The midday sky over Cerelia's capital stretched wide and blue. The sounds of merchants haggling, horses clattering over cobblestones, and the scents of spices and sweet pastries filled the air. I, Gren Solstice, walked leisurely through the bustling streets—alone. No guards, no Henry. Just me and the lively city around me.
Not because I wanted to go incognito—far from it. There was a certain thrill in seeing people's awe-filled gazes that they couldn't hide. Yes, I was a Grand Duke's child: arrogant, handsome, and famous. But today wasn't about training, no duels—just… a stroll. My version of city "quality time."
I glanced right at a jewelry stall, then left at a spice and bread shop. Sunlight reflected off the marble streets, the midday breeze carrying hints of cinnamon. I smirked faintly.
> "Huh… this capital is as crowded as ever. But still boring if you're alone."
---
My steps suddenly halted. At the end of the street stood a girl, alone. Ash-blonde hair cascaded smoothly down to her waist, partially covering her shoulders. Her blue eyes scanned the surroundings calmly, yet with a trace of vigilance. She carried herself upright, movements composed, exuding a sense of nobility that silently said: "I am Lunia Draken, and I'm no ordinary person."
I noticed a small pin on her clothing—a dragon emblem. Draken. I smiled faintly to myself. So this was Lunia Draken, a girl from one of the most renowned Grand Duke families.
I took a step closer, balancing my casual stride with confidence.
> "Hey… may I know your name?"
The girl turned, blue eyes meeting mine. There was a fleeting blush, quickly hidden behind her hair.
> "I-I'm… Lunia… Lunia Draken," she said softly, yet firmly.
I chuckled quietly, stepping a little closer while keeping a respectful distance.
> "Draken, huh? Big name, just like mine. So… what brings a Lunia Draken to this busy street all alone?"
She paused, choosing her words carefully. Intelligence and composure shone through her voice.
> "I… was looking for rare books. Some manuscripts I wanted to study," she replied, finally meeting my gaze with confidence.
I leaned slightly forward, golden eyes glinting.
> "Rare manuscripts, huh? I like smart and calm girls… like you, Lunia."
Her cheeks colored faintly, yet she held back a smile. Calm and composed—but definitely not someone easily toyed with.
I nodded slightly, a faint smirk forming. Today might turn out more interesting than I had imagined.
I couldn't resist teasing a bit.
> "So… you're really not afraid to walk alone?" I asked, eyes twinkling mischievously.
Lunia lowered her gaze for a moment, taking a deep breath, then looked at me again. There was a faint hint of annoyance in her blue eyes.
> "I'm not… afraid. Just… not used to seeing someone like you walking freely," she replied, voice calm but carrying slight irritation.
I chuckled softly, raising an eyebrow.
> "Oh, so you're annoyed, huh? Don't worry, I'm just enjoying the city… and the chance to meet an interesting girl."
Her face flushed again, this time more embarrassed than angry. She glanced sideways, suppressing a faint smile.
> "I-I'm not… an 'interesting girl,' okay? Don't assume that," she said quickly, almost denying it verbally.
I stepped a bit closer, eyes glinting mischievously.
> "Hm… but in my eyes, you really are. No need to lie to yourself."
She lowered her gaze, fingers lightly fidgeting with the tips of her hair. Reluctance was clear—she didn't want to admit it, yet her flushed face and eyes told another story.
> "D-don't… don't say things like that so casually," she murmured softly, but I could sense her heartbeat quicken slightly.
I simply smiled faintly, relaxed.
> "Relax… your secret's safe. But I know the truth, Lunia. You're more… human than you think."
She exhaled slowly, half-grumbling but not truly angry.
> "Hmph… a cheeky boy…"
I chuckled softly, enjoying the moment. Her slight annoyance actually made our interaction more fun. She remained calm and elegant… but stubborn enough to pique my curiosity.
The clear sky accompanied our steps as we strolled through the bustling streets, Lunia beside me, occasionally glancing at shop windows or merchants. The city was lively, yet it felt like we were in our own little world—two nobles trying to walk casually without formality.
I glanced at her, smirking.
> "If I may ask… the Draken family has many strong warriors, right?"
She raised an eyebrow slightly, blue eyes sharp yet calm. A trace of irritation, but not anger—more like holding back a comment.
> "Many. But not all Draken children choose the path of combat. Some focus on studies or strategy," she replied softly but decisively.
I nodded, smiling faintly.
> "Hmm… smart, huh? I like people who know what they're doing."
She lowered her gaze briefly, exhaled, and I knew she was trying to suppress a smile.
> "You… aren't too bad for someone… just strolling around randomly," she said, hesitant, with a tone that almost hinted at teasing.
I chuckled softly, eyes glinting mischievously.
> "Hah, almost complimented me, Lunia? Don't pretend to refuse—I can feel it."
She turned her face away, cheeks faintly red. I was sure she wanted to scold me, but couldn't bring herself to admit it. Funny…
> "Don't get too full of yourself," she murmured, trying to sound serious, but her eyes stayed locked on mine.
I smiled, relaxed. We continued our walk through the capital, exchanging light conversation—about families, about the city. I hadn't revealed who I was, and she hadn't asked. The dialogue was light, but a subtle chemistry began to form; Lunia remained calm and composed, yet a hidden curiosity lingered.
