Unlikely

Juhtmed and Veyla walked in silence, through the lively streets of Castelnero. The marketplace had returned to its usual rhythm—merchants hawking their goods, travelers haggling, and children darting between carts. It was as if the earlier commotion had never happened.

Veyla kept her hood low, her steps cautious. Despite agreeing to follow Juhtmed, she still looked like she was ready to bolt at any moment. Juhtmed, on the other hand, walked like usual, though he stole occasional glances at her.

"So," he said after a while. "What now?"

Veyla crossed her arms. "You're the one who let me tag along. Shouldn't you have a plan?"

Juhtmed chuckled. "You're assuming I think that far ahead."

She huffed. "Figures."

They turned down a quieter street, the sounds of the market fading behind them. Juhtmed was leading her toward the inn where he was staying, though he hadn't exactly decided what he'd do with Veyla once they got there.

Would Lian be annoyed? Definitely. Would she make a remark? Absolutely.

"You said you're joining an academy tomorrow," Veyla said suddenly. "What kind of academy?"

Juhtmed glanced at her. "An academy to form me. and my family send me here."

Veyla raised a brow. "Your family sent you here?"

"More like exiled me here, but its better like that" he muttered.

Veyla smirked. "Let me guess. You pissed off the wrong noble?"

Juhtmed grinned. "Something like that."

She scoffed. "You nobles and your ridiculous decisions."

"You don't know how much," he pointed out.

As they approached the inn, he finally spoke again. "If you're sticking around, I guess we need to figure out where you'll stay."

Veyla hesitated. "I can take care of myself."

"You just said you had nowhere to go."

She scowled. "That doesn't mean I need your charity."

Juhtmed sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, I'm not offering charity. I'm just saying it's probably better than sleeping on the streets."

Veyla studied him carefully, then clicked her tongue. "Fine. But only for now."

"Good."

As they reached the inn gates, Juhtmed see Lian in distance walking around and she was probably waiting for him, with an worried look on her face as she notice him enter.

"Your highness i was worried about you..." As she place her hand on his face to look for any sign of bruise or wound on him.

As she lay her eyes on Veyla. "Who's this?" she asked dryly, eyeing Veyla.

Juhtmed sighed. "Long story."

Lian arched a brow. "I have time."

Veyla shifted uncomfortably, tugging her hood lower. "Should I be here for this?"

Juhtmed glanced between the two of them and sighed. "Yeah..."

Lian folded her arms, her expression unreadable as she studied Veyla. "Well?" she asked, her voice edged with impatience. "Are you going to explain, or should I assume you picked up another stray?"

Juhtmed rubbed his temple. "I was going to explain, but the way you put it makes me sound like some kind of collector or creep."

Lian didn't look amused. "And?"

Veyla shifted beside him, clearly uncomfortable. Juhtmed could tell she was debating whether to speak or let him handle it.

He exhaled. "Look, it's not complicated. I saw her being accused of stealing in the market. She ran, I followed, and… well, things escalated."

Lian's eyes narrowed. "Escalated how?"

Juhtmed hesitated. "To keep it short, she was enslaved by a noble lose one of her eyes and escape on a boat and arrive on Kümme."

Lian's expression changed almost instantly. Surprise flickered across her features, followed by something more cautious—something almost concerned.

She turned to Veyla. "Im sorry to hear that, are you ok?"

Veyla lifted her head slightly, just enough for Lian to catch a glimpse of her crimson irises. "I am," she muttered.

Lian let out a slow breath, rubbing her temples. "Of course."

Juhtmed frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Lian shot him a look. "It means trouble follows you like a curse. First, its was with this nerisa, and now you've dragged in another girl like that."

Veyla crossed her arms. "I didn't ask to be dragged anywhere."

Lian turned back to her, unimpressed. "And yet you are."

Tension settled between them, thick and unspoken. Juhtmed could already feel the argument forming, so he decided to cut it short.

"Lian, I'm not asking for your approval," he said firmly. "She has nowhere to go. She'll stay here temporarily for now."

Lian let out a slow breath before shaking her head. "Unbelievable."

Veyla huffed. "If it's such a problem, I can leave."

Juhtmed shot her a glare. "You just agreed to stay, and i can't let you on your own like that if something happen to you out there i'll blame myself for that."

She looks down. "Fine."

Lian scoffed. "I still don't trust her your highness, don't you remember what happen with this Nerisa."

Juhtmed pinched the bridge of his nose. "Veyla, just ignore her."

Both women glared at him, but neither argued further.

"Good," he muttered. "Now, let's think about what we will do for now."

With that, he turned and pushed open the doors to the inn, but Juhtmed barely noticed. He had bigger things to worry about—like what the hell he was going to do next.

The inn's common room was warm. A handful of patrons sat at wooden tables, speaking in low murmurs, but none paid much attention to the trio entering. Juhtmed led the way, weaving past a few empty chairs before gesturing for Veyla to sit. Lian, still scowling, followed suit.

Veyla hesitated before lowering herself onto the bench, glancing warily around the room. Juhtmed could see the tension in her shoulders—she wasn't used to staying in one place for long.

Lian was the first to break the silence. "So? What's the plan?"

Juhtmed sighed, leaning back against the chair. "Tomorrow, I head to the academy. Until then, we figure out what to do with Veyla."

Veyla scoffed. "I'm right here, you know."

Lian ignored her. "She can't stay here forever, Juhtmed. Not unless you plan on taking her to the academy with you, which, let me remind you, is not an option."

Juhtmed glanced at Veyla, half-expecting her to protest, but she simply kept her gaze fixed on the table.

"Then we need another solution," he said. "I can't let her on the streets."

Lian tapped her fingers against the table, clearly irritated. "There's always the Guilds. They take in people like her."

Veyla snorted. "Like me?"

"You know what I mean."

Juhtmed watched Veyla carefully. "Would you consider it?"

She shrugged. "Depends. On what do they do?"

Lian exhaled. "Depends on the Guild. Some deal in trade, some in combat, some in… other things." She shot Juhtmed a pointed look. "And some deal in mercenary work."

Veyla smirked. "Sounds dangerous and unsafe."

"Of course it does," Lian muttered under her breath.

Juhtmed ignored the comment. "It's a better option than wandering aimlessly."

Veyla leaned back, arms crossed. "I'll think about it."

Lian didn't look satisfied, but she didn't press further. Instead, she stood. "I'll pack her belonging for tomorrow."

Juhtmed nodded as she walked off, then turned to Veyla. "You're not really thinking on joining a guild, are you?"

She gave him an obvious look. "I just escape hell, i don't plane on joining an other one."

Juhtmed ran a hand through his hair, "I have something in mind, but i know lian will despise this idea." 

"What is it?" She ask intrigued, "The only way i think on how to keep you with us even at the academy is to take you as my second maid, the only thing i think who will work."

"She don't trust me she will never accept that."

"I know but i don't need to tell her at least until we go to the academy."

She sighed, "If things don't go your way what will you do."

"In the end im still the one who decide." As he stand "We still have the day ahead of us and we still haven't visit castelnero properly."