The older man chuckled seeing there was more sign of energy in His Majesty, "Your Majesty, I suggest not relying on this spell to continue your work." He pulled away from His Majesty as he stood an appropriate distance away from him since they weren't familiar with each other, "I think it will be a good idea to go out for a break once a while." As he directed their attention to the girls who were talking about plans to go to a cafe after they finished their business at the Palace. His Majesty was hesitant at the suggestion of the man but thought it would be a good idea to see the condition of the capital after what happened.
Courtney approached His Majesty taking his hand, "Come with us you need to come out once and a while to take a breath." She began dragging both His Majesty and Lilith out of the Palace with Epione and her father following behind, "Plus a little extra company isn't bad." The head servant spilled some tears of joy when Miss Courtney took him out of the Palace for a break as he went to continue the work for His Majesty seeing as he had the most experience and was the most loyal to be able to deal with paperwork regarding the Palace. Lilith stretched herself as they walked on the path towards the same cafe that they haven't gone to for ages.
As they entered the confusing alleys which lead to the hidden cafe which was somewhat busy with customers. Arachne and Cybele were also there sitting at their usual spot where Arachne looked just bored as she ate some lunch. But, as she saw the group approaching. Both Lilith and Archne squealed as they ran up to each other knocking at each other's bodies. Everyone was incredibly busy and missed spending time with each other. The girls gathered with each other on one massive table, "It seems like we have gone unnoticed." Arachne began ordering dishes for the group not realizing that both Epione's father and His Majesty were also there. His Majesty chuckled as they took a table next to the group ordering some dishes that piqued their interest, which everything on the menu did.
Yael was busy cooking the orders before a waiter began serving them with some tea and snacks to entertain the guest while they waited for their food, "Want to go to a bar?" Lilith suggested as her excitement with being with the group exploded as she wanted to do something outlandish with them, "Tonight there is a happy hour at the Odd Rock Tavern!" She wanted to entice the girls to go with her to a bar. Since it is something that noble girls wouldn't normally do. Courtney was apprehensive but was wanting to have a new experience. Epione, Cybele, Arachne, and Lilith voted to join as they prepared plans with each other for what they would wear.
However, Epione's father who was listening in on the girls who quite worried as he was heard about their plans to go to a bar, "Sir Ferdinand, can Epione come with us tonight?" Everyone in the group asked her father's permission to go to the bar tonight whilst Epione was silently pleading with her eyes to go with her friends. Seeing that the girls were asking for his permission as well as his daughter wanting to go with them he couldn't bear to hold her back from attending. He was easily broken down as he allowed them permission to take Epione as he gave a meek nod, "We will have Yael and His Majesty will accompany us?" The poor father was being comforted by His Majesty who would accompany them and ensure that the girls will be safe from harm.
The girls cheered as they grasped hands with each other as a metallic clang rung out as someone in armor came in their direction, "Your Majesty!" A familiar voice rang out. Casimir came running to their table as he peaked up seeing the shop was still open, "Lord Ferdinand! Greetings!" Obviously flustered to meet with the infamous knight of the empire again so soon accompanying His Majesty. His eyes soon traveled to the next table over to see the ladies that he had met the other day giving them the proper greetings.
Yael came out from the kitchen with his towel swung over his shoulder as he began cleaning up the tables, "Oh! Casimir, nice to see you again." The two men greeted each other as if they knew each other for a long time giving each other small talk, "Sorry, all the usuals that you order have been sold out until tomorrow." Yael apologetically sighed as he began cleaning up the place to accompany Archne to the bar. The Casimir looked dejected hearing that the usual desserts that he bought had run out today, moping with depression. It was quite amusing to see someone who had massively contributed to the civil war moping like a neglected dog.
Epione chuckled at the sight of Casimir who was a massively built man who couldn't get his desserts for the week, "Yael?" Calling out the patissier who turned to her, "Would it be possible to preorder Sir Casimir's dessert for tomorrow so that he can pick it up at his leisure?" Epione inquired as Yael replied with a nod as he went inside to write down the preorder.
