"Okay, for safety reasons, we'll set up the camps in pairs so that no one is alone," Tyrion explains.

"I want to pair with Estoria" Aluxio demands.

"Yeah, there's no chance of that happening," Tyrion flatly refuses.

"Come on, Tyrion, why are you putting me through this?" Aluxio whines.

Tyrion's patience wanes as he responds, "Aluxio, we've already decided the pairs. You're with Sebastian. Estoria will be fine with Asher."

"I'm so not giving up my position. I'll take on the role of protecting Estoria, and you won't have to worry. I might even be stronger than you," Asher interjects.

"You really think you're stronger than me?" Aluxio counters.

"I don't just think it; I'm absolutely sure of it," Asher confidently fuels the fire.

"AND CUT! That's enough from both of you. Aluxio, you're not allowed anywhere near my camp. Go to your own," Estoria intervenes, stepping in to break up the fight.

"Fine, you're lucky she's taking your side, Asher," Aluxio concedes to Asher.

"Jealous, or something? Why would she take your side?" Asher questions.

"And why do you think she's taking your side?" Aluxio questions further.

"Because-" 

Estoria quickly covers Asher's mouth to prevent him from blurting out anything else.

"Just go already," She says to Aluxio as she struggles to keep Asher's mouth shut.

Aluxio finally leaves, and she releases Asher.

"Why did you do that?" Asher whines to her.

"If I hadn't, you might have ended up in a physical fight with him," She explain her reasoning.

"And I would've won!" Asher asserts confidently.

"You can't fight him, especially considering he's a prince. Try to control yourself," Estoria urges, attempting to calm him down.

"Tell him to mind his own business then," Asher also concedes.

"Okay, let's set up our camp now," Estoria tries to direct his attention somewhere else.

After setting up the camps and eating dinner, everyone quickly drifted off to sleep and day two of traveling to the south began.

Everyone packed up their camps, and decided to skip breakfast except for Asher.

"Can't you just wait a few hours? Because of you, we have to start a fire and everything," Aluxio picks a fight with Asher once more.

"Shut it! Why do you keep picking fights with a child? You're a grown-up, so act like it. He's still growing, so he needs to eat more," Tyrion reprimands Aluxio.

"Uncle Tyrion, he's always bullying me," Asher plays the innocent angel.

"He's the one bullying me," Aluxio gasps, trying to shift the blame.

"Estoria, save me from whatever is going on here," Tyrion complains to me.

"Since Asher wants to eat, I'll cook for him. The rest of you can go do whatever you want," She suggests.

"Thank you, Estoria," Tyrion says before quickly leaving the scene.

"Estoria, do you need any help?" Aluxio looks at her, hoping for a positive response.

"No, absolutely not. Leave," Estoria firmly replies.

He also exits the scene, leaving her to prepare food for Asher.

"I want to eat popcorn," Asher demands.

"That's what you want first thing in the morning? We went through all this for popcorn?" She expresses her disbelief, looking at him incredulously.

"Yes, please make me popcorn," Asher gazes at her, blinking rapidly with a pleading expression.

"But we don't have any kernels here," She explains, addressing the lack of popcorn-making ingredients at hand.

"Oh, I have them with me," Asher reveals, taking out a pouch full of kernels from his black coat.

"Were you carrying these the entire time?" Estoria asks, amazed by Asher's preparedness.

"Yes, they're quite important. Now, make me some popcorn," Asher insists.

"Alright, fine, but don't complain if they burn. I can't control the fire," She warns before proceeding to make the popcorn.

---

"I did warn you they might burn, as I can't control the fire," Estoria remarks, looking at the half-burned popcorn.

"It's fine; I'll just eat the ones that aren't burned," Asher says, still enjoying the popcorn.

"Estoria, is that what you're feeding a growing child who needs meat to be healthy?" Tyrion questions, eyeing the half-burned popcorn disapprovingly.

"It's because I couldn't control the fire, and he really wanted popcorn," She explains, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I'm usually a much better cook than this."

