Thus, after a long walk, Rihisna and Noriala arrived at a place to rest. The distance from Putmur to their lodging was about one kilometer, located within the same region as Putmur itself. The area was called Pumtur, named for its closeness to Putmur. Decorative plants grew abundantly there, and the scenery was breathtakingly beautiful.
Rihisna showed Noriala the room and opened the door.
"We're staying here for the night?" Noriala asked, uncertain.
"Yep. Why?" Rihisna replied.
"Just the two of us?" Noriala asked again, puzzled.
"Of course. Why? Is that a problem?" Rihisna countered with a question of his own.
Noriala stepped back a few paces. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, then opened them again.
"No! No!" she said, shaking her head quickly.
"Hey… hey… hey… what's wrong?" Rihisna asked, trying to calm her.
"I understand, but could you go in first?" Rihisna said, inviting her inside.
He entered slowly, with Noriala following behind.
Wow… it's beautiful, Noriala whispered to herself.
Rihisna went straight to the bedroom while Noriala turned in a slow circle, observing the surroundings. The space was not very large, but everything was neatly arranged. The walls and floor were made entirely of wood.
"Okay, there's only one bedroom," Rihisna said suddenly as he came out.
"What? One?" Noriala exclaimed, clearly displeased.
She rushed into the room to see for herself. There was a bed for two, a single table with a lamp on top, and a large wardrobe.
"So, tonight we're sleeping together," Rihisna said casually as he placed his bag on the floor beside the left side of the bed.
"What? No!" Noriala protested loudly.
"Huh? What's wrong with that?" Rihisna said as he sat on the bed.
"You're not going to do anything to me, right?" Noriala asked, stepping closer.
"Hahaha! Of course not! You, I mean, you sleep in the bedroom, I'll sleep outside," Rihisna laughed softly, grabbed a pillow from the bed, and headed to the living area.
"Hmm… all right, I agree," Noriala replied quietly.
"Wow! This sofa is so soft it's like a bed!" Rihisna said, lying down to sleep.
"Noriala? It's night now. Please turn off the Sinnar," Rihisna said with his eyes closed.
Sinnar was a luminous form of iktas, a radiant energy used to light a space. It existed throughout the world and came in many colors.
"Um… Rihisna… are you asleep already?" Noriala asked softly as she peeked at him from her bedroom door.
"Hrm… already asleep?" Noriala murmured, then gently closed the door.
The cool wind of dawn swept through the air.
Noriala stirred awake and looked toward the bedroom window. She went into the living area and saw that Rihisna was no longer on the sofa. She glanced left and right, then approached a nearby window and opened it slowly.
The wind rushed in.
"Wow… it's beautiful!" Noriala gasped at the view beyond the window.
"Eh? That's Rihisna… what is he doing there?" she whispered, spotting his silhouette sitting a few meters away from their lodging. Without delay, Noriala headed out and ran toward him.
In this lovely dawn I see the darkened sky,
So beautiful beyond all words.
I wish this moment would last forever,
Never did I think it was only temporary.
I wish I could stop the flow of time,
But alas, I do not have that power…
"Ohhh…"
Noriala halted mid-step, startled by what she heard. She had never expected Rihisna to sing so well. Quietly, she approached him from behind.
"Hmm, not bad your singing's pretty good," Noriala said as she greeted him and sat beside him.
"Oh! It's you. Nah, it's nothing special," Rihisna replied with a smile.
"Here, take a look at this." Rihisna handed her a card.
"Huh?" Noriala took it and read the invitation, which stated: "You are invited to attend the Medal Conferment Ceremony."
Then she noticed a note attached:
Rihisna, you are invited to attend the ceremony and will receive a medal from the King of Tupmur. Sorry I forgot to tell you earlier. I've prepared the invitation card. The ceremony is tonight.
—Master Saona
"So… you're going to this?" Noriala asked, returning the card.
"No… we are," Rihisna replied instantly.
"What? You want me to go too? Really?" Noriala said, her voice brimming with excitement.
"Yep, of course. But you'll just be watching… hehehe," Rihisna added with a sly grin.
"Hmph! I know that!" Noriala replied, pouting.
Soon, the sun began to reveal itself, signaling the end of dawn and the arrival of morning.
"Rihisna! Look at that!" Noriala exclaimed, pointing toward the slowly rising sun.
"Hmm… beautiful," Rihisna said, turning to where she pointed.
They gazed at the scenery together, hills flanking the sunlight on both sides, and a tranquil lake below reflecting a brilliant orange glow.
"Rihisna, what are we doing this morning?" Noriala asked.
"Come on. Let's go see my parents. Want to?" Rihisna said, standing up.
"Huh… yes, of course. I've really wanted to meet them," Noriala said, rising eagerly.
"But before that… we need to go… where was it? I forgot," Rihisna said, frowning in thought.
"How could you forget!" Noriala exclaimed, tapping her forehead.
