As they walked the streets towards the gates of the kingdom's walls, Princess Yarelle had been berating the knight who ordered the fire.
"Just what were you thinking attacking two girls in the open like that?!" She yelled in anger and disappointment.
"I'm so sorry, Lady Yarelle I was just-!" The 1st knight stammered as he tried to explain.
"I do not wish to hear such excuses, you will apologize again to these two at once!" She pointed fiercely at Henao and Sciel who gave awkward smiles.
"My sincerest apologies, Lady Henao and Lady Sciel, please, I beg for your forgiveness!" He shouted as he dropped to his knees and clapped his hands together.
"Hey, what's going on over here?" A voice of a boy from behind asked catching their attention.
"Oh Soren, you're here!" Doe said with a bright smile, and as Sciel turned to the boy her eyes widened at the sight of him. He possessed dark and messy black hair with a short ponytail but kept a couple strands of hair to form his bangs.
"Hello, Princess Yarelle and Doe!" He waved with a soft smile and as he opened his vision his eyes widened at the sight of Sciel.
"Look, it's Henao! Hanna's niece!" Doe exclaimed as she held the shoulders of Henao with a grin.
"Wait, you're Soren? So, you're one of Hanna's adopted sons!" Soren chuckled softly while rubbing the back of his neck.
"Yes I am, my brother Aracan is in the castle right now, I bet he's all over Astelle right now," He said with a chuckle and Sciel gave a small look of disgust. "So, you're Henao, Hanna has told me a lot about you," Soren replied as he got closer to her, towering over everyone present.
"She's mentioned you a lot in notes too! Wait, that reminds me we need to find Chef Mem's restaurant to deliver Jenna's message," Henao remembered as she turned to Sciel.
"I can deliver it; I wouldn't want to disrupt your reunion with my own means of coming here," Sciel suggested as she took out the note from her pocket.
"Are you sure? We can always deliver it after we find Aunt Hanna!"
"Oh, you're looking for Chef Mem's restaurant? That restaurant is down that way straight ahead," Yarelle gestured towards a crowded pathway filled with locals and tourists.
"Wait, but afterwards how is she gonna get into the castle?" Henao asked.
"I'll guide her!" Soren suggested which surprised the group.
Doe placed her hands to her hips giving him a squinted
look of suspicion.
"I don't think-" Sciel said before being interrupted.
"Thank you! Make sure you come as soon as you can Sciel, okay?" Henao asked, and Sciel sighs with a nod.
At that moment Yarelle, Doe, and Henao left along with the knight to the castle of Manirosol, leaving behind Soren and Sciel to deliver Jenna's note.
"Come, follow me," He gestured as he started to walk in the street Yarelle pointed towards.
As the two stood shoulder to shoulder Sciel's experience was unlike the town in Kavna or Velan, Sciel could feel the stares of unpleased and skeptical eyes on her.
"Don't worry about them, the people outside the walls are usually rude tourists," Soren said as he kept eyes forward and lowered his head to her level.
"Why are they looking at me like that though?"
"It's because of your hair, white hair isn't natural and the only other person is my brother, Aracan, who is known to have given an odd impression to new people…" He sighed as he thought of old memories of Aracan's first time arriving.
"Same color hair as me? I haven't met someone who bared the same."
"Well, he has a girlfriend! I don't know how he managed to get a girl like Astelle under his belt," Sciel never felt more disgusted about how a guy spoke ever before.
When Soren turned to look at Sciel, he realized what he had just said. "But, uhm… what brings you here to Manirosol?"
"I was recommended to come here, he said it would be a good place to live from now on,"
"He, huh…?" He said as he scratched the back of his head with his finger nails.
The walk was an awkward one afterwards; the two didn't speak until they arrived at Chef Mem's restaurant, which proved to be improved in size compared to the one residing in Kavna.
"Just wait out here" Sciel said as she entered the doors to the restaurant and Soren nods with a sigh.
