Standing in the middle of a busy street stood Kaze and the girl he had just met.

After being forcefully dragged along with the unknown girl they had been avoiding open streets near the castle.

When they had reached the outer wall of the castle they made a quick stop to get a couple of cloaks.

They were hidden just outside the sight of the guards, it seemed like this girl snuck out of the castle often.

Though Kaze wondered why she suddenly decided to come out in the open.

‘’Haaah, we’re finally out of there.’’

She stretched out her arms towards the sky, after making a sound that relieved her tension she looked over at Kaze.

Putting her hands behind her back, she jumped over to Kaze her face noticeably close to his.

Being so close to this yet unknown girl made Kaze fluster.

Seeing him like this made her chuckle, as she started to walk she waved over to Kaze, signaling to follow her.

He shrugged his shoulders while smiling and decided to just go along with her.

It was a good chance to see the city that was directly under a Great Lords control.

Walking for about five minutes the youngsters stopped in front of a small store.

A faint aroma of sweetness hung in the air.

The unknown girl walked up to the counter.

‘’Old man give me two Makshufa and make it snappy.’’

Kaze looked at her with disbelief, hearing such words would surely infuriate the shopkeeper.

‘’Yes, yes two Makshufa for the princess with the big mouth and her companion.’’

Hearing the word princess Kaze could no longer keep his mouth shut.

‘’Who are you?’’

The girl tilted her head, clapping her hands together she seemed to have remembered something.

With a smooth motion she removed the cloak she was wearing.

‘’I am Yukino Nivalis, daughter of the current Great Lord of Nivalis.’’

Though slightly surprised Kaze had thought this to be a reasonable possibility.

While removing his cloak Kaze acted accordingly and also introduced himself.

After receiving their Makshufa the two youngsters went somewhere more secluded.

Staring at his unknown treat Kaze was the first one to take a bite.

A burst of sudden sweetness hit his taste buds, it was something that would not be found in Nivalis.

Yukino looked joyfully over at Kaze.

‘’Is it good? These kinds of treats are quite uncommon in our country, they originate from Izumu so does that man that was selling them.’’

The people of Izumu were known for their skills in weaving and their bronze skin.

‘’Mhmm hmhmm muuh.’’

‘’Maybe swallow your food first before talking.’’

Yukino was barely able to keep in her laughter.

‘’*gulp* This is really something different from Nivalis sweats. The capital of a country would probably hold many things that I have never seen before.’’

Yukino who had been smiling through the entire conversation put her finger to Kaze’s cheek and removed a piece of Makshufa that was stuck on his cheek.

While putting the piece of Makshufa in her mouth Yukino looked Kaze head on.

Having finished their treats, the two shared some stories about their past.

‘’You really are an interesting guy.’’

Yukino stood up and extended her hand at Kaze.

‘’Let’s go I’ll show you many more things yet unknown to you.’’

Getting off his spot, Kaze choose to let his curiosity take the lead while following Yukino.

Sightings in the city were like none he had ever seen.

Houses which were built in the style of all the other countries, people from different races all walking the street.

Though he was used to seeing them he had never seen so many in one place.

Diversity could be found everywhere from the people, to the houses, especially the foods gained his interest.

She had also showed him, her most favorite spots to relax.

Which right now was a small field, the two were resting with their back on a tree.

‘’Muuuh, The sun is starting to set, guess we should be going back.’’

Yukino stretched out her body while giving off a relaxing moan.

Thinking about how he was going to explain his disappearance he first would need to sneak his way back inside the castle.

‘’Why did I need to put on a cloak when we left in the first place, the people around the castle grounds don’t know who I am.’’

Looking at Yukino she seemed to be pouting for some reason.

‘’Making a young maiden dress like that all by herself, a man should have the courtesy to wear one too.’’

‘’Eh?’’

Such a flawed reason, but Kaze nodded at her words thinking that he should be a gentleman in such a situation, after which they returned to the castle.

Arriving at the castle gates Yukino and Kazehaya checked their surroundings.

Not seeing anyone nearby the two snuck back through a small gate at the side of the main building.

Though just when they thought they were in the clear.

‘’Ah… y-yooo how has everyone been ehehehe.’’

Though normally nobody would be in this place, there stood a group of guards here.

