Pairing: Nik Ryder x Alexandra [Alex] Hernandez [Female MC]
â One shots
Winged // Alex and Nik meet the pegasi.
I'll never let you go // Nightbound scene reimagined.
Missing // When Alex goes missing- again- her friends start a discussion in the group chat.
Picnic // While having a picnic, Alex and Nik come across Nik's worst nightmare.
â Drabbles
Don't take risks like that // Alex doesn't always approve of Nik's methods to impress her.
Curses // Nik's anxiety goes up as he realises Alex may never trust him again.
Warm ups // It's cold. There's only Alex, Nik, and his long jacket. They could cuddle.
Trip // Alex asks Nik to go on a trip with her, but he's too stupid.
Under the stars // Alex and Nik spend a moment under the stars.
When I found you, my heart found home // Nik dies fighting the bloodwraith.
Outfit scenario // Alex and Nik at a ball + Nik at Alex's wedding.
They are arguing // MC and Nik have their banter.
â Series
Let's not fall in love â part 1 ... // An old enemy is ready to have her revenge. Can she be stopped, or would it cause Nik his life?
What comes after â Prologue ... // While Alex is busy with the festival in Crystaval, someone she knows plots her downfall.
From soul to soul part 1/part 2...// what happens when old memories resurface? What happens when the dead are disturbed from sleep?
Imagine Nik Ryder would see his girlfriend in this unicorn pyjama đŠ How would he react? đź
I have been putting this off because I suck SUCK at writing fluff so here's what I came up withđ
Book: Nightbound
Pairing: Nik Ryder x Alex (f!MC)
Rating: General
Word count: ~500
A/N: I imagined Alex's dialogues in a British accent while writing this for no reason. And I think I have become better at using symbols and connections but you be the judge
Tags: @ladylamrian (Thank you so much for the ask!!!) @lilyoffandoms and @choicesficwriterscreations
Alex had opened the door after checking through the peephole, and had mixed feelings about her plan when she saw Nik with a paper in hand. She could hardly make out his expression as his face was disoriented in a funny manner in the lens, but when she opened the door she managed to gain the reaction she was hoping for.Â
Nik raised an eyebrow before he let a chuckle escape. He looked her over in her outfit, amused by the situation at hand. He hid the letter he was holding in his pocket as he stepped into the apartment.Â
âArenât you gonna say anything?â Alex folded her arms, grinning.
He smirked. âWhat, youâre not mad at me anymore?
She lifted her chin, looking down at him. âWell, I pride myself on being less coldhearted than you.â
Nik let out a silent laugh that shook his torso, and stepped closer to her.
âI donât think itâs that funny,â she commented. She felt a little self-conscious at the thought that maybe he was still thinking about what happened that morning.Â
He grinned. âYoure adorable for thinking that this isnât funny.â He flipped down the hood of her pyjama before walking past her and into the bedroom.Â
âWell, good. At least now you arenât being an asshole.â She followed him into the bedroom. She leaned against the wall, watching him take off his jacket and shoes.Â
He chuckles. âAt least now I donât hate unicorns that much,â he said, shooting her a wink which made her smile. âAnd now the cold woman is blushing.â
Alex narrows her eyes at him. âYou have a way of ruining a moment.â She reaches behind her to pull the zipper of her pyjama down when he jumps onto his feet and grabs her hand.
âUh-huh, I want you to stay in that while you read this.â He pulls out the letter from his pocket, trying not to laugh. Alex took the letter from him, giving him a suspicious eye. He waited as she read it, noticing how her lips turned up in a smile and then dropped it in a second. She pushed the letter into his hands. He smiled. âI just think it's funny thatââ
âNo, no itâs not funny, Nik.â She rubbed her forehead, as if to wipe away a headache. âIt refers to me as Lady.â
Nik shrugged. It was obvious that with the exile of her stepbrother, Tialo, Alex was going to take his place as the heir to Lamrian. He was very excited to give her the message he received, and after seeing her in the unicorn pyjama, he couldnât help but smile internally thinking about how she managed to maintain the best of both personas.Â
Alex tried to pull the zipper of her pyjamas down, but realised itâs stuck. She sighed an annoyed breath and flopped down on the bed.Â
Nik sat down beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. âIâm sorry for fighting with you this morning. If I said something that hurt you, I definitely did not mean it.âÂ
She shooted him a look, then turned away from him.
He reached towards the zipper of her pyjamas. âYou know damn well you deserve that title. And I sure as hell know youâre anything but dumb. Fuck that, youâre gonna be the best Duchess Lamrian will ever have.â
She rolled her eyes, the corner of her lips twitching upwards.
âBut if something goes wrong,â â He manages to unstick the zipperâ âYou can count on me.â
The young nighthunter, Nik Ryder was sleeping soundly. His bare chest slowly rising and falling as his breathing was soft and calm. He was clearly deeply asleep, until a strange sound suddenly reached his ears, interrupting his peaceful slumber. He groaned softly, shifting slightly and lifting his head from his pillow to listen closely. Still half asleep, he suddenly heard a familiar sweet voice echoing in his mind. It was his girlfriend, Alexis, calling out to him through the telepathy link they shared. A gifted bound by The Fate. Despite his groggy state, a small smile played across his lips. He closed his eyes, focusing on the connection, and responded telepathically.
"Alex? Is that you, sweetheart?"
Then he tensed up as he picked up the sensations coming from Alex. He could feel the chill and darkness. Panic surged through him.
"Alex?! What's going on? Where are you? Are you alright?"
"Nik, I don't remember, I'm beeing held captured in... Uggh, my head..."
The young nighthunter tried to focus his mind, using the telepathy connection to sense her location, the scene and gather as much information as possible. According to her state, she wasn't able to tell where she was, but he still had to find her somehow. And fast. With a deep breath, he sent a strong mental message aimed at Alex, filled with concern and urgency.
"Alex, stay calm. I'm coming for you. Just tell me one thing. Are you hurt?"
"Nik, I..."
She stopped speaking as their connection broke, and she fainted.
Nik's entire body tensed with urgency, his instincts kicking in. He swiftly rolled off the bed, grabbed his clothes and weapons. He quickly pulled on his gray shirt, put his black pants on, adjusted his long brown leather jacket and grabbed his black boots. Every second counted now as he prepared to set out.
"Alex, hang in there. I'm coming, rook."
With the Holy Light Crossbow slung across his back and the Blightblades strapped to his belt, the man dashed without hesitation. Whatever stood between him and Alex, it wouldn't survive long enough to regret it.
"Let me go! I will never marry you.", Nik's girlfriend, Alex shouted at the kidnapper.
"You will marry me, so I will become the ruler of Lamrian. And then, I'll get rid of you, dear.", the figure hissed while playing with the magical handcuffs she was forced into. They made sure that no fae magic could break them. She was a prisoner.
"No, I won't let this happen."
"Stubborn, aren't we? My servants did a great job in arranging a last-minute wedding. By the way, you look pretty in your new wedding dress."
"Get your filthy hands off my girl!", a powerful voice echoed in the hall. It belonged to a muscular, blond-haired man with silvery-blue eyes who burst through the chapel doors with a crossbow drawn. He fired a warning shot that shattered a stained glass window.
"Nik! I knew you'd come! You finally found me, love.", Alex whispered.
Nik Ryder, nighthunter and Alex's boyfriend was flipping his blightblades in each hand with style while his eyes were locked on the villain.
"Nobody forces my Alex into anything. Let's settle this like men. Unless you'd rather run now?", he demanded before he gave Alex a quick wink.
"But... but the ceremony is already...", the villain stammered.
"Oh good, then we can skip to the fun part where I kick your ass.", the hero cut him off as he cracked his knuckles.
Then he noticed his girlfriend struggling with the heavy wedding dress. The sight was so beautiful, but with the wrong groom by her side.
"Here, let me..."
With a single precise slash of one of his blightblades, he cut exactly some of the heavy fabric away while keeping her completely safe. She gasped as the heavy fabric fell away, leaving her in a much lighter and more comfortable mini dress.
"You always know just what I need!"
The young man grinned while twirling his blade.
"Dresses are overrated anyway. Nice high heels by the way. Now...", he spoke, extended a hand toward her while keeping his crossbow trained on the villain with his other hand.
"Shall we dance our way out of here, sweetheart? Ready to escape this place, rook?"
"Lead the way, my nighthunter. With you by my side, I'm ready for anything."
Nik turned back to the villain while still keeping an eye on Alex.
"Last chance to surrender, pal."
"Never!!"
Nik swept Alex into a dramatic dip as the villain charged toward them.
"Hold on tight, love..."
And in one fluid motion, he covered her while firing his crossbow backward without looking and successfully pinned the villain's sleeve to the wall.
"Show-off!", Alex called, got up, and positioned herself next to him now.
"For you? Always, rook.", he answered while spinning her under his arm.
Suddenly, more attackers appeared from behind to stop the couple from escaping. Nik pulled out twin blightblades and his playful grin now turned deadly serious.
"Stay behind me, beautiful. We're dancing our way home. One bloody waltz at a time."
In a blinding flash of holy light caused by his crossbow arrows, Nik effortlessly fended off numerous attackers without once looking in Alex's direction. The girl was awed by the display of his strength and power.
"Wow..."
As the dust settled, Nik turned to Alex with a playful smirk.
"Oh, I'm full of surprises.", he answered while scanning the area. He flicked blood off his blades and then began to break the enchanted handcuffs around her wrists.
"Still think bodyguarding is boring, rook?"
