This man is a member of the purple lions household, he is a noble and yet instead of choosing to become the heir he joined the imperial army. On that aspect the two of them are similar, they both rejected a position of high standing.

Alex did not say anything and simply pulled out his sword, Lillian immediately dodged the blow. Her lips curve to a smile. “I see, this is the reason you missed me.”

“Miss Lillian, it troubles me when your not around. They are too weak to fight with me.”

At those words Lillian chuckled. “Alright I suppose we can get started.”

It did not take long before they started clashing their blades against each other. Normal people would use wooden swords during training. However, the average person does not understand how vital it is practicing with an actual blade.The weight of a real blade and a practice one are different after all.

Alex stepped back, to create some distance and made a wide sweep with his sword, causing pieces of debris from the ground to scatter but it did not disturb her. Lillian did not leap back and blocked the blow with her fingers.

“It seems you are still far too slow.”

Alex tried to create another opening but it became difficult since she was closer to him. At this point it was clear she had the advantage and it did not take long before her blade was inches away from his chin.

“Do I win?”

A deep exhale escaped his lips. “Of course you do.”

Lillian chuckled. “I suppose we can take a short break.”

“I shall get you a drink-”

She shook her head. “More than that Alex, update me on the recent situation here in the imperial castle.”

“Is this due to the attack on the Empress the other day?”

It seems the news has already spread. Of course even though Lucas sent a discrete carriage into the imperial castle, the empress was in that terrible state. The servants most-likely talked and those old geezers heard about it. It still surprises her however how fast the information travelled.

‘Did someone from the imperial castle help out?’ It would not surprise her if that were the case.

Lillian nodded and explained how the Empress and her were on a temporary cease fire. “Since she is technically somebody in my group, I have no choice but to pry into her affairs.”

“You are so stubborn Miss Lillian.” Alex trailed off. “Are you sure your not thirsty?”

“I am now you mention it. I wonder if there is poor simpleton nearby, so I can drain their blood-”

Alex shook his head and she chuckled. “I am joking.”

The men around her are so serious.

“What were you trying to-” Her sentence fell short when Alex snapped his fingers. All sorts of different types of ingredients appeared in the air.

Lillian immediately recognized them as ingredients to make coffee. The cups jars and sugar cubes all floated, no it looked like the objects were dancing in mid air.

Alex appearance seemed different from earlier when they were still around the others. On his head there were now a pair of ears. Yes, this person is not a human but a sacred beast. According to Lucas he is one of the fallen ones but with a mind of their own.

‘He broke a sacred rule so they banished him. Normally it would be impossible to keep your sanity but it appears that is not the case with this person.;

Lillian watched as Alex gradually moved the objects. The water poured itself into a flask right beside the siphon. She does enjoy a good cup of coffee when she isn’t drinking the blood of her victims. It seems Alex knows that very well.

After a few minutes Alex eventually finished and placed a cup of coffee in front of her. She sat down on the benches nearby.

“Hmm, the aroma is different?” Lillian placed the cup to her face and noticed that the smell was different from the last.

“Correct, I worked on a new blend.”

“Shouldn’t you run a coffee shop instead of being a knight?” Lillian joked.

“Hmmm Lilian are you in a good mood?” Alex trailed off.

“Like I can be, I have a fever despite what it looks.”

At those words Alex looked at her dumbfounded before sighing. “If sir Lucas comes marching here, please stop him from getting angry at me.”

“You appear to be more frightened of Lucas than me.”

“Like I could compare.”

“So, what is with this?” Lillian pointed to the coffee. “I thought the moment you saw me again you would focus on discussing state affairs.”

For a moment Alex paused and hummed. “Well that is true, I do have a lot to say.” He briefly closed his eyes. “But it seems ever since the Empress coronation you haven’t had much time to relax. So I wanted to do something for you.”

‘Let me do something for your birthday. I am doing this because I want to.’ Now that she thought about it Aaron used to say stuff like that didn’t he? It always baffled her how easily he could say those words without batting an eyelid.

“This is a fantasy realm, where the old and new mix together. You discovered me a fallen creature and took me under your wing so I am grateful.”

“But you know I intend to use you.”

She figured that she would find use for a halfling during the huge battle ahead. His powers will come in handy.

Alex expression remained unchanged as he beamed brightly. “It is a pleasure for me to serve you my lady.”

She truly is surrounded by such foolish people. But this reaction did not surprise her. There are many people who appear to be loyal to her. However she understood that if they learned of her plans they would immediately try to stop her.

‘Only Lucas, only Lucas will kill her.’ She knew even though he behaved stubbornly whenever she brought up the situation he would do so if it came down to it.

‘If I were to truly descend into madness that person would stop me without fail.’ Lucas behaves coldly but he cares for the people living in this world. He does not like unnecessary bloodshed.

“Vice commander! We tied up the rebels-” A man with short brunette hair appeared in the doorway of the stadium. He paused when he saw her. “General!”

“Rebels?”

“Recently there are a lot of people marching around with signs in town saying to take away the wealth of those who belong to the seven main families.” Alex explained. He shrugged his shoulders and sighed. “It is the usual.”

“Toss them in the dungeon.” Lillian immediately said.

“Lili-”

Her lips curve to a smile. “I have been rather bored the last few days this will serve as great entertainment for me..”

*UNEDITED*