"Yup… got it"
Sciel was immediately met with an overwhelming smell of delicious food and the roaring, loud chatter of the customers. It was just as popular as the one in Kavna which brought a smile to Sciel's face.
"Another plate!" "Coming right up!"
It was incredibly busy as the waiters and waitresses crossed tables with hands filled with dirty dishes and plates full of food that would make a person filled to the brim order another meal.
"Hello ma'am, did you reserve a seat?" The hostess asked, flipping through the pages of her list of people.
"Oh no, I didn't, I'm just here to deliver a message to the family who works here," Sciel responded, revealing the note between her fingers.
"Oh, I apologize ma'am, but the relatives of Chef Mem aren't here currently. I'm afraid they are occupied with the supplies the train has brought."
"The train huh? That reminds me, I should visit that girl Witney mentioned."
"But, I can take that note for you and pass it on myself, unless you'd like to stay and order some food?"
Sciel devilishly smirked as a thought crossed her mind.
"How spicy is your spicy chicken…?" She muttered into the woman's ear and the hostess gives off the same devilish grin.
"Very…" She whispered in Sciel's ear causing her eyes to sparkle ever brightly.
Soren sat at a nearby bench with a cigarette between his lips and listening to the loud chattering from outside the restaurant. He soon grew tired of the wait, grabbing his cigarette and putting it out on the bench.
"What's taking her so long?" He groaned as he slid his hand down his face before standing tall and entering the restaurant.
"Hey Lisa, did you perhaps serve a young girl recently with white hair?" Soren asked as he walked up to the hostess at the stand.
"Oh Miss Sciel? Yes she's over there," She gestured towards the restaurant and as Soren turned his head his eyes widened and jaw opened.
"Another bowl of rice and chicken!" Sciel shouted with a hand drenched in burning, red sauce and the same sauce dripping from her grinning mouth.
"That girl's crazy she devoured five plates of that chicken!" "Hey man she's more brave than any of us here!"
"She's such a brute…" The customers of the restaurants were both amazed and disgusted at Sciel's beastly behaviour over the signature, incredibly hot, spicy chicken.
"S- she's eating that chicken?!" Soren exclaimed with a hand gripped on the giggling Lisa's wooden stand.
"She's an amazing one, no one has ever ordered Mem's chicken again after trying it once, but that girl ran through five plates of it already."
A waittress soon arrived at Sciel's table with a new tray of hot chicken and steaming, hot rice and as she was about to take a bite the backdoor of the kitchen slammed open catching every eye.
"What is all this babbling about?!" An incredibly tall and muscular man with a bald head and a bushy mustache roared in the restaurant.
"Chef Nem!" The employees of the restaurant shouted in unison.
"So, he must be Chef Mem's brother…" Sciel thought as she stared at the man whilst continuing to munch.
"Chef look at that girl! She's going crazy over that spicy chicken!"
"Wait, Chef Mem's spicy chicken?!" A woman with long black hair asked as she walked beside Chef Nem.
"Yes look!" The customer gestured towards Sciel who froze in position as the entire rooms attention turned to her.
Chef Nem suddenly disappeared leaving behind a gust of wind only to reappear as a shadow covering Sciel's entire table.
"So, you're the one causing all this commotion?" He growled underneath his breath, whiffing out a deep sigh.
"I… apologize…?" She replied with a look of confusion and continued to take another bite of the chicken.
"Y- you're really eating m- my brother's c- chicken?!" He said in-between sniffling as tears ran down his face catching her off guard.
"Oh my Valens! I can't believe the story my eyes and ears are telling me! Someone worthy enough to eat our spicy chicken!" He yelled in disbelief and cries of joy, falling to his knees.
"Whoa, you really ate five whole plates of that chicken?" The woman asked with widened eyes.
"I'm telling you she's crazy!" A customer shouted and in that second he was soon towered over by Chef Nem.