He wrote down Casimir's usual order on an order sheet, "Which account should I charge?" Though Epione may not be the Lady Monciaux anymore she had already prepared for her early retirement with a bank account under her name Epoine Ferdinand where the money inside the account could allow her to live her life comfortably for three lifetimes past her own. Epione took the order sheet writing down her account number as well as her signature so that Yael could charge her for the preordered desserts.
Casimir was surprised to see that Epione was paying for his usual desserts, "Lady Epione there is no need for you to pay for me." He opposes this. But, Epione had already signed the order sheet so Casimir couldn't stop the transaction. Her finger interlaced with the pen that was given to her when she signed off the transaction. The smoothness of the pen indicated that it was of good quality. It was a nice pen. Epione loved nice pens since it was something she always relied on back then.
Epione smiled at Casimir, "Think of this as a small repayment for escorting me down the capital citadel when we first met." That memory though insignificant to most was something that Eos cherished as he treated her with sincere respect and politeness with no other knowledge of her background, " Casimir instantly remembered that time once she spoke of their first encounter. Everyone else was flabbergasted that this information was just revealed to them just now. It also seemed that the man was in his own world as he stared at Epione with a fondness that only Epione's father understood.
His thoughts were interrupted by the familiar flapping of wings which was accompained by a tinkling. A fairy was huffing and puffing before speaking in a range of squeaks before a dark expression enshrouded on his face, "Your Majesty! Sweetie! Everyone, I'm sorry but I have to return back to the Ferdinand county." Picking up his jacket before he went to give Epione a gentle hug squeezing her, "Would it be alright for me to ask you to look after my little girl for me?" He was obviously worried about leaving his daughter behind so the group gave him confirmation to look after Epione.
Epione nodded so that he father could go without a worry about her, "Don't worry, I can take care of myself." She sent him off with a smile but her father had an expression of guilty before waving goodbye, returning back to the Ferdinand. A small pang of sorrow burrowed itself into Epione's heart but she quickly buried it.
His Majesty saw this as an opportunity to have another person in the group as he turned to Casimir, "Sir Casimir would it alright for you to accompany us?" Smiling as he knew that Epione's father was worried about the girl's safety but Casimir would be in a sense a protector for the group, "But if you have other commitments then don't mind accepting the invitation." His words were quite tricky as if baiting Casimir to accept the invitation. Courtney and Eos understood His Majesty's intentions instantly but didn't like his execution with inviting people to a social outing. This was probably because he knew no other way to invite people since he solely grew up in the Palace so it was a habit ingrained in him.
Courtney shook her head, "Sir Casimir there is no pressure for you to accept an invitation." Glaring at the His Majesty who just chuckled as his intentions were quickly figured out by Courtney so quickly, "Even if it's from His Majesty." Even though Courtney stated this so that Casimir wouldn't need to worry about rejecting His Majesty's invitation. Casimir smiled seeing that Courtney was trying to help him but he decided to join the group seeing it as an opportunity to widen his experiences. After a plan was established how about the night would play out to how everyone would return home.
The girl immediately went to a nearby clothing store so that they would have clothes more appropriate for the bar and to blend in. This was extended to His Majesty who was also much too overtly overdressed to be not be noticed so they chose some more simple and comfortable. Soon the sun was dimming down into the horizon as the lampworker began lighting one of the street lights so that people could navigate through the city through the night. The huge group soon went into the central plaza where they adventured off to Odd Rock Tavern. As soon as they entered the tavern they took the second floor so that they could also have access to the tavern's balcony. It was still quite early for the tavern to start with the happy hour but the group was happy to order some food to bid the time until happy hour. They ordered a range of foods that were easy and quick to eat since it wasn't too long until happy hour.
