Questions like this one are quite easy for Arianne to answer, for she already made an alias before leaving home a few months ago and it's a name she uses outside.
"Anne, my name is Anne. Pleasure to meet you both!" She answered.
After the introduction they had a nice conversation until....
"Sister Jade about the payment, how much does it cost?" Arianne questioned
"4 silvers will be enough. Its a small price to pay." Jade said
Ian leaned to Jade and whispered on her ear " Isn't that to pricey you, normally charge people 2 silvers ,plus, I don't think that Anne have that much money on her"
"If she doesn't have that much money then she needs to find a way to pay me" Jade stated. Looking at Arianne to see what expression she has now but to her surprise nothing about her demeanor changed.
Knowing that the money charged would be doubled she already had a plan in mind "Wow, that's bullshi- , I mean a huge rip-off sister Jade, how about 2 silvers" Arianne replied raising 2 of her fingers.
' you want me to lower the price huh' she thought "Unfortunately, I can't do that. As you can see I'm broke, too broke to even afford a single loaf of bread."
Looking around the house, Arianne saw a lot of expensive decorations and of course her own clothing. "I very much doubt that." She said with keen eyes
Knowing that making Arianne pity herself won't work on her she tried a different approach. "Well you see Anne, I'm running a business here, I need to have some profit once in a while." She said trying to convince her.
"I would've never thought that someone like you would pick on young inexperienced people. I don't have much money myself, I'm broke as well and if I pay you that much, a huge amount of my saving will be lost." She said with sadness in her eyes. "So how does 2 silvers sounds like" Arianne said smiling again.
'That's a good response, I don't really want to drag this conversation any longer so I'll let her win this one' Jade thought, wanting to lay on her bed as quickly as possible
"Haha! okay then, 3 silvers and 80 coppers"
" 2 silvers and 50 coppers" Arianne replied
"3 silvers and 50 coppers" said Jade
" How about 2 silvers and 70 coppers" she replied
"3 silvers, I can't go any lower than that"
"Then it's decided, 3 silvers it is." She said with a huge grin on her face. Then she handed 3 silvers to Jade from her pockets.
Jade took the money, and out of nowhere blurted out "When you're facing off someone older or stronger than you, you must not falter and keep your composure."
Surprised with what she said, words came out of her mouth "Thanks for the advice, but I already know that. By the way, sir Ian, sister Jade, when is he waking up?" She abruptly said and Glancing over the boy.
Looking at the boy Jade analyzed him. "Maybe a few hours or so"
"He seems to like to sleep a lot" Arianne said with a slightly worried face
"It's due to build up fatigue so it's nothing to worry about, he's just tired." Jade said Reassuring Arianne.
Arianne responded with a relieved sigh.
"Thanks for the help" she said slightly bowing her head.
"I probably need to head back home now. I think my family are looking for me. I'm supposed to head back at noon but it seems like it's already 2 in the afternoon" she said making excuses.
"Your probably right" said Ian. " I've already changed this boys clothes while you two were chewing each other out." He laughed
"Oh right! Sir Ian! Perchance, do you know why almost all the healers are out of town?" Arianne mentioned
"Well there are only a few healers here to begin with and they went to support the expedition team sent by the emperor to exterminate some beast. A lot of adventurers did." He answered.
"Must be because of the sudden increase of beast attacking these side of the borders." She whispered to herself.
"Did you say something Anne?" Ian questioned
"Oh! Its nothing." She answered and then placed the boy on her back. "Then we'll be off!" Arianne replied running out while waving her hand.
Both Ian and Jade waved goodbye to Arianne and went inside shortly after.
______________________
*Inside Jade's house
"So Ian, why did you brought that girl here? Is it your vision again or that stupid voice in your head told you to." Jade said
"Hmmm.... Both" said Ian
"What does that mean?" Jade asked
Thinking about it, he doesn't really know and the only thing he could think of was... "She is an important figure in securing a bright future for the empire"
"She does have the qualifications on doing so, but I have this feeling that she was very wary of us until the end. That overly catious behavior of hers could someday lead to her own down fall."said Jade sitting on the couch "So which Family does she belongs to?"
"How in the world would I know? I only saw a short vision about 2-3 minutes and it didn't mention her name." He answered.
Jade then lighted a cigarette and placed it onto her mouth "Then go ahead and ask him"
'Why the on earth should I listen to you' he thought and at the same time did what he was told.
Inside Ian's mind
'-Prometheus, Per chance do you know which family she belongs to? You were listening to our conversation right?"
"And what if I do?" a voice said inside Ian's mind
"Come on, tell me Prometheus. I'm curious too you know? Well I'm more curious as to why a child could help save the kingdom." Ian pleaded
"Only if you beg me." The voice replied
"Prometheus I'm begging you! Can you please tell me, I mean us, about it" he begged
" Okay! just keep it to yourself and Jade. if even a word gets out your mouth regarding that girl outside this house. I'm not gonna help you nor talk to you, understand!?' The voice sighed
' I can do that!" He said attentively.
The voice cleared his throat " She belongs to the .................…"
Ian flinched with what he heard, clearly shocked and turned to Jade
"Jade! That girl, she... she... belongs to the Imperial family, the Youngest daughter of the Astrea Imperial Family!" He stuttered.
Jade was dumbfounded and said "You're joking right but if that's true, That means that, the girl.... has enough money to pay me 4 silvers!." She shouted jumping off the couch.
"That's not the point!" He yelled at Jade.
"In any case, did we sound rude or offensive in any way? We might be punished for...." He said before he could finish what he was saying he was interupted by Jade
"I'm not sure about that." She said "Anne, no, I mean, princess Arianne isn't that type of person and you saw her personally she's not that petty. She even thanked us and bowed her head." Jade said sharing her opinion.
"Your right! Wow, It felt like I avoided a huge tragedy."
"Stop exaggerating"
"Now that you think about it, She went out of the palace or more like the capital and went disguising like a commoner. I wouldn't be surprised if the whole palace didn't know her leaving the place" Ian said
Suddenly a question came to both of their mind "The capital is far from here so how did she manage to get here without any escorts?"
But that question faded from their mind since the princess they met was a somehow capable person.