Rowan and Mika rode on a carriage through the town of the capital, some of the townspeople recognizing Mika as they rode through. Though one they didn't recognize was [Rowan Agoul] the [Weapon Holder] of course by trade being a [Weapon Holder] wasn't something that garnered lots of attention. Regardless Rowan couldn't say that it didn't sting a bit for him not to be recognized. On that note Rowan thought about the king and all the times he'd been to the capital. He wondered had the king noticed him? The man who carried the weapons of the [Hero's Party] in truth Rowan wasn't sure.
Rowan: "Man this sucks I'm grateful that you came back but why'd it have to be you of all people? It's gonna be awkward enough seeing Elara! I don't need you making it worse!"
Mika: "Oh relax, it's not like I'm gonna hurt you or anything! Besides I'd said I'd tone the teasing down
didn't I? Stop worrying!"
Rowan: "Fine I guess you're right. I'm just a little nervous that's all."
Rowan sat back in the seat of the carriage his body pressing against the smooth leather behind him. On the topic of the carriage one could tell this was something that belonged expressly to the king. The golden wheels and navy blue curtains that draped over it were made of only the finest material and made sure to stand out in the lively capital, gaining the attention of many people. Rowan wasn't exactly used to experiencing this feeling first-hand, as he'd only gotten second-hand regality through being associated with the [Hero's Party.] Of course this feeling was nice but experiencing it first-hand was something entirely different.
Mika: "I get it but just relax, it won't do any good to get back all tensed up. You should enjoy this!"
Rowan: "Easy for you to say, you're not the one who got rejected.."
Rowan spoke under his breath with a pouty demeanor one that certainly seemed fitting for the man named Rowan Agoul. Mika rolled her eyes at this but quickly reached out her hand and placed it on Rowan's back.
Mika: "Hey driver, stop here!"
The driver comes to a screeching halt which causes the pouty Rowan to go flying into the front of the carriage.
Rowan: "Woah! Hey Why'd we stop?! What's going on?!"
Mika: "Since you won't cheer up I'm gonna stop and get some snacks maybe that way you'll stop being such a Debby downer!"
Rowan: "I am not being a debby downer! And how is buying yourself snacks supposed to make me feel better?!"
Mika: "I don't know but maybe if you buy yourself snacks you'll start to feel better too!"
Rowan: "What are you even saying?!"
Mika: "I'll see you when I get back! Don't try and leave without me!"
Rowan "I wasn't planning on it!"
Mika disappeared into the bustling capital, a sea of people engulfing the fiery orange-eyed girl as her green hair ceased to stand out. Rowan Agoul watched the sea of people conversing his eyes landing on two couples in particular. He studied their smiles, and the way their hands intertwined with one another's—-but what intrigued him the most was the look on their eyes. How content they seemed, Rowan Agoul was sure that this was the feeling called love and he knew that this is also the feeling he'd felt for the [Hero] Elara Fey. He watched as the couples played with one another's hair as their hands caressed each others cheeks in a loving manner. He'd wondered what they'd seen in each other and how they'd gotten to that point—-how their love had grown.
Rowan: "Love huh? I wonder one day could I also?…"
As he thought about it his mind started to ponder that possibility. As images started to form in his brain of him and Elara Fey in the position of the loving couples he'd observed now. In truth, Rowan Agoul had imagined several dates between him and Elara Fey and found himself always thinking about the first one in particular. He'd take her to her favorite sweet shop and they'd talk about all their adventures as she smiled at him and her cheeks flushed as she laughed at his company. Her long white hair fluttering as she laughed, flowing in the wind as he'd taken her to her next favorite spot, in which she'd defeated her first Hellspawn.
And as if he got lucky the moonlight would shine down on those ocean blue eyes which illuminated in the dark as they looked at Rowan with extreme happiness. And as those eyes looked at him Rowan Agoul found his thoughts coming to an end.
Rowan:"No, love was never in the cards for a guy like me. I should've known things would end up like this."
Truthfully, he couldn't imagine it. A world where Elara Fey loved him back——-wasn't a world that Rowan Agoul could imagine.
Rowan: "A girl like Elara, would never go for a guy like me that's just how these things are."
Rowan Agoul let out a pitiful smile one that only a man at his wits end would be capable of performing and cupped his face.
Rowan: "I should've known things would never change."
He stood up as that image of him and Elara happy together crossed his mind one last time, then faded into the background as a mere after thought of Rowan Agoul's mind.
Rowan: "Hey driver think you could wait here for me too, I decided I wanna grab something to eat as well, I'm famished!"
Driver: "As you wish, I will be waiting here."
Rowan: "Thanks! You're a lifesaver!"
Rowan hopped out of the carriage walking off as fast as he could, though why did he walk off so fast? In truth it was a simple thing—-something so simple that had one guessed at it wouldn't take all that much to get it right.
Rowan: "Thank you old man truly, it's the worst shame...for someone to see an adventurer cry."
