Inside a clean-looking room, three men were inspecting the place. Castian searched everywhere possible, not allowing himself to relax when he found nothing.
Paul had to shake off his vacant stare and began to unpack. Next to his briefcase were two more, not because he was a man with a lot of luggage, but because he was being reprimanded.
—Paul, after you fold the clothes, go downstairs and ask if they can bring some lemonade.
—Right away, boss.
As soon as he finished folding the clothes, he did as he was told, returning from the first floor with a glass of lemonade. Basil tasted it and made a grimace of displeasure.
—For Hex, this has no sugar! I didn't know they enjoyed the worst version of lemonade in Caleh. Go and ask them to add sugar.
—Right away, boss.
He couldn't even sit down; he trudged back with heavy steps. After a minute, he returned and handed the lemonade to Basil, who tasted it for a moment, made an exaggerated grimace of disgust, and looked reproachfully at Paul.
_You took too long; it's slightly warm. Ask for another one.
—...Right away, boss.
When he went downstairs, the owner shot him a dirty look. Paul had to pay him a little extra for the trouble, and when he delivered the lemonade, Basil smiled and gave him a thumbs up.
—Excellent, this is what lemonade should taste like.
Paul sighed in relief and prepared to lie down but was stopped by Castian's deep voice.
—I want a lemonade too.
Paul looked at him with an unfriendly face. He could only blame himself; his cowardice made the most serious person in the room come over to bother him. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry, so he hurried downstairs.
Castian turned to Basil, who responded with a relaxed smile.
—Don't worry about him; even if he's a coward, he's obligated to help us due to the situation. That is unless... —He instantly fell silent as his "guardians" split into the adjacent rooms. Although he didn't believe they were Emperors capable of reading his psyche, he suspected they had some method of eavesdropping—. Well, he might be useful.
Castian said no more and looked out the window, but his break was short-lived as he followed Basil when the latter stepped out.
They walked down the hallway for a moment and knocked on the door next door. A few seconds passed before someone opened it. In front of him stood a brown-haired woman whose eyes lacked emotion. Basil couldn't tell if the heaviness in her gaze was due to fatigue or if it was something natural.
—I said before; I want to see the Prosperous Fountain. Ask your boss if you're going to escort me.
Auryn just stared at him for a few seconds that felt like hours. Before Basil could cut through the awkward silence, she nodded and stepped into the hallway, positioning herself behind both men.
Basil looked at her with a sad expression; he was quite bothered by that woman's disheveled appearance. Oh dear. You need to tidy up before going out; you can't deprive the world of beauty!
He swallowed his words and they moved forward, but before stepping out, he turned to Auryn and asked,
—Doesn't your boss mind that you act without permission? Oh wait... —He made an exaggerated gesture while pretending to think deeply— I'm sure you communicated telepathically; Emperors can do that, right?
The only response he received was the gaze of a doll whose being was foreign to life. In light of such silence, he realized a horrible truth.
I'm being followed by two Castians!
He could do nothing but hold back tears. Just as they were crossing the door, a man's voice could be heard.
—Wait! Didn't you want lemonade!? —Paul ran up to them, but the door closed in his face.
Caleh was a splendid place or at least that's what its tourist sites claimed. They had rented quite an expensive hotel; thus they headed directly to the upscale neighborhoods. The beautifully decorated streets lit up their eyes while the good posture of citizens enhanced their surroundings. A couple of carriages with finely crafted symbols crossed beside them.
—Look there; those are the symbols of houses Baury, Fau, and Wayatte —said a well-dressed man to his companion.
—The Prosperous Fountain even attracts famous houses. —The man beside him clasped his hands in reverence— Our lord Celei is magnanimous; everyone desires his blessings.
—May Celei be dignified. —The well-dressed man replied as both continued on their way.
Basil listened to their conversation and smiled while looking at the Wayatte symbol. He suspected that family had some connection with Sanma due to two things: the aroma of golden petunias—flowers only cultivated by Wayatte—and more importantly, the strange amount of power that Sanma's group had despite only being informants. Moreover, Wayatte was very close to Promise City.
If Basil could find a connection between them, he would exploit it to his advantage. That was the real reason he chose that city. With that in mind, his steps quickened.
—We need to hurry. Not only will we see the Prosperous Fountain, but there will also be nobles there. —A dry laugh escaped his lips—. How exciting....
They passed through the commercial street where vendors enthusiastically offered their goods. Caleh had always been a city proud of its high tourism. Even more so then, as the hunting season approached.
