Crashed competition.

Alicia stiffened her laugh, smiling brightly as she nodded, "Of course Juvial. I'll eat enough for the both of us. So you needn't worry."

Laughing at her childish comment, the crowd gushed at that featherly tone. Their judge was much too adorable. Wishing nothing more than to pick her up, take her home, and keep her for themselves.

Why else were they here? As much as they love watching fired up competition, this judge was too hard to resist. After all, they were just as much fans of hers as they were of this bake off which occurred four times a year.

Juvial smiled, he knew Alicia was teasing him. Yet he wasn't in the proper position to respond back, hence he did not stay upon that topic.

"My lady is too kind." Looking to the side he asked, "Chefs, present your dishes."

Both Kelly and Pete had been waiting on Juvial's word. Standing to the ready, carefully bringing their dishes to the judging table.

Now in front of her eyes, Alicia could take in the splendor of these masterpieces. She couldn't blame Juvial's jealousy. Splendid and mouth watering was an understatement. Even she, who wasn't too fond of sweets, found them tempting to gabble whole.

Composed with a silly grin, Alicia tilted her head looking towards the crowd. "They both look so good. Which one should I try first? Could someone pick for me?"

Screaming and cooing, the crowd nearly melted at that voice. It didn't help that she acted so adorably as well. Yet, that wasn't enough as Alicia truly destroyed them with her laughter, making the crowd fall to their knees.

Bells chimed as her giggles echoed. Alicia shook her head, "That isn't very judge like of me. I apologize to everyone. Yet," Alicia pondered as if stressing over a problem.

Holding their hearts, the fans hated the scowl between their sweet bun's brows. Some had half the mind to walk up and message the knot away. Whilst taking liberties, grabbing the child into their arms, and perhaps kidnapping away.

Noticing those around had the same ideas, the crowd shot daggers at each other. Sharpening their blades, they were more than willing to fight to the death over who unknots the wrinkle first!

Unaware of the internal battle she caused, with a sigh Alicia relented. "With today so special, I can't with confidence of mind be the sole decider. It's best to have two other judges with me. Odd numbers mean no chance of even votes."

Glancing over the crowd, Juvial shook his head at the obliviousness of lady Alicia. Composing himself, Juvial nodded at the proposal. "What say you, Pete, Kelly?"

"I trust lady Alicia's judgement." Kelly nodded at Pete's words, she too felt the same way.

"I'll leave the choice up to you Juvial." He nodded at Alicia. "If that's the case, then let's have the lady's guard take up seat number two."

Kyas roared from the crowd, swooning women looked upon Krad with heart filled eyes. It wasn't just pretty boys, delicate nobles, which were loved and admired. Krad's muscle bond body, clad in armor with heroism and stoic beauty fit many preferences. How could these lady's hearts not beat and noses bleed with such a specimen?

Grinning at his choice, Juvial played the crowds heart well, strumming the notes, adding atmosphere with his mist magic. Which scattered as Sir Krad took his seat.

"As for the third, why not have someone from the crowd take the stand?"

Alicia smiled at Juvial's skillful mind as it took control, enjoying how easy it was for her family's butler. Honestly he's more of a steward, as butlers and stewards had completely different jobs, least in modern times they did.

Originally it had been solely Pepper and mother whom managed the estates affairs. That was until they noticed Juvial's talents and took him under their wing.

Despite his age, he was still worth teaching. Alicia had been praised for her good eye. As it was her who had brought him into the home.

Before, Juvial had been a beggar on the streets, going from town to town when the money ran dry.

He'd stopped in the Holy Capital, wishing to find permanent residence. Hoping, despite his deficiency in magic, he'd be accepted by the clerics.

Walking to the beautiful Hematite gate encrusted with Amethyst, Juvial was full of hope and expectation. Welcomed in, the gates closed behind.

Clouds formed in the sky, water fell as it drenched the ground. The gates reopened and Juvial walked back out with his head hung low.

He'd been denied.

Walking in the rain, hope's heat draining from his body as the water stole his energy, was when he fell to his knees. Cursing the gods, cursing God Lumen for his lack of compassion, cursing it all as nothing ever seemed to work.

Forty years of age, he'd been married and divorced. His wife had taken the kids and left him.

He'd walked miles, far and wide, looking for his heart and soul. Only to have it torn to pieces with the blade called truth. His kids weren't his, she'd been cheating on him and never loved him.

She'd stolen from him, left him penniless, homeless, and sent him to jail on the charges of harassing a lady.

