Leris walked toward the pub where Lily sat waiting for his return. He was deep in thought about something so miniscule that he didn’t understand why he was so caught up on it. He continued to question why the bandage on the hood figure's hand had disturbed him to the degree that it had. He was so deep in thought that he didn’t even realize he was walking past the pub until he was startled back to reality by a hand grabbing his. He turned back to see Lily with a worried look on her face. “Is everything alright Leris? You walked right past me with your head down and you wouldn’t respond no matter how many times I called out. By the Gods, is that blood on your armor?”

Leris was so focused on the problem at hand earlier, and then in his own thoughts, that he hadn’t even seen the blood that was on his armor from when he helped move the dead man from the floor to a leather sack to be taken to the  burial grounds. “Yes, everything is fine. A man was killed in the square and I must have gotten his blood on me when helping move his body.” As soon as the words left his mouth he realized just how horrible that sounded. 

“Oh my god, how could anyone do such a thing and on the day before the peace festival no less. Are you sure you’re not hurt? Maybe we should get you checked at the town clinic”

“I’m fine Lily I promise. Let’s go sit down.”

They sat in awkward silence for a few minutes before Lily finally spoke. “So, you had something to tell me before you left?”

“Ah, yes but I feel the time for that has come and gone. How about I tell you tomorrow? At the peace festival. We could even spend the whole day together since the king told me to take the day off.”

“I would love to, would you like to pick me up at noon and we enjoy the festival together? We could even watch the lilac moon rise. After all, it only rises once every hundred years! The last one was on the the night the first king declared peace in Rymana!”

“Okay then, it sounds like a date!”

“Oh? A date huh? You two little love birds finally taking things seriously?” A voice said while approaching the duo. Leris and Lily turned to face the voice, a man in his late 40s with skin like caramel, chestnut hair, and eyes of shiny gold, who turned out to be the very owner of the pub Hemdal. He approached them with two drinks in his hands and a little girl attached to his hip.

“Hemdal! Still quite the jester I see, and little Katia you’ve grown since the last time I saw you! You look just like your old man. How old are you now?”

“Ten, Sir Leris and I’m not little. I’m a big girl now!”

“Ah yes, indeed you are. A big girl who is attached to her father’s hip!” Leris laughs, earning himself a slap on the shoulder from Lily.

“Leave her alone Leris. I’m glad to see you growing big and strong, Katia. Is your dad still teaching you how to run the pud?”

“Yeah! I’ve learned a lot and daddy says I’m gonna be running the pub in no time!”

“That’s good sweetie, make sure you keep at it so you can be a better owner than your father.”

“Ouch, you do know I'm still standing right here don’t you?”

“I know full well that you’re there, Hemdal. I meant what I said.”

“Wow, that hurts to hear. Even though I was so kind as to bring you these two drinks on the house.” Hemdal said as dramatically as he could. 

“You’ll be alright Hemdal and thank you for the drinks, but aren’t you closing up soon?” 

“Yea but I figured you two love birds would want another drink before you head home.” This comment earned Hemdal the slap this time.

“Yes, we will be heading home right after we finish these drinks. Thanks Hemdal, and here’s this for the food and drinks from earlier.” Leris flicked a silver coin into Hemdal's hand which was more than enough to pay for his and Lily’s bill. Hemdal smiled and walked back inside with Katia in tow.

They finished their drinks and began to leave. As they got up and waved goodbye to Hemdal, Leris saw something on the side of a building. A fleeting shadow slunk into an alley.  He only saw it for a second and it was late so he ignored it and turned around with Lily to walk her home. As they walked back to her house they reminisced on the day they met.

“Gosh, I forgot about that, I can't believe you saw me fall on my face when I was running with the rest of the royal guard. That’s so embarrassing.” Leris chuckled.

“Yea, a little but at least when you got up and tried to play it off you were cute about it.” Lily and Leris blushed and an awkward silence fell over the two of them. After walking in silence for what felt like an eternity but was only a few seconds, they finally arrived at Lily’s house. They stood there in silence for a second before they both spoke over each other which sent them into a fit of laughter.

“I had fun today, it’s so good to see you being Leris and not just the captain of the royal guard.”

“Yea, sorry I’ve been so absent lately. I just hope I haven't upset you.” Leris said sheepishly.

“Oh you did, Sir Leris.” Leris’s heart sank into his stomach. “But, I’ll forgive you if you close your eyes for a second.” Leris did as he was told and closed his eyes. As soon as his eyes closed he felt warmth on his cheek, warmth that made him melt, reform and melt all over again. Without even opening his eyes he knew what that warmth was, he was just kissed by an angel. An angel whom he knew as Lily. He opened his eyes to see a blushing Lily, and he felt his own face get extremely warm. They hugged and said goodnight, and as soon as the door was closed Leris silently celebrated. He was in such a heightened sense of joy that he nearly skipped home. He was so happy that he failed to see the man in the hood staring at him as he passed a dark alleyway. Had he seen it then maybe things would have turned out differently. Maybe he could have stopped it from happening, but because he was so happy he failed to see the warning sign that could have prevented the fall.