Sound of hooves meeting the ground and rolled wheel, filled the silence inside the carriage Delrick was in.
After he paid 4 gold coins for Anna school expenses, he spend 15 silver coins for train ticket to the train station in the Southern, and another 5 silvers for the carriage ride he is in right now.
Ever since he left Frynn, he has been silent. Maybe he was worried for leaving his sister in foreign place all by herself, and keep staring at the air outside.
The clopping ceased, yet Delrick still sat like a statue, not moving an inch. The coachman had to knock lightly to wake his passenger, in case they're sleeping.
That knock indeed startled him a little. He got up from the seat while carrying his bag, and stepped out from the carriage.
He look ahead of him. A small town near the Mistvale County, called Sylria —according to the coachman. Though it's a small town, it quite bustling even when the sun are about to set.
Delrick walk ahead, passing the people, to look for an inn.
He stepped inside an inn while opening its door. The bell chimes making the one behind the long table, look at him.
"Welcome gentleman. What can I do for you?"
"I want to rent a room for a night."
"Of course. It would be 3 silver coins. But, I would recommend you to pay 4 silvers because that will be come with dinner and breakfast for next morning."
"Then I will pay 4 silvers." He said while taking out six silver coins from his money pouch and put it on the table.
"Alright, sir. Here's your key." The innkeeper handed him a key.
"Do you want to eat your dinner here sir, or should I send it to your room?"
Delrick took the key. "Please send it to my room."
"Alright, sir."
Delrick left the receptionist table, and go upstairs.
A creak following when he opened the door of his room. He stepped inside, closing the door. His feet move toward the bed almost immediatelly then fell onto it on his face.
The smell of cheap detergen filled his nostril.
He is so tired. Sitting on the train then carriage all day made his butt feels flat, and his muscles sore.
"It's more tiring than doing chores."
A light knock on the door make him groan a little as he pulled himself from the bed. He open the door. A middle-age woman with a tray of food on her hands stood there.
The smell of the stew, and baked chicken made him gulp. The hunger he didn't feel before now grumble for food.
"Your dinner sir."
"Ah, yes, thank you."
Delrick wipe his lips with the back of his hand before taking the tray of food from the woman.
"Just left it outside your door when you're done. Please enjoy your food and rest comfortably."
"Okay."
Delrick watched as the woman left then close the door again.
His stomach grumble.
"I didn't know I was this hungry."
He sat on the bed and put the tray of food on his thighs.
The stew and baked chicken surprisingly taste good. It's all seasoned pretty well. Delrick enjoyed his dinner, the plate and bowl emptied so fast that he doesn't notice.
After he put the tray outside his door, he lay on the bed. Tomorrow, he will go to the Mistvale and start working there for five years.
"I hope the master of the mansion are kind just like the Earl."
With that, Delrick slowly lulled to sleep.
...
After a good night sleep, Delrick feel a lot refreshed. He quickly fixed his clothes, and appearance before left the room with his bag.
He goes downstairs. Some people already occupied the tables but many still empty so, Delrick sit at one near the wall.
"What do you want to eat, sir?"
A young woman said as soon as Delrick sat down.
"What did you have?"
The young woman raise her hand then start counting with her finger.
"We have bread with beef stew, bread with roast chicken, and bread with bone broth."
"Then I will have bread with beef stew."
The young woman nodded. "Would you like a cup of tea, too?"
"Yes."
"Alright, please wait for a moment."
The young waiter go from his side, showing a middle-age man reading a newspaper on the table beside his.
The man notice Delrick's gaze, nodded at him with a smile.
"You seem to be a traveler from outside the town. Where are you heading, young man?"
"Ah, yes, I'm going to Mistvale."
The smile on the man's lips dropped.
"Mistvale?"
"Yes."
"I see."
Delrick frown a little. The man seemed to be troubled about something.
"Um, is there something wrong?"
The man shook his head, avoiding Delrick's gaze, and read the newspaper again.
"No, not at all."
Silence.
The man didn't say anything anymore. Delrick took a deep breath and avert his eyes from the man. That oldie sure is strange.
"Here's your food!"
The young waiter's voice broke the awkward silence around him and serve his food on the table, with a cup of tea.
Delrick thanked the waiter then eat his food.
After breakfast, he left the inn, and headed to rental a carriage. On his way, he saw a young girl stood ahead of him, holding a bag. She is looking around with confusion showed on her face.
The young girl met Delrick's eyes. Her face lit up a bit before rushing toward him.
"Hello, sir, excuse me, do you know where I can rental a carriage?"
Delrick was a bit startled but then smiled at the young girl.
