In a bustling market of the capital city Roxana empire, where many shop vendors were shouting about their small goods and, people were buying these things with different expressions, passing through this road, one girl with a hooded cloak walked quietly on the street watching everything from the food to various magic devices in the shops on the sides of the street.
The girl with long blond hair, which was hidden in her cloak, had deep, disappointment-filled brown eyes.
She was observing every shop and the things that were sold in them with a sigh.
'Hmm. Just as I thought, nothing new is trending these days. Why don't people do differently than the same food, machines, and magic.'
She walked down the streets complicated mind.
The voices grew quiet as she walked ahead.
After some time, the voices strangely died down completely.
This was quite unusual. She knew... something was wrong.
She looked back but there was nothing. The silence was making her uncomfortable but, she wasn't much worried.
There wasn't much to worry about because the capital was one of the safest places in the empire. At most, there could be some low-level beasts.
But then...
Then she heard some footsteps coming from the back. They were slow, almost fearless.
She stopped and put her hand in her pocket. She wasn't someone that anyone could mess with anyway.
There was a magic device she carried with her for testing purposes in this kind of situation.
The footsteps stopped some distance behind her.
She hurriedly pressed the button on the cubic device. The white cube in her pocket vibrated and the blue button on it slightly glowed.
A current passed from it and... dispersed in the surrounding area.
She wasn't harmed one bit but, the man standing behind her fell to his knees. Almost chocking.
She turned around and glared at him With furious eyes, for a moment.
He was a young man wearing a magician's cloak.
She then looked past him and saw some other people knocked down.
Their attire looked like typical bandits. Some sharp weapons, those cliché outfits, and a small orb with a blinking red light on the ground.
There were signs of a fight but it looked one-sided. As if a predator had played with small flies.
She finally grasped the whole situation and a small smirk appeared on her face.
'Looks like I made a mistake this time.'
She walked up to the man and helped him get back up.
There wasn't much harm as the device only stunned the targets in the surrounding area.
He got up and then... she could see his appearance. Or more like bathe in that beautiful, confusing art.
He had long black hair they were almost shining in the small bit of light passing in the alley his deep red eyes shone as if they were jewels.
She looked at him with wide eyes. This was her first time seeing something like this but she wasn't surprised by just his appearance.
"Hey, handsome. Are you alright?"
She said truthfully. But, got an unexpected reaction from the person before her.
He instantly turned red as soon as he looked at her.
His deep red eyes locked with her beautiful brown light eyes.
He was astonished by the unexpected comment as well.
This whole situation was unexpected for him. Everything.
'I just sensed a mana fluctuation of a magic device and, came to see what was going on. But then I found some unfortunate bandits following a person so, I got the idea of everything.
Playing with them wasn't much fun so I just put them to sleep. But, this lady then stunned me and now she is calling me handsome!?'
This whole ordeal was unexpected and unreal.
"What could you be doing here sir?"
She politely asked again as there was no answer to the previous question.
"Actually...I got lost."
He said truthfully, with a depressed expression, and looked down in shame. It was funny that a mage got lost.
"I am new in the capital and... don't know much about the roads."
He explained that he was from the southern territory which is the second dukedom of the empire. Because of his circumstances, he moved to the capital.
"If that's the case, why don't I show you around someday."
She asked with a small smile. She wanted to look around some more anyways. Having such a company would be much better.
Being a merchant she believed in her intuition and, was good at determining a person's character.
'He is a good person with an amusing character.'
She thought, smiling internally as she looked at his red face.
"N...no! It won't be a problem."
He immediately shook his head in denial. This didn't sound too pleasing to him.
"No. please~. Just think of it as an apology for what happened."
She insisted. With a big happy smile on her face.
'He looks... cute, when he's flustered?'
It is my first time seeing such... pure expression.
"If...you don't mind. Then, I will have to trouble you. Thanks."
He bowed his head and they talked some more time about the city before she asked a question that should have been the first thing to ask.
"Um...so, I forgot to ask your name. Can you tell me now?"
Asking in a low voice she looked at him.
"Oh! yes! That was my mistake! My name is Brian Kromet."
He exclaimed and introduced himself with an embarrassed look.
"Kromet? I think I have heard that name before..."
She was thinking but, suddenly remembered where she heard that familiar name.
"Oh! Then are you ( Red-eyed Hunter ) from the south? That's awe..."
