering can.

Clemora clapped her hand as she easily changed the topic, "Anyway, there is a more pressing matter. The battle royal and pill-making contest is going to be held in less than three days."

"What's the prize?" Lyon looked at her as his eyes were glimmering.

Clemora and Biane squinted their eyes against him. The last time there was something like this, they were the ones that being taken advantage of.

"Well, I can't say, since the ones that are participating are chosen by the candidates," answered Clemora in the end.

"Oh that's right, I haven't seen the candidate you are supporting in the banquet, what's his name?" asked Lyon.

Biane and Clemora smiled wryly before Biane said, "Well actually..."

*knock *knock

The greenhouse door was knocked as a silhouette was standing behind the glass door. "Um, excuse me..."

Hearing the voice, Clemora immediately held Biane's hand and stopping her from saying anything. This gesture was skipped by Lyon as he carefully tried to figure out the silhouette identity.

"Please come in," said Clemora from the inside.

The door slowly pulled as it reveals a slender figure. Jugen was instantly mesmerized by her but Lyon, on the other hand, looked at her with a smile.

He knew who the woman was, that chestnut hair, how could he forget? They have their own little accident during the banquet.

"Good afternoon, Lady Biane and Lady Clemora, sorry for interrupting..." Princess Aelina held her words a little to look at the man that made a deep impression in a single night. "Oh? What a surprise to see you here, Lyon," continued her as her tone was as soft as a harp.

"Good afternoon to you too, err, Aelina..." replied Biane with her rigid voice. Her sister, however, was playing the act masterfully, "Good afternoon Aelina, sorry you have to find us all the way here."

Clemora was a quick-witted woman, she knew that from the moment she said 'excuse me', the princess would have some other plan, put that with Lyon not knowing which one the candidate she was supporting. It was obvious that her true identity was still hidden from Lyon.

"Hello Aelina, how are you?" asked Lyon as he approached her and pushed Jugen to the side with no hesitation.

"I'm fine, thankfully I didn't catch a cold," replied Princess Aelina with a smile.

"More importantly, how are you, Lyon? I heard that the banquet met an unfortunate disaster after I left, are you fine? Did it hurt somewhere?" continued the princess.

"Eh? I'm fine of course," (Crap, I didn't even remember what happened clearly!).

She touched her chest as she released a breath of relief, "That's good then."

Clemora once again clapped her hand as she said, "I have an idea, why don't you two stroll the city for a while? Besides, I and my sisters need to tidy up somethings."

Both of the subjects referred by Clemora had a surprising look on their faces.

*swoosh

"Let's go then!" Lyon immediately pulled her hand (Eh?) and dragged her outside. The three figures left in the greenhouse had their eyes bulged as if about to jump out of their sockets.

"She didn't even answer yet..." exclaimed both of the ladies.

Meanwhile, Jugen was the first one to recover from the shock. After following him on his journey he slowly adapted to his surprise. "Big brother, you are truly a legend... Ah, crap, I forgot to tell him my purpose of coming here!"