"I'm looking for a carriage as well. We can go together if you want to."
"Won't it be a bother?"
Delrick shook his head. "No, its alright."
The young girl smile brightly then following him when he walk again.
"But, where are you heading by yourself?"
Delrick asked feeling a bit complicated because the girl look as young as his little sister.
"The Mistvale. I'm going to work as a maid at the Helga mansion." The girl smile widened.
"Then we have the same destination. I'm going to work at Helga mansion too."
"Really?!"
He nodded.
"Then, can we share the carriage? I will pay half of the fare." The girl asked with the same bright smile.
Delrick feel a bit shaken at the girl's words. He stared at her with his mouth hanged open a little.
T-that's too...
"Oh, my, where is my manner." The young girl said and slapped her mouth lightly.
She rush ahead of Delrick then stood in front of him, doing a clumsy curtsy.
"I'm Mira Bran, pleased to meet you, sir."
Delrick stop walking. "I'm Delrick Hugg. Just call me by my name."
Mira make a disapproving face. "That won't do."
He scratched his neck and walk again. Mira following on his side.
"Then how old are you, Mira?"
"I'm 13 years old."
The same age as Anna.
"I see. I'm 16 years old but calling me sir is a bit weird when we are about to work at the same place."
Mira make a straight line with her lips and quiet for a moment.
"Then, I will call you brother."
This girl is so carefree and its a bit concerning.
"Do as you wish but Mira, you shouldn't do this to any stranger."
"But, you're not a stranger anymore, brother."
"No, I mean—"
Delrick facapalmed then look at the young, carefree girl. Because she is of Anna's age, he somehow felt a bit liable toward her.
"What if I am a bad man? You come to me then suddenly asked to share a carriage. If I were a bad man and lied about having the same destination as you, and robbed you, wouldn't that be a trouble?"
Mira looked down at her feet. Her lips pouted a little. Delrick continue.
"So, don't be too trusting. Anyone could be a criminal, alright?"
"But, brother, you didn't look like a criminal."
Well, that's...
Delrick mentally facepalmed himself.
They walked toward a parked carriage. Delrick approached the coachman, who is standing near the horse, brushing its mane with his hand.
"Morning sir, can you ride us to the Mistvale County?"
The coachman's hand freeze for a second. He turn his head to look at him then Mira.
"S, sure, that will be 5 silvers."
The coachman smile, a bit stiffed. Then get into the driver seat without looking back at them.
Delrick frown slightly but, he still get inside the carriage after Mira. The coachman pull the reins, making the horse move, and leaving the small town.
Inside the carriage, Delrick keep looking at Mira—who is looking outside the window. She is so small to be working at somewhere far from her home, probably.
He exhaled then opened his mouth.
"Mira, why are you working instead your parents?"
Mira turned her head toward him. Her innocent eyes stared at him with a smile.
"My parents died so, I have to work for my little brother."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Then, if you work, how about your little brother? How old is he?"
"My little brother live with my grandma and he is 6 years old." Mira smile faltered a little.
"But, grandma is old, she is also sick so, I can't keep depend on her. That's why when I heard Helga's mansion are looking for servants and the pay is high, I immediately write a letter to them."
Mira smile brightened again. "And they accepted me! They even included the expenses."
"You can write?" Delrick asked, his eyes slightly widened.
Mira nodded. "My grandma was a teacher in her younger days. She teach me, and my little brother how to read and write."
Delrick eyes softened. He smiled.
"I see. That's good."
The carriage stopped moving. Delrick, and Mira look outside, only to see a single path between dense trees. The two exchange looks.
"Excuse me, but, why are you stopping?" Delrick asked to the coachman from the window.
"Because you already arrived, sir."
Delrick narrowed his eyes. "But, I didn't see the mansion."
The coachman scratched his cheek.
"Apologize, sir, but, this is how far I can drive you. More than this would be a trouble."
Delrick frown. A confusion painted his face and Mira but, they both relucantly stepped down from the carriage.
Delrick paid the coachman and asked out of his curiosity.
"May I know why can't you drive us further to the Mansion?"
The coachman accepted the silvers.
"That's the rule, sir. Outsider cannot enter their territory."
The coachman pointed at the single pavement.
"You both only need to follow that path. Later, there will be someone who will fetch you."
Delrick followed his hand, staring at the single path.
"But, remember. Only follow that single path. Do not stray away from it. You mustn't." The coachman warned.
Delrick stared at the coachman. His expression serious mixed with worry, somehow.
"We will... keep that in mind."
The coachman nodded and look at the two one last time before he pull the reins again, leaving them behind.