Amazement arose in my mind, "How can a beautiful girl like her love me? Unbelievable..." Then I replied, "I'm glad to meet you, Helcia. You are a close friend to me. Sorry, I only love you as a friend."

"Why Ryan? Is it my ordinary appearance and just a country girl? Are you more interested in the girl at the kingdom?" replied her.

"Ah... no... it's not like that... A cute girl like you certainly deserves someone better than me."

"I'm sure that I love you. I don't care about your background. Or is there anyone you like?" asked Helcia who didn't give up.

Deg... Helcia's words hit my heart. My mind immediately thinks of Lucien.

"Ryan. Why are you silent?"

"Ah... that... I can't say. I'm sorry Helcia, I can't accept you," I answered clearly.

The heartbroken Helcia tried to steel herself with a smile in front of Ryan. "Um. It does not matter. Whatever your choice, I wish you happiness."

"So do you," Ryan replied.

"Looks like I have to return to the inn," said Helcia.

Ryan felt bad for rejecting the love of that good girl. Now she must be heartbroken. But it's better to say no directly if there's no special feeling than to go round and round that just creates confusion.

"Besides Helcia, I really can't love you as a lover," Ryan muttered while watching her leave.

Helcia came home sluggish, her legs felt weak to walk back to the inn.

****

It was dusk, in the kingdom, and Claes was pacing back and forth in his room.

"I can get frustrated if this goes on. Even though I thought Eudora was the reincarnation of the goddess who I love in my previous life, I didn't have any special feelings for her in my current life. On the other hand, why do I keep thinking about Ryan's figure? Deep in my heart, I was afraid of losing him."

Then Claes asked the guards to summon Taddeus.

"What's wrong, prince?" said Taddeus entering the room.

"We will conduct training for the warriors by going camping. This event is to establish solidarity so that there is no division among the warriors."

"Wow. Good idea prince." Taddeus replied in agreement.

"Then we'll be leaving this week."

"Why is it going suddenly, prince?"

"Our activities are reduced lately, so earlier to do is better."

"Hmm... That's right."

"Taddeus. You look for Ryan soon. I want him to join this training too."

"Well. I will do it." Taddeus answered.

The next day, Taddeus ride a horse out of the kingdom in search of Ryan.

"Hahaha..." Taddeus took a deep breath while remembering that Claes wanted his presence. But then he smiled. "Just say that you are looking for Ryan." Then he thought, "Hmmm... All I know is that Ryan's friend is that short-haired girl. I will go to the inn." Taddeus muttered. "Hyaaaaaa..."

Arriving at the inn, Taddeus got off his horse and headed to the door. However, Helcia was carrying a bucket full of water and bumped into Taddeus who was about to enter. The water spilled over the guard's clothes.

"S-sorry for my carelessness..." Helcia stuttered and was frightened.

Taddeus was silent and then said in a flat tone, "It's okay."

"Oh... How is this?" muttered Helcia in a panic.

"It is okay now. Not a big problem," Taddeus repeated and tried to calm her down.

Then Helcia looked up and realized that he was usually with the prince.

"Umm. Sir can wear other clothes. I will prepare it."

"Yes. I'm planning to soak in the hot spring," he added.

"Ah. It's good. Please come here, sir." Then, Taddeus followed Helcia.

"I'll bring you a set of clothes, sir," said Helcia.

Taddeus took off his clothes. He goes into the pond and takes a long soak.

"This inn has few visitors. Even though the natural atmosphere is beautiful." Taddeus muttered.

"Ah... It's refreshing to soak here too."

Not long after, Helcia came inside.

"Excuse me, sir. Here I brought the clothes and towels, Sir." Helcia blushed at the sight of his appearance was handsome with his sturdy body.

"Oh... Thank you."

Just as Helcia was about to leave, Taddeus said, "This place is nice, but sadly it's deserted."

"Yes, sir," Helcia replied.

"By the way, where is Ryan?"

"Ah. Ryan seems to be on the back hill."

"Oh... If he arrives here, please inform me of my arrival."

"Yes sir." The girl walked out.

