Rux leans against the counter, staring out the window. His father's words from earlier echo in his mind: "The world's bigger than this farm. You'll see someday." And he lets out a long sigh.
"Mom," he says suddenly, breaking the silence.
His mother, still tidying up the kitchen, looks over her shoulder at him.
"Yes, Rux?"
Rux turns to her. "I'm kind of bored. I think I'll head into the city for a bit. Just to look around."
His mother pauses, her hands on her hips, giving him a skeptical look.
"Bored, huh? And what exactly are you planning to explore in the city, Rux?"
Rux shrugs, trying to sound nonchalant.
"I don't know... just, you know, look around. See the shops, maybe watch some of those fancy magicians perform. It's not like I get to go often."
His mother raises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced.
"And what if you get into trouble? Or worse, distracted and forget to come back before dark?"
Rux grins, grabbing a small pouch of coins from the counter.
"Relax, Mom. I'm not a kid anymore. I can take care of myself. Besides, the city's only an hour's walk. I'll be back before you even notice I'm gone."
She sighs, shaking her head, but there's a small smile on her lips.
"You're still my kid, Rux, no matter how grown-up you think you are. Just promise me you'll be careful, and don't spend all your coins on something ridiculous."
Rux raises a hand in mock salute.
"Careful and responsible. Got it."
His mother chuckles, but her voice softens.
"Be sure to come home before dark. And... stay out of trouble, okay?"
Rux nods, stepping toward the door and grabbing his worn satchel. As he slings it over his shoulder, he glances back at her, a playful grin on his face.
"I'll be fine, Mom. See you later."
With that, he steps outside. His inner monologue returns as he walks down the dirt path toward the main road.
"The city's always been this exciting, busy place—so different from the quiet life here on the farm. I've been there few times with Dad, but I've never really gone on my own. Who knows? Maybe I'll find something new today. Or maybe it's just a chance to stretch my legs and see something other than fields and fences."
The scene shifts to show Rux walking along the winding road toward the distant city, the tall spires of Arcathia's palace barely visible against the horizon.
"Whatever happens, at least it's better than sitting around doing nothing."
Rux steps through the gates of Arcathia, the sounds of the bustling city flooding his ears. The city is alive, every corner teeming with activity—people shouting, market vendors haggling, the sound of blacksmiths hammering, and the distant chatter of nobles discussing business. The air smells of fresh bread and the faint scent of magical incense. Rux's eyes widen as he takes it all in, his inner thoughts speaking louder than the noise around him.
"Wow. It's... bigger than I remembered."
He walks slowly down the cobblestone streets, taking in the sights of street performers casting colorful illusions, children running with enchanted toys, and the glint of magical trinkets in the market stalls. A young mage demonstrates a levitation spell, making a small barrel float above his head.
"it's so different from the farm. There's magic everywhere, like it's a part of the air itself. Everyone here is using it for something—like it's no big deal."
Rux watches a merchant pull a glowing crystal from a jar, its light shimmering in all directions as it's passed from hand to hand, but despite his fascination, Rux stays quiet, his face neutral.
"So, this is how the other half lives, huh? Fancy magic tricks, expensive goods, and all these nobles strutting around like they own the place. I mean, I guess they do, huh?"
He glances over to a group of elegantly dressed nobles walking past, their robes flowing smoothly as they converse about something with sharp, clipped words. Rux quickly looks away, keeping his head down as he blends in with the crowd.
"I'll never get used to seeing them so polished. Like everything in their life has been shaped by magic, or money, or both. But it's kind of impressive, in a way."
Rux continues walking, his steps slowing as he passes by a blacksmith's forge, where the heat of the fire and the rhythmic clang of hammer on steel fill the air. His eyes widen at the sight of an enchanted sword being forged, its blade glowing with runes that pulse in time with the forge's heat.
"That sword... looks like something out of one of those royal tournaments. If I had that, I'd be unstoppable, right?" he giggles.
He stops, his hand reaching out to touch the edge of a vendor's stall, where a finely crafted piece of jewelry gleams in the sunlight. The charm is small, simple—but there's something about it that catches his eye. His fingers hover, but he quickly pulls his hand back, reminding himself not to get distracted by the shiny things.
"Maybe one day, when I have some coin to spare, I'll get something for myself. But right now... it's all just too much. Too fast."
Rux steps deeper into the market, his eyes scanning the people around him. The faces of travelers, merchants, and nobles blur together, all moving with purpose. But for a moment, he just stands there, absorbing it all.
