The Reaper and the Paladin

Chapter 2: The Neighbor

Serena heard knocking. There was a muffled voice from which she thought she heard her name repeatedly being called, so she opened her tired eyes, but everything around her was blurry, spinning around.

A peck from a certain Fletchling was what set her to jump on her feet screaming, startling the bird enough for it to flutter away through the window.

"Aah! Oh no..." Serena shook her head. "I had collapsed!"

Serena stumbled about to her feet then headed to the aforementioned window, discovering that the sun was at its highest in the sky.

She then yelled through the door, "Mother, I'm coming!"

"Oh, thank goodness you're now awake!" Grace said. "You missed your breakfast time, so you'll have to eat as much as two meals!"

She had already begun her usual morning routine—taking a bath and brushing and styling her hair—all the while cursing she collapsed. She also took her regular vials of magic potions. Afterwards, she put on her favorite red tailcoat and riding boots, adjusted the golden rose pin on her lapel, then scurried down the hallway to stop by her mother's room.

The room already had the bed, corner table, wing chair, and vanity, and Grace was sorting out crates of belongings, carrying one in her arms. She noticed her daughter standing by the doorframe and sighed.

Grace advised her, "Make sure you fill yourself up with food, okay?"

"Yes!" Serena said with a nervous smile. "I'm...I'm going now—"

"Oh, by the way, the news earlier was shocking!" Grace remarked. "There was an announcement earlier that both the Paladin and the Reaper passed away in an accident!"

Serena's eyes widened.

What Yveltal said was true then, but the Paladin, too? What could have happened?

This would be the first time the Reaper and the Paladin would be chosen at the same time ever since the first ever!

"Er... That sounds...sooo sad!" Serena said, taking slow steps backward. "Goodbye!"

Grace nodded. "Okay then! See you later! Take care and have fun!"

Serena proceeded to hurry down the stairs and eventually exited the main hall to the front yard. She began traversing the dirt trail that led to the iron gates, along which her mother's Rhyhorn was lazing about.

"Hello, Rhyhorn!" she greeted as she passed by it.

"Grooogh," it replied.

Serena continued to walk until she went through the iron gate and closed it. She laid her back against it and took a deep breath.

She could not just forget what happened last night, and thankfully, this stroll was in her schedule, so she could make an excuse for staying out for so long. All she had to do was to find a nice place—

She nearly jumped when she heard footsteps, grasping the gate's bars behind her. "Huh?!"

She turned her head and gasped when she saw a tall-looking person with long black hair tied in a ponytail. He was carrying a box in his hands. However, she was particularly enthralled by his azure frock coat—one emblazoned with floral patterns along the cuffs and tail.

"Oh, my apologies. Did I startle you?" He laughed. "Greetings, neighbor. Mademoiselle Serena, isn't it?"

Neighbor, huh?

Serena took a glance at the house next to theirs. There was indeed another similar-looking house bounded by one of the walls of her and her mother's house.