The scenery from the outside window was rather fascinating, or was it because I was just as bored as I was when I'm at home? I had done what I wanted to do when I came here to the capital but the sun is still high up in the sky. In short, there's still a lot of time. If I went home like this, what am I supposed to do there?
Drink tea on my balcony again? Stare at nothing until my eyes water? Wait for something interesting to happen? Watch my flowers in the garden bloom? Hell naaaaw!
I leaned forward, opened the small window thing that connects to the driver, and called Uno.
"Stop the carriage. I'm going to stroll around for a bit."
The carriage halted to the side and Uno came to open the door for me so I could step out.
"You don't have to accompany me. I'll go alone," I added.
Uno nodded and retreated with the other driver, fading into the background. He didn't try to rebuke me in joining me while I walked and just guarded through the shadows, joining the secret team that had been following us since earlier. I don't exactly know how the secret guards do that but yeah, that's hella impressive. You really can't tell that they are very much present unless you know it beforehand.
They are like ninjas...
I don't have to worry about being harmed while I am alone because I know for sure that they are just around me, lurking in the shadows. That is kind of assuring in itself. Though I am not sure why everyone could just try challenging a marquis, who is also a former general of the royal army. Well, there's a lot of vile people out there and to them, it doesn't matter whether you're the child of God himself, because they are that evil.
They only believe in their greed.
Just as I said, I walked around the street unsure where to go, taking my precious time admiring the things I don't normally notice. It's actually fun having a quality time alone, it's not very lonesome just like I thought it would be.
Sure, it'll be more fun with friends around but this is nice too.
I noticed a lot of things that I wouldn't when I'm with someone else. Like how there are a lot of lowkey establishments that I won't normally visit. For example, a shop that sells antique items, or that shady shop of a self-proclaimed fortune teller. She literally wanted to pull me inside for some reason, repeatedly declaring that I am cursed and that I need to get baptized.
Bruh.
I wonder what will happen to me if I did come into her little abode...
Anyways, let's forget about that part of the neighborhood. I visited a lot of shops that I just recently discovered or I was eyeing before, though I got bored after a while. I wasn't planning to buy anything because if I did, I will then end up with a lot of stuff to carry. It's troublesome which is why I held back on impulsively buying everything that fancies me.
I then decided to visit the usual cafe I frequented because I got hungry after spending energy. I need to refresh.
The guard outside already knew me so and opened the door and greeted me at the same time. He's very friendly, I tell you. And kinda attractive as well, fufufufu~
I thanked him and went inside, breezing through the throng of people who are also deciding to eat there. My eyes only roamed for a moment, noting that there are a lot of young ladies present. It's a hotpot for young women and the likes so if you want to find someone, just come to this cafe which always has a lot of fish.
It's still as lively as ever huh.
"Good Afternoon, Lady Nadia!" The baker on the counter beamed after seeing me.
"Good afternoon!" I returned her greetings, beaming as well.
After that brief exchange, I look at the displayed stuff on the counter while humming softly. There are a lot of new things this day as well, as expected of this cafe.
I chose two of a different kind and then found a table to sit in. There was one that was a little closer towards the entrance and I took that before anyone else could.
This shop is famous for being crowded all the time after all. So if you're slow then you lose.
The waiter brought me the things I ordered including my favorite tea, and it's on the house they said! I am a regular, like the regular of all the regulars they have so of course, they specially take care of me. I and my friends are this shop's first patrons and according to the owner, we were the reason why their business is prospering.
Oh gosh, such pretty words... Aren't they riding on our coattails too much? And saying that because of us they are successful... Geez, don't say that! It's making me feel weird!
These people better stop feeding my ego because I am quite the narcissist after all.
I sat there, just being in my feels and appreciating how good life is. A cup of tea in my hand and a delicious chocolate dessert in front of me. You're probably wondering what's the difference between having tea here than at home right? Coz that's what I am literally doing right now, it's the same, but I tell you, this is different. Entirely different, okay?
So I was having a little me time, eating a chocolate truffle and sipping my tea. All of a sudden, a shadow appeared at my side, looming over me, which stopped me from daydreaming.
Eh? Who's that?
I looked up to the person in question and surprise! Estelle was there.
Huh?
Estelle let out a cute smile, seemingly feeling shy to approach me.
"Good Afternoon, Lady Nadia. U-umm... Can I... can I sit with you?" She asked.
I blinked at her and looked around for a split second. Seeing that there are no vacant tables, and the only vacant seat is the chair in front of me, I guess she doesn't have a choice but to come over.
To be honest, I almost broke my neck when I reared back in surprise.
'Err... Why am I seeing her here?'
But I don't have any reason to refuse anyway so I nodded.
"Of course. Please sit down," and gestured at the other seat.
I'm not that heartless to refuse someone a seat, you know. Plus she's holding a tray and probably feeling awkward to just stand there and wait for someone to leave. And it's not like I have anything against Estelle either, I'm just a little surprised to see her, that's all.
I better stop being so shocked when these things happen because we live in the same area, everyone can just meet each other around the block or when they are out on a stroll, just like now.
Estelle meekly sat down and beamed at me when she did. It was bright as heck that it was almost like the sun was glaring at me or something. She's that happy to be given a seat. Aaaaaaaaah!
It should be illegal, seriously. How can someone look so bright and pure? Is this the power of the main character? Like why are they all so pleasing to the eyes?
I have so many questions running in my mind that I don't even know where to start or where to focus. So before I end up hurting my head again, I better shut my mouth and forget about these trivial things.
It's not worth it...
We sat there in silence, eating and enjoying the tea. The constant chattering of the people inside the cafe, plus the ambient of the whole place in general, felt strangely comforting. Estelle was also not talking but I can tell with just a look that she's dying to spark a conversation.
It honestly amazes me how I could just meet the characters like this. You know, casually having a me-time and then boom, one of them appears.
Here's another example! There's me, taking a lovely walk under the moonlight, getting rid of my intoxication, and then out of nowhere, I'll see both Lukas and Estelle.
Oh here's me... minding my own business, ordering sweets from a cafe, and then there's Estelle again, sprouting out of nowhere.
Here I am, having another tea party with my aunt. We're about to spend a lovely afternoon drinking tea while we watch the beauty of nature... Feel the breeze... And then baam! Janus appears.
Seriously. That's how most of my encounters went. When I did try to do something for the sake of the storyline, it ends up tragically. It goes up in flames! Ruined! But when I do nothing, they bombard me with all these encounters one at a time. What's with that?
The Gods are playing with me, right? They must like seeing me flustered and bewildered!