While unconscious, Alus’s mind sent him back to the time when he was with Kimiya. Her figure does not appear too recognizable at first, but somehow, he is quite certain that he was with Kimiya.

“Lady Kimiya,” the soldier said with a bow, “I’m here as you’ve requested.”

Seated on the grassy fields of Dalreida, she pulls Alus towards her, “You don’t have to be so formal in private. Please, call me Kimiya.”

The field lies atop a hill that overlooks the capital. It was afternoon, and the landscape adapts to the orange hue that the sun emanates. The wind makes the grass appear rolling, but it was just enough to cool the day.

“But my lady, you’re a Cerana official,” Alus asked as he tried to sit properly after being pulled down.

“Only because of my connections. How about you? What do you think of me?”

He blushed and distanced himself from her, “Y-you’re b-beau… I mean, beau geste! Gracious!”

Kimiya looked at him, revealing her wondrous appearance. Dressed with two togas of different colors over her tunic, her frame is almost bare of any jewelry, save her two small earrings. Her black hair flows down to her back, carried away by the breeze when it blows. She has fair complexion, her skin looking smooth as silk, and she uses no cosmetics on herself.

She said, “We’ve been through a lot in Cerana, yes?”

Alus begins to feel uneasy, albeit he is forcing himself not to make it evident, “Yes, my lady…”

“Hmm… What did I say just now? If you don’t want to call me by name, think of this as a mission instead. As of higher rank than you, I order you to do so.”

“I hear and obey, K-Ki-Kim-Kimiya…,” he replied with a slight bowing of the head.

“Good work, just what I wanted to hear,” she smiles before looking at the horizon, “Alus, if you have a chance to make things right, would you do it?”

He somehow sheds his nervousness and answers firmly, “That would be the reasonable thing to do. Why do you ask?”

“I’ve been thinking. Why are you being unreasonable?”

“W-what do you mean? D-did I wrong you in any way?”

“I know what you think of me,” she responds as she changes her sitting position, “You like me. Or more accurately, you love me. Do you deny this?”

Alus was startled. He spoke unintelligible syllables because he did not know what to answer.

“Do I take your stutter as an affirmation?”

As if he was defeated, the soldier looks down and clutches his clothing, “I... I do… I do love you… But, please, let me explain!”

“There’s nothing to explain. What I’m more concerned about is your concealment of your feelings. What good does it bring you to harbor them if you’re intent is pure and true?”

“Forgive me, my lady. I mean, Kimiya… I know very well that I’m out of your league… We’re as far apart as heaven and earth in every way… But I still tried keeping it. I still hoped that one day, things will change.”

“What then will you do to make it right?”

Alus stood up, “You’re right. I realize that I should be reasonable… and just give up.”

Kimiya turned to him, but he was already walking away.

“Eh, wait! How did you come to that conclusion?! That’s not…!”

“Kindly excuse me then. I have a mission to finish.”

She ran to catch up and grab his hand.

“You want to know what you can do right? Then turn around this instant.”

Alus stopped, and for a while, he did not face Kimiya. The few minutes they stayed there felt like a long time. His mind kept shouting orders to leave, but what of his heart? Eventually, he decided to turn to her. He was about halfway in his movement to face her when Kimiya stepped forward, and with one foot slightly up from the ground, she quickly kissed him on the cheek. It left him wide-eyed, and he was speechless as he touched the cheek which Kimiya kissed.

This time, it was the Cerana official who blushed, “You’re the type who doesn’t give up no matter what the circumstances are. Like, maybe… I love you more than you ever know.”

“Lady Kimiya… Is your face red just now?”

“It’s… Who wouldn’t be if your resting on my lap?”

“What?! We’re standing right here! My head’s not on your lap or on anyone else’s!”

Alus blinked, and then he saw himself not in Dalreida, but in the Beggar King’s quarters. His head really rested on someone’s lap, but it must have not been Kimiya. He looked more carefully. It was Kisira, who looked embarrassed at their current position.

She wailed, “G-get off of me now, will you?!”

Alus arose and looked around, “What happened?! Where’s everybody?!”

“His Eminence had something to attend to, and the medics he called here left,” she angrily replied as she straightened up her clothes, “They thought you’d wake up sooner, and so making you lie down for a while, but it appears there’s an emergency situation out there.”

“So, you mean, they can already…?”

Kisira shook her head, “No. They still can’t see me. If they did, why would they leave you having wet dreams on my lap?”

