Haru was kneeling before the Great Cross with his wife, Rias. It was placed in the area where Celestine once sat. Unlike the voluptuous false goddess, this Great Cross filled him with hope and vigor, something that he would need against the upcoming hordes of Black Dogs. He did the Sign of the Cross before standing up. He is greeted by a plethora of builders and workers, who genuflected before him.
"We hope that we are not interrupting your prayers sire."
"Nonsense, you are doing God's work building a church here. I look forward to seeing this church finished, so don't let me stop you."
"You heard him, men! Put your back into it!" the leader barked as the workers rushed to get started. "We have the honor of building this holy site, and we have no room for error!"
Haru looked with satisfaction as the laborers began to work on the church. With the abundance of manpower, he predicted that the church would be finished within a week's time. He could wait until then. There was no need to be harsh on the workers. After all, God demands mercy not sacrifice. He looked at his wife, who was strangely quiet the whole time.
"Something wrong, my love?"
"Oh it's nothing. Just a bit tired from all the commotion."
"Do you wish to rest?" Haru asked with much concern.
"No, no. I'll be by your side at the throne room, regardless of my health." Rias replied firmly, before wondering about something. "Speaking of family, where is your nephew?"
"You mean Millicas? He joined me for the morning prayers but left without a word."
"I'd wager that he's with his betrothed, that noble girl from Guines." Rias guessed.
"That's quite possible. Though I have to say that she's a rather whimsical and independent young woman. Quite unorthodox for a lady of her standing."
"What was her name again?"
"Penelope Charlene de Guines. Though she carries the name of "Penny", what a strange girl."
Millicas was struggling to catch up as he felt like himself being dragged through the crowd. He was a bit exhausted from even going through such a crowded place, but he had to go through with it. Especially when the woman dragging him was his life-long friend, Penelope Charlene de Guines. Ever since they had arrived in this strange new city, she was eager to go sight-seeing.
"Penny, stop pulling!" Millicas complained. "You might pull my arm out of its socket!"
"But we have so much ground to cover! We're in a new world, might as well explore it to its limit!"
"Then let us at least eat first! We can't explore the world on an empty stomach!"
"Hmph, fine." Penny huffed. "How about that inn?"
"Looks a little expensive."
"You are the nephew of the new ruler of this nation and you call this expensive?"
"I prefer NOT to abuse my power, thank you very much." Millicas replied dryly.
"The place does look a little fancy." Penny expressed, before fixing her hair a bit. "How do I look?"
Millicas took a look at Penny, and needless to say, she was beautiful. Her fair-skinned face shined with her lovely deep green eyes. Her orange hair was put in a long braid. She wore a white, long-sleeved dress, with a brown corset sealing her upper body. She wore a hair band that had a flower on the side. Millicas had to just go with the simple answer.
"Yes, you look fine, how about me?"
Penny looked at Millicas, and he was wearing strangely common clothing. He wore a green, slim fit tunic and brown trousers. He didn't have the long, smooth combed hair of nobility. His hair was short but shaggy, conflicting with his noble background.
"Are you disguising yourself as peasantry on purpose?"
"What do you think?" Millicas asked with a deadpan.
"Okay then! Let's go!" Penny said while pulling Millicas to the front of the inn.
They walked up to the entrance, to see a woman in a frilly dress, which the locals called a "maid". Which probably meant maidservant in their language.
"Can I get you anything?"
"Yes! I am Madam Penelope Charlene and this is my betrothed, Millicas of Whirlingpool!"
The maid's eyes widened as she looked at Millicas and bowed.
"Milord! Would you like to have a seat?"
"Yes…" Millicas said while looking at Penny disapprovingly. "I would like to have a seat inside."
The maid guided them inside, where they heard strange music. The tables were arranged in a way that there was a free space in the middle. The maid brought them to the largest table with the most comfortable chairs. Penny plops down happily on one of the cushioned chairs while Millicas calmly sat on the other.
"What is your order?" the maid asked while handing them the menus.
Millicas was certainly surprised by the type of service they offered, their food looked high-end as well.
"I'll have this 'fruitcake'." Penny said while pointing to the menu.
"Just get me some bread and fish with some bitter vegetables." Millicas said before putting a pouch on the table. "Will this cover it?"
The maid then nods as she took the money. Millicas and Penny sat idly as they then discussed.
"What does your uncle have planned for this new nation?"
"I believe he'll start with improving infrastructure and trade. He'll soon be imposing taxes to fund his campaign against the Black Dogs. He expects an influx of migrants and refugees, so border guarding will also be top priority."
