Golden Promise

I don't trust her yet

"You know, acting civilized won't kill you." Tone sarcastic and infuriating. Nyla ignored it and made her horse gallop ahead. The two have been bickering since the beginning of the journey and the poor maids and guards gave up trying to stop them. They were currently in the valley of Mirna. A long pathway that connects small villages and towns to Black Steel City. Lyon stared into the sky. It was the clearest it had been in months and the blue was easy on his eyes. Nyla took this opportunity to stare at him for a bit before looking back ahead. A fairly large, decaying brown wooden sign came into her vision, 'Milfon'. "There seems to be a town up ahead. Let's get going." They sped up and in no time entered the town. 

The atmosphere was solemn and everyone looked drained. Parts of the town looked like it was attacked and destroyed. "It would seem an incident has occured." Lyon muttered. Nyla nodded her head before the group advanced further ahead. They climbed off their horse at the entrance and Nyla instructed the guards to tie them all up. "Lyon, follow me." He did as he was told without snarky remarks , which Nyla was grateful for. They walked down the small trail that led to an inn. As they entered, the owners' eyes widened in surprise. "Sir Von Stein. Your Highness, what brings you to this bleak town." Nyla held the elderly lady's shoulders and gently made her stop bowing. "This town is far from bleak from what I hear. So please, stop bowing. I come here not as the princess but as a guest." 

The owner smiled and had her husband prepare rooms for everyone. "Could you tell us what happened?" Lyon gently asked. The owner's eyes widened before dulling and eventually looking down. "A week ago, a horrible creature came and attacked one of our children. The young girl was killed. Thankfully, a group of young hunters were able to identify the creature." "And what was the creature?" Nyla asked. A soft gentle look on her face, making the woman feel safe. "A ninval." 

Lyon and Nyla looked at each other shocked to the core before looking back at the elderly woman. Her honey tone skin paling from the tiredness she had been feeling since that incident. "Are you certain that it was a ninval?" "I wouldn't lie about such a thing, your highness." Nyla took a deep breath and without meaning to, took Lyon's hand and walked outside. She gently ushered the maids to help with room preparations. She finally noticed her hand's position and quickly let his hand go." You're acting like you've touched something disgusting." He stated, a smirk plastered on his face. "I did." She muttered. A small chuckle left the man's lips before his demeanour turned serious again. 

"A ninval is an S grade demon that the Egor family has access to. They wouldn't send it out. So, what's going on?" He voiced, extremely concerned. "It probably escaped." Nyla optimistically stated. "The Egor family wouldn't allow such a horrendous act to happen purposely. We should get some rest." She stated. Lyon nodded before they went back in. As soon as they stepped in, "Your highness, lunch has been prepared." Juliana said eagerly. Nyla took a step back, scared as hell at the 'popping out of nowhere' maid. "Oh my god Juliana, personal space and don't pop out of nowhere! " Nyla exclaimed, holding her chest. "I'm sorry your highness, I'll keep that in mind for next time." Her voice was low, rich and almost seducing. She had ivory skin. Her hair was long, wavy and pitch black. Her eyes were a soft green with gold flecks. Cheeks soft and rosy, and lips semi-full and a dark pink. She wore a beige maid gown. She looked up at Lyon and Lyon stared back, a small hesitant smile coming from her lips, which Lyon happily returned. Nyla noticed this exchange and left quietly to head to the inn's kitchen. Lyon noticed and quickly followed behind. "Aren't you going to continue your flirting with the little maid over there?" Her tone was nonchalant, making it seem that she didn't care one bit. 

"Jealous." 

"Don't get ahead of yourself, boy." Her tone is sharp. Lyon didn't show it but was extremely hurt by that response. She took a sharp turn into the kitchen and sat down in front of a plate of roasted potatoes, turkey slices and bean sprouts coated in some spicy gravy. A goblet of wine on each side. Juliana entered the kitchen and stood next to the other maids. "You guys may leave us. Me and Lyon have a private matter to discuss." The maids and guards left the kitchen and closed the door behind them. "We need to leave first thing tomorrow." "You're in a rush." Lyon muttered, a piece of potato lodged in his mouth. He looked like a cute chipmunk. Shaking that thought, Nyla took a sip of her wine. "We have four months but it'll be better if we hurry the journey, so we can arrive back quicker." Lyon nodded his head agreeing. Now that they were in Milfon, Black Steel was only a 3 day journey away, if they continued with the same pace.They were arriving ahead of schedule which was great. 

Juliana barged in again, scaring Nyla once again." My lord. Juliana, do you not know how to knock?" Nyla's tone was raised. Lyon's eyes widened. She had never raised her voice against a maid ever. She was the most patient person he's ever met. "I'm sorry your highness, I just came to inform you that your room is ready." She meekly whispered. "You could tell me that once I left the kitchen. There's no need for you to barge in." Her tone was now lower, but still curt. "She didn't mean any harm." If he could describe the glare he received, he'll be lost for words. It was bone chilling and dark. "I instructed the maid to stand outside and that's what they've done. She isn't deaf, so following such a simple instruction shouldn't be hard." She stated in a matter of fact tone. Juliana retreated with a sorrow filled expression, causing an unknown ache in Lyon's chest." Di-``'' Not a word out of you for the remainder of this meal, Sir Von Stein." The princess was shocking herself with this attitude. She's never felt rage even for the annoying sack of potatoes that sat in front of her. They ate in silence and soon enough they were done. 

They exited the kitchen and Juliana stood there with puffy red eyes. Nyla looked at her maids and questioned them with her eyes. They shrugged their shoulders, not knowing what had happened. "Juliana." "Yes, your highness." "You'll be attending the minister." Nyla left with her maid and Lyon and Juliana alone in the corridor. "Sorry about her. She's much kinder. She's probably still shaken by the events she's heard happen here." Juliana nodded her head understanding. 

Nyla undressed herself and slipped into the wooden bath. The hot water instantly had her muscles relaxed and she let a moan leave her lips. The maid got to cleaning her. The bathroom in question was simple. Brown coloured walls and a wooden bath slapped in the middle. "I want to know about Juliana. Do you guys have information?" Nyla softly asked, relaxing into the maid's hands that were massaging her shoulders. 

"Well…..she was the Barcroft Family's previous maid. That's all we know." Amirla spoke up. She was a tanned, small and chubby girl. She was incredibly beautiful and was known amongst the maids for her long wild, curly hair. "Does she disrupt your eased mind, your highness?" "A little bit, yes." Nyla spoke, easing herself down the bathtub. "We'll keep an eye on her." Another maid spoke up. 

"Thank you guys. I don't trust her yet."