Illfa pulled the corners of her lips up. She smiled proudly at herself. The girl's chest rose and fell, regulating her heavy breathing. Sweat flowed down her neck and soaked her blue collar.
"Aldes. Aldes, faster," Illfa requested enthusiastically. Her blue eyes emitted a sharp glint.
After fifteen minutes had passed, Aldes stopped his movements. He lowered both arms from his defensive position and stepped his feet back. His shoulder muscles relaxed casually. The air around him returned to calm.
"Oi. It has been fifteen minutes," Aldes said straightforwardly.
Illfa clicked her tongue. She pouted her lips and glared in annoyance at Aldes. "Tch. Tch. Tch. Again. I want more. I want extra time."
The girl clenched both her hands tightly in front of her chest. Her facial expression turned very serious and full of spirit. "I am starting to feel it, Aldes. I. I. I ca—"
"Shh." Aldes raised his left index finger and placed it right in front of Illfa's lips. "Fifteen minutes. No negotiations. As agreed. Escort me somewhere."
Aldes pulled his hand back and crossed both arms over his chest. He puffed out his chest slightly. "A Guardian keeps their word."
Illfa let out a rough breath from her nose. Her tense shoulders instantly slumped down. She lowered her head with a very sullen facial expression. "Alright."
The girl then raised her head again to look at Aldes. "So. What do you want to do, Prince? Where to? Doing what? Why? For what?"
Aldes raised both his palms forward, stopping Illfa's barrage of questions. "Stop. Stop asking. You have too many questions."
"I want to enjoy the city and see the atmosphere."
Illfa tilted her face to the right. Her red eyebrows knitted, implying pure confusion. "I do not understand."
"Training is more fun," Illfa added flatly.
Aldes raised his right index finger into the air. "First, we will go to a restaurant. Second, we will look at the city market while watching the sunset. And lastly, go to the adventurer's guild."
Illfa shifted her body weight onto one leg. She threw her gaze toward the stone wall. "Sounds boring. Why?"
"Training is more fun," the girl repeated.
Aldes patted Illfa's shoulder slowly. "Just follow along."
"But how?" Illfa pointed toward the stone floor with her index finger. "You know that if you go down there it will become public attention. People will act weird and scared."
Aldes chuckled softly. Of course he knew. Memories of Aldes's original body flowed into his head. This prince was indeed problematic. When going to a restaurant, the original Aldes once burned a kitchen to the ground. The last time he went to the adventurer's guild, he blew up a bathroom just for fun.
No wonder they are afraid of me. No, this is exactly as I expected. Luckily I have a solution, Aldes thought.
"We will disguise ourselves," Aldes said calmly.
"Disguise?" Illfa narrowed her eyes. The girl rubbed her chin slowly. "Disguising yourself in your own kingdom sounds weird. But alright."
"Yes. I am an adventurer named Zakra. Wearing a mask and a cloak." Aldes nodded his head repeatedly. "I am sure the kingdom has weird masks that I can use."
Aldes then pointed his index finger at Illfa's face. "You are, um."
Aldes snapped his fingers. The snapping sound echoed sharply, breaking the air in the room. "Um."
"My friend."
"You are wearing a mask and a hood."
"Wearing a mask and a hood? Eh. I'm too lazy, I don't want to. You disguise yourself. I don't need to. Besides, you are the only one with a problem," Illfa said. She swatted the air with the back of her hand and turned her face to the side.
"Is your name well-known enough in the city?" Aldes asked. His eyes stared straight, demanding an answer from Illfa.
"Hmm, I don't know. And I don't really care," Illfa answered casually. She shrugged her shoulders dismissively.
Aldes massaged the bridge of his nose slowly. "Yes, you have to care. Imagine if someone sees a palace Guardian with a masked man. What kind of rumors will circulate?"
"To hell with rumors. Why do you care so much?" Illfa still refused. She folded her arms tightly in front of her chest, showing her stubborn posture.
"Ugh." Aldes started getting frustrated. He let out a rough breath then glared at Illfa. "Fine, you don't have to accompany me."
"No, I will accompany you. A Guardian kee—"
"Then disguise yourself!" Aldes cut her off in annoyance. He flicked his hand downward, holding back his anger.