Princess of peace and secrets

The moment she hears the question.

Princess Lumine continued to have her mouth zipped down. As much as possible she wants to slowly reveal her true self. But now that she is put on the spot. Lumine is thinking if this is the perfect time to explain everything.

The mood grows more awkward as the time passes. Minutes feel like eternity.

Noah had no plan of making the carriage move any further if Lumine didn't answer. The princess realized this after a very long pause of silence.

Nothing but a gust of wind and a rustle of the leaves was heard. The mood in the atmosphere was getting heavier and heavier at this moment. Noah has a very serious expression and his serious question must be answered with a serious answer.

Lumine leaned her back to the wood wall on the opposite side where Noah was currently leaning.

"I didn't know that you have this stubborn side…" Lumine said like joking.

"Answer me… The happened earlier… No, the other day is personal for me. If you know that Seth was there and I'm about to meet him. Why didn't you tell me? Why can't you become honest?"

"I'm sorry, Noah, but I have to keep a lot of secrets."

"Secret? If I know that things will turn out like this…"

"What? What can you do? Punch him?"

Noah's mind was blank.

He clenched his hands and gritted his teeth. No matter how angry he was right now. He cannot find any answer. Upon looking into Seth's eyes. Noah knows that Seth is about to do something that his serious about. A goal that only man will understand. Goal a man will achieve no matter what the cost. Even if it took the path of good or evil.

Noah understands because he once saw the same eyes before. The eyes of his late brother.

"His stronger and I underestimated his power. His body has dense energy like yours, but you cannot defeat him yet because of the gap between your abilities. His spatial ability was superior. I'm not saying that you are a loser or an inferior type. You can still win against him. Well, that's gonna happen someday."

"So you know…"

"Stop asking already!" Lumine has her nerves popping and she continues after she hits the wooden wall with her fist. "…I did find a way to save you… Plus, punching one another won't do anything for now. You could beat him to a pulp, but that won't make sure for him to change his mind… Noah, please understand me. I'm hiding things because I want to. I have a reason for my secrets... I made a mistake last time and I will make sure to make a proper judgment in the future. That way no one will ever feel despair… Always remember, I'm the princess of peace that will bring happiness to everyone."

Lumine declared and made another knock on the wooden wall. The impact course through Noah's head.

Noah smiled finding a glimmer of hope. Lumine's words made him feel at ease. It's like magic. He doesn't know but he believes her and always believes in her.

As her knight, it was his job, not question to too much anymore. He'll believe in Princess Lumine's decision and do his best to meet Lumine's expectations.

"You're shady and mysterious… We do have lots of time in our had. Someday, you'll tell me everything about everything. All of your secret."

"Yup, I'll tell you someday… I promise."

"Better not forget that promise."

Lumine opens the small window in front and offers her pinky finger to Noah.

"Here, let's make the pinky promise."

"That's childish." Say, Noah.

"There is nothing childish about this… The one who breaks the promise will eat a thousand needles."

The punishment was terrifying making Noah have a grim expression on his face. Noah heaved a sigh and coiled his pinky to Lumine.

"It's a promise… Someday I'll tell you everything. Until that day please continue believing in me."

"Yup… It's a promise."

♦♦♦♦♦

Lumine silently read a book at the back of the carriage while Noah navigated toward their next destination.

The path to Gulliver Valley was blocked and dangerous because of the rock-eating worms.

Lumine who was stubborn before gave up on the idea of visiting. Rather she entertained herself by looking forward to their new next destination. By traversing across the huge forest.

Eventually, Lumine and Noah should reach the Rocky Mountains of dragons. Dragon's Ravine.

Things are different for Noah. He was gazing at the path ahead of him and the map. All he saw were uninteresting rocky mountains and a vast green forest still part of the beast tribe's territory.

Dragon Ravine itself wasn't interesting. On that map given by his grandfather, the dragon ravine was only rated as one star. Comment: Just rocky mountains and caves where dragons live.

Noah wanted to see colorful places or refreshing places like the big sea or some enchanted plateau. But all the place rated as five stars was still far far away from their current location.

*Ruug!* *Cruuu…*

Mamel and Numel groaned and turned their head to Noah. Immediately the carriage stopped and Noah hops down and rub their heads apologetically.

"I'm sorry… I pushed the two of you so hard…" He knocks the wooded wall and says. "Lumine we're resting here."

Lumine hops out immediately takes a deep fresh air and asks.

"Forest air was so fresh… Wait, the sun is about to fall in a few hours. Noah, do you think we're going to reach the nearest village?"

Noah gazes at the map in his hand. "I think it's doable… The nearest village would be the Cat Paradise."

"Cat paradise? It's a village of beast men with cat traits."

"So there are plenty of beast tribes around this forest."

"That's right, there are multiple different tribes in the great forest of Naturia. They create tribes and territories to avoid conflict. But all of those conflicts happened before the cosmic war. After the cosmic war, everything was fine, but they still stayed in their tribes. There is about the tribe of beastmen living in the forest."

"Well, We're traveling for hours but we're still not reaching the rocky mountains where the dragon resides."

"Dragons are scary creatures you know. They are greedy creatures and furious. Amongst the beast tribe dragons are the most powerful they said."

"Dragons are one of the beast tribes? Is dragon something to be considered a beast?"

