Inside the lavish carriage, the atmosphere was anything but calm. The girls had started their journey in high spirits, and it hadn’t taken long for the inevitable debate to erupt—who would get to sit beside Lyan. The conversation was animated, filled with laughter, competitive banter, and a fair bit of teasing.
"Obviously, I should be sitting next to Lyan," Wilhelmina announced, her voice carrying that confident edge that was impossible to ignore. She adjusted her dress as if to emphasize her point. "I an, strategic discussions are my forte. What if we need to talk about what awaits us in the capital?"
Surena scoffed, crossing her arms and leaning back. "Sure, Wilhelmina, because we’re all just dying to hear about political maneuvering during a long trip." She turned her gaze to Lyan, her eyes narrowing with playful intent. "Besides, I’m the one with the most experience in scouting for unexpected threats. If there’s any danger, I’m best suited to be right there by his side."
Belle, who had been leaning against the cushioned seat, perked up, her lips curving into a smile. "Or... maybe we could just leave the serious stuff for once and let sit by Lyan. I an, I think I deserve a little comfort, don’t you?" She looked at Lyan, batting her eyelashes dramatically. "It gets tiring trying to look this good all the ti."
Lyan chuckled, rubbing his chin. He knew better than to get involved in this. He was sitting comfortably, his eyes shifting between each of the girls as they made their cases, feeling both amused and a little overwheld. He could see where this was heading.
Alice, who had been quietly listening, decided it was her turn. She adjusted her glasses and spoke up. "You all are making good points, but let’s be practical. My calm deanor is exactly what Lyan needs, especially if there’s any stressful conversation during this journey." She looked over at Lyan, her eyes soft but determined. "Besides, soone needs to balance out the chaos."
"Oh, please," Emilia interjected, her hands resting on her hips. "This isn’t about who’s practical or experienced. Lyan deserves soone by his side who’s truly loyal. I’ve been there with him through thick and thin, and I want to sit next to him because I’ve earned it." She shot a challenging look at the others, daring them to argue.
Tesha, who had been sitting in the corner, raised her hand timidly, her cheeks flushed. "Um... maybe I should sit next to Lyan? I an... I’m the youngest, and I could use so guidance. I-I’d feel safer there."
Xena, unable to hold back, let out a laugh. "Guidance? C’mon, Tesha! What Lyan needs is soone who can actually make things fun!" She grinned widely, giving Lyan a confident thumbs-up. "And let’s face it, I’m the most fun person here. Admit it, Lyan, you’d never get bored if I were sitting next to you!"
Lyan held up his hands defensively, shaking his head. "Hey, don’t drag into this. I’m just happy to have all of you here," he said with a laugh, though his eyes couldn’t help but linger a little longer on each of the girls as they spoke. He tried to mask it, but there was no denying that he enjoyed the sight of them—the passion, the beauty, the fierce loyalty they showed. It made his heart swell, though he wasn’t about to let that show too clearly.
The argunt carried on for a while, the girls each giving impassioned reasons why they deserved the seat next to Lyan. The debate was intense but filled with good humor, and soon enough, they all began to realize that no one was going to win without so compromise. Belle finally suggested, "Why don’t we just rotate seats? That way, we all get a chance."
Wilhelmina sighed, clearly not entirely satisfied but willing to concede. "Fine, but we need to draw lots to see who goes first."
Alice rolled her eyes, but there was a smile on her lips. "Of course. Leave it to chance."
The girls agreed, and Belle pulled out a small bag with numbered stones. One by one, they each drew a stone, holding their breath for the reveal. After a tense mont, it was Wilhelmina and Belle who ca out victorious, each holding up their numbered stones with triumphant grins.
"Ha! Looks like it’s ," Belle said, sticking her tongue out at Surena, who scowled in mock annoyance.
"And ," Wilhelmina added, her tone victorious as she moved closer to Lyan. "Looks like you’ll have the pleasure of my company first, Lyan."
The others groaned in unison, but it was all in good fun. Lyan couldn’t help but smile as he glanced from Belle to Wilhelmina, shaking his head in amusent. "I suppose I’m in good hands then."
"You’d better be," Belle said, leaning in closer and resting her head on his shoulder with a sigh. "I’ve been waiting for this."
Wilhelmina smirked, giving Lyan a sideways glance. "Don’t get too comfortable, Belle. This is a shared privilege."
Lyan chuckled again, letting the girls settle in beside him, each one claiming a spot and getting comfortable. He allowed himself to lean back, enjoying the warmth of their company. It wasn’t just the physical proximity—it was the sense of belonging, of being surrounded by people who truly cared for him, that made his heart feel full.
