Aric and Kail were walking through the streets of Verdian as usual. They had just gotten back from a quest.
"I'm bored. There is nothing to do." Complained Kail.
"Yeah." Aric agreed. "Sumner is coming soon and it's already this hot?"
"It's gonna be hard wearing armour, too. We're gonna boil to death before the demons kill us." Joked Kail.
"Haha." Laughed Aric.
As they continued walking they saw a carriage had stopped in the middle of the road. One of its tires had fallen off.
"What's going on there?" Asked Kail.
"It looks like a carriage. And a fancy one at that, maybe a noble?" Said Aric.
They approached it and saw some familiar faces. It was the butler and the young lady Aric, Kail and the others had saved back in Aegis.
"Hello, sir Cedric. We meet again."
"Hero!" Said the butler surprised. "What a coincidence. "
"Yes, quite the coincident. Are you here with the young lady? Did you finish the work you had in the capital?"
"Yes, the moment we finished young lady Viorel wanted to go back to Verdian as soon as possible."
Aric looked at Kail with the expression of just realizing something important. "Wait… Viorel… Sir Alderon mentioned that name too. He said his daughter's name is Viorel. That means… she's the young lady of Verdian!"
Kail's eyes widened. "Wait, are you saying that girl we saved back then… she's that Viorel?!"
They both slowly turned their heads toward the carriage at the same time, a little stunned.
Just then, a familiar voice called out from behind the carriage.
"Oh, I thought I heard voices I recognized," said a soft, polite voice.
Aric and Kail turned to see Viorel walking toward them from the other side of the carriage. She looked as beautiful and elegant as last time, with her long black hair flowing down her back and those piercing dark blue eyes that almost seemed to sparkle in the sun.
She wore a simple but clearly expensive dress, white with blue trims, and walked with the grace of someone born into nobility—but there was no arrogance in her eyes.
"Miss Viorel!" said Kail quickly, standing up a little straighter.
"Ah, you remembered me," she said with a small smile. "Thank you again for what you did back in Aegis. I didn't get to properly thank you back then."
"Oh, no, it's nothing really," said Aric, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly.
"It wasn't nothing," Viorel said kindly. "You saved our lives. And I heard from Cedric that you two were heroes. I didn't expect to run into you like this."
"It's a strange coincidence," Aric muttered, still trying to wrap his head around it. The daughter of one of the noble families with the highest status… and they had been talking to her so casually back then. "Wait… so that means you're the heiress of Verdian?"
Viorel giggled. "I suppose I am. But please don't act different around me just because of that.
Kail blinked. "You're not mad we didn't know who you were?"
"Why would I be mad?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. "I enjoyed our time back in Aegis."
The butler, Cedric, cleared his throat politely. "Young lady, I believe we should fix the wheel soon. We're blocking the road."
"Oh! Right," said Viorel, turning around quickly. "Sorry about that."
Aric stepped forward. "Do you need help with the wheel?"
Cedric looked relieved. "That would be greatly appreciated, sir Hero. I was about to go fetch help when you arrived."
"No problem," said Kail. "We're used to heavy lifting."
The two of them crouched near the broken wheel. One of the carriage's wheels had come loose and fallen off the axle. The bolts were scattered, and the axle had a small crack. Aric frowned. "This is more than just a loose wheel…"
"Yeah," Kail agreed. "We can still patch it up enough to get you to a repair shop. I'll lift, you guide."
As they worked together, Viorel stood by watching, occasionally commenting or holding a part when needed. Aric couldn't help but glance at her from time to time. She didn't act stuck-up like the nobles he'd met before. She really was like a mix between himself and Kail—calm and polite, but cheerful and outgoing too.
After some time, they got the wheel attached again, at least enough to roll slowly.
"There," said Aric, wiping sweat from his forehead. "Should hold for now."
"Thank you so much," said Viorel sincerely. "Please, let me repay you. Would you both come to our mansion for a short rest? It's the least we can do."
"Oh, it's fine, really—" Aric started.
"I insist," she said with a smile. "I want to talk more with the heroes who saved me."
