1 Chapter 1: Pesky Pests

In the bar, a person's name was on everyone's tongues. It was the name of the very person that was sitting in a corner and listening to their words. It was none other than the Empire's Princess, "Princess Monica".

There were many rumors, some mixed with the truth and some far from it or even utterly ridiculous. Ranging from Princess being a mad witch to her being a man, all kinds of rumors were going around.

"Here is the drink you ordered!", the waiter brought a tray with a cocktail and a beer.

He placed the cocktail in front of the lady and beer on the other side of the table.

"You've got it wrong", Monica spoke abruptly.

"Yes?", the waiter asked in confusion.

"The beer is mine"

"oh, yes"

Monica chugged down the whole glass. She could feel some stares on her. She clicked her tongue and peeked at the door.

"Why isn't he back yet? It shouldn't take this long to take care of a cockroach", she mumbled to herself as she waved at the waiter to bring the menu.

After a while, a bulky and rough looking man entered the bar.

"Finally. What took you so long? You're getting rusty Jason", Monica said as she munched on her cookie.

"It wasn't an ordinary roach; it was a big one this time. It seems they are getting impatient", Jason said as he sat down on the table opposite to her.

"Well, it was about time. Those old foxes must be very impatient. It was a little fun at first but now it's getting annoying. Once in a while is fun but they are being too brazen and open about it now"

Jason sipped on his drink while immersed in thought.

"The issue is that they found us even though we came out in secret…We are standing out too much, this isn't the first time though. I'm not criticizing your preferences but can you stop drinking like some delicate lady with that big body of yours?!"

"You said you aren't criticizing me but isn't that what you're doing? Have I ever complained about you drinking like a big man with that fragile body-"

"Who are you calling fragile? Jason, don't cross the line", Monica glared at Jason.

"I apologize. But miss, what are you going to do about those pests lurking around?"

"There's more?"

"No, I took care of all of them. Miss, it's time", Jason said while peeking out of the window.

The sun was setting. Both of them got up and left the bar. After crossing some alleyways, they reached a wide street with all kinds of shops and people around. There were commoners, nobles and even beggars. A carriage was waiting at the entrance of the alleyway, the old coachman opened the door and bowed. Monica entered the carriage while Jason sat with the coachman in the front.

"You can drop us at Mary street", Monica ordered.

The coachman quietly nodded.

The carriage had yet to reach its destination, it was on a rather desolate road when an arrow and a large fire ball came flying towards it.

"Princess!", Jason shouted as he grabbed the old coachman and jumped off the carriage. At the same time, Monica also jumped out. The carriage was on fire while the arrow was stuck to a tree on the other side of the road.

Jason came running towards Monica. She got up and held Jason by the collar.

"You blew our cover dumbass. And you said you took care of them? Do your job properly!"

She gave him a menacing look and let go after taking a deep breath.

It could've been worse if she hadn't trained her body. She didn't expect an attack while undercover, especially a magician.

Monica gave the coachman a pouch full of gold coins.

"This is the compensation for your carriage and putting your life in danger" she said and apologized.

In the meantime, Jason came back and nodded his head sideways.

"I took down the archer but the magician escaped. I apologize", Jason said as he looked down in remorse.

Monica sighed and pulled out the arrow from the tree. There was a message carved on it.

"It is your time to face the grim reaper"

She snapped the arrow with her bare hand. The coachman flinched.

"Jason, take care of this mess. People are going to crowd soon. I'll be waiting at the nearest inn"

Monica commanded and walked away. Jason sighed and looked at the old coachman, then he sighed once again. The coachman flinched. If he had heard correctly, she was that princess!

"I knew it! nobody would give out a pouch of gold coins for just that reason. Please spare me! I'll do whatever you want, please just spare me. No, please just spare my family!"

The old man was kneeling and sobbing. Jason sighed yet once again.

The sun had set and a full moon in the dark sky was prominent. Monica was gazing at the starry sky. Now that she wasn't wearing her cloak, her long ash blonde hair was fluttering in the mild breeze. Her tanned skin complemented her hair.

Possessing ash blonde hair and deep mesmerizing violet eyes, she was one of the most beautiful ladies in the Empire. She was called "moon of the Empire" and her beauty became a hot topic after her debut at the ball of her sixteenth birthday. There was an abundance of engagement proposals sent after that day. However, it didn't stay that way for long. The Princess didn't show up after that day at all, none of the invitations were entertained. Then finally, the Princess attended the Empire's founding ceremony. After that event, rumors of the Princess' violent tendencies and unladylike behavior overshadowed her previous reputation.

"Bang!"

The door of the inn room swung open and Jason was standing there covered in sweat.

"Princess"

"Yes, Jason", she smiled.

"Actually, nevermind"

He sighed.

"What took you so long? What if rumors questioning Princess' chastity start spreading around this time, hmm? You know my reputation isn't the best out there"

She got up and wore her cloak.

"Not the best out there? That is an understatement, it's the worst out there", Jason grumbled to himself.

"Did you say something?"

"No. Rather, Princess, I don't recall the nearest inn being miles away"

"You shouldn't be complaining Jason. You let the magician run away. If you hadn't come running to me but capture those pests, I wouldn't have had to walk for so long to cool myself down"

Monica walked outside the room and Jason followed her.

"But I am your escort"

At hearing this, she turned around and looked into his eyes.

"Jason, you of all people should know how strong I am. Even if I don't use magic, my body isn't that weak"

"I understand. But Princess, you should drink the healing potion first"

Monica took the potion and drank it right away. It was the potion she had given to him before to use in case of emergencies. They took the carriage Jason had prepared to go to their destination. Along the way, Jason reported to her regarding the incident that happened earlier. He had arranged for the coachman and his family to move away from the capital to ensure their safety.

"That man, that blondie gave me. Do you think he left the spot? Give him the arrow. Let's see what he finds out about it. I sent a message to master while waiting for you, he should be able to find the perpetrator."

"I don't know. I couldn't sense him until he revealed himself."

Monica sneered and brushed back her locks that were slipping out of the hood. She closed her eyes in an attempt to rest before she had to get off of the carriage. It was a peaceful ride on her way back. She got off of the carriage at Mary street and entered a small boutique in the alley.

"Greetings Miss. You are late today, I expected you to be here earlier"

It was a young girl in her late teens.

"How are you Lily? How's your grandma? Is she suffering back pain again?", Monica asked as she took off her cloak.

"I am doing fine, it's just that grandma's condition has been getting worse lately", she said while anxiously fiddling her fingers.

Monica handed her a small potion.

"I can't accept this miss!", Lily said as she was about to hand it back.

"Take it. I trouble you every time I come here. This is the least I can do. Besides, she is someone who helped me in the past. People like her need to live longer. At least the people she would meet with would have a nice day compared to those old fox-"

"Ahem", Jason cleared his throat.

"Anyway, we will get going"

Monica patted Lily's head and opened the transportation scroll.

"Thank you, Miss Sorceress!"

Monica smiled gently and with a flash, she disappeared along with Jason.

Lily had no idea about this lady except that she was a sorceress that her grandma had helped in the past and that she would mostly have that man with her who was probably her servant.

"Whoever she is, it doesn't matter. She is my savior"

Lily clasped the potion tightly in her hands as she glanced at the bedroom where her sickly grandma was lying.