“Wet dreams?! I’ve not done such a dishonorable thing, even when I’m unconscious!”

She folded her arms and crossed her legs, “Oho! Right! Then what’s all that sleeptalk about Kimiya? With so red a face, you’re probably doing something lewd, don’t you?”

“Really? I was talking? Then you’d know it wasn’t like what you think it is!”

“Whatever. You better prepare for your act.”

“Ah, right. You heard. Why can’t I just finish my mission without these on the side?”

“Hmm? You keep talking about that, but what’s your mission?”

Alus blurted out, “N-nothing! Really! At the least, it’s not involving any of you.”

“I guess… you can tell me, right? It’s not like I can betray that information to anyone else…”

“It’s… It’s classified. I’m sorry.”

She glared at him for a few minutes, making Alus feel frozen. Then, she kicked his leg.

“What’s that for?!”, Alus bawled as he massaged the part which Kisira kicked.

She looked away, “You’re the worst! I don’t know what irked me more! The fact that you can’t tell me your story or that you’re rudely implying that I’m going to regain my existence!”

The soldier smiled, and then took Kayapa’s Kwan with instructions on what the Beggar King intends to do with his plan of bringing in a Dalreidan “representative” to his negotiations with the royal government.

“Let’s go,” he said as he was about to exit the Beggar King’s room.

Kisira looked at him quizzically, “Go? Where?”

“Uh, back home? We can’t stay here. It’s the Beggar King’s.”

“What’s with the we stuff? You’re doing great now, so, uh, so I don’t have to look after you. B-besides, it’s immoral for a guy and a girl to live together! No can do!”

Alus rolled his eyes while walking towards her.

Grabbing her wrist, he replied, “You’re right, but I’ve decided to look out for you.”

She pulled back her hand, “Why? Aren’t you a man on a mission?”

“Don’t you remember? Because I’ve always been alone, too. I know very well how it shouldn’t be the case, especially for you.”

“Oh, alright,” she said after removing his hold, “I’m going with you. But you know, it would’ve been easier to convince me if you said the truth.”

“What truth?”

“That you want to get a chance to know me better.”

“If that suits you better, then okay. I’m intrigued by your personality, so I want to know more.”

She stood up and pinched his ear, “Now you make it sound like I’m forcing you. Say it better.”

“Woah! Do you want to snap off my ears and eat them for fun?!”

She shook her head and walked ahead of him, “You’re helpless… I’m doing you a favor, ha? So, you better make me a good meal.”

He hurriedly follows her, “I can make you stone soup!”

“Bleaugh! Are you mocking me by giving me imaginary food?!”

Despite acting disgusted, she felt warmness in her heart due to Alus’s gesture. She did not expect Alus to actually ask the Beggar King about her situation. More so, she did not expect he was actually offering to look out for her at a time of need. In this, Kisira figured that Alus would most likely do all within his ability to help resolve the issue, even if in reality, they just met, and she has not yet fully ascertained what his true intentions might be in doing so. Besides, as far as Alus is concerned, he only sees Kisira as a potential fount of knowledge he could possibly use in forwarding his task. Helping her is a secondary, if not tertiary, objective. This is how wonderfully contrasting the thinking of individuals tend to become.

As they walked the streets full of beggars and their loot from taking over Bangan, Kisira looked at Alus, and then quickly held his arm. She was close enough for Alus to feel the rest of her body as well. This made him tingle, a feeling that rapidly travelled from his arm to the rest of his body.

“W-what are you doing?”, the trembling soldier asked as his walking speed significantly slowed.

She replied with a smile, “Oho, the perverted deserter has a soft spot after all?”

“I’m not what you think I am! Besides, we’d really look like a couple at this rate!”

“Shh! You’re making a fool of yourself, don’t you think? Nobody else can see or hear me.”

Alus realized her point when he looked around and saw some of the beggars murmuring to themselves. They are definitely talking about how Alus was talking to himself.

He then begins to walk normally once more, “But I really feel like we’re being watched…”

“By who? Your ex? I can get it if she’s rolling in heaven out of jealousy.”

“You’re pretty arrogant for a woman from high society.”

“They’re just feigning their humility, that’s all. But thank you for calling me pretty.”

“That’s not what I meant!”

After having a hearty meal, which Alus prepared out of the ingredients available, they suddenly found themselves unable to get some sleep. Thus, facing each other at the table, they converse under the light of a burning oil lamp.

