Shafts of light pass over your closed eyelids. You murmer something softly in your sleep, and slightly shift in bed. A bird passes over your humble abode, praising the new day. You slowly open your eyes...

...and freak out. You are about to be late for your second day of work at the new restaurant in the mining town of Kirsla. Your new boss will be especially angry, since special guests are arriving to the grand opening. You can't get fired again; your family in Airyglyph relies on you.

You throw yourself out of bed, open your closet, put on the dorky work uniform, and go to the mirror.

Hastily, you pin your long, wavy brown hair up in a sloppy bun using chopsticks. Messily, you place eye makeup to complement your vibrant, green eyes. Next, you put on your apron and black shoes. Then you run out the door.

After nearly running over a melon cart, you veer to the right, skid around a corner, and barely make it to "Fancy Ramen." A large crowd congregates at the front. You pause for a breath of air, and your coworker lets you in from the back.

"Be careful, some kind of argument is going on inside. You are lucky though, Boss doesn't know you are late," Janine whispered, pointing to the front.

You go on tip toes to the window in the kitchen and peer through. You gasp.

You think to yourself, Count Woltar is here? Is that the special guest? Here, of all places? Wow. Who is he arguing with? Who ever he is, he is really, really, REALLY....

You blush wildly. But it evaporated when a loud crash was heard. A glass cup fell.

"Ryoko! You are needed!" Your boss calls for you as he tries to mediate the grab the nearest broom and go to the front of the Ramen House. Janine grabs a dust pan and follows you.

As you near the argument, you hear Count Woltar's voice. "Now Albel, I know you don't want to be here now, but don't make a scene. You are acting childish. If you are to succeed me one day, you have to show your people you care by doing things like this. Just pretend you want to be here."

Albel only grunted in response.

Oh, he must be the one that has been staying at Count Woltar's Mansion. Hmph, he must think he is so cool.... You think in contempt.

"Oh! That is Albel the Wicked! They say he is the best at swordsmanship! Isn't he amazing?" Janine whispered in fearful awe. "I guess the Count dragged him here. I bet he wishes he was slicing his enemies with that katana instead...."

Janine continued to chatter as you think contemptuously, Please...he isn't so special.

"Come on, we have to set up the kitchen like the Boss showed us yesterday. They are about to open and let the crowds in," you reply curtly, slightly annoyed for some reason you cannot fathom.

The two of you enter the kitchen and begin the prep. You steal glances at Albel from the kitchen window. Although you don't mean to or anything. You can't help but notice how the light frames his figure, running along his body down to the wisps of hair sweat-bound to his neck.

The boss swings by and has you prepare two steaming bowls of ramen. He opens the doors, and people begin to fill the tables.

Janine catches you staring, and points at the blue bowl for Albel. She smiles mischievously. After shooting a death glance at her, you nervously pick it up and make your way to his table.

Why is my pulse racing? You think frantically, shaking as you laboriously make your way to his table. Concentrate on moving!

Once at the table, you glance up from the ramen bowl and meet eyes with Albel Nox. Albel the Wicked.

Author Notes

Hi, I am Xave. I have the same stories on Quizilla and Mibba (under the same username). I am transferring the stories because I wanted a wider audience. If you comment, I return favors always. Critique/Flame/Love all you want.

I hope you enjoy this! More chapters coming up quickly.