11 Ch 10: Invitation (II)

It was early in the morning that Lucius woke up. He wore an old and tattered cloak before setting out. The fangs and elder fangs were hesitant to let Lucius wander the capital but thet had no other choice. It was the first time Lucius became adventurous. Children tend to satisfy their curiosity and they would do any means to acquire it. This was rare since Lucius rarely expressed his interest and curiosity outside the mansion. They were afraid that the young Lucius would remain uncaring and uninterested of the outside world. The best example for this was Marquis Jericho Sean Devinsworth, which was an unpleasant time for the Devinsworth family during his life.

It was easier to let a children grew out of their childish behaviors by satisfying their curiosity and interests rather than forcing them to control themselves and bury their urges during their childhood.

Lucius 'sneakily' left the castle. There were two choices for exiting the palace. Either walk out the front gate or jump off the walls. Like any sane person, Lucius choose option one. He calmly approached a steward and requested any form of transportation.

After giving the details of what he wanted to the steward. Lucius waited near the front gates for someone to arrive.

A man on horseback came and offered him a ride. Normally this wouldn't have been possible, however, someone was pulling a few strings in order for this to happen. While Lucius was heading to the city square, multiple women were laughing in a room inside the palace.

In front of them was a crystal ball. Lucius could be seen ridding on horseback.

"Lucy, Are you sure this is your brother? He fell for the trap too easily." One of the women, wearing an teal dress and a tiara on her head, spoke.

"Don't get your hopes up, Diana. It may look as if everything is going according to our plan. Once the interaction happens, then we'll see how she fares." Lucia answered. They were all enjoying their breakfast and a show.

"I do say, he has quite the charm. Both of you really do look alike." A woman in a light blue and aquamarine dress commented.

Of course, Lucius was completely unaware of their surveillance. The only thing he knew was that something exciting was going to happen.

****

Lucius and the man arrived near an inn with a stable. The man dressed in a simple shirt, boots, and trousers. He had a well built body which meant he was a knight of the royal palace. The outfit was perhaps a disguise, if a man wearing full plated armour was following a child with a cloak over him was to be seen then it would acquire unnecessary attention.

He didn't like wearing the cloak since it hinders his sight. However, due to his appearance, he would gain more unnecessary attention if he took off the cloak.

His first destination was a to eat. A nearby restaurant had menus ranging from seafood to monster meat.

*Thud*

Someone bumped onto him from his side. He stumbled before regaining his balance. The person who bumped onto him however, fell down.

"P-please forgive me! My sight was obscured hence i couldn't see..." The person apologized.

'Watch where you goin! Im walkin here!' Lucius inwardly thought. He turned to see who it was but unfortunately, the person was also wearing a cloak. 'I can't see their face but... im guessing she's a girl from her voice. They're also the same size as me so that mean were the same age.'.

The person stood up and gave a small bow before noticing that they both had the same cloak. Brown and tattered with a hood on the top to hide their faces, it was completely similar.

"I beg your pardon, Are you from the royal palace?" Her eyes met the man following Lucius. The man turned his head and pretended to not notice her stare.

Lucius did not know whether the question was for him or for the man behind him. He chose to answer her the more logical reason.

"Unfortunately not, Farewell" Lucius left without wasting more of his time. He got places to be and things to do. Lucius now had a suspicion that something was being played. No normal person just meets a random person with the same clothing. Perhaps in the 21st century but not in this world.

If life taught Lucius any lesson, it would be that coincidences are part of something bigger. But now was the time for food not thinking. Breakfast was part of a healthy diet and Lucius was not going to skip it.

***

After breakfast he headed to the popular areas of the capital. It was bustling with people and reminded him of the streets of large cities back on earth.

The man following him introduced himself as Noah and recommended multiple shops for Lucius. However, Just before they reached their destination, a problem occured.

'Alright, this is NOT a coincidence.' From the corner of his eyes, he found the girl from before. Something was a foot, and Lucius wanted none of it. But after some reconsideration, his curiosity was piqued. What was all of this about.

Lucius entered a pharmacy or an alchemist's shop. They sell potions, medicinal drugs, and other products. Just from the rumours alone, he found out that they made a fantasy version of condoms. Some people just had their priorities straight. Of course, that wasn't what he wanted to buy. As much as it was intriguing to find out the logic behind it, his main goal was to buy healing potions. Just by the products displayed on the shelves, they got hundreds of them.

They weren't rare or hard to make. Any alchemist could make a basic potion with ease. However, this shop has sold more potent potions within reasonable prices than any other shops. It was held in high regards. Just like any other consumer, Lucius was interested.

The door opened and the girl in cloak came in. Lucius was 'surprised' with all capitals. They met each other's eyes.

"It's a pleasure to meet you once again." She took of her hood. "My name is Helena Vie Solaris. Are you perhaps a Devinsworth?".

'A Solaris huh... A child of the Grand Duke Solaris. Do i really want to be associated with people like them? On the first hand they are really friendly, on the second hand they are REALLY friendly.' Lucius contemplated whether to talk to her. However, his goal was to meet other people. Once a Solaris knows you then prepare to go insane. They are known for their extremely energetic and nosy nature. Thankfully mental fortitude was one trait that Lucius had mastered, he gained it from exploring the internet. "A pleasure to meet you as well, Lady Helena. I am Lucius Hans Devinsworth, it seems we are inside quite a predicament.".

Lucius gave a respectful bow. 'She really is a Solaris huh.' She had long blonde hair, bright orange eyes, porcelain skin, bright red lips.

"Predicament?" She had a confused face.

"I take it that the guard following you suggested this shop?" Lucius wasn't bruce wayne but the fact that both of them came from the castle, wearing similar clothing, have two knights guarding them, and was recommended the same shop screamed scheme in all capitals.

"I see... " She held her chin and started to think. "Is this their doing?" She mumbled quietly.

'Either Lucia is playing with me or someone else is playing her... or we're both being played. Hmm... There are too many variables to account for. This could be an assassination now that i think about it. Since they think that i think that there wouldn't anymore assassinations so they think that im now vulnerable and not expecting them. But i know that they think that i think it's a safe time for me to explore! Or perhaps this is her assassination?' Lucius was now worried. He hoped that she would answer with her being a regular at this shop but alas he was wrong.

Back at the castle, Lucia had commented on what Lucius was currently thinking. She may not be able to bring Lucius into embarrassment but she could read him like a book. They were all amused at how Lucius thought. At first they were shocked on what happened at Lucius and Helena's first meeting but now they are understanding more and more about him. Of course, they all already knew Helena.

"It seems that it bothers you knowing we are dancing on someone palm. You may have already know who the mastermind is. Not to worry, our life isn't on danger." She explained to Lucius with a smile. It was better to show a positive expression regarding their current situation rather than showing a grimly one. She was speaking from experience. This was not her being placed in a situation like this, of course, it wasn't exactly the same as this.

"I'm glad it isn't." Lucius had multiple fangs following him but reassurance that he wouldn't need to run for his life still gave him relief.

"Then shall we accompany each other on this lovely day?" Lucius was reminded why he hated smiles. She radiated positivity with her vigorous smile and made Lucius remember his Vtuber simping days. Thankfully all he felt inside was shame and cringe. He has surpassed his limits long ago.

"Let's Shall." Lucius kindly accepted her offer. It was a major plus befriending a child of the noble who is has a very high status.