“Hey,” Kisira said with a bored tone, “What did you put in that soup? I can’t sleep…”

“You’re the one who picked up those ingredients,” Alus protested, “Why are you blaming me?”

“Okay, okay. Why don’t you tell me an amusing story then?”

“Are you a child that needs a bedtime story? Though I didn’t have them when I was a kid...”

“I’m bored… but not sleepy…”

“Hmm. If you’re so keen to talk, why don’t you give me a backgrounder on the situation?”

“That again? Why don’t you just talk with the Eminence Noire about it?”

Alus rests his head on his hands, “Let’s just say… I’d be more motivated if you’re my mentor.”

“Always the smooth talker, you are. I can just imagine what that ex of yours has to endure.”

He let that pass, “So, your response?”

Kisira leans back on her chair and sighs, “Alright, what exactly do you want to know?”

“Let’s see…,” Alus asked as he rubbed his chin with a tad excitement, “Maybe we can start with how the Bayani government works. You worked there, right?”

“Why does it sound like you’re challenging me or something?”

“Of course not. It’s just you.”

“If being a daughter of a pangawak is work experience, then okay.”

“I’ve figured little, but it’s still a puzzle.”

“You’re hopeless… Listen carefully, deserter. The King of Bayan, the ruler of the entire country, is called pangaruk. It’s a derivation of our local term for ‘head.’ He has advisers called pangampulo. It’s a derivation from ‘ten,’ because they originally used to be ten advisers. Today, it’s more numerous than ever. Below them is the provincial government, headed by the pangawak. It’s a derivation from ‘hand,’ because the idea is that the pangawak are the king’s hand over the provinces. Not that they’re many. Do you know how many provinces we have?”

“Hmm. There’s Dulong Bayan, Gitnang Bayan, Bagong Bayan, Lumang Bayan, and Barangay. So, I’d say there’s five.”

“Right. And there’s a hierarchy among the pangawak, even if there’s supposed to be none. Barangay being the capital, the pangawak there is considered superior to the rest.”

“I see. Which province was your father the pangawak of?”

“How does that help you in your mission?”

“It doesn’t, but I did say I want to get to know you better.”

Kisira paused, and let her eyes wander around, before speaking, “Barangay.”

“Wow… Next in line to the throne. I think I hit the jackpot!”

“You’re a joker. Sure, the pangawak aren’t elected officials like your governors in Dalreida. They’re more like dukes or something similar, but they can still be ousted by other means. Think of it as a mandate to fulfill. That the pangawak always have to be performing well. If they don’t keep it, they’re forced out of office. Anyway, like the king, they also have advisers called panganca. It’s a derivation from ‘five,’ which implies five advisers. But also like the king’s, their advisers increased in number later on.”

“Alright, let me sum it up. Pangaruk, the king. Pangawak, the governor. Pangampulo, the king’s adviser. Panganca, the governor’s adviser.”

“Mmm. You’re probably not as dim as you look.”

“Your side comments are really getting into my nerves.”

She ignores his ranting and continues her discussion.

“Even below them is the local government, headed by the pangapak. It’s a derivation from ‘foot,’ because they’re the king’s lowest officials. They don’t have any advisers, but the growing demand for civil servants, which they call pangariri, is mostly driven by the pangapak. Most of them aren’t paid well, and yet they usually do the dirty work. So, in exchange, they created public office as a public trust fund. I’ve been involved in enough encounters with them to know the graft and corruption across all these levels. Besides, all officials have to report to the capital every once in a while. This process is called ilihan, or literally, getting out of town. Rightly so, because these officials, especially from the far-flung and poverty towns, enjoy staying in the capital like they’re on a vacation or something.”

“I just noticed, why do they all have to start with pang-?”

“It simply meant these are functions to be played. And your role would be a Dalreidan representative. You know an ambassador isn’t welcome in Bayan. What are you planning?”

“Hmm. The only important position I had is that of an exquisitor, and it’s not that I liked it.”

“Exquisitor? What’s that?”

“It’s more like, um, an officer that facilitates checks and balances in the province, but only a few actually survive the job.”

“An exquisite position. You can really get yourself killed by looking into other people’s affairs. That’s why the king put up the ilihan system. He can’t afford sending civil servants to check on all his territories without the risk of them not reporting back.”

“You put it too lightly.”

“Will Dalreida take over Dulong Bayan? Because if your country does, you can reuse that exquisitor title of yours.”

