The day after their hot springs adventure, the group received another invitation to the Governor’s mansion for a second party. However, the members of Eldorin weren’t eager to return to the lavish estate. Leon, in particular, had no desire to face the Governor again, especially after the man’s blatant attempts to curry favour with him.
Hence, the party rested in Alverton with half a mind on a shopping spree. It was rare that they got a few days off, and they were ready to take full advantage of it. Ellahan was particularly excited since it meant that she could finally go on a date with Leon. For safety, Amon and Yue were going to join the young couple on their shopping spree lest there be any disturbances.
The only issue with that was…
"Why must I wear these clothes? They feel stuffy."
Amon pulled on his turtleneck cotton tee in significant discomfort and complained to Yue. Usually, he wore the most comfortable clothes without caring about the style. But today, Yue was in charge of his wardrobe.
"We’re supposed to blend into the crowd! If you wore your usual uniform, aren’t you just announcing to the world that you’re from the Solaris House?!"
Although Amon felt indignant, he couldn’t argue against Yue’s logical point. Even so, as he glanced around the crowd, he became acutely aware of dozens of curious eyes fixed on their group. The attention wasn’t due to their affiliation with the Solaris House but rather to how strikingly attractive and impeccably dressed they all were.
Amon was a tall and commanding figure, accentuated by a sleek black turtleneck and an oversized cashmere overcoat draped elegantly over his broad shoulders. The tailored fit of the coat highlighted his athletic build, setting him apart from the average crowd. Slim-fit trousers and polished leather boots completed his refined look, unmistakably marking him as someone of wealth and sophistication. To conceal his striking golden eyes, Amon wore thick sunglasses, which only added to his enigmatic allure.
Yue was no better, either. She wore a tailored dress with darker accents to prevent standing out. However, this had the opposite effect: It contrasted against her snowy white skin and drew more attention to her impeccable complexion. Like Amon, she wore sunglasses to hide her ruby eyes, but Yue even took it one step further. Tying her white hair into a bun, she covered her head with a straw sunhat to prevent others from recognising her. But despite her attempts to remain inconspicuous, her poise and beauty made it impossible for her to go unnoticed.
These two alone were enough to turn everyone’s heads on the busy street, but standing beside them was an equally striking pair.
"Leon! Look at this! They’re selling sweets on the streets!"
"Yes, they don’t have this in Hyarum."
"Tch, I should ask my father to ease the restrictions on street vendors."
"Even if your father agreed, I wonder if the Pope and the other Archbishops would!"
Leon laughed as he fed his lover a bite of candy. Although Leon and Ellahan were also disguised as regular tourists, their loving appearance brought them as much attention as Amon and Yue’s. Read full story at novęlfire.net
If Amon and Yue looked like a sophisticated, high-class couple, Leon and Ellahan looked like a loving pair who couldn’t keep their hands off each other. The duo’s extraordinary looks and well-dressed appearance helped too.
Leon wore a casual white shirt with rolled-up sleeves and well-fitted dark jeans that showed his athletic build. A stylish cap hid some of his brilliant sunlit blonde hair while he left his blue eyes sparkling in the afternoon Sun. By his side, Ella didn’t bother hiding her features and dressed as any lovestruck girl would. Dressed in a flowing white sundress with floral patterns, she twisted and twirled around effortlessly while her thick straps worked overtime to support her voluptuous bosom.
Though, it wasn’t her significant assets that sucked people in. It was her vibrant smile whenever she held her lover’s hand.
"The apple candy is delicious! Leon, here, have some!"
The pair continued flirting openly on the streets, ignoring the numerous bystanders who had stopped to look at them. None of them posed any significant threats, as they were primarily young couples who were jealous of their outrageous looks or old couples who felt their hearts warm.
Needless to say, the excess attention could have posed a serious threat to the two couples, hence…
"Shall we make a move?"
Amon made the suggestion, and the young hero seconded it.
Leon was cognizant that they were attracting more attention and hurriedly dragged Ellahan away from the bustling street. His childhood lover pouted in annoyance as she wished to stay in the hustle and bustle of Alverton. Being the Saintess, she wasn’t given many opportunities to explore places outside of her chapel. Though, she wasn’t stubborn enough to throw a tantrum. Dragged away, the two couples reached a popular tourist attraction at the corner of the town.
One of the few places of serenity in the town, Lake Alverton is a man-made basin that allows couples to rendezvous away from their parents’ prying eyes. Due to its artificial nature, it is also a stunning place for tourists.
Well-maintained boardwalks curve along one side of the lake, lined with quaint cafés, souvenir shops, and benches for visitors to soak in the view. Paddleboats, kayaks, and small sailboats glide across the tranquil surface, adding a lively charm. At dusk, the lake transforms into a serene mirror, capturing the fiery colours of the setting sun and casting a magical glow over the area.