Being caught red handed the two were escorted to the drawing room where everyone had been awaiting their return.

When knocking on the door someone from inside answered ‘’enter’’.

Sitting on a couch were the people of Andor’s sight.

Seeing his son Skald stood up and walked over to Kaze.

‘’…Kazehaya. This city is like none you have ever seen, make sure you experience as much of it as possible.’’

Not the reaction he was expecting, sneaking away all of the sudden not to forget that he snuck away from a Great Lord.

But even Skald knew that he was not one who would do such a thing without reason.

He was also a little relieved, Kaze had always abided the rules and never done anything someone his age would do.

‘’It appears that you were the reason behind this after all Yukino.’’

‘’He happened to catch my attention so I decided to take him with me. Honestly I was surprised to learn that he was your son.’’

‘’Father, you and Yukino know one another?’’

Both Skald and Yukino turned towards Kaze, the one who answered him was Skald.

‘’We have fought on multiple battlefields for some time now. A few years ago Ran started bringing her along with him, she may be young but she holds the potential of a full-fledged general.’’

Being just two years older than Kaze with the possibility of being a general.

Hearing this gave Kaze the resolve to rise to her level within the next two years.

Cutting the heavy tension that rose inside Kaze, Yukino asked an important question.

‘’By the way where is my father?’’

Suddenly a strong killing intent came from behind Kaze and Yukino.

‘’You and my daughter apparently have had quite the fun day, now won’t you tell me all about it.’’

Guess this is what would be a doting parent, being close to his daughter seems like a dangerous choice.

He might have been a little annoyed that Yukino snuck out of the castle.

But when Skald told him that she possibly took Kaze with him he became furious.

Swearing, drinking, challenging his own men to fight, he did just about anything to calm himself down.

However this was not uncommon, whenever a man would get friendly with Yukino Ran would become a rage filled entity.

Thankfully Skald and Yukino were eventually able to calm him down.

Now at the end of the day everyone could use was a nice bath.

Nothing like some male bonding in the bath, though most of the time the men were trying to keep Ran away from Kaze, just in case.

On the other side Yukino, Setsuna and Cynthia engaged in some light conversation.

Finally their stress from the day had been relieved.

After finishing their bath Cynthia and the other maids prepared rooms for their guests, after some more socializing everyone hit the sack.

Light shone through the window into a room where a young man was sleeping.

Next to his bed stood two young girls, one with blond hair and a maid uniform, Setsuna.

And the other with long white hair and dark blue with red parts clothing, Yukino.

While overlooking the young man the two girls were playing rock paper scissors.

Yukino was victorious, which meant that she was allowed to wake up the sound sleeper.

Holding one of her fingers on her lips she smiled evilly, while inching her face closer to Kaze’s she started to whisper in his ear.

‘’Ah, wait don’t touch me there. Don’t run your hand through there.’’

Words which would make would make her father kill the young man were spoken.

Still asleep they young man’s head started turning red, likewise for Setsuna who had heard everything Yukino was saying.

‘’Seems like part of him is up but not all of him.’’

‘’Lady Yukino!’’

While pulling her away from the bed Setsuna started to lecture Yukino, but neither of them had noticed that the young man had woken up.

Still half asleep the young man got out of bed walked towards the sound of the noise.

‘’Is everything okay, it’s so loud already.’’

‘’Kazehaya!’’

The two girls had silenced down while looking at the absent minded young man.

Setsuna quickly averted her eyes, Yukino turned slightly red and while averting eye contact and pointing downwards.

Following the direction of her finger Kaze looked down, the sight made him get to his senses.

‘’Well you’re a healthy young man, it’s normal that this would happen in the morning. Though I guess I am partly to blame for this.’’

She might have said that but she was fully to blame for it… this time at least.

Hastily Yukino grabbed onto Setsuna and dragged her out of the room.

Kaze corrected his posture and breathing, he grabbed his chest and prayed that Ran would not find out.

Having changed into his regular clothes Kaze made his way down to the dining hall.

After finishing their breakfast the five youngsters headed out, but not to go sightseeing.

For a few days now a pack of wild boars has been appearing out of the forests and attacking a neighboring village.

Crops got eaten from the fields and private property got destroyed.

Yesterday it was decided that Yukino would head out.

