"I was wondering, why did you say that?" Mathilda broke the silence on the dinner table.
"What exactly do you mean?" Owen asked as he tore the bread.
"You said she died peacefully. You wouldn't know what state she was in since you weren't there." Mathilda gulped the juice in her glass, "Was that a way to comfort Duchess Oleander?"
"Well... I had a feeling." Owen tilted his knife while the others leaned on their conversation.
"A feeling?" Mathilda scoffed.
"It's not just a feeling, is it Owen? You had a vision." Morgan smiled as he rested his face on his palms.
"A vision? What do you mean?"
"Hugo, it means that he can see the souls of the dead." Morgan clarified, "It's only for an instant though but he can see what their last moments were like."
"Somewhat similar." Owen nodded. "How do you know that? Even Hugo, who's lived with me for a long time, didn't know."
"Let's just say I know you well. You're quite similar to my dear friend, even to the core." Morgan's eyes glowed at the last phrase as he looked into Owen's chest. "You're a tad bit more mature and serious than he was... and have a bit of a different ideology I suppose."
"Staying with your ghost friend, I've come to acknowledge that he's likeable if not loveable. He's intelligent, witty, silent and has an affinity for knowledge and books. If not for his past, I'd have seen him in a different light." Owen gave an honest opinion.
Morgan gave a small smile at his words. "Be honest, you actually like him because he's read lots of books."
"Not as many as I did."
"You know you have the habit of looking down on people who have read fewer books than you. It's also a similarity." Morgan's eyes gleamed.
"I believe that one must not be ignorant. Many problems in our society are because people are not educated enough."
"True that, but you should be kind and teach them not to look down on them."
"If one doesn't want to learn, he wouldn't, no matter what method you use. You can add obstacles in the bird's path, but it will still find its way to its nest."
"Nicely said!" Morgan clapped his hands then turned to Luna, "By the way sister-in-law, how's your duchy doing?"
"It's doing well." She responded without looking at him.
"And the treasury? Did it collapse or were you able to save it from bankruptcy?"
"We've recovered most of our treasury with the advancement in tourism in our region along with the sea trading."
"Bankruptcy? What are you talking about?" Christoff looked at Luna and Morgan.
"Do you remember the reconstruction programme of the Oleander dukedom she started when she became duchess?" Morgan asked.
"The one everyone said was foolish since it would drain out the Oleander family's treasury? I remember! A large-scale change which included not only the reconstruction of cities and towns but also the provision of food and shelter to everyone including peasants." Mathilda remembered the first drastic change Luna was working on before she went to war. "That project required lots of budget so many thought it would stop soon. But you really made your dream come true— a land where people don't have to worry about food, shelter and live peaceful lives."
"It makes sense now." Hugo added cheerfully, "I knew something was odd as soon as we reached Oleander territory. The infrastructure of the cities and towns were well made and houses were almost identical in specific regions."
"I'm glad you liked that." Luna smiled at his enthusiastic response.
"I didn't." Hugo's smile vanished, "Especially in the Sphere city. I got lost over there many times trying to find the cafe. Every street is identical to the other and not to mention it's in a whole loop so you can't know where you are unless you're from there."
"It's supposed to be that way." Luna smiled gracefully, "I mean, I have to let my people make an earning. If people get lost trying to find their favourite place, they'll probably stumble on businesses they hadn't known of and might like them."
"A strategic planning. You're really sharp!" Morgan complimented. "So how are you earning back with that reconstruction programme?"
"With the increase in tourism, people need hotels to stay, restaurants to eat our cultural foods and shopping... I've built many of those under our family which is sufficient."
"Even brothels?"
Luna's smile changed to a stern expression as she glared at Morgan, "Prostitution is banned in the Oleander territory. We will Not tolerate any indecent way of earning be it this or gambling, interest, stealing or any other means."
"I thought it was allowed in Evimeria. Correct me if I'm wrong." Hugo asked with confusion.
"Under the laws of the Evimeria empire, the dukedoms can have a law enforced in their territory that is not in the others as long as it is for the good of the people." Mathilda explained briefly, "As such, such a law is not frowned upon. In fact, if it were up to me, I would've implemented that law in the whole empire."
"You're a princess. You can do it, can't you?" Hugo tilted his head.
"Unfortunately, I don't have that much power. Also, many nobles would refuse since they are into those sorts of things." Mathilda replied with disgust for such people, "It was possible in her territory because most of the people there already condemned those things, but that's not the case everywhere. Evimeria's a vast land with vast cultural differences."
"Makes sense." Hugo shrugged his shoulders. "Forget that, tell me what's with this food?"
"Why what's wrong with it?" Morgan's smile faltered.
"Can't you see? I mean look at this! It's all sweet. Strawberries and apples- everything's made of these two. Nothin' spicy or salty."
"And what's wrong with that?"
"You wanna know what's wrong? It's the fourth day you've been feeding us this! It's startin' to get on my nerves."
"Well someone is enjoying it." Morgan gave a curt smile which infuriated Hugo more.
"Who in the right mind—"
His eyes rested on Owen who was having another slice of apple pie. His fury subsided seeing Owen enjoy his pie.
Come to think of it, he ain't retchin' from havin' seconds. It's been a few days he's eating more than usual but seems fine. Maybe...
"Ey Owen. I didn't know you like apples."
"Of course you didn't, you old man."
"Who're you callin' an old man, you blue haired blob!"
"Technically, you're the older one, Morgan." Christoff spoke as he moved his fork in the air. "Unless he's not human."
"Of course he's not humane." Owen added as he tapped his face with a handkerchief.
"The correct terminology is human, not humane." Morgan added thinking he'd misspoken.
"I meant humane." Owen's brow furrowed, "Say Hugo, when was the last time you took a bath?"
"What do you mean?"
"Sailing on the ship was an excuse for you to not take a bath, but why didn't you take one after that?" Owen tilted his head as he covered his nose.
"I..uh...I.."
"See. That's inhumane." Owen pointed out.
"It's better than the person who takes a bath three times a day only to almost drown in the same water he enjoys." Hugo spoke as Morgan and Christoff held him by his arms.
"Take him away." Owen waved his hand.
"Alright, let's get you cleaned up." Christoff dragged him out of there with Morgan.
"Hey! Stop! I don't like water! Please! Don't!" Hugo's wails trailed off as the distance between them grew.
The next morning, Morgan approached Owen after breakfast. "Let's go. I'll teach you how to swim."
Owen nodded and agreed to take his lesson. Surprisingly, Morgan was good at teaching or maybe Owen was good at learning.
After they had finished, Morgan called out to Christoff and Hugo who arrived outside the mansion to a vast, abandoned training ground.
"What did you call us out for?" Hugo asked, still fuming over the forced bath.
"You and Owen, me and Christoff." Morgan gestured with his hand, "A duel. These two fight while we give tactical support. What do you say?"
Hugo grinned, "Accepted."
"Let's have a fair match. No cheating, no helping except for telling them what to do." Morgan shook Hugo's hand.
"Aren't you going to ask for our opinion? We're the ones fighting." Christoff raised his hand.
"We don't have a say in their fight. Let's just say they're the kings, and we, their respective soldiers." Owen walked past Morgan and Hugo.
"Why me?" Christoff whined but Morgan gave an immediate answer, "You're a water mage and I'm a water dragon. I'll enhance your fighting abilities by teaching you more techniques."
"Sounds like a good reason!" Christoff agreed but then looked at Owen," What's your reason for agreeing to this match?"
"It's not easy to make a thick-headed person change his mind so I'll go along with his game." Owen replied as he summoned his halberd. "Let's get this over with quickly."