Theo leaves the fitting room and goes straight to the women's section. It is not difficult to find Sarah since all the store attendants want to help her, so Theo walks directly toward her with confident steps.
"Theo?" Sarah smiles with a curious expression when she sees him walking toward her. But there is something more in his eyes this time, a gleam that she finds very attractive, and then, surprising her again, he hugs her in front of everyone and kisses her lips.
"Mmm?" Sarah looks confused but does not react negatively or try to stop him. The girls around step back and watch with excited smiles while Theo kisses Sarah passionately, making her melt in his arms.
The kiss does not last long, and Theo breaks it to look into her eyes with a loving smile. But Sarah looks curious. "Why this?" She asks, and he gently caresses her face. "Because you deserve it." He says confidently, and she giggles.
Sarah is left speechless, and Theo finds her reaction adorably cute, so he smiles at her. "I know you are busy, so I will not take more of your time." As soon as he says that, she nods. "I will take a little longer here, and then I also need to go to the beauty salon. Can you manage not to get into trouble without me?"
"Is it not you who gets me into trouble?" Theo laughs and then nods. "Alright, I will find something to do while I wait for you." He kisses her lips once more before going back, leaving Sarah with a loving smile on her face and the girls around with expressions of envy.
Theo returns to the men's section and also buys a pair of black leather boots to match his suit. He should choose elegant shoes but prefers sturdy and comfortable boots. He also buys a set of casual clothes made of simple fabric and light leather to replace his previous rags and keeps the suit stored in his bag to wear at the ceremony at night.
Not finding Lorien in the men's section, Theo leaves the clothing store after paying for the new items. While thinking about where to go, he notices a small bar across the street and a young man drinking alone. Theo recognizes the man as Hermes, who waves at him amiably.
"Theo!?" Hermes calls, and Theo approaches the friendly young man and greets him. "Did you also come to buy new clothes?" Hermes asks, and Theo nods. "Yeah, and you?"
"I came to accompany my sister, Clarice, but I think she will take the whole day…" Hermes sighs and then asks the waitress for another mug of beer while glancing at Theo. "Will you drink with me while we wait for the women to finish their things?"
"Sure," Theo accepts Hermes' invitation and starts drinking with him while they watch the nobles on the street. Theo cannot help but throw a sorry glance at Hermes. "About how things ended yesterday…"
"Oh, you don't need to apologize, my friend." Hermes smiles kindly. "That was my fault. Speaking of which, I suppose Lady Malveryn is nearby, right? I heard rumors about the punch she gave young master Belden." As soon as he asks, Theo nods, and Hermes makes a thoughtful expression. "She is an impressive woman… truly…" He seems unsure of what to say.
"Be careful with your next words," Theo comments in a calm but firm tone, and Hermes makes a sorry expression. "No, no, I did not mean to offend her. It is just that finding a word to describe Lady Malveryn seems impossible."
Theo smiles lovingly while thinking of Sarah. "Unique. She is a unique woman." He says, and Hermes nods. "Indeed, I am sure there is no one like her anywhere. Also, by the way you two treat each other, I assume you are truly together…"
"Why are you so interested in my relationship with Sarah?" Theo asks in a suspicious tone, and Hermes again shows a sorry and honest face. "Forgive me, Theo, it is just that you two are the most interesting people among this year's newcomers, and I am very curious. But we do not have to talk about it, of course."
"I see," Theo sees no malice in Hermes's eyes, but still remains alert, especially after what Eruina said about people who approach him with smiles and friendly attitudes. "What about you? I mean, you seem like a young noble from a famous house. I bet your story is interesting as well."
"My story? Hmm…" Hermes begins to talk about himself, his sister, and their family. As time passes, he and Theo also talk about many other things, especially about other nobles who have caught Hermes' attention so far.
After two hours, lunchtime arrives, and Lorien appears to invite Theo to have lunch with him. Since Sarah still seems busy with her things, the duo has lunch together at the inn before Lorien goes up to his room carrying bags of new clothes.
And of course, after the incident earlier, Lorien doesn't let Theo enter his room, so he has to rent his own room to take a bath and prepare for the ceremony at the Academy.
Theo takes a long and thorough bath before putting on his new suit with all the accessories Sarah made him buy. When he finishes, he looks like a rich noble dressed in luxurious clothes, something he doesn't enjoy, but when he thinks about how beautiful Sarah will look for the big night, he feels he must do his part and look appropriate as well.