"It's kind of amazing, really. There's this constant buzz in the air. People talking, laughing, making deals... everything has its place, its rhythm. And it's like magic is the thread that ties it all together. Everything, every single thing, is connected by it."
He exhales slowly, his hands tucked into his pockets as he begins to walk again, still taking in everything around him, but trying to keep his expression neutral.
"I've never felt so small and so big at the same time. Like, here I am—just a commoner—but everything in this city feels like it's part of something bigger. Something... I don't quite understand."
As he walks, a small part of him yearns to be part of that world. But the other part—the part that feels content with his simple life on the farm—remains grounded, reminding him that there's no rush.
"Maybe... maybe I'll figure it out. Or maybe, I'll just enjoy seeing this place for what it is—for today."
Rux continues strolling through the marker, his gaze shifting between the shops, the street performers, and the lively crowd. He's lost in the chaos, his thoughts drifting back to the magical items and the sense of power he feels in the air. His attention is divided, unaware of the person approaching him from the opposite direction.
"Alright, I'll comeback later and check out the magic academy. Maybe they have something there that could be useful for me to learn. It would be nice to—"
*(Thud!)
Rux collides with someone, his shoulder taking the brunt of the impact. He stumbles back, caught off guard. He blinks and looks up, only to find himself face to face with a young man—tall, handsome, and dressed in elegant clothes that scream nobility. The prince of Arcathia, though Rux doesn't know that yet.
"Watch where you're going, peasant," the prince says, his voice cold and sharp.
Rux immediately notices the sneer in the prince's voice, his eyes narrowing slightly. The prince is looking him up and down, his gaze lingering on Rux's simple, worn clothes. It doesn't take long for Rux to realize who he's bumped into.
"Well, great. This is going well."
Rux quickly steps back, nodding and raising his hands in gesture of apology, even though he's not exactly sure what he's apologizing for.
"Sorry about that."
But the prince's eyes narrow, his lip curling into a smug grin as he inspect Rux more closely.
"Sorry? Do you even know who you're speaking to, commoner?"
Rux feels the sting of the prince's words, but he doesn't flinch or let it show on his face. He's heard worse from the kids back home—being looked down on by someone just because of how you dress isn't exactly a new experience.
"Right. Here we go. Prince, noble, whatever. Just another person who thinks their title means something."
Rux respond in calm voice.
"Yeah, whatever. Just bumped into you. Not a big deal."
The prince's expression flickers for a moment, clearly taken aback by Rux's lack of reaction. He expects fear, or at least some kind of response, but Rux just stands there, calm and indifferent.
Rux thoughts continue, his tone dry.
"Alright, first pain in the ass of the day. At least I'm not getting all worked up about it. Who cares what this guy thinks? He's probably just bored, looking for someone to push around. Lucky for him, I'm not in the mood to play along."
The prince glances over his shoulder at his attendant, a look of mild annoyance flashing across his face as he flicks his wrist, as if brushing off the encounter.
"Watch where you walk next time, commoner," he sneers, turning to leave.
Rux watches him walk away, his eyes lingering for a moment. He's about to turn back to the market when his voice lingers in his mind.
"Some people just don't get it. I'm just a kid trying to see the city, and here he is, acting like beneath him because of a couple rags. Whatever. Let him feel important. It's not like his words can touch me."
Rux adjust his satchel and steps back into the flow of the crowd, his pace steady, though his mind is still on the prince for a second.
"First lesson of the day. Royalty's got no problem with looking down on you. Guess that's just how it goes around here. Doesn't bother me, though. I've got better things to do than worry about some pampered prince."
He chuckles to himself, shaking his head, and moves on toward the next part oof the city. The prince may have been pain in the ass, but Rux's day is far from over.
The scene shift, the sun hangs low in the sky, casting a warm, golden glow across the horizon as Rux walks down the familiar dirt path back to his home.
Rux steps inside, the door creaking slightly as he pushes it open. He immediately spots her mother in the kitchen, her apron on, stirring a pot of something fragrant on the stove. Her movements are steady and sure, familiar. There's a comfort in watching her work. She glances over at him as he enters, a warm smile spreading across her face.
"Back already, Rux? Welcome Back!"
Rux closes the door behind him, tossing his satchel on a nearby chair as he leans against the doorframe, watching her for a moment.
"Yeah, I'm home!"
He rubs the back of his neck and walks over to where his mother is cooking, peering curiously at the meal simmering in the pot.
"Smells good. What's for dinner, Mom?"
His mother chuckles softly, stirring the pot again.
"Just the usual—stew and some bread. Nothing special, but It'll fill us up. Your father's still at the mill, so I'll keep it simple tonight."
