"I'm gonna go explore!!" I shouted, taking several steps forward.
"Wait." Alder grabbed my arm and pulled me backwards. "We just got out of a fight. I need to make sure you are okay."
I let out a whine and turned around. "I'm fine."
He sighed and cupped my face. He turned it from side to side before trailing his fingers over my neck. "You were choked. I would not say that is fine."
"Yeah, but it wasn't like it was for long. I wanna go!"
"Cahira." He gave me a look. "Do you even know where you are going?"
"No." I mumbled."
"Do you know where you are going to stay?"
"No…"
"I can take care of that!" Malvolia clapped her hands and stepped forward. "I will be your tour guide!"
"Thank you, Malvolia."
"Hope there are some good places to eat." Stolas said, sniffing the air. Flops had hopped into his arms, sniffing the air with him. "I'm so hungry, I could eat a rabbit."
That made Flops whack him with her paw. I sighed. "Don't threaten to eat her, Snappy."
Stupid Alder and his stupid responsible concerns. He dragged me as we all started walking. I pouted, huffing slightly. So what if my only plan was to let my music guide me? Was that a bad thing? I didn't think so. I thought it was very reasonable. I had enough coin for food and lodging. It would last me at least two months if I was frugal. By then, I should have a steady income as a bard.
Malvolia led us to the right side of the gates. "Alright! So, first up is Guild Plaza. This is where you'll find your adventurer's guild, smithy, alchemy guild, and… every guild you can think of."
My eyes lit up. "Including a bard's guild?"
"Well-" Malvolia pointed to a building made of.a dark brown wood. There was a large music note as a sign. "There is the musician's guild. But they're pretty picky. You need a recommendation and to have graduated from the conservatory to get it."
Of course. There was always something stopping me, wasn't there? Alder patted my back as we kept walking.We passed through the cobblestone streets lined with houses and bustling people. The cathedral loomed above everything. There was a library that Malvolia said went beneath the kingdom. The buildings turned nicer and nicer until there was a section of opulent estates.
"This is the Noble Court, home of the rich and influential. Normal people aren't allowed."
"What about Divine Brothers and Sisters?" I asked, tilting my head.
"On occasion, but it's seen as a high status of power if a noble is seen with an Apostle. Most Apostles are nobles as well."
"Ugh!" Stolas rolled his eyes. "Money, power, influence. Yes, yes. We've heard it all."
Alder sighed. "It looks like hunger is getting the best of us. Malvolia, is there somewhere we can eat?"
"What are you in the mood for?"
"Anything filling," Stolas answered, hugging Flops tight. "I'm not picky."
"Perfect."
Malvolia led us back up towards the front of the kingdom and away from the castle. We came to a stop in front of the cathedral. I frowned. "Why are we here?"
"I have to talk to the Apostle. Come inside and look around while you wait."
I really didn't want to. I wanted to explore Othesh more thoroughly. Stolas and Malvolia went right in. I hesitated before feeling warmth spread across my back. I looked up at Alder, who's hand was gently urging me forward. I took a deep breath and followed them inside.
It was eerily quiet. My heels echoed on the marbled floor, my eyes traveling across the wide open space. Rows and rows of pews were mostly empty besides a couple of people with their heads bowed in prayer. The setting sun filtered in through colored glass. It depicted a scene of a person with long flowing white hair holding a glowing seed.
"What's that?" I whispered, leaning in close to Alder.
"Stained glass. It is a scene of how we were created."
"Riiight. The seed." A shiver ran down my spine. There were golden eyes all over the place. "I don't like it here."
Alder patted my back. I leaned closer. My stomach grumbled as my excitement slowly waned and was replaced with hunger. Malvolia finished talking to two people dressed in fine black robes with golden eye necklaces. She bounded over to us with a giant smile.
"Good news!" The lilt of her voice echoed. "My Apostle said you can stay with me!"
"I thought you lived in the village."
"Nope! I was just helping out for a while."
"Helping?" Stolas snickered. "I'm sure you helped plenty with that claymore."
"That I did." She grinned, clapping her hands together. "Now who's hungry?"
˚°❀⋆.ೃ࿔ ۫ 𝄞♪ ˚°❀⋆.ೃ࿔
Malvolia's home was fairly big. It had three bedrooms, a washroom, a living room, and a kitchen. After we had a hearty dinner at Malvolia's favorite restaurant, the group had gathered back here. Flops had already settled on one of the plush chairs, curled up and sleeping soundly.
Malvolia pointed to the middle room. "Stolas, you're staying there."
"Thank you." He quickly opened the door and went in.
"Alder and Cahira, you're in there." She pointed to the room on the left.
My face turned red. "Wh-What? N-No, I couldn't! He's the Fairy King and deserves a room of his own! I can sleep on the couch."
"I do not mind." Alder said.
"But-"
"Malvolia." Stolas interrupted me and stepped out of the room. He had changed into a more casual, all black outfit. "Do you need to change?"
"Change? What's going on?"
Malvolia patted my shoulder. "Stolas and I are going to a club."
My eyes widened. "What if I want to come? That sounds fun!"
She laughed and shook her head. "Next time, Cahira. You two have fun!"
Alder waved. "Be safe. Do not be out too late."
I sputtered out weak protests as the two heathens left me. Alone. With Alder. For who knows how long. As the front door shut, my shoulders slumped. I turned around with a dejected sigh. Alder had already grabbed our bags and was bringing them into the room. I decided to let Flops rest in the chair and followed him.
"Are you sure this is okay?" I asked, closing the door behind me.
"You know me well enough by now to know I am not bothered by these things."
I watched as he set down our stuff. He took off his shoes and started unbuttoning his vest. My face flushed a dark red as I realized I was watching his hands, the way the vines on his arms seemed to come to life with every movement. I quickly bent down and started to clumsily untie my boots.
The silence between us was broken as Alder folded his vest. "So, how are you feeling, little blossom? Is the kingdom everything you imagined it to be?"
"Well…" I set my shoes neatly by the door. I awkwardly reached behind me to undo my corset. "It's… I don't know yet. I think I'd like to explore more. But I definitely feel more relaxed, I suppose."
Alder moved behind me. He undid the ties. "You already seem more relaxed."
"I guess it's because we're finally away from danger. Out of the forest. I stayed there for so long-"
"It must have been hard. You must have felt trapped."
My eyes widened as my corset fell to the ground with a thud. I turned around, my tone apologetic. "No, no! That's not what I meant, Alder. I enjoyed being with you and Stolas."
"You do not have to fret." He stepped away and moved over to the right side of the bed, pulling back the covers. "This is your dream, Cahira. It was delayed because you were forcefully thrust into danger. I do not blame how you feel."
"Speaking of danger… it'll all be fixed soon, right?"
He sat on the bed and patted the spot next to him. "It will be. Come. Rest."
"Oh." I felt my face heat up again. "A-Are you sure? I've slept on the ground for the past couple of weeks, sleeping on the couch is an upgrade. You deserve to sleep in a bed all-"
"Lay down."
"Yes, Fairy King."
He chuckled as I sheepishly got into bed next to him. As soon as my back hit the bed, I felt all my energy drain. I was more exhausted than I realized. Alder laid down beside me. The earthy scent of petrichor and moss filled my senses. My heart was pounding, but for once, it wasn't from anxiety. I scooted closer to him. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed the top of my head.
"Good night, little blossom." He whispered.
"Sweet dreams, Alder."