Aliciel and Valen bow infront of Lia. "Thank you very much for helping us." Valen thanked her with a sincere smile as Aliciel nodded.

"Without you, maybe we'll die out of blood loss." Aliciel added.

Lia smiled warmly towards the two of them as she pat their heads. "Be careful on your way back. You two are like my own grandchildren. Please come visit me again without falling off the cliff." she chuckle on her last sentence as Valen and Aliciel smile.

"Are you sure you're not going to come with us?" Valen asked worriedly while looking at Lia.

"This is my home. I'll be alright here." she said while looking at them and give them water, lunch, and money. "I know the capital is far but because the two of you are a noble, I'm sure there are knights or people that will recognise you two." she explained while handing them the objects as they thanked her again.

"Well then, I hope you two find your way home and returns safely." she smiled as she bow politely.

"Once again, thank you very much for giving us clothes, money, water, and food." Aliciel bowed at her presence as Valen bowed as well beside her.

"It's my duty."

They turned their head towards Lia and waved her goodbye.

-

Aliciel and Valen walk towards a small village as they look around.

The village is a bit crowded because there's a festival that hosted there, so there's a lot of food and games to play.

"Are you sure this is the way to the Fyrst Hill?" Aliciel asked while eating a street food as she look at Valen who is eating an apple and a few things he got from playing games.

"Yeah. I'm sure!" he said with a broad grin as Aliciel raised her brow but continue to eat.

"It's my first time eating while walking and enjoying a commoner festival." Valen exclaimed while looking around the small cheerful town they passed.

"Me too."

Valen chuckle. "I never thought I would miss those delicious luxurious food." he smiled sheepishly. "I hope to find a random guard soon or knight soon. This is my Empire after all." he shrugged casually as Aliciel form a smile.

Valen passed a small game as his eyes lit up and grab Aliciel's hand excitedly. "There's another fun game!" he cheered as Aliciel rolled her eyes.

Before she could complain, he drag Aliciel to a man who sits on the ground with a few small bowls and a small ball.

"Oh my youngsters, do you want to play this game?" the man offered kindly while looking at them.

Valen nodded excitedly as Aliciel mentally facepalm. The two of them sit on the ground, facing the man.

"If you know what bowl the ball goes to, it's your win and you'll get this two free tickets to the Fyrst Play." he inform while showing them as Valen look at Aliciel with a wide smile.

"Do you want to go to the play? It sounds fun to watch!" he said with a toothy smile.

"No."

"Alright! We'll play it!" Valen said excitedly as he pay the man one silver coin for one game.

Aliciel sigh. "Valen, I'm going to ask a few people here about noble information." she said as Valen just nodded, too focused on the game.

She stood up and begins to search for people as well asking them for some information while eyeing Valen from the distance.

-

"Why is it so hard to tell which ball goes to which bowl!" Valen growled, dissapointed that he failed for 10 times straight as well losing 10 silver coins.

Aliciel sigh and pinch her nose. "We already lost 10 silver coins because of you."

At least they know how to cherish money because they're usually showered with money and luxurious things.

Valen give her a sheepish smile. "But I got the ticket for us to see the play!" he exclaimed excitedly. "Like a date."

Aliciel stopped on her tracks as she sigh and look at Valen. "Valen, I already count the two of us walking around a festival and playing a few games as a date." she said with a frown.

"...Your face betrayed your words!" he gasped as Aliciel roll her eyes.

It's true that she doesn't give him an answer to his small confession yet.

"...This is a little date." she blushed a bit while avoiding eye contact. "Let's go." she called as Valen form a broad grin and grab her hand.

"Let's go to see the play!!!"

In the end, they watch the play together and quite excited about it. The Fyrst Play is the story about a young prince that fell in love with a commoner. It's quite common but the play itself was interesting.

After the play, Valen drag Aliciel again to play games and buying things like mask or simple games as a keepsake to remember that they went through the current time.

That said, they enjoy the festival throughout the day and grateful that they still have money left.

Even though it was within a short time, they really have their fun until the darkness consumed the sky and filled it with stars.

-

"Also, I heard that a Baron lives near this town. Maybe he has... at least 10 knights and few carriage." Aliciel informed as Valen look at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Where did you get that information?"

Aliciel look at him with 'Really Valen?' expression. "I told you that I'm going to ask a few people before you play the bowl game. I'm sure you didn't quite catch it do you? Well, it doesn't matter."

"Haha... Oh, a Baron out of high society huh...? Then let's go to him and ask him to lend his carriage and 1 or 2 knights." he said, completely changing the topic as Aliciel only sigh and slightly nod.

"Let's ask people around again for the place." Valen said as he grab her hand in case she would get lost as they look for people to ask.

"Aliciel, do you want to watch the fireworks first!?" Valen asked cheerfully while pointing at the sky.

Aliciel directed her gaze towards the sky. "...fireworks..." she mumbled under her breath with a small smile plastered on her face.

"Yes. Let's watch it together. Let's go to a higher place."

"Yeah!"

"After this, we will go to the noble who resides here."

"...y-yeah..."

-

Their eyes went wide at the mansion that look thousand times smaller than the Palace and Blacker Dukedom.

Valen walk out to the guard infront of the gate. "Great night, my friend!" he greeted him casually as Aliciel follow behind him.

"Who are you two peasants? This is the residence of Baron Schaer!" the guard shouted at them through the gates as Aliciel and Valen shared a look.

'Baron Schaer? Never heard of it.' the two of them thought at the same time as they shared a bored look.

Knowing that they only wear a commoners clothes, making them not really convincing to say that they're from the most important household from the whole Fyrst Empire.

The Imperial Family and the Ducal Blacker.

"...I will decieve him." Valen wink at Aliciel as she give him a thumbs up.

Valen walk towards the guard closer. "Good day Sir! We are the new workers that comes to help this pathetic mansion! I'm the chef and she's the new maid." Valen said while pointing at Aliciel. "I'm the chef that the Baron waiting for years!"

The guard raise his brow. "Workers that comes in the middle of the night?"

Valen smile playfully. "Come on! I arrived faster than ever! If I were to arrive tomorrow, the Barom will be dissapointed!" he reasoned him.

'Most guards from low society is an idiot, so he gave me more chances to fool around.' Valen thought as a sly smile escape his lips.

"I'm going to ask the others first about new maid and chef." the guard exclaimed, suspicious of Valen's action.

Valen smirk as he form a sad look. "Well, the Barom been waiting for years! I don't want to upset him by making him wait any further... But oh, what can I do? I just hope he won't fire you to make him wait more longer." Valen said with a dissapointed expression as he slip out a sheepish smile that make Aliciel mentally facepalm.

The guard look worried for a bit then sigh. "...Alright, alright." he open the gates for them. "Hurry up and go inside."

"Thanks buddy!"

'Thanks, idiot.'

_______________________ _ __