Alicia did not reply. Instead, she lowered her gaze toward the table and quietly continued eating.
The food inside the room had already grown cold by the time Baston noticed the change in her expression.
The sunlight filtered through the tall windows beside them, illuminating the private room with a soft golden hue. A few people chatted lazily in the distance while the sound of spoons and porcelain occasionally echoed through the downstairs.
Even though there was much time, Alicia remained silent. There was a faint smile on her lips.
It was not wide nor was it particularly obvious but it lingered there which was gentle and calm.
He noticed it immediately. The fat boy chewed slowly, watching her from the corner of his eyes.
She looked happy and that was the only conclusion that he could reach. After everything that had happened recently, perhaps it was natural.
The anxiety she held for several days was finally gone between the winds.
The problem of her forced marriage had been resolved. The pressure that was placed upon her by the family had suddenly disappeared, and on top of that, she had received an opportunity to learn Gale magic for the Xavierius family.
For a noble girl, that was not merely the good news. It was a blessing since she could be helpful in another way.
Baston nodded inwardly toward the result.
Of course, she was happy. Anyone in her position would be.
Still, something about that smile felt strangely distant but he soon dismissed the thought. After finishing his meal, he leaned back against the chair and exhaled deeply.
"I'm full…"
The late breakfast had been far more satisfying than he expected. Perhaps, it was because of the tension over the past few days that were finally lifting from his shoulders.
Alicia looked at him quietly but said nothing.
Baston placed his hands over his stomach, "Give me a moment to rest first…"
The noble girl simply nodded. Several minutes passed and neither of them spoke.
The dining hall slowly emptied as the people returned to their business. At the outside, the distant sound of carriage wheels over the stone roads echoed faintly through the window.
The silence between them gradually thickened.
He tapped his fingers lightly against the table. The faint rhythm was barely audible beneath the quiet murmur of the hall. Something felt off since he became unused through the quiet peace.
It was not wrong but it was just out of place. He glanced at Alicia again.
Her posture was perfect as always. Her movements were calm, measured, and elegant. Even the way she held her spoon carried the refined discipline of a noble upbringing.
Nothing unusual and yet, that smile, it had not changed since earlier.
It remained gentle and almost serene as if there was nothing in the world that could disturb her thoughts. However, that was exactly what troubled him.
Because Alicia was not the type to remain unaffected. Not after everything that had happened.
Baston narrowed his eyes slightly.
He shifted in his seat, pretending to adjust his position while observing her more carefully.
Her gaze never once wandered. It stayed lowered, focused only on her meal. She did not look at the people around them, nor at the windows, and nor even at him.
It was as if the world beyond that table did not exist. A faint chill crept along his spine and he didn't like it.
"Hey…" he said casually, testing the waters, "You seem to be in a good mood."
Alicia paused just for a brief moment before she resumed eating.
"Yes," she replied softly.
That was all the reply with no explanation and no follow-up. It was just a simple answer, making him frowned.
Normally, she would have added something which at least a polite sentence or two. That was her habit. Even when she wished to avoid a topic, she would redirect it gracefully.
But now, she simply ended it.
He leaned back slightly and his expression was turning thoughtful, "Am I overthinking this?"
Perhaps, he might be. After all, nothing had actually happened yet the uneasiness refused to fade.
His eyes drifted toward the window.
At the outside, the sunlight remained warm and the city was alive with its usual rhythm. There were no signs of danger, no disturbances, and no lingering traces of mana that would suggest anything unusual.
Everything was normal and that was precisely what made it strange because the feeling in his chest told him otherwise.
He exhaled slowly, "Forget it… Perhaps, I'm just being paranoid…"
He forced himself to relax. Maybe, he was simply tired or maybe, he was still processing everything that had happened. That would make sense.
Still, as he glanced at her one last time, that faint smile remained unchanged. It was quiet, composed, and somehow unreadable.
For some reason, the atmosphere had become awkward again. Eventually, when his stomach felt comfortable enough to move, he stood up.
Alicia followed him shortly afterward.
After all, today was a rare day of freedom for both of them.