"You will not berate or insult her! How dare you call a beautiful, amazing young woman crazy youimbecile! You or anyone here utter another hurtful word will forever be banned from dining in my restaurant!" The customers grew silent from that point on.
"I'm sorry, I did not intend to cause a problem for you guys," Sciel said bowing to the black-haired woman and she responds with a giggle.
"No worries, this is a very special moment for my husband because no one would ever eat that chicken due to how spicy it," She smiled and Sciel smiles back before turning to Chef Nem.
"An amazing girl, just amazing!" Chef Nem knelt on both knees with his forehead to the ground and hands clapped together.
"I don't think I've ever seen you here though, are you a tourist?" The woman asked curiously.
"I'm here to visit someone, and also to deliver a message from Miss Jenna and Chef Mem from Kavna," Sciel replied as she dug her fingers into her pockets.
"Oh, a message from Jenna and Mem?" The woman asked surprised as she walked closer.
"A message?!" Chef Nem asked in shock, and quickly stood to his feet.
Sciel handed the note and the two immediately start to read, responding with laughs and smiles.
The woman giggled softly, "I see, he wrote about you in here too," She smiled and Sciel turned surprised.
"What did he say?"
"About how amazing you are. Being able to eat his spicy chicken brought true joy to him."
"Is eating this chicken really that crazy?" Sciel asked and the woman nodded.
"It's a recipe passed down from Nem and Mem's parents, only their family has ever been able to resist the incredible spice."
"Oh brother, I'm so overwhelmed with joy that you were able to send this fantastic girl to my restaurant!" Chef Nem shouted as he looked to the ceiling above with a hand to his heart.
"That chicken almost killed me last time, how did she manage to eat that many plates…?" Soren asked and Lisa giggles.
"Oh my, I apologize I haven't even introduced myself, my name's Celine, the co-owner of this restaurant and Nem's wife," She smiled as she gave a hand to shake.
"I'm Sciel, Sciel Solus," She replied as she shook her hand.
"That's a beautiful name, do you mind it I ask where you are from?"
"I was raised an orphan in a church, though I have forgotten the name of the town, but I then resided in Velan for a few years till I eventually made it here."
"An orphan? That must've been so hard for you," Celine responded with a look of sympathy.
"It wasn't so bad, I was raised well in that church and I had someone mentor me on how to survive on my own," Sciel softly smiled and Chef Nem sniffles loudly.
"T- that's so sad, no girl a- as amazing as y- you should e- ever go starving, if you're e- ever hungry just c- come to any of our r- restaurants and w- we will feed you!" He sniffled between words as he blew his nose into a napkin.
"What but-!" Before the customer could finish a word he was soon towered over Chef Nem.
"What were you going to say?" He growled as his face was overshadowed by himself.
Sciel and Celine giggle together before the two notice a familiar face walking up on them.
"Oh hi Soren, you're here too," Celine smiled.
"I thought I told you to stay outside," Sciel squinted at him with hands to her hips.
"You were taking forever! I couldn't just wait outside all day!"
Sciel sighs as she remembers Henao's words to come back as soon as possible. "I'm afraid I have to go now, my friend is waiting for me at the castle," Sciel said turning to Celine.
"You're heading to the castle? May I ask who you're friends with?" Celine asked curiously.
"Her name's Henao" "Henao Hart? Lady Hanna's niece? She's finally here?!" Celine asked leaning toward her with surprised and joy.
"Oh, Lady Henao, an amazing girl, such a wonderful soul," Chef Nem said as he continued to sniffle, wiping away a tear.
"Yes, I arrived here with her, I was supposed to meet with her once I delivered this message but it seems I took quite some time to…" Sciel awkwardly chuckled as Soren sighed and crossed his arms in annoyance.
"Well, make sure you two come back here once you're available! We will serve you two for free, on the house," Celine said with a smile and Soren gasped in disbelief.
