Despite her lengthy rest, Sol became exhausted soon after chatting with her parents. Without realizing it, she slipped back into her dreams.

Images flashed across her eyes and a deep sense of alteration afflicted her. Though asleep, Sol could tell she was changing, though she lacked the ability to discern how.

She woke from her dreams once more a few hours later, however the once cheery and innocent smile seemed to fade. Her eyes were clear with a streak of ingenuity, and her general disposition no longer as childish as before.

Sol remained laying in bed, however her mind started reflecting on the recent past, something she had never done before. She found herself somewhat embarrassed at the childish behaviors she indulged in only a few days ago.

Lifting her arm from her side, Sol tried to account for the state of her body. While laying down idle, nothing felt wrong. The moment her arm fought gravity though, there was a clear sense of exhaustion that swept through it.

The lack of energy wasn’t extreme and wouldn’t get in her way, however extended exercise or even attending parties similar to her birthday would be problematic. She knew just from that arm raise that her lifestyle would no longer be the same.

Her arm fell back to her side and her cherubic face revealed the start of exasperation. Thoughts of the future took their initial form in her mind, though it was too rudimentary to be considered planning. Despite her mind filled with jumbled knowledge, Sol closed her eyes and returned to her dreams.

Morning light crawled across a young lady resting in bed. Her visage would strike empathy into those knowing her situation. The doors leading to her inner room eased open and a pair of servants entered moments later.

One of the two opened the curtains wide and broke the window seal venting the room while the other went to wake the young lady.

“Lady Reviarra… This servant has breakfast ready.”

It took a few attempts, however Sol eventually came to, her mind somewhat hazy. She begrudgingly left the bed and stared at the food. It was obviously food she enjoyed quite a bit in her youth, and yet she only managed a glance at it now before digging it.

The two servants watching over her glanced at each other in confusion, however as Sol never complained, the two refrained from acting as well.

“Ready a carriage for me. I want to look around town.”

“Yes.”

The two servants bowed without even realizing their demeanour changed. An unusual exertion of strength radiated from the girl affecting the two maids subliminally. The two left the room, one to ready a carriage and another to inform the masters of the house.

“Sol wants to visit the town?”

“That was what the Lady told this servant.”

“Is that right… Notify Sir Dirk to visit me prior to Sol leaving. Don’t let her leave until Sir Dirk is with her.”

“This servant understands.”

Duke Reviarra’s eyes remained on the retreating servant, though his thoughts were on Sol’s actions. Despite her youth, Duke Reviarra couldn’t recall a time when Sol was interested in affairs outside the estate. He didn’t find it too strange though since she was stuck inside her room for nearly a month now.

It was rather obvious that a child typically bustling with energy would desire freedom. His thoughts continued until a knock drew his attention to a Knight at the door. Standing there, Sir Dirk was dressed in loose cloth similar to commoners of the territory. Duke Reviarra waved to the Knight and ushered him in.

“Sol wants to visit the town, but I’m concerned about her health and safety. Escort her and keep her safe. I’ll approve a party of 15 to go with you. Protect her well.”

“This one understands and will take good care of the Lady. The Duke needn't worry.”

Sir Dirk took a bow and left to gather his team. As a newly appointed Knight, he was assigned to the remote territory as it borders other countries and there was always the threat of invasion. Being aligned under Duke Reviarra, despite the Duke not having an army of his own, provided Dirk a unique opportunity to build something from scratch.

Though not an ambitious man, Sir Dirk still understood how to grasp opportunities. His steps came to a stop before a field that housed nearly 200 men. The men were all commoners, however after training, they were hired into the Duke’s household at Sir Dirk’s suggestion. It couldn’t be considered an army, but it was enough of a force to protect the Duke and assist the territory should the time come.

Dirk glanced over the field and selected the 15 members of his team.

“Dress low and meet me at the main gate in 15 minutes!”

“”Yes!””

Sol looked at the downgraded carriage waiting for her at the building entrance. Her eyes jumped to and fro the carriage and her father. The Duke was unable to hide his bright smile as he sent her off. As she boarded the carriage, Sol took note of the Knight following the side of it. He assisted her into the carriage and moments later, they set off.

Inside the carriage, the same two servants who woke her up sat across from her. She observed the two women with scrutiny a child would typically lack. One of them was barely a teen, ranging between 13 to 15 years of age. Her blond hair was tied into a tight bun and the standard servant outfit that identified her as a member of Duke Reviarra’s household was replaced instead with what Sol predicted to be the girl’s common wear.

Beside the young girl, the other servant remained sitting straight in proper fashion. She donned a similar bun and style of clothing, though her appearance suggested a young lady in her late teens, early twenties. The two held stoic faces and Sol felt at a loss over the overreaction her father had. Her eyes drifted to the window and through the breaks in the curtain, she saw the escorts they picked up when passing the main gate.

The carriage rolled in silence for nearly 30 minutes before they finally entered into the town. Sol drew the curtains to the side and peeked outside with curious eyes. She didn’t have a particular destination in mind, and so she instructed the carriage to circle around. It didn’t take long before her patience ran out and she halted the carriage. Sol alighted the carriage with Sir Dirk’s assistance, but turned a moment later to climb back on, but she instead sat beside the coachman.

A bright smile reflected her mood as she dismissed the concerns of her escorts. The party continued through the town with Sol sitting atop the carriage. Her eyes scoured the area taking in everything they could. Sol found that she was able to recognize products she’d never seen before for some reason.

There were tools for farming being advertised at a variety of shops, however she could tell they were low quality. Her mind deconstructed the tools and their functions before rebuilding it better. The mental picture of the newer tool entertained her, however she didn’t act on any of the insights. The carriage passed by food stalls, medicinal shops, trade associations, town halls, blacksmiths, and every other business in the area.

To her surprise, Sol was somehow familiar with much of what she saw. Many of the items she recognized were crude and could easily be made better. Her mind worked quickly and as she built up a mental inventory, she had a sudden insight. Her eyes darted to the Knight walking beside the carriage.

“Sir Dirk, father has bragged more than once about your career to me. He might not show it, but he admires your ability to self improve and lift yourself from a small merchant family, something I admire as well...“

“This servant humbly accepts the Duke and Lady’s praise...”

Despite Sir Dirk’s words, his face held a questioning look. There were many things a noble would ask their escort, however their history was typically off limits. Dirk could only question if the young Lady was still too young to understand those social faux pas. Ignoring the questioning look, Sol’s eyes continued to shine as she pushed forward.

“With such a background, I’m sure the good Sir would recall the basics of trading… If this Lady wished for your help, would you give it?”