With the seating finally settled, the lively chatter began to die down, replaced by a more relaxed atmosphere. The winter wolves pulling the carriage moved at an impressive pace, their powerful strides steady and unyielding. The journey was smooth, the carriage gliding effortlessly along the road.
Inside, the mood beca lighter as they all began to unwind. Wilhelmina and Belle remained at Lyan’s sides, both clearly pleased with their positions, while the others chatted and laughed amongst themselves. The conversation turned to teasing Lyan about his earlier expression while watching them prepare.
"You should’ve seen your face, Lyan," Alice said, her eyes glinting mischievously. "You looked completely awestruck."
Lyan raised an eyebrow, trying to play it off. "I was just appreciating the effort you all put in."
"Uh-huh," Surena said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "And not because we looked amazing in those dresses, right?"
Lyan cleared his throat, a faint blush creeping up his neck. "I... well... you all did look quite nice," he admitted, earning a chorus of laughter from the girls.
(Quite nice? Really, Master?)
Arturia’s voice teased in his mind.
(You’re not very good at hiding it, you know.)
(Honestly, just admit you were staring.) Lilith chid in, her laughter echoing in his head.
Lyan ntally sighed, trying to ignore the playful spirits. He couldn’t deny it—he had been staring, but could anyone bla him? They all looked incredible, each one more stunning than the next. He shifted slightly in his seat, hoping to change the subject.
Emilia, sensing Lyan’s discomfort, decided to step in. She pulled out a deck of cards from her bag, a bright smile on her face. "How about a ga? It’ll pass the ti, and we can see who has the best luck today."
The girls imdiately agreed, and soon enough, the carriage was filled with the sound of shuffling cards, playful accusations of cheating, and bursts of laughter. Belle leaned over, trying to peek at Wilhelmina’s hand, earning herself a light smack on the shoulder.
"Hey! No cheating!" Wilhelmina scolded, though she was smiling.
Belle pouted, leaning back against Lyan. "I wasn’t cheating. I was just... strategizing."
"Sure, you were," Xena said with a grin, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Maybe you just don’t want to lose."
The ga continued, with each round bringing new challenges and more laughter. Lyan watched them, his heart swelling with affection for each of them. He found himself looking out the window, his thoughts drifting to the capital and the upcoming banquet. He knew the risks, the potential for danger, but for now, he allowed himself to enjoy this mont—to be surrounded by the people he cared about, to laugh with them, to feel their warmth.
The carriage continued along the forested path, the laughter inside never faltering. Lyan glanced at each of the girls, their faces glowing with joy, their spirits high. It was monts like this that made everything worth it—the struggles, the challenges, the battles. They were his family, and he would protect them with everything he had.
Just as the card ga was reaching its peak, with Xena declaring herself the winner in a rather questionable way, the carriage suddenly ca to a halt. The winter wolves outside growled low, a warning rumble that caught everyone’s attention. Lyan sat up straighter, his eyes narrowing as he looked out of the window.
"What is it?" Belle asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.
Lyan peered out, his gaze sharpening. "Looks like trouble," he muttered.
The others imdiately tensed, their cheerful expressions replaced with serious ones. Lyan opened the window wider, his eyes scanning the scene before them. A group of rough-looking n stood blocking the road, weapons drawn, their postures confident—too confident.
The leader of the bandits, a burly man with a scar running down his cheek, stepped forward, his voice booming as he addressed them. "Hand over your valuables, and we might let you pass without trouble!" He grinned, clearly believing he had the upper hand.
Lyan closed the window, turning back to the others, his expression calm. He exchanged a look with Wilhelmina, who nodded, her eyes glinting with a mix of annoyance and amusent.
"Looks like we’ve got company," Lyan said, his voice carrying a hint of excitent. "Who’s up for dealing with so bandits?"
The girls exchanged glances, and a familiar spark ignited in their eyes. Belle reached for the bag of stones, shaking it with a grin. "How about we let fate decide?"
Lyan couldn’t help but laugh as he watched them prepare for yet another lottery—this ti, to see who would get the pleasure of dealing with the bandits outside. The atmosphere inside the carriage was electric, filled with a sense of thrill rather than fear. They were strong, they were prepared, and no re bandit group could change that.
The Chapter ended with Belle holding out the bag, each of them drawing a stone, their expressions filled with anticipation. Whoever was chosen, Lyan knew the bandits outside had no idea just what kind of trouble they had invited upon themselves. The journey had only just begun, and already, it was proving to be more eventful than any ordinary trip.
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