Morning light filtered through the window and pulled Leo from sleep.
He lay there a moment, staring at the ceiling. The Jubilee ahead would be massive. He would stand with the First House among nobles and warriors from every corner of the world.
The thought should have terrified him. Instead, it sent a spark through his chest.
A knock sounded on the door.
"Master Leo? Your formal attire has arrived."
He rose and opened the door. An attendant stood there holding an ornate box. The man bowed slightly, then stepped inside and set the box on the desk.
"Lady Iori had this commissioned for you. For the Jubilee ceremonies." The attendant gestured toward the box. "I can assist with the fitting if needed."
"I can manage. Thank you."
The attendant bowed again and left.
Leo opened the box.
Deep crimson fabric lay inside, trimmed with black accents. The cut looked formal but ready for movement. He could tell at a glance how much it cost.
He dressed slowly, adjusting each piece. When he finished, he turned to the mirror.
And stopped.
The man staring back looked almost like a stranger. Six-foot-four, broad shoulders, narrow waist. The crimson brought out the warmth in his face and made the lean muscle from months of hard training stand out. Scars crossed his hands, clear reminders of fights he had survived. His face had sharpened too. All the softness from his old life was gone.
He looked like he belonged here.
Leo turned away, carefully removed the outfit, and stored it. He would wear it when the time came.
For now, he had other plans.
---
He found Iori in the estate garden, practicing with her katanas. Morning sun caught her white hair. For a second Leo just watched.
She moved like combat had become art, every strike clean, every step exact.
She noticed him, stopped mid-form, and sheathed her blades. "Leo. You're up early."
"I received your gift this morning." He walked over, hands in his pockets. "I didn't know you paid such close attention to my measurements."
Iori playfully rolled her eyes. "Don't flatter yourself. Is that all you came to talk about?"
"I like receiving your gifts, so thank you." He paused. "Actually, I also wanted to ask you something."
Iori raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
"You've been to the capital before, many times. I've barely seen anything." Leo met her gaze. "Would you like to show me around? Before everything starts."
She studied him, face hard to read. "You want me to play tour guide?"
"I want you to show me places you like here. Just us. No delegation drama, no formality."
Iori's lips curved. "Are you asking me on a date, Leo?"
"Would you say yes if I was?"
Silence stretched between them. Then she laughed, surprised and genuine. "You're bold, I'll give you that."
"Is that a yes?" Leo asked, a grin breaking across his face.
"It's a 'let me change into something less formal.'" She moved past him toward the estate. "Meet me at the gate in twenty minutes. And Leo?"
He turned.
"Don't make me regret this."
---
She appeared exactly twenty minutes later.
The training gear was gone. Now she wore a simple dark dress that flowed with her steps. Practical, but elegant. Her white hair hung loose and soft. Without the usual layers, her height and warrior build drew the eye, full curves moving with natural grace.
Leo realized he was staring.
"Ready?" she asked, clearly amused.
"Yeah. Lead the way."
They left the estate together. For the first time since arriving, Leo felt like he could finally breathe.
Iori guided him through parts of the capital he had never seen.
First came a small park in the upper noble district. It offered a wide view across the city. The Imperial Palace rose in the center, golden spires bright in the sunlight. Streets and districts spread out like a living map.
"The first time I came here," Iori said, leaning against the railing, "I was eight. My mother brought me to meet the Emperor." She pointed at the palace. "I thought it looked like something out of a story. Too grand to be real."
"What changed?"
"I grew up." Her voice stayed quiet. "Learned that grandeur usually hides rot. The prettier the surface, the uglier the games underneath."
"That sounds cynical."
"It's realistic." She glanced at him. "You'll see soon enough. The Jubilee looks like celebration on top. Underneath it's all power plays and deals."
"And we're part of that."
"Yes. We are." She pushed off the railing. "Come on. There's more."
They wandered into a cultural district filled with galleries, street musicians, and theaters.
Iori stopped at a small gallery and studied the paintings. Leo watched her more than the art.
"You like this," he said.
"Is that surprising?"
"You don't seem like the artistic type."
"Because I fight well?" Her tone turned dry. "People are more than one thing, Leo. I can appreciate beauty and still crack skulls when needed. Besides, fighting is its own kind of art."
"Fair point."
She moved to a painting of crimson mountains under dark skies. "I don't get to do this often. Duty doesn't leave much room for leisure."
"Then I'm glad you made time today."
