"Are you sure you should ride?" His question remained unanswered for a while, and he noticed she was in a daze.

"Madam Miley?" Lan repeated.

"Uh yeah, what?" The girl was stuffing herself with food as she rode her horse.

"Forget it."

He hears her mumble weirdo and sighed. Lan retracted his thoughts back to what happened yesterday.

-------------

Yesterday

"I know of her concern.."

Is she? Lan sighed deeply, and yet she's still acting this way. He supposes nothing could be done about this. She is after all still a child. Lan's gaze fell on the book in his hands. From the outside, it was a typical book, but in fact, it contained the Queen's research. To think this child has such a past. To guide her to become a normal girl that's his job and protecting her.

His thoughts broke off when he noticed her complexion turn pale, huh?

"Madam Miley?"

The girl appeared to be in a daze and Lan stood up. The moment he got close though, he saw the girl's body suddenly covered in flames. The flames were not burning her and yet...

-------------

Right afterward he sent word to the Queen. The Queen warned him that the enemy did something to Madam Miley. The effects of that something would eventually show up. But he didn't expect the effects to manifest itself in the form of the girl collapsing. During breakfast, she acted normal. She even stayed put when he said he would fetch some other things for the journey. Lan would have liked for her to rest more, but she ended up waking him up. This girl indeed is careless. He's never seen a child as reckless as this one.

"Your arm, did you burn yourself?"

Lan smiled, "A little mishap."

"I see."

Lan is glad she didn't question herself any further. If she were to find out that she was the one who did this..

__________________________________________________________

So even a person like him can get injured. How surprising. But, it didn't look to be a normal wound. Miley was unaware of why she could recognize it. Why she could distinguish a burn made from magic and an average burn, she is unsure. As of late, it felt as though her mind has been in a mess. Exactly what is going on? What's with these visions, what did they do to her? Miley shook her head; there's most likely no need to think about it. Eventually, they stopped at a nearby town and got off their horses.

The sight made her sick. This is the mist kingdom, famine - and such a desolate-looking village shouldn't exist. But Miley couldn't deny the reality in front of her. Lan patted her shoulder, breaking her thoughts, "I need to ask about the state of the roads ahead. Could you wait here for a moment?"

Miley nodded and watched as Lan walked off. It looked as though he wanted to tell her something, but he walked away without saying those words. She took a long deep breath and exhaled the moment Lan left. It felt like she hadn't been able to breathe properly since he came. For any random girl, the fourth knight's actions would look kind. But after what she experienced in the alleyway, his threatening and cold gaze. Miley knew better than to trust him. The moment they arrive on the battlefield, she will ask the head knight to keep Lan away from her. With this in mind, Miley allowed him to accompany her. She heard that the head Knight is one of the few people Lan listened too. He should be able to keep him away.

...

She kicked random stones by her feet and sighed deeply. What is that guy doing? Several hours had gone by already, and Miley noted that even the horses seemed restless. Should she look for him? But Miley isn't familiar with this place at all. What if she got lost? Her thoughts broke when she hears the sound of a brawl not too far from her. Miley's eyes lit up, a fight?

...

Her gaze fell on the men on the ground, and she sighed. What a pointless fight, it was honestly a waste of time. It ended up being nothing but your average brawl. It looked way more exciting from a distance. But, she examined one man's cloak. That's the snow kingdoms cloak. Several others wore the white cloak of the snow kingdom. What are they doing in a town like this? Even if they are enemies now.. Would the snow kingdom people resort to fighting random civilians? It surprised Miley when she saw the snow kingdom cloak.

"T—thank you miss... my husband and his friends... they were.." A woman weakly called out to her.

Miley removed her pouch and took out several food items; it wasn't much. Since the rest was back where she left the horses but, she also gave the woman some money. "I'm unsure if you're able to travel far, but there's another town close by. The people there can help you. The supplies should last till then."

She realized that the woman wouldn't be able to carry the food without the pouch. Miley gave that away too.

"Thank you, may the empress watch over you."

Empress huh? But they have none.

With those words said the woman left alongside her husband. The man's friends had also groggily gotten up amid the conversation. Miley didn't hit them too hard, knowing they were the victims. Still, her gaze fell back on the snow kingdoms men. What does she do with them? Is it okay to leave them here? As Miley thought this, the sound of rustling interfered with her thoughts. She turned around. Miley found an average-sized man with dark mid-length hair, that went up to his shoulders. Pale clouded grey eyes, wearing a familiar white and pale blue cloak. The snow kingdoms cloak.

"You.."

Oh d.a.m.n, it would be bad if her ident.i.ty is exposed here.

"Did you do this child?" he asked.

Wasn't he watching? He should know. Miley nodded. The man's lips curve to a smile, "Interesting."

Huh?

The man walked over and grabbed her wrist, "I never thought I'd discover a child with such talents. You must come to the kingdom and meet the Queen. Surely she will give you a suitable position, and there's still room amongst the recruits."

This man's actions puzzled Miley. Queen? Does he mean Queen J? But right now the most important thing is, she can't let him take her away. Miley let out a small energy burst from her palm and separated herself from him. She also pulled out two daggers and cut his cheek in the escape process.

"Dear child, you dare to cut me?"

He seemed half amused, half angry.

Either way, she sensed a dangerous aura from him. Is he surrounded in a cloak of magic? There's something ominous about him. The man raised his hand and proceeded to grab her again. But before he could, someone pulled her into their arms.

"Madam Miley, are you unharmed..?" Lan asked.

Where has he—Miley noticed the marks on his face and frowned? Did he get caught up in a fight? Lan held his sword at the stranger, and her eyes widened. What is he doing? This person may belong to the snow kingdom, but he might be a civilian. They need to check; first, she only cut him just now to break free. But then again, would a civilian have such an overwhelming presence?

"Ah, that sword. Yes, I recognize you. The second heir to that wretched family."

"And I am familiar with you too, but may I ask what is the snow kingdoms head knight doing in the mist kingdoms town?" Lan wore his usual smile. But his words seemed deadly.

The snow Kingdoms head knight? His name is Luke. Miley knew she was itching for a fight but she picked it with the wrong person. Normally Miley wouldn't mind challenging herself against opponents who are stronger than her. However, Miley recalled her master's words.

'Do not, and I repeat. Do not engage in a battle with the snow kingdoms head knight. If you were ever to meet him, run away.'

Master had taught her that running away was not necessarily a sign of weakness. But Miley never understood it right until this moment. There's something about the aura of this person. One that's different than an average person. It felt like his very presence was suffocating her. What is this feeling? Her lungs feel like they are being crushed; her body filled with pain. Lan held her tightly.

"Will, you not stop using your magic? Your suffocating the child." Lan asked.

Luke wore a dangerous smile as he said, "Ah yes, a child. The dangerous a.s.sa.s.sin is it? She certainly displayed excellent skills. It could use polis.h.i.+ng though."

Miley shuddered. Why are the people surrounding her so weird?

Lan smiled, "Now thank you for the compliment."

"I was speaking to the child, not yourself."

"She is my betrothed."

Miley wanted to hit him; surely this wasn't the time for that?

However, Luke's gaze darkened, "I see now... Then it seems like my offer is futile." he trailed off. "It's a real shame miss dangerous a.s.sa.s.sin. But I cannot let you roam free, after seeing the dangers your powers possess. You will die here today."