Despite the night settling in, many establishments, shops, and buildings shined, well-lit with lanterns, fires, and even crystals, appearing like stars on the ground if one could look from above. Oscar and Serena strolled together in the inner part of the city, where the buildings seemed more luxurious, and others roamed around in great dresses and fanciful clothes.

These people were not Exalts but were among the wealthy as good merchants, ministers, and officials.

The most eye-catching was Oscar and Serena, but mostly Serena. Several onlookers could not peer their eyes away from her beauty elevated by her dress. Each of her steps made the crowd part, allowing them to go through, her wavy red hair draped over her shoulders.

"Who is that lady? She's beautiful." The crowd began to exchange some whispers, wondering about the identity of the red-haired lady with green eyes. "I've never seen her around here."

"Is that her partner beside her?" A person wondered, looking at Oscar with confusion. It was like a stone placed next to a radiant jewel. The picture did not fit in their mind.

"No way. It must be her servant or butler. Look at that dress she's wearing; it's an expensive dress from the Fulgir Tailor. I recognize that handiwork anywhere." Everyone was stunned by that statement.

"Hmph." Serena looked mildly angry, and a furrow appeared on her beautiful face that had makeup on it. Her lips were red from a deep lipstick that made some of the men around them stare blankly. She turned to Oscar. "They're mocking you."

Oscar smiled, not caring about them. It was natural for these people to think so when he was placed next to her; he knew himself that despite the glow-up from the new clothes and facial cleaning, his appearance was not up to par with hers. The part that struck Oscar as interesting was that the crew and captain didn't seem to care about the difference in appearances, while this rude crowd did. "I don't care about their words. Indeed, my looks aren't as good as yours, but who cares when we're Exalts."

"I think you're not bad," Serena recalled the long time she spent staring at Oscar's face during the Inner Hall exam. "Maybe their opinion would change if they knew about your amazing muscles."

"You're at the brink of drooling." Oscar did not break his smile, but his eyes trembled. Many times when Serena hugged him, he felt a certain sense of danger from her loving eyes.

During their usual back and forth, a man boldly stepped ahead and blocked their path. The man was handsome with a pair of glasses and bowed with elegance. "I am Alex Handberg. May I have the honor of knowing this fair lady's name?"

"No." Serena did not spare Alex a glance and tried to walk around him.

Oscar could feel that Alex was a mortal, but a wealthy one, judging from his appearance and elegance. Though Serena's attitude didn't sit right with him, Oscar let it be and followed after her.

However, Alex was persistent. He walked along with them. "My lady, is it not a shame to walk around with only your servant? Allow me to accompany you. Everything will be on me." He wore a handsome smile with his finely shaped nose.

Oscar wanted to put down Alex's attempts calmly, but Serena was faster as her hands wrapped around his arm and rested her head on his shoulder.

"He's not my servant, so please leave us alone." Serena stared down at Alex with cold green eyes, causing him to stumble and fall on his butt. An audible gulp came from the fallen Alex, who realized they were most likely Exalts.

Oscar left with Serena, who was still hugging his arm with a delighted smile.

"Your arm is so muscular, and your shoulders are broad."

"Can you let go?" Pulling her off was not an option because it would embarrass her in front of everyone, so Oscar could only plead for her to stop.

"Let me just indulge." Serena refused, gripping his arm harder.

The pair continued like this until they reached their destination, a restaurant, one of the best in the city. The waiter led them to an empty room and poured wine into their glasses.

"Look, Oscar. You can see so much of the city lights from this floor." Serena pointed outside the window.

Oscar peered outside, seeing the city's lights. Their room was on the fifth floor, so it got a good view of a portion of the city. Oscar sipped some wine, though he didn't enjoy the taste of alcohol that much other than the mead Uncle Carlson had given him.

In front of him, Serena stared with her head resting on her hands, a small flush on her cheeks from the wine, and Oscar didn't know what to say. After a short while, he finally opened his mouth. "I'm surprised your family has stores here. The Fulgir is a giant merchant company."

"Interested in my family?" Serena giggled. "We've expanded to many cities and places around the safer regions and managed to break into the Exalt markets after years of buildup and our own hired Exalts. In the end, Exalts also need money, so it was easy to entice wanderers to join us."

"That's amazing. I remember you mentioned your grandmother used to be a hired Exalt." Oscar continued to move the conversation along, desperately not trying to peek at her exposed cleavage, which he knew Serena was trying to draw his attention to with her elbows rested closely together on the table.

Serena pouted upon seeing Oscar's avoidance but continued. "That's why I'm here now. But let me tell you, Oscar, something big is stirring with the Pavilion and the Empire."

"Oh?" Oscar grew interested. His hands paused on the wine glass.

"Did you know the Pavilion is in heavy debt?"