Thinking that it would be good training Skald requested that the boys should accompany her, Setsuna had chosen to look out after them to make sure they would not do anything dangerous.

She can’t ride a horse herself yet so she saddled up together on Kaze’s.

A few hours later they had reached the neighboring village and met with the mayor.

Having heard the details about the boars location and habits they left their horses at the stables to rest, since bringing them along into the forest would only slow them down.

Since Yukino was most knowledged about the area she took the lead.

Splitting up would only end up in someone getting lost, so they sticked close together until they came to the boars resting grounds.

A small field with a creek where they could rest easily, the flora was impressive to say the least.

Flowers stood in bloom, mushrooms grew out of the ground which eventually got eaten by the boars.

There really was no reason to attack the village and eat their crops.

‘’Maybe they wanted a change in diet?’’

Nobody responded to Rentaro’s tasteless joke.

‘’Right let’s get to it as previously planned Rentaro and I will charge at those furthest from the center.’’

‘’Meanwhile Fubuki and me will fire arrows at those that try to escape. Setsuna stick close to us so nothing will happen to you.’’

‘’Don’t worry about me, I’ll make sure to not cause any trouble.’’

‘’Atta girl, be sure to watch our back too alright.’’

‘’Wah, wait!’’

After Yukino was done rubbing Setsuna’s head, it was time to carry out the plan.

Kaze and Rentaro departed from the group and went towards their designated position.

They were still going unnoticed and had reached their position.

To signal that he was ready Kaze lightly threw a red colored stone at a place so the boars would not be able to notice them.

Noticing this Rentaro likewise threw a red stone, after the count of ten seconds the two rushed in.

Becoming aware of the oncoming threat, some boars decided to face them head on while others chose to run away towards the density of the forest.

Those who retaliated were swiftly cut down by Kaze and Rentaro.

And those who headed into the forest were sniped down by Yukino and Fubuki.

Yukino’s skill were spectacular, some shot which one would think being impossible, she hit with ease.

Even though they still had their hands full Fubuki had to commend her skills.

Likewise Yukino was impressed there was someone around her age with such bow skills.

It took them roughly two minutes to finish off all the boars, Kaze took a quick look around to confirm them all to be dead.

‘’Should we take one with us, I’m kinda hungry after all this.’’

Rentaro spoke of eating one of the boar, Kaze’s stomach started to rumble thinking about this.

‘’Heh, guess it has been a while since we ate breakfast.’’

‘’Geez, Kaze I made sure to prepare us all lunch and you want to eat a wild boar.’’

Setsuna was pouting while setting her eyes on Kaze.

Just as he wanted to speak a rustling sound came from a bush near Yukino.

Quickly dashing away from Setsuna, Kaze readied his sword.

A second later a lone boar emerged from the bush.

Knowing that he would not make it in time Kaze prepared to throw his dagger.

But because he was so focused he had not payed attention to Yukino.

In her hand she was holding dagger of her own, and with a swift strike cut the boars throat.

‘’Don’t think that such a sneak attack would work on me.’’

An odd type of graciousness could be found in her combat style, whether it was with a bow or with a dagger.

While trying to come to a halt Kaze failed to notice a dead boar laying on the ground.

He stumbled onto Yukino who was unable to proses what was happening.

After a few seconds had passed the two realized in what position they were in.

Yukino looked down at Kaze with a bright red face.

‘’Ah, sorry Yukino I’ll get…’’

While trying to get himself back up Kaze felt a soft squishy sensation on his hand.

‘’Kyah.’’

‘’Kyah?’’

Seeing how Yukino was turning away her face because she was flustered, Kaze was able to piece together the puzzle.

‘’Umm could you move your hand.’’

‘’S-Sorry!’’

Jumping up off Yukino his body hit something sturdy from behind.

‘’Oi Kaze.’’

‘’Kazehaya.’’

Of course such an indecent action could not go unpunished for that he could rely on Setsuna and Rentaro.

‘’You all really get along huh.’’

‘’Of course, after all he is the one that makes our lives so enjoyable. Now shall we assist him, who knows what could happen if we leave it to those two.’’

‘’Heh, sounds good.’’

Yukino got up and brushed the dirt off her clothes, looking at the frolicking youngsters she became slightly envious.

But when she looked at Kaze she put her hand to her chest with a lightly red face, and a gracious smile.