All right! The part which many of you have been waiting for...the appearance of a canon character! lolz Dino. There are still many more OCs and canon chars to appear later though. It never ends!

So, for a short chapter, back to Coen, who has to report to King Albert...

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Thank the gods that's over with.

Coen was slouched back in the chair, staring idly off to nowhere in particular. He hated having to give reports. He was never any good at it; it didn't help that this time, his mind was heavy with the knowledge of the woman who waited in the courtyard below. At least the report hadn't been too involved this time. Not much had happened in the town. It still took all of his concentration to not give away who he had met there.

Sir Lavitz, however, could still tell that something was going on in the younger knight's mind. The First Knight watched Coen with a scrutinizing gaze from his own seat in front of the king. "Something on your mind?"

"No...no sir."

"You seem rather distracted."

"It's nothing. Just tired."

Lavitz raised an eyebrow, glancing briefly at King Albert, who sat on the other side of the table. He obviously didn't believe Coen, but didn't pursue the matter.

He'll ask later though. He never forgets about stuff like this...he'll find out sooner or later. Coen closed his eyes for a moment. He hoped he didn't look as nervous as he felt.

Eventually, he turned his attention back to the king, who was bent over a map that was spread before him, his dark cloak hanging over his shoulders in thick folds. The only time Coen could remember seeing the king without his cloak was when he was sparring with Lavitz, although even then he still sometimes wore it. Coen was convinced it was just to make him look bigger, more solid. By himself, the king was not a particularly threatening sight, with a gentle face and lithe, almost thin build that his height only emphasized. The cloak certainly added a bit of an impressive edge to him.

Coen was startled from his thoughts when the door to the room opened. He heard someone step inside, clear his throat to announce his presence. As one, the two knights turned to face the guard who had entered the room. Albert lifted his head, confused by the intrusion. "Yes?"

Again the guard cleared his throat, as if nervous...or amused, and trying to hide it. "There's...um...there's a situation in the courtyard we thought might require your attention, sir." Coen couldn't tell exactly who was being addressed, the king or Lavitz.

"Oh?" This intrigued the king.

"Er...in the courtyard...there's a girl who's..." The guard's mouth twitched into a barely-perceptible smile. He took a breath and then spoke quickly, as it trying to say what he needed to without collapsing into a laughing fit. "She's got herself in a tussle with the First Knighthood and...doing a rather good job of showing them up."

Coen sighed, hiding his face with his hand. Niira, you idiot...why? How is taking down the First Knighthood getting you off to a good start with your father?

Lavitz was by one of the windows, looking down into the courtyard. He frowned, much less amused than the guard had been; Coen wondered if he was mad at the girl who was taking it upon herself to beat up the knights, or at his knights for not being able to handle her. The First Knight slowly turned away from the scene. "If your majesty would excuse me."

"Of course."

Coen stood, walking to the window, and dared a glance at the scene below. Niira, I hope you realize what trouble you've just gotten yourself into.

Why do my all reports always have to end badly?