She stopped talking when she looked at the gloomy expression on his face.
"Please don't call me that. It's...embarrassing."
He urged as he was red as a tomato.
'yeah. He IS cute. Seeing that expression often... won't be a bad idea, right?'
"Ok then. Let's go."
I dragged him, holding his hand.
Her white and fair hands were smooth but... the fingers felt rough to him. As if one had done so much paperwork that their hands were now used to it.
'Her hands... they are so soft.'
He thought, blankly holding her hand.
They walked out of the street and stopped on the main road.
"Oh, yes! There seems to be some kind of event today in the north park. Let's go there after I show you around."
I suggested, remembering the posters about the play on the street. This play was famous as there were many famous actors playing the roles of different main characters.
"I don't know if it will be possible miss. I have some work in the central office of adventurer association."
With a worried tone, he answered looking down.
"It is fine. Besides, I also have some things to check at the central office."
I sighed and answered him with a confident smile on my face.
'I should get some more information on this fellow. It is always good to know about the person you are with.'
"If you say so miss. Then, sorry for the trouble."
He bowed and we started walking around the main streets of the capital.
Walking around, we talked about many places that were popular in the city and after a moment, reached our destination.
"Miss. We can meet at this place after our work is done."
He said in a calm voice as he turned around to leave. But, he stopped as someone grabbed his hand. Turning around he saw the lady who was with him all this time.
"You can call me Nolen. And don't be late. Handsome~."
Letting go of his hand I walked forward to the huge white building. After walking a few steps I stopped and turned my head to look at him.
There, the man was just standing in the same position as she was holding his hand with a face as red as a rose.
'Adorable...'
This type of reaction isn't normal these days. Not knowing, I was smiling as I entered the building.
On the other hand, he was still there blankly staring at his hand.
'What was, that? And why are these things happening today.'
Still lost in thought he was quietly thinking about the lady as he too walked into the building.
I entered the central office which was one of the busiest and most huge places in the entire capital city.
Not minding the eyes on me, I reached the third floor which was a restricted area for the common people.
"Wait for a minute. Please show us your id card and meeting papers."
I took out a blue card and handed them. They looked shocked as soon as I handed the card, and quickly checked it with a magic device. Bowing politely, they said with a respectful voice.
"You can go miss Nolen. Please forgive our rudeness."
"Keep up the good work~."
I walked to the door with a golden nameplate.
*
After finishing our work, we both met at the agreed place.
Looking at him, a single thought came to my mind.
'He is a really good man.'
From the 'little' investigation, I found many things about him and none of them were terrible.
We started walking as I held his hand more tightly.
"So...hm? Miss N...Nolen. Why are we still going towards the garden."
With a worried expression, he asked, glancing to the other side.
"Nothing much. Just to show you around~."
Replying with a small smile I looked forward to where two giant gates stood and beyond them, were green plants and some big trees.
Entering the garden we sat down on a bench by the lake and looked forward at the beautiful birds by the lake.
A huge garden filled with many different plants, trees, flowers as well as wildlife. Nature, which was always beautiful when seen with open eyes and ears. A lake which is the center of the wildlife forms to gather. A place loved by the couples. In such a place, we were sitting on the same bench.
'It feels like an... unofficial date.'
I giggled in my thoughts as we just set there quietly.
"So, what will you be doing next weekend. Mister Brian?"
I asked first, breaking the awkward silence.
"Next weekend? I don't have anything particular for some time. May be, normal hunting? Why do you ask miss?"
he asked with a confused look.
"Well, nothing much. Just... you just got a date with me on that day. Just meet me here ok?"
I stood up and left with a somewhat serious face.
After a moment of silence, he suddenly turned around and looked at me with wide eyes.
I also stopped and gave him a small smile before leaving. I was looking forward to a real date.
***
I looked outside the window, where Eon and his dad were setting up the tables.
'That was the first time we met and, after all this time, not much has changed. He is still almost the same. And our little baby... is a genius.'
Today was her birthday, and her son and husband were preparing for the party.
'The surprise dinner from Eon., I'm so looking forward to it. I think it's something totally different. Brian was also excited.'
She was looking forward to what kind of otherworldly thing her son had prepared for her.
"It's almost time. so, let's go~"
She got up and headed downstairs.
They set everything outside so there must be something else too.