We strolled past rows of shops until one caught our attention—a small shop with a window full of cute decorations.
> "Hmm… want to go in?" I asked, eyes glinting mischievously.
Lunia glanced at me, suppressing a smile.
> "Hmph… seems like you do love entering strange shops," she said flatly, with a faint trace of irritation.
I patted my chest, pretending to be offended.
> "Strange? Hah! This is art, Lunia! Art that must be appreciated properly."
She exhaled softly but followed me inside.
Once inside, I immediately caught the attention of the shop owner, looking confused—probably because of my flamboyant stride and sweeping gestures over the shelves.
> "Whoa… look at all this! Awesome, right?" I exclaimed, holding a dragon mini-statue far too big for one hand.
Lunia gave me a half-lidded look, her tone a mix of amused and annoyed:
> "Huh… you really are… weird," she muttered, but her face couldn't hide a faint smile.
I spun the dragon figurine, pretending to be serious.
> "Weird? I call it… extraordinary creativity!"
She shook her head, but I could see her eyes sparkle behind her pride.
> "You really are unpredictable… and far too confident," she said, suppressing a smile.
I raised an eyebrow, grinning.
> "That's one of my strengths, Lunia. But don't worry, I can teach you a few tricks."
She looked at me sharply for a moment, then gave a faint smile.
> "Ah… this boy really… makes me curious," she whispered, picking up a small keychain and carefully putting it back.
I chuckled inwardly. Her slight embarrassment and annoyance made this ordinary shop feel like our little stage.
We had just settled on wooden chairs, enjoying candied apples and light chat, when rapid footsteps approached from opposite sides—as if a storm had arrived unannounced.
Two figures appeared, swords flashing in metal glints. Their movements were too fast to follow with the eye, and in an instant, they stood right in front of us.
> "Who are you?!" shouted one, eyes locking on the other.
I looked closer—Henry… and Grace, Lunia's personal guards.
Without hesitation, I rapped Henry on the head firmly.
> "Hey, idiot! What is this?!"
Henry jumped, nearly stumbling backward.
> "Y-Young Master! I… I was searching for you! When I saw the swords… I thought there was an ambush!"
Grace lowered her sword, calm but alert.
> "I also sensed danger, so I prepared. Sorry if it looked scary," she said, serious yet with a hint of amusement in her eyes.
Lunia tapped Grace on the shoulder quickly, half annoyed.
> "Grace! What are you doing? You almost attacked… someone we just met! Shouldn't your focus be on protecting me?"
Grace bowed slightly, still composed.
> "Apologies, Lady Lunia. I will stay more focused on your safety," she replied politely, clearly with no intention to strike again.
Henry and Grace exchanged glances, realizing their misunderstanding.
> "Ah… sorry!" — Henry
"Sorry too!" — Grace
I exhaled, rapping Henry on the head again with slight frustration but still humor.
> "Idiot… Henry, if you're going to search for me, at least don't make me stop a dramatic duel in the middle of the street, got it?!"
After the confusion subsided, we stood for a moment in the street, catching our breath. Henry wiped sweat from his brow while Grace sheathed her sword, remaining poised yet smiling faintly.
I glanced at Lunia, whose eyes still sparkled—relieved, slightly annoyed from the commotion, but smiling faintly.
> "Seems like… this afternoon stroll turned out more exciting than I expected," I said, grinning mischievously.
> "Hm… a little," she replied, trying to sound serious, yet there was a faint hint of amusement in her eyes. "And… you really are… weird."
> "Weird? Hah! I call it… stylish," I said, shrugging.
Lunia shook her head gently, briefly covering her face with her hands, then looked at me again. Her eyes held a faint blush.
> "And… thanks for calming Henry down," she said, glancing at him. "Grace, don't let your guard down again, alright?"
Grace bowed respectfully.
> "Yes, Lady Lunia. I'll focus more on your safety."
Lunia's gaze fell briefly on the sun-and-moon emblem on Henry's clothing—a clear sign of the Solstice family. Her eyes widened slightly.
> "Young Master… you… Gren Solstice?"
I smiled faintly, relaxed.
> "That's right. But don't worry. I'm just here for a stroll, not to make you duel in the streets."
Lunia exhaled slowly, giving a faint smile.
> "Nice to meet you, Gren Solstice. I… didn't expect this walk to be so… interesting," she murmured.
> "Nice to meet you too, Lunia," I replied, faint smile in place.
We waved slowly, each heading toward our own residences. The city streets remained lively, but for a moment, the world felt like ours alone—two nobles who just met, sharing a simple yet meaningful moment.
I glanced back once more, watching Lunia walk into a lane toward her home. There was a warmth in my chest—not from battle or duels, but from this simple, light encounter.
> "Seems like… this will be the start of many interesting things, Lunia Draken," I murmured, smiling at the fading silhouette.
The streets remained lively, but for a brief moment, it felt like the world belonged only to us—two nobles who had just met, sharing a simple, yet meaningful encounter. I glanced back once more, watching Lunia walk down a lane toward her home. A warmth spread through my chest—not from duels or battles, but from this small, quiet moment.
> "Seems like… this is just the beginning of many interesting things, Lunia Draken," I murmured, a faint smile on my lips as her silhouette slowly disappeared.
Above us, the sky remained clear, yet beneath its calm blue, a silent promise lingered: today's meeting was only the start of something far greater.