The sun rose over the mountain peaks, painting the sky in hues of reddish-pink that resembled blooming flowers. The valley below bathed in warm sunlight, rousing slumbering blossoms to unfurl their petals. Nature seemed to celebrate the morning, but for Nick and Alice, the past four grueling days of travel had been anything but serene.

They had traversed rugged terrain with meager rations, and water was scarce as the mountain springs were still frozen. Soon, the season's warmth would thaw the streams, but for now, their journey remained a test of endurance.

Alice had made wide eyes when Nick first proposed traveling to Hosas—a sprawling city in the neighboring country. It wasn’t the idea of the city itself that startled her, but the daunting mountain wall they had to scale to get there.

“Could you please—remind me—why we’re—doing this again?” Alice asked, panting heavily as she trudged uphill.

“More people. Better chances of finding someone we need,” Nick replied, his pace steady.

“You know what? Screw—you—for dragging me up here with—no better plan than ‘more people equals better,’” she shot back, annoyed.

“No, no,” Nick said, his voice calm. “The city has more advantages than that. You’ll see.”

“I won’t see anything—if I don’t get—food in the next hour,” Alice retorted, her breath coming in gasps.

Finally, they reached the summit. Nick paused to take in the breathtaking view, while Alice simply collapsed onto a rock, soaking in the sun's warmth and savoring the hard-earned break.

From their vantage point, the city of Hosas sprawled out below them. The outer districts stretched from the mountain's base all the way to the sea. At the city's core was a mesmerizing network of circular roads, radiating like ripples from a stone dropped in water. Amid the ancient architecture, a bustling marketplace came into view, where tiny figures moved about like ants.

“We’ll get a better look as we go down,” Nick said, his voice tinged with anticipation.

“Yeah, yeah. It’s beautiful. Can’t wait to walk downhill for another four hours,” Alice muttered sarcastically.

As they descended, more of the city revealed itself. The old city center was a marvel of history, brimming with ornate brick buildings, cathedrals, fountains, and arched bridges—all crafted in a style that seemed to belong to a bygone era. In stark contrast, the newer sections of the city were filled with unremarkable high-rises, a visual reminder of modernity encroaching on tradition.

Nick pointed out the stark divide. “The new city is mostly poor. And then you’ve got the rich, living in mansions on the hill, looking down on everyone else—literally and figuratively. It’s been like this since the city was built. The wealthy chose the hill for defense, and to show their superiority. Some things never change.”

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Alice frowned. “So, where do we even start?”

“In the city center,” Nick replied. “But first, we need a place to sleep.”

“I don’t have money,” Alice reminded him, her tone sharp. “Remember? Sleeping in catacombs wasn’t for fun.”

“Relax. I’ve got it covered,” Nick said, abruptly veering down a narrow road.

Alice followed, her curiosity piqued. Nick headed straight for the backyard of an imposing, luxurious house. Before Alice could question him, he knocked on a window. Panic rose in her chest. She ducked behind some bushes, convinced they’d be arrested for trespassing.

To her surprise, an elderly butler appeared at the window. He studied Nick for a moment before breaking into a warm smile and opening the glass pane. To Alice’s utter disbelief, the man greeted Nick with a hug.

“Would you please come out of hiding, Alice?” Nick called, his voice calm and amused.

Reluctantly, Alice stepped out from her cover. She followed Nick into the house, removing her shoes as he did.

“Welcome,” the butler said with a polite nod. “I’m Roland, the family’s butler. Would you like something to eat or drink after your journey?”

“Hi, Roland. I’m Alice. And yes, I would die for something to eat,” Alice said, holding her stomach dramatically.

Roland chuckled. “Very well. I’ll prepare something.” He disappeared into another room.

Alice took a moment to look around. The backyard had been impressive, with its pristine green lawn, perfectly trimmed hedges, and marble statues, but the interior of the house was nothing short of magnificent. The open design, two-story layout, and abundance of natural light gave the space an airy elegance. A plush sofa sat in one corner, and a grand dining table occupied the center of the room.

“This place is insane,” Alice muttered under her breath. She barely had time to appreciate it all before Nick called out to her.

“Would you please shower and change first?” he said, his tone half-joking, half-serious.

Rolling her eyes, Alice climbed the stairs and was pleasantly surprised by what she found. Six spacious rooms lined the hallway, one of which Nick pointed out as the guest room. It was equipped with a queen-sized bed and a private bathroom. Alice tested the mattress and sighed with relief—it was firm but comfortable. In the adjoining closet, she found clothes in various sizes for both men and women.

“What kind of house has guest clothes?” she wondered aloud.

She stepped into the shower, scrubbing away layers of dirt she hadn’t realized she was carrying. Afterward, she changed into a white blouse and black trousers, leaving her old clothes in a bin labeled “washing.” Feeling refreshed, she headed downstairs just as Roland announced dinner was ready.

Nick, now dressed in a black shirt and trousers, sat at the table. Alice joined him, and they were soon served a hearty meal. Roland stood nearby, but Nick waved him over.

"“Roland I don’t want you to behave like you’re in butling school. Come eat with us. You've already cooked such a pleasant meal now you should eat it too.”

The butler hesitated, then smiled and sat across from Nick. As they ate, the three of them talked about the journey, the city, and the house itself. Alice learned that this was the home of Nick’s late mentor, a gift from the city’s mayor after the mentor’s efforts in reducing crime and catching a notorious serial killer. Roland, who had been the butler for years, stayed on to maintain the house even after its owner passed. For three years, he had lived alone, awaiting someone’s return.

As the evening wore on, Alice couldn’t keep her eyes open. She excused herself and headed to bed, falling asleep almost instantly. Meanwhile, Nick and Roland stayed up late into the night, reminiscing about old times.