And it was the breathtaking view that dragged the couple to this location for their date.
"Could we rent a boat?"
Amon approached the tourist centre and questioned the receptionist. The worker shot Amon a sociable gaze before warmly welcoming him to the establishment.
"Of course! What boat would you like to rent?"
"The best yacht you have until the end of the day. Also, we don’t need a driver."
The young lady’s face beamed as she knew they had landed a whale. Immediately, she recommended the best boat they had and detailed the price needed. Amon paid the sum in full without a second thought and was led right to the dock, where the luxurious yacht was.
Amon instantly entered the captain’s cockpit and operated the boat like a seasoned seaman. Driving the boat into the middle of the lake, Amon ensured there weren’t any prying gazes before heading to the passenger’s cabin, where he saw Yue and Ellahan bonding.
"So you’ve never been to the ocean before?"
"Nope! They’ve restricted me from leaving Hyarum since my birth."
"That’s just torture! Who do those old farts think they are?!"
"Haha, it’s okay! I’m used to it! Besides, aren’t we here now?"
Being princesses of two large organisations, Yue and Ellahan could relate to each other on a deep level. They were treated like caged birds, unable to experience the vastness of the sky. Of course, Yue had broken those chains alone, and no one could stop her if she wanted to travel. But Ellahan hadn’t done so yet. She was still mainly under the Holy Church’s control, and Leon was the only reason she could leave Hyarum this time.
Leon approached Amon with a tired smile as the girls were chatting and gestured for them to head outside. Knowing when to back out, Amon allowed the girls to have their moment while he stepped onto the upper deck with his former squire.
"Hahaha, it’s been a while since I’ve seen Ella this excited. Thank you for planning this date today."
"Don’t thank me," Amon shook his head and directly gazed into the cabin. "Yue was the one who planned everything. I’m just the bodyguard."
"Haha," Leon chuckled as a warm expression filled his cheeks.
"No, it’s just… Yue said something similar. Said it was your idea to roam the streets today. You two make a great couple!"
Amon stared directly at Leon and said nothing. The reason why he suggested an outing today wasn’t because he wished to have a double date but rather because Amon wanted to conduct some reconnaissance without the Governor prying. And the best way to do so openly was to disguise it as a dating activity.
But Amon didn’t wish to break the young man’s fantasy; rather, he was too lazy to do so. Hence, he remained quiet as Leon misunderstood his intentions.
"Hey, Amon… Now that we’re alone, would you mind telling me why we’re in Alverton?"
"I’m not a fool, Amon. And while our time together hasn’t been long, I’ve come to understand what kind of person you are. You’re not the type to leave everything to fool around in a tourist town for a month. There must be some other reason."
Amon was dumbfounded. He hadn’t expected Leon to deduce this much. Granted, he should have expected it, given how sharp Leon could be at times. Sighing, Amon could only admit defeat and show his cards:
"Hah… There’s a threat here that I need to eliminate."
"I guessed so," Leon’s face instantly turned serious. Furrowing his brows, he showed an expression of determination as if he were a soldier ready to head into war. "Do you need my help?"
"Eventually, yes." Amon readily admitted. "But we’re still investigating."
"... What is your impression of Alverton?" Instead of answering Leon’s question, Amon asked the young hero.
"It’s a wonderful place. The people are warm and welcoming, the atmosphere is bubbly, but most importantly, it’s peaceful."
Leon gave his honest assessment of the town, which, for the most part, was true. No one could refute that Alverton was a haven for weary travellers and tourists alike. Public safety was high, and the town had plenty of things to do. But, of course, there was a cost to pay for paradise.
"If I were to give one gripe, it would be that the surveillance here is on the high side. Maybe it’s because we’re from the Solaris House, but the Governor has sent multiple guards to watch over us. He said that he wanted to protect us, but…"
’It feels like he’s monitoring us.’
Those were the words Leon wanted to voice but had to keep buried in his heart. As much as he disliked the Governor, he couldn’t deny the truth—the man had undeniably transformed the town for the better. Plus, there weren’t any ulterior motives or cause for concern. So, Leon just chalked the surveillance down to the Governor being excessively cautious.
But that was just half the truth.
"You’re right; there’s a sinister secret in Alverton."
Amon contemplated divulging the entire truth to Leon, but ultimately, he opted to stick to the original plan, as tempting as it was. Sighing, he answered: "There are traces of the Demon Cult here. Also, behind them is a mighty wizard. An Archwizard of sorts."
Amon smiled before giving Leon a morsel of the truth:
"Have you heard of a Lich?"