"I never said boring... Just a bit too dramatic?"
"Where's the fun in that? Besides... You're worth every bit of drama, rook.", he whispered, then stepped closer and tucked a loose strand of silvery-black hair behind her ear.
The young woman blushed as her savior and lover suddenly scooped her up bridal style. He grinned at her squeak of surprise.
"What? Thought we'd walk home after all that?"
With the wind rushing through their hair, Alex wrapped her arms around Nik's neck for support while the night skyline streaked by. He effortlessly landed rooftop to rooftop with each leap, never losing balance or breaking stride. Alex starts laughing uncontrollably.
"This is insane! You can't just... just... Woah!!!"
The man leaped into the air with a spin that ended with her dangling upside down, but before she could yell he caught her just in time so they're face to face. Holding her effortlessly, he gazed into her eyes with a teasing grin.
"Yes? Can't just what?"
She spluttered, flustered, as he righted her effortlessly.
"You can't just carry me around like a sack. It's... It's..."
"It's... what?"
"It's not fair. I want to show off too!"
"Okay, that's a fair point. Let's see you try, then."
He gently set her down, keeping a steadying hand on her waist.
"Fine, I'll show you. Watch this, Nik."
The woman took a couple of steps back, gathering speed, then leaped... only to trip just short of the next rooftop and fall flat on her face.
"Ow..."
He burst out laughing, tried hard to contain it as she dusted herself off. Her cheeks flushed from the embarrassing fall and his laughter.
"Damn, that... that was... You okay, rook?"
"You know, I actually meant to do that. And it worked."
"Uh-huh.... Riiiight. Sure you did."
Without warning, Nik suddenly scooped her up and tossed her into the air, only to catch her in a dramatic dip just before she hit the ground. His face inches away from hers while his blue eyes twinkled with mischief.
"That, rook. Now that was on purpose."
Alex's breath hitched as he pulled them both upright in one smooth motion. She playfully shoved his shoulder while still clinging to his leather jacket.
"You're ridiculous, Nik Ryder"
"And you're stuck with me, rook."
"But Nik, jokes aside. I'm... I'm so glad you saved me today. If you hadn't, then I..."
She turned serious, took his hand, and rested her head on his shoulder, hiding her worried look on his face.
"Alex, don't think about it. I'm here and you're safe now, that's what matters. I'll always be there for you.", he comforted her while stroking her hair.
There was no way anything or anyone would dare to harm her in his watch. Not with Nik Ryder.
Suddenly, unwanted guests appeared from the dark and surrounded the young couple on the roof of a building.
Immediately, Nik and Alex pressed their back against each other's and got into a defensive stance. Nik drew the crossbow from its holster and secretly gave her an extra dagger to use if she needed. The palms of his girlfriend, Alex started to buzz with fae magic. She wanted to fight beside him, but with her magic instead.
"We have visitors, Nik."
"They picked the wrong rooftop to crash our date night. Let's teach them a lesson. You ready?", he asked and grinned as he saw her magic flare up brighter.
"I'm ready, babe."
Back against the wall, the couple shot arrows, fought in combat, used magic, and more to fight off their opponents.
Nik just ducked a swinging blade and rolled to one knee, firing two rapid shots. Through the battle, he happened to move farther away from his partner. But they were winning.
"You holding up okay back there, rook?", he shouted before charging another shot.
"Nik, watch out!! Between us!"
The couple spun around in a perfect sync, daggers flashing as they carved through the enemy between them. The last foe dropped down.
"Up all night, got demons to fight. Remind me to take you somewhere less... stabby for our next date!"
"What date? But I'd love that, Nik. By the way, I really enjoyed our teamwork. I hate to be a damsel in distress sometimes, but I'm glad you always have my back."
"The way we move together... Almost like we were made to fight side by side.", the hunter remarked while wiping his blade clean on his jacket sleeve.
"If we were both the only ones in the world who could communicate through telepathy, then yes. We were always meant to be, Nik Ryder."
I loveee this one and I love the use of telepathy to show how they are bound by The Fate
Naww bad guy alert bro really thought he could marry her
I was glued when reading the action parts but then I suddenly started giggling đđ and then there was action, and then i giggled again đđ
When is Nik Ryder going to be a goddamn adult and start taking her to actual romantic places for dates instead of cemeteries and rooftops? Maybe less blood too?
Pairing: Nik Ryder x Alexandra [Alex] Hernandez [Female MC]
â One shots
Winged // Alex and Nik meet the pegasi.
I'll never let you go // Nightbound scene reimagined.
Missing // When Alex goes missing- again- her friends start a discussion in the group chat.
Picnic // While having a picnic, Alex and Nik come across Nik's worst nightmare.
â Drabbles
Don't take risks like that // Alex doesn't always approve of Nik's methods to impress her.
Curses // Nik's anxiety goes up as he realises Alex may never trust him again.
Warm ups // It's cold. There's only Alex, Nik, and his long jacket. They could cuddle.
Trip // Alex asks Nik to go on a trip with her, but he's too stupid.
Under the stars // Alex and Nik spend a moment under the stars.
When I found you, my heart found home // Nik dies fighting the bloodwraith.
Outfit scenario // Alex and Nik at a ball + Nik at Alex's wedding.
They are arguing // MC and Nik have their banter.
â Series
Let's not fall in love â part 1 ... // An old enemy is ready to have her revenge. Can she be stopped, or would it cause Nik his life?
What comes after â Prologue ... // While Alex is busy with the festival in Crystaval, someone she knows plots her downfall.
From soul to soul part 1/part 2...// what happens when old memories resurface? What happens when the dead are disturbed from sleep?
listen i may take 4 weeks to write a 3k word chapter, and i may take 45 minutes to decide whether i should use âlaughâ or âchuckleâ, but at least i donât use ai and whatever youâre getting is pure chaos from a human brain
Book: Nightbound
Characters and pairing: Nik Ryder, Alex, Nik Ryder x f!mc (Alex Hernandez)
Warnings: mentions of death
Rating: Teen
Words: 1.8k
Summary: Nik contemplates on his growing feelings for Alex, and Alex mentions that strange things have been going on without his notice.
Nik did not sleep that night. He had paced the hall in the apartment till his feet and his mind calmed down enough for him to stop panicking. He had been fearing this day for longer than he could remember. It didnât take long for him to accept that Elijah wasnât coming back. He realised it before the sun had risen. He realised it even before he heard the sirens outside.Â
They took him into the woods. He was unfamiliar with the way it looked in the morning. âThis is your life now,â Elijah would say to him, even as Nik protested against hunting in the darkness. Maybe thatâs what made him upset with everyone that day. They had waitedâ the world had waitedâ for the sun to rise. The people who came to take him had a different life. The people who could afford to wait did not understand. Cowards, he thought. Only cowards feared the night.
He had imagined this day a lot of times; Elijah would leave him alone, and he would have no one to rely on. Was he successful in teaching his son how to survive alone? Probably not.Â
Nik had cried, screamed, kicked or sometimes even broken some of his things to release his frustrations. He had never gone silent. He continued walking. Slowly, the leaves under his feet were turning from brown to red. He lifted his left foot to look under his shoeâ no stain. How long had it been?
He felt something on his shoulder. Probably a hand. He felt a gentle push and realised he had stopped. A few steps more and he felt the air stink. He didnât know whether to cover his nose or pinch his templesâa headache was slowly creeping up on him. He could hear a muffled voice near him. He heard someone say his fatherâs name. He looked past the yellow barriers and saw the shape of a man. The sunlight made everything clear and visible.Â
Why had they made him see Elijah? Why did he have to see what he had gone through before death finally had mercy on him? Why did they take so long to find him?
He stumbled on his feet. The light was starting to blind him.
Nik lifted his arm to his eyes, a frustrated groan leaving his throat. He mumbled a âStopâ. When his eyes adjusted to the light, he saw Alex standing with her back to the window. She had lifted the curtains and was looking at him. Nik felt a strange sense of uneasiness.
âIvy called,â Alex said. Her voice made him less cranky. âShe has the items ready.â
He pulled himself to a sitting position with a sigh. He ran a hand over his face before rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. He couldnât remember the last time he had had a good nightâs sleep. It was either nightmares or his work. Sometimes, the line between the two was a blur.
âWhy are you up so early?â he asked with a croaked voice. It was probably a stupid question, because, out of the corner of his eyes, he saw her lips curl in a smirk.
âI wake up when the morning comes, Ryder,â she said. âHowever, you sleep when it does.â She rested her body against the wall, her arms crossing on her chest.
Was that the reason she woke him up? To let him know she was better than him? That she could be cheerful enough to brighten his day even with a bloodwraith on her trail? Maybe people like her didnât take life seriously. They searched for the light at the end of the tunnel. People like him were told that the light was nothing but a mirage. They were meant to remain in the safety of darkness.Â
When he caught a second look at Alex, he realised that she had washed her hair. The silver strands of her ombre hair hung from her roots like clouds on a fullmoon night. They looped along the length of each other, forming waves that reached down to her mid-arm. He saw a water droplet drip from her wet hair onto her forearm before she wiped it with her thumb. Nik took it as a sign to look away.
Alex pushed away from the wall. âI donât wanna be the person who goes around telling you what to do,â she said, "but I think you should give this place a makeover.â
âI would rather shift to a better place,â Nik said.
âThen do that.â She gave him a small smile.
âNo.â He saw her roll her eyes. The corner of his lips curled up. She looked at him and smiled back. A week ago, he would have had a different reaction to that.