Not long after, Ryan came home from his sightseeing.

"Ryan... Ryan..." Helcia called.

"Yes?" Ryan asked.

Helcia told him what had happened. "There's a prince's guard looking for you. He is now in the pond at the back inn. You go there."

"Heh?" Actually, Ryan wants to calm down and stay away from the kingdom for a while. Reluctantly, he obeyed Helcia's words. "What does he need?" he muttered.

When he entered, he was surprised that in front of him was Taddeus standing up to get out of the pond.

"Tad-Taddeus??"

Ryan saw Taddeus at that moment and immediately turned his face away with an embarrassed expression on his face.

"S-sorry."

"Ah... Ryan. I'm done soaking. I meant for you to come with me."

"Ah yes... He-he."

Taddeus said, "Why are you being so shy? Just like a girl."

"He-he..." Ryan avoided his gaze to look at him directly.

"He only covered his lower body, obviously I'm embarrassed," Ryan said inwardly.

"Uhm... Is there any need to get here?" Ryan asked.

Taddeus told his intentions as he put on his clothes.

"Oh that... Do I need to come along?" muttered Ryan hesitantly, then was heard by Taddeus.

"Obviously, you have to come!" Taddeus answered while looking Ryan directly in the eyes holding both of his arms. He had a strong desire for Ryan to come along. "You are a new warrior after all." He explains.

"I meant to reject it... Hufft." In my heart said.

"Why? Is there any problem?" Taddeus asked.

"Ah. No..."

"I heard you from the back hill, can you take me after this?"

"Yes. It's a beautiful sight there."

"Good then," Taddeus said.

********

After the trip to the back hill and arrived back at the inn.

"Ryan, today you are going home with me. Do you mind?"

In Ryan's mind, "Is it okay if I go to the kingdom now? Remembering the prince's attitude of avoiding me."

"You must be worried about the prince, right? Take it easy. The idea for this event also came from the prince."

"I was momentarily relieved to hear that." Ryan thought.

"Your face is serious. Come back happy like before." Entertain Taddeus.

"Well. Then I'll get ready." I say with enthusiasm.

Helcia, knowing that Ryan would return to his kingdom, then approached Taddeus.

"Uhm... excuse me."

"Yes?" Taddeus answered.

"This is your clothes earlier." Helcia puts the clothes on the table.

"Thank you."

"S-sorry. Can I ask for help?" Helcia asked.

"Please say. What do you want me to help?"

"As you said, this inn is deserted. So, I intend to look for work outside. And I thought about working in the kingdom. Uhm... Are there any vacancies to become palace maids?"

"Hmmm..." Taddeus thought that this girl and her father also contributed to the conquest of the giant in the past.

"Okay. I would recommend you."

"Is that true? Thank you, Sir." With teary eyes and filled with joy.

"Yes. Be my maid." Taddeus answered straightforwardly.

"Eh?"

"Why? Do you mind?"

"Ah. No sir. Where can I refuse? Thank you for this opportunity. I will carry out all that you command." Helcia said.

"Everything? Are you sure?" Taddeus' tease.

"I will try my best, Sir. My name is Helcia. Ask for guidance from Sir." Helcia introduced herself formally while bowing.

Taddeus just smiled. "Okay. In two weeks, come to the kingdom. When you get there, just say you came at Taddeus' invitation. I will also leave a message to the guards." While writing his name and signature on a piece of paper then gives it to Helcia.

"Yes sir. Thank you very much." She bowed again.

Taddeus and Ryan returned to the kingdom together and said goodbye to Helcia.

Arriving at the kingdom. Taddeus reports to prince Claes.

"Prince, I have found a place to camp. It's near where Ryan lives. So, within this week, the camp will be held."

"Good then. How about Ryan? Have you met him?"

"Without further ado, he asked his condition soon. Your expression is easy to read, prince." Taddeus said inwardly.

"I have brought Ryan back to the kingdom, prince."

"Is that true?" The prince looked at Taddeus with enthusiasm.

"Yes, prince. Now maybe he's in his room or on the grass field."

The prince was relieved to hear that and Taddeus smiled.