After spending almost the entire night counting the money he won from poker, Vani woke up later than the others. Now, he sat alone in the living room, lounging on the couch, with no one else in sight. Sunlight filtered through the large windows, casting a warm glow over the elegant furnishings. The air was still, save for the occasional crackling of embers in the fireplace. The room, while lavish, felt eerily quiet compared to the previous night's energy.
I can't believe I had to count all the money I won just because everyone kept watching me for no reason. At first, I did it because I thought it would be funny—I wanted to see their reactions. But when I realized they were just staring at me, I couldn't stop counting, even when I wanted to.
He let out a deep sigh, leaning his head back against the couch, lost in thought. But his quiet moment was soon interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. A maid, a young woman with neatly tied white hair, stepped into the room. She carried herself with a natural grace, her posture straight and composed as she addressed him.
"Good morning, Sir Vanity," she said with a respectful bow.
"Good morning," Vani responded, then hesitated before continuing, "I'm sorry, but I don't know your name."
The maid looked at him in surprise. It was a rare response; ever since she started working as a servant, no guest had ever bothered to ask her name.
With a slight nod, she answered, "My name is Beatrice, Sir Vanity."
Did someone tell her my name?
"Would you like some tea or coffee, Sir Vanity?" Beatrice asked politely.
"Call me Vani, please," he said, shifting uncomfortably.
I get chills when she calls me Vanity for some reason.
Beatrice inclined her head slightly.
"I understand, Sir Vani."
"No need to call me 'Sir' either," he added quickly, before steering the conversation elsewhere. "Is everyone outside?"
"Yes," Beatrice confirmed. "At the moment, only the maids and the head butler remain inside."
Vani frowned. He had assumed they would all be resting since Elsera had mentioned they would have free days until her meeting with Lord Darius Evernigh. Now, he was left wondering what to do. He knew nothing about the city, nor did he have any idea where to go or what places were worth visiting.
What should I do? I wanted to buy new clothes, and I thought about buying a sword too. But why? Why am I starting to feel like this again? Last night felt like a dream—I never thought I'd have fun again after what happened in my village. But when I saw everyone's reactions, somehow, it made me forget. Just what do I need to do to erase this feeling?
He turned back to Beatrice. "Did anyone mention when they'd be back?"
"No," she replied, then added, "Do you need something? If it's within my power, I will gladly help."
"I've never been to a city before," Vani admitted. "I thought maybe I could follow them around, but since they already left, I guess I'll just go alone."
His words seemed to pique Beatrice's interest. She hesitated for a moment before speaking again.
"Could you wait a few minutes? I may have a solution, but I need to ask Head Butler Albert for permission first."
Vani blinked in confusion but gave a small nod. Without another word, Beatrice turned and left the room. He waited for about ten minutes before she returned.
"I'm back," Beatrice announced.
When Vani looked up, he was momentarily taken aback. The woman standing before him looked like a completely different person. Gone was the standard maid uniform—in its place, she wore a flowing white dress adorned with delicate lace, cinched at the waist with a sturdy leather belt. Her long silver hair cascaded in soft waves, framing her face, which was both ethereal and weary. Beneath her deep violet eyes, faint dark circles hinted at restless nights, yet they did nothing to dull the quiet intensity of her gaze. The high collar of her dress, embroidered with intricate patterns, only added to her refined yet somber presence.
Wow, she's pretty.
"Is everything okay?" Beatrice asked, noticing his momentary daze.
"Oh, yes. Sorry, I was lost in thought for a second," Vani replied quickly, shaking his head.
Beatrice gave him a small, knowing smile. "Are you ready to go, Sir Vani?"
Vani tilted his head. "Go where?"
"Into the city. I received permission to show you around or take you wherever you plan to go," she explained.
So that's what she meant by needing permission.
"Is it okay for you to skip work, though?" he asked, still a bit skeptical.
"Yes," she said simply. "I received permission, so I am not skipping work."
Vani shrugged. "If that's what you say. Alright, let's go."
As they stepped out, Beatrice turned to him. "Does Sir Vani have a specific place in mind?"
"Yes, and please stop calling me 'Sir.' It sounds weird," he said with a slight grimace.
Beatrice studied him for a moment, her deep violet eyes unreadable. Then, with a nod, she started walking beside him.
"Where do you want to go first?" she asked as they moved toward the house exit.
"I want to buy a sword first. After that, maybe some clothes, and then we can eat something," Vani replied.
Beatrice nodded. "I know a place that sells high-quality swords, but they are quite expensive."
"I should have enough for a good sword," Vani said confidently.
More precisely, I have 287 gold coins and 90 silver coins, so money shouldn't be an issue.
Beatrice gave a small, approving nod. "Understood. Let's go there first.""By the way… Vani, you were so cool last night," Beatrice said, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Did she watch the game?
Beatrice continued, her curiosity growing. "Are you perhaps a master at card games?"
"Nope," Vani replied casually. "Believe it or not, that was the first time I actually won that game."
"Really?" Beatrice asked, clearly surprised.
"Yes."
As they stepped outside, Beatrice still looked puzzled, occasionally glancing at Vani as if trying to make sense of his words. The late morning sun bathed the surroundings in warm light, casting long shadows across the elegant stone pathway. A cool breeze rustled the nearby trees, carrying the distant sounds of birds and the faint murmur of water from a nearby fountain. Vani stretched slightly, feeling the crispness of the air, while Beatrice adjusted her posture, her expression thoughtful.
She must be wondering how I won so easily if I'd never won before… But even I don't really know.
Without another word, the two of them began making their way down the path, their pace steady yet unhurried.