The sunlight peeked through my window lighting up the room with its rays; waking me up with a warm hug of the sun, slowly I got out of bed, bathed, brushed, and changed into fresh clothes just like any other day— But something felt off, my gut was telling me that something is off about this day, the wind maybe?, it felt as if things were about to change — "Good morning!" I greeted my mom and dad as always as I walked down the stairs, still tying my hair to a bun.
My father would be seated at the table, arranging his gear while I helped my mother prepare breakfast. As usual, we talked while eating, my dad making jokes to brighten up the already blinding morning as I and my mother served breakfast.
My father, Marcus Thorne, is the Captain of the Knights of the Viscounty of Thornestead, he is a cousin of Viscount Elias Thorne, meanwhile my mother Maria Thorne, a former adventurer, now just handles a local café, and I Aria Thorne, their adoptive daughter, we live near the House of Thorne, the reason being my father is the captain of this viscounty's knights.
"Aria?" my mother's voice reached my ears and I came to my senses, "Is something the matter? you've been staring at your food since we sat down."; "Is something bothering you?" my father added, concern in his voice
"It's nothing, I was just thinking" I replied, offering a smile to ease their concern.
"Are you perhaps... thinking of a boy!?" my mother teasingly covered her mouth smiling at me then turning to dad; he joined in mom's tease "Well he better be worthy, tell me his name, and I'll put that boy in the military!" he said then laughed teasing me.
"Mom!, there's no way I'd be thinking of boys!" my face beet red, they always do this whenever I zone out, or if a handsome man walks in the café door, they tease me, I'm 19 and have no interest in relationship or romance, while others my age are already planning marriage.
The clock struck 8:00, it was time to open the café, my father went on his way to the viscount's residence as that was his post as captain, while I and mom went to town.
As always the town was lively and warm, I was greeted by some of the vendors, guards, and townspeople, and as always I returned a warm greeting to every one of them. We arrived at the café and some people were already in line to enter.
"Aria" my mother called signaling for me to get in. The start of the day was smooth, we already cleaned last night so wiping tables was enough, The first few orders came, and it was always the same, regular customers.
"Aria!" a familiar voice called out, that same bubbly voice, that tone I knew so well I'd recognize it anytime, anywhere.
"Elysia!" I responded, embracing her with a hug as she ran to me. "How have you been?" I asked Ely as i took her hand and led her to a table.
"I've been fine" she responded, "But.", there it is — she's up to something again, I said to myself— "Whenever i hear that word come out of your mouth you only get in trouble, Elysia".
"C'mon! Don't be a party pooper, I haven't said anything!" pouting like a kid, she stood up hands planted on the table.
"Alright" I sighed, "what is it this time?" The second I asked that question her eyes lit up with excitement.
"Don't worry! This time i won't get in trouble! I just wanted to invite you to the banquet!"
"A banquet? It seems you've forgotten what happened the last time you took me to a banquet..." my shoulders shivered from the memory
.
"Oh come on, It all went well last time!" her eyes glistened with energy while mine turned to a hollow suspicion.
She is way too optimistic...
"If me almost getting executed for disobeying a higher noble is what you call "went well"
Well I'm out." I stood up and a sigh escaped as I turned my back on her.
"Wait nooo! I need someone with me, you won't let me go there alone where some manmight take meeee rigghtt!?" She clung to my arm, her grip tightening as desperation filled her voice. Her wide eyes shimmered with exaggerated fear.
I finally gave in and let out a long sigh, my shoulders slumping as I did so "Fine, Dad was probably going to take me there anyway."
Her eyes shimmered even more as she clung to my shoulder "Yay! I won't be alone!"
God, she's persistent. sigh
As I walked back to the counter to pick up and bring the order to the table, the same unease I had this morning came back, this time stronger.
The café door opened, and a man in black clothing, wearing a thin robe with a hood, and a black mask covering half his face, stepped inside, "Welcome please take a seat" the usual greeting I give whenever someone enters, this time though, it felt weird, the unease became even stronger when he sat down. — A new face? Never seen him before, I thought to myself— "Good morning what will you have for today?" his perfume lingered in the air as I handed him the menu.
"Black Coffee" a monotone voice came out of his mouth when he spoke, he didn't look at me or the menu he just said it, as I was about to turn around and make his coffee he spoke once more "3 teaspoons of white sugar no more no less" he added, I offered a smile and made his order.
After a minute or two I came back to his table coffee in hand. "Black coffee with 3 teaspoons of white sugar, as ordered" I placed the cup of coffee on the table, my face parallel to his, when I looked up I met his gaze, his emerald green eyes meeting my sapphire blue.
I stood up and offered a smile, his gaze didn't leave my face he just sat there looking at me.
"Is something the matter, sir?" I asked in confusion, his gaze stayed fixated on my face, and I shivered, he gave no reply, but then...
I stood there frozen, staring at her, striking silver hair, and sapphire blue eyes, I couldn't help but stare, and after a minute of staring, I finally came to my senses. "N-nothing". Shit, I stuttered, was I too obvious? I stared at my coffee and then took a hesitant sip, the coffee was strong as I expected, but it only made the pounding in my chest worse, i watched her walk away, her figure in the side of my eye, her scent still lingering around my table, she was beautiful, I admitted in my mind.
I quickly finished my coffee, paid, and left, but I couldn't get her out of my mind, my heart would begin to beat fast, faster than it would if I ran at full speed, why? That question was in the back of my head the whole day.
It's been Thirty minutes of walking and my heart was still beating fast, on top of it unease lingered since I came out of the café, is somebody following me? The thought came to my mind, triggering my fight or flight response, my eyes dilated, and I was ready to counter.
I proceeded to walk another 30 minutes, making unnecessary turns, and confirmed, is it them? my gaze fixed on the figure in the corner of my eye, i felt someone stare back at me, that was it, it confirmed my suspicion, they're after me that's for sure.
I took off and dashed through the crowds, I didn't lose them, they aren't ordinary huh? I thought to myself as prepped to draw my sword, my left hand gripping the sheath as I ran, no matter what turn I took they followed suit, this isn't going to end without a fight, damn it.
I slipped inside an alleyway and ran just deep enough that no one would see, by that time my right hand was already on my swords handle, ready to strike, the bustling sound of town would surely mask the sounds of clashing blades right? i thought to myself before speaking.
"You can stop hiding, so we can start fighting" I taunted.
"We're not here to fight, but we have a message for you" his voice muffled as he spoke through a mask, I don't know how, I don't know when, but I was surrounded.
"Four against one? and you say you're not here to fight?" I questioned, scanning for any signs of deception
"If I came alone you would've already sliced me into pieces, am I correct?"
I smirked involuntarily, then let go of the handle. "Alright then, what's the message?"
"The day of the banquet, a nobleman will die, that is all goodbye" Without another word nor sound, all four of them vanished in the blink of an eye, i couldn't sense them anymore, like they were never there.
I couldn't react in the slightest, they just vanished, and their threat didn't even register in my head until they left. "Was that a threat or a warning? Were they enemies or allies?" two questions filled my head as I went home.
...
"Aria! Bye-bye, see you at the banquet" Elysia's voice slowly faded as her carriage took her away.
"Aria!" my mother's voice called out, I ran to her, back to the café, and together we started closing the café.