Chapter 3: The Return II

A narrow path overlooking a vast, mist-cloaked valley leads us to one of the city’s entrances. At first scorching, but now soothing was the remainder of our journey as blooming cherry blossom trees stretched from the highest point of the mountain, providing an adequate shade to help us cruise along comfortably. Or once comfortably as a slight splintering noise caused me to flinch backward in terror.. 

     “Ahh!” 

     It didn't help that Tuwar simply strolled ahead of me, never looking back so much as once to ensure my safety. 

     “Some escort you are!” I grumbled aloud. 

     The entrance was well hidden, being camouflaged behind the drop point of a waterfall, making it indistinguishable from the rest of the cliff side. As we approached, we quickly gained the attention of the two guards standing stiffly on each side. Their piercing emerald eyes zeroed in on Tuwar and for a moment, I saw a slight squint of distaste coming from the man on our left.

     “Go on ahead” I decided to distance myself as a test of sorts, tugging my woolen cloak overhead while I waited behind the curb of the mountain. 

     The one closest to us, a red haired woman garbed in bronze armor, merely heaved a sigh as she stared at Tuwar. Her spear, a long pole with a hook shaped blade, was leveled at her waist and a tinge of green light radiated along the edges of its tip. She stepped forward, reaching out to him with her remaining arm. 

     “Where the hell have you been?!” She squeezed him tightly. “The king was moments away from issuing a search for you, Haru!” 

     Haru was the name of the appearance my brother had stolen. It made sense why they were so relieved to see him, considering how he had been missing since last night when we lured him to the shore.

     “My apologies” Tuwar gave a nervous bow. “Something rather urgent came up and..”!

     “Hmm?” The guard woman’s brow lifted curiously at Tuwar’s words. “My apologies, is it?” She doubtfully repeated. “Well, knowing you, there must be some grand excuse to make up for missing the official meeting this morning and for your sake I—“

     “—Something urgent? Yeah, I bet!” The second guard, a tall and lean man with plain black hair, cut in. “How many times has it been now? Tens? Dozens?” He held his fingers out, but kept his eyes locked with Tuwar’s. “When’re you gonna grow up, Haru?”

     The guard woman looked back cautiously at her companion whose voice had begun to ring aloud. “Daiki!” She attempted to quell his fury, but he relented, swatting her hand away as he took her place at eye level with Tuwar.

     “Your majesty’s words were made abundantly clear. In lieu of such unspoken events..” He took a second to grunt in displeasure. “ ..you, nor anyone for that matter, is permitted to leave Picea city. Isn't that right”?

     Tuwar looked away shamefully. A trait unbecoming of his prideful nature, but one perfectly suited for the boy Haru’s. “I know that!” he mustered frigidly. “But—“!

     It was cute how his act included that of an actual frail tone and a strained attempt to meet the man’s eyes. 

    “But? But, what?” Daiki pressed him. “Oh, don’t tell me it’s true?” He chuckled derisively, causing The woman beside him to cut in.

     “What are you talking about, Daiki? What’s true?” She looked genuinely lost as her partner struggled to contain more of his shameless laughter.

     “Oh Tsuna, haven’t you heard?” He mused. “Haru over here has been meeting with someone—a woman in fact!” Daiki smiled widely.

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     “A-A woman?” Tsuna expressed a look of confusion at Daiki’s reveal. “Is that true?”

     “Oh, yes!” Daiki continued. “It seems our royal aid has finally found someone to match his youthful obscurity and word is, they met at the shore”!

     So he told someone after all? I took note of this while patiently gathering myself behind the curve of the cliff. I was certain that after he returned several times following our initial meeting, that it was no use assuming that he had made my presence at the beach known. But, looking back at what my anonymous tip had told me, it was quite uncommon for the words of the boy to be taken seriously. 

     “So, how is our mysterious maiden?” He leaned forward in a light jeer, hoping to provoke a reaction from Tuwar. “Will she be coming to visit sometime, or are your meetings some illicit secret?”

     Tsuna rolled her eyes at Daiki who would not relent, despite her continuous warning. Tuwar, however, remained silent.

     “I suppose we can no longer mock you for your lack of masculine charm? No sir, we can’t,” He walked in circles, pondering another humorous remark to shoot at my stone-faced brother. “Before, we called you, “lady killer”, but not in the way one might enjoy being called”.

     “Ohh, I know” his eyes lit up. How about, ‘sea-man ’?” He joked, clasping the area of his groin. “Fitting isn’t it? seeing as your first experience was—“ 

     Daiki’s chatter was cut short as the excitement fueling his words dampened, replacing it with wide eyes and baffling disbelief. Tsuna , sensing my presence instantly, tilted her head confusingly at my sudden appearance from behind the curb of the cliff. Her counterpart, by no surprise, was the first to speak out. 

     “Holy crap, she’s real!” He pointed, shifting his gaze between Tuwar and I. 

     ”Tsuna, look!” Daiki froze for a moment, taking in the fierce look on Tsuna’s face. 

     “Can I help you?!” She glared, lifting the pointed end of her staff toward my chest. “State your name, immediately”! 

     “H-Haru, you idiot—” Daiki stuttered, attempting to recollect himself. “—Don’t tell me you brought an enemy wench back with you?” 

     “Enemy?” Tuwar paused before shifting his attention to me. “No, she’s—“!

     Raising a hand, I beckoned for Tuwar to stop.

     “What my meek-minded servant is trying to say is…” I lifted the tattered hood from the top of my head, strolling weakly toward the two guards. 

     “…your princess has returned”.

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