Rux nods, his gaze wandering around the room, taking in the familiar setting—simple but cozy. He leans against the counter next to her, watching her work, feeling the warmth of the fire from the stove and the comfort of the place he's known all his life.
"Alright. Well, it's nice to be back. The city's... a lot different than here."
His mother smiles without looking at him, her attention on the food, but her voice softens with understanding.
"I'm sure it is. But you seem like you had a good time. Any trouble?"
Rux shrugs, leaning back against the counter, his arms crossed as he recalls his day.
"No, just some nobility acting like they own the world. Same old thing. You know, the usual stuff. I'm used to it by now."
His mother doesn't respond right away, but the smile on her lips fades into a thoughtful expression as she stirs the pot.
"Don't let them get to you, Rux. They don't know what it's like. What really matters is what you decide for yourself, not how they see you."
Rux remains quiet for a moment, considering her words. His mind drifts back to his encounter with the prince and the sting of the royalty's gaze. But his mother's words are like a balm, calming the minor irritation in his chest.
"Yeah, I know. I wasn't really bothered. Just another day."
Rux nods, stepping away from the counter. He heads for the small room off the side of the kitchen to wash up, his mind still turning over the events of the day.
"The city was exciting, sure, but there's something about this place... something about the way my mom talks that makes everything feel... steady. Like, here, it doesn't matter if I'm just a commoner or if I bumped into a prince or not. In this house, none of those matters. It's just family."
Just as Rux about to wash up, the sound of footsteps catches his attention. The door opens, and in steps his father, carrying a large bundle of goods. His face is tired but brightens when he sees his family.
"Welcome home, Old man," Rux says with a grin.
His father laughs, dropping the bundle onto the table. "I'm home! I've got some treats for us."
Rux's father pulls out cooked meats, fresh vegetables, and a few ripe fruits. His mother smiling with relief, helps him settle in.
His mother looks over at the bundle, and her eyes brighten with appreciation.
"Oh, dear, this looks wonderful! Thank you!"
As dinner continues, Rux's father leans back slighty in his chair, content with the food and the warmth of the evening. The mood is lighter, but it seems like he's ready to share more about his day.
"You know," he starts, his eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and weariness, "the mill's been a bit rough today. Had a little mishap with one of the new guys—he didn't secure a load properly, and it came crashing down. Nothing serious, but I got a little bruise from trying to stop the whole thing from collapsing."
He gestures nonchalantly to his shoulder.
"Anyway, I spent most of the afternoon helping with repairs. The whole mill's a mess now, but nothing we can't fix. I'll be sore tomorrow, that's for sure, but I've had worse."
Rux, still quietly listening, notices how his father's eyes linger on the bruise for a moment, but he doesn't seem to want to talk about it much. Instead, he chuckles light as he reaches into his bag and pulls out a few small trinkets.
"Ah, but here's interesting part," his father continues, his grin returning. "On my way home, I ran into an old friend—wasn't expecting it, but he's been traveling around, collecting things. He gave me a little souvenir for the family."
He pulls out a small, intricately carved wooden animal figurine, something that looks like a fox or a wolf, and places it on the table in front of them.
"Got this from some market outside the city. Pretty neat, huh? And this—" he pulls out a small pouch and shakes it lightly "—a little bit of dried herbs, for seasoning. Nothing fancy, but I thought you'd like it, hon."
Rux's mother smiles softly, touching the figurine and the pouch with appreciation.
"Oh, these are lovely, thank you, dear."
Rux watches all this, chewing on his food, and his mind, he starts to reflect on the day's events. It's been a strange day, filled with weird encounters, moments of tension, and small surprises. His father casual storytelling about the mill and the little trinkets seems to bring everything back to normal, though. But still, there's that lingering feeling of something unsettled, something he can't quite shake.
"And so, that's all happened today," Rux thinks to himself, looking around at his family as they chat. "Bumped into a prince, got mocked, Dad got bruised, and here we are, eating dinner like nothing happened. Honestly, it's like the world outside doesn't even matter when you're here with them. But... something feels off. It's probably just me overthinking. It's just another day, right? Or is it?"
His mind drifts as he stares at the figurine on the table. His father's laugh echoes in the background, but Rux's thoughts linger for just a moment longer on the bruise his father tried so hard to cover up. But for now, he pushes those thoughts aside.
"Yeah," he thinks. "It's just another day. Just another day..."
The evening continues, simple and steady, with the small family settling into their quiet routine, the outside world forgotten for a moment.