The Belobogian streets felt… different.
The people led simple lives, and that has not changed. Before, even with the threat of the Fragmentum and Eternal Freeze, the pedestrians never felt the threat to their society. After all, it was all they knew for seven centuries; it was like how people in the outskirts of Earth's cities knew that they would probably die before adulthood.
If it was something that was ingrained in their fate since birth, they wouldn't have any reaction until it was staring them right in the face.
Naturally, this meant that those that directly faced such threats — such as the Silvermane Guards — understood that absolute destruction was barely kept out of Belobog's wall.
The civilians, blissfully unaware, only had to look at the sky to see that things have changed. The glowing orb in the sky was an alien sight, but they knew what it was from educational teachings:
The sun.
The light brought by it shone through the clouds, which have somewhat dissipated in the past month. In reality, the sun was visible for only a few minutes before disappearing behind the veil of clouds; the damage brought by the Eternal Freeze could not be repaired so quickly. It may take a year or two before the denizens of Jarilo-VI can witness a clear sky.
Even so, the mere sight of the distant celestial body was enough to cause a small change amongst the masses. They'd come to wonder if the Eternal Freeze was going to end one day, and if the Fragmentum crisis would lessen. Although they weren't particularly intimidated by these threats due to never facing them, an improvement to their daily life was a common desire.
Food prices would go down as less is rationed to the Silvermane Guards, who would work less due to the decrease of threats. This caused a lower death toll, which naturally cheered up the families of those who served.
As for the actual reason for the sudden change in climate wasn't relevant to them. Humans were too selfish to question the cost of attained benefits.
"Mommy, look!"
Gripping his mother's hand, a small boy pointed up to the sky as he caught a glimpse of the sun. His mother, who was holding a bag of groceries, couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth upwards as she watched alongside the child.
Unbeknownst to them, a shadow was gliding across the cobblestone streets of Belobog, passing by them as it approached the stalwart center of the Overworld; Qlipoth Fort.
Easily flying up the lengthy stairway, the shadow sneakily traveled past the numerous guards on patrol, silently mocking the ridiculous helmets.
Approaching a grand pair of doors, the shadow glided up the walls before placing itself on the ceiling. Looking down at the two guards that were vigilantly standing at both sides of the hall, the shadow provided a mock salute. Holding the pose, it slid through the crack at the top of the door.
The shadow found itself in a large, yet cluttered office. On both sides were rows of desks, which had piles of paper stacked beside them. There seemed to be a second floor to the room, which contained even more desks and even more paperwork.
At the back of the room was a slightly larger desk, which seemed empty, as if the person who was stationed there had cleared the area out. Beyond the desk was an armillary sphere, denoting Belobog's lacking knowledge of the cosmos. Three grand windows displayed the city below, causing anyone that stood there to feel like a ruler among their subjects.
Bronya gorgeous, yet delicate features held a somber air as she looked upon the Overworld. In contrast to the civilians that desired a change to simplify their lives, and the numerous Silvermane Guards that had been relieved of their duty to fight in the Fragmentum, there was a slightly gloomy atmosphere within the communal office that was shared between the Supreme Guardian and the Architects.
Which was promptly broken as a humanoid shadow slid before her feet, waving at her. Looking down with slightly-widened eyes, Bronya quickly gathered herself as she smiled towards the silhouette.
"Hello, Sunny. It has been… well, it hasn't been that long, has it?"
Stepping out of the shadows, Sunny regained his physical form as he blankly nodded.
"Not long at all. We saw each other like, two days ago."
He paused for a moment, looking down at her outfit. Unlike the specially-crafted Silvermane Guard uniform she usually wore, Bronya was wearing an elegant white dress that carried a taste of innocence despite the small inch of cleavage he could make out, the straps hanging slightly below her shoulders. Without the opening in the skirt her usual outfit held, this one completely covered her shins, barely allowing Sunny to glimpse the dark tights she wore. Contrasting to the armored boots she wore, her legs ended with ballet flats.
Bronya coughed into her fist, a slight tinge of red on her cheeks.
"Sunny. You're staring."
Picking his gaze back up to look into her gray eyes, an uncharacteristically serious expression revealed itself on his face.
"You're getting married?"
At this point, she could only openly gape at the sudden jump in logic. Staring at him with astonishment, Bronya quickly shook her head.
"No, of course not! How did you even come to that conclusion?"
To her confusion, he sighed in relief.
"Oh, that's good. That would have been way too much trouble…"
He cleared his throat.
"So, while reading Natasha's books, I found a common trend of the female lead being stuck in a political marriage, and the protagonist has to help her escape. Then, the following pages would have a scene in which they…"
Sunny froze, his face flushing as he changed his sentence midway.