Nik should not be bothered by a flutter in his heart. But he was. His mind recalled the previous nightâ something he wanted to forget. He remembered the conversation he had with the ghost of his father. He remembered how quickly the present had become a memory. Elijah had left too soon. He did not give Nik a chance to bask in the bittersweet reunion or to carve the anatomy of his voice into his memory so that he would never forget it again. He had no time to trouble himself in piecing together fragments from his memory onto the canvas that was the emptiness on his blurred face.
But Nik had wanted to see him. Although not as an entity which spat words hiding behind the mask of humanity, pretending to have compassion while solely being nothing but another state of matter. He would still take it; at least he had come to visit him. What had made him remember Nik after all those years, he didnât know. He liked to think that Elijah hadnât forgotten him at all, and that he was waiting to meet where they had left off, just like he was. Some bonds lasted a lifetime. Others lived on as dust particles, coming to life when the light shined on them.Â
Yet something in him wasnât satisfied. He didnât want to think that this meeting had been useless. A small part of him hoped it wasnât their last meeting. There were more words unsaid, more feelings buried and waiting to be confessed.Â
A part of those feelings was about Alex; a large chunk that was impossible to ignore. They had eyes that could pierce him if he looked for longer than he dared. The truth was obvious and hard to digestâ he was scared. It made him laugh at himself. How would he show his face to Elijah if he knew that his son, a nighthunter, was afraid of something as fragile as vulnerability? Had his father known that too? Did he refrain from bringing it up to spare his son from hanging his head in embarrassment?
He knew one thingâ Elijah Ryder wanted his son to be fearless. He wanted his boy to chase monsters, not the other way around. He wanted him to be devoid of weaknesses. It made a hunter stronger and harder to defeat. Nik had seen with his own eyes how the same weakness that was consuming him had once almost broken Elijah. But Elijah Ryder would not fall; he was stronger than all of his demons combined. But what about Nik? He was not a hunter like his father. He was still the boy who got lost in the woods, running from his demons.
Nik Ryder was going to fail his father. He was going to fail himself. He was taught to  win his fights alone. But he didnât want to be alone in this fight against himself.
Besides, how could he ever push her away when she was looking at him like that?
He wasnât imagining it, he was sure. He had seen the same eyes looking at him with the same twinkle multiple times. It was mostly when he wasnât looking. But he was taught to see and feel without using much of his body. There he was again, scared to look her way. Had she noticed that he had been silent for too long? Was she going to ask him to share the thoughts that troubled him? He was sure he would rather push her away.
âYou are always thinking about something.â She finally spoke. She must have considered it for a while. âWanna talk about it?â
He let out a long sigh. He paused to think if the sigh had been rude. Did it make him seem like he was annoyed by her?Â
He shook his head, hoping it was a satisfactory answer. He did not want to look at her at that moment. He was afraid that he would see something dangerousâ the sparkle in her eyes, her upturned lips, the slight tilt of her head that was almost unnoticeableâ and would not be able to resist. God, if there was one, help him. Elijah, if he cared now, let him win this fight.
âSuit yourself.â She shrugged. She then took a short walk to the bedroom and came back just as quickly. âYou know, you could at least change the lightbulbs if not your apartment.â
âWhatâs wrong with the lights?â He asked.
âThey keep blinking nonstop. It's scary at night. Not that Iâm scared of the dark or anything.â
He cocked an eyebrow. âNo they donât?â
She shot him a look, as if he thought she was lying. âI donât care about your stupid apartment, or if you give it a makeover. But Iâm asking you to change the lights, please.â
He told her he found nothing wrong with his lights, to which she replied that she canât go in any of the rooms without the lights blinking at her, and that sometimes the hinges of the windows come loose which makes them shatter during heavy winds. She threatened that she would stay in a hotel from the next day if she lost another night of peaceful sleep; she knew he would not let her out of his sight.
âIâll change the lights,â he said. âBut I sure as hell donât know what youâre talking about.â
âWho were you talking to last night?â
âWhat?â Nik was caught by surprise. âUh, no⊠no one. Why?âÂ
âI thought I heard something. I didnât see you on the other couch.â
He flashed her a smirk. âWere you scared?â
Alex narrowed her eyes at him. âI am not a child. Besides⊠I knew you wouldnât just abandon me.â
He nodded. âI promised I would protect you, Alex. I would neverââ
âI think Iâll take a shower.â She interrupted him. He noticed a slight anger in the way she said it. âAnd please. Change the lights.âÂ
He watched her disappear into the bathroom. He was left to his thoughts again. He couldnât say he missed being alone in his apartment. He liked her company more than he ever let himself admit. He should probably think less about it. What he had to think more about was what Alex had told him just before. But it wouldn't be a problem since he was used to finding answers. Or so he thought.
Book: Nightbound
Characters and pairing: Nik Ryder, Nik Ryder x f!mc (Alex Hernandez) (mentioned)
Warnings: a ghost
Rating: Teen
Words: 1.5k
Summary: Nik meets another spirit, but this time it's personal.
A/N: please don't hate my man, I beg.
@choicesficwriterscreations, @choicesjunechallenge2024 prompts âMaybe itâs a dream.â / âYouâve got to make up your mind.â
Nik Ryder was a nighthunter. And nighthunters had to keep their health in check in case an immortal decided to be a nuisance. But the trouble of waking up sweating from another dream often discouraged him from resting his eyes. His night-time activities like hunting down pesky ghouls or trapping feral vampires in flasks helped him have almost no time left for nightmares. The rewards kept him going, and his daily dose of snake tequila was enough to keep a headache away.Â
Nik was used to losing sleep. He shouldnât have had a problem staying up late that day either, even if it was for a completely different reason. But fighting his feelings for Alex was nothing like hunting monsters. He could do the latter easily. Alex, on the other hand, had him wishing to get a good nightâs sleep without thinking about her. He begged for anything other than her to be a distraction, even if it was a nightmare about Elijah.
He looked at his client on the couch in the living room. Alex was still sleeping peacefullyâ at least as peaceful as she could be, given her current situation. Regardless of his promise to himself, his gaze lingered on her for a little longer than just to âmake sure she was fineâ. His lips twisted into a small smile as he watched her. Her chest was heaving up and down. Her hair was a mess. Her lips were parted as if she was trying to say something. Resisting the urge to check on her, he turned his face away instead. She was going to be the death of him.Â
It was past midnight already. Nik stood on the balcony with his arms over the railing. The metal bars were cold, and the slight breeze did ruffle his hair. But the shiver of his body seemed to come from within his soul.Â
He closed his eyes and shook his head. He was so done with his job, but he was glad it brought Alex to him. When he opened his eyes, he expected to see the full moon comforting him using its light.
What he didnât expect to see was the figure of a man, floating in front of him. Nik stumbled back a few steps, throwing himself away from the railing. The âthingâ he was face to face with was a ghost, just like the many he had handled in his life. Its transparent body was outlined by a faint glow of turquoise, yet its face was a blur. It was only when he heard its voice that another chill ran up his spine.Â
âClose your mouth, boyâ, the ghost said.
He knew the voice. It was so familiar to him that it pinched a hole in his heart. He felt his vulnerability coming through and swallowed.
âDon't just stand there like you saw a ghost. Is this how I taught you to deal with one?â
Nik took a cautious step forward. Maybe it was a dream. He knew how to handle dreams. He just had to wait a few minutes and his father would go away, and he would wake up on his couch again. Although he would once again regret not being able to apologise to him or pour his heart out to him, he could at least do it in his dream.
âDad?â Nik whispered. He was now standing before his dead fatherâs ghost, gripping the railing with trembling fingers.
A touch of the ghostâs deformed hand to his shoulder confirmed that it wasnât a dream. The touch felt too solid to be of a ghost, and too real to be an illusion. It was a comforting gesture from him, as if he knew all of Nik's worries, as if he was part of all his nightmares too.Â
Nik tried to read the expression on what was left of Elijah's face. It seemed to him that the ghost was hiding its face on purpose. He could only imagine what the monster who killed him did to it.Â
Elijah's ghost floated beside him, both now staring at the horizon. As shaken as he was, Nik was also comforted by the eerie presence of his dead father. It was the first time in the history of his supernatural encounters that his mind was clouded enough to prevent any proper thoughts from forming.Â
âYou need to get yourself together.â Elijah's sharp voice still managed to alert him; as if he was still his student and Elijah was his teacher, training him to be perfect in every hunting skill. âFor both of your sakes.â
Nik took a deep breath. Elijah knew everything. If he didnât know better, Nik would think that his father was there at such a time for no other reason than to lecture him. But this wasnât the old Elijah. A lot of things were different, starting from his bare arm. The tattoo that he cherished for almost a lifetime was gone.
âThe Saviourâ. It was carved into his skin at the age of fiveâ a subtle reminder of his bloodline and the work his ancestors did since the existence of nighthunters. They carried the name with them till their heart stopped beating. Nik received it at the same age his father did. Although the tattoo was a permanent definition of who he was, he never believed he could ever fit that title. âThe thrice-cursed sonâ â it never stopped echoing in his mind.Â
Whether Elijah was with or without the tattoo, he belonged to a bloodlineâ one that protected the needy and saved them from destruction. The needy was now his son. Elijah could help him not get destroyed.
Nik lacked the courage to talk to his father, even though he was dead. He didn't have the least guess as to why he had come there in the first place. But he held back from saying anything other than what was absolutely necessary. Nik was scared that the moment would slip away, and he would continue living in regret for the rest of his life.Â
âI'm sorry. I broke my promiseâ, he said in a shaky voice. They both knew what the promise was. But to Nik, it had also been his life saying, until he started seeing Alex in a different light. His walls had broken down for her, and he was finally trusting someoneâ for better or for worse.