Alus began to sweat, “It’s not that I’m an exquisitor anymore…”

“But this is just role-playing, right? Imagine, an exquisitor already checking on a yet to be conquered province? You’re the advance party Dalreida needs. As I see it, the Beggar King wanted to have those officials come up with their own interpretations on the matter.”

The nervous soldier takes off a layer of clothing and wipes his sweat with them, “That’s not really how it works… Besides, I already deserted the Dalreidan military… I can’t fake an official position in that manner… More so because I no longer have Lord Piso’s seal with me…”

Kisira straightened her sitting position, “You just need to look the part. As the saying goes, speech is silver, but silence is golden. I’ve been through enough to know this can work.”

“It worked for you because everybody knows you’re a pangawak’s daughter! I don’t have the connections to back up my claim.”

She yawned, “You know what? Better sleep on it.”

Alus did not respond, but when he saw Kisira fixing the sleeping mat, he snapped out of his anxious thoughts and spoke to her.

“W-what are you doing?”

Without looking at him, she answered, “Isn’t it obvious? I’m going to sleep. Shut the light before you go, okay?”

Alus frowned, “Why don’t you take the bed instead?”

“I see, spoken like a true gentleman… but no. You need all the rest you can. You look awful.”

“But I can’t possibly accept that. You deserve the good night’s sleep.”

Thus, a smirking Kisira rolls up the mat, setting it aside, and reclines on the bed.

She looks at him intently as she taps the bed, “W-why not a compromise?”

“Er… I can’t do what you’re suggesting either!”

“Come on, just this once. Consider it special treatment.”

“T-there’s nothing s-special about it…”

“See! That’s my point.”

They quietly looked at each other for a while, the howling sound of the desert wind taking over the background which they hear. An abandoned house may not be the most romantic of places, but the mood was quite comfortable and relaxing. Even if she was joking around, should he seize the day? After putting some thinking about it, Alus puts out the oil lamp and walks to the bed. His decision was not late enough to lose her interest.

The soldier, while not fully convinced, shrugs and sighs, “I can ensure that I won’t move an inch.”

“So said the professional deserter,” Kisira said as she removed a few layers of clothing and covered herself with the blanket.

“You just took the entire blanket to yourself!”

With only half of her head visible, from the nose up, she softly replied, “I said I’d share the bed, not the blanket. Besides, how could I know what you’d do underneath the sheets?”

Alus grumbled as he lay down on bed, his portion being significantly less than half of it. She took a quick glance of him, and then turned her body to the opposite direction.

Kisira then gently whispers, “Good night.”

He only gave her a sound that denotes approval. Lying like a log, the last sight Alus had before shutting his eyes was the aging ceiling of the box house. The next day, he wakes up fairly early. The sun has not yet risen, and it feels like he did not have enough hours of sleep. But of course, for a soldier like him, it is likely the norm. His training has taught him of the rigors in the field, and he had less comfortable days.

As he was about to get up, he noticed something pulling his arm. When he looked, it was Kisira’s hand. She appears to be fast asleep, yet somehow, her grip was quite strong. Leaving him with a few options to escape, he carefully removed her hand, finger by finger, and then hid it back to her blanket. Thereafter, he left the house to take back his possessions still under the Beggar King’s jurisdiction. The sun is already high when he managed to return to the house, only to find it empty. Kisira is nowhere to be seen. It was not a big house after all. Any search would have been a piece of cake, but even as he had already stashed his things safely, he still cannot find the mysterious lady.

At a loss of where to search further, he decided to prepare. After a quick bath, which was limited by the scarcity of water in the town, he proceeded to dress up. Over his tunic and pants were the scale armor and the sword belt as prescribed by the Dalreidan military. He also grabbed a new pair of flat shoes, because his boots have not been recovered. Then, with shards of pottery as a substitute for his razor, he shaves his facial hair. Not that they were thick to begin with, but they were more like a stubble.

“Hmm,” he thinks to himself as he polishes and sharpens his sword, “If I claim to be an exquisitor, someone in Aramathi might confirm it. But come to think of it, exquisitors aren’t always ranking officers. I’m a lieutenant. What other role can I play? Maybe I should just slip away when there’s…”

The door slams open, causing the soldier to rise and point his sword at the person.

He roars, “Who goes there?!”

The figure places its hands on the hips, and when it had entered, it was revealed to be Kisira.

“You simply just have to slip away, don’t you?!”, she wails, “And even after we slept together, you point that sword at me?! Hrgh! I can’t believe you!”

