- [Velder Port]
- Mathi: Ah, I thought I've mistaken the time, since it's dark outside, but I guess today is the Harmony Festival.
- Vera: I'm glad we managed to make it on time.
- Lithia: .......
- Vera: Wow, how pretty... Um, can I go look at that stand? I'll be right back.
- Mathi: Sure. We'll wait for you here.
- Lithia: .......
- Mathi: ... Why don't you just apologize to Vera.
- Lithia: I... I should. I will.
- Mathi: You can't say you're sorry because you're embarrassed? You're not a child.
- Lithia: Oh, har, har, and you're all grown up and mature and everything! Good for you!
- Lithia: Sigh, anyway, it seems like the restoration is at its final stages in Velder. The last time I was here, it was all barren and full of abandoned buildings.
- Mathi: It may look fine because of the lighting, but that's still the case. You see that building over there? It's still destroyed.
- Lithia: Whoa, you're right... And they still decided to hold the Festival?
- Mathi: Some people might think it's more the reason they should hold the Festival.
- Lithia: Aha, bread and circus?
- Mathi: ... I think... it's more appropriate to say, it's an official celebration to mark the end of long suffering and the beginning of peace.
- Lithia: Too wordy. Bread and circus.
- Mathi: When did she grow up to be such an insolent person who refuses to listen to others.
- Lithia: Excuse you. You're not the one who raised me.
- Mathi: If I were, you wouldn't have turned out this way...
- Mathi: Sigh... In any case, I suppose it's much better than when I was here.
- Mathi: It was long... Very long...
- (TAP TAP TAP TAP)
- Vera: Pant, pant! I'm sorry I'm late!
- Mathi: Did you find anything interesting?
- Vera: Hehe... There were a lot of pretty and interesting things.
- Lithia: Shall we get going then? Where are we supposed to go?
- Vera: If I show this brooch to a guard, they'll take me to the royal docks.
- Vera: ... We're already here. Thank you, to you both. I don't think I would have made it this far alone.
- Mathi: No. If it were someone else, they probably would have made it here faster...
- Vera: Huhu, it was because of my insistence we were late.
- Lithia: ... Why is everyone saying their farewells all of a sudden? You're planning on going back, aren't you?
- Lithia: I mean, I need to meet my client, so I'll probably split.
- Vera: Oh, does that mean you wouldn't be traveling with us on the way back?
- Lithia: Yeah. My destination is somewhere else.
- Vera: I see... Then I'll have to give you this right now.
- (SLIP-)
- Lithia: Huh? Uhh... What is this? Notebook and pen?
- Vera: Yes. I noticed yours were old and tattered, so I wanted to get you a set.
- Lithia: Oh, you didn't have to... I'm really ok.
- Vera: I wanted to get them for you, so please accept.
- Vera: Thank you for everything. Thanks to you, I had a lot of fun and learned many things.
- Vera: And... I'm sorry for handling your necklace without your permision.
- Lithia: Ah....
- Lithia: No. That's...
- Lithia: .......
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- Lithia: [The ship headed north from the port and followed the coast line, until heading towards a small opening on the cliff.]
- Lithia: [It didn't seem like we were going the right way, because it was rough, but soon, we came to an opening.]
- Lithia: [It was a dock connected to the castle.]
- Mathi: Wow... They must have carved the inside of the cave to create a space like this.
- Mathi: I came to the castle before to give reports about the relief effort when I was assisting my aunt... But this is the first time I've come this way.
- Lithia: Gee, I feel intimidated all of a sudden. Are you sure we're allowed to look around?
- Vera: Huhuhu... Oh, there he comes.
- Laudius: Your Highness, I hope your trip was uneventful.
- Vera: How have you been, uncle Laudius... I mean, duke. You look well.
- Laudius: No need to be so formal. As you can see, I am quite fine.
- Laudius: It's a rather, sorry situation... managing to escape the worst due to being away from the capital during the Invasion.
- Laudius: I don't know how I would face His Majesty who passed away if I let the Kingdom go to waste.
- Vera: Don't say that, uncle. It's thanks to you that Velder was able to recuperate so quickly.
- Mathi: Lithia, stand properly.
- Lithia: Yeah, yeah...
- Laudius: .......
- Laudius: Anyway, who are your companions?
- Vera: Ah, these are the people who helped me on my journey.
- Laudius: Ah, I remember your face. An assistance from the Landar family is always welcome. Thank you for delivering the message to Her Highness.
- Mathi: Ah, hello. I'm glad I could be of service.
- Laudius: Hm, I don't think I've seen you before...?
- Lithia: ...Lithia, at your service. I was fired on the way, so I accompanied them on the journey.
- Laudius: ...... Haha, I see. Thank you for keeping Her Highness safe and sound on her journey.
- Lithia: (I get the feeling he's looking down on us, but trying really hard to hide it.)
- Lithia: (Maybe he could have accepted Mathi, but I'm sure a commoner like me knowing Vera's identity is too much for him.)
- Laudius: I'm terribly sorry, but we don't have much time. Here, I have already prepared a script for your speech.
- Vera: Uh, uncle. I came here to refuse the...
- Laudius: Of course, I perfectly understand. It's a heavy burden to carry, but a necessary one.
- Laudius: I'm sure the people of Velder would feel relieved if a member of the royal family come out and wish for peace and stability.
- Laudius: It is time to show some courage. If you refuse, it may disappoint the people who worked very hard to prepare for the Festival.
- Vera: ... Alright. If that is all...
- Lithia: (He's trying to pretend otherwise, but is very domineering.)
- Lithia: (I'm sure he thinks manipulating a girl like Vera is no problem, regardless of her status. I don't like it.)
- Laudius: Lead the way for Her Highness.
- Lithia: [Soon, the soldiers surrounded Vera and led her away. We didn't even get a chance to say goodbye.]
- Lithia: [The duke made us wait, then gave us a money pouch with a ludicrous amount of money.]
- Lithia: [It was a lot, for escorting one person.]
- Lithia: [Mathi didn't know what to do and tried to refuse. Ha! He won't make it big with that behavior! Of course, I graciously accepted mine.]
- Lithia: [I thought it was better to show that you understand, since the money probably included hush money.]
- Lithia: [You could name it, 'Take This and Get Lost. Never Speak to Me Again' money.]
- Lithia: [It's not like I didn't see this coming... But it was still sad to part ways with this...]
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