"Debt? How is that possible? Aren't they the largest power in the empire?"

"They and the empire took out huge loans from the banks and signed contracts with merchant companies to procure lots of materials. They're in a considerable amount of debt despite their considerable wealth." Serena explained. "However, the contracts set with many merchants and the banks all had a clause of assurance and provided collateral and leverage."

"What kind of assurances?" Oscar asked. He never knew this was happening.

"I don't know. Only my father and other higher-ups do. But it's all being spent on mass production of elixirs, armaments, and fortifying many border cities. But there's one common thread among all this."

"Ashen Grove?"

"Pretty obvious, isn't it? All the elixirs are given to us as a result of all the goods gathered by students and the Pavilion, but also provided in bulk by merchant companies that deal with Exalts like ours. The empire put in several mass orders for golems and armaments. No doubt, the Guilds and Companies are profiting well."

"Like yours? Your family must have accumulated lots of wealth. But why did you suddenly talk about this?" Oscar wanted Serena to get to the point.

Serena reached out and held Oscar's chin. Her hands were smooth, and her hair that came close smelled like lavender, despite looking like red roses. Her mouth parted, releasing a warm breath of wine; the aromas nearly made Oscar feel drunk. "I'm just saying that everything is being bet on Ashen Grove, and whatever in there is critical for the factions. I'll fight my hardest for our home, but my family can still survive as merchants. I'm telling you this to let you know how difficult the situation is, but if it ever comes to our downfall, you can come with me; I'll take care of you."

Oscar felt the seriousness spilling from Serena's voice, and her hands that held his chin were trembling. No doubt she was wrapped in fear of the worst possible case. Oscar glanced right into her. "You seem to be giving up."

"Not giving up, but one must prepare for every possibility. Besides, you can still be with me if we win this." Serena smiled softly. "There are no demerits for you. Win, and my family will elevate in power and wealth. Lose, we can move shop and go elsewhere."

"That's very tempting." Oscar sighed with a wry smile. "But-"

"Our food is here." Serena interrupted him. Right as she said that, waiters entered the room.

The waiters placed various dishes and departed.

Once again, he was cut off. Oscar wondered if Serena planned for the people to come in.

"Oscar, here." Serena held out a fork with a piece of meat on it. "It's good meat."

"Is this necessary?" Oscar asked. She refused to back down, leaving him helpless to do anything but open his mouth. The piece of meat was tasty and melted in his mouth.

"My turn." Serena closed her eyes and opened her mouth slightly. Compared to her usual enticing self, this appearance was more adorable.

"...." What an unpredictable woman. Oscar shook his head slightly and picked up a fork, stabbing into a potato dish. He fed her with a resigned look but with softness in his eyes. "How is it?"

"Delicious!" Serena's eyes curled with her smile.

The dinner ended, and they went to a fancy hotel.

Odd. Oscar stared at the receptionist, who was beginning to sweat. How could only one room be available in this large, expensive place? Looking around the lounge, Oscar didn't think many people were staying in the hotel.

"Sir, that is all we have." The receptionist bowed.

"Fine." Oscar took the keys and left. Serena turned back and went a wink toward the receptionist.

The room was quite big, with a large bed with a beautiful frame adorned with engravings of birds. The bathroom contained a large pool of water and many snacks lined up on a table. Oscar never stayed at such a place, thinking about how it was a waste of space.

"Wow, this room is amazing." Serena hummed while patting down the bed.

"Confess." Oscar crossed his arms.

"What?"

"You rigged it, so we could only get this room. Does your family own this place too?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Serena looked confused and blinked her eyes innocently. But Oscar could tell the sarcasm in her tone.

After changing, Oscar took a pillow and the thin overlaying top blanket. "I'm sleeping on the couch. You can take the bed."

Once on the couch, Oscar rested on his back, but Serena also rested right by his side. Oscar cursed inwardly at the person who designed such a wide couch that allowed two people to lie down if they were next to each other. Turning around, Oscar stared at Serena, who was staring back with a flush and heated gaze, only a short inch away; her lavender scent overwhelmed his nose.

'Celestina was like lilacs.' Oscar recalled the moment he had Celestina pinned on the ground. Her soft legs wrapped around him, and he was only a few inches away from her red lips, emerald eyes, and the soft scent of lilacs that calmed him. Oscar snapped out of it and quickly stopped himself from thinking such thoughts.

"I'm moving to the real bed." Oscar got up and moved, but Serena followed. This time, however, Oscar was relieved that she kept some distance on the bed. "Tomorrow, we're going on the mission."

"Ok," Serena responded.

Soon after, Oscar fell asleep, and his soft snoring filled the room.

Serena reached out and stroked Oscar's cheek. Her eyes fell with sadness. "I know what you want to say, but please let me enjoy this for a while. You can tell me after this mission is over, but I refuse to give up."