A Walk In the Park

After the group finished their lunch, they left the inn and went towards the park. Along the way, they stopped by Rusky's store where he put up a sign saying "Closed for today."

The group went towards the central part of Igrit city. This section mostly contained empty land and a couple of government buildings.

The centermost part of the city was the City Lord's Mansion or also known as the Marquess' mansion. Surrounding the mansion was an expansive public park that many of the city's residents visited to have a stroll or picnic.

It not only improved the mood of the citizens but also gave off a wonderful scent that spread throughout the city. This place was truly unlike any medieval city that Daren had read about and seen games.

As they got closer and closer to the park, they could smell the fruity scent get stronger and stronger.

The scent was zesty like an orange and sweet like a watermelon. This strange scent was coming from the horde of pink leaved trees that were planted everywhere in this breathtaking park.

Trees of light purple, pink and dark blue leaves were scattered all through the place. Some trees were grouped to create large amounts of shade while others were more spaced out to create an open space in the grass where people could lay down comfortably.

The sight was truly marvelous and reminded Daren of the yearly Cherry Blossom festival that was held yearly on his home plant named Japan 86. His city of Nipon 9 would open up a special park that would only be open during spring every year.

This park would contain endless miles of cherry blossom trees. Daren would often go here to relax after school.

"Waaaahh!" gasped Celina. She had seen something similar in Daren's memories but it was so much better to see something like this in person.

The magnificence of nature was pouring into her eyes and she didn't know what to say except to frolic around like a 5-year-old child.

Celina only gained consciousness 5 years ago. Through being in the void and going through all of Daren's memories and emotions, she has matured a lot but is still somewhat of a child.

Celina runs around and giggles with Daren and the rest laughing right beside her.

Bam! Thud!

Celina was so carefree that she accidentally ran headfirst into a tree and fell flat onto the ground on her behind.

"Hahahhahahhahaha!" Everyone was laughing uncontrollably and Celina did the same while rubbing her head.

Their fun time was suddenly interrupted when the voice of a child said " Daddy! Daddy! Look over there. That lady is more pretty than mommy. You always said that no one is prettier than mommy. Why did you lie daddy?"

Walking towards the group was a middle-aged man with fair skin and small bags under his eyes. His shiny, golden glasses coupled with his scholarly face was giving off the vibe of wisdom.

There were two boys, each gripping tightly onto the hand of the man. The bot that spoke was on the right side of the man.

The boy, just like his father had deep brown eyes and straight, jet black hair. The other, slightly taller and older boy, had light blue eyes and curly hair. Both were cute and their eyes gave off a curious glint within the eyes that were scanning Celina.

The father of the boys spoke with a deep, calming voice.

"My dear Adam, when you love someone with the deepest parts of your heart, they too will seem like the most beautiful in the world.

I love your mother very much so I believe her to be the most beautiful there is. You will also feel like this about somebody one day."

The child nodded and looked towards his older brother who still stared at Celina with awe.

"Big brother, you mustn't stare at someone for too long. Mother said it rude," said Adam with a voice of concern.

Maxwell shook his head and nodded at his younger brother as a gesture of thanks.

The father of the two boys then dragged his two boys along as he steadily walked towards Celina and her gang.

The father then stopped when he was about a meter away from Celina and bowed. His two sons did the same in his as if following his lead.

"I apologize for my son staring at my lady rudely. I also apologize for interrupting your activities."

Daren, Rusky, and Arlene were all quite dumbfounded. Their expression had tilted slightly as they were trying to hide the feeling of surprise they had received.

They knew that this was the Marquess and his two boys and they knew that this noble family was known for being respectful towards all, well mannered, and very educated.

They just had not expected that they would be willing to bow so easily for making such a minor inconvenience. Daren was also kind of irked by the fact that the Marquess referred to Celina as " my lady ".

This was a title that female nobles were addressed by male nobles. Lady and Lord were exclusively for nobles. Daren was sure that the Marquess had mistaken Celina as a noble.

What Daren was not sure about was why he made such a mistake?

"No need to apologize. They are just kids and it is only normal for them to be curious about such topics," said Celina as she beamed a gorgeous smile towards the two kids.

Maxwell and Adam had felt as if spring had come anew into their lives as they had never seen a smile such beautiful that was so full of care.

Marquess Andrew Hendrix made a small nod towards Celina and then looked at his son's face with a look of disappointment.

'I believe that my kid's hearts have been stolen from a young age. I must help them understand that the beauty of this young lady is not something they would be able to easily find in this world.'

The Marquess was also blown away by the youthful, spring-like feeling this crimson-haired lady gave off but his heart would not waver as it was held firmly in place by his wife.

The Marquess' only concern was his sons who probably would compare any woman they saw with this lady.

"May I ask what my lady's name is?" asked the Marquess as it was basic etiquette to ask one name as fast as possible.

"My man is Celina Frince." said Celina while awkwardly sounding out Daren's silly last name.

"Then lady Frince it is. I understand my lady's willingness to forgive my children but do allow me to make up for their mistakes. How about dinner with my wife and me? Of course, your escorts are also invited."

Andrew Hendrix was an educated man and cared deeply for manners. He would surely maintain his manners as all good nobles did when making mistakes or inconveniences towards others.

Even if his goodwill was rejected, Andrew was not a man that would feel anger. He would just feel disappointed that the other party was not willing.

Andrew never carried any hard feelings for long as he believed that negativity should never take more than an instance of your time.

"I would gladly take accept the offer with the approval of my husband," said Celina sweetly as she grinned.

Marquess Hendrix was not surprised to learn that the young lady had a husband as most nobles at their teenage years at least had a fiance.

"Where might he be now?' asked the Marquess as he needed to explain the situation to her husband.

"That's him," she replied while pointing at Daren who was trying his best not to laugh.

Daren raises his left hand and gives a small wave while saying "Hi there. I'm the man you're looking for."

The Marquess: "0_0"

Andrew did not see that the man in the crimson clothing was not only wearing an outfit that matched each other's hair color but also how handsome this man was.

The aqua-colored hair gave a cool and charming look that was complemented by the young man's sharp features.

"Ah. I apologize for the insults to Lord Frince." Andrew bows his head once again.

"It's fine. It's fine!"

"No, it is not. It is the basic responsibility f a noble to be held accountable for their comments towards another noble."

"That's what I'm trying to say. We are NOT nobles so there is no need to get so formal." Daren finally blurted it out. There was no way he was going to let this go on any longer.

"Heh. What...." Andrew no longer knew what to say. He had mistaken the good-looking pair as nobles. "So you people are not nobles. It looks I got carried away. Haha."

"Hahaha. How did the Marquess mistake us for nobles anyway?" asked Daren.

"Oh. Rarely are women of these ethereal looks not from high-status families. The same applies to men as well. Not only does high society really focus on their looks but they also have the best products to maintain it. In addition, you and your wife are wearing clothes that cost multiple silvers to buy. There's no way that someone without money would spend that much or could even afford it in the first place."

The Marquess' habit as a scholar was to give long speeches whenever someone even asked him the simplest of questions. He used to teach at a university before he was dragged back to his territory by his parents.

Being a professor was a fun and fulfilling job for him but he has come to like managing his territory as he feels much better making people happy and content with their lives.

"That being said, as I have already given an offer that in no way I'll take back, how about joining my family for dinner tonight. I like making friends with young folk like you men and women."

Andrew liked making younger friends as it would give a fresh view of life every time he talked to them.