âI knew it would happen.â Elijah's ghost shrugged. âYouâre a young man. Young people fall in love.â
âBut this is different, I swear.â Nikâs tone was almost desperate, as if he was trying to convince Elijah but mostly himselfâ he didn't fall for her on purpose. It wasn't his fault that she came to his life at the perfect moment, was it?
âYouâve got to make up your mind, boy.â
Nik held in a bitter laugh. What was he supposed to decide betweenâ breaking the heart of the woman he loved, or risking both of their lives to get distracted by his feelings for her? When he weighed his options, it seemed better to stay alive. He shut his eyes, frustrated at himself and punched his fist onto the railing, trying to control the emotions boiling up inside him.Â
A light shower which soon turned into heavy rain disturbed his thoughts. It poured onto the empty streets, shaking the leaves of flora on the way. A gush of wind slapped the droplets onto Nik who was sheltered under the safety of the roof. He was forced to put off his decision for yet another time.Â
âThereâs something I wanted to say,â Nik said to the ghost.
Elijah turned to him. He was almost sure they wanted to tell each other the same thing. Yet, he hesitated to say it first. He could be dead, but he still couldnât bear to have a proper conversation with his son.
âThat fight⊠I didnât mean to,â Nik said with a lump in his throat.
Elijah knew exactly what fight he was referring to. He had seen his son storm off into his room after that fight. Elijah was his own kind of stubborn, and went off to fight without him. Ever since then, both of them had been alone.
âI know. Neither did I.â He dropped his head in shame. He knew he was never a good father for Nik. But thatâs why he never had kids in the first place; and why his wife left him. She had thought she could change his mind, silly woman. âLook, I.. I have to go.â
Nik looked at him with surprise. âWhere?â
âI have duties to attend to. Ghostly ones.â
âWhat kind of duties?â
Elijah snapped. âYouâll know when youâre dead. Donât ask too many questions.â With that, he gave Nik a slight nod, as if apologising for leaving without telling him what he wanted to say.
Nik clenched his jaw as he watched the ghost fly off. He had left with a simple âsee youâ. But maybe that was a promise; maybe he would keep it.Â
He returned to his living room, where he watched Alex still sleeping, unaware of anything that happened in the few minutes. When his body hit the half torn cushion of the old couch, his mind was foggy again.Â
Away from his sight, a turquoise glow was coming through the window. The ghost was looking, its invisible eyes scanning the sight.Â
Subject: regarding the presence of female nighthunter gear.
Sir,
It is with deep concern and frustration that I am writing this. Till this date, I cannot for the life of me, figure out why there was a nighthunter gear that was made to fit the body of a female in your drawer.
You had mentioned that you entertained no female nighthunters in your apartment. You had also mentioned that you were single at the time you met Miss Alexandra, your client.
I am in dire need of an answer, for I am currently pondering on certain aspects of your life.
Hence, I would request you to please consider this issue.
Subject: regarding the presence of female nighthunter gear.
Sir,
It is with deep concern and frustration that I am writing this. Till this date, I cannot for the life of me, figure out why there was a nighthunter gear that was made to fit the body of a female in your drawer.
You had mentioned that you entertained no female nighthunters in your apartment. You had also mentioned that you were single at the time you met Miss Alexandra, your client.
I am in dire need of an answer, for I am currently pondering on certain aspects of your life.
Hence, I would request you to please consider this issue.
Nik Ryder adjusted his blond hair while speaking to his comrade, Cal Lowell. Both were heroic and handsome musketeers.
"Are you ready to go, Cal?"
"Yup, I am ready. Let's go."
Both men were riding on their horses down the cobblestone path to patrol a small village. Nik sat on a majestic, white stallion while Cal was riding a strong, brown one. Both well-groomed horses from The Royal Stables were trained by Katherine, the stable girl.
"Keep your guard up, Cal. You don't know what might happen.", Nik spoke.
"Don't worry, I have my saber. Besides, I know you have my back.", Cal, the dark-blue musketeer answered while patting the sword sheath on hip.
"Hey, wait! Wait for me!"
Nik and Cal stopped and turned to look behind them, as a young woman hurried after them.
"Why is a pretty lady following us?"
"I'm pretty? Well, whatever... I want to become a musketeer too. The first female musketeer. Let me join you two on your quests and fight evil."
Nik seemed a little skeptical, raising an eyebrow, trying not to laugh at her.
"That's quite unexpected... Aren't you just a simple flower girl? And besides, what makes you think you have what it takes to be a musketeer, miss?"
"I'm more athletic than other women.", she answered with pride.
The blond-haired man crossed his arms, still looking skeptical.
"And? That doesn't necessarily mean you can handle the dangers and challenges of being a musketeer."
"But I trained for years!!"
"Is that so? And what weapons do you know how to use?"
"Uhhh..."
Nik stifled a chuckle while his comrade, Cal tried to stay respective.
"You don't know how to use any weapons, do you?"
"Shut up!!! I do practise sword fighting with Katherine. You men always think a woman can't do anything. Always!!", she yelled.
Her loud tone made Nik raise his hands defensively.
"Hey, hey, calm down, miss. I never said you couldn't. It's just unusual to find a woman interested and prepared for such a risky job."
"This miss has a name. My name is Alex and I'm ready."
Nik's silvery eyes bored into her hazel-brown eyes, seeing determination and stubbornness. Cal sensed it too.
"Alright, you are so sure about this. How about a little test then?"
"Nik, don't...", Cal tried to argue but Alex cut him off.
"Yes gentleman, I'm ready."
Nik smirked.
"Very well. You say you're athletic. I'm going to trust you in that. Your challenge will include running."
"Okay."
Nearby, a small park nearby stood out and he pointed towards the green area.
"See that veryyy large park? I want you to go do a round around it. As soon as you finish it you come back to us. Understood?"
"I'm fast."
"Speed? And what about endurance? Well, I'll see for myself. Ready, set, go!!"
A slightly mocking smile was spread on the face of the green musketeer. He and Cal watched as the young lady started running fast around the park. Cal watched her run, impressed by her initial speed, but as they waited for her to return, they began to notice that she was starting to slow down.
Nik let out a low chuckle as she returned back to their side, quite panting from the effort.
"Looks like someone overestimated herself. Am I right?"
"Shut up!"
The man rolled his silvery-blue eyes, unfazed by her comment.
"Calm down, I'm just teasing you. It wouldn't be easy to become a musketeer. And this was just a running test, the rest is much more difficult."
"Hmmpph, I don't need to prove to you I'm good. I will become a musketeer anyway."
Nik just shrugged nonchalantly as both men watched her leaving in anger.
"She is quite stubborn, isn't she?"
"That's for sure, Nik. But she's also pretty cute."
"Yeah... well..."
The tall, bulky man nudged him.
"So... What do you think? Did she win your heart, Nik?"
"Oh, please. Just because she's cute doesn't mean I've fallen in love all of a sudden, Cal.", he answered, rolling his eyes which made his friend grin.
"Who can blame you? She has beautiful eyes, and that fiery personality of hers is kinda enticing."
Later that day, the sun began to set. The two musketeers were sitting on a bench, tired from their missions and their training sessions on the castle grounds. They were both drinking from a flask of water. Cal sighed, resting his head against the back of the bench.
"It has been quite a tiring day, don't you think, Nik?"
"You can say that again. My muscles are sore from today's training. And we still have to continue.", Nik informed, rubbing his tired eyes. His friend, Cal stretched his arms up in the air with a groan.
"I wonder what that pretty little lady is doing."
Nik remained cool and indifferent, though a slight pang of jealousy did somehow bother him at the mention of Alex and he didn't even know why. Why did Cal's interest in that girl suddenly bother him? Cal was his companion and Alex was just a pretty girl he just met today. He didn't know her at all. Pretty girl? Does he find her pretty? Questions, questions, and confusions filled his mind, which he tried to clear.
"Why are you even thinking about her, Cal? I don't care. I don't care about that girl. Who knows, probably practicing her nonexistent skills and complaining that she wasn't successful."
Alexis entered the grand halls of the royal palace, her eyes scanning the exquisite decorations and elegant courtiers who passed by. She was clearly out of place among the high-society women dressed in luxurious dresses.
She couldn't help but be impressed by the opulence surrounding her. The high marble ceilings, the decorative details in gold, and the soft music that played in the distance. Everywhere she looks is a new spectacle of luxury.
"Hmmm, perhaps I could sneak inside and watch musketeers train. Only to learn and copy, of course."
As the young woman continued to sneak inside, she noticed armed guards patrolling the halls. It would be difficult to get close to any place reserved for the musketeers without being noticed.
"I can do it. I want to be a musketeer."
Taking a deep breath, determined, she searched for a discreet path, trying to avoid the watchful gaze of the guards. Hiding behind a column, she observed the guards' movements, waiting for the perfect moment. An opportunity presented itself when the guards' attention was momentarily diverted. The girl slipped through the halls, moving quickly but quietly, blending into the shadows, and making her way to the area where musketeers trained. As she arrived in a courtyard where she discovered the musketeers training. Their weapons gleamed under the fading sunlight. They spared and practiced combat techniques, their movements graceful with power and energy. It was a very fascinating view, watching them train in awe. She felt the adrenaline coursing through her veins, imagining herself using weapons and defending the innocent, like those fearless soldiers in front of her. Alexis, the musketeer. Wearing a fashionable outfit and gracefully sword fighting against men. She could imagine it already. Shaking her head and waking up from her daydreaming, the lady discovered from afar Nik and Cal in a more secluded corner of the courtyard, taking a break from their training. They sit and talk, enjoying each other's company and sharing jokes, unaware of her presence observing them.
