Chapter 11 – A Day of Rest

For the first time in what felt like forever, Cedric had nothing to do. No training, no fighting, no running for his life. The Elderly Woman had told him to take a break, and after everything that had happened, he wasn't about to argue.

He stretched his arms and yawned. "So, what do we do now?"

Ciara grinned. "We enjoy the day, of course! No monsters, no crazy training—just fun!"

Orin, who stood a little behind them, crossed her arms. "And what exactly does 'fun' mean?"

Ciara turned to Cedric. "You. Me. Orin. We're going on a date."

Cedric choked. "A w-what?"

Ciara laughed at his reaction. "Not that kind of date! Just a day out together. Come on, when's the last time we did something normal?"

Cedric had to admit, it sounded nice. Ever since their village was destroyed, they had been running from danger. Maybe a day off was what they all needed.

He glanced at Orin, expecting her to say no. To his surprise, she nodded. "Fine. But only because the Elderly Woman insisted we take a break."

Ciara grinned. "That's the spirit! Let's go!"

The Marketplace

Sky City was huge. Unlike the villages they had known, everything here was built from white stone and gold, shining under the sunlight. High Humans walked the streets in elegant robes, their heads held high, while Low Humans moved carefully, afraid of offending anyone.

Cedric ignored the stares as they walked through the marketplace. He was getting used to the fact that, as a Low Human, people here saw him as lesser. But today, he wouldn't let it bother him.

Ciara grabbed his arm. "Look! They're selling fruit!"

Cedric turned to see a stand filled with fresh berries and golden apples. He reached into his pocket and found a few silver coins. "Do you want one?"

Ciara beamed. "Of course!"

He bought three apples and handed one to Ciara and another to Orin. The moment Orin took hers, something unexpected happened.

"Thank you," Orin said softly.

Cedric blinked. That was… different. Usually, Orin was cold and serious. Hearing her say "thank you" so gently felt strange.

Ciara must have noticed too, because she gave Cedric a look and smirked.

Ciara's Big Discovery

After walking through the marketplace for a while, they decided to rest near a fountain. Orin sat down, closing her eyes in meditation, while Cedric and Ciara chatted.

At some point, Ciara turned to Orin and frowned.

"…Hey, Orin. I just realized something."

Orin opened one eye. "What?"

Ciara squinted at her. "You look… different today."

Cedric felt a bead of sweat roll down his back. Oh no.

Orin said nothing, waiting.

Ciara suddenly gasped and jumped back. "W-Wait! Hold on! You're… a g-girl?!"

Cedric groaned. It happened.

Orin sighed, opening both eyes. "Yes. And?"

Ciara pointed a shaking finger at Cedric. "But—But he called you a guy! And—And I thought—"

Cedric rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah… So, about that…"

Ciara freaked out.

"Wait! Hold on! I—Wait! This whole time, I thought—" She grabbed Cedric's shoulders, shaking him. "Do you have any idea how confused I am right now?!"

Cedric held up his hands. "I thought she was a guy too!"

Ciara let go of Cedric and stomped toward Orin, staring at her up close.

"…So you're really a girl?"

Orin raised an eyebrow. "What, do I need to prove it?"

Ciara turned red. "N-No! I just— I can't believe it! You—you even talked like a boy!"

Orin smirked. "I never said I was a boy. You just assumed."

Ciara groaned, covering her face. "Oh my gods, I'm an idiot."

Cedric, meanwhile, couldn't stop staring at Orin. Now that he knew, he saw the differences. Her silver hair was longer than he had realized. Her sharp features weren't just from training—they were naturally elegant.

And now that he wasn't thinking of her as "Orin the serious warrior," he couldn't deny that she was… well… pretty.

Ciara noticed his staring and smirked. "Ohhh. I see what's happening here."

Cedric snapped out of it. "W-What?"

Ciara grinned. "You're blushing."

Cedric turned away. "No, I'm not."

Ciara giggled and turned to Orin. "You see that? He totally was."

Orin chuckled. "I noticed."

The Girl Talk

After a while, Ciara pulled Orin aside.

"I need to talk to you," she said.

Orin raised an eyebrow but followed. They stopped near a flower garden, far enough that Cedric couldn't hear.

Ciara crossed her arms. "Okay, so first things first. Why did you pretend to be a guy?"

Orin sighed. "I didn't. I just didn't bother correcting anyone."

Ciara narrowed her eyes. "Fine. But tell me this—what do you think of Cedric?"

Orin paused. "He's… interesting."

Ciara smirked. "That's a pretty safe answer."

Orin sighed. "He's strong, but reckless. He has power, but he doesn't know how to use it. He's frustrating, but…" She hesitated. "He's not bad."

Ciara grinned. "You like him, don't you?"

Orin rolled her eyes. "I don't dislike him."

Ciara giggled. "Okay, okay, let me ask you something. If Cedric asked you out, what would you say?"

Orin looked at her and smirked. "What would you say?"

Ciara's face turned bright red. "H-Hey! I asked first!"

Orin tilted her head. "You like him, don't you?"

Ciara groaned. "I—He—Well—That's not the point!"

Orin chuckled. "You're avoiding the question."

Ciara covered her face. "Oh gods, this is so embarrassing."

Orin leaned against the garden wall. "You've known him longer. Do you think he likes you?"

Ciara peeked through her fingers. "I… I don't know. Maybe?"

Orin smirked. "Or maybe he just doesn't realize it yet."

Ciara sighed dramatically. "Boys are so dense."

Orin nodded. "Agreed."

For a moment, they were silent. Then Ciara suddenly gasped.

"Wait! Does this mean we're rivals?"

Orin raised an eyebrow. "For what?"

Ciara pointed at her. "For Cedric!"

Orin laughed. "If that's what you want."

Ciara pouted. "You're too calm about this! You're supposed to act all dramatic and say, 'I won't lose!' or something!"

Orin just smirked. "I don't fight losing battles."

Ciara blinked. Then she gasped. "H-Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!"

Orin chuckled.

Back to Cedric

When the two girls finally returned, Cedric gave them a suspicious look.

"What were you talking about?" he asked.

Ciara and Orin looked at each other, then grinned.

"Oh, nothing," Ciara said playfully.

Cedric frowned. "That doesn't sound like nothing."

Ciara leaned in close. "We were talking about you."

Cedric's eyes widened. "W-What?"

Orin smirked. "Relax. It was just a girl's conversation."

Ciara giggled. "Yeah, yeah. Don't worry, Cedric. We won't make you choose yet."

Cedric groaned. "I don't even know what you're talking about."

Ciara just winked. "Oh, you will."

Orin chuckled.

And just like that, Cedric knew his peaceful day off was over.