The next day arrived with the kind of clarity that only heightened Silas’s nerves. After agreeing on the time and place to meet Regina, he spent the night tossing and turning in his bed, running through every possible scenario in his mind. The pressure of showing someone like Regina—a woman of remarkable beauty and influence—around Amberheart was unlike anything he’d faced before. He wasn’t just worried about impressing her. No, this felt bigger, like a test of his worth.

After leaving the Royal Palace the previous day, Silas’s carefully constructed mask of confidence shattered when the gates closed behind him.

“Where the hell am I supposed to take her?” he muttered to himself as he trudged through the streets, his posture deflated. “I’ve only ever spent time training with Rowan or searching the markets for supplies. A tavern? Yeah, that’ll impress her. ‘Oh yes, Regina, here’s the finest cheap ale in Amberheart.’”

“Damn it!” He cursed under his breath, racking his brain for anything remotely appropriate. ‘Surely, Rowan would have some ideas, right?’ Silas thought that as a merchant’s son, Rowan should be familiar with the ins and outs of Amberheart. But when Silas knocked on the door to Rowan’s house, there was no answer, only the sound of something scratching against the door… And a gruff voice saying ‘Wow!”

“Of course… Only Goldie and Trickster at home” Silas grumbled. “The one time in life I need his advice, and he’s gone.”

Frustrated, Silas found himself wandering back to Lonestar Manor. The day was wasting away, and he was no closer to having a plan. As he entered the courtyard, he spotted Kaede standing by a target, inspecting her bow. She glanced up as he approached, and with a raised eyebrow, she could tell something was off.

“Well, well,” Kaede said, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “You look like someone who’s just lost a battle without even drawing your bow. What’s troubling you, Silas?”

Silas scratched the back of his neck, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks. “Uh, I was wondering if you... uh... knew of any good places to hang out in Amberheart. You know, uh, for a... a tour.”

Kaede’s smile widened as she eyed him knowingly. “A tour, hmm? Who’s the lucky lady?”

Silas’s cheeks burned hotter. “It’s not like that!” he stammered. “I just... I owe someone a favour. That’s all.”

Kaede chuckled, clearly not buying his excuse. “Sure, sure. Well, I’ve heard there’s a good theatre in the city. ‘The Curtain’s Call,’ I believe it’s called. Might be a decent place to take her.”

Silas perked up at that. “Theater, huh? That sounds... cultured. I could work with that.”

“Good luck, kid,” Kaede said with a wink, turning back to her bow.

After getting Kaede's suggestion, Silas rushed to prepare. If anything, at least 'The Curtain's Call' sounded impressive.

At noon, Silas stood at the agreed-upon meeting spot in the heart of Amberheart, dressed in his best formal attire. He’d pulled out a dark, well-fitted tunic that was rarely used, brushing off any lingering dust and adjusting the collar far too many times. His hair was neatly combed, and for once, he didn’t look like he’d just come from a training session.

He shifted nervously from foot to foot, glancing around as the minutes ticked by. Finally, he spotted Regina approaching, with Kie by her side. Regina was, as expected, stunning. She wore a flowing gown of deep sapphire blue, her bluish-silver hair cascading elegantly down her back.

The way she walked, with such grace and poise, made Silas feel like an awkward child in comparison.

"You... uh... you look amazing," Silas blurted, the words tumbling out before he could stop them.

Regina smiled, a soft, knowing look in her eyes. “Thank you, Silas. You look quite sharp yourself.”

Silas cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. “Right. So, uh, I thought we’d start by heading to ‘The Curtain’s Call,’ a theatre I’ve heard good things about.”

As they started walking, Silas couldn’t help but notice Kie trailing along with them. He slowed his pace, letting Regina move ahead slightly before sidling up next to Kie. Leaning in, he whispered, “Why are you tagging along?”

Kie grinned, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “Tagging along? Silas, you told Regina you’d show her around. Of course, I’m coming. Unless... you’ve got bad intentions, hmm?”

Silas’s face turned red, and he sputtered. “What? No! That’s not it at all!”

“That’s what all the brats say,” Kie teased, her grin widening. “Besides, you’ve got that look in your eye. Like you’re up to no good.”

“I’m not—” Silas started, but Kie cut him off with a cackle, clearly enjoying his discomfort.

“Relax, brat,” she said, her tone more playful. “What’s your plan after the theatre, anyway?”

Silas deflated slightly. “I was thinking... Maybe the Dragonstone tavern?”

