the lights in the tavern were dimmed, while it was already pitch black outside the windows. Nevertheless, the small pub was still crowded. Almost every table was full, men were playing cards and drinking their beer.

Kunikuzushi sat a little apart at one of the tables, the hood of his cloak pulled up relatively high, as inconspicuously as possible. He didn't want to attract any attention, after all, nobody was allowed to know who he was - that he was the prince and had sneaked out because the confines of the castle were too restrictive for him.

He was slowly sipping his drink when he suddenly heard the door of the pub open and a familiar figure with bright orange hair and piercing blue eyes walked in. He hadn't in the least expected his royal bodyguard Ajax to come here too.

he pulled his hood up conspicuously, but he realised that Ajax was heading straight for his table...

Ajax sat down on the chair opposite and their eyes met. Kunikuzushi could read everything in them

"How did you manage to get past me, your highness?" Ajax asked whispering since he didnt want anyone else in the pub to notice them

He seemed really relaxed for the fact that the person he had to protect just had run away alone - well he knew how much Kunikuzushi hated the castle. The two of them were closer than it seemed....