—Would you like to buy a souvenir? This beautiful figure of the Prosperous Fountain costs only one silver sun!
—Come and try this delicious treat while your wishes come true!
They had to walk a bit longer until they got out of there. When there were no more shouting vendors, they reached the square of the Prosperous Fountain, if it could be called a square.
That place lacked substantial space, being occupied by a huge four-tiered fountain. The water appeared crystal clear as it flowed like a waterfall from the mouths of marble angels. On the top tier was a statue of a man with four wings that shone in a milky color.
Basil and the others gathered with tourists around the fountain. Many of them threw all kinds of suns into its depths while reciting their wishes; some others were reserved regarding what they asked for. The hunting season was approaching, and many wishes were related to it.
He searched with his eyes and found noble carriages on the other side of the square. There, the heir of the Wayatte family was with his partners. Daer Wayatte looked at the man with cold eyes reflected in the water, but at some point, he felt a gaze from across the square. When he looked over, he found someone seemingly looking in his direction. That person was completely unknown to him, as her face was hidden by a hood.
Basil and Daer exchanged glances. The gray-haired man chuckled discreetly as he took out a gold sun and tossed it into the fountain.
—I'll make my wishes come true.
He felt a piercing gaze behind him. When he turned to look, he was surprised because Auryn's usually lifeless eyes had a bit of vitality. Then, with genuine curiosity, he asked.
—Is something wrong? Do you also want to make a wish?
The woman didn't respond. Just when Basil thought it was just his imagination, he heard a cracked voice come from her lips.
—...No.
Auryn turned away naturally as her voice was swallowed by the rest of the sounds. Basil was a bit surprised; he turned to Castian for explanations, but the man seemed like an expressionless statue.
It was then that he heard Paul's voice, who sounded quite tired.
—Uff... boss, I finally find you. —He clasped his hands in prayer—. I'm sorry for being a coward; I can bring you more lemonade if you want, but please don't leave me with that bunch of crazies.
Basil wasn't paying attention; his mind was focused on Auryn's strange behavior. In his eyes, she was nothing more than a gloomy crazy person. If that were all, it would be fine; what does one more crazy person do to the carriage? However, she had maintained a certain pattern in her actions. Whenever it came to Basil, she tended to be more interactive.
—Hey, go and ask Miss Aury something. —He ordered Paul; he wanted to confirm his theory.
—Huh? Me?
—Yes, you.
—B-but... like what?
—I don't know; use your social skills and ask her about the weather or something like that. —Basil pushed Saudro, who reluctantly approached Auryn.
—Excuse me, Miss Aury... Um... —He wanted to appear confident but felt a bit scared by her dead eyes—. Wasn't... beautiful the fountain?
He received no response; she didn't even acknowledge him. Feeling this void, Paul felt as if he was losing strength while backing away. I'm going to die single....
Basil analyzed this scene as objectively as possible. He compared Auryn's responses with his own and suddenly an idea struck him like lightning.
Could it be.... she likes me!?
It didn't sound so crazy in his head; despite not knowing much about Auryn, her change in attitude when interacting with him was undeniable. But then that idea sounded absurd. He didn't consider himself handsome; the burn on his face made him look frightening. If it were before, it might have been plausible; back then his face was considered doll-like and effeminate.
Well, maybe she has curious tastes. If my theory is correct, then I must take full advantage! If one of those kidnappers is in love with me, I can use it as a trump card.
With this in mind, he approached Auryn confidently as she looked at him with a hint of curiosity.
—Hello, Miss Aury. —He spoke with an exaggerated charming smile.
Then, Auryn stared at him for a few seconds that felt like hours. She tried to process what was happening, and when she realized the intentions of the gray-haired man, she showed a face that Basil would never forget.
Auryn's eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her eyes revealed barely concealed anger. Without thinking twice, she turned her head and walked away a little.
Did she just reject me!?
Basil didn't know what to say; he was completely shocked. He turned to his subordinates who could barely contain their laughter.
—Hey, don't laugh; it happens to anyone! —he puffed out his chest and pointed at Castian.
Paul turned to the big man with barely contained laughter but was once again disappointed to see him.
—Boss, he looks the same as always, hehe...
—You stop laughing too! And if you haven't noticed, his eyebrows raised a little; he's mocking me!
Paul looked back at Castian, but to him, he still looked the same. Before he could ask, he was interrupted by Basil.
—Well, let's go back to the hotel. —he said sulkily.