"Around a year after you fled the kingdom, your mother, Lady Ashley, and her entourage went on a trip to the lands of the forgotten in search for someone to find you. Unfortunately, she didn't mention any names nor what route they were taking. Your father, Lord Robert, insisted that she takes some royal soldiers with her, worried she might get into trouble on the way. However, she wouldn't agree no matter what argument your father presented to persuade her. They said their goodbyes and your mother along with five other servants went on their journey to the mentioned lands. To ease your father's anxiety, she promised to keep in touch with him whenever possible. For the first few weeks, either your mother or one of her entourage would get in contact with your father or someone from the Teral estate. One day, the estate got an SOS signal from the Kyanite your mother had on her. After pinning down the location from which came the SOS signal, two search parties were sent. One from the estate, another from the royal palace". Charles explains thoroughly to Night walker who is walking behind him.
"And? What happened to these two search parties?" Night walker asks impatiently.
"Patience. I'll tell you the rest once we arrive to our destination. And try to not attract unwanted attention".
"I'm wearing a black cloak that covers my head and throws a shadow over my face while you walk without any disguise. Aren't you, I don't know, say popular and known amongst the commoners?" Night walker expresses what she's thinking out loud.
He throws her a glance, "not to worry. I'm a private investigator so I tend to keep a low profile. And to answer your upcoming question, we'll be staying at an apartment his highness was so kind to offer it to us".
"Yeah staying in something fancy while looking like an assassin won't attract attention. You two definitely thought this one through" she says sarcastically.
"If only you walk as much as you talk, we would have arrived there by now," he fires back at her.
"Do you have amnesia or something? I told that my feet were tired from all the running"
"But we're not running" he interrupts her.
Night walk smacks her forehead with her hand and grunts, "yeah. You're, for sure, his highness' close friend. You both share a horrible sense of humor".
"Thank you," Charles says ever so bluntly.
"That wasn't a compliment," she states rolling her eye.
Charles stops and looks around him. Night walker walks up to his side and pokes his arm, "what's up?" she whispers.
"Can't you tell? We're being watched" Charles whispers back.
"Oh yeah. I know that" she shrugs her shoulders, "You've finally noticed". She pulls the cloak to cover her face more.
"What do you mean by finally? How long have they been watching us?"
"Since we entered the market. And there's only one person. She's harmless"
"How do you know that? She?"
"Yes, she. And she is just a kid. Six years old I'd say. Her height is about 110 centimeters, her weight around 15 kilograms" night walker recites the information as if they were engraved in her memory.
"How do you know all of this?" Charles questions in bewilderment.
"Ha! As if I'd tell you"
"Can you tell if she is sent by someone?"
"No. But I don't think so,"
"I'm not putting my chances on what you think. We're staying at Harbor Inn". Charles turns a corner with Night walker by his side this time.
"Harbor what? Couldn't have they come up with a better name?"
"Oh really? Night walker?"
"Too shay" she, for once, agrees with what the investigator. "I'm not so proud of that name either"
"Proud or not. We have to change it. Rumors about the actions of Night walker have been flying all around Mystal"
"Ah screw what I said. I'm famous" she says enthusiastically.
"Turn it down" he scolds her for the billionth time this day. "We've arrived" he stops in front of a small building.
On top of the main entrance, there's a sign that says "WELCOME to HARBOR INN". The sign is made out of wood framed by metal. The building is two stories, sandstone bricks make up the outer structure. Two windows are on either sides of the hard wooden door. Two pots of pink, white and red tulips are present in front of each double-hung window.
Charles opens the door and waits for Night walker to follow him in, which she does.
"Are we still being watched?" he whispers
She nods her head affirmatively. Charles sighs, "You won't like this, but we will be sharing a room together, to avoid any suspicion"
"You're right, I don't like this"
"Well, there's more. It has to be a room with one bed"
"WH-" Night walker begins but is interrupted by Charles' hand covering her mouth.
"Keep it down," he places a finger on his lips in a manner of shushing.
Uncomfortable with his hand on her mouth, she swats it away, grabs his vest collar and pulls him down to her level.
"Touch me again and you'll be missing a hand" she threatens, obviously angry.
Charles, taken aback by her behavior nods and looks at her remorsefully. She lets his collar go and walks up to the reception office. He hurries after her out of fear that she might cause a fuss that would attract the unwanted attention he's been desperately trying to avoid.
"Excuse me," Night walker hits the bell several times
"Coming!" a voice rings out from somewhere.
A young lady with red hair, green eyes and a wide smile answers Night walker's vigorous bell tapping. "How may I help you?" she asks politely.
Charles answers before night walker can, "my fiancée and I would like a room if any is available". He stresses on the word 'fiancée'.
Again, before night walker can speak a word, the receptionist's smiles widen and she hands Charles a key, "here you go sir!"
"Ah thank you very much. How much will it be?"
"That would be 200 mysts sir"
Charles hands her the money and gestures for night walker towards the hallway. She snatches the key from him and stomps her way to the room. Charles smiles awkwardly to the receptionist, "allow me to apologize for her behavior. She had a long day and dislikes when I mention to strangers our relationship".
The receptionist dismisses him with a small wave of her hand, "nonsense. There's absolutely no need for apologies here. I'm sure she has more charm than she lets on".
Charles nods, unsure of what to say and follows night walker.
When they arrive to the room, Charles slowly closes the door behind him. Once it's shut, night walker spins on her heels, tears the cloak off of her and points a finger at him.
"What were you thinking? Fiancée? Really? Why didn't you just make me your pregnant wife?"
"His highness would be mad"
She grunts and balls her hands into fists.
"Please do try to calm down."
She glares at him but soon her expression becomes neutral.
"She's not watching us anymore" night walker states.
"You didn't answer my question. How do you know all of this?"
"I did. I said: HA! As if I'd tell you"
Charles takes a seat on the couch, kicks off his shoes and lies down. "You will. Sooner or later. The prince and I will uncover all your secrets".
Night walker takes the cloak off the floor and places it on the edge of the bed, "then get ready to be plunged into darkness". She says before throwing herself on the soft covers and snuggling her face to a pillow. As soon as she closes her eyes, sleep takes over her.
Noticing the lack of snapping and sarcasm, Charles checks on her. "So much for resuming what happened to your mother". He takes a woven piece of cloth and places it on her. "Get some rest now. You haven't slept since I brought you in".