The skies were clear and the air was fresh in Solaria when Selene woke up the next day. The inn they stayed in provided basic necessities but it was clean and comfortable, with a room large enough to fit a bed, a huge closet, and a dressing table with matching chairs. It also has a receiving area with a comfortable couch and a small table. Each room has a bathing area with fresh water being brought up through the pipes, making a rain shower for the guests to bathe. It has a sink and toilet as well. Their rooms were dainty in comparison to their rooms at home, but it was cozy - so they did not complain.
Selene stared out the window watching the quiet town in the morning slowly transform into an energetic swirl of people. She imagined how she could help these people more once she becomes queen on this land, and empress in the near future. Her reverie was broken by her brother, who suddenly opened the door to her room and came marching in.
"Selene, stop daydreaming and get ready. You're the one who said that we would meet that guy in the morning" Mikael said as he tossed Selene a fresh towel he got from the innkeeper.
"No need to shout," Selene said, not looking at her brother. "Besides, I'm taking the day in and bathing in the sunlight. The sun in Lunaria is not as strong and refreshing compared to here."
"Now, Selene" Mikael reminded as he closed the door to her room. Selene took her towel and went straight to the bathing room, excited for the journey ahead.
It took Mikael 30 minutes to get ready, and he had to wait at the dining area for an hour before he heard the girls talking while going down the stairs. "Took you guys long enough" Mikael sighed. "I've been waiting for an hour here."
"Sorry" Kai apologized as she sat down, "The clothes we brought were too high quality. We don't want a repeat of what happened to Selene yesterday, so we had made some changes." She explained.
"The shops were closing by the time we gathered what we decided we can trade so we didn't have enough time to check the clothes we bought yesterday" Sola complained. "We just grabbed what we could"
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Mikael inspected the girls. Selene was wearing a simple dark blouse made of linen and black cotton pants, with her leather boots. Her hair was tied into a ponytail and her sling bag rested on her shoulder. Kai was wearing a long-sleeved blue cotton shirt with black pants. Her hair was in a bun and her backpack was on her back. Sola was wearing a long yellow shirt with a belt on her waist, with black pants as well. Her bag's strap gently rested on her shoulder. All three of them had their newly bought cloaks on as well.
"You guys look a lot better now. Almost like a regular adventurer" Mikael chuckled. "Come on, let's order our breakfast, I have a feeling it will be hours before we can eat again."
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The sun was high when they went out and head to the town plaza to look for the stranger – Cyrus. They found him near the plaza fountain, watching the water flow and dance in the air.
"Remember," Selene said, "We have made up names okay? I'm Calypso. Sola you are Seraphina, Kai is Mirella and Mikael you're Amaris. Got it?" she whispered to her friends and brother, who nodded at her. "Don't slip up."
"Cyrus!" Mikael – Amaris, shouted, his hands waving to get his attention.
Aelius – Cyrus, looked in the direction of the voice and saw the group approach him. He noticed that they are wearing less expensive clothes, clearly following his advice. "Good sun to all of you!" he greeted.
"Did you wait too long?" Amaris asked as he shook Cyrus' extended hand. "The girls took their sweet time getting ready"
"It's fine, I just got here a few minutes ago," Cyrus said with a smile. "I hope everyone here is ready, we are going to tour Solaria's most famous region, as well as visit the royal family's frequent resting spot."
"You seem confident" Sola – Seraphina said. "You've been around all of Solaria then? I heard that only nobles do that" Seraphina asked as she eyed Cyrus with suspicion.
"Nobles AND their servants" Cyrus countered. "I was a pageboy before for an up-and-coming noble in Solaria during my youth. When I reached adulthood, I was promoted to be one of my master's trusted servants. I have accompanied him in his travels across Solaria" Cyrus lied smoothly, producing a noble crest from his pocket to show the group that he is telling the truth.
With Cyrus's declaration, the group's worries pacified for a bit. Their tour guide knows the way around the kingdom.
"Well then, Cyrus. Lead the way. Tell us where we are going?" Selene – Calypso asked.
"Why my lady, you seem to be in a rush. Don't worry I'll take you everywhere your heart desires" Cyrus jested with a twinkle in his eye and a handsome smirk, making Calypso blush and the girls giggle. Amaris snorted in derision at the man's attempt to flirt with his sister.
"Have you ever been to the Hanging Gardens?"