"Well, some people said it's a dragon is part of the lizard family. However, I think dragons are different. They are creatures on their own."

Noah said.

"That's right! We are creatures different from those silly cats!"

Suddenly popping from the bush behind Lumine a girl with blue hair.

Lumine is surprised at her jumps and gets caught by Noah in a bridal carry.

"What's with this girl?! She has a horn! A demon."

"That's rude! Demons are the epitome of evil in this world. To call me one is very very rude."

The blue-haired girl stood up and revealed her entire appearance.

She has a horn, scary red lizard-like pupils, and a long lizard-like tail. She's wearing a cute frilly maid outfit, a skirt about reaching her toes.

"A dragon?" Noah commented.

"Dragon? But the dragon is a big scaly creature. Legends said that when its wings flapped heavy gust of wind was created and it could breathe flames that burn mountains."

Lumine replied.

"A-A-Achoooo!"

The dragon girl sneezes and shoots flame while on it.

"Ahhh! Fire! I have to put it out!"

The flames from her nose put the bush in the blaze before it creates a wildfire.

The dragon girl panicked and stomped on the burning bush so hard that it was nothing but ashes.

She wipes her forehead sweat. "Pew… That was close… It would be a problem if the great forests were engulfed by flames."

Lumine jumped into the dragon girl and started hugging and rubbing part of her body. Horn, tail, and even breast.

"Scaly… Interesting… Soft boobs."

"What are you doing woman?!"

Noah picked up Lumine before the dragon girl got angry and did something violent.

"Sorry about that… She is just excited because this is her first time seeing a dragon creature."

"I'm an understanding dragon… I don't think too much about petty things."

"We're about to visit the Dargon Ravine. You should tour us in your village."

"Tour… There is nothing to see there but rocks. Most dragons are sensitive and territorial creatures. Some dragon might mistake you for food and chew both of you… I think you should give up visiting my home."

"Scary!" 2x

"Anyways, why a dragon like you is here? I heard rumors that dragons and the tribes in the forest don't get along." Noah said.

The dragon girl averted her eyes away and whistled…

"Well… That's…"

Noah respects personal space and decides not to care about it at all.

"It's fine not to answer."

"I have to hurry! They're getting near. I have to get out of this forest fast."

She said and then dashed away without saying goodbye.

They are strangers to one another so expecting goodbye on her didn't cross Lumine and Noah's minds.

While at it Lumine closed her eyes and focused and sensing energy around her.

"There is multiple energy moving around in groups… Could be bandits."

"Really?"

"Wait, they are moving in a different direction. It's like they're chasing the dragon's scent… Well, like you said tribes in the forest and dragons don't get along. Probably, they're chasing her off. Good thing that she dashed away immediately before we got into trouble. For now, I would like to relax before we reach the dragon Ravine."

"You're still going there."

"I'm not looking forward to it… More likely it shortcut to Luminous City."

And again Noah took a peek at the map. What Lumine said was true. Luminous City was ahead of the Dragon Ravine. A giant modern city.

"A modern city… I wonder what it looks like."

"Well, it's something that looks the same as my kingdom I think. It's a place with technological advancements and strict laws. We're not staying there for long… All we have to do is meet someone very important."

Noah was about to ask who it was, but Lumine might say something vague again. He thinks that he will postpone his question when they arrive in the city. Well, it was a shame that he wouldn't be staying for long in the modern city.

For a boy who lived in the countryside, a modern city was like an amazing tourist spot to reach.

Lumine sat down on a boulder of rock nearby and enjoyed her book. Meanwhile, Noah enjoys a sandwich while looking at the map and their future destination.

"..." Noah just noticed a comment on the Luminous city written at the back of the map.

(Comment: Luminous City hates remnants of the cosmic war. Don't come here if you want to live, Noah.)

"Eh?"

What did he mean? Remnants… Noah's expression got serious. "I remember now, Lumious city… It's a new name, that's why I didn't recognize it earlier…"

"What is it all of the sudden?"

"I just remembered about my friend who was trapped in a city and seems like that city was Lumious city. Lumine did you know about this?"

"Nope, I promise I'm telling the truth… I'm going to meet a teacher there and ask him various questions… You're my knight you're staying with me."

"I know, but I want to save her at least… She is a girl the same age as me and the weakest… Not really, it's just her ability is not suited for combat. There is a huge possibility that she is still alive…"

"Oh! Remember now... We have no choice but to go after her...

"I wish you tell me what's in your mind."

"We'll plan to save her but before that, we'll do what we have to do, I have to meet my teacher first. Okay." Lumine said.

"But can we save her with just two of us?"

Noah doubted that they could. Noah is strong, but facing an army of knights is another thing. Most of them might have modifications just like the lightning-fast swordsman Gill and worse someone in the level of cosmic weapon might be residing in the city.

"Well, have comrades… Trust me, two new comrades will join us. Well, force them to join us before reaching Luminous City."

"Really? The way you speak, it's like you came from the future."

"That's silly… I'm not from the future." Lumine said and laughed.

"Then, how'd you know the future?"

Lumine snaps her book close and looks at Noah with her confident eyes.

"Secret… Good girls have plenty of secrets!"

"Another vague answer... I kinda give up asking you..."

"Anyways don't be depressed! You'll be meeting friends and our journey will continue!"