Unconsciously, Alex's gaze was fixed on Nik. There's something about him that fascinated her. His confident demeanor, his sharp gaze, his strong and muscular physique. It's all very attractive in its own way even if she felt annoyed by him. She continued to watch from the shadows as her mind raced with determination and a hint of admiration for the blonde-haired musketeer. Watching him laugh with his friend, seeing his easygoing and cool personality. She couldn't help but feel her heart skip a beat. Even though she refused to admit it.
"No, focus. Stay focused, Alex."
She shook her head to clear her mind. This was no time to get distracted by a young, handsome man. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to stop admiring him and refocused on her goal. She watched the training exercises carefully, trying to learn as much as possible from the way the musketeers used their weapons to fight and defended themselves. She took mental notes, analyzing their moves, their strategies. Determined to become as good as them, maybe even better.
But somehow her mind drifted back to Nik, and against her will, she found herself stealing glances at him from time to time again. The young man seemed so confident and skilled, wielding his weapons with precision and speed. Seeing his muscles flex made her cheeks flush, and she quickly looked away, scolding herself for letting her thoughts wander in a different direction. She couldn't let her distract herself from her goal, especially for the man who doubted the most on her. She was here to observe and learn, not to fall for some guy who probably wouldn't give her a second look anyway.
The girl checked the sky, noticing that it was getting darker. It was time for her to leave before someone noticed her presence. Taking one last look at the training musketeers, with one last glance at Nik and his friend, she sneaked out of the courtyard, moving quickly and quietly, avoiding the guards and the people around.
As she exited the courtyard and re-entered the palace halls, she suddenly heard a commotion coming from the throne room. Concerned, she decided to hide behind a pillar and listen carefully.
"Hmmmm, what's going on?" she whispered to herself and tried to focus on the voices.
Several people were speaking in hushed tones. They seem to be engaged in a whispered conversation, their words too low to be understood clearly. But Alex was able to catch some pieces of the exchange, enough to make her tense.
The mention of treachery, the upcoming Masquerade Ball and an attempt to overthrow the king made her blood run cold. She didn't know who these people were or what they were planning, but she could sense the dangerous implications of their words. She continued to listen. Further, her heart beat faster as she tried to make out the details of the discussion. But the voices were still too faint, and she could only catch some fragments of the dialogue.
Then she hurried through the halls, her mind focused on the critical mission of warning the musketeers about the attempted coup. She ran as fast as her legs allowed her, her heart pounded with urgency. When she arrived back at the area where she saw the musketeers training before, she searched for Nik and his friend, Cal, among the men.
"Nik! Cal!"
Every musketeer exchanged curious glances, surprised to see a young woman in their training grounds. They didn't expect that, and especially not to be yelling at them urgently. Nik Ryder raised an eyebrow, looking at her with a mix of surprise and slight irritation. He walked towards her, curious to know what all this commotion was about. As he approached her, Alex took a moment to catch her breath, feeling a bit intimidated by the presence of all the men in sweat around her, but too worried to let it stop her.
Nik looked at her, his expression serious and a bit defensive.
"You again? What are you doing here? This is no place for a woman."
"Listen... I... The King... The Duke..."
Nik and the others exchanged confused glances, not sure what to make of her rushed words. They watched her expectantly, waiting for a clearer explanation.
"I... Nik, the King is in danger."
That statement immediately grabbed everyone's focus and full attention. Their expressions turned serious, immediately on high alert.
"What do you mean the King is in danger?"
"I heard how the Duke wants to dethrone our King Elric of Lamrian."
"Are you sure about this?"
"I just heard this with my own ears. Duke Richards is no supporter to the Crown and our Kingdom."
Nik looked at her intently, trying to evaluate the truth of her words. It was not every day that a young woman appeared with such an urgent and serious warning.
Unfortunately, the other musketeers were too hesitant to take her seriously. After all, she was just a young woman outside the palace and it's suspicious that she overhearded such plans.
"Are you sure, milady?"
"I heard this. It's true! Please do something.", she begged at the men.
Nik held up a hand to signal the other men to quiet down to focus. He studied Alex intently, his gaze sharp and penetrating, trying to discern if she was telling the truth or not.
"Nik, please..." she whispered.
He looked at her, his expression still serious but there's a hint of doubt in his eyes.
"Why should we believe you?"
"Nik?? Seriously? Don't you trust me? What about you, Cal?"
Cal stepped forward, still eyeing her with a doubtful expression.
"Listen, milady, don't understand us wrong, but... I'm sorry. The Duke and our King have always been supportive of us musketeers. Just last week, the Duke declared to give half of the musketeers longer vacation."
"Of course, he would do that so that King Elric has less security. Okay, fine. Don't believe me, fake heroes. I'm on my own now."
"It's not..."
"Shut up!! I always admired the musketeers especially you two. Nik Ryder, the green musketeer. The strong leading musketeer who is well-trained, brave, and the best musketeer this kingdom has. And Cal, the dark-blue musketeer with a heart of gold who always supports the people of the lower class, respects women and is every child's favorite. You two were my role models. But now..."
They watched her leave. Nik was torn between doubting her words and feeling a pang of guilt for not taking her seriously. The other musketeers exchanged glances, some of them shaking their heads, still unconvinced by her warning. But a small part of them couldn't help but wonder if there might have been some truth to her words.
Days later, there was a celebration held in the royal palace. The grand ballroom was lavishly decorated, and the guests were dressed in their finest attire. The atmosphere was one of elegance and sophistication, with music, champagne, and conversations flowing throughout the room. Musketeer Nik and Musketeer Cal were present and on duty. Both looked dashing as always in their uniforms. They mingled with some other musketeers, talking and drinking. Despite the festive atmosphere, both were on high alert, keeping an eye on the guests.
Many of them were wearing masks or elaborate disguises, adding another layer of mystery to the festivities. The ball was in full swing, the orchestra playing beautiful music, and couples dancing elegantly throughout the room.
The green and the blue musketeer, Nik and Cal stood by a wall, drinking and talking amongst themselves. They wore masks as well, which added a touch of intrigue and anonymity to their presence, watching the guests and discreetly looking for any signs of suspicious behavior.
In the center of the ballroom, King Elric and other royals were present, engaged in cheerful conversations with other guests. The Duke was also amongst them, chatting with the King and other nobles with a smile on his face. Nik and Cal watched the scene from afar, noticing the duke's presence and his proximity to the king. They exchanged glances, a feeling of unease growing within them.
"What do you think, Nik? Was Alex serious that day?"
"I don't know."
"But the king and the duke seem to get along well, right? On the other hand, Alex..."
"Cal, let's just focus on the presence. We're on duty."
"Right."
Nik and Cal were too engaged in the crowd to notice her. Their focus is on the duke and the king's conversation. Alexis managed to sneak in unnoticed, blending in amongst the guests in elaborate disguises. She was wearing an elegant, bejeweled pink gown with a matching mask. Something she would have never afforded by herself, but it was thanks to her generous friend, Vera who worked as a tailor and knew about the plan. She designed that gorgeous gown only for her, which made the young lady look like a real royalty. She perfectly blended in among the crowd. Even a few men driven by her beauty, tried to invite her for a dance, but she successfully escaped them.
"Starting Mission Save the King!! Now, where could the King and the Duke be?" she mumbled to herself.
Alexus scanned her surroundings, trying to spot the duke amongst the crowd of masks and elegant attire. As she moved discreetly through the crowd, she finally spotted Duke Richards in a secluded corner, engaged in a conversation with another courtier.
Suddenly, the music changed to a waltz, and the couples on the dance floor began to move in time with the music. The atmosphere in the room became more elegant and romantic, as the dancers swirled across the floor.
Nik and Cal watched the dancers, talking quietly amongst themselves as they kept an eye on the Duke. Cal tried to steal a glance at some of the female guests, especially the ones dancing gracefully.
Nik noticed his gaze, amused by his friend's distraction.
"Cal, you're supposed to be focused, not appreciating the dancing ladies."
"I can appreciate and focus, Nik! Don't underestimate my multitasking skills."
The ballroom was filled with couples dancing elegantly, their movements synchronized to the music. Amidst them, Alex stood alone, watching the scene with a hint of wistfulness. She looked envious, wishing to be part of the festivities and to dance like the rest. But she's on a mission, and that took priority over her personal desires.
The Lady in Pink moved through the dancers, trying to get closer to the Duke without drawing too much attention to herself. She moves elegantly, hiding her real intentions behind her disguise and the dance moves.
As she danced closer to the duke, she eavesdroped on his conversation with the courtier, trying to overhear any crucial information they might be discussing. She caught snippets of their conversation about some suspicious plans. It appeared that Duke Richards was indeed plotting something against His Majesty, King Elric of Lamrian. Her hazel-brown eyes widened as she listened intently, trying to catch every word.
As she danced, her heart raced with the information she'd just overheard. The music and the atmosphere around her fade into the background as she becomes hyper-aware of the words spoken by the duke and the courtier.
"Oh no. I heard right."
When the duke excused himself from the courtier and turned to lead the king away towards the secluded corner, presumably to continue their conversation in private.