"And how do you plan on helping him?" Penny asked, leaning on the table.
"He won't even let me join the frontlines, and I'm too young to even become a general."
"Didn't he become a general at fifteen?" Penny countered.
"That was a position forced onto him, he had no choice." Millicas replied. "And I acknowledge my inexperience in many fields. And I do plan on improving in—"
Millicas stopped talking as he saw Penny making eyes at him, it was making him a bit uncomfortable.
"Er…"
"Oh don't let me stop you!" Penny said while still making those eyes. "Go on."
"I can't speak with you looking at me like that. Speaking of which, why do you keep doing that whenever I talk?"
"It's a nice change to have you talk so self-assured and smart, when you usually talk so casually and mild. It's what makes you so alluring."
"Y-Yes, of course."
Before the conversation could go on, Penny perks up at the sound of music. It was fast, and even more catchy than the music in the festivals that she had been to. Though the music wasn't necessarily familiar, it still made Penny feel like dancing.
"Are you hearing this?" Penny asked.
"Er, yes. It's a bit strange to hear—Whoah!" Millicas expressed in surprise as Penny pulled him to the empty space in the middle of the inn. "Penny! What are you doing!?"
"C'mon! Doesn't this sound melodious?" Penny said while heading to the dance floor.
"Actually it doesn't." Millicas replied dryly.
"Oh shut up!" Penny said while getting ready to dance. "Just trust me on this! I got a good feeling!"
"But how do you dance to music like this?" Millicas asked.
"Just follow my lead." Penny instructed.
(PLAY SOUNDTRACK: "Sleeping Jasmine" by Aioi)
Penny holds Millicas's hands as they begin swaying. Penny guides Millicas through the dance as she begins to be more lively with her swaying and hand movements. Millicas instinctively follows and becomes livelier with his body movements. Penny then pulls Millicas closer as they move through the dance floor, their bodies moving in sync.
Millicas becomes more confident and takes his own route. He spins Penny then pulls her closer. He and Penny grow more accustomed to the music and their bodies start moving in sync. Penny filled the air with her joyous laughter, which made Millicas smile all the more.
The world slowed down as the two genuinely enjoyed their moment together. It didn't feel romantic, it just made them both very happy. As the music came to a close, they both improvised and did their finale. Millicas releases Penny into a spin and then catches her right when the music ends.
The spectators clapped at the performance. Millicas and Penny stared at each other for a bit, before realizing their position and quickly got out of it, being a bit bashful at all the attention. Penny sees the bard who performed the song. A woman with chinky eyes and a strange looking lute. Penny approached the lady and cheerily said.
"You're really good at playing!" Penny complimented.
"I could say the same about your dancing!" the lady praised back, in a strange accent. She then extended her hand. "Shigaraki Sumire at your service!"
"Penelope Charlene de Guines!" Penny returned while shaking the lady's hand. "Nice to meet you Ms. Sumire! What sort of surname is that?"
"Actually, Shigaraki is my surname. Sumire is my given name."
"But you said your name was—"
"Shigaraki Sumire." Sumire groaned. "Where I'm from, we say our surnames before our given names."
"That does beg the question, where are you from?"
"Don't you recognize the language? I'm from Shenkitaiyo, though folks here just call it the Far East."
Millicas perked up at the name as he rushed to Sumire, he then grabs her hand, saying.
"You're from the Far East?"
"Y-Yes!" Sumire stuttered while getting flustered at his sudden grabbing of her hand. "W-Why are you grabbing my hand?"
"Because Haru needs whatever information he can get on this world, and your knowledge will be very welcome."
Millicas then turns to Penny.
"Sorry Penny, but our exploration will have to wait. Uncle has to know about this." Millicas said before pulling Sumire outside.
"W-Where are you taking me!?"
The onlookers were shocked at the turn of events, as Penny sighed and threw the waitress another pouch of coins.
"Keep the change, we'll be keeping your bard for a while."
Penny then followed Millicas back outside the inn. Millicas and Sumire were staring at something down the street, piquing Penny's interest to what was on the street. She joined Millicas to see dozens of people wearing cloaks and pulling carts. They seemed to be hiding their face, as they refused to even look at the other onlookers. Penny could only wonder what those people were doing. She then asks Millicas.
"What do you think they're doing here?"
"My uncle was right. There are refugees really coming to us for aid."
"But why do you suppose they're wearing those hoods?"
"There must be something about them that they're hiding. We'll just have to see what the Duke will do with them."
Millicas and Penny followed the convoy with Sumire in tow.
"Hey! Where are you taking me?" Sumire complained.