He no longer needed to worry about the quest that had consumed his attention for many days and she had finally escaped the looming threat of political marriage.
In theory, it should have been a relaxing day. The fat boy then stretched his arms.
"Let's walk around the city for a while," he suggested.
Luminos City was beautiful during the late morning. Many shops displayed colorful goods across the streets, the musicians played cheerful tunes near the plazas, and the nobles strolled leisurely beneath elegant stone arches.
Baston wanted to enjoy the scenery. Unfortunately, he quickly realized something.
Alicia was walking beside him and that changed everything.
At first, people merely glanced in their direction but soon, those glances turned into lingering stares. The whispers and curiosity slowly reverberated along the road.
He sighed inwardly, "Here we go again…"
The attention wasn't directed at him. Of course not, since it was only for Alicia.
Her beauty stood out far too much among the crowd.
While older people only looked at her with quiet admiration, the reaction from young noble boys was completely different.
Many of them had arrived in Luminos City with their families for seasonal leisure. They wandered the streets aimlessly, searching for the entertainment.
None of them expected to encounter someone like Alicia.
One boy soon approached first, "Hello, beauty… May I know your name?"
Another quickly followed, "Young miss, would you honor me with a cup of tea?"
A third joined them, "Good morning… It's a lovely day today. Would you allow me to accompany you for a walk?"
Within few moments, five or six noble boys had gathered around them. He stopped walking because the peaceful stroll ended instantly.
Alicia tried to respond politely, "I appreciate your kindness but…"
Another boy interrupted, "Miss, perhaps we could introduce our families?"
Their enthusiasm only grew stronger since they believed the relationship would be strengthened upon hearing the family name.
Baston rubbed his forehead, "This is troublesome…"
He remained behind them, observing the situation quietly.
Alicia's gentle smile never disappeared but he could see the faint difficulty hidden behind it.
Rejecting the nobles in a public street required careful words. A single mistake could create unnecessary misunderstandings between the families.
By then, she glanced toward him. Her eyes sent a clear signal to help her. He frowned since there were too many boys that were surrounding her.
If he interfered too aggressively, they might question his identity. The noble pride was fragile, especially among young men who was eager to prove themselves.
Yet, if he did nothing, she would definitely remember this later. He sighed toward his decisions.
"Why do all choices lead to trouble…?"
Finally, Baston stepped forward and pushed his way through the crowd, "Excuse me... Please give way…"
He stood beside Alicia, subtly shielding her from the others.
"I'm sorry…" Baston said calmly, "But we are currently in a hurry. Could you allow us to pass?"
The reaction was immediate, thinking someone from nowhere dared to obstruct their path.
"Who are you?" one boy demanded.
Another scoffed, "Get lost... Don't interrupt us!"
"If you keep interfering," a third warned coldly, "I will report you. Harassing the nobles is a crime."
"A nobody like you dares to challenge us?"
Their hostility grew quickly and Baston expected this outcome. Still, before he could respond, Alicia suddenly stepped forward.
She warned them firmly, "Take back your words..."
The boys froze upon hearing the statement. After all, the fat boy looked more like a servant rather than a person with equal status.
"Baston is my friend," Alicia continued calmly, "I will not allow anyone to insult him. If anyone dares to harm him, my family will not remain silent."
The silence fell over the group and even Baston blinked in surprise. He had not expected her to defend him so openly.
Normally, she maintained the perfect composure in public yet now, she stood firmly between him and the nobles.
Baston scratched his cheek awkwardly, "She really didn't need to do that…"
Still, he couldn't let her stand alone. It would bring another trouble if he couldn't explain the situation.
"Please forgive her," Baston said suddenly with an apologetic smile, "My lady is anxious because her mother instructed her to return home quickly."
The boys looked at him again. Now, their expressions shifted to her servant. That was the conclusion they reached. His appearance certainly supported that assumption.
If he were merely a servant that was responsible for escorting his young miss, then his behavior made sense. Their hostility soon softened slightly.
One boy cleared his throat, "There seems to be a misunderstanding."
"Yes…" another added quickly, "We only wished to introduce ourselves."
