The summer sun was blown away by the autumn winds while bringing maple leaves blowing towards the Cross Estate. Inside the library of the estate, a burned-out child is sighing of boredom wanting some excitement while the other is staring out into space moving his hands around.
An old butler is thinking what to do cheer these children up. Suddenly, he got an idea.
"Young master, young miss. Why don't you two go out and have a walk around town. Maybe the two of you can find some motivation during the trip. I will be coming along of course." Ralph gave his suggestion.
"The town? Light Edge town that is 1 km from here? Can we really go there? I want to go, I want to go. Let's go big brother. Maybe we can have some fun. 3 months of continuous studying is boring." Marylyn jumped excitedly hearing Ralph suggestion.
"Huh? Trip to the town? Yeah sure. I didn't go there when I was younger. I am waiting for my little sister to grow so we can go together. You were so focus on studying and last year is your nobility party so it slipped off my mind." Adrian agrees to the suggestion while storing the deconstructed patterns for later use.
"Then, that is settled. I will go report to the master and madam. You two can go change to warmer clothes. Wait at the entrance after finished changing. I will prepare the carriage." Ralph said and left to do some preparations. It also seems like Amanda's prediction of Adrian 5 years ago is right.
"Okie dokie." Marylyn said cheerfully while Adrian just nods.
Moments later, Adrian and Marylyn waited at the entrance for the carriage. Adrian wears a black coat with white fur while Marylyn wears white coat with brown fur. Both signifies that they are from noble households. Ralph arrives wearing a brown coat with the carriage pulled by 2 wind stallions.
"Get in, it is a 30-minute trip to reach the town. Plan where you want to go when we reach there." Ralph advises them.
"Yay. Big brother let's play eye spy." Marylyn excitedly jumps in to the carriage.
"Okay Mary." Adrian said with a small smile.
It reaching noon by now and thirty minutes of eye spy game later…
"We have arrived. We stop by next to the local tavern called 'Lily's' so we can park the carriage and give the wind stallion some rest." Ralph finding a tavern to stop by.
"It sounds fun inside. Should we go in? I want to see what's inside." Marylyn is curious hearing the tavern bustling with activity.
"Okay, if you want to see what's inside. Let's go in." Adrian just agrees with Marylyn curiosity. He sends an eye contact to Ralph to make sure to let him know. Seeing Ralph nodded back and keep tending the wind stallions, Adrian brought Marylyn inside.
The tavern is brightly lit. People were merrily enjoying their food. Some wears armor, some wealthy clothes but most of the wear normal common clothes. Adrian thinks that he and Marylyn both stood out wearing the coats and he is right. The crowd stops after seeing Adrian and Marylyn enter. He also hears the gossips.
"Is it them? The count's children?"
"Yeah, they should be right? Who else wears coats like that except for nobles."
"The count had 1 boy and 1 girl. Both 10 years old and 6 years old respectively."
"That boy is 10 years old? He looks taller that any 10 years old."
Adrian couldn't help but sigh. True he is 150 cm right now. He did exercise and eat well. So, it is not so surprising.
Adrian took off his coat and went to a table. Marylyn is quite shy so she just follows what her big brother does and sit down at the table with him.
"Please carry on everyone. We are here just to have fun. Don't let us ruin your mood. Just be yourself please. Waiter order please!" Adrian spoke up to ease the crowd.
Hearing Adrian don't mind them they continue with what they are doing before and enjoy.
"The heir sure knows his stuff."
"Well, as long he is not like the arrogant nobles its fine."
"The count's daughter sure is adorable."
"Yes sir, what would you like to have?" A cute girl comes to the table and hand out the menu.
"Oh? Are you the boss daughter? You don't need to call me sir. Just call me Adrian, we about the same age and this is my younger sister, Marylyn." Adrian introduces himself and his sister to the girl while skimming through the menu. Marylyn gives the girl a shy nod.
"Yes, I'm the tavern owner's daughter, my name is Molly. Ni… nice to meet you, Ad…Adrian and Marylyn." The girl named Molly introduce herself nervously while giving a bow.
"Hahaha… You don't need to bow. I'm just a kid. Anyway, the menu looks good. So, we will take a plate of smoked chicken, 3 bowls of tomato soup, and a loaf of bread. For drinks we have, hot tea, juice of your choice and a pint of warm beer. That's it. Thanks." Adrian makes a swift decision.
"Ah… ye…yes. Coming right up." Molly replied not wondering why a 10-year-old order a pint of beer.
The others in the tavern started to wonder who is the third person is. Is it the count? Soon the door to the tavern open and Ralph walked in. The crowd stared at the man for a while and immediately recognize the man.
"Ralph!"
"Look guys. It's Ralph."
"Ralph, we though you are already dead. It's been 10 years since we last saw you."
"Hahaha… don't overreact everyone. I didn't come to the tavern because it's been busy for the last 10 years. Lily, I have a pint of warm beer, please." Ralph scanning around the nostalgic place. It's still the same.
"That kid had already ordered one for you. It seems like 10 years of disappearance just to let a kid know you huh, Ralph? Hahaha." Lily the tavern owner makes a remark while laughing.
"I see. If it's the young master, he sure does know me." Ralph strokes his beard and take a seat at the table while looking towards Adrian who is shrugging his shoulders
"The count's kid sure is smart."
"That's right."
"Are you guys coming to town for some fun? Want us to guide you?"
"That is fine. We don't want to disturb your fun because of us. We just want to go for a walk." Adrian adds while giving an honest sweet smile giving some hints to the crowd by looking at the shy Marylyn.
"Your meal is here and here is your drinks." Molly came to the table serving the food.
"Thank you" Marylyn speaks shyly.
"Thank you, lass" Ralph thanked Molly then take a sip at the warm beer.
"Thanks, Molly. By the way Molly, what fun kids our age do here?" Adrian asked Molly after give her his thanks.
"Uhh… for commoners, kids our age just help their parents with housework or business. There are times kids play tag or hide and seek but not always." Molly replies with a disappointing answer.
"So, no have anything to enjoy themselves? Adults and child a like?" Adrian is shocked.
"That is true young master. If nobody had anything to do, they just take a walk or do more jobs for money. It is not an easy life but people can have a bit of spare change." Ralph tells the reality of the situation to Adrian.
Adrian grunts and continue to eat. He felt deep pity inside. The common people don't have any form of entertainment. Music exists but it is a cultural influence from Amaranthine Empire. Not many people in the Twilight Kingdom can play music except for some nobles to show off their talent.
Adrian knows he had to do something. It can begin in Light Edge town.