"Thank you, Miss Celine," Sciel bowed and Celine giggles.
"Of course, I've always wanted to meet her after everything Hanna has told us about her."
"Then I will bring her here, oh and by the way, can I get a to-go plate..?" Sciel whispered as she gestured towards the table of unfinished food and Celine giggles.
"How about I take that from you and get you more next time so it's fresh and hot," Celine whispered back and Sciel's eyes went sparkling.
"Deal!" Sciel and Celine giggled together.
"Geez, you are one crazy-" Soren was greeted by Chef Nem's shadow towering over him.
"Who's crazy?" Soren chuckled intimidated at the chef.
The delivery took much longer than Sciel had anticipated before eventually arriving at the castle gates.
This medival castle's towers and walls were battered and bruised yet clean of muck and overgrown greenery. There also bared a silver gate before a pathway of pristine stone and a wide stairway leading to the castle's wooden doors. And what remained in the stunning green yard; a section which held a beautiful pond and hosting a gazebo of fine, painted white wood.
"So, this is the castle, it looked like how I imagined it," Sciel noted and Soren chuckles.
"This castle is as old as many generations, so the paintings you've seen before all originated from this place."
Soon after speaking with the guards of the gate they found themselves walking the halls of the castle. A red carpet dragging through the long hallway with standing tall windows placed every few steps on the walls.
"Now this is more like those paintings," Sciel
said before stopping in her path to which she walked towards the windows to gaze at the sunset.
Soren stood beside her to watch the sunset. "Y'know, I saw the way you looked at me earlier," Sciel's face dropped in confusion.
"Huh? Looked at you how?"
"When we first met your eyes widened and your mouth opened slightly, it seemed like you were… infatuated?" Sciel scoffed instantly, covering her mouth and turning away
from him.
"What the hell, are you gagging?!" Soren exclaimed with gritting teeth and Sciel pounded her chest trying to clear her throat.
"Infatuated? No never, you just looked…" As Sciel slowly made eye contact her look softened, and for a moment she pictured Solus before differentiating the features between Solus and Soren.
"I looked…?" Sciel sighed turning away from him.
"Never mind, let's just go." Sciel picked up her feet and slapped shoulders with him and Soren looked at her with a sigh followed bt a soft smile before following behind her footsteps.
The two eventually arrived at the end of the hallway, where they could decide to continue the hall with a right turn or to enter the wooden door guarded by two Manirosol knights.
"Mister Soren, I'm to assume this is the girl Miss Henao brought with her?" Knight 1 asked as him and Sciel made eye contact.
"Yes, now just let us in." Soren demanded with an annoyed expression and crossed arms.
"I'm afraid she will have to hand over her blade," Knight 2 said and all their heads turned to Sciel's sword.
"Oh, right."
As soon as the doors were open they were met with chattering at a round, glass table between Henao along with Yarelle and Doe and a group of four teenagers who carried a somewhat interesting look, whilst two older women sat together discussing at a royally-made desk in front of a high window.
"Hey, we're here!" Soren announced snatching the room's attention with a hand raised.
"Sciel, you made it!" Henao grinned as she leaped at her from her seat.
"You must be Miss Solus, please enjoy a seat for yourself." The woman dressed in a white and gold gown bared long but beautifully braided, ocean blue hair softly said as she gestured to the golden-rimmed, glass table.
"You must be Queen Wimeria, I am honored to stand before your majesty." Sciel knelt to both knees with hands placed to her legs and lowered her head.
"You're quite the respectful young lady, may I ask where did you acquire such manners?" Wimeria asked with curiosity and a soft smile.
"I was raised in a church where the nuns taught me manners and how to address royalty with the highest respect I have to offer," The woman with black hair and blonde ends smiled, it was Hanna Hart, the woman Sciel was looking for.
"I see, you may lift your feet," With the Queen's words Sciel stood on her boots.
"That woman next to her must be Hanna Hart, she looks younger than I imagined."
