[Xenoblade Daughter of Evil] Chapter 08

          Dunban slowly walked up the stairs to Princess Melia's chamber. He had news to tell her, and he was sure she wouldn't like it. As he drew closer, he heard scuffling from inside the chamber, along with some incomprehensible mumbling. Dunban blinked. Surely, Melia has not heard my news already? he thought to himself as he approached her door. He knocked three times, as he usually did. The sound stopped as a voice came from the room. "Who is there?" Melia asked."It is Dunban, Lady Melia," Dunban replied respectfully.

           The door opened. "Oh, Dunban. I have been looking for you. Come inside," Melia told him. Dunban nodded and went inside the room and sat down. "What is it, Melia?" questioned Dunban. Melia replied, "Well, you know the soldier Alvis correct?" Dunban nodded and she continued, "I have given him many off days, but he has been disappearing at night even when he has to work. He's rather good, so talk to him and tell him some of his off days are now work days. If he still doesn't comply, well.." Her eyes darkened. "We'll have to go to more....desperate measures."

             Dunban was rather used to Melia's behaviors, but even still he had to keep himself from flinching. He did not want Alvis to be hurt, so he prayed Alvis would comply. "Yes, Lady Melia," he replied. "I shall go do it now." Melia nodded. "Very well. Hurry, Dunban." He nodded, got up and left the room.

               When Dunban arrived at the castle grounds, where the army men were, he found Alvis quite quickly. Silverish hair, check. Blue eyes, check, he thought to himself as he walked over to Alvis. "Excuse me, sir." Alvis blinked and looked to him. "Oh, hello," he said. Dunban asked in reply, "You are Alvis, correct?" Alvis nodded and questioned,"Why?" Dunban sighed and replied, "Well Princess Melia has noticed you disappearing at night, even on nights when you aren't off."

                "She's told me to er, give you a warning," he said. "Some of your off days are now work days, its on the schedule. So uh...you should stay around. Or else she'll, well, punish you." Alvis stared, thinking, How did she find out already? But he replied, "Okay. Thanks for telling me." He nodded to Dunban, who turned and headed off. He then checked his watch. "My break is soon...I have to tell Keyara," he mumbled to himself. Sighing he ran a hand through his hair, waiting for his break.

                 When his break came, Alvis headed to the green section, after taking off his armor and replacing it with regular clothes for more comfort. Keyara had told him where she lived in case he had ever needed her. Stopping at one of the houses, he knocked on the door. "Coming!" an unfamiliar voice called from inside. There was some noises until the door swung open, and a blonde-haired, green-eyed girl stood there. "Um, excuse me," Alvis said. "Does someone named Keyara live here?"

                  The girl blinked, looking him up and down for a moment. Then it looked like she was about to giggle. "Oh, yes," she replied. "Keyara's inside, you can come in." Alvis was confused about why the girl was about to laugh, but he replied, "Uh, okay. Thanks." He walked inside and looked into the living room, where Keyara was. "Uh, Keyara?" he said. Keyara blinked and looked up. "Alvis? What are you doing here?" she asked, tilting her head. "Well, um. We can't meet again at night for a while," Alvis told her.

                  Keyara frowned a bit. "Why not?" she questioned. "Lady Melia's noticed me going out at night," replied Alvis. "She's made most of my off days this month into work days." He frowned as well. "I'm sorry." Keyara sighed and stated, "Oh, it's okay." "I have to get going now," he said. "I'll see you...whenever I can." Keyara nodded as he waved and turned away.