"Yeah, she's made them perfectly before. You should try the ones that aren't burned, Uncle Tyrion," Asher defends her.

Tyrion tries the popcorn, giving it a taste to see how it turned out.

"It's actually quite tasty. What flavor is this?" Tyrion asks, pleasantly surprised.

"Told you so, but I'm not sharing any more of my popcorn," Asher covers his stash.

"Aluxio, come and try these popcorns that Estoria made; they're delicious!" Tyrion calls out to get Aluxio to taste them.

"Why are you sharing this information with him?" Asher asks, disappointed by Tyrion's actions.

"I'm here to try out Estoria's cooking, no matter what it is," Aluxio declares as he side-eyes Asher.

"Where is it?" Aluxio asks Tyrion, eagerly awaiting a taste.

Tyrion points to Asher, indicating that he's hiding the popcorn.

"Hey, let me have some," Aluxio asks Asher, reaching out for a share of the popcorn.

"No way, it's not happening. You were the one who said, 'Who needs breakfast?'" Asher firmly refuses to share.

"Tyrion, say something!" Aluxio pleads, looking at Tyrion who's enjoying his share of popcorn that he got for tasting.

"You got some too; just share one," Aluxio insists, going after Tyrion instead.

Tyrion doesn't give in, and Aluxio switches his target once more, trying to get a share of the popcorn.

"Apologize to me, and I'll give you one," Asher demands, holding a popcorn hostage.

"Why just one? Can't you spare more?" Aluxio complains about the perceived unfairness.

"Or forget it," Asher says, continuing to munch on his popcorn.

"Okay, fine. I'm sorry. Now, can you give me one?" Aluxio apologizes? For a popcorn.

"I'm sorry, and also I promise I'll never go near Estoria again," Asher adds, becoming a bit more greedy.

"What? That wasn't the deal we had, Asher," Aluxio protests, feeling the terms are changing.

"Fine, here's your popcorn," Asher relents, handing Aluxio one piece.

Aluxio eats the piece of popcorn, and he's pleasantly surprised by its taste.

"I want more," Aluxio says, craving another piece of the popcorn.

"Get lost," Tyrion and Asher say in unison, making it clear that Aluxio won't be getting any more popcorn.

Estoria felt bad for Aluxio but didn't interfere.

---

They get in the carriage once more, but the instense ratting in the carriage gave her a strong sense of nausea this time.

"I feel nauseous," She blurts out, her discomfort apparent.

"Are you actually going to vomit in the carriage?" Asher inquires, his curiosity evident.

"Stop the carriage," Tyrion urgently requests, "Estoria isn't feeling well, and we don't have spare carriages. I'd rather not have any vomit incidents on board; nobody enjoys that."

"Is everything alright, Estoria?" Aluxio inquires, leaning in through the carriage window.

"Do I appear fine to you?" She grimaces, feeling the nausea rise as she stared at Aluxio's concerned expression.

"You're making it worse, go away," Asher says firmly, shutting the window.

"I can't hold it any longer," Estoria exclaims urgently.

"Estoria, step out of the carriage and get some fresh air," Tyrion advises, having already exited the carriage.

"I don't think I can, Tyrion," She replies weakly, opening the window and puking out her guts.

After finishing her bout of vomiting, Estoria opens her eyes to find Aluxio's startled expression, now covered in her vomit. 

'Eww.'

"Why didn't you move? Is your head empty in there?" Asher teases Aluxio, poking fun at the situation while laughing uncontrollably.

"I'm definitely sharing this story with everyone once we get home," Tyrion chimes in, joining the laughter.

"But why isn't he saying anything? Is he that shocked?" Estoria wonders aloud, noticing Aluxio's continued silence.

"I'm sorry, Aluxio. I should've checked if you were still here," she says apologetically, genuinely feeling bad for him. 

'Unfortunately, I don't even have a handkerchief to help clean the bits off his face.'

"Here, it was supposed to be for you, but the vomit on his face looks gross." 