After crying so much that he'd put even a toddler to shame Rowan Agoul headed for the sweet shop. He knew exactly where Mika had gone since it was, Elara's favorite shop to go to after a big battle. Needless to say he regretted how he knew the information though wasn't sad that he knew where to find Mika. It seemed every memory that had contained the [Hero] Elara Fey had caused Rowan to feel a bit of a distant feeling. He didn't regret making those memories though, it wasn't something he'd ever come to regret—-being the [Weapon Holder] of the [Hero's Party] that is.
Rowan: "That was a good cry, I needed that but…"
Rowan looked at his cheeks in a small handheld mirror he'd borrowed from a citizen passing by.
Rowan: "I cried way too much! If Mika sees me like this she'll make fun of me until my head spins! What am I gonna do?"
Random woman: "Umm can I get my mirror back now?"
Rowan: "I'll just have to head to the makeup store and buy some stuff to clean up my face there!"
Random Woman: "My mirror please?..."
Rowan: "Aww but I hate going there! Mika always made fun of me when I went there with Elara before! So if she sees me alone it's only gonna get worse!"
Random woman: "My mirror?"
Rowan: "No come on Rowan! This is exactly why Elara rejected you before! If you can't be a man who's not afraid to go to the beauty store by himself how were you supposed to be the man who dated Elara Fey?! You have to do this!"
Rowan: "Alright! I'll conquer that store with all my might! I won't care if Mika makes fun of me!"
Random woman: "HELLO! GIVE ME BACK MY MIRROR BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING! AND STOP TALKING LIKE IM NOT HERE!"
Rowan: "Y-Yes ma'am I'm deeply sorry!"
After being throughly chewed out by the woman Rowan Agoul walked through the capital heading towards the beauty store to buy some products. He'd had half a mind to try magic out, but on that topic the man named Rowan Agoul was someone who would not be approachable. That was because he simply could not do magic. In truth meeting someone like this even in a [Age of Magic] was all too common. The fact was, there were plenty of people who were incapable of doing magic who made up at least twenty percent of the population. Rowan Agoul happened to fall in the category being spectacularly normal in the [Age of Magic.]
Rowan: "Well at least I managed to wipe all the tears off my face, going into a store surround by women crying is a big no-no."
Indeed there had been no trace of the tears that had dripped down Rowan Agoul's face before. As if the [Damnation of All] had dropped its blessing upon Rowan Agoul. Though he'd still decided he'd head to the beauty store, as the [Arch Priestess] Mika Faelan was exceptionally great at annoying him. That also means she was exceptionally skilled at seeing any fault or crack in the man's facade. Which simply meant that she'd be able to tell if he cried had he not used makeup.
Rowan: "Now when I get there what should I buy? Something that smells sweet maybe? Or? Oh I got it! Something that smells like a hint of lavender! That'll make me smell good!"
Rowan smiled as he thought about the prospect of smelling like Lavender but the fiery eyed girl with green hair quickly appeared in his mind giving him a "haha! You smell girly!" and he promptly changed his mind.
Rowan: "On second thought we should get something odorless I don't need everyone teasing me about that. Hm?"
???: "Did you hear? I heard a big events gonna happen at the castle!"
???: "Yeah, apparently the king has some news to share! I'm just happy that we're all invited!"
Upon making it outside of the store Rowan overhead a couple of young girls talking about the King's event. It was obvious they'd shopped there as they held small bags with some magical makeup supplies in them. As Rowan saw them his first instinct was to freeze up and he found himself sweating bullets in front of the store. His palms betrayed him and shook uncontrollably as his gaze became fixed to the ground, he simply did not want them to see him enter.
Rowan: "Aww man! Those totally cute girls are gonna see me go in all alone and I can't avoid it! Why do things always end up this way?"
Rowan slumped down to the ground feeling defeated as the strength in his body started to go a bit limp. It wasn't as if he'd thought men couldn't go into beauty stores or anything, but he also wasn't raised with the view that men should do such things. He'd mostly shedded this upbringing but little times like this certainly pushed out the life Rowan Agoul had.
???: "Well, I heard the reason we're gathering is to celebrate Elara the [Hero!]"
Rowan: "Hm?"
Rowan's ears perked up and a small interest lit up in his heart. He'd lended his ear to their conversations making sure not to seem suspicious as he inched towards the girls.
???: "Wow really?!"
???: "Yeah and I heard her whole party's supposed to be there isn't that awesome?!"
???: "Yeah! I can't wait to meet the [Hero's Party] they're the best!"
Rowan: "Well I thought I had something to worry about but I guess I was wrong. I should go inside the store and head back to the carriage."
Rowan began to walk away leaving the girls behind. But he was still within range to hear what they were going to say next and in fact…
???: And I also heard this party's primary purpose is to celebrate the marriage of Prince Gelderan and the [Hero!"
Rowan: "Eh?...…"
Rowan's jaw dropped in disbelief as reality seemed to flip on its head and land on top of him. The only appropriate reaction were the words that came out of the [Weapon Holder's] mouth next.
Rowan: "WHAAAAT?!"
His mindfulness had spilled over.