Duchess Mira

Mira felt like she is having another panic attack at that one moment. Her c.h.e.s.t felt awfully tight, her breath felt rigged, and her whole body is shaking.

She started looking left and right but she still she saw no sign of the two of them. It is like they vanished into thin air which is clearly impossible.

It felt like hours as she ran around the town to find them with her not only her wrist feeling hot but also her entire body. Still, no matter how in pain she was, she continued to run and run and run nonstop.

She couldn't help but think during that time, who are they? Is that man with ash blonde hair also like me and Claude?

Yet, more importantly, she asked herself... What is even going on?!?

She is all still new to this past thing or the marks or even flipping voices but now she will find out there are more people like them?!?

She started to pant and continued looking for them until the sun decided to go to bed.

Soon, Mira collapsed while hearing the murmurs of the people around her.

The lights of the buildings were well lit and everyone is technically minding their own business but she can't comprehend why it all felt so unfamiliar and strange now.

For example, the scent of strong cologne in the air worn by men and woman alike should make Mira feel comforted yet she didn't she just felt worse.

She couldn't breathe at all, what's worse along with that her c.h.e.s.t felt tight. Her head started to throb again as her body started feeling even hotter causing Mira to stifle a shout of pain.

Then from the corner of her eye, she saw blurry figures of men coming forward towards her inadequate state.

"Are you okay?" A familiar voice called her, she tried to discern who it is and that person brought his body against hers.

Mira signed in relief as her body started to cool but it is stopped by another familiar voice- the voice of 'Duke Elias' rather Leo.

"What are you doing to Mira?" Leo said, pulling her arm away from what seems like the figure of Claude and Mira's body felt like it is scorching once more.

Then another voice spoke- the voice of Valor. "What happened, lady Mira? Prince Divit told us he saw you going outside and we tried to find you have to encounter Sir. Noah."

Mira hated this feeling, she felt like a damsel in distress being saved by her prince. She pushed Leo's hand away saying, "I am fi-"

Claude pulled her hand hastily and hugged her again, making her body feel cold. She allowed herself to be embraced by him for a while until she let go, feeling slightly better.

"Thank you, Noah," Mira said to Claude as he replied, "I just wanted to help my lady so no need to thank me."

Leo watched the scene right in front of him not understanding why his lady allowed herself to be embraced by that man while thinking that Valor had the same thoughts.

So Valor interrupted them by bowing to Mira little and spoke, "Lady Mira allow me the p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to escort you."

"Thank you for the offer, your highness but I am fine now so let's go and eat so we could leave tomorrow morning early," Mira said as she started to walk forward leaving them behind not saying another word to one another.

At twilight, while half of the world is sleeping, Mira opened the door to her room and her heart skipped a beat by seeing an unknown figure in front of her door.

"Hello, Miss Assassin." Mira heard the voice of Claude as she grabbed his hand suddenly catching Claude off guard as she whispered near his ear, "Let's go."

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

"Claude, what are you doing?!?" Mira said in a rather slightly loud voice while looking at Claude, who looks like he is about to jump at a window.

Over the last four days, Claude and Mira would have secret meetings together about what is happening to them. They had also agreed if they remembered anything they would tell another.

She couldn't share anything about him for she didn't even dream or remembers anything relevant. It is weird that in a way for Mira believes a bit whatever Claude says, not all but most of what comes from his mouth. She doesn't trust him fully yet trusts him a tiny bit.

"You know you are giving me an opportunity to kill you right now. I can just push you." Mira threatened Claude. Claude gave a faint smile, knowing very well she wouldn't do it.

Claude looked at the huge tree in front of the window, which is slightly blocking the view of the houses. Then suddenly, he jumped.

"Cl-" Mira stopped herself from shouting to not wake up the people, who are currently sleeping at this hour. She rushed to the window and sighed in relief.

Down below all along there is a huge thick branch where they could land on. If people saw this they may be wondering why to use the window instead of the door, simple. Every door is locked so for once in Mira's life, she had overlooked an important part.

Claude waves at Mira, laughing at her relieved face and whispered loudly, "Awww~ is the o' great lady Mira worried?"

Annoyed, Mira retorted back "O' is the great sir Claude is actually so low to trick people?"

"Well, you do that every day." Claude pointed out as Mira suddenly jumped.

"You got a point there," Mira admitted and looked around them, seeing that the streets were silent and that maybe nobody is awake.

The lights of the houses were dim or there is no light at all. Then Mira turned to Claude, who is also doing the same thing as Mira- observing. Mira said, "Then shall we go?"

Claude didn't respond, thinking.

"I'll go first," Mira said glancing at Claude unconsciously. She couldn't help but glance at him again and notice something under his black hair.

She tried to ignore it and continues to climb down and Claude later followed.

Upon reaching the ground, Mira waited for Claude and searched for the two horses the SWORDS has prepared.

While searching she felt someone tighten the tie of her hair, she looked back only to be stared by Claude so instinctively she stared back.

Maybe it is the atmosphere, it felt slightly melancholic she didn't know why but Claude's eyes looked sad like he has realized something.

It is strange...During that one moment, it felt peaceful.

"Your hair was messy so I fixed it," Claude said, breaking the slightly sad atmosphere; making it to an awkward one.

Mira coughed, feeling a bit somewhat fidgety. For some unknown reason, her heart feels tight like is going to burst.

Instead of wondering why Mira started finding the two horses without saying another word. As a bit of time passed by, Claude pointed out to Mira seeing two black horses near the edge of the town.

"Then Claude, the so-called voices mostly talk to you, right? So where are we going first?" Mira asked Claude upon reaching one of the horses. Claude stayed silent, settling on one the other horse.

Mira waited for Claude's answer but instead of saying anything, he grabbed the reins of the horses and started to move forward.

After walking for a while Claude finally started to converse with Mira, "They told me to go to an abandoned town in the southwest but that's it. I don't know where."

"An abandoned-" Mira unexpectedly stooped her horse, feeling shocked because she thinks she knows where it is. "No way..."

Claude noticing that his partner stopped also turned back to glance at Mira saw her face looked pale.

Claude came down and asked Mira as he held one of her hands tightly. He stared at her hands for a while and couldn't help but take advantage of the moment to look into her eyes.

"M-maybe..." Claude heard Mira's voice negligibly tremble. Mira looked into Claude's black eyes and said with eyes turning noticeably red, "Let me lead the way."

"Alright," Claude said not questioning Mira, one bit because he knew they both had their own role to fulfil.

He removing his grip on Mira's hands and then for some reason he had the unknown urge to hold her squeeze her hands just one more time. He dismissed the thought. Ignoring, his hands as it starts to feel strangely cold.

Going to his horse, Claude glimpse at Mira upon seeing his own eyes turning blue in the reflection of Mira's red eyes. "You first, Athalinda."

Mira nodded and held the reins of her horse tightly to go in front of Claude.

Then and there, they started their real journey.