On the seventh day of my stay at the palace, Commander Bolin and General Hai made a visit to me. Nikator was with me at the time and we both were in the garden, talking about pointless stuff as we walked around. Nikator was my bodyguard until Vita got here and had to follow me everywhere I went, which included taking strolls in the garden.

"Lady Daiyu, a pleasure to finally meet you!" a booming, chipper voice called from behind me.

Startled, I spun around and saw a tall man in his mid-thirties walking over towards me. He had short black hair and deep brown eyes, laughter crinkles around his soft eyes as he smiled at me. There was a man trailing after him, looking bored and tired. He had short hair as well, and he was more slender than the other man. Younger and more agile looking, the man trailed after him and watched me carefully, looking mildly interested.

"General Hai, Commander Bolin," Nikator said in surprise.

The older man grinned and reached over to ruffle Nikator's hair. Nikator instantly drew back, causing the younger man to burst out laughing, breaking his serious visage. "The kid hates you, remember, Hai?"

General Hai frowned and shot a look at Bolin. "He doesn't hate me. Right, Nik?"

Nikator made a face. "Don't call me Nik."

"But—"

"The kid hates you," Bolin said with another laugh. "Priceless."

"Don't call me a kid either," Nikator said with an exasperated sigh. "You both are annoying. What do you want?"

"We didn't come for you," Hai said with a ridiculous huge smile as he patted Nikator's shoulder. "We came to meet the beautiful Lady Daiyu that we've heard so much about."

"It's a pleasure to meet you both," I said carefully, giving them both a small bow to show my respect. General Hai was the respected leader of the rebel army from six years ago, before Meilin took over as the leader, and he was known to be tactful, kind, and amazing on the battlefield. Commander Bolin, on the other hand, was younger and more sullen, and had a dry sense of humor.

"The honor is ours," Hai said with a wide smile. They both were dressed in military attire and by the looks of it, they were ready of any sort of fight breaking out. Their weapons were kept close and I noticed that Bolin was keeping a steady eye around our surroundings.

Nikator's gaze swept around the garden before he rested a gentle hand on my forearm. "Don't move, Lady Daiyu," he murmured ever so softly, exchanging a knowing look with General Hai. "Someone's watching," he whispered so softly that I almost didn't hear him.

"There are so many spies around here that it's not that surprising," Bolin said with a sigh as he turned back to me. "You should always be careful, Lady Daiyu. It's a good thing you have Nikator by your side, but even then, you should take extra precaution with everything you do."

"Once Meilin crushes the rebellion, all the enemy spies will run away since he'll crush them so bad that they'll lose their fighting spirit," Hai said with a smirk, as if he knew that Meilin would beat everyone easily. "Still, you should always be on your toes, just in case."

"The war won't last soon," Nikator said as he pinpointed a location, his gaze narrowing. He touched the tip of his blade so discreetly and naturally that I wouldn't have known he was thinking about throwing it if I hadn't heard his words about someone watching us. "Master has called in Remus, Atreus, and Minos to fight. He told me that once Vita comes to protect the Empress, I am to report back immediately and participate—"

He didn't finish what he was saying before he, quick as ever, pulled his dagger out, and pivoting, shooting his dagger across the space and towards whomever was watching us. There was a yelp of pain and we all turned our attention to the bushes that Nikator had thrown his dagger at. Nikator ran to see who it was while I stood frozen in place for a few seconds, aghast at his behavior since it could have been anyone that was watching us, not just a spy.

"Look what we have here," Bolin said when we came towards a soldier who was now clutching onto his leg, his face darkened with pain and his hands shaking at being caught. I breathed out in relief since it was a spy that Nikator had attacked, and not some helpless but curious servant child.

"We'll take things from here, Lady Daiyu," Hai said. "Mayhap you should visit your room? Vita has finally arrived and is unpacking."

Nikator's eyes practically bugged out of their sockets as he stared at Bolin and Hai. "She's here?"

"Yes—"

"Why didn't you tell me? Master told me to report back immediately and now I'm already late!" Nikator burst out, stepping forward and grabbing the hilt of his dagger that was protruding from the spy's leg. Without hesitation, he yanked it out and took a handkerchief out of his pocket, cleaning the silver of the blade and ignoring the pained scream of the soldier. He tucked the blade back in his belt and shook his head. "I'll be heading out as soon as possible."