"Okay, let's get breakfast first," Rihisna said, heading back toward the lodging.
"Tch! Even breakfast you can forget! Yeah, yeah—thinking like it's something so important!" Noriala shouted after him, annoyed.
"Sorry! Not used to it," Rihisna replied, raising his left hand.
After getting ready, they arrived at an area filled with rather elegant eateries. Rihisna headed straight to a busy café with both indoor and outdoor seating. The place was called Kafe Mur.
"We're eating here?" Noriala asked, pointing at the café.
"Yes, here," Rihisna replied.
"Looks crowded," Noriala said, scanning the area.
"Eh? Where did he go?" She looked around, but Rihisna was nowhere in sight.
Then she glanced inside and saw him already at the counter.
"When did he go in? Didn't even ask me," she muttered, hurrying inside.
As soon as the door opened, the rich aroma of coffee greeted her, captivating anyone who entered. The café was beautifully arranged, adorned with plants and flowers. Everything was made of finely carved wood, and books were neatly arranged on shelves. Medium-sized windows allowed sunlight to flood the space.
"Noriala! What are you doing there? Daydreaming?" a voice called from behind.
She turned to see Rihisna waving from a table.
"Over here!"
Noriala wasted no time and joined him.
"Mmm… it smells amazing. What is this?" she asked, inhaling the aroma.
"Allow me to introduce the specialty, Sumur Coffee," Rihisna said excitedly, lifting his cup.
"Slurp… mmm, so good!" Rihisna exclaimed, savoring it with closed eyes.
Noriala took a sip as well.
I never thought there'd be a drink this good outside the Kingdom of Ipa, she thought.
"Hahaha… your face," Rihisna laughed unintentionally.
"What's so funny?" Noriala asked.
"You've got coffee on your mouth," Rihisna replied, handing her a tissue.
She took it quickly.
"There! It's that good it got you all messy," Rihisna teased.
"Hmph!" Noriala pouted.
"Hehehe… still, you look cute," Rihisna said with a smile before sipping his coffee again.
"HEY! GIVE THAT BACK!"
A shout rang out from the café entrance. Everyone turned to look. A shopkeeper was restraining a young boy clutching a loaf of bread.
"You're stealing, kid!" the shopkeeper yelled.
"Come on! It's just one, not like I took a lot!" the boy protested.
"Doesn't matter if it's one or two!" the shopkeeper shouted louder.
"Rihisna! Lend me some money," Noriala said, extending her hand.
"Eh? What are you going to do?" Rihisna asked, confused.
"Just give it to me!" Noriala stood up.
"Alright, alright here," Rihisna said, handing her some pocket money from his small bag.
"Next time, just say you're hungry, no need to panic," Rihisna muttered, tucking his own money away.
When he looked up, Noriala was gone. Guessing where she was, he turned toward the entrance.
"Here take this," Noriala said, handing the money to the shopkeeper.
"Huh? Are you sure?" the shopkeeper asked, taking it.
"Yes. I'm paying for the boy," Noriala said, kneeling slightly to pat the boy's head with a smile.
"Thank you, big sister," the boy said gratefully before running off.
After breakfast, they went for a walk.
"You're kind, helping that kid earlier," Rihisna said while stretching.
"Oh, it's nothing. I'm used to it my father always does the same," Noriala replied.
"Wow, so the King is like that? From the outside he looks strict and serious, but inside he's got a garden in his heart," Rihisna joked, laughing softly.
"Yes… that's how Father is," Noriala said, lowering her gaze.
"Then he's just like my parents," Rihisna said, stepping in front of her and spreading his arms wide with a cheerful grin.
"Oh right let's go meet your parents," Noriala said.
"Sure. But first we need to go back to the lodging. I forgot to grab a warm jacket," Rihisna replied, hurrying off.
"What do you need a jacket for?" Noriala asked.
Rihisna did not answer.
Once they had retrieved the clothing, they arrived at a dense forest filled with towering trees. Rihisna took out a book titled "Teratak Gana" and flipped through its pages rapidly.
"What are we doing here? Don't tell me we're just reading," Noriala asked, watching him.
"Found it. Here put this on," Rihisna said, stopping at a page covered in strange symbols and handing her a jacket.
"Eh? Why? It's not even cold here," Noriala protested.
"Put it on, quickly! If you don't, you'll freeze to death. Want that?" Rihisna said, already wearing his.
"Of course not! Are you crazy?" Noriala exclaimed, quickly putting it on.
"Mantralana! Teleportation!" Rihisna chanted loudly.
Light burst forth from the book, floating at shoulder height around them.
"Hold my hand now!" Rihisna said, reaching out.
"What? Why?" Noriala asked in confusion.
"You're too slow," Rihisna said, grabbing her hand.
"Hey!" Noriala cried out, startled.
"Take us to Teratak Gana!" Rihisna shouted.
Light engulfed the entire area, carrying them away without leaving a single trace behind.