Chapter 9: Yuuki's Warning: Who Is Rick, Really?

— "Amaria, I think you need to sit down first, with what I'm about to tell you."

— "What happened, Yuuki? What did you discover?"

Yuuki settled in and began to explain.

“Listen carefully, Amaria. When I secretly observed Roco in his room, I felt something was off. It's something animals can sense in each other.

When I saw him sleeping, he was hooked up to some kind of machine, one that seemed to be feeding him magic.

I've heard that certain animals have been created through magic, and I think Roco is one of them.

Creating animals with magic has normally been forbidden, ever since people started abusing the practice. That's why I don't understand why Rick has an artificial pet.

I don't know how your date went, but be careful, Amaria. If you trust him enough, maybe you could ask him about it. Otherwise, stay alert when you're with him.”

I didn't understand how or why someone as kind as Rick could have an artificial animal.

The next day, it was already time for us to leave for Olbi. I left the hotel with Yuuki, and Rick was waiting outside with a carriage.

— "Ready for new adventures, Amaria?"

— "Hi, Rick. Yes, actually, Olbi's a city I've always wanted to visit."

— "You won't be disappointed. Let's go."

Rick helped me into the carriage and sat close to me.

The night before, after what Yuuki had told me, I'd thought about it almost all night. I only managed to sleep a little, and I was exhausted.

I wanted to ask him outright, about Roco, about the machine, about all of it. But every time I opened my mouth, I imagined his face falling, disappointed in me for doubting him, and the question died before I could ask it.

Once the carriage set off, I watched the landscape through the window as we gradually left Calgara behind.

After ten minutes, my eyelids grew heavier. I felt exhausted. My eyes closed, and I fell asleep in the carriage.

I could feel my head lolling with the movement of the carriage, until suddenly I felt something support it.

After a while, I woke up and realized my head was resting on Rick's shoulder. I lifted it quickly, but I noticed Rick was asleep.

I studied his face closely and noticed a scar on his cheek.

I wondered how he'd gotten it.

Somehow, the scar actually gave his face a certain charm.

I was curious, so I reached out to touch it, but at the same moment, his hand caught mine.

He held it and brought it close to his face. He kissed my hand, then let it go.

I couldn't tell if he was awake or not, his eyes were still closed.

But I could guess he had incredible instincts and reflexes.

Once we arrived in Olbi, I looked through the window and saw the beautiful, lively city I'd always wanted to visit.

Rick helped me out of the carriage and asked where I planned to stay, and what my plans were after that.

I told him I'd be staying at a quiet, small hotel I'd found, just until we found a place to live and a job.

I actually planned to open a small herbalist's boutique, since I'd learned a bit from my grandmother.

Rick explained that I couldn't easily open an herbalist's boutique in the capital.

I'd need a license first, to open one and practice as a herbalist.

Apparently, competitions were regularly held to assess candidates and grant licenses.

He told me it wasn't easy, from what he'd heard, the test lasted a full week.

It was intentionally difficult, meant to discourage anyone with bad or dishonest intentions.

I asked Rick where the test took place.

He said it was held at the imperial palace, organized by the herbalist school along with the herbalists who worked for the royal family.

— "I can let you know the date of the test, if you'd like," Rick said.

— "Yes, please, that would help me. Thank you."

— "Alright. Can you let me know which hotel you'll be staying at?"

— "The Small Flower Hotel."

Rick offered to drop me off directly at the hotel.

I told him I had somewhere to go first, so I'd make my own way there later.

We said our goodbyes, and he told me he'd come by my hotel to let me know about the herbalist test.

After the carriage left, I headed to the library.

I'd heard Olbi had the biggest library in the country, with books you couldn't find anywhere else.

Pets were allowed in every library in Olbi, as long as they stayed quiet, which worked out well for me. I could bring Yuuki along.

Standing at the entrance of the biggest library I'd ever seen, it felt like a dream.

I had never imagined I'd get to visit it one day.

I went inside and saw there were several floors, at least seven. I asked at the front desk where I could find old, rare magic books. The employee told me they were kept on the top floor, close to the plants and herbs section.

The library was very well organized. There were tables and chairs where visitors could sit, and several rooms available to rent, or you could simply settle into a sofa and read.

I went straight to the seventh floor and started looking for interesting books that could teach me something new about my magic.

I could tell this floor was almost empty, very few people came up here.

I finally found the shelf with the interesting books. The shelves were very tall.

There was one book that looked especially interesting.

I reached for it, but I was too short to grab it.

Suddenly, a man behind me took the book I wanted and said:

— "Is this the book you're after?"

I turned and saw Leandro. I took the book and thanked him, surprised to see him there.

— "Glad to see you in Olbi, Yuli. Are you visiting? Do you have time to talk for a bit?"

I'd been a little cold with him last time, I was under constant stress because of my situation back then. This time, I decided to make time to talk with him.

— "Sure, let's talk."

— "Great, let's sit over there, hardly anyone comes up here, since so few people visit the seventh floor," Leandro said.

— "To answer your question, I plan to stay in Olbi for a while. I'm interested in taking the herbalist test."

— "Oh, I see, that's great. I remember you telling me your grandmother was an herbalist, right? I hope you succeed."

— "Thank you."

— "By the way, I'd like to invite you to dinner tonight, to thank you for helping me last time. I know I'm insisting, but it means a lot to me, after what you did. Please accept my invitation."

I was actually starving, since I'd skipped lunch.

I told myself it was just because I was hungry. But some part of me knew I'd have said yes either way, I never really learned how to turn down someone who wanted to spend time with me.

So I accepted his invitation.

— "Great, thank you. Which hotel are you staying at? I'll pick you up there directly."

— "The Small Flower Hotel."

— "Alright. I'll pick you up tonight at 8:00 PM. I'll let you get back to your book, I won't disturb you any longer. See you later."

— "See you later."

After he left, I opened my book and looked for information about healers, or anything related to it.

I found a spell that explained how to heal several people at once, though it required a substantial amount of magic.

I kept reading, and apparently, healing magic could also be used defensively, like a shield.

What I'd just learned was amazing. I couldn't wait to try the new spells I'd discovered.

Once I finished reading, I left. On the way back, I noticed a small, charming boutique that sold dresses.

I decided to go in, I wanted to buy something for tonight, since I didn't have anything proper to wear.

The shop owner came over and asked if I was looking for something specific.

I told her I needed a dress I could wear to a restaurant.

She smiled and showed me a few different styles.

The clothes in the capital were definitely nicer, and there were far more choices than back in Orila.

I chose a dark blue dress, elegant, but discreet, since I didn't like being the center of attention.

The owner offered me a small accessory to match it. I thanked her and left.

After that, I headed to the hotel where I'd booked a room, but apparently, there'd been a mistake with the reservation. There was no room available anymore.

The front desk explained that it would be difficult to find a room now, since the knight tournament was coming up soon.

And I still had less than two hour before Leandro came to pick me up for dinner. I stood there in the middle of the lobby, dress in hand, without the faintest idea where I'd actually be sleeping that night.

***