Queen Of Adis

Despite the early conclusion of the knighthood ceremony, the cities of Atlantis were still in a festive mood, especially the marketplace at the southwestern part of the realm. The place was exceptionally boisterous with creatures from all walks of life. Buildings and houses were still decorated with colorful banners and flowers while the streets were swarmed with donkeys, horses, camels, and even winged creatures carrying carts and cargo as the farmers and merchants brought their fresh produce.

Quaint and busy stalls were filled with food, fabrics, accessories and many more while the vendors were promoting their goods at the top of their lungs. The place became even rowdier with loud bargaining from left and right. The air suffused with fresh bread and street food, as well as sweat and animals' waste.

Artists, both famous and amateurs, added vibrant tones to the already lively atmosphere by displaying their masterpieces on the pathways while entertainers performed magnificently for a drop of copper on the ground.

All these were witnessed by a being wearing a modest hooded cloak and face scarf while sprinting from one area to another, rendering her two ladies-in-waiting dizzy and out of breath.

Haru was having a field day as she was allowed by her overprotective lover to go out of town to play. But of course, she knew that countless grim reapers were lurking around to protect her, not to mention a mighty dark knight was added on her already overflowing plate of security.

Speaking of that knight, her hands stiffened from touching a jade accessory on the display counter when she remembered that she just got herself a personal knight. Her body twisted to her side as she looked around for any malevolent presence, but she grimaced in guilt when it was just her and her two lady companions, Millie and Hannah.

She must have lost him due to her excitement.

"Look, my lady, I think this color will suit your fair skin." Millie squealed as she showed her a golden silk fabric with intricate beadwork as embellishment.

"I think this will look much better on you, my lady." Hannah flaunted a provocative lacy lingerie while her red tainted lips curved into a wicked grin. "I bet His Majesty will lock you again in your bedchamber for days if you will wear this."

"Oh, Hannah, you are a genius," Millie giggled and joined in. "Let's get some more, and with different designs. What do you think about these furry ones?"

Haru helplessly shook her head at their shameless teasing. It seemed that they, too, forgot that they're supposed to have a knight as an escort to their little excursion.

When something caught her peripheral vision, she slowly swayed her body so her eyes could focus on it.

A lanky man wearing a black shawl over his head was walking in haste while restlessly looking around as though he was afraid to be seen by anyone. When he bumped into someone, he scrambled to bow and plead for forgiveness then ran away. He looked pitiful, yet too suspicious to be ignored.

'How intriguing!' she thought to herself while her feet seemed to have a mind of its own and slowly followed the mysterious man.

Just like a thirsty gossipmonger, she knew a juicy gossip in the making when she sees one. And right now, she could smell scandal, if not danger, in the air. Since she's bored as hell, a little adventure won't hurt.

Before she could take three steps further, a muscular arm suddenly blocked her from moving forward.

"My Lady, whatever wicked plan you are thinking at the moment, please stop." A deep yet soothing voice came, which made her look at the owner of the voice. He then added, "...or I will be forced to drag you back to the palace."

She stared at the intimidating knight who was towering over her for a while before her amber orbs lit up with an idea. She grinned like a mischievous cat and tapped his shoulders. "And here I thought I lost you. Welcome aboard, sir champ!"

When Azrael saw the way her eyes lit up deviously, his heart plummeted in panic. 'Shit, what did I get myself into this time?'

"Pick up your pace, sir Azrael. Now that you're here, that means I can do whatever I want now," she declared with finality as her chin motioned to the mysterious man's direction. "Off we go, then."

"What?!" Beads of sweat instantly formed on Azrael's forehead and his eyes grew wide. She just blatantly ignored his warning! "P-please wait, my lady. His Majesty said that we have to stay in the marketplace and stay out in a less crowded area," he tried to reason out as he matched her strides.

"His Majesty knows that our lady prefers to play and follow her own rules, hence you are here, sir Azrael," Millie chimed in from behind.

"What caught your interest this time, my lady?" Hannah indulged her instead of helping him to persuade their lady to stay out of trouble.

He halted his steps and watched the three departing shadows in disbelief. He ran his fingers through his hair and looked up in the sky to let out another series of expletives. Just less than an hour in his official duty and he felt like losing his hair... and his patience.

"Damn! Whoever thought of the phrase 'looks can be f.u.c.k.i.n.g deceiving' must have met lady Haru in real life," he whispered to himself before finally walking in long strides to catch up to his defiant mistress.

Meanwhile, two will-o'-wisps were floating exuberantly from one stall to another while their sweet giggles and squeals chimed like a heartwarming melody to the ghosts' ears up ahead.

*Haru stopped in her tracks and turned around to check the distance between them and the babies. Her eyes softened when she saw the twin flames loomed around the kids that were sitting on the ground while playing with their toys made of wood and straws. "Aww, I think they are already bored accompanying their parents that they long to play with real kids."

*Adis wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer to his c.h.e.s.t. "Don't worry, once we get back to the future in three days, I'm sure their big brothers, uncles, and grandfathers will simultaneously play with them all day."

"Will they still be with us once we wake up?" she asked, hating the thought that the wisps would be gone.

He kissed the top of her head to pacify her worries. "I don't know either. All I know is, whatever happens, we will meet them soon," he assured and c.a.r.e.s.sed her baby bump.

"Now, back to the issue at hand," his face became serious as he looked at the direction her past self went to. "Is this the reason why you suggested to follow the past Haru instead of the search squad?"

She nodded as she looked in the same direction. "Mn. I remember that today something will happen. Although everything is already a mess due to the alteration of time but I have a feeling that we have a better chance of finding Elior than the other party."

"Yeah, I also remember that after today, you were grounded for defying my order and for almost putting yourself in danger," he commented in a reprimanding tone. "I just hope that with the changes that are happening, past Haru will still be able to come out unscathed this time."

*Haru laughed awkwardly as she avoided his piercing glare. "Ahaha, I think we better get going, or else we might miss them."

Geez, why was he gifted with sharp memory while hers was often fluctuating like a worn-out light bulb?

*Adis just resolved on pinching her right cheek as punishment and decided to let bygones be bygones. "Ciel, Amira, Come now. We are leaving."

The always cheerful twins raced towards their parents, with their mother's soft and warm bosom as their finish line. Their giggles turned even louder when they heard their mother's cute squeak when they slammed their squishy body against her b.r.e.a.s.ts.

He creased his forehead as it seemed that the twins had formed a mischievous habit of always startling their mother or attacking her with their incoming hugs, just like what they did now.

"Hey, little devils, stop doing that. Your mother is still carrying you both in her belly. If you continue slamming yourselves to her, she might lose her balance. It's dangerous, you hear me?" He softly chided his babies for the first time.

"Ga... Booboo... Nyaa!" They only made baby sounds as a reply to their father.

"Now, now, that's okay. It's their way of showing their affection to me, just as they always obey your words. Besides, I know you will always be there to catch me when I fall," *Haru coaxed as she grinned and winked at her husband.

As if the two little devils felt that their mother was defending them, they did the same to their father; they flew around and slammed themselves to his c.h.e.s.t, then they rubbed their warmth to their father's cheeks.

"Woah, so now they know how to coax their father, too?"

He clicked his tongue but the corner of his lips curved into a smile. "Tsk, I see that they're so much like their manipulative mother."