"…Anyways, considering how much white your dress has, and how you called me over with a depressed look on your face, I was worried that the scenario became real."
He suddenly scowled.
"Seriously, those books are so stupid. How does Veliona never get tired of them…?"
Despite her disbelief, Bronya couldn't help but chuckle as she saw the contradictory worldview her strange friend had. One moment, he would be extremely pragmatic, and the next, he'd use a romance novel as an example of real life.
"Although I don't think those books are meant to be educational, the reason I'm dressed like this has nothing to do with marriage. I just like the color."
Sunny blinked.
"Oh… so why are you dressed like that?"
Bronya tersely said:
"For dinner."
Perplexed, Sunny asked:
"Do… do you not eat dinner in normal clothes? I'm not the only one… am I?"
Seeing the sudden look of concern on his face, Bronya quickly stomped the urge to laugh as the corners of her mouth twitched.
"It's a high-class restaurant, Sunny. The ones where the customers have to wear fancy suits and dresses."
Nodding his head in understanding once he realized that she wasn't having a normal dinner, he continued:
"So, are we going to talk now? I'm not sure when this dinner of yours is, but we have a lot to talk about. We should probably get it over with before you need to leave."
Bronya shook her head, an amused smile on her face.
"That won't be necessary. You'll be coming with me after all."
Squinting his eyes, he stared at her as if she grew another head.
"…Although I would definitely appreciate the free food, I think that we should have our priorities straight."
Her expression unchanging, she simply said:
"It's a professional dinner. We can discuss anything at the restaurant."
Sunny paused for a moment.
"…Really?"
"Yes, really."
"And I won't have to pay?"
"Who do you take me for?"
Sunny stared at her for a moment, before his expression became disturbing; almost reverent. Bronya inched back, unaware of the chanting going through his head.
'All hail Bronya!'
'All hail Bronya!'
'All hail—'
He paused, looking down at himself. With only a sweater and sweatpants, Sunny found that he wasn't wearing anything fancy whatsoever. Slightly embarrassed, he sent Bronya an apologetic smile.
"So… I don't really have any formal clothes. I wasn't really expecting this."
Although he seemingly ruined her plans, Bronya simply giggled.
"Yes, I know you weren't. I wanted to surprise you for once. I already have suit tailored perfectly for you."
'Huh.'
So it was all a prank. From Bronya of all people.
Realizing something, Sunny asked:
"When you say it's 'perfectly tailored', you don't mean to say that it fits me perfectly, right?"
With an innocent smile on her face, Bronya nodded.
"It was made specifically with you in mind. Ah, you don't need to thank me, not after everything you've done!"
Gulping, Sunny held a strong suspicion.
"…And how exactly do you know my measurements?"
Bronya seemed slightly startled at the question, but quickly rectified it with a secretive smile.
"I have my ways… my position grants me quite a bit of power after all."
Not bothering with the horrified expression on Sunny's face, Bronya swiftly looped her arm under his. Seeing his startled look, she explained:
"The guards have been ordered to apprehend any unknown individuals that are tailing me. Although your name has been cleared, they won't know what you look like until I'm officially appointed Supreme Guardian, and the edited transcript of events is released."
Understanding that this was a precaution, Sunny nodded in acceptance. The two of them walked towards the grand doors, opening them as they stepped into the hall.
"Madam Guardian!"
The moment they stepped out, the two guards immediately saluted Bronya, who politely smiled and nodded in acknowledgment. He immediately noticed them stiffening as their gazes — hidden by their helmets — landed on Sunny.
'Probably wondering when I got in.'
Just as he did when he was a shadow, Sunny mockingly saluted the two guards.
As Sunny and Bronya walked through the halls, the guards, frozen in their salutes, waited for them to round the corner. Once they did, they immediately turned towards eachother.
"…Dude, did you see that?"
"Yes, I did. Now shut up before the Supreme Guardian hears you!"
"I mean, seriously. I haven't seen Madam Cocolia rolling out with a guy throughout my entire career… which isn't long, but…"
"If you keep gossiping, I swear to the Amber Lord…"
"She really hit the jackpot! I like women, but, well… you saw him!"
"I… fair enough."
"Who do you think is the top? Actually, don't answer that. I'm going to ask everyone at our lunch break."
"…Is this really legal? This has to be some sort of offense, right?"
"Pfft… this is nothing. You should have seen what we were arguing about a couple years ago."
"…Wait, you said you haven't been here for long."
"Semantics! Anyways, you know the Captain's sister? The older one?"
"Do you ever stop talking?"
"Basically, there were some steamy rumors about her and the previo—wait, wait, wait we can talk abo—"