Levi just sighed.
"I agree, let's ask the locals! Since there's no palace guards around, so it seems" Aerra added.
I glance at Levi but instead of seeing him just returning a placid stare with his usual emotionless facial expression, I saw him looking at the ground, brows a bit furrowing instead.
He doesn't look good.
He must be really tired. He did use a great amount of magic awhile ago or whatever it is that he used to teleport us here. But if I address his pale condition, he might just deny it. Especially since Aerra is around, he would hate looking weak in front of her for sure.
Oh, I have an idea.
"We came a long way. We might as well rest for a bit and besides, Aerra— you haven't even eaten breakfast yet, have you?"
She opens her mouth to perhaps argue but then, as if on cue, her stomach growled loud.
"I thought so. Me too actually! Let's try out the food here. Might be interesting to see how their dishes would taste like. Besides, I don't think miss Hysmin will leave the city premises on a spur anyway!"
"Perfect! I've been meaning to try the local foods here ever since we got here!" Eriol added, pumping a fist in the air.
I glared at him. "So that's why you were so eager to volunteer in going here alone earlier. So you can try the foods here by yourself!"
"Hey that wasn't my intention! I just really though it would cut us time if I go alone and hunt this person we're searching for."
"And yet you would still find time to buy foods anyway, I bet." I murmured.
Eriol nods, "Haha, well I won't deny that!" He laughs, scratching the back of his head, "I mean, I would've bought some for you guys as well if you ask!"
"Right." I sighed. "Anyway—!"
"How about that inn over there!" Aerra cuts in, turning her head to look at a building.
I followed her line of sight and nodded. "Looks okay. Let's go!" I uttered as Aerra and Eriol strode away in cheer and excitement.
I chuckled watching them.
Suddenly, Levi walks by from behind and pats my shoulder and whispered, "Thanks!"
Our eyes met and I saw him smile.
What a rare sight.
I just nodded at him and grinned
as we both followed after Aerra and Eriol who already went in ahead of us.
—————
"This city is amazing, isn't it?"
"Dusty" I replied, referring to the bold streets that bears no pavements nor bricks, just bare soil. Actually, even this inn is just all sands and soil as well, no concrete flooring. "And muddy in most of the places too!" I added, raising my shoes from under the table to where a shallow puddle exists despite being inside a building.
"It's not that bad." she uttered, eyes scouting around.
I shrugged. "I suppose."
Aerra giggles. "You suppose? You were gawking the moment we stepped pass the gates."
"Gawking? I am not!!! I w-was only... I was just—!" I turned to Levi, "Was I gawking?"
"What're you asking me for?" he eluded
"It's okay, Aeron. I feel the same. The rush of excitement and mix with amazement... This is after all the first time we've seen something like this huh? Maybe we should travel more often. It's good for you as the future Duke to reign over Greenrun! Together that is! Let's all travel more together!" She beams at me, grabbing my hand with both her hands, tagging at it a bit. "Say yes!"
I just studied her in silence.
That's the smile I was waiting to see that I dreaded for to fade... That usual carefree smile that shines so bright.... I still wonder what was happening to Aerra that made her almost forget to smile.
I'm glad I agreed on this travel.
Suddenly, Eriol and Levi looms their faces close to me, almost just few inches away.
In surprise I jumped aback, almost tipping myself over from my seat.
"Wa-what the heck are you two doing?!"
"Why are you staring like that at her?" asks Levi in a bitter glare.
"Are you smitten with a male twin better than a female?" added Eriol in a mischievous sneer.
"Cut it off!" I slammed my hands down the table.
"Well anyway! We do need to return the brooches too! So let's all travel more after this!" Eriol grins, "Even if we barely began the actual hunt for those fugitives, just visiting cities like this is already fun! So let's do these some more, right Levi?"
"I agree." Added Levi. "You do need to see the world beyond Greenrun and Grantzæl, Aeron. Books can only teach you as much. As a Lord, you should be very knowledgeable about the world. See it all with your own two eyes and learn what our books can't offer. That way, no one can step on you that easily."
I'm not sure if hearing Eriol and Levi agree on something all of a sudden is more gravely disturbing and shocking than the fact that Levi just showed he cares for me just now.
"Just say yes, Aeron!" Aerra insisted.
"Yeah, Aeron, don't be such a killjoy!" Eriol added, reaching to wrap his arm across my shoulder.
"There are plenty more cities out there that's greater and more interesting than this." Levi crosses his arm and regards me with a warm look in his eyes.
I looked around the table, all three of them were staring at me, waiting patiently for my response.
"You guys are weird!" I answered. I felt my face hot so I looked away and pouted at the nagging feeling that I secretly feel a bit awed with their sudden gestures. "But yeah. S-sure.... do w-whatever you want...."
Why do they have to wait for me to say yes anyway? I don't understand. They can just go on travel without my consent.
Odd.... I don't get it.
"Yay!" Aerra cheered.
Levi just chuckled and closed his eyes in content, sighing in relief as he discreetly smiled.
While Eriol ruffles my hair vigorously.
"Enough about this! Let's just go order our food already so we can start searching for this Hysmin person and be on our way! You guys are acting so weird." I pulled away from Eriol and sat with my back straight, clearing my throat as Eriol raised his hand and a waitress came and took our orders.
When our orders arrive, Aerra stood up. "Let's toast to the future travels we will have!"
She's smiling so cheerfully.
I'm relieve how she's like this.
"Toast to more safe journeys!" I raised my mug
"Toast for more interesting adventures!" Eriol raises his, few liquid spilled but he didn't seem to care.
"A toast for this party." Levi added.
We clashed our mugs high above the center of the table but as we stood up to do so the table tilted and almost fell. On instinct, we held on to the table to save it but in the process our drinks almost spilled all over the dishes which we had to pull away from abruptly and in panic.
We then all sighed almost at the same time in relief.
Aerra bursted out laughing all of a sudden.
Levi, Eriol and I looked at each other and slowly, for some odd reason, I ended up laughing as well.
Eriol and Levi did so too.
More properly this time, we raised our mugs and Eriol spoke, "For now, let's just toast for the birthday of this two snow heads! I hope you guys to have a great future ahead whatever you both may decide later on with your lives! Happy birthday, you guys!"
Levi nods, "Happy Birthday, Aerra— Aeron"
I nodded once and so did Aerra. We drank our mugs down and soon after, we began to eat our meals.
That morning, I'm proud to say, I enjoyed the best late breakfast of my life!
——————