"She went abroad," Nathan spoke up. Lucien looked surprised "She's only 7. You sent her on her own?"

"Azrael was with her," Keir added. Azrael? Who was that? 

"Azrael came to visit a few months ago, I didn't see her with him."  

Her mother finally spoke up, "She planned to come the day before her birthday. Isn't that right darling?"

Neri didn't understand why they owed him an explanation. If it were her, she wouldn't tolerate him questioning her. "Yes." She clenched her teeth withholding her harsh remark.

"Shall we get going?" she said, making sure to sound somewhat impatient. 

Lucien whistled and a buckskin horse galloped out of the riding hall. Once the horse reached them, he mounted.

  

He turned to face her "This is Orin" The horse was muscular and well-maintained. Its black hair and black socks contrasted with its tan coat. "He's quite beautiful" 'Of course he can't compare with Nyx but he's alright.'  

Nyx snorted as if he agreed with her thought. She chuckled "Let's get going." 

Alen and Keir took the lead as Lucien rode beside her and Nathan. 

"Nathan, do you know how to ride a horse?" she asked.

Nathan hugged her, "Mhm, but I prefer to ride with sister."

 "...I see." She wasn't used to this family stuff. She was used to going on missions and executing plans without emotion. But she liked her newly discovered family, she would do everything in her power to protect them.

"We've arrived." Keir interrupted her thoughts. She looked down at the city, suddenly it struck her.

 "We forgot Enya." They all started laughing, "It's ok, we can protect you." Alen said after they all calmed down.

She hopped off the horse and Nathan followed. "Nyx bring me, Enya." the horse shook his head up and down and ran back in the direction of the mansion.

 She turned back and saw everyone with a dumbfounded expression. "Neri... what if Nyx gets lost or worse, stolen? Can he really find the way back?"

 She took Keir's hand and mounted his horse, as Nathan mounted with Lucien. She smirked "I guess we'll have to wait and find out." 

"Should we wait here?" She shook her head "No need. He'll find me, he always does."

 They rode into the city, she began to calculate how long it would take her to go see her teacher and come back.

Enya stepped out of the mansion with her master's coat in hand, only to find that there was no one there.

She ran up to the guard "Where is Lady Nerissa?" 

"Her and the young lords have left awhile ago."

 No, no, no! That wasn't the plan. She ran to the gates, she hoped her master wouldn't be angry. She was supposed to help her distract the boys so she could see her teacher.  

She saw a black figure approaching, had her master returned for her? It was Nyx! She had the guards open the gates. 

Nyx reached her, and she jumped up to mount him but the horse stepped away causing her to fall hard on her rear end. She could see the guards trying to hold their laughter. Nyx snickered as he gave her a defiant look. 

"Here we go again," she said through clenched teeth. She glared at the horse as he snorted at her with disgust.

 "Look Nyx, I don't like you either. I know the only person you love is Master." The horse neighed then stomped,

She rolled her eyes,  "Yes, I understand you are only doing this for her and not because you favor me in any way. Believe me, I feel the same." The horse stepped toward her and she mounted.

Neri glanced at the watch tower, Nyx should be on his way here by now. She had to find a way to meet Cyr without being discovered.

 She whistled an owl-like sound, and a familiar neigh responded, perfect. 

Her brothers and Lucien stared in awe as Nyx arrived with Enya. "Awesome," they said in unison.

She couldn't help but chuckle, "Good boy, Nyx." They took their horses to a boarding house. The horseman bowed, "Allow us to take them to their stables," One of the horsemen approached Nyx. She blocked him "No need. I'll have Nyx follow me." 

The man glanced at Keir for approval "Do as she says," the man walked away and took Lucien, Alen, and Keir's horses inside.

"Why didn't you allow him to take Nyx?" Lucien asked as he approached her. 

"He'll destroy anything that stands in his way." 

She walked away, "Keir, can we see a clothing store?" Alen groaned "Nooo, that's boring." 

Keir sighed, "Ignore him, let's go but only for a bit. After all, you do need more clothes." 

Perfect, everything was going as planned. As they entered the clothes store a woman rushed to them 

"Oh my! If it isn't the House of Rue and Lord Ikar. To what may I owe this pleasure?"

 Alen threw himself on the couch and pointed at Neri and Enya  "Those two girls are here for shopping." 

The lady turned to her and Enya, and she gasped in shock.

 Alen sighed "Here we go again." he mumbled. 

The lady stumbled back "An angel... The angel of House Rue... isn't it a boy?" 

Alen burst into laughter, "There's two now." 

Neri looked at the lady and made the cutest expression possible. 

"Hello, pretty lady, I'm Nerissa Rue only daughter of the House of Rue." 

"Oh my, Oh my! How cute! Hello little angel, I'm Mrs. Landel. Owner of this building. Wait a moment while I bring my measuring tools" The lady left in a hurry.

Lucien spoke up "Now that the rumors of the daughter of Rue are confirmed, many Nobles will be curious. I hope you guys are ready."

Keir sighed, "It was going to be revealed sooner or later."

The lady returned and measured her, she had 10 dresses brought in. "These are the latest designs. Would you like me to help you?" She looked through them, "I appreciate your kindness, but I brought my maid. I wouldn't want to burden you, thank you for your help. Would you please bring me a few pairs of riding clothes as well?" 

The lady looked at her in awe "Oh no, no, it is an honor to serve the angel of Rue. Per your request, unfortunately, we don't make riding clothes for girls." 

She made a sad face, and as expected Mrs. Landel quickly comforted her,

 "Oh my, no need to feel disheartened, I am a designer after all. With the measurements I just took, I'll customize a few for you. Indeed the Angel of Rue is very different from all the girls."

 Neri acted very excited, "Wow! Thank you so much! Indeed Mrs. Landel must be very talented. Although just a few boys commoners' clothes will be fine, nothing extravagant."

 "Oh my, you are very humble as well." The lady left while mumbling praises of Neri,

 Lucien rolled his eyes, "Smooth talker." 

She ignored his remark and walked into the dressing room. 

"It's go time." Enya handed her a cape as she changed into her guild wear, she attached her dagger to her leg harness.

"Did you call for Cyr on your way here?" Neri asked as she handed her a voice-changing potion. She nodded as she drank it, "Yes Master" 

Neri chuckled "Perfect, you sound just like me. That should last you long enough for me to go and return.

I'll be back in 20 minutes, if anything happens send Cyr." 

She peeked through the curtains,  Keir and Lucien were sitting on the couch. 

Nathan and Alen were leaning against the wall playing a game of some sort.

She rushed to the backroom and climbed out the window. She whistled and Nyx came around the building. 

She swiftly mounted him, "Take me to Koa."