"Oh dear! Zachary you're soaked to the bone!" Karena commented after the two had ducked under an overhanging balcony to keep out from the rain. "Sorry I had to use your cape. If only I had known it would rain tonight, then we would be safe and dry under an umbrella instead…"

She then gazed out onto the deserted streets already filled with puddles, as it was raining hard and fast. It was so hard, that you couldn't even see a mile in front of your face.

"No…I am sorry Karena." Zacharias suddenly announced, grabbing her attention. "I did not foresee this sudden change in the weather. And do not worry about the cape. If you are safe and dry, I am all too happy to be soaked in your stead."

Karena's eyes widened with shock, and she blushed while saying, "But you'll catch a cold!" in protest with concern.

Zacharias opened his mouth, about to console her when the door they were standing in front of suddenly opened, revealing a very intimidating young woman with her hands on her hips and narrowed eyes aimed at the couple.

She was as tall as Karena, with green colored eyes and short red hair that was parted in the middle and styled in loose knotted pigtails that rested in front of her shoulders. She was dressed much like a pirate, wearing a striped grey tube top under a lilac vest. She also wore puffed reddish purple pants cinched at the waist with a black belt that had a heart shaped buckle and stuffed into black knee high boots that had a one inch heel. Wrapped around her head was a tan bandage, around her neck was a mauve choker, on her hands were black gloves, and attached to her belt was a money pouch and dagger.

"Oh I did not even realize we had run right to the tavern." Zacharias stated, as he recognized the woman at the door. "Pardon me Rouge, but would you let us inside for a moment; just until the rain stops."

"Fine, but you've got to dry off first." The woman named Rouge replied. "I don't want you leaving puddles all over the place."

"But I cannot remove all of my armor and clothing without a dry set…" Zacharias blushed a little. "Therefore I shall stay out here, but let Karena in at least."

"That won't be necessary." A male's voice announced from behind Rouge. "You can borrow some of my clothes Barnham."

The man now stood beside the tavern owner and the two got a good look at him. He was five feet and eleven inches tall, with blue colored eyes and dark blue – almost black – hair that was pulled back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck. He wore a simple loose dark green shirt which was tucked in halfway and its sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. He also wore dark grey pants that were tucked into black boots much like Rouge's.

"I do not want to trouble you Nero." Zacharias told the man. "So I shall politely decline."

"Oh come on Barnham." The man named Nero said with a smirk. "Do you really want to leave this beautiful young lady all alone in here with all those drinking men?"

Zacharias then realized the error in his thinking, and followed Nero inside. Karena followed Rouge to the bar area at the same time.

As she sat there, she gazed around the quite roomy establishment. It was well lit with a large candle lit chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Several tables and stools were scattered here and there, with drinking men sitting at them. Behind the bar where she sat were large barrels, possibly filled with drinks. Off to the side was a staircase leading to the second floor and possibly various rooms that were lent to various visitors.

"So you're the infamous Karena Edwards I've been hearing so much about." Rouge spoke up, bringing Karena's attention to the woman behind the bar. "Want something to drink while you wait for Zach to finish?"

"Do you happen to serve tea?" she asked, earning herself a blank gaze from Rouge.

"Then water, perhaps?"

Still silence…

"I don't think my stomach can tolerate any alcohol…"

Suddenly Rouge slammed her hand down hard on the bar which made Karena jump. "You think that because this place is a tavern we serve only alcohol?!" she asked loudly with narrowed eyes. "We serve juice too you know!"

"Oh, s-sorry! I'll have your best juice then." Karena stuttered with embarrassment.

Rouge sighed and relaxed, before commencing to grab a glass to fill with some tomato juice. Once Karena had been served, she continued by asking "So…what has Zachary told you about me?"

"I don't think I should go into specifics. I mean he should really tell you himself…" Rouge answered. "But they are all good things. He's really smitten with you. Almost to the point where it's started to annoy Nero, as he can't get a woman to fall for him at all."

Karena said nothing, as she could only blush at the answer she had just heard. At that moment, the various men drinking and conversing noticed the beautiful young lady sitting at the bar and started to move in.

"What is this…?" Zacharias spoke up as he approached the large crowd around the bar.

A few men looked back, noticed the malicious aura around the knight, and backed away, revealing Karena sitting at the bar with Nero sitting right next to her, looking like he was being a flirt. Karena – who didn't suspect him at all – noticed Zacharias had finally come down and greeted him happily, before blushing at his drastic change in appearance.

As he did borrow Nero's clothing, it was very much in the same style. He chose to wear a fitted dusty purple shirt with elbow length sleeves that also slightly showed how toned his muscles were. He matched Nero in wearing the same pants and boots, though the boots came halfway up his calves.

"What a bummer…" Nero commented, feeling a little jealous. "You look better in my clothing than I do!"

Zacharias chuckled a little before he said, "Worry not. It is only for the time being." He then took a seat to the left of Karena and ordered a juice for himself. "I am sorry that I had to leave you alone down here for so long Karena." He said to her sincerely.

"Oh, that's okay Zachary. I got to know Rouge and the men really well." She replied with a smile. "And I have found Nero's company to be quite enjoyable."

"Karena you are truly a kind woman indeed!" the dark haired man uttered graciously with tears in his eyes. "I would love to marry such a kind and beautiful woman as you, so what do you say?"

This last comment earned him an intense blush from Karena and a glare shot from Zacharias.