"Please, why don't you introduce yourself further, miss Solus?" Wimeria asked whilst Sciel sat with Soren and Henao beside her.
"Of course" She lowered her head before lifting, "My name is Sciel Solus, a surname I was not born with but a name that carries the weight of overwhelming meaning to me. I was raised an orphan in a church in a town I'm afraid I have no memories of the name."
"I just realized how suspicious that makes me sound…"
"I soon left the town a few years ago with the knowledge of survival and swordsmanship my mentor had taught me. I resided in the town known as Velan till a few days ago I was offered an opportunity which brought me here to the Kingdom of Manirosol. The tournament director of Velan also known as Sumer had given me a favor ticket to Miss Hanna Hart," Sciel dug into her pocket and the ticket slipped between her fingers, then brought it out revealing the slip of paper.
"Sumer? Oh, I remember now, you're the young girl he has told me all about, you've been looking for a job, yes?" Hanna asked as she stood to her feet and Sciel nods.
"That's correct, ma'am."
"That's perfect, I know the perfect job for you." As Hanna grinned she walked towards Henao, before she places her hands on her shoulders.
"You will be my little Henao's bodyguard from now on," Henao's eyes widened before quickly turning her head to Hanna.
"Bodyguard?! I don't need a bodyguard!"
"And you will teach her the basics of fighting, she wants to get strong but doesn't even know how to lift a sword, so I want you to train her before I can begin training the both of you further beyond your current abilities," Hanna smiled as Henao couldn't find words to utter.
"Of course, I'll fulfill your job and more, thank you for this opportunity," Sciel bowed her head once again and Hanna smiles.
"Why don't you give me that ticket?" Hanna asked as she kept her smile, slowly turning into an intimidating one. As soon as Sciel handed it to the woman she had abruptly set it ablaze into ashes.
"There, now I don't owe Sumer anything!" Hanna giggled softly as she kept her creepy, intimidating expression hidden behind a smile.
"Well then, it is a pleasure to meet you Miss Solus," Wimeria smiled and Sciel smiles back.
"Kids introduce yourselves as well, she will be staying alongside you all from now on."
"That's you four," Yarelle whispered towards the group of four teenagers around Sciel's age.
"Oh right, I'm Vera, Vera Clare, and this is my brother," She was a girl who bared shoulder length, deep purple hair who gestured towards the boy with short hair matching the same deep color.
"Karzen, it's a pleasure to meet you," The boy nodded his head and Sciel gestures the same.
"Hello, my name's Astelle Cario, I hope we can become good friends," The girl with beautiful, silky, pastel colored pink hair spoke softly with an even softer smile.
As Sciel turned to the last boy, her eyes widened at the sight of his hair and scars all across his face and visible arms.
"Those scars, how did he get those?"
"My name's Aracan Hart, I also hope we become good friends." He bared pure white hair and marked with scars all across his face and neck and forearms, seemingly traversing all
over his very body.
"It's a pleasure to meet all of you," Sciel bowed her head and the group smiles at her.
"Great, now the boys are further unbalanced in our group," Soren pointed out and Henao chuckles.
"You're right, there's only three guys and six girls," Henao added.
"So, you're saying we need more guy friends?" Doe asked with a cocky smile on her face.
"Absolutely not, I can barely stand these three why should we add more?" Vera deeply sighed with her head to her hand.
"Besides, most of our classmates already have a group of their own, and there's no problem with our current group now," Astelle added.
"How about we focus on something more important than some guys, like how we are going to figure out who had the means of kidnapping Hanna?" Karzen suggested.
"We do not need to talk about that now, let's all just relax for now, alright?" Hanna objected.
Before the talk could continue a knight bursts open the wooden doors.
"My apologies Queen Wimeria but something urgent has arrived!" The knight announced in a panic state.
"What happened?" She replied as she stood to her feet.
"The king of Soulmoon, he's back."