When Theo finishes getting ready, it is already four in the afternoon, and he leaves his room, meeting Lorien in the corridor. The white-haired boy surprises Theo with a very unique look, wearing a tight suit with soft colors like blue, white, and light pink.
Lorien's clothes do not resemble the local style but instead eastern garments, especially his long, layered robe and a long pin that holds part of his long white hair folded, while strands fall over his back. His appearance seems a bit masculine, but it is impossible for him not to look like a girl with such a delicate face.
"You look great," Theo praises Lorien, who smiles gently at him while approaching. "You too, so charming…" Lorien gets very close and takes a sniff at Theo, making him quickly step back. "What are you doing?"
"Ah, just checking something." Lorien starts looking for something in the large bag he is carrying and takes out a small bottle with blue liquid from it. "Here, it is a good perfume. And you need it, you smell like cheap soap, which is not bad, but this will be better."
Theo takes the small bottle from Lorien's hand but looks at it with a hesitant expression. "I don't think-" Before he finishes speaking, Lorien removes the cap from the bottle. "See, it is not a feminine perfume." As he speaks, Theo smells the intense scent coming from the bottle, and it truly is a good perfume, strong and not feminine at all.
Lorien smiles when he sees Theo's surprised expression. "It was a gift, but I don't use it much as you can imagine." Theo laughs and applies a bit of the blue liquid on his neck before handing the bottle back to Lorien. "Thank you."
"We'd better get going, your girlfriend must be ready already, I doubt she would want to arrive late." Lorien comments and then looks at the small leather bag in Theo's hand. "Did you take everything? After today, the castle will be our new home."
"Yeah, I don't have much to bring," Theo responds, and then the duo goes down the stairs, finding many other well-dressed nobles in luxurious clothes, all heading to the same place.
As soon as Theo and Lorien pay for the inn rooms, they step outside and see dozens of people entering luxurious carriages. While Lorien explains that the students cross the great bridge to the castle in carriages carrying their belongings, a large carriage stops in front of them.
Someone opens the carriage window, and it is Sarah, smiling at Theo. "Are you coming, My Lord?" He is stunned by how beautiful she looks, wearing light makeup and her hair loose and fully wavy. Theo's lack of words makes Sarah smile even more. "Just show the enrollment documents and the ring to the coachman; he will take us to the castle."
Theo takes the papers from his bag and also shows the ring on his finger to the coachman, just like Lorien, and both board the carriage. As the carriage moves through the busy streets with the trio inside, Theo sits in front of Sarah and enjoys the full view of her look.
Sarah is wearing a beautiful black dress with a medium V-shaped neckline, tight at the waist, and with a lower part resembling a not very long skirt with a very wavy hem, a perfect mix between something provocative but also quite youthful. She is also wearing large star-shaped earrings and small silver stud piercings around her ears, as well as one on her nose, which gives her a very charming appearance.
"Do you like it?" Sarah asks Theo while sitting with her legs crossed and posture firm like a true Lady. He smiles with shining eyes. "You look… wonderful." He almost runs out of words to describe how beautiful she looks, making Sarah smile proudly.
Lorien just rolls his eyes, making Sarah and Theo laugh. As the carriage moves on, dozens of others do the same, and Theo watches the movement of the streets through the window. "It looks like everyone is going at the same time…"
"Yeah, we may take a while to cross the bridge," Sarah comments calmly. "But that is why we are leaving a bit earlier." She looks out the window as well and sees all those other carriages. "It seems that this year there are many new students; the noble families must be preparing for something big…"
Theo gives Sarah a curious look. "About this ceremony… what should I expect?" As soon as he asks, she smiles. "I heard it is a great party, a way for us to be properly welcomed as new students and have the chance to meet our seniors and professors in a more casual way before classes officially begin."
"Meet the professors?" Theo wonders if Eruina will be at the party. Even though he saw her in the mirror at the clothing store a few hours ago, seeing her in person is different.
"Yep," Sarah nods, and then her eyes shine with expectation. "The Headmaster will also give an opening speech, so we will be able to see the famous Duke Lyskarra and maybe even Grandmaster Eruina…"
Theo smiles, imagining Sarah and Eruina together, a delight for the eyes without a doubt, but also two women with very strong personalities. While many different thoughts arise in his mind, Lorien also looks at him with a curious expression. "It is also during this ceremony that we must choose our Academy Houses. Do you know anything about them?"
Before Theo can answer, Sarah also looks at him with a curious expression. "Luke recommended you to become a Blazebearer of Ignivar, did he not?" Theo nods, and Sarah smiles gently. "I am sure you would do well in the House of Valor with all those aspiring heroes…"