☀️ Arselia and Akonia

-- Metal is reliable, I approve. Although, your notes say "matter," but I somehow feel like it's metal, the best thing.

- Yes, matter... You've confused us! 😅

-- Whatever you want. If it's tough, give it to whoever has the most strength.

- Then we'll find out what's up with that stupid law, and if everything is okay, Astellia will get it. Or Merel, if he doesn't want to study, and he won't want to, he's our secretary, he just won't have time.

-- No, it's not that harsh, I've spent half my life like this, it's just that in the city, they'll look at us like freaks. Or maybe they won't, considering that there's a guard, an army, knights, and everyone lives like this. No, you know what, the more I think about it... Even if not from bandits, we need to protect ourselves from arsonists, there's no point in hoping it won't happen, it's just stupid. We'll put buckets of water around and patrol in pairs, we probably won't be able to detect an invisible person that easily, of course, but if something happens, we'll be able to put it out, and we'll also see an open window if a thief climbs in. At the same time, we'll test the wartime laws: we might have to use them in practice someday. So get ready.

- Now I regret that I said that 😅 😅 😅
- Maybe it's for the best? Erefir is right, it could be good training. At least for now, let's try it.
- We're in the city... We have a guard, let them do their job.
- They are doing their job, yes... I think it's a good idea.
- And I think it's too much...
- Before this, you were complaining that we need to be as careful as possible.
- I didn't mean patrols... Okay, boss, whatever you say.

-- Well, tell me, -- the redhead didn't object, wavering between curiosity and the desire not to interfere in what didn't concern her, and in the end, she chose the former, with a slight advantage.

Guyon already regretted his determination a little, but in that time, he had learned a little about Erefir and realized that if he could trust anyone, it was her. He lowered his voice so that no casual witnesses would overhear.
- So... It's a very long and not very pleasant story, most of which I'll skip and get to the point. For the past few years, I've been burdened with something... A curse? that suppressed my will and forced me to obey another person. I don't want to tell you the circumstances of how I got this curse, - he grimaced.
- Yeah, believe me, boss, it's not something you need to know, - Beata nodded, knowing the circumstances.
- And it so happened that for most of the time, the person I obeyed was her, - Guyon pointed at his partner.
- The most interesting thing is, this idiot managed to hide it from me! 😤 I only found out about it a couple of months ago when he accidentally let it slip!
- I still regret that... - he rolled his eyes.
- You could have told me right away, damn it!
- I couldn't. Not right away, and certainly not later, when I got to know you better and realized what kind of person you are. I was quite happy that you just thought I was too disciplined.
- I could have figured out something to free you sooner!
- That's the reason I kept quiet. Even here, in Margel, just walking down the street, we've already gotten into terrible situations several times. You can imagine what we would have gotten into, what you would have gotten into, if you had consciously decided to break a curse that could break someone else's will?
- God, you're unbearable... And you're blaming me for being too overprotective.
- And I will keep blaming you... But in any case, it's all over now, Eugene dispelled the curse. And because of that, he suggested waiting. I don't think it makes sense in our case, but...
- But I insist that it's a good idea. It could have been much stronger than you thought. All the time you've known me, you've been under its influence.
- I've said everything I think about it. I even started to appreciate you even more, if that's even possible!
- So, we wouldn't really want anyone else to find out about this, but we trust you enough. I don't think anyone knew about it, except Eugene and, possibly, the High Lady.
- And I think it will be useful to know that such things exist. It's not a fact that we'll encounter exactly this, but we might encounter something similar. I wouldn't want to burden the Patriarch with our problems, but he's our best chance.
- Rely on God, but don't rely on him completely, - Beata snorted, - first of all, we will rely on ourselves. But Guyosh is right, such a thing can come from where you least expect it, and you'll have a lot of trouble with it.
- I was just lucky that I ran into you.
- I think all of Karneol already knows about your luck.
- You're the exception.
- Well, we'll see.

-- No one blames you, but if an old-school priest found out about this, he wouldn't spare you and would complain to the authorities.

- Yeah, - Beata flinched.

-- Now, I have news, in Ornament, they offered to improve our flag so that Her Highness would be even more favorably disposed towards us for the fact that we take our symbolism seriously and reward us with gifts. I'm not sure if it's worth it, but if you want, then we need to collect 214 rem each and go to pick up the order today. Do you want to?

- How much more favorably will she be towards us? Guyon and I are used to relying on ourselves, not on favor. It's always nice to get cool gifts, but these 214 rem can be spent more usefully. For example, we can eat shrimp or crabs at "The Drowned Woman" for two people.
- It's not that big of an amount if we divide it among everyone...
- It's two resurrection potions if we divide it among everyone.
- A valuable gift can save us better than a potion.
- Or it could be a legendary gag. I think it's better if she expresses her favor with money 😤
- That's a good idea.