Soon the tavern was filled with regular patrons who were coming from the end of their shifts. It wasn't long before the tavern was filled to the brim and then the huge bell was rolled into the front of the tavern. As soon as the person was rolling in huge bell, the patrons of the tavern began roaring with excitement then when the bell was rung it began an offset of cheers where people began clamoring the waiter to order drinks. Lilith and Arachne began ordering out their drink orders to a waiter that they were able to catch in the flurry of people trying to get them. The happy hour was literally only an hour so there was a limit to how much the waiters can take all at once.
Arachne was reliable in terms of ordering the food and drink so she was the main person going out and trying out numerous amounts of restaurants and eateries. Sampling many dishes, drinks, desserts, and confectionery in the capital. The Odd Rock Tavern was known for its amazing drinks as well as its infamous happy hour where it was free and unlimited. The snacks and dishes were also quite good in complimenting the drinks. The night was going great with the snack and drink going into the bellies of the group who definitely enjoyed everything that was ordered. The conversations were also good with the group branching and jumping into a multitude of topics to where everyone was intrigued by what the other would say.
Another huge group came into the tavern revealing another familiar face to the group, Caedman Bassett, "Ah! If I didn't come along with a colleague invite to this tavern I wouldn't have met you guys here today!" Ditching his co-workers behind to join their tables which the group didn't mind, "I feel betrayed! Casimir to think you didn't invite me out." Caedman placed each hand on his chest and head as he gave a faux look of betrayal certainly caused the group to chuckle since this outing was made at the cafe earlier today. Casimir and Caedman made some small talk before Caedman laid eyes on Courtney who was very much enjoying herself with a drink talking with Epione about something.
It seems that the man was intrigued by the elegant lady and then the tavern was soon engulfed with music with some local people picking up instruments to liven up the atmosphere even more. The drunken Cybele pulled Lilith who then pull His Majesty to the center of the tavern so that they could dance before more and more people began joining them as the music continued, loud and lively. Even some of the patrons began singing along with the music though it was uncoordinated no one seemed to care since it was just fun. Yael then took Arachne into his arm before they charged into dance formation with ease as they spun each other forming to each other as they flirtatiously danced with each other using each other to create a sort of tango.
Caedman took the opportunity to ask the beautiful Courtney out on dance, whisking her out to the dance floor where everyone else was dancing. Since everyone else was out on the dance the table was left to both Epione and Caedman. Caedman continued to drink while at their table but the tavern was completely filled with people so it was natural that it would get hot especially since the weather was more prone to warmer temperatures. Epione went to the tavern's balcony to cool from the heat from the tavern as well as her face from drinking so much though she didn't have to worry about being wasted since her tolerance was quite high.
Epione took a high chair so that she could sit on it as she leaned on the railing of the balcony basking in the cool wind breeze. Her hair flowed past her in response to the wind before falling back to her back. Her flushed-out face was soon beginning to calm down as she rocked her head side to side enjoying the more quiet environment as opposed to the loud lively tavern. She didn't mind the liveliness of the tavern however she couldn't handle them for a long period it just made her anxious.
Her quiet thoughts were immediately interrupted by a cold glass just was placed on her cheek startling her greatly that she nearly fell down from her chair. Before she could even begin falling to the ground a pair of arms wrapped around her waist, "Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you like that." Casimir caught her just in time. He immediately set her upright before handing the drink that he was supposed to hand to her to help sober up. Epione released a breath of relief as she took the drink from Casimir, "I really didn't mean to scare you." He apologized again feeling guilty that he had spooked her that she nearly fell to the ground.
Epione chuckled seeing the man cower underneath her even though he was much bigger than her, "Don't worry, you did save me from falling." Taking a sip of the refreshing drink as it slid down her throat instantly began to sober herself up, "So I forgive you." It was quite a light drink so it made Epione's stomach might be more at ease from all the food and drinks that she had. The two sat in silence enjoying each other's company as they slowly sipped at their drinks. It wasn't long before Epione finished her drink.