𝕳𝖔𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖘𝖘 - (Ranboo)

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟓

Weeks passed, they only travelled around and stayed in villages. But time didn't really matter to the two, they were losing concept of the time as they walked around another village. The pair had stayed for the night and one thing they learnt was that in the kingdom; the party never died. There was always music thumping and drunkards giggling and yowling at all hours of the day. All the village really smelt of was grapes and general nature, which wasn't bad - ignoring the slurred singing coming from the many, many bars of the kingdom. It was a charming village, all-in-all. But Hertha had never seen anything like it. But after travelling through a desert for a few days - then an expanse of hilly plateau - Hertha could feel Venus's relief to be in a village where they were giving drinks. Only issue, they didn't have money.

One thing Hertha realised was that Venus wasn't too bad with the adjustment of travelling - sometimes she felt like she was taking it worse than the princess. But one thing the princess wasn't used to, was having absolutely no money. Venus would take a few bags of gold on her usual travels - since she knew it was temporary - yet she decided that she wouldn't take any money on these travels, assuming it were permanent. There wasn't a point adding stress to the situation by trying to manage money - so for once, the princess was genuinely poor. They hadn't had a proper meal in weeks. Though both Venus and Hertha were used to that.

But Venus sighed while looking at all of the signs offering meals and warm drinks. Hertha could only pity her, "let's at least sit inside one, take a rest after our travels," Hertha offered, tying Dove outside on a fence by the other horses and leading Venus in. They both sat at a table and watched the tavern brim with activity. Someone playing the harpsichord, men celebrating whatever they were, women cheering each other on in what looked to be a competition in drinking. There were singers on stage and beaming waiters serving food and laughing. It was a lovely atmosphere - which made Venus relax into her seat for what Hertha saw was the first time in a while.

Both sat and frankly, enjoyed themselves silently, ignoring the smell of food and drinks which hung in the air. That was until a waiter approached them, looking sorry. Hertha recognised the boy instantly, as Damien's favourite cook, "hi, sorry for the- wait, Hertha? Venus?" He cut himself off, looking quizzical at their state, "is this where you two have been?" Asked the boy, putting down the tray.

"Karl? Why are you here? Don't you... you know, cook?" Hertha asked. Venus didn't seem to recognise him, though Hertha doubted they saw each other enough.

"I do! But, I also stay here. A friend of a friend rules this place. It's pretty cool. But is this where you girls have been? Almost all of the staff back with Sapnap have been replaced. I'm one of the only ones, including Sapnap, Donar, Omolara and Phantasia. Those are the few I can list from the top of my head." Karl, the cook-now-waiter explained, Hertha only winced.

"Yeah... we've been travelling around the world. You know... since we have nothing else to do. And... don't bother serving us, we don't have money." She sighed dutifully and looked at Venus, who watched one young woman up on stage. She was quite pretty, had a leaf crown and wore the kingdom colours.

"That's cool! It's fine by the way that you don't have money. I can still offer you some food. Maybe sneak some complementary goods for you two. I mean, we serve bread and some potato and cheese spread on the house here... we also give water and honey whiskey for free, since there's an insane amount of bee colonies in the area." He began giggling and looking around, "this place is so cool! Isn't it?" He jumped up and down slightly before leaving to get the girls their complimentary meal.

His act of charity wouldn't go to waste, Hertha thought - she'd pay him back somehow. The maid, who had long since pulled herself out of the dress and was in a tunic too large for her - and only a tunic too large for her (above undergarments, of course), looked at her ex-boss - who looked around dazed.