Iori looked at him. Something softened in her eyes. "So am I."
The moment stretched, warm and quiet.
Then she smiled. "Hungry?"
---
She took him to a quiet restaurant on a side street. High-end but comfortable. Soft lights, good smells, private booths.
The staff recognized Iori at once and bowed them into a corner table.
"You come here often?" Leo asked.
"When I need an escape." She waved at the menu. "Order whatever you want. It's excellent."
The food tasted better than anything Leo could remember. They talked between bites, about her strict childhood training, his made-up stories from before the outpost, and the ridiculous side of noble politics.
"Do you ever resent it?" Leo asked. "Being the heir with your whole life already planned."
Iori swirled the wine in her glass. "I did for a while. But resentment doesn't change anything. I was born into this. I'm good at it. Might as well do the job right."
"That's bleak."
"It's honest." She met his eyes. "What about you? No obligations, no family pressure. Doesn't that feel freeing?"
"Not exactly." Leo admitted. "I've mostly just been surviving day to day. No real direction."
"And now?"
"Now I'm trying to build something." He leaned back. "Figure out what I actually want."
"Have you figured it out yet?"
Leo looked at her, really looked, at the way the lamplight touched her white hair and the red markings on her skin. "I'm starting to."
Their eyes held. The rest of the restaurant faded for a second.
Iori smiled and broke the tension. "Come on. One more place."
---
The night market buzzed with life.
Magic lanterns cast warm light over crowded stalls. Food smells mixed with music and laughter. People flowed through the lanes like a river.
Iori moved easily. Leo stayed close. When the crowd thickened, her hand brushed his arm and stayed there a moment. He felt the warmth through his sleeve.
They stopped at a sweets stall. Iori bought candied fruit on sticks and handed him one.
"Try it."
He bit in. Sweet with a kick of spice. Perfect.
They kept walking, eating in comfortable silence. At the quieter edge of the market, near a small fountain, Iori slowed.
"You alright?" she asked.
"Yeah. Just thinking."
"About?"
"How much has changed." Leo stared at the water. "A month ago I was nobody. Now I'm here with you, about to stand at a celebration for the Emperor as nobility."
"Regretting it?"
"Not even slightly."
Iori stepped closer until their shoulders nearly touched. "You've changed since the forest. You've grown."
"You've said that before."
"It bears repeating." She turned to face him. The space between them shrank. "You're not the desperate survivor I pulled out of those trees anymore."
"What am I now?"
"I'm still figuring that out. But you're more confident. Your eyes are brighter."
Leo's pulse quickened. They stood so close he could see every detail of her face, the faint pattern on her skin, the exact color of her eyes.
"Iori..."
"Leo." Her voice came out soft.
They moved at the same time. Lips a breath apart. Her hand rested against his chest, feeling his heartbeat.
"Leo," she whispered.
He leaned in.
Her hand pressed firmer, stopping him.
"Not yet," she said gently.
Leo froze, caught between want and respect.
"You haven't earned me yet," Iori continued. "The challenge, remember?"
The words brought everything back. The fight. The promise. Only after he proved himself.
"I..." He pulled back a little. "Right."
"I want this," she said plainly. "Don't misunderstand. But I won't compromise. You need to earn it properly."
She lowered her hand but kept her eyes on his. "When you defeat me, then you can kiss me. If you can make it in two years."
Leo let out a slow breath. "You're really going to make me wait two years for a kiss?"
"I'm going to make you work for everything." A small smile returned. "If it comes easy, it won't mean anything."
"It would mean something to me."
"Then imagine how much more it will mean when you've earned it."
"Besides, how am I supposed to get strong enough to defeat you in two years? And what did you mean 'if I can make it?'"
"You'll find a way. I'm sure." She stepped back, giving them space. "We'll talk details later if you're serious."
The charged moment eased, but the tension stayed, humming between them.
"We should head back," Iori said, voice steady again. "It's late."
They walked back to the estate in silence. This quiet felt different, full of awareness and promise.
At the entrance, Iori paused.
"Thank you," she said. "For today. I needed it."
"So did I."
She looked at him for a long beat, expression soft. Then she reached up and brushed her fingertips against his cheek.
"Two years, Leo."
She turned and walked inside.
Leo touched the spot where her fingers had been, still warm.
Two years.
He would earn it. Every step.
And when the moment finally came, it would be worth the wait.
He just hoped he could survive until then.