"That is…quite flattering Nero, but I just met you tonight." Karena told him before blushing as she continued. "Besides…I am…already with Zachary…"

Nero froze with shock at this, while it was now Zacharias' turn to blush. Rouge burst out in a fit of laughter however.

"Way to go Nero! You've fallen for a woman who's already taken!" she barely said between fits. "That's a first even for you!"

Nero then hung his head in defeat, while Karena – who was now feeling a little guilty – tried to console him by apologizing. He stayed like that for a while, until he startled everyone by suddenly sitting up with a loud roar.

"Zacharias Barnham!" he shouted as he arose from his seat, glaring at his rival. "I challenge you to a sword duel!"

This earned quite a few surprised expressions, but only Rouge had something to say about it. "You better take it outside then." She said seriously.

"What?!" Nero protested. "But Rouge it's raining!"

"Well I won't have you wrecking my tavern!"

"We can move the tables-."

"No! Take it outside or you'll find yourself sleeping out there tonight!"

This statement made Nero silent, as he shuffled towards the door to see how bad it was outside. When he saw that the rain had cleared, he perked up and tossed Zacharias a wooden sword. As he caught it, Nero asked, "You still up for it?"

"I never gave you my answer in the first place." The knight replied gallantly. "And my answer is no. I have no desire to duel you."

Once more Nero became downhearted, before his gaze fell on Karena. "What if…we up the stakes?" he asked with a sly smirk. "If I win, I can have Karena's hand in marriage." – Karena blushed while Zacharias narrowed his eyes – "But if you win, you can keep her. What do you say now, Barnham?"

Zacharias thought for a moment, before answering with, "Very well, if you promise to leave Karena be as well, should I be victorious."

Nero nodded in agreement, as he then led Zacharias outside as the men cheered and started placing bets. The two women hung back at the bar though, not wanting any part in the brawl.

"Ugh, men…" Rouge complained aloud with crossed arms. "They can be so bullheaded sometimes, though what can we do without them?"

"Why does it have to be me that they're fighting over though?" Karena asked with her head resting on the bar in defeat. "Why can't it be some other thing?"

"Because Zach cares so much for you." Rouge answered simply. "He's defending your relationship out there."

"That's what I don't get…"

"What?!" Rouge became surprised. "Now I'm interested…Just what is Zach to you?"

"Well…at first I feared him, and then as I willingly opened up to him we became very close friends and he didn't seem so scary after all." Karena explained calmly, before becoming confused and tearful. "But then when he confessed his true feelings for me, I became conflicted and now I do not know if I can return his affections, even after knowing for a while now…"

For a long time neither of them spoke, as the only things they heard were the men shouting outside and the loud cracking of the wooden blades clashing against each other."

Finally Rouge stated, "I think you do know exactly how you feel about him."

"How…?"

"I saw it in your face as you spoke about him." Rouge smirked a little. "It's the same kind of expression that Zach has when he talks about you."

Karena could only blush in response, as she seemed to become even more confused and lost in her thinking.

"That's the problem Karena! You're thinking too hard!" Rouge made her point by slamming her hand on the bar's surface. "Listen to your heart instead!"

Karena was surprised at first, but then paused as she closed her eyes and placed her hands gently over her heart. "It's true…I have grown quite fond of Zachary…" she uttered softly. "But how do I know for sure whether it is love or not?"

"You do this…" Rouge answered with a smirk before finishing her reply by whispering it into her ear.

Karena blushed intensely as she heard it, and when she was done pulled away saying, "I-I am not confident enough to attempt that!"

"It's the only way that you'll know for sure." Rouge told her with a shrug, before the both of them heard the defeated cry of Nero from outside. "Looks like its decided then. Zach will be keeping you after all."

The men all walked back in, some counting their winnings, and others hanging their heads in defeat as they were the ones who had lost the bet. Zacharias and Nero were the last to enter, their clothing sopping wet and covered in mud.

"Don't mind us Rouge." Nero announced. "We'll just be going upstairs to clean up and change…"

"Hold it!" she shouted before he took another step. "You better remove those muddy boots before you dirty my nice clean floor."

"Ah…right…" Nero mumbled sheepishly as he then took his footwear off. Zacharias did the same and then the both of them disappeared upstairs once more.

"Well, it looks like I haven't won you tonight Karena…" Nero stated with a sigh as the two of them approached the bar, Zacharias in tow with his armor on once more. "Which means I'll have to honor Zacharias' word and leave you be. But that doesn't mean I can't get revenge for my defeat! I'll practice my sword skills even more before I'll challenge you again Barnham!"

"I shall be looking forward to it." The knight replied with a smirk."

"I will not rest until I'm known as the man who defeated the strongest knight in Labyrinthia!" Nero boasted loudly.

"In your dreams…" Rouge told him, before turning to the men in her establishment. "Alright guys, its light's out!" – groans in protest were heard from the men – "Come on, I can't stay open all night even I need sleep!" The men then unwillingly started to straighten and clean up the place, still groaning.

"It has gotten quite late." Zacharias commented as he turned to Karena, offering a hand to help her out of her seat. "Are you ready to go then?"

She smiled and nodded, before placing her hand in his. She then turned to say goodbye, and that's when Rouge winked and gave her a thumbs up – a sign of encouragement.

'Maybe I will try attempting what she whispered to me…' she thought as Zacharias began to escort her back home. 'After all, it might be the only way to know how I truly feel for sure!'