The whole scenario was so nonchalant that I stood there, shocked and frozen on the spot. Nikator hadn't even batted an eyelash at the soldier. Bolin looked as if he was used to it and didn't really seem to care, his demeanor the same, and Hai looked unfazed by Nikator's behavior as well.

"Lady Daiyu, let's head to your room and meet up with Vita," Nikator said excitedly.

I could only nod as Nikator and l walked away from Bolin and Hai, who had started interrogating the soldier. Nikator had a bounce in his step and he looked beyond thrilled to return to the battlefield, his smile infectious. I would've smiled at his enthusiasm if I wasn't so surprised and petrified at what had transpired.

"Nikator, next time you shouldn't throw your dagger just because you have a slight suspicion," I said carefully as we drew near my room.

"Why's that? There was an enemy and I attacked. The first person to strike is usually the most successful."

"That may be the case at times, but that could've been anyone there. What if it was a curious child trying to catch a glimpse of the red-haired member of the Peccata, the Dragon's bride-to-be, the famous General, and the notorious Commander?"

He mulled over that thought for a moment. "True, but I wouldn't want to take the risk."

My eyes widened. "Then that child would be killed."

"No, because I aimed low enough to strike the legs. I saw the soldier before I struck him."

There was no arguing with him and the adamant look in his eyes so I only sighed and tapped his shoulder. "Just be careful next time, alright?"

"Of course."

We both paused at my door, Nikator impatiently waiting for me to open the door and meet Vita. Although I could feel Nikator's questioning gaze on me, I hesitated by the door, suddenly bombarded with curiosity and anxiety at the thought of meeting another member of the Peccata. Would she be as kind as Nikator, or would she be quiet like Atreus?

"Lady Daiyu?"

"Sorry," I mumbled to Nikator, mustering up a smile. "Just a bit nervous."

"Don't worry, Vita is a nice person," he said simply.

With that, I opened the door to my room and strode in, Nikator close on my heel. A pretty young woman with shoulder length brown hair and lightly colored eyes was sitting on the ground with an array of weapons lain in front of her. She seemed to be polishing them, a handkerchief in her hand as she wiped at the one in her hand. When the door opened, her eyes snapped forward and she stared at me with cool eyes.

"Lady Daiyu," she said calmly, nodding and then switching her gaze to Nikator. "Nikator."

Nikator bobbed his head. "Vita, nice to see that you finally made it here. What took you so long?"

"I was fixing up a few loose ends on my previous mission," she said monotonously as she meticulously wiped down her dagger. "I, unlike you, like to finish my mission as cleanly and as thoroughly as possible. I don't rush things. You may be quick on your feet, but you are by no means thorough with your work."

Red stained Nikator's cheeks as he glared at her. "I get the job done."

"As you say," she said rather starkly.

His lips were curled back. "You haven't seen me in a seven months and this is how you treat me? Peccata is family; we are family."

Her features softened. "Sorry."

He huffed out loud. "Anyway, Vita, this is the beautiful and kind Lady Daiyu, Master's love and wife-to-be."

I blushed at the title and smiled at him, before turning to Vita and giving her a nod. "It's nice to finally meet you, Vita. Nikator was telling me that you're a keen and nice person."

"The pleasure is mine, Lady Daiyu," she said as she pressed her hands on the ground and bowed down to me. "It is an honor to meet you."

"Please don't bow down like that," I said, rushing forward and touching her shoulders. "I'm not that important to be treated as such."

Up close, I could see that she was beautiful, with a small nose, sharp features and high cheekbones. Her face was almost expressionless but there were sparks in her eyes that told me she guarded her emotions well. Her eyes were a soft brown color, reminding me of trees and of summer.

"Vita, I'm going back to where Master is," Nikator told her. "You will be serving as her bodyguard. You will sleep in the same room as her, you will follow her around everywhere, and you will protect her as if your life depends on it. She is precious to Master."

I wasn't sure about the last part, but Vita seemed to take everything in slowly and impassively.

"There are many spies around the palace and we have found many enemy soldiers within our midst. Trust no one."

"Understood," she said calmly. "Anything else?"

"No." He shrugged. "Everything else you should know how to do."

Vita bobbed her head and turned to me, her features remaining the same and her voice void of emotion as she spoke. "I will protect you, Lady Daiyu, and I will ensure that you are completely safe and untouched by danger. My life is in your hands."

"Thank you, Vita," I said carefully, not sure what I felt about the last line she had spoken. "I hope that we can become good friends."

"I am a Peccatum," she said. "I will serve you until death."