After leaving the inn, Valeria found herself walking beside Lucavion through the crowded streets of Andelheim. The city was still buzzing with activity, the hum of excitement from the tournament mixing with the vibrant atmosphere of vendors calling out their wares, musicians playing in the corners, and people milling about with purpose.
Valeria hadn’t really planned for this part of the day. With so much time left until the evening, and nothing particularly pressing on her agenda, she felt strangely unanchored. She glanced sideways at Lucavion, who seemed perfectly at ease, moving through the throng of people with that same carefree stride he always had.
He wasn’t in a rush, and there was no clear direction to his wandering, but somehow, he managed to blend in with the flow of the crowd effortlessly.
“Do you always wander around aimlessly like this?” Valeria asked, her voice cutting through the noise around them.
Lucavion chuckled, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. “Aimlessly? Nah, I’m just… taking in the sights. Enjoying the city.”
Valeria frowned slightly, unsure of what to do with herself. She wasn’t used to having this much free time, especially in a place like Andelheim. Back at home, her schedule had always been structured—training, meetings, and duties for her family. There was never time for aimless wandering. But now, here she was, with nothing but hours ahead of her and no particular task in mind. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
They passed by street vendors selling brightly colored fabrics and jewelry, the scent of grilled meats and spices wafting through the air. The lively energy of the city was undeniable, but Valeria’s mind wasn’t fully there. She was still thinking about the tournament, her family’s legacy, and the expectations that loomed over her.
Lucavion seemed to sense her inner turmoil. “You know, you don’t have to think so hard all the time,” he said casually, his eyes flicking over to a nearby stall selling sweets. “Sometimes, you just… enjoy the moment.”
Valeria gave him a sidelong glance, feeling a bit defensive. “I don’t think too hard.”
Lucavion raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Sure you don’t. That’s why you’re walking around looking like you’re trying to solve some life-or-death riddle.”
She let out a small huff but didn’t respond. He wasn’t wrong—her mind was always working, always thinking. It was part of who she was, a necessity born from years of training and the weight of her responsibilities. But she couldn’t deny the small, nagging voice inside her that wondered if maybe, just for a little while, she could let go of that constant vigilance.
Lucavion stopped suddenly, pulling her attention back to him. He had paused in front of a stall filled with trinkets and small wooden carvings, picking up a piece and turning it over in his hand. “Look at this,” he said, holding it up for her to see. “Isn’t this a masterpiece?”
Valeria glanced at the object—a roughly carved figure of some kind of creature, its features uneven and exaggerated. She raised an eyebrow. “A masterpiece? That thing looks like it was made in five minutes.”
Lucavion grinned. “Ah, but that’s the beauty of it! It’s rough, unpolished… kinda like me.”
Valeria rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at her lips. “So you admit it then, you’re unpolished.”
“Hey, I didn’t say that,” Lucavion replied with mock indignation. “I’m a masterpiece in progress.”
“Progress,” Valeria repeated with a dry laugh. “Right.”
As they continued to walk, Valeria started to relax a bit, letting herself drift along with Lucavion’s wandering. She wasn’t used to this kind of aimless freedom, but for once, she didn’t feel the overwhelming pressure to be productive every second of the day. Maybe it wasn’t so bad to just… be, for a little while.
The streets were still bustling as they passed through different parts of the city. Valeria noticed small groups of travelers and warriors like themselves, some clearly competitors for the tournament, others just enjoying the festivities. Everywhere she looked, there was life and energy.
“So,” Lucavion said, breaking the comfortable silence between them, “got any big plans for the afternoon, or are you just going to follow me around?”
Valeria stopped in her tracks, her body suddenly still as the sound of Lucavion’s question faded into the background noise of Andelheim. The city around them continued to buzz with life, but in that moment, it felt distant, almost irrelevant.
Why had she stopped? Was she really just walking around aimlessly with Lucavion as if this was normal? A subtle discomfort twisted in her chest as she considered the ease with which she seemed to fall into step with him, into these casual conversations. There was no real structure, no plan, no clear direction—just the two of them, moving through the city like companions.
