The commercial district.

After sitting through a tense meal, Alexander found himself relaxing in a warm bed watching the ceiling fan spin above him.

It's funny how normal this place feels compared to my old life. All the technology I'm familiar with is in an older, more rudimentary form.

Alexander smiled softly, adjusting his head on his pillow as he let out a long yawn. "Man, I'd kill for a TV, a bowl of ramen, and tea right now." 

It would've been a great way to shake the nerves he got from this afternoon, but unfortunately, it wasn't possible, at least not now.

As Alexander lost himself in thought, he gradually began to fall asleep. 

With another yawn, Alexander adjusted himself in his bed a second time, before eventually losing his eyes. 

— — —

In the morning Alexander was awoken by a gentle knock on his door. "Lord Alexander," a soft voice called from the other side, "are you awake?"

Alexander groaned softly, blinking as he sat in bed. "Just five more minutes." He muttered to himself as he pulled the blanket over his face. 

Another knock passed through the door, firmer than the last. "Lord Alexander, I must insist that you awaken, Lady Béatrice has specifically requested it."

Alexander groaned as he opened his eyes again, catching the sunlight peeking through his curtains and illuminating the carpet floor.

"Béatrice…" Alexander muttered, narrowing his eyes as he frowned. "I don't like her."

Suddenly there was a curt sigh on the other side of the door before it was slowly pushed open, revealing an older man with a thick mustache. "Lord Alexander, good morning."

Alexander slowly sat up as the mustache man walked into his room with a purpose. He was dressed in a sharp black suit with golden trim and a neat, black tie. 

"Good morning," Alexander replied sleepy, rubbing his eyes. 

"I have taken the liberty to clean and press a suit for you, you'll find it in the first bath down the corridor. When you're done, you'll find Lady Béatrice, lady Louise, and lord André are downstairs in the dining hall." The man spoke with a firm and professional tone, without a hint of emotion.

Alexander let out a long sigh as he realized his day had only just begun. 

— — —

After a quick shower, Alexander emerged from the bathroom in white pants and a shirt covered with a black coat and shoes. 

The suit was a little big, but fit well enough.

"Alright." Alexander muttered to himself as he fixed his collar, "Let's get this over with."

As Alexander began making his way downstairs, the faint scent of fresh fruit and bread filled the air. A common smell, but welcomed nonetheless.

Making his way through the estate, and into the dining hall, Alexander was greeted with the sight of Béatrice and Louise eating together with André barely keeping consciousness.

He was slumped in his chair, a tired look in his eyes. 

"It's about time you've arrived, boy," Béatrice said with a sigh as she rose from her seat. "Eat what you can and quickly, I'll have our transportation arranged in the meantime."

Alexander nodded as he made his way towards the table.

"Hold up Béatrice, I'll come with you," André said as he rose from his seat.

Béatrice frowned as she glared at André, "And what would I need you for?"

André gave a confident smirk, "no particular reason." He answered with a laugh, "I just want to be with you."

Béatrice rolled her eyes as she let out an irritated sigh. 

Then without a word, she walked out of the dining room, her stride swift.

André stood with a defeated expression, his eyes almost glassy. 

He then let out a brief sigh before tightening his fist. "Pull yourself together." He muttered to himself before following Béatrice.

Alexander watched as André picked his head up, and walked out of the dining room, presumably to chase Antoinette.

Poor guy, having to chase after a demon like that.

Alexander wouldn't wish a woman like Béatrice to enter the life of his enemy, let alone a guy like André.

As he thought that, he turned his attention towards Louise, who quietly ate a piece of fruit.

She looked to be examining the fruit as she ate, her cold gaze scanning over every imperfection and bite mark. 

Seeing her like that, she was quite beautiful in a sense. Not cute like Elizabeth and her innocent charm, but mature, like a fine wine.

Noticing Alexander's gaze, Louise frowned and lowered her fruit. "Do you have a reason to gawk at me?" She asked coldly, "I don't like it."

Alexander scoffed as he shrugged his shoulders, embarrassed to be caught staring. "You think everything revolves around you," he replied as he approached the table, "I was just looking at that fruit you had."

Louise narrowed her eyes, a flicker of disappointment in them. "This is a Tulla fruit, something a commoner like you couldn't afford."

Ignoring the insult, Alexander reached for one of the orange rounded fruit. Feeling it in his hands he noticed its skin was fuzzy, like a kiwi. "Can I eat the skin?" Alexander asked as he took his seat. 

"I don't know, can you?" Louise asked, setting her Tulla fruit down as she focused her attention on him. 

There was a subtle grin on her lips as she leaned forward, "I'm sure even a moron like you can figure it out."

Alexander let out an annoyed groan. 

Here we go again, Insult city, population, me.

Alexander hated when Louise played around the bush, throwing jabs as she watched him squirm. 

She's just like her mother.

Deciding not to play Louise's games, Alexander began peeling the skin off the Tulla fruit. 

As he did so, Louise seemed to be annoyed with his actions. "Idiotic fool." She muttered under her breath as she averted her attention.

As Alexander enjoyed the fruits of his labor, savoring the sweet tangy taste, he found himself remembering his favorite Berries, bananas.

He was so lost in thought that he didn't notice Louise staring at him, with a finger lazily tracing circles in the table.

Her expression was contemplative, as her thoughts ran deep.

Time passed a little longer, and soon André returned to the dining hall with a small smile and hand outstretched. "Come on you two, Béatrice is ready."

Alexander sighed as he stood, but remained silent.

Louise joined him, after smoothing out her dress and grabbing one last Tulla fruit from the table. 

— — —

After gathering in another limousine with André as the driver and a pathfinder as escort the group made their way through the capital of Ambur once again.

Driving through the capital Alexander found himself again enraptured by its advanced architecture and amenities.

After some time, Alexander noticed his surroundings beginning to change, filling with streets of shops, Malls, restaurants, and more.

They had entered the commercial/service district.

André began to slow the limousine as the streets grew crowded with people, making it difficult to navigate via vehicle. 

"I think we'll have to walk the rest of the way," André said as he turned towards Béatrice, who sat with him in the front. 

Béatrice let out a curt sigh as she narrowed her eyes. "Fine." She replied, "But let's be quick about this."

André nodded as he found a parking spot close to their destination. Then, with a serious expression as he cut off the engine, he turned to face her. "Don't get out yet." He said curtly, a distant look in his eyes.

Béatrice turned to face him as he stepped out of the limousine, her expression stoic with a hint of concern. "What is it?" She asked, her tone demanding.

André ignored her, stepping out of the limousine as he closed the door behind him with a thud.

Alexander, Louise, and the pathfinder who sat with them, all watched in concerned silence as André rounded his way around the limousine.

Maybe he's checking the surroundings?

As he grew closer to Béatrice's door, Alexander felt his heart began to race as his eyes narrowed.

The air was tense with anticipation and it grew thicker by the second.

His mind raced to piece together what was to come, what had André spotted?! 

André opened Béatrice's door, his movements slow and careful.

Béatrice narrowed her eyes as she hid a tighter fist to her side.