-Martyr before Maiden-

Chapter 2:

Correct Timing

"Lord Munto! Your troops are ready – are you going to issue your command?"

With a hefty sigh, Munto descended from his throne, red cape trailing down the golden-paved staircase. Passive and calm as he wished his composure could be, the twinge of annoyance reigned his gut supreme. Yet again, the mass amounts of Ender fleets had declared an attack on his Kingdom – and no diplomatic means of agreement could reach them; or their leader, Gridori. This was a bother indeed, especially to Munto and his military. More precious ammunition would be wasted, yet again.

'Not to mention, the possible casualties that will befall from this fight...' Munto gave a wave of his hand. "Go forth with the counter-attack, I shall be out in no time to aid you." The soldier looked horrified.

"What?"

"I said, go fourth with the attack, I shall be out to assist soon."

"Lord Munto, I highly recommend that you remain-"

"-Are you questioning me, soldier?" His voice was lowered: dangerously hushed. Barely above a whisper. Gulping thickly, the subordinate shook his head, a slight wave of fear crashing in his gullet.

"N-no, Lord Munto." He cowered, stammering; before declaring his will to fight and hastily departing from the King's private chambers. Clammy hands were the definition of his mood, fists clenched tightly.

Clad in black battle-wear and golden curvatures of metal, Munto was the defined reasoning of a dark blaze. His fire locks a wild mess – some framing his face, others hanging in his eyes. He had no time to tame his hair, and it had become somewhat of an icon within the male side of his family, despite who (or what) they married. His face etched a permanent scowl.

The king walked with heavy-footed steps down the halls, not caring for the various dabble and drawl coming from the gossiping workers; they giggled fruitlessly and stressed continuously, despite the roar of battle outside. Something about an uprising... and a tactical leader? He didn't bother for the petty details.

The problems of the human world and its corrupt society were not his main priority.

He rubbed under his eyes with his hand. It was too warm and flecked with scars, under his eyes too tainted with black circles.

"Munto." Halting at the mention of his bare name, golden eyes narrowed.

Adorned in a purple dress and her hair an even darker shade of violet, a lone woman stood at the end of the corridor. Her gaze was distant and cloudy, yet incredibly well-focused. His glance softened a little as he gave her his full attention.

"Ryuley. What can I do for you? I'm just about-"

"-to head out into your next battle, I know. I am aware of that. You know I am." Ryuley murmured quietly, her voice echoing that of a gently strum harp – every last note hit perfectly. Munto cocked a thick brow; she stood in limbo, swaying gently in her place. Her voice may have reached this world, but her body was stuck in-between dreams and reality.

"Then why-"

"-do I stand in your way? I'm here to issue a warning to you."

Another foreseen event? He flexed his shoulders and rubbed the back of his neck, satisfied with the crack it made. It wasn't that he didn't heed her precautions with serious warning, but now was a critical time for his kingdom... and he needed to get out onto the battlefield as quickly as he could to protect the lives that he could... so...

"It shall have to wait. I need to find-"

"-the key to the future, the one your mother told you about. She will be revealed to you soon, at your meet up with the other world late this evening. So make sure you go at all costs, otherwise you shall let her go from your grasp, and allow it to slip through your fingers and back into the shadows. And you know we can't have that."

Eyes widened. "The key? It's... it has been found?" She nodded, leaving Munto startled. His mouth hanging agape for a few moments, he cleared his throat, looking seriously at her. "Are you positive? I trust your words Ryuley, obviously, however-"

"-you have been waiting for so long, you've began to doubt if there is a key at all."

He stood still. "I will address the issue as soon as I am back, Ryuley. I suppose tonight's events will be... well, eventful. To say the least."

Munto closed his eyes and sighed, striding off towards his troops. As if tonight wasn't pressuring him enough, now this? His father was right, all those years ago; sometimes, his pride could be so... no, not again. He wouldn't go back to that lesson, not yet. It was too early. The last time he did, had left severe consequences to a face he couldn't remember.

Ryuley's eye-line followed his retreating figure, giving off a small breath of her own. Her words engraved into the air, unspoken.


"-now remember, you do not need to be strong in order to be smart and patient towards those who love you, so keep smiling for me!"

With a click of the wooden door, Yumemi's smile of genuine love instantly vanished; replaced with a curled, bitten lip and trembling eyes. Her teeth mark had almost left permanent marks on her lips. Regaining her composure, she headed quickly down the hallway, hoping she did not catch the eyes of any wandering maids or workers at her estate.

That room was just too hot for her to be in any longer.

Turning a corner, she felt a wave of immense relief wash over her. She'd got away from any trouble, any scene being created – they didn't need the stress, not any more than they had on their small shoulders. Yumemi allowed her lips to perk as she closed her eyes - she was safe -, before taking a step, a small step...

"And now I'll just clean up this room- uwah!"

Falling flat on her rear, she felt a sharp pain shoot through her body, hissing at the effect. Rubbing her head, her vision cleared, "ouch..." what had even happened? That moment came out of nowhere! So fast, too fast...

"Miss. Yumemi! I'm really, really sorry! I didn't see you coming!"

