He turned his back to her and shook his head. Even though he had many questions, he might as well continue the act. "Yes, I have been told that I look like my brother many times."

"Don't lie to me." Nana crossed her arms over her chest. "You can't just change you bag and your clothes. At least change your hairstyle and don't wear the same earring. You may have a plain face, but I can tell who you are from just one look into your eyes. Purchase some better contacts."

"Why are you an expert on disguises?" He turned back around and waved his hair back.

She didn't reply.

Elemmir, who stood even further back than Nana, in front of the kitchen door, asked, "Wait, so you are Aleister?"

"Here, catch." Aleister threw the coin pouch at him.

He did not catch it.

Instead, the coin pouch hit Elemmir right in the middle of his face.

Aleister winced at his own mistake. "Whoops, sorry."

"Hey!" Nana stepped forward and confronted him. "What's the big deal?"

"It's okay," Elemmir said as he dangled the coin pouch. "I'll just keep this as repayment."

"I probably should have given a better warning." He awkwardly laughed as he scratched the back of his head. "But yes, that was my intention. I don't need the money right now, so I decided to just let you keep it. Anyway, since I'm not putting up a silly act anymore, why don't we head inside. I have some questions I would like to ask, and I'm sure you all do as well."

Phisvaelte didn't refuse and invited him inside. He entered the dining room and took a seat in one of the unmoved chairs. Nana and Elemmir sat across him while Phisvaelte sat on the edge next to the both of them.

Nana didn't wait a second longer and said, "I'll ask first—"

"Uh, no." Aleister shut her down as he poured himself a cup of tea. "And before you start something, I do have a good reason. Since we are in Miss Phisvaelte's complex, why don't we let her go first and then Elemmir. You can go after them."

She grumbled, but didn't reject his proposal.

"Was that a yes?"

"Yes. Why do I need to spell it out for you?"

"Just wanted to make sure."

"I didn't expect this to be so formal nor for you two to have known each other," Phisvaelte said, breaking the silence. "The only question I feel appropriate asking right now would be, why did you introduce yourself as your own brother?"

"I had the same question too," Elemmir said, nodding his head with vigor.

"I'm glad you asked." Aleister slouched back in his chair. "I thought it would be funny."

The two of them looked at each other with expressionless faces. His answer appeared to leave them unsure of how to react.

"This is exactly how he acted when he pulled my sister away to help you," Nana said, shaking her head. "So reckless."

"Uh, I don't think you quite understand what the word reckless means."

"Humph. You're lucky I didn't recognize you at that time."

"I mean, I was and still technically am an important person, right?"

"I don't think you understand what the word important means."

"Is that anyway to treat the person who rescued your boyfriend?"

A faint blush appeared on her cheeks as she quickly said, "I would have figured out that he contracted sewer plague on my own. But do you know what he did instead? He told me that he couldn't come to class because he needed to help his mom with her business! I visited multiple times, but since no one answered, I assumed that they were out in the marketplace or went out foraging."

Elemmir hid part of his face as he scratched his chin. "Yeah, about that. I'm—sorry. And she's not my girlfriend!"

"That's right. He isn't my boyfriend either."

"Way to shoot yourself in the foot." Aleister chuckled and crossed his arms. "She didn't refute my claim until you did. Take notes next time."

Nana's entire face grew red as she looked away. Elemmir also could not hide his embarrassment and stuffed his face with some of the pasta in front of him.

Phisvaelte smiled. Their relationship appeared to please her. "I have some paperwork to take care of, so I'll excuse myself."

"That leads me to ask, how do you two even know each other?"

"We met each other at the Royal Academy," Nana said.

"Yeah, specifically because of Velsi, that's my older sister, by the way," Elemmir added. "We were in some classes together, but she formally introduced us as they were both part of the fencing club."

"You go to the Royal Academy? Did you not study at the Lillium Temple?"

"They aren't exclusive to one another," Nana said. "The Temple aids me in my religious studies. The Academy for everything else. My mother only has enough time in the day for me."

"She didn't higher private teachers or anything?"

"Why would she?" Nana gave him a strange look. "The best of the best already teach at the Royal Academy."

That made sense, he supposed. He didn't actually know much about the different learning institutions because, well; he didn't need to. Gilmore and Ryellia took care of that while he was under their care.

"How are you able to study there, Elemmir? It sounds expensive."

"Huh, you don't know? Education there is free as long as you join the Lillium Army or City Watch for a few years upon graduation. That's what my dad and sister have both done. Dad decided to stay part of the army even after his required years were up."

"That would explain it." Protect the city or protect the empire. Joining the army was probably the tougher of the two. The constant threat of bandits and monstrosities wasn't exactly common in the city. Although, there were different types of crimes that happened here. "Then, I actually have another question for you Nana."