Alexis moves too, following them from afar. She tried to keep a safe distance but close enough to keep an ear on their conversation.
Nik and Cal, who had been observing the ballroom, notice a woman in a pink gown suddenly start running. They exchanged a perplexed look, unsure of what has startled her.
They watch as she dashed across the ballroom, moving quickly and purposefully. The other guests started to notice the commotion, and some even stop dancing or whispering amongst themselves, curious about what's happening.
Immediately, Nik and Cal excused themselves and quickly followed the disguised Alex, trying to get an idea of what's going on and what's causing her to act so urgently.
They moved through the crowd, trying to keep up with her pace. The other guests parted to let them pass, giving confused looks and whispers as they saw the two most respected musketeers in pursuit. When Alex approached the secluded corner, she discovered the Duke brandishing his sword and pointing it at the king. King Elric was shocked and confused, taken aback by the weapon directed at him. Alex stopped for a moment, stunned and horrified by the scene unfolding in front of her. Her heart leaped into her throat as she realized the danger the king was in.
"No, stop!! Let your sword fall, Duke Richards! I'm here to save his Majesty. Surrender!!" she shouted and revealed her own sword, which was hidden under her gown. The sharp tip pointed towards the duke.
The evil duke looked up, surprised by her sudden appearance. He eyeed her with a mix of annoyance and suspicion, but his sword remained pointed at the king.
"And who are you?"
"Alexis, I'm here to save His Majesty and I also want to become a musketeer."
"A woman with a weapon? Hah! What are you going to do? Poke me to death", the evil man joked, not taking her seriously.
Alex and the Duke clashed their blades together. Despite the duke's initial arrogance, he was a skilled swordsman, and he fought with precision and speed. Alex parried and blocked the duke's blows, her years of training evident in her every move. She was not as strong as him, but she was agile and quick, using her speed to compensate for the difference in strength.
"I trained for years to become a musketeer, Duke Richards. And I was the one who found out about your plan."
The duke attacked again, his expression growing more frustrated as he slowly began to realize that Alex was not as easy to underestimate as he had initially thought.
"I won't let you ruin everything!"
"You seriously want to harm a woman, Duke Richards?"
"I don't have a problem killing anyone who stands in my way to become King."
The old man lunged forward, aiming a vicious blow at Alex's midsection. She barely managed to deflect the attack, the force of it sending her stumbling backward.
"Ouch!!"
The duke advanced closer, seeing that she'd been momentarily thrown off balance. He swung his sword again, intending to take advantage of her momentary weakness. The king stepped closer to prevent a woman from getting harmed, but Alexis quickly regained her footing just in time, her instincts taking over. She ducked and rolled, narrowly avoiding the duke's blow. Getting back to her feet, she took a defensive stance with her sword at the ready for the next move.
The duke got frustrated, but couldn't deny being impressed by her skill and determination. He moved closer, circling her like a predator stalking its prey. His sword lowered but still held at the ready, as if he was more interested in her than the fight now.
"You're not bad for a woman. Such a delicate thing holding a sword. It's almost attractive.", he praised as his hungry gaze roamed all over her slim body.
But the duke's flirtation got interrupted as Alex started to attack. Their swords clashed with renewed force and intensity, the sound of metal meeting metal rang through the air.
"You will not harm our King, traitor!!", she warned him.
"You're stubborn, I'll give you that. But there's something... intriguing about you, girl. I can't tell if I want to kill you or kiss you."
Nik Ryder and Cal Lowell finally caught up to the scene just in time to see the duke and the mysterious woman behind the mask locked in their struggle. Their eyes widened in surprise and concern as they took in the situation.
"What the damn hell is going on here?!!" Nik commanded an explanation, ready to take action while Cal moved towards His Majesty to make sure the king was and stayed unharmed.
"Ah, seems you have a little back-up. What a pity. And here I was enjoying your company, little lady."
"Ewww, back off!!"
"Don't pretend you weren't enjoying it too, sweetheart. There was something... electric in the air between us, no?", the duke flirted as gracefully used his sword to let Alex's mask fall off her face, wanting to know the face of the mysterious woman.
With Alex's face revealed, Nik and Cal watched her with shock and horror.
"Alex, you were behind the mask fighting?", Cal gasped.
The duke moved closer towards her, admiring the new view.
Nik watched the exchange with growing irritation and a hint of jealousy. His gaze darted between the duke and Alex, his jaw clenched as he realized that the duke was shamelessly flirting with Alex the whole time.
He took a step forward, muscles tense and ready to attack if needed.
"Alright, that's enough. Get your hands off her, you bastard.", Nik yelled at Richards.
"Nik, I can handle it."
"Alex, I'm sure you can, but I'm not going to stand here and let him ogle you like that."
"Move aside, Nik."
Nik watched with a mixture of awe and concern as Alex continued to hold her own against the duke. He couldn't help but be impressed for the first time by her skill and bravery but also worried about her safety. He glanced at Cal, exchanging a look with him as they observed the fight. It's clear that they both wanted to help Alex, but they didn't want to interfere and throw off her rhythm either. So the blonde-haired gripped his sword tightly, his fingers itching to join the fight. But he forced himself to hold back, knowing that Alex was doing impressively well on her own. He now trusted in her abilities and her determination to protect the king.
Later, the battle ended with the duke's sword flying from his hand. The weapon clattered to the ground as it slipped from his grasp. The old man fell to his knees, defeated.
"Now who said I can't become a musketeer?", the girl cheered.
Both musketeers turned their gazes to Alex, dropping their mouths open in surprise at her triumph. Nik carefully approached her, a mix of emotions written on his face.
"Wow, you beat a duke. I... I didn't actually think you could do it."
Cal grinned and proudly gave her a hearty pat on the back.
"I have to admit, I underestimated you. We both have. And you had me worried there for a moment."
"Oh... Thank you, boys.", she blushed.
As the duke saw that the three were distracted, he swiftly grasped his fallen sword and scrambled to his feet. He moved with a surprising speed and stealth for someone who had just been defeated.
But Nik Ryder, who was watching Alex with a mixture of pride and amazement, turned his head just in time to discover the duke rise again with a sword in hand. The young man immediately tensed, his expression darkening in anger. He stepped in front of Alex, putting himself between her and the duke.
"Stay back, Duke Richard. She is under my protection. A single touch on her and you'll be damned."
"Is this the way a musketeer speaks to a noble like me?"
"A true noble isn't just someone who was born into nobility. Nobles are those who respect women, but you tried to harm one. And I cannot let that happen as a protector and musketeer.", Cal explained, remembering what Alex once reminded the boys before leaving the castle grounds while they were training in the courtyard.
After a brief but intense fight and struggle, Nik finally disarmed the duke and knocked him to the ground. He stood over the defeated man, his breath heavy and his sword pointed at his throat.
"Game's over, Duke Richards. Now you'll be thrown behind bars. That's where the bad guys like you belong."
"Thanks Nik.", Alexis was grateful for the little rescue before, even though she was confident to handle it alone. But it was a great feeling for her to have someone else watching her back.
Nik glanced back at her, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"No problem, I wasn't just going to stand there and let you get hurt."
A pair of guards quickly emerged, grabbing the evil duke before he could do more harm. Everyone was safe now. The king was allowed to step out now that there was no danger anymore. His appearance made Nik, Cal and Alex bow.
"Your Majesty."
"Rise my heroes. Especially you, young lady. You have demonstrated courage, loyalty, and skill beyond anything I could have expected. You have proven yourself worthy. To you and your two companions."
"Those two are not my companions.", she whispered to herself, not wanting to disturb the speech of His Highness.
"I hereby bestow a great honor. You are now an honorary musketeer, young lady. You have earned the right to wear the musketeer badge."
"Wait, what? Really? Thank you!!! I'm a musketeer now.", she cheered.
"You're welcome. But remember, with great honor comes great responsibility. Wear your badge with pride, and use your skills to defend the kingdom"
"I will."
Suddenly the king's voice became soft, almost hesitant.
"Young lady, wait... You look familiar to me. Your face... I feel like I've seen it before. Do I know you?"
"Uhh... No, I don't think so. I'm just an ordinary flower girl."
King Elric gazed Alex for a long time, his blue eyes widening in surprise as he suddenly recognized her which made his expression softend. He carefully took a step closer, studying her face intently.
"These eyes, that face... Could it be possible?"
"Huh?"
"Child, do you have any birthmarks?"
"Your Majesty, I don't. Well, except this one, if it is even one.", she answered while exposing her right shoulder where a crown was depicted.
Even Nik and Cal exchanged a puzzled glance, watching the king and Alex with a mixture of curiosity and surprise. It's clear that the king was experiencing some sort of epiphany, but neither of them understood exactly what was going on. Nervously, Nik stepped forward to break the silence.
"Your Majesty? Is everything alright?"
Elric ignored his loyal musketeer for a moment, too focused on the female musketeer to respond. He continued to study her face, his hands trembling slightly.
"It's you. It has to be you. After all these years... I can't believe it. You don't know me but I know you."
"Huh?"
"Alexis was your name, young lady... Right?"
"Yes, Your Highness.", she answered.
"Alexis, you're my long-lost daughter, the princess I thought I had lost all those years ago. And now, here you are. Alive and grown. You don't know how happy I am to see you."
"What?!"
The king's words not only shocked Alex, but also Nik and Cal.
"What the...?"
"I'm a princess?", Alex asked again.
"Yes, my dear. You are the princess of this kingdom. My heir. You were stolen from me when you were just a baby, and I thought I'd never see you again. But here you are, standing before me. It's a miracle."