But we’re not companions, she reminded herself, frowning as she stared ahead at nothing in particular. Or were they? Lucavion had a way of pulling her into his rhythm, his pace, his world where nothing seemed to matter quite as much. It was infuriating, and yet, she kept walking beside him. Doesn’t that mean I don’t mind it?
The thought left her unsettled. It wasn’t that she liked it exactly—she didn’t need anyone to slow her down or drag her into distractions. And yet, every time she was with him, there was a strange ease, as if she could let go just a little, enough to breathe. Why does it feel like I’m not fighting against his presence anymore?
She glanced sideways at him. He was still there, waiting for her answer, his eyes curious but not demanding. He hadn’t pushed her when she stopped. He hadn’t demanded anything at all. Lucavion just was, and somehow, she had allowed herself to be swept along by that.
“What are you thinking so hard about now?” he asked, his voice teasing, but without the sharp edge it sometimes carried. There was something softer in his tone, a hint of genuine curiosity beneath the playful words. “How handsome I am?”
Valeria rolled her eyes, her lips pressing into a thin line as she shook her head. This guy… Of course, this bastard would ruin the moment by turning it into a joke. His teasing, as usual, was light but somehow always managed to find the exact way to get under her skin.
She could never quite tell if he did it on purpose or if this was just his way of dealing with everything—carefree, nonchalant, and always with that ridiculous grin.
“Not even close,” she replied flatly, the exasperation clear in her voice. “But nice try.”
Lucavion laughed softly, the sound casual and easy, like he hadn’t a care in the world. He didn’t seem the least bit offended by her lack of amusement, if anything, he appeared pleased that he’d gotten a reaction out of her.
“Well,” he said, shifting his weight slightly as they continued to walk through the lively streets, “if you’re done with your deep thinking, and you don’t have anything planned, how about accompanying me to the Adventurers Guild?”
Valeria arched an eyebrow, curious despite herself. “The Adventurers Guild?”
“Yeah.” He flashed her a grin, clearly enjoying her interest. “Figured it’s time I get my adventurer’s license. Could be fun.”
Valeria regarded him for a moment, unsure if he was serious or just looking for another distraction. Knowing Lucavion, it was probably a bit of both. Still, she found herself intrigued. She had never spent much time in adventurers’ guilds—her duties as a knight kept her in more formal circles—but the idea of wandering into one with him felt oddly appealing.
Maybe it was because she had no real plans, or maybe it was just because…..
“And why exactly would you want an adventurer’s license?” she asked, her tone skeptical but not dismissive.
Lucavion shrugged, his grin not fading. “Why not? Wandering around the world and having fun while making some money? Isn’t it how life is supposed to be?”
Valeria’s gaze hardened slightly as she listened to his answer. “Life isn’t about wandering around aimlessly and having fun,” she said, her tone sharp with the weight of her convictions. “It’s about fulfilling your purpose. Carrying out your duties. That’s what gives it meaning.”
Lucavion, as usual, didn’t seem fazed. He simply gave a casual shrug, his grin unwavering. “And what if someone’s purpose is to have fun?” His eyes gleamed with amusement, but there was something thoughtful behind them too. “What if living your life freely, doing what makes you happy, is the purpose you’re meant to fulfill? Can you really judge that?
It’s not like you have the moral high ground just because you chose duty over enjoyment.”
His words cut through the air with an unexpected sharpness, and for a moment, Valeria found herself at a loss. She opened her mouth to respond but nothing came out. What could she say? She had always believed in duty—honor, responsibility, the weight of her family’s legacy. That was how she defined herself. But Lucavion’s carefree philosophy challenged her in a way that left her feeling unsettled.
What if he was right, at least in his own way?
The silence between them lingered, heavy with unspoken thoughts. Valeria’s jaw clenched, her mind searching for a rebuttal, but no matter how hard she tried, the words wouldn’t come. What if she couldn’t judge him? What if both paths—the life of duty and the life of freedom—were equally valid?
Lucavion must have sensed her inner turmoil, because he leaned in slightly, his voice softer now, almost gentle. “See? You’re always thinking too hard about everything. Maybe you don’t have to figure it out right now.”
Valeria remained silent, her eyes forward, not meeting his gaze. She wasn’t ready to admit that his words had struck a chord. Not yet.