Once we reach the Guest Room I receive the same treatment as her brothers and father. She’s completely silent again, why do I have to go through this when it wasn’t my fault? She simply points at the chairs around the table a tells us

(Erin) “Sit!”

As to not further incur her wrath we all scramble and sit in the nearest chair and wait for her to speak. I know that look… it’s better to listen when women get like that

(Erin) “Kurogane here was tasked by Grandfather to escort me safely back home. How could you just attack him without giving us a chance to explain!”

I watch her brothers and father hang there head in shame before her father speaks up.

(Baron) “But darling Erin… we saw you bring an unknown boy home and we thought…”

Her gaze grew colder with each word spoken by her father.

(Erin) “You thought… WHAT!”

I’m curious now too, in a situation like this, why would you attack first? Erin did not look to be in any danger, nor did she seem to be in any form of distress. No matter how I look at it… why would I be considered a danger?

(One of the twins) “We thought you brought home a boyfriend…”

Ahh… that makes sense now.

(Erin) “B-b-b-boyf--f-friend!?! Kurogane and I are not in any form of relationship! And even if we were! What you guys did was uncalled for! Kurogane is a good friend of Grandfathers and even…”

Erin unable to control her feelings starts to cry again. Her brothers and father quickly get up to comfort her trying to calm her down. Desperately wiping away her tears Erin takes out the ring I found and puts it on the table.

(Erin) “Mother’s... killer… he... killed it…”

At that moment it was like someone took a still shot picture and placed it in front of my eyes… no one moved for a while until her father… his hands shaking took the ring and put it against his face sobbing. The entire family in tears, mourning their loss so I decide it’s best for me to show myself out and give them some family time.

Erin and her family find me in the yard when they finally calmed down and apologize for not only attacking me, but showing me such an unsightly display. It’s not like I don’t understand, the loss of a family member is always hard.

“Ah, don’t worry about it. I still owe Harvey for giving me this sword here, and the family of a good friend is like my own family.”

Apparently… Harvey’s told them about me already, Erin didn’t put the facts together because it was a story from over 50 years ago and I was expected to be an old man by now. I was promptly escorted to my room and was treated with great respect suddenly by her brothers. The room they prepared for me was bigger than my room at Lila’s house, and the bed was so soft and fluffy I felt like I was going to go to sleep as soon as I laid on it.

So… comfy…

(Erin) “Tehehe, you seem to like the mattress quite a bit Kuro, I hate to tell you that it’s dinner time, I guess I should tell them you won’t be eating?”

Like hell I’m not going to eat! But...this mattress feels like it’s completely engulfed me forcing me to roll out of bed. Huh? Did she just ditch me! I end up giving chase and eventually find my way to the dining room.

The table looked like something out of a royal banquet, the table looked like it could fit 30 people at least! Our table back home only sits about 15 of us and this table was filled with food. There was so much food… I don’t know where it all went… no I know where it went, in my belly but HOW!?! The twins and Erin’s father couldn’t believe their eyes as I decimated the dishes on the table. I guess they were expecting… leftovers?

(Erin) “So Kuro, now that you ate enough to feed a small army… I had talked it over with my father and brothers. We would like to have you stay for a few days in apology for their treatment of you.”

Well then I honestly don’t mind, I would like to see what this City has to offer honestly. From what I could see while walking here there was a lot more merchants and people walking around so there might be better quality equipment.

“That sounds like a great idea Erin. I’ll take you guys up on your offer.”

The rest of the evening was filled with small talk until it was time for bed, needless to say I slept very well that night. I’m slightly tempted to back this mattress into my bag...and bring it home…

Fully rested I woke up early in the morning refreshed and I get my things and head towards the courtyard to see the twins Aiden and Gavin training with their spears. They both are using spears made of pure steel, no wonder their combined attacks made my hand go numb. They greet me energetically as I pass by and I head into town. I had found out the night before that Réunion was a large trading city and had a lot of traveling merchants visit giving them a wide variety of goods.

As I wander through town I pick up some presents for everyone, I got a new book for Lena, a comb for my sister, matching scarfs for Lila and Eddy, mittens for Lilly and a new training sword for Roy. I wasn’t sure what to get Roy and Lena’s parents so I just got some trinkets I felt were appropriate. As I exited the last shop I can hear a commotion nearby and go and take a look.

There was this beautiful lady with long blue like the ocean hair, and eyes that looked like a clear summer sky. The thing is though… she was tackling a random boys and would start rubbing her face against them before pushing them away and apologizing…? Oh god… this lady must have a screw loose somewhere… or maybe nobody’s home upstairs.

Not wanting to deal with her I quickly walk through a nearby alley and go far away from her. I continue to walk quickly until I am minutes away from Erin’s home when I can smell something really good? Following the scent of freshly baked bread I reach a small bakery that had freshly baked baguettes, I didn’t think they would have these here.

Excited to have some baguettes after so long I open up the door and see two pies sitting on the opposite side of the baguettes. They smell like cherry and apple pies, and end up buying them along with all the baguettes I could carry. I thank the baker and tell him I’ll be back tomorrow as I take a bite out of my baguette, the outside had a nice crunch to the outside, and the inside was soft.

Just like the bakeries back home before all this crazy out of a fantasy novel stuff happened. My moment of bliss however is interrupted by a small hooded figure bumping into me causing me to scramble to grab everything. After I caught all my newly acquired food I took a look at the person who bumped into me.

It was a young girl, who looked like she came out of a painting. She looked to be around fourteen? Her black hair reached her shoulders, big brown eyes, small rounded nose, and long eyelashes. She was extremely cute, and I’m sure when she grows older she’ll be a beautiful woman. I couldn’t help but stare at her for a moment.

(Young Girl) “Watch where you’re going ya big oaf! Even a Troll has the decency to look in front of itself when it walks!”

The girl suddenly punches me in the stomach knocking the wind out of me and grabs both my pies before running back a few steps. She then turns around just to stick her tongue out me before taking off with my pies. I take back everything I just thought about that little wench! When I find her I swear she’ll get what’s coming to her!

Afterwards the Baker runs outside due to the commotion and tries to give me his last pie free of charge as an apology. It wasn’t his fault so I made sure to pay him since he is running a business here. I’m going to have to bring Sis and Lila here in the future, this guy’s not only a great baker but a nice guy!

As I walk towards the manor, I continue to nibble on the bread I bought. I did toss one into my bag… to make sure I don’t eat it on the way though. Strangely I get the feeling that… I'm forgetting something? Well… if I can’t remember it… it wasn’t important, right?

Passing through the main gate I toss the last bit of pie in my mouth. It was delicious also, it’s been too long since I’ve enjoyed something like pie. As I savor the flavor, I see the...twins? Why are they…didn’t we talk this over already!?