Estil can still remember that day. It was so vivid as if the events of seven years ago only happened yesterday. She can still feel the huge smoldering fire engulfing their mansion leaving nothing behind but ashes and coals. She can still hear the clamoring of swords as their guards protect them from the pursuers. The image of her father's limp obedience, eyes clouded as everything were lost-- meeting hers for the last time before mouthing the word "Go". She can still hear her little brother's scream as they both witnessed the beheading of their father, the glint of the bluish silver of the blade slicing through the thickness of his neck as if it were cutting a mere butter. That was a sword she was very well accustomed to due to countless sparrings she shared with its owner. Oh, how she remembers that night. With recurring nightmares for years, that horrendous night lived with them both as they struggled to survive for the next several years.

Estil's heart broke that night-- for the life, riches, and comfort they were lavished with were gone in a blink; above all, her heart broke over the fact that her father lost his life to the man whom she held with highest regard. And yet, Estil held no resentment at all. All because she clearly understood the reason behind the events which transpired seven years ago. And that is also the reason now why she found herself traversing the dark and narrow alleyway that would take her up the Castle Square. Estil knew she'd find him there.

She took the final turn, and she was finally greeted by the blinding light of the day. Adjusting the cloak of her woolen gray hood, she made a quick step next to the wall to avert herself from the prying eyes of the onlookers who are making note of the prospective players that may enlist to the game three days from now. And just when she thought she had finally evaded the limelight, a gust of wind blew away the hood covering her face. Almost immediately as the hood was taken off, she pulled it back over her head as she quickened her pace towards the looming gate.

"Weeeeeeew!"
Someone whistled behind her.
"If it isn't the young lady of the fallen Lumierre House." And that was enough to catch anyone's attention.

With everyone's eyes glued to her figure, Estil waste no time and continued her pace; with people whispering behind her back, of course.

"Oh. Is it really her?"
"Could it be her? Have you seen her face?"
"A person from the Gray Area is walking towards Castle Square? But the Enlistment hasn't started yet. Couldn't be her."

'Sons of bitches. Don't make me laugh when you lots used to grovel down at my Father's feet.' She cursed inwardly as she quickly made her way in front of the gate.

Normally, guards would have allowed anyone to come inside the Castle Square. Normally, people wouldn't give a damn if you came from whichever area. Be it the Gray Area or the fucking Diamond Street. And normally, people are free to roam around, or dilly dally anywhere as they please. Restrictions apply, particularly to Castle Grounds but now that the greatest festival of the empire is about to happen, these restrictions only apply inside the Palace as of the moment. And it will be so until the festivity ends. So what the guard is doing right now is merely an act of utter ill will and discrimination.

"No one is allowed inside the Square right now, not unless you provide your name, affiliation, and objective."

She didn't budge, and neither did she utter a sound.

The guard continued, "And if you ever remain silent, we are allowed to send you away. So speak."

Silence. But her eyes were throwing daggers, and her mouth about to spew series of inhumane curses.

"You really won't break, huh?" he chuckled, "Then go on your merry way, you orphan. Lest you may find yourself following the trails of your late father, eh?"

His fellow guards, along with people who eyes the situation with interest, jeered.

Perhaps, another day. She thought to herself, allowing herself to not let the mockery and derision get into her way. Just when Estil was about to turn around her heels, she felt a large and heavy hand rest above her head.

"And since when have we started asking for visitor's name, affiliation, and objective, huh, guard?"

Just in time, Estil took a peek and saw only the broad shoulders of the man looming behind her.

The guard went pale, and onlookers went on their way, acting nonchalant and disinterested. It was as if no one dares to look in the eye of the intruder, which made Estil all the more curious.

"I-I-I-" The guard stammered, eyes shifting between the tall knight to the tiny woman next to him.

"Huh?" The man lowered his gaze, eyes almost closing as he coldly assessed the guard's expression.

"I-I-I thought you wouldn't be back till nightfall."

Estil wanted to take a look at what kind of expression the man made, because whatever face that was, it made the guards look white as a sheet. She felt him move forward, his hand not leaving the top of her head as he peered down at the guards' nameplates. "Whether I return now or tomorrow is outside of your concern. I remember your names. Now get out of my sight and never step foot inside the palace ever again. Understood?"

The guards didn't respond, instead, they fainted right there on their posts. Estil heard the guy clicking his tongue before uttering "Pesky guards."

Finally, the big hand was removed, and Estil can crane her neck once again. "Come inside with me." The man said, and went ahead.

The closed leaf of the gates were opened, and as the man ushered himself inside, Estil finally caught sight of his appearance. First thing she noticed was that he was tall. And his shoulders were wide. Long legs, and narrow hips as a long, black sword hung around his waist. Then his hair. Estil's eyes widened. She only knew one family possessing this set of jet black hair, darker than the darkest night which seemed to absorb even the light of the day. And just as the gates closed behind them, finally the man looked back. And she was struck with familiarity as a pair of sparkling sapphire eyes smiled down at her.

"You haven't changed one bit, little sun."

Azul Fucking Blue.

It was Azul Valdani of the Upper Kingdom, the pride of the empire whose talents were recognized by the Emperor as he was knighted by His Majesty himself, the infamous knight from the House of Raven. A person belonging from her past she thought, and wished, to never see again. And of all chances, why now?

"What made you come all the way here from the Gray Slums, little sun? Looking for alms perhaps?"

And just like that, she was reminded of the reason why he was one of the people she used to despise the most.

Her usually stoic face crumbled, the years of self-restraint to make her face look as blank as possible were gone in an instant as she glared at the figure looming over her.

"Go to hell, Az." She spat.