“None of that ‘your highness’ shit,” he laughed at his own remark. “I am your husband-to-be and you are not supposed to call me that.” He then dropped his tone: “And you know how much I hate the terms mortals have to use when addressing magus.”

He was too close, she reckoned that if she leaned forward then she could kiss him. But she didn’t do it, it was inappropriate for a Lady such as her to show affection in public. And they were not married yet, if they showed such affections in front of the servants then servants will talk and then common folk will talk until it spawns some tales. Like: Did you know that Lady Valq gave her maidenhood to His Highness Sybal after he ended the whole problem with the Luwin family.

This was not something she created at the spot, but it was an actual rumor. But thankfully Sybal corrected the rumors himself one night while he was in an inn and someone asked him if it was true.

The common folk believed his words, after all, he was a magus and their hero. They practically worship the dirt he walks on, so they didn’t see any reason why not to believe him. She doesn’t know how such a vile rumor came to life, she was never seen alone with Sybal and didn’t even give any indication they were courting each other.

“So,” Sybal poked her. “Who is this handsome fellow?” He asked, pointing at Rhax who was looking at something and nothing at the same time. She saw such a stare previously. It was the stare of a soldier standing at attention when their superior talks with them or gives them orders. ‘That is oddly professional of him.’ She pondered, in the past 2 weeks she saw Rhax be the most unprofessional knight ever. He would joke and play with kids or talk with anyone who was beside him while guarding her when she held court or when she was hearing petitions.

And it seems that everyone in the half mile radius outside the palace knows and are friends with him. She got the idea when a man who owns a tavern a mere 15 minutes away from the palace came and begged her to bring the man who robbed him to justice. And to her surprise after he was done with the begging he straightened and waved. “Rhax,” he said. “How are you doing today? Why don’t you visit anymore? Mary misses you, she is always asking when uncle Rhax will visit.” The man talked to Rhax like he was an old friend, and that made her confused. Didn’t he say that he has only been in Valaq for a day when he came and asked to join her guards? If so, then how the hell does he have a friendship with this man and his daughter already calls him uncle Rhax.

“Sorry Donny,” Rhax replied with an apologetic expression. “I will visit, I promise, and tell Mary that I will bring her a gift as an apology.” That seemed to cheer the man, Donny, as he smiled and waved goodbye then went out of the palace.

“This,” she replied. “Is Rhax, my new bodyguard/knight. He is a Great Knight, he was a sellsword and then he was tired of war so he came here so he could have a peaceful life and maybe even start a family. Even though he seems to miss all the signals women give him.” She said the last part with a smirk and a wink pointed at Rhax.

“You wound me my Lady,” he put his hand on his heart in mock pain. “I would never marry while I serve you, I think it will be too harsh for you to see me with another woman.” He smirked at her, he had a mischievous glint in his eyes.

She expected Sybal to ask her what he meant but to her surprise he broke down in laughter. He was holding his stomach from laughing too hard. “Oh, this is too funny. You finally found your match my Lady.” He smiled at her, he was always careful with his words and that made him take a lot of time to speak and that was the only thing negative in their relationship as she speaks fast and he speaks slow. “I like you Rhax, I hope you take care of my Lady.” His voice then dropped down to a whisper. “I’m saying this not as a magus apprentice, but as a husband. I would appreciate it if you keep her safe.” Rhax nodded with resolve written all over his face. ‘Ahh, men.’ She sighed, but she appreciated the gesture. She was trained in politics and not weapons, she tried one time to train with a rapier but it was a disaster. She almost took the eye of the master at arms.

And from that day on she never touched a weapon, her weapon in her opinion is her mind.

They walked all the way to her private solar where she does her work, she and Sybal entered. Rhax waited outside, before he closed the door he remarked with a smirk. “Behave kids, if I hear muffled sounds I’m barging in.” He winked at her and closed the door, she painfully was aware of the blush gracing her face.

Sybal broke into another round of laughter. “Damn, I really like this guy.” Sybal was always quick to laugh, he liked everything and everyone as long as it was funny. After he calmed himself, she spoke. “Sybal,” she started with a serious tone. “Why did you leave this quickly? I...I thought you were going to abandon me.” She couldn’t hold herself anymore and started to cry, she has thought about the possibility for thousands of times in the past 3 weeks.

“Shush, I would never abandon you.” He said while hugging her. She always liked the feeling of his arms around her. He continued. “I had to go to this village, a damned soul had been spotted there and I had to get rid of it. When I killed the soul, it said something that made me go search around the area for weaks. It said: Dark Eyed Demon, right before it died. Andromida my love, I think the Raven Academy sent The Dark Eyed Demon after me. We are in danger, he could be anyone. It could be Rhax for all we know.”