With just his clothes on his back, he had lost everything. No. He'd never had anything to begin with.

Soaking in the rain, he sobbed without disregard to his surroundings. Shaking in the fetal position, arms wrapped around his legs. He didn't even try to stop his body from falling to the cold hard ground.

He was a horrid mess as those around, walking the streets with umbrellas in hand, avoided him as if he were rocks added to the pavement.

Covering him from above, a small hand holding a towel dried his hair.

"God is indeed cruel." Those words caused Juvial's trembling to halt.

"He's a bastard which only watches and never acts. So why don't you live for yourself and not for a god with no hands?"

Juvial looked up towards the small voice, which lit up his dark world with warmth. "Why not come with me? My hands may be small, but I can still give you the push you need."

Those words wrapped around his heart, pulling him from the darkness. Without second guessing his choice, he took her hand as the small child pulled him along.

Alicia did not see him for his age, taking him home as she had heard his curses which reminded her of herself. Since she too had cursed god, wishing he had been a little more benevolent, a little more understanding.

"Our third judge has been chosen. Lady Libbyie Vemen, please take the seat next to Lady Alicia Cadarvic."

Snapping out of her thoughts, Alicia furrowed her brows.

"Hello." Angels buzzed in the ears, butterflies lit up souls as her voice rang the bells of many hearts. Expect for one.

Alicia swallowed a breath, smiling as she greeted the owner of that voice. "Good evening Lady Libbyie Vemen."

"Please just call me Libby. May I call you Ally?" Pulling in the chair, Libbyie looked over with a smile.

Curtaining her face in waves of sunlight dyed pink, Libbyie tucked back her hair, her sky blue eyes shining with expectation.

As if not noticing, Alicia shot down Libbyie's hopes. "We've just become acquainted, Lady Libbyie. Mother would scold me if I forget my formalities."

Disappointed, Libbyie sulked, smiling awkwardly as she fidgeted in her seat.

The crowd awed at the sight of the two lovely children. None could hear their words, but they believed Libbyie's fidgeting was due to shyness in gaining a new friend.

"Now let's begin the judging. Lady Ali-"

"GRAWLG!" A deafening roar pierced the air, shocking all within ears rang.

Crying loudly, the crowd scatters into a frenzy. Parting like the sea, everyone pushed, rushing to get out of the way.

Juvial turned around in shock, looking back towards the judging table he yelled. "My Lady!"

Krad hadn't needed the warning. He acted fast as he grabbed Alicia, dashing from the center of the cobblestone streets with due haste. He landed up high upon one of the buildings, gripping the hilt of his sword.

"Dammit!" Alicia cursed under her breath. She glared at the frazzled child she'd unfortunately had pulled into her arms.

Curse her fight-or-flight senses. Protecting those nearest to her, even if she didn't want to. Why did she have to bring this nuisance with her?

Down on the ground, Bengal tigers twice the size from modern times crashed the competition, tearing apart the judges table, destroying the delicacies. Their claws bite into the cobblestone, noses in the air as they search for something.

Their roars were too chaotic for Alicia to make out their words. Despite that, her gaze never left the child, Lady Libbyie Vemen who was clinging to her gown.

Why do you exist? Cursing to herself repeatedly. What did she do?

Alicia searched the child, Lady Libbyie. Patting her down all over, until her gaze was brought to the satchel protected in her arms.

"GRAWRL!" Found you! A Bengal tiger roared loudly, leaping towards the building with claws out, teeth flaring.

Krad grit his teeth as he flew into the air with Alicia and Libbyie. With his arms full, all he could do was dodge the tiger's assault. Though his gaze was focused on the beasts, his brows were furrowed as he kept glancing towards his lady.

Understanding his questionable glances, Alicia forcefully took away the satchel. Locking eyes with Krad, a silent understanding between the two.

A female Bangel tiger clawed towards Alicia in blind fury, Krad smashed the tiger's paw. Using its head as leverage, Krad leaped up higher in the air. Safely, Krad landed on the house's tower dormer. Surrounded on all sides.

Tight in his grasp, the satchel hung from one hand as his other held his swords hilt.

Yet what was this? Where were Alicia and Libbyie?

»»————-　✼　————-««

Author's note: In case of theft. This is an original -English- novel done by yours truly [MyKataren]. This author will state here and now, oh ye thief of old, thanks for the free advertisement!

Original : www.tinyurl.com/MVPGAwebnovel