Kail grinned. "Well, if you insist…"
Aric gave him a side glance, but didn't argue. He was a little curious too.
They followed the carriage on foot, walking beside it slowly as the butler drove it carefully through Verdian. People stepped aside for the fancy carriage, but when they saw Aric and Kail beside it, a few whispered.
"Is that the traveling Crimson Hero?"
"He's walking with Lady Viorel…"
Aric ignored the stares as usual.
After a short walk, they reached the large, elegant mansion near the hills outside the town.
Viorel led them inside after handing the carriage off to the servants. "Welcome to the Sylvanthe mansion."
The inside was even more impressive. The floors were shiny and clean, the halls wide and decorated with paintings and noble banners. There were servants moving around silently, bowing slightly as Viorel passed.
"I didn't pay much attention last time but this mansion is quite fancy," thought Aric.
"This way," she said, leading them through a few hallways.
"I've never seen a place this big…" Kail whispered, eyes darting around.
Viorel noticed. "Relax. You're guests, not intruders. Think of this place as yours too—at least for today."
She brought them to a large sitting room with soft couches and a glass table. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, lighting the room with a golden glow.
"Please sit," she said. "Would you like something to drink?"
Before they could even answer, Cedric had already brought out a tray with tea and small snacks.
"Thank you again, Cedric," said Viorel. "You've always been reliable."
"I merely do my duty, young lady," he replied with a small bow.
As they sat down, Kail immediately grabbed a snack. "Wow, this is really good."
Viorel giggled. "I'll tell the cooks you said that."
Aric sat quietly at first, listening to the conversation. But as they started talking about Aegis and their travels, he found himself joining in more.
"I remember the day we met," Viorel said. "You two and some other adventurers saved me. I didn't even know your names back then."
"Well… back then we didn't know yours either," Aric said, a little embarrassed.
"Yeah." she said. "Being strangers, but you still helped me."
Kail nodded. "Yeah. I think that's what being a hero is about. Helping people whether you know them or not."
"I think so too," said Viorel softly. "That's why I admire people like you."
Aric looked at her. She really didn't act like a noble. She was more down-to-earth than some adventurers he knew.
They talked for a while about small things—town rumors, quests they'd taken, how Aric hated the heat, and tomatoes for some reason.
Then Cedric entered again and bowed. "Lunch is ready, young lady."
"Would you two like to join us for lunch?" Viorel asked. "Please, it would make me happy."
Kail looked excited. "Can we?!"
Aric smiled faintly. "We'd be honored."
They followed her to the dining room, where a long table was set with plates of food that smelled better than anything they had eaten in days. Roast meat, seasoned vegetables, soft bread, and fresh fruit.
As they ate, they laughed and shared more stories. Viorel told them about her childhood in Verdian, how she used to sneak out to see the market. Kail talked about his dream of becoming a real hero like the ones in stories and like Aric. Aric stayed quieter, but listened closely, occasionally adding his thoughts.
For once, it felt like they weren't just adventurers or heroes—they were just three people sharing a meal.
After a while, Aric looked at the sun through the window and stood up. "We should go. We've already taken too much of your time."
"Already?" Viorel asked, a little sad. "I was enjoying this…"
"I was too," said Kail. "But we don't want to overstay."
"I understand," she said. "Still, thank you. For everything. Please visit again sometime."
"We will," said Aric.
They said goodbye, and Cedric walked them to the gate.
As they walked back toward town, Kail stretched and grinned. "That was awesome. I didn't think nobles could be so… normal."
"Yeah," Aric agreed, lost in thought. "She's not like the others."
"I think she's kind of cool. Like… someone I'd actually want to hang out with again."
Aric nodded. He wasn't sure why, but he felt calm after being at that mansion. Maybe it was the peaceful air… or maybe it was Viorel herself.
"She reminds me of both of us," Aric said quietly. "Like she doesn't belong in that noble world either."
Kail looked at him. "Huh. Yeah… maybe."
"I wish every day would be as fun as today." Murmured Aric.
They kept walking, the sun beginning to set behind the rooftops of Verdian. A warm breeze blew through the streets.
And for a moment, everything felt simple again.