Kie considered this, nodding slowly. “Oh, actually not a bad idea. Though, if you really want to impress her, there’s a masquerade ball happening tonight at the Nightingale Palace. I can get you both invitations.”

Silas’s eyes lit up. “A ball? That sounds perfect!”

Kie’s grin returned, but this time, there was a glint in her eye. “It’ll cost you ten silver grand era coins.”

Silas blinked, his excitement faltering. “Ten coins? Are you serious?”

Kie shrugged. “Hey, nothing’s free in this world. Certainly not a beauty’s affection.”

Begrudgingly, Silas nodded. “Fine... Just get the invitations, and don’t forget the masks.”

Kie blinked innocently. “Oh, the masks are gonna cost extra...”

Silas “...”

As they walked ahead, Regina glanced back, her blue eyes twinkling with curiosity as she caught sight of Silas and Kie’s whispered conversation. Though she didn’t say anything, a small smile played on her lips as if she knew exactly what was going on in Silas’s mind.

As they neared the theatre, Silas swallowed his nerves, determined to make the day go smoothly.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

Silas, Regina, and Kie entered ‘The Curtain’s Call’, a grand theatre nestled in the heart of Amberheart. The ornate structure was adorned with carvings of mythical creatures and golden accents that shimmered in the midday sun. Inside, the dim lighting and hushed atmosphere immediately set the tone for the performance that was about to begin.

Silas couldn’t help but feel out of place. He wasn’t the type to sit through long plays, let alone ones about noble tragedies. His sword and bow felt more familiar in his hands than a theatre performance. He glanced over at Regina, who sat gracefully beside him, her expression calm and unreadable. Meanwhile, Kie looked entirely too pleased with herself, her mischievous grin never quite fading.

The performance began with a delicate, haunting melody. The stage revealed a young noblewoman dressed in finery who was cast out by her family after giving birth to a commoner’s child. The tale spiralled into a tragic series of events—rejection from society, betrayal by those she trusted, and the ultimate heartbreak of losing her child to sickness. Each scene dragged on longer than the last, and for Silas, the story was nothing but a drawn-out affair of misery.

Silas found his eyelids growing heavier as the actors continued their sombre lines. His mind drifted. “Who the hell enjoys this?” he thought, stifling a yawn. He shifted in his seat, trying to find a more comfortable position, but it was useless. The theatre was far from what he had expected, and he cursed himself for not thinking this through better.

Glancing over at Regina, though, he was surprised to find her wholly absorbed in the story. Her eyes were focused intently on the stage, and Silas noticed something unexpected: her fists were clenched tightly in her lap. There was a tension about her that he hadn’t seen before. There was something about the tale of exclusion and betrayal that Regina seemed to connect with, her expression unreadable but intense.

‘Okay, so she’s into this, that’s good’, Silas thought to himself, feeling a little more at ease. At least Regina was enjoying it, which meant he hadn’t completely messed up the day.

By the time the performance ended, the audience gave a respectful applause, though Silas’s was half-hearted at best. Regina, on the other hand, applauded with a quiet dignity, her expression thoughtful. Kie gave Silas a side glance, her smirk firmly in place.

Silas let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding as they exited the theatre. “That was... something,” he muttered.

Regina looked over at him with a soft smile. “It was tragic, but beautifully told. Don’t you think?”

Silas, unsure how to respond, simply nodded. “Yeah... very much so.”

Kie snickered under her breath, but Silas’s eyes caught something in the bustling marketplace ahead before she could comment. Among the crowd, waiting in a line for food at a popular stall, stood someone unmistakable.

“Is that... Rowan?” Silas squinted, noticing the familiar figure. “Hold on a second. That looks like Rowan waiting in line for food.”

Regina and Kie turned their attention in the direction Silas pointed. Without waiting for confirmation, Silas led them toward the food stalls.

As they drew closer, Silas saw that Rowan wasn’t alone. There, standing next to him, was Layla. They were chatting quietly, but more importantly, Rowan held Layla’s hand rather tightly. Silas couldn’t help but grin at the sight.

When they were close enough, Silas tapped Rowan on the shoulder. Rowan turned around, his eyes widening in surprise. Equally flustered, Layla quickly glanced between Rowan and Silas, her face turning slightly pink.

“Well, look who I found,” Silas said, crossing his arms with a smirk. “Rowan, Layla fancy meeting you two lovebirds here.”

