After negotiating for about 15 minutes, Miley agreed to bring him along. He bought weapons and the essentials to go outside, unlike her who only had escaped in mind. Lan prepared quite well, with full equipment, including medical supplies. She frowned, exactly why did he come?

"So, why the forest road?" Miley asked. It didn't occur to her for one second that Lan could take advantage of her here. But when she thought of it a second later, she paused. He could have done that 15 minutes ago, aside from his usual creepy speech, he did nothing.

She can't let her guard down though, especially after what happened earlier in the day.

"It's the easiest to climb the roofs."

"Roof?" Miley asked.

.

.

"Do we have to do this?" She couldn't believe they would jump from roof to roof to get to the side gate.

"Yes, I mean there's no other option. If we leave from the main gate using the normal streets. They would detect us." Lan explained as he leaped through another roof.

"Won't it be the same if we do this?"

"On the contrary, if we do this we can slip past the gate's weakness, at most people will think a few animals slipped out."

He's knowledgeable about this.

___________________________________________________

By the time they got out, Lan could tell that Miley is exhausted. He chuckled, "Too much for you to handle?" he teased.

Miley shot him a glare, "Roof jumping wasn't in my training."

"Aren't a.s.sa.s.sins supposed to have tree climbing skills?"

"Trees and roofs are different."

Lan said nothing and continued advancing down the path. After a while, he spoke up, "There's an inn quite a distance away. Around 3 hours, but it should separate us from the town. When we're there, we can discuss what to do."

Miley nodded.

...

In his years as a Knight, this was the most challenging mission the Queen a.s.signed him. Lan's gaze fell on the girl who walked ahead of him, holding the other lantern he brought and sighed. Earlier he was ahead so he could lead the way. But then she made a compet.i.tion out of it. Guarding this one isn't easy. While she would have found other means to escape. Inevitably those means would lead to some damage; that's why he helped her out. It appears his Madam Miley regards his intentions as something suspicious.

If that person hadn't asked him to do this, he wouldn't trouble himself with such a matter. The head advisor suits this job better, dealing with a child's tantrums. He didn't lie when he proposed to her. Contrary to all these complaints, he's dead set on his feelings for Madam Miley. However, Lan recalled a conversation with the Queen 6 months ago.

---

Six months ago, Mist Kingdom Castle. Throne room.

"My Queen."

"Thank you for your hard work."

... Lan nodded and said nothing. He wasn't sure exactly what he could say. It's been quite some time since the Queen summoned him. Considering the state of affairs as of late. The Queen looks worn out even though nothing happened yet. She must have received the reports of suspicious activity in the land of snow.

"Lan, I have a job for you." Lyn walked over to the window and opened the balcony.

"Anything my Queen."

"It's guard duty."

Lan nodded, "Who do you wish for me to escort my Queen?"

"Miley."

He blinked in confusion at that comment. "Pardon?" Lan said, "Did you order me to guard Madam Miley?" He repeated, to make sure he heard.

Lyn chuckled, "That's right, is it a problem?"

"Pardon me for saying so, but I'm the last person one would ask to guard that child. She appears to have a dislike for me while we've only spoken twice since she came here."

"There are people close with her who can do this task."

It puzzle Lan, "Then.."

"I'm aware of your problem Lan. Your family is being very persistent aren't they?" Lyn said.

"They are.." Lan murmured.

Since he was younger, Lan could do anything, he was the perfect son. Anything that included brus.h.i.+ng aside his family complaints and nagging. But it was not easy to avoid the topic regarding marriage.

"Then, ask Miley."

Lan dropped his sword then, it dumbfounded him, the Queen's words. The guard request aside. What on earth is the Queen thinking? He looked up and saw the smile and seriousness never left her face. So the Queen is serious about this.

"Could I ask for a reason?" Lan asked.

"I wish to set that child free. Right now she's an a.s.sa.s.sin, but I am limiting her work. It's not because of her age too. But we will enter a new era where one day people will no longer need their blades or magic to speak. Or to lead."

"Queen Lyn."

"Someone has decided my candidacy for being empress. While I have yet to formally agree. It's clear what will happen. There's a lot of preparations that I need to handle. I won't have the time to care for Miley anymore. She needs someone, one day that child's l.u.s.t for battlefield will cause her problems."

Lan interjected, "She's drawn to the battlefield, doesn't her present life suit her?"

"She's a child, Lan. So was I when I drew my blade, and so were you. But times are changing. The knowledge that this country hasn't seen a war in a long time is proof of that. I don't wish to expose her to this awful world any longer, not when there's a chance for true peace." Lyn trailed off, "Do you understand? I shall leave this matter to you. Take care of Miley."

"Yes."

"And also, she already has a protective guardian. So you're better off as a romantic suitor."

Lan raised his eyebrows, a protective guardian?

"It's general Teo."

----

The Queen planned all this carefully. She didn't do it solely out of her desire to see Madam Miley lead a normal life either. But because she understood, 'I believe that girl can change you.' She's doing this for his sake too. Still, even now it surprised him. General Teo being madam Miley's guardian when he thinks about it. It shouldn't be shocking; there's previous evidence for it. Lan doesn't believe the general is fit to take care of himself, let alone another person.