Reyl and Maven’s bitter-ended conversation on the cliff near Kyrios didn ‘t seem to dampen their friendship and partnership. Both of them continued their journey from town to town and country to country, braving many adventures and dangers as they learned from their experiences.

The leaves were already turning yellow and falling before they knew it. Reyl’s shop carriage was slowly but surely accelerating over them.

The view afar was attracting Maven’s attention. She could see the soaring city wall that was surely taller than almost every building behind it. Since the wall was much taller than in Redne, she had to think again a thousand times before climbing that wall.

After they passed through the huge city gate which ceiling is far above the carriage’s roof, Maven could see the clustering sea of buildings in front of her.

One building stood much taller than others. It was known as Halethes, the Tower that Protects the Nation. The shape of its peak was a pair of hands on receiving position. It was a multipurpose tower. As a watch tower, it was filled with all sorts of magical tools and equipments to survey far beyond human sight, even to the borders of the neighboring countries. The great tower also functioned as the warning center of the city, with a giant magic crystal lamp at the middle of the 'open hands' and the giant horns below the 'palms'.

Having gathered knowledge from various history books she read or 'borrowed' in secret, Maven grew more enthusiastic by the new understanding she acquired from first hand experiences.

“We have arrived at Lu Vazr, my hometown. Mave? What’s the matter?”

Reyl’s announcement dispersed Maven's daydreaming as usual. Maven awkwardly responded, “Eh? Oh, right. Your home, right? Are we there yet?”

“Not yet, Mave. My house is located in near the market downtown, so it’s still pretty far, actually.”

“Oh? All right. Then I should go sightseeing to get to know this city. Perhaps you can show me the nearest inn…”

“There’s no need. You can stay at my place.”

Reyl’s kind offer surprised Maven. Living together… with Reyl? She already felt like flying. This might be a golden opportunity to get to know him better.

Perhaps, to be more then just a friend and partner.

Her eye sight gazed around the town. The wooden and stone buildings of this capital of Halethia Kingdom, part of Regia Confederacy were neatly lined up among lots of trees. They were also clean and beautiful. This city also had fresher air compared to most other cities.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

The citizens seemed happy and healthy. Their clothes and robes were dyed in various bright colors, the rich and poor alike. Such view reflected the benevolent rule of Ulrisse the Wise, Queen of Halethia.

In the middle of all this brightness, Maven suddenly felt her heartbeat spiking. Was her intuition trying to tell her something?

“Mave! Mave?! Come on, don’t get lost on me again! We’re already here!”

Maven got startled and then fell off the cart.

Reyl quickly jumped off and grabbed the elf’s hands and hips before helping her to stand up. Maven rubbed on her aching bottom, yet her grin was pretty clear to show what she thought of Reyl touching her.

Falling down isn’t so bad sometimes.

Noticing the girl's expression, Reyl simply sighed and turned to enter his home through the front door.

Maven turned her sight on this one and a half story house. Its roof was red, its wall made of stone with wooden skeleton underneath. She walked towards the front door that Reyl already opened.

Inside, Maven was amazed to find a neatly organized living room, with beautiful and lush decorative plants and flower adorning the windows... Such a well-tended home, for man who traveled a lot.

Suddenly she felt nervous. Misgivings had begun creeping upon her and she started to feel like suffocating. She tried to calm herself down, taking a deep breath and tried to enjoy the pretty view inside the house to distract herself.

Maybe Reyl was just a neat person.

Or he probably have a house keeper.

Or some other possibilities that was nothing to be concerned of.

Maven sat down on a couch in the living room. Then her thoughts wandered again, recalling her closest-to-romantic conversation with Reyl on the cliff in Parthenia.

Suddenly Maven heard the front door being slammed. Surprised, her head turned towards the sound.

Just then came a very loud yell. “Hey! How dare you intruding into someone’s house like that!”

With that, a young woman with reddish hair, wearing cyan and was slightly taller then Maven came storming in. Maven quickly dodged her attack.

However, the redhead's attack became more vicious. She swung and thrusted violently with a double-hooked short trident with a kind of pearl attached on the base of the hooks.

Maven proved to be quicker in her feet, alas. She kept dodging while trying to explain, “Hey! Hold on, missy! Let me explain! I am…”

“Silence! You’ve entered without permission. You must be a thief!”

That last remark ignited a spark of anger on Maven's green eyes. Her teeth gritted behind her lips. “My name is Maven and I’m not a thief!” she exclaimed.

“I said shut up and surrender!”

The redhead girl yelled that as she kicked Maven on the hip. The latter didn’t expect such a rough attack and was staggering a bit before she quickly stood again.

With that, Maven had run out of patience and retaliated with a hard kick right on the other girl’s stomach. The redhead dropped her weapon and got pushed back, but she was able to quickly halt her falling with her heel.

The two girls then began to exchange blows, kicks and scratches ferociously like a two cats fighting over a fish. It took only a minute before it descended into an actual lowly catfight with wrestling, scratching and hair-pulling.

And suddenly, “Stop it, you two!”

Both girls instantly recognized that sound. Maven stopped her scratching while the redhead stopped pulling Maven’s hair.

It was Reyl, and he was annoyed.

Suddenly, the red-haired girl immediately threw herself to Reyl and hugged him intimately.

“Reyl! You’ve come back, honey! I’m so glad to see you again, smooochy!”

Maven was shocked. Her jaw dropped. Her heart broke.