After her conversation with Jibran, Elda decided she would visit the towns, overseeing the condition after such harsh weather. Noir knew what she was asking for before she uttered any words and so now she ventured to the town along with Jibran. Whom Noir asked to accompany her for the purpose of maybe thinking of a solution for the situation Noir hasn't told her.

  So in the carriage they stayed in an awkward silence, being the only two in the confined space without Noir being there. Elda found it uncomfortable despite having to play together in a game of chess a couple of times. Usually there were attendants or bodyguards in the same room as them, she supposed that’s the difference.

  Now they’re across each other in a close proximity, she saw a faint scratch on his cheek.

  “What happened to your face?” She asked, finally decided to fill in the silence. Jibran who was absentmindedly staring at the carriage window jumped a tad bit, being startled.

  “You have a keen eye. Well it was from my visit to the capital town here before. Some folks were just hostile towards me but no harm had been done beside this little wound,” he answered casually, as if being attacked in other countries didn’t raise any alarm.

  “And yet, you still helped us with such dedication,” she stated, flabbergasted.

  “My grudge is usually towards an individual as I said before. Also, our countries had been at odds with each other even if there were no wars since Lord Noir’s reign. I could still forgive just a tad bit of hostility.”

  He faced Elda with an oddly placed sincerity, in Elda’s opinion. An understanding person, she thought. A bit too soft in this harsh place. She felt a tiny feeling of pity towards this man.

  “Self preservation would be a good thing for you to learn in this place.”

  It came from a bit of care she had for Jibran, as much as she hated to admit it. But it came out cold, so she supposed if he took it the wrong way, it’s understandable.

  “Don’t worry, my Lady. Forgiving doesn’t mean being less cautious. I’ve been cautious the whole time here,” he reassured her. When Elda thought about it, his guard was up when he first met her, so he was not lying about it.

  The carriage stopped and Elda was glad that right now in this town there are no storms. The town's condition on the other hand, was not as fortunate. There were a lot of house wrecks, leaving some people to reside in the alleys.

  “For now, we’re trying to provide some tents and blankets for temporary countermeasures. I would like to suggest building a big building first, or using an existing big sturdy building for their shelter though. But a new one designed to keep the heat in would be great so I’m consulting with an architect from all regions,” explained Jibran from beside her.

  Elda kept her eyes glued to the situation in front of her. Standing still, silently listening to Jibran’s blabber.

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  “If there are some people who know fire magic, it would be useful. I would like to tell Lord Noir to open a recruitment office to search for them. As of now I know Lord Noir was overseeing his people to search for more firewoods,” muttered Jibran thoughtfully.

  Elda walked ahead to closely inspect one of the alleys. Jibran trailed behind her, not too close nor far. When she saw it, a lot of people there were shivering. She sighed, resignedly. Elda was reminded of why even a person like her accepted the diplomatic deal.

  Jibran stepped in front of her, brought out some twigs, and then chanted something. His men were right beside her, putting their hands on their swords. Seemingly alert if anything happened to Jibran. Elda didn’t stop him though, curious on what he’ll do.

  “Ignis, listen to my call. Lend me thine power, the power to ignite my will,”

  With that a fire was lit. All of the people swarmed around the fire as if a moth towards a light. Jibran took steps back sighing tiredly. His men steadied him when he almost stumbled.

  “That would only be a temporary solution,” uttered Elda. Jibran’s men looked furious but Jibran calmed them down.

  “It would be. But for them, even a temporary one would be a comfort. A temporary one would be a sign of hope,” he said confidently.

  Elda no longer sees the man in front of her as the envoy of the Solen Kingdom. But as a great King candidate, that would be a good collaborator with the Tenebris Kingdom. She then got startled by someone pulling her robe. She then saw a little girl beside her.

  “Are you the empress? They said that the empress had beautiful red hair just like the Redfrost Rose I have on my old house,” she asked with eyes glittering with curious wonder. While Jibran involuntarily gave out an amused smile, Elda raised an eyebrow.

  “No, I’m not. The one who you were talking about was probably my mother. She had the same haircolor as mine. I’m merely a princess,” she answered with a neutral formal tone, making Jibran laugh. Although at least he had the decency to try to hold it. Elda also heard faint formal greetings towards her from the people of the alley, addressing her as ‘my Lady’.

  “A princess! No wonder you’re so pretty!” Exclaimed the child. Elda wondered if that made her face look sour because she surely didn't know how to handle praises that were given to her in such sincerity. Jibran seemed to be unable to hold it anymore and kneeled down to the child. He patted her head gently.

  “I know right, such beauty indeed. I’m sure you’ll grow up as beautiful as her as long you keep smiling like that,” said Jibran smoothly and that made the child giggle.

  “I’m not sure about that but I’ll keep smiling! You’re also a handsome big brother! Are you a prince?” She asked so excitedly. Elda just kept observing, wanting to see how Jibran would handle the question.

  “I am one! Such a smart girl. Although I’m from a far away kingdom though ,” he answered unexpectedly, very honestly.

  “Are you coming here to marry the princess?”

  Such an innocent question yet it made Elda and Jibran also their whole group froze. Jibran recovered faster than any of them, coughed, and answered her promptly.

  “As much as a beauty she is, I came here just to help you and the people here.”

  Elda saw the older people scowling at Jibran. Jibran felt that too it seemed but chose to ignore it. The hostility was still there, but the people chose to revel in the comfort of the warmth first rather than doing anything.

  “Where are you parents, child?” Asked Elda. That made the smile on the girl’s face fade and tears started to well up. At that Elda internally panicked.

  “I don’t know! I lost them! I don’t know what to do!” Cried the little girl. Jibran immediately hugged her as he shushed Elda. At any other time Elda would be annoyed at his treatment of her, but right now she will comply as she’s at a loss on how to calm the child down.

  “How about we help you search for them? The first thing we could check is your house. They could be visiting there,” suggested Jibran gently.

  Elda couldn’t understand how Jibran was okay with snot and tears staining his robes. But the hug and suggestion cheered the girl up as she nodded, so Elda guessed it was worth it. Not that she was the one whose robe got dirty anyways.

  “Well my Lady, I shall visit her house. Shall we go together or split up?” Asked Jibran politely. Elda was about to choose the second choice to cover more ground but the earnest stare from the girl stopped her. She sighed resignedly.

  “I’ll go with you, lead the way, child.”