Rowan’s face turned bright red as he stammered, “I—I just ran into her by coincidence. We were both hungry, so we thought we’d grab something to eat.”

“Oh, of course,” Silas said, his grin growing wider. “But, you know, you’re holding her hand pretty tight. Is that a coincidence as well?”

Layla shot Silas a playful glare, though her blush deepened. “It’s not like that!” she protested, pulling her hand free from Rowan’s grip in a flustered motion.

“Y-Yeah, I was just measuring her pulse, she felt sick, you know!” Rowan said as his mind worked faster than ever to come up with a good excuse.

Kie chuckled from behind Silas, clearly not buying it, “Well, isn’t this adorable. When can I expect good news, hmm? I hope I’ll be the first to know.”

Both Rowan and Layla went wide-eyed, their faces burning with embarrassment.

Before they could protest further, Silas coughed and gestured toward Regina. “Ahem... Rowan,

Layla, this is Lady Regina Caerul, an esteemed guest of the Remington Clan. She’s the one who sent Kie to save Layla during the trial.”

Rowan immediately bowed, his voice filled with gratitude. “Lady Regina, I can’t express how thankful I am for your help. I’ll never forget what you did for Layla.”

Layla followed suit, offering her thanks with a graceful bow. “Truly, we’re both in your debt.”

Regina inclined her head gracefully. “There’s no debt to be paid. I’m simply glad to see you both well.”

Silas, sensing the tension easing between the group, clapped his hands together. “Anyway, I am showing her around Amberheart today. We were just on our way to grab a bite at the Dragonstone Tavern. You two should join us. What do you say?”

Rowan and Layla instantly realised the intent behind Silas’s actions. They glanced at each other, and their thoughts aligned.

Layla gave Silas a sly thumbs up, her eyes gleaming with amusement. “Well, well, look at you, Silas. Moving up in the world, aren’t you?”

Rowan chuckled beside her, catching on to the teasing. “Honestly, Silas, you didn’t have to go through all this. If you’d just told me you were planning to show Lady Regina around, I would’ve gladly stepped in to help—y’know, as a show of gratitude.” He paused for dramatic effect, raising an eyebrow. “But no, you went ahead and kept it all to yourself. How heartless.”

Silas blinked, caught off guard by the sudden reversal of roles. “W-What? No, it’s not like that!”

Layla giggled, nudging Rowan playfully. “Of course, it’s not. You’re just being a gentleman, showing her around town.”

Rowan smirked, folding his arms. “Yeah, just like how I was ‘coincidentally’ holding Layla’s hand, right?”

Kie snorted in amusement, clearly enjoying Silas’s flustered reaction.

Silas opened his mouth to protest, but Regina’s soft laughter interrupted him. She turned to the group, a knowing smile on her lips. “Well, I’m certainly in good hands, aren’t I?”

The playful tone in her voice only deepened Silas’s embarrassment, but all he could do was grin sheepishly. “I-I’m just trying to do my part.”

Rowan clapped him on the shoulder, laughing. “And you’re doing a great job.”

With that, the group headed toward Dragonstone Tavern, the playful teasing continuing as Silas found himself on the receiving end of the jokes for a change. Though slightly flustered, he couldn’t help but enjoy the moment, knowing he was surrounded by friends who had his back—teasing or not.

As they reached the Dragonstone Tavern, the scent of hearty food and the sound of jovial chatter welcomed them. The group found a large table near a window overlooking the bustling street.

The scent of roasted meats and fresh bread filled the air, while the warm glow of lanterns made the tavern feel welcoming despite the lively noise.

Once seated, the teasing resumed but with a softer edge. Stories were shared, laughter echoed, and it felt like all worries were set aside for a while. Even Kie participated earnestly, adding her own quips and tales.

Regina leaned toward Silas during a lull in the conversation. “You have wonderful friends.”

He looked at her, her eyes reflecting the warm light of the tavern. “Yeah, I guess I do.”

She smiled softly. “Thank you for today. It’s been... different.”

Silas tilted his head, curious. “Different?”

She chuckled. “In a good way.”

Before he could ask more, Rowan raised his mug. “A toast! To unexpected meetings and new friendships!”

They all raised their glasses, the clinking sound sealing the moment. As they drank, Silas felt a surge of contentment. Maybe the day hadn’t gone exactly as planned, but perhaps that was for the best.

As of this moment, Silas felt something shift. Maybe he hadn’t failed after all. For once, he’d managed to impress someone who seemed impossible to reach.