That voice was... so... childish? Blinking, Yumemi saw the cause of her fall – was it the maid who collected her plates earlier that morning? ...Yes, it was. Short brown hair pulled back into a bun, huge brown eyes. She looked more like a puppy than the accustomed age to be able to work. It wouldn't surprise her if children were working here, not in the very least. Anything to be more 'efficient', as her father would say.

Rising to her feet, she dusted off whatever had befallen on her dress, "oh no oh no! Miss. Freya will be really mean if I don't fold these right again," - she had dropped a load of clean towels onto the floor. Bending down, Yumemi lent a hand to the frantic girl, helping to collect the fallen items. "Oh, you don't have to help-"

"I bumped into you, so I need to show my apology somehow." With a firm voice, the maid was rendered silent.

One corner to another, the brown-haired girl watched on quietly. Yumemi's knowledge of housework and assisting others with such chores wasn't lacking. If anything, she considered it her greatest talent, despite what her mother and... father would say about it. When finished, Yumemi handed her the rest of the towels, the smaller of the two giving a dulce smile.

"Thank-you! But I need to watch where I'm going – I never stop tripping over things!" She giggled, much like a child being given some form of sweet. Yumemi raised a brow and smiled a little – this girl was... different. No maid ever really said anything with this kind of confidence.

Specifically with her, of all people.

"You're welcome, but don't you worry about tripping over things. Some aspects of a person can never be removed, and others just need to learn to accept that." They were words from experience, not from being wise.

"Wow, Miss. Yumemi, you're really, really kind! You aren't like what everyone says, after all!" Said girl winced. "Well, bye-bye! It was nice to speak to you!"

Footsteps light and dainty, it almost looked like she was a small bird, gently hopping around. She encompassed such a happy, carefree nature – even when bound in a dull black dress and plain, white apron. Yumemi's heart grew admiration, her mind screamed envy.

Her stare followed, before the maid turned a corner. Yumemi chuckled a little to herself, before grimacing, biting her lip.

So everyone did have those negative opinions, still...

Shaking off her dejected attitude, she slipped away from the west wing of the house, allowing herself to spiral deeper into the abyss of her mind. Back when silver church bells and pink flower crowns were the epitome of her desires.


With a breath of smoke, Rui inhaled the toxic stick. He should be on the battlefield right now, assisting Munto in an effort to quell this idiotic war and allow peace to contaminate the lands upon where his birth was held. He should be slaughtering those who dare oppose the peace system that his dear friend had created. Should be, being the key word.

Instead, he was on the first ride to the other world, under heavy protection, guarded by a mass of... well, guards. A smog of tobacco filled the room and coated the ceiling. The smell was heavy and many turned their noses up at it; but it was an acquired taste – one that brought him something enjoyable to indulge in. His mind trying to focus on the novel in his hands, but al he could do was sigh again.

"Could we at least hear some news about the battle? Contrary to popular belief, I am worried for my comrades, you know. Is that such a crime?" Teal eyes looked up, wanting to hear anything other than the sounds of whispered co-ordinates and fantasy-designed transportation.

No answer.

"Anything at all?"

No answer.

"Fucking people..."

"Language, General Rui."

He gave out a disgruntled groan, glaring in disdain at the escorts. If impatience was a sharpened blade, then this room would be sprayed red within seconds, "so you heard that then?! How about an answer to my other questions then, hm?"

No answer. He seethed with annoyance.

Rui opted for silence for the rest of the journey. Apparently, they wanted him to meet this... Hidaka girl as soon as possible, for fear of their transportation being attacked. Petty crooks, most likely – nothing he couldn't handle, but these were rumoured to be more precise and organized with each of their kills and random thievery. Higher than mere bandits.

So much so, they'd actually been on the front page of the human's paper. That was a rarity in itself. Most of the human front-covers contained spoilers and updates on noble life and political agreements with every nation, or to praise the heavenly beings on their perfection. He'd picked up a few additions of papers, it always contained those kinds of stories.

Never about the danger the people could be in. But this was a tidbit too juicy to ignore. Not because they cared, but because it would sell. Anything for money, to move higher-up the chain of the social hierarchy. Just another horrid human thing, he supposed.

Greedy, selfish beings.

...Rui hated human kind. Just the name of their species brought a bitter taste to his mouth.

However...

"Yumemi Hidaka... I wonder what you will be like? For a human of your ranks to have such a broken reputation to need me of all the possible living creatures in this world to fix it... intrigues me, to say the least. I have a feeling this meeting will be... fun." He gave a wistful laugh, before inhaling a gulp of his smoke, letting off a ring on the exhale.

He looked away as a tall girl poured him a drink of apple wine, looking at him carefully. The mention of the noble girl caused the girl to give a slight grin to herself, before she briskly walked away. Hooped earrings dangled, short hair covering her ears, green bandanna hung over her sullen eyes.

The metal on his badges lay unpolished, once-gleaming; they lay dulling in the mid-morning sun.


A/N: And thus, we are introduced to another character. The 'maid' (if you haven't figured out who she is, watch the show again), will be a major character. Please review. :)