NOVPUBThe streets of Krayon Sol were alive with golden lights and laughter, the scent of grilled spices and fresh bread floating through the evening air. A soft breeze tugged at silk banners above, and warm lanterns lit the cobblestone path in a dance of flickering color.
Joshua walked hand in hand with Alice, her fingers gently laced with his. She smiled, wearing a dark-red dress that fluttered with her steps. He was in a black button-down and casual cloak, trimmed with gold, nothing flashy—just enough for a date night in the city.
"Can't believe you actually made a reservation," Alice teased, leaning a little into him.
"I have my moments," Joshua grinned. "Only took threatening three nobles and a small bribe."
She laughed, the sound light and easy, and for a moment, the world felt small and safe.
Until—
Wham.
A shoulder slammed into Joshua hard. He barely stepped back, but Alice stumbled a little. He caught her quickly.
"Watch where the hell you're walking!" a voice barked.
Joshua looked up to see a young man regaining his balance. He was around their age, but dressed like he owned the city—deep blue noble robes embroidered with silver, a fur-lined cloak draped over one shoulder, and three guards trailing behind him like shadows. His hair was slicked back, eyes sharp with entitlement.
"You blind or just stupid?" the noble spat, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve. "Do you even know who I am?"
Joshua kept his stance relaxed, calm. "Didn't see you. Sorry."
But the noble wasn't having it.
"I am Lyrix Gorrim. Son of Duke Gorrim. The Duke. Which means your worthless apology doesn't mean shit."
Alice raised a brow. "We said sorry."
But Lyrix just scoffed, turning to the crowd now slowly gathering. Whispers already filled the air.
"That's the Duke's son…"
"Someone bumped into him?"
"Poor soul. Hope he doesn't get arrested—or worse."
The crowd's nervous mutters inflated Lyrix's ego like a balloon. He puffed up his chest and walked in a slow circle, enjoying the attention.
"You peasants think you can stroll around the upper district without knowing your place?" he sneered, voice rising so everyone could hear. "You bump into me, you insult my house, and then you act like I'm the problem?"
"Look, man," Joshua said, still calm. "We don't want any trouble. Just let it go."
Gasps shot through the crowd like lightning.
"Did he just tell the Duke's son to let it go?"
"He must be suicidal."
"Even the guards look pissed—"
Lyrix's guards stepped forward, hands on the hilts of their weapons.
One barked, "You dare speak to Lord Lyrix like that? Kneel and beg for forgiveness before we drag you to the cells!"
Joshua sighed, fingers still linked with Alice's. He wasn't scared—just annoyed.
But Lyrix wasn't done. Not even close.
He glanced at Alice now. And that smug smirk grew wider.
"Damn… now that I look at her, she's not bad at all," he said slowly, eyes raking her up and down like she was a thing on display. "Tell you what. I'll be merciful."
Joshua's jaw twitched.
"If you hand her over to me for the night," Lyrix continued, "I might just forget all about this little… misunderstanding."
The silence was instant.
Even the wind stopped.
Alice blinked, expression unreadable.
Joshua's hand slipped out of hers.
He took a step forward, slow. Deliberate. His shadow stretched under the lantern light, and for the first time, his easy smile was gone.
Lyrix chuckled, amused. "What, did I touch a nerve?"
"You know," Joshua said, voice low, "I tried being nice."
He rolled his shoulders. One of the guards flinched.
"I tried to avoid the drama. I really did. Because I didn't want to ruin this night. But you—" he pointed at Lyrix, "—decided to open your mouth and let stupidity pour out."
"You—"
Joshua stepped in close. Fast. The space between them vanished in a blink.
Lyrix stumbled back, eyes wide now.
Joshua wasn't smiling anymore.
"If you ever talk about her like that again," he said, "you won't just lose your teeth. You'll lose your voice."
The crowd froze.
The guards reached for their swords.
But before they could draw, a sudden gust of pressure—raw and heavy—burst from Joshua. It wasn't magic. It wasn't anything physical. But it was there. Weighty. Like the gravity of someone who had seen war and lived through worse.
The guards stopped cold.
Even Lyrix took a step back.
Alice finally stepped up beside Joshua, eyes locked on Lyrix.
"You're not worth our time," she said flatly. "Go home."
Joshua looked at her, his calm slowly returning. Then he took her hand again.
They turned, walking toward the restaurant like nothing happened.
The crowd parted like the sea.
No one said a word.
Not even Lyrix.
Not anymore.
Lyrix stood frozen as the couple disappeared down the street, their backs turned like he wasn't even worth a second glance.
People were whispering again.
But now, it was different.
"Did you see how fast that guy moved?"
"He didn't even flinch."
"That pressure… who is he?"
"Lyrix got silenced like a street punk."
The young noble's ears burned with rage. His pride was a shattered glass underfoot, and every whisper cut deeper than a blade.
"Fools," he muttered, his breath uneven.
One of his guards stepped forward carefully. "My Lord, perhaps we should let this go. That man may not be—"
Lyrix turned and slapped the guard across the face.
"Shut up!" he roared. "You think I'll let this slide? In front of the entire city? That bastard dared to walk away after threatening me?"
The guard stood still, his jaw clenched, but said nothing.
Lyrix's hands curled into fists. His lips twisted. Not just in anger now—but hate.
He stepped toward the edge of the plaza, eyes locked in the direction Joshua and Alice had gone.
"I don't care who he is. I don't care what kind of power he's hiding. You don't embarrass the son of a Duke and walk away breathing."
He pointed to another guard. "Find out everything. Who he is. Who she is. Where they live. Where they sleep. I want names, bloodlines, affiliations—everything."
The guard hesitated. "Lord Lyrix… the Duke has warned us before about stirring trouble with people outside the noble circle. If this man is—"
Lyrix grabbed the guard by the collar and pulled him close.
"I said everything. If he's a threat, I'll crush him. If he's a nobody, I'll make him one. And that girl…"
He smiled. But it wasn't charming anymore. It was rotten.
"I'll teach her what happens when you mock House Gorrim."
He released the guard and turned to the others.
"Tell the enforcers to be ready. If he steps into the upper quarter again, I want him followed. If I see him at that restaurant—if he even breathes near me again—I'll make an example out of him so loud the lower districts will hear the screams."
The guards gave tight nods and scattered into the shadows.
Lyrix remained still for a moment, his breath ragged, fists trembling.
