The Alrevia Order [Elisop]

#9 Back in time

"If it isn't the heir to the dukedom Carl...?"

The young woman gasped and pulled the hood of her cloak down a little more, faking ignorance. The bar was full of loud-talking alcoholics, but there was a certain warm atmosphere about it. The man sitting next to her let out a low laugh before ordering a drink. When the drinks arrived, he slid one of the pints of beer towards her.

"It's none of my business so I won't interfere but I do wonder what the finest of the nobility is doing here." he said as he took a sip.

"Ha, I could return the same question." The woman sketched a wry smile before pulling down her hood revealing her blonde hair. "Viscount Baden."

The man widened his eyes, probably not expecting to be discovered.

"Ha ha, the viscount is my father, I'm just a spoiled young nobleman throwing away the family fortune on alcohol and gambling. Just call me Jose."

"In that case, I'm Demi."

The two exchanged a handshake and Demi then brought her pint to her lips and finished it in one go. Jose looked at her with an impressed smile. Those who had chosen the path of the Knights' Academy or the Tower of Mages aside, he was used to seeing the women of the nobility dress elegantly, hiding their faces with a fan and paying attention to their manners.

Nevertheless, the young heiress seemed far from these stereotypes. One only had to look at her to understand that. Who would have told him that he would ever see a woman holding her drink like that!

"How is the duke doing?"

"As far as I can remember, he still had the same dull expression as usual. One would think they were seeing a ghost."

"What a description," said the man with a laugh.

"Ahh! It seems to be passed down in the genes on top of that, his son looks exactly the same!"

The duke's son... He had never seen him until now but he had heard a few rumors about him. The blond's beauty apparently matched his title of nobility and he seemed to be particularly skilled with a sword.

"Aesop, I believe?"

Demi nodded, "That boy worries me sometimes," she sighed, "He hardly ever talks and prefers to stay in his corner reading books or training."

"Maybe he'll change with time."

"If he's as stubborn as our father, I have some doubts."

"I'm sure he'll become a perfect gentleman."

"If you say so... Oh, that reminds me, Jose, you're one of the Knights of the Rose, right?

"Hmm, I always admired the Duke so I chose the same unit as him."

A childhood dream. Like many knights, he had heard the duke's tales on the battlefield and could only be impressed.

"Can I ask you a favor?"

"Hm?"

"This boy, Aesop, I'm pretty sure he'll be joining the Rose as well. At that time, I'd like you to keep an eye on him..."

"And if he doesn't?"

"That won't happen, I know my younger brother." Demi sketched a weak smile before ordering another pint of beer and then taking a sip.