Baston nodded politely, "I understand… But if you truly wish to know my lady, perhaps you could tell me your family names."
The boys exchanged curious looks since the behavior changed in a sudden. Still, it was no different from their earlier intent.
"I will report them to my lord then," Baston explained.
"Who knows?" he added with a mischievous smile, "Perhaps, my lord might find interest in one of you."
Alicia stared at him, "Baston…"
He quickly gestured for the silence. Meanwhile, the noble boys laughed.
"Very well…" one of them said proudly, "But first, which family do you serve?"
Baston raised his hand slightly. A small cluster of frost appeared above his palm. The temperature around them dropped subtly.
It was only a simple ice spell but the effect was immediate.
The boys' expressions changed drastically. One name surfaced in their minds which was Versance.
The family was famous for its elegant beauty and terrifying power. However, the boys shuddered.
Many rumors surrounded the Versance household. It was said that the women held overwhelming authority within the family.
Any man who married into it would spend the rest of his life under their command. Inside, there were many beautiful flowers and deadly thorns.
Baston grinned, "Well?"
"How about it, young master?" he asked eagerly, "Would you like to try your luck?"
The response was instant since the Versance had much dominance in their own gender.
"No! No, thank you!"
"We suddenly remembered something important."
"Yes, it's urgent matters!"
One boy began retreating and another followed immediately. Within few moments, the crowd vanished.
Alicia stared at Baston in disbelief, "They ran away…"
Baston folded his arms smugly, "After all, their freedom is precious."
He glanced at the empty street, "Even the beauty cannot compete with it."
Alicia sighed, "But we can't keep doing that…"
"That's true..." Baston studied her face thoughtfully, "For now, you should wear a hat."
"A hat?"
"Yes…" Baston said firmly, "Otherwise, this will happen again."
Alicia considered the idea briefly then she smiled, "Fine..."
She suddenly grabbed his hand, "Come with me..."
Baston panicked, "Wait…!"
But, Alicia had already begun pulling him toward a nearby shop.
Inside the elegant hat store, several rows of decorative hats filled the walls. The shopkeeper greeted them politely though his gaze lingered curiously on the strange pair.
Alicia examined the hats carefully.
Soon, she began trying them on one after another. His role quickly became clear.
"You must tell me which ones look good…"
Baston groaned internally. He had heard terrible rumors about shopping with women.
Now, he understood why. Still, he offered his honest opinions.
"That one is too large..."
"This design is too plain..."
"That one looks suitable for someone older…"
Eventually, Alicia tried another hat, "This one?"
Baston hesitated, "It's good…"
Alicia stared at him very slowly. The look in her eyes made him uneasy.
"But, it's maybe not for you," he added quickly.
The noble girl sighed. In the end, she selected several hats. By the time they left the shop, he felt more exhausted than after a battle.
Fighting the dark wizards was easier than shopping.
*****
Late in the afternoon, Baston finally returned to the inn. He immediately collapsed onto the bed inside his room.
Luke glanced up, "You look like you fought a war."
"I escorted someone extremely important…" Baston muttered weakly, "It was also extremely troublesome."
Luke frowned, "What? Who is it?"
However, Baston ignored the question. Instead, he looked toward the ceiling.
"By the way, tomorrow I'm going back…"
Luke blinked, "So soon?"
Baston nodded, "Let's return together..."
Luke considered it briefly then he nodded, "Alright… I'll inform Alicia and her family first. It would be rude to leave without saying goodbye."
Baston waved lazily, "Sure..."
Luke left the room and the door closed quietly. In the meantime, Baston lay silently on the bed.
After a moment, he muttered softly, "That smile earlier..."
For some reason, it still lingered in his mind. And the more he thought about it, the more it felt like something was hidden behind it.
Something that he couldn't quite understand and something that made him uneasy. The fat boy stared at the ceiling again.
Outside the inn, Luminos City continued its lively rhythm. But somewhere within the bustling streets, the unseen currents had already begun to move.
And he had no idea that today's peaceful stroll might soon lead to something far more complicated than he expected.