Alus was about to explain himself, but then, he was enchanted by how she looks. Instead of the usual tattered clothes of paupers, she wears a light blue upper garment serving as a closed lapel jacket, and paired by light red pants which fit perfectly her shapely legs. Under her upper garment is a white tunic. She changed her shoes into one with an intricate design. Her hair, while still tied as a bun, has a classier band keeping them together. She did not put much cosmetics, but it appears she has put effort in making her lips be a little bit more pinkish.

“If you have to explain,” Kisira said in a calmer manner, “I give you three seconds.”

“Y-you’re g-gorg… I mean, Gordian knot! Complicated!”

“I don’t even know who that Gordian is,” she replied as she put away his sword and pinched his ear, “You’re the one who’s being complicated. I was planning to dress you up for the big day.”

Alus flushed, “Ack! Y-you do…?”

“But first, have you eaten yet?”

“I did… Have you?”

She then pulled him up by the collar, “Yeah, sure. Now up you go.”

Kisira distanced from him and examined him from head to toe.

With a tight smile, she lamented, “You look like a lowly soldier. Is that all you really have?”

Alus threw his hands to the air, “This is all I have! It’s the standard uniform!”

She tapped her chin, “I know what military men look like… But you see, I’ve met Dalreidans before. They certainly don’t look as sorry as you are now.”

His impatience begins to show, “Sorry. Not sorry. Whatever. What do you suggest?”

She took some of the clean beggar clothing, cut them into two sashes, and then draped it over him.

“There,” Kisira said as she looked pleased with her improvised work, “It’s not as long as your togas, but it’s got bright noble-looking colors that would definitely smash their eyes out. I mean, literally. It complements the dull colors of your armor, too.”

The conscious soldier looked at his appearance, “Why do this for me? I can dress myself.”

She kicks his shin and then turns away, “Hmph! You ungrateful deserter.”

“Oh, alright… I admit, it’s cool. Thank you.”

After a few more preparations, they took off to see the Beggar King, who himself has already arranged the entourage accompanying him for the lengthy journey towards Alittan. Similar to Alus and Kisira, they shed their dirt through bathing, but kept their rather soiled appearance all the same.

“Brother Alus,” the Beggar King greeted, “you didn’t tell me you’re bringing a beautiful attendant with you!”

The equally startled soldier looked around, “Beautiful attendant? Where?”

His Eminence points behind him, “There. The woman wearing the Shuang. Who’s she?”

Alus turned around to see he was referring to Kisira. Both of them were shocked that the Beggar King, among all people, can already see her. However, it appears he does not recall.

“Oh, yes,” the soldier replied, “This is Ki…!”

Kisira moved forward to cover his mouth with her hand.

She then introduced herself with a bow, “Eminence Noire, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Don’t mind this bumbling deserter. My name is Kadiya, as in pure harmony.”

“Kadiya. The pleasure’s mine. Your name sounds familiar. Have you come from these parts?”

“Why, yes. I met the deserter at the border. We were separated along the way.”

“Alright, I understand. Kindly attend to him well. He needs to look presentable there.”

After saying this, the Beggar King excused himself and rode ahead of them. Meanwhile, the faux representative and his supposed attendant followed suit with the former’s own chariot. All of their vehicles were driven by camels, some of which did not have to pull anything as the passengers already sat on them, which did not appear to be of discomfort.

Alus whispered to her, “What’s that for? Why do you have to lie to him?”

She looked away, hiding the tears beginning to roll down her cheeks, “It just feels odd, you know… They can see me now, they can hear me, but they don’t remember… I’m happy about it, but… but…”

Alus touched her shoulder with his free hand, “We’re getting there, Kisira. Don’t worry.”

However, she cannot help but cry for that development. It has been a long time since she was last seen or heard by anyone around her, a breakthrough she sought for years on end.

“Conserve water,” the soldier added as he continued driving their chariot, “You’re going to need it. By the way, you knew you’re not observable to anyone else. Why the wonderful dress up?”

Rubbing her eyes, Kisira stopped crying, albeit not completeltly.

Turning to Alus, she reached out to pinch his ear, “You really have to ruin a good moment!”

He screamed in pain, and then he laughed. He almost forgot how it felt to be of help. She wondered what is funny, but it gave her a giggle anyway.

As they traverse the desert towards the capital of Dulong Bayan, what does the Eminence Noire and his associates expect to achieve with their meeting? How did Kisira become observable and yet forgettable? Why did Alus go with the Beggar King’s plans in the first place?