"No, I don't believe this. I'm just a regular flower girl in our kingdom. I never met my father and my mother just abandoned me.", she sobbed as she got emotional.
The gentle king took her hand, leading her to a secluded corner, where a painting hung on the wall. Nik and Cal were close behind.
"Child, look at the portrait and tell me what you see."
"It shows me you. And my mother??!", she gasped.
"Yes, it's me and your mother holding you as a baby in our arms. 25 years ago. And the typical silvery-black hair which only you were born with and nobody else."
"It can't be... You're really my father?!", the young woman cried as she couldn't believe what truth she just found out. Even Nik and Cal were shocked after hearing this discovery. The girl they always found stubborn, but cute was the daughter of their king. She was a princess. Both men now bowed in front of Alex showing her the true respect she deserved, not only as royalty but as an hero too which made the girl feel akward.
"You saved the king and our kingdom today.", Cal thanked her.
The father, Elric opened his arms to Alexis, an invitation for a hug.
"My dear, my darling daughter... Come here. Let me hold you, I've missed you so much."
"Father...?"
But before anyone could say anything, the Duke began to laugh. Nik, Cal and Alexis listened in shock and anger as the duke casually confessed his crimes. He was the one who kidnapped Princess Alexis and killed her mother. Separating both women from Elric to make him miserable and suffer. Perhaps even wanting him to leave the throne. The king's expression turned cold and dark as he listened, his hand instinctively reaching for the sword at his hip.
"You killed my beloved Jacqueline and seperated me from my daughter? How dare you hurt my daughter and take her away from me? You took Jacqueline away from me. I'll make you pay for what you've done. You'll never know a moment's peace again."
"You separated me from my family? You jerk!!! How could you?!!", the young woman screamed at the villain while shedding tears.
Nik rushed to her side, putting a comforting arm around her and pulling her close. Letting her cry on him.
"It's okay, I'm here. Calm down, everything will be alright.", he wispered in soothing words while stroking her cheek, completely forgetting for a moment that she's the king's child, a princess.
"Nik, I want to kill Richards."
"Damn him!! I know you're upset, but we can't let anger rule us. Revenge won't bring your mother back. We need to act wisely, not impulsively."
"But..."
"Hey... I know, it's hard. But you don't have to go through this alone. I've been there too and I'm here for you. Always."
Never did the young girl imagine seeing a much softer and more caring side of the Nik Ryder.
"You don't understand..."
"Of course I understand. It hurts. It damn hurts. Alexis... I mean, princess... I lost both of my parents at once when I was only 5 years old. I had to watch how they got killed in front of me. I understand your pain better than you think.", Nik growled, trying not to break in front of her.
"I... I didn't know. I'm so sorry..."
"And that's the only reason why I became a musketeer. Not for fun, not for adrenaline, not for money, but only to protect those who can't protect themselves. To help the weaker ones and those in danger. To serve King Elric and his kingdom because he took me when I was a young adult, after my adoptive father, Elijah."
"You were adopted like me? By Elijah?"
"My adoptive father, Elijah Ryder, was the head of the musketeers before he died, and now I will follow his part to serve the royal family, which now includes you, princess. You're under my protection now. And so is this whole kingdom including the commoners like me. And the criminals will be punished."
The duke was laughing like a devil after hearing Nik's words. The heartbroken king turned to his guards, giving them orders.
"Take the duke away. Lock him up in the deepest, darkest dungeon and throw away the key. He'll rot there for the rest of his days."
The royal guards nodded and complied, grabbing the duke and dragging him away. He protested and struggled but to no avail. Nik and Cal stood nearby and exchanged a look of satisfaction as they watched the duke being led away.
The king turned back to the young Alex. His expression, a mix of anger and compassion.
"My darling daughter, I'm so sorry this happened to you. If I had known where you were, I would have moved mountains to find you. I promise you, I won't let anyone hurt you ever again. You have no idea how happy I am to finally have you back. I'll never let you out of my sight again."
"If you are my long-lost father... Am I really a princess?"
The king nodded, his eyes filled with pride and tenderness.
"Yes, you're a princess. The lost princess of this kingdom, finally found and returned to me."
"But I wanted to be a musketeer. Can I still become one?", she innocently asked.
Kind Elric chuckled and exchanged a glance with Nik and Cal before answering.
"Well, it's not traditional for a princess to be a musketeer, but I suppose there's no rule against it in my kingdom. If you really want to be a musketeer, who am I to deny you? You saved my life and the kingdom from Duke Richards after all, my shining star."
"Eeekk, yes!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I'm a musketeer now", she excitedly squeaked.
The king smiled affectionately.
"You're welcome, my dear. Just promise me you'll be careful out there. The life of a musketeer is dangerous enough for a man, let alone a princess. I don't want to lose you again, my little moonlight."
First, Cal congratulated, then Nik. Both couldn't help but smile at hearing her determination and the king's acceptance.
"Congratulations Alex, you deserve it."
"Yeah, congrats. Not bad, princess. You gave that backstabbing duke what he deserved. And that move from before? You copied my signature move very well."
King Elric turned to them and the men got serious.
"I trust that you two will keep an eye on her and never leave her alone?"
Nik nodded immediately.
"Of course, your Majesty. You have my word. We'll look after her, no matter what. Right, Cal?"
"Yeah, don't worry, we'll make sure she doesn't get into too much trouble."
Days later, after the lost princess got introduced to the kingdom.
"Nik, Cal, how do I look? I'm the pink musketeer, the first female musketeer of Lamrian. Designed by the wonderful Vera Reimonenq.", Princess Alexis asked while showing off her new, stylish uniform.
Both guys stunned by her beauty and couldn't keep their mouths closed.
"Too much pink, but that's... wow. That'll do."
"Seriously Princess... if I didn't already know you I'd think... I mean, I'd be afraid to even talk to you. Just keep your sword away from me.", Cal confessed.
"Thank you, boys. Now shall we? Next stop, to the stables", she giggled and ran to pick her own horse. It was a majestic black mare named Moonlight. Perfect for a royalty and young princess. Sometimes she loved to tease Nik by telling him that both of their horses were having a crush on each other.
"Woah, careful there. You're our princess. The king wouldn't forgive us if something happened to you.", Nik called out, before climbing on his white stallion named Prince. A tall, strong and elegant horse.
Without listening to the warnings, the energetic girl climbed on it, ready for a new adventure.
Cal following close behind on his chestnut brown colored stallion.
"Careful, princess."
"I'm careful, boys. Now let's have a horse race. If I win, I'll be our group's leading musketeer instead of Nik. And I'll recruit my friends, Katherine and Vera in our group as musketeers.", she teased.
"No way, impossible."
"Hey, I'm the princess and pink musketeer. Katherine, our stable girl, l will be the purple musketeer and my designer, Vera will be the light-blue musketeer. Ohh, and Kristin the turquoise musketeer. Just imagine us..."
"Noooo!!"
"Hmph, then I'll order our castle wizard, Luc to turn the two of you into frogs.", she commanded and rode off.
"Honestly, I rather want to be a werewolf than a frog," Cal commented.
"Hurry Cal, after her!!"
Both boys turned their horses towards the exit and started chasing after the playful princess.
I had so much fun creating this edit based on your Sleeping Beauty fic for Alexis and Nik!
They really are a beautiful couple đ„č
And here are their individual portraits:
I also want to thank you being such a kind friend and an amazing addition to this fandom! You are always spreading positivity and love to everyone you meet, and I deeply appreciate you đđđ
PS: This is just part one of your gift, I have another surprise waiting for you tomorrow đ
Thank you so much to @choicesfandomappreciation for hosting this event and giving us the opportunity to spread some joy in this community! âš
Author's note: Introducing first time my OC, Baby Elissa, Daughter of Alex & Nik Ryder. Plot inspired by cute baby videos and cute reactions of babies biting a lemon.
Early in the morning, Alexis discovered her husband, Nik, sitting on the floor and playing with their baby daughter, Elissa, making silly faces and tickling her tummy. He laughed whenever she giggled. And this warmed Alex's heart. Who would have thought that this man who denied everything, living a lonely life, would marry the love of his life and have a child with her? This was a long story for another time to tell. For now, let's focus on the cute sight of father and daughter.
"Damn Ellie, you're so adorable. I love your blonde hair, those heterochromatic eyes of yours watching me and those cute little hands grabbing me. Even the most terrible color, pink suits you."
"Papa.", the girl called him.
"Yeah, Daddy loves you. I love you, Ellie. You know, your mom is the most beautiful woman on the planet and you're the cutest girl on the planet."
"Hey, you were a cute child too, Nik. Our daughter has your silvery-blue eye, my brown eye, and your blond hair.", Alex admired and joined their conversation.
"You haven't seen me as a child, so how can you tell that I was a cute one?", he asked his wife while rubbing the belly of the little child.
Of course, Alex knew what Nik looked like as a child. She had a vision many years ago when a deadly bloodwraith was hunting her down. The year when she met him for the first time. After their first break-up, she touched a crystalline tear that floated in the air next to his silvery-blue eye and saw a vision that showed Nik as a child. A glimpse of his harsh childhood.
Breaking her thoughts she focused back to her two favorite people playing on the floor. She realized that Nik was holding a lemon piece.
"What the.."
Baby Elissa changed her expression as her father made her bite the sour fruit.
"Isn't it sour, Ellie? Come on, bite again.", he requested and chuckled, finding the girl's expression funny every time she took a bite. He continued making the child bite the lemon.
"Nik, stop! Elissa, don't listen to your Daddy."
"Relax, it's just a tiny piece of lemon. Nothing dangerous."
"You're such a cruel man. She doesn't like it. It's too sour for her."
"Hey, I'm teaching my daughter a lesson.", he stopped feeding the innocent child and turned towards his wife.
"A lesson? How so? Why would you do that to her? You're just enjoying her facial expressions, Nik. Am I right?", she argued.
The young father pulled the almost 1-year-old in his lap, which was now silently staring at its parents and sucking on its dummy.
"Hey, my Ellie is strong. She won't suffer from a little piece of lemon. I'm just testing her limits. And to teach her not to make the same mistakes over and over again."
"Like biting something she doesn't like?"
"Correct."
"Oh, Nik, let me handle parenting because the way you teach her things is the worst. She's still a baby and, right now, too young for your training.", Alex explained and sighed.
"My baby has to be prepared for anything, rook."
"Elissa is no soldier, Nik. Look at our cute and innocent girl. Pure like an angel." she sweetly whispered at the sight of their baby daughter, who just pulled out the dummy from her mouth and accidentally let it fall on Nik's lap.
The man gently placed the baby back on the carpet floor and pecked a kiss on its soft, rosy cheek.
"Elissa, don't listen to your mom. Show her how strong you are and that you're a Daddy's girl."
He continued playing with Elissa, fed her the lemon piece again, testing, observing, and also enjoying her reactions. When she made a mistake, he taught her the lesson, and when she got it right, he praised her.
"Nik, you cruel man. Stop!!", she commanded.
"Relax, rook. It's just a tiny piece of lemon, it's not that bad!", Nik chuckled and kept doing it.
"You just want to see her making funny faces for you. Am I right?"
"Hell, maybe that's true. I can't lie! I love her cute facial expressions.", he couldn't stop laughing.
"Okay, stop it now. That's enough, darling."
"Why, it's all in good fun. She won't suffer. I'm just testing her limits.", the young father chuckled, also amused seeing his wife a little mad.
Again, Nik moved a piece of lemon near the baby's mouth, making her bite with her tiny two teeth. After tasting the fruit, the girl grimaced again while closing her eyes. While the father was enjoying his daughter's cute expressions, Alex didn't like it as a mother.
"Nik, stop!!"
"Hey, I'm just..."
Little Elissa tried to giggle even though the sour taste was still bothering her. She crawled towards her father, Nik for comfort, who gently placed her on his lap with a smile.
"See Alex, she's fine. My princess is strong.", the man praised.
The baby girl nervously giggled again. This must have been the 8th or 9th time she bit on that sour fruit just like her father requested her to do.
"Still Nik, I think it's time to stop now. Give her a rest. Please.", the wife commanded and glared at him while crossing her arms.
"Well, it's all part of the learning process, right? How will she know how sour a lemon is if she doesn't taste it herself?"
"Oh, really? I'll teach it to you then. My dear husband... Take this!!"
Immediately, Alexis snatched the last piece of the yellow fruit away from her husband and then stuffed it inside his mouth to get some sweet revenge for their daughter. Or more like a sour revenge. As the sour taste hit his tongue, he grimaced.
"Ahhh, damn it."
"Sour, isn't it?" Alex teased, enjoying Nik's reaction. Elissa giggled as she watched his funny face and tongue sticking out.
"Papa."
"Ellie, Papa is fine. Damn, that taste is awful."
"Papa damn?"
"No Ellie, Papa is not damn."
"Hey, excuse meee?!! Are you teaching our innocent daughter a bad word, Nik?", Alex freaked out and delivered a little punch on his shoulder with her fist.
"Ouch. What was that for, darling?"
"Nik Ryder, if my Elissa ever learns a bad word from you, I won't forgive you. Understood?"
"But..."
"Understood or should I punch you again, my love?"
"Your small fist didn't hurt me anyway, darling. No need to hurt yourself. I try not to swear or use any bad words in front of Ellie. I swear.", Nik swore anyway.
"You better behave yourself. Since Elissa's birth, you have been so naughty and annoying. Trying to turn my own daughter against me!! You deserved that sour..."
His lips met hers for a kiss, allowing her to taste the sourness of lemon on his tongue.
"Oh... Mmmh, what was that for, Nik? You taste like lemon."
"That's what you get when you stuff lemon into my mouth. Blame yourself, hon. That's my little payback for being a spoiled sports earlier. Now everything's equal. The whole family now has a sour taste in their mouth."
"But the kiss was sweet.", Alex blushed and kissed her husband back.
The young couple moved closer, embracing and sharing a passionate kiss. With their little daughter nestled securely between them, they allowed the energy of their earlier fight to dissolve into a powerful expression of love and connection.
"Okay, that's enough. I'm going to get all sticky with the lemon juice all over my neck.", his wife giggled.
I saw these picture prompts and I thought Iâd send them your way. You can create anything youâd like. Moodboards, edits or even write a story, whatever makes you happy.
The most important thing is that you have fun (and donât worry you can answer the ask whenever you have time or feel inspired) đ„°
Picnic
Book: Nightbound
Pairing: Nik Ryder x Alex Hernandez
Rating: General
Words: ~900
Summary: Alex and Nik spend a day picnicking
A/N: If you think Krom wouldn't be into having his own little garden you are wrong
Alex had promised herself it would be just a good old day with her boyfriend. No supernatural stuff; no creature they should be running after, none running after them. No headache of a âmagic trainingâ she had to worry about.Â
She wandered between the flowers, inhaling the sweet scent of lilacs, caressing the sunflowers between her dancing fingers, as the cool breeze brought her sweet kisses. Her face was painted warm, highlighting the blissful expression that had been missing for a little too long.
Nik stirred awake beside her, his gaze immediately fixing on the smiling face in front of him. Her smile was infectious, he swore, because he could no longer remember what made him jerk awake. Was it a nightmare? Another of his demons that he breathed in every second of his life?Â
Nik couldnât care less. As he stroked and felt the strands of her hair, he could almost feel the warmth radiating from her. No wonder she brightened up his day. Hell, every second of his life.
âYou did not just come here to sleep all day, did you?,â Alex said with her eyes still closed.
A small smirk formed on his face.Â
âIâm sure relaxing all day was your idea.â
âSleeping isnât the only form of relaxing.âÂ
Alex crawled over to the bag of fruits she bought from her friend the other day. Krom was a little too insistent, even for a stone troll. And how could she say no to homegrown ones? Her mother was always a bit of a fitness freak. Though she didnât want to admit it, she did inherit some of that from her mother.Â
She threw one of the apples over to him.Â
âAn apple a day keeps the doctor away, Nik. Did you know that?â She winked at him as she bit into her own apple.
âPretty sure it canât.â He shifted on his back and rested his head on her lap. âNot in my case, anyway.â
Alex looked down and noticed a pensive look on his face. She sighs, running her fingers through his blond hair. The wind had managed to destroy the effects of his strongest hair gel. And there was not a drop of sweat sticking to his head that day.Â
She tried to wipe the trace of worry on his face. But by then she would have known that it was permanent.
Nik cuddled up closer to her, staring off into space. âSorry, I promised Iâd relax.âÂ
âJust try not to think of other things, okay? It makes me worried, you know.â
He smiled a little and tilted his head to look at her. Strangely, he noticed movements at the corner of his eye. His instincts kicked in as he got a full view of the creature beside them. He stood up quickly, pulling Alex up with him.
âW-what?!â Alex tried not to fall, tripping over herself. She followed his eyes to a horse like animal gulping down a bunch of grapes from her bag. A sharp horn stood as a weapon over its head, shining like a trophy in the sunlight.Â
Her eyes went wide. âA unicoââ
âShh! Get behind me,â He whispered.Â
âWait, itâsââ
âNo! I swear it isnât cute!â He grabbed her wrists tightly, keeping her still behind him.
They silently watched the unicorn eat the fruits in the bag. They thought it wouldnât stop until the bag was empty. But the unicorn paused midway, raising its head up. It watched them carefully, shifting its gaze left and right.Â
Nik spread his arms to the side, shielding Alex, as the unicorn took a step forward.
âDonât you dare come any closer.â He glared at the unicorn as if it were an old enemy.
âNik, I thinkââ
âShh!â He continued to slowly back away.
âJust trust me on this one!â She pushed Nik to the side, walking towards the unicorn. She took a deep breath and stopped directly in front of it. They stared at each other for a while.
âIâll just leave you to die this time.â Nik crosses his arms, trying to look like he didnât care that she was probably going to let herself be stomped over by a unicornâs hoof. Although he was sure that he was going to snatch her and run away if it took another step towards her.
Alex rolled her eyes. She extended her palms to the unicornâs nose, keeping it there for a moment, before tilting her head slightly. She explored its eyes, finding it green and hiding somethingâ dark, ancient and familiar. She closed her eyes for a moment as her palms glowed neon green.Â
The unicorn shivered, but it didnât push her away.Â
When her eyes opened, she was still face to face with the unicorn. It was leaning its nose into her hand, letting her pet it.Â
Alex turned to Nik and smirked. âDonât be shy.â
Nik took a cautious step towards the unicorn. Upon Alexâs direction, he touched the unicornâs nose softly.Â
âWhat kind of Disney princess crap was that?â He asked as he continued to pet the unicorn.
Alex grinned and kissed him on the cheek. âIâm a fae, Nik. A half-fae.â
It was one of the only times she could claim that title with pride.