'Asher hands me... how many handkerchiefs are these?'

"Where did you get these from? And why so many?" She asks, surprised to find ten handkerchiefs being offered.

"I remember now, you bought these yesterday didn't you?" She recalls. 

Asher nods.

'But how did he manage to go to the market without even taking a carriage?'

"Anyway, let's start by wiping his face," Estoria said, taking one of the handkerchiefs and gently cleaning Aluxio's face.

"Could you please close your eyes for a moment? I need to wipe your eyebrows, and it might accidentally touch your eye," She politely asks Aluxio. 

"But you look so pretty..." Aluxio finally speaks after his initial shock, offering a compliment despite the unusual circumstances.

"Could you please stop with your delusions? Don't you see yourself covered in vomit?" Asher chimes in, looking at Aluxio with a disgusted expression. 

"You think this is the time to flirt and shine, Aluxio? Get down from the horse and wash yourself; we've found a river nearby," Tyrion advises, showing his quick thinking in the situation.

"I'm fine right here," Aluxio smiles at Estoria, seemingly content with his current state despite the mess.

"Yeah, right. Get down this instant!" Tyrion insists, forcefully helping Aluxio off the horse while being careful not to touch the vomit.

"Take the horse with you, Aluxio. It also got some vomit on it," Estoria suggest as Aluxio heads to the river.

"Alright, Estoria," Aluxio says, looking at her as if the vomit incident had never happened.

"If only you listened to me that well," Tyrion complains.

Aluxio leaves the scene with Sebastian to go to the river for a much-needed clean-up.

"You both get off the carriage too; it also needs to be cleaned," Tyrion insists, effectively kicking us out to deal with the aftermath of the vomit incident.

"Since we had to stop for lunch anyway, let's have lunch before moving again. And from now on, we won't be skipping breakfast, especially since Estoria probably got sick riding on an empty stomach," Tyrion explains to everyone, prioritizing their well-being.

It sounds like Tyrion is taking on a nurturing and responsible role, making sure everyone's well-being is taken care of. It's possible that the king assigned him this task precisely because of his responsible nature and ability to care for others.

It's also clear that Tyrion's leadership style, characterized by his caring and responsible approach, is well-suited for the role. Just like a mother looking out for her children, he ensures the safety and well-being of those under his care.

"Estoria, how are you feeling now?" Tyrion inquires, while Asher watches, anticipating for her reply.

"I'm feeling much better now, thank you," Estoria replies to Tyrion, and glances at Asher, assuring him that she's alright.

While the royal knights set out to hunt for the lunch, Estoria remained there with Tyrion and Asher.

'I can't help but imagine the vulnerability of our situation, being alone without any knights by our side, but I refrain from dwelling on it as such thoughts might become a reality like last time.'

"What's occupying your thoughts so deeply?" Asher inquires.

"I shall not share these thoughts either"

"So, you have your own secrets as well, I suppose,"

"I've been observing our surroundings for a while now, and something seems peculiar. It's as if the sky has come to a standstill," Tyrion interjects.

"This is dangerous, Estoria. We're currently ensnared within a mana barricade," Asher whispers to me.

"How did you figure that out?" She asks in a hushed tone.

"Tyrion is correct. Everything has ceased moving, and it's due to the barricade. I have the ability to cast one as well, so I can confirm it," Asher whispers back.

'This situation is becoming increasingly perilous, and keeping any secrets might put us at risk. If Asher possesses knowledge about this mana barricade, there's a possibility that his former employer could be pursuing him or sending another assassin after us or even the prince, given his apparent animosity toward the royal family. Moreover, Tyrion is Alstroemeria's twin brother.'

"Asher, we're sharing this information with Tyrion, and we're in this together until we find a way out. Do what's needed, and I'll take care of the aftermath," Estoria speaks loud enough for Tyrion to hear her.

"What are you discussing? Are we in danger?" Tyrion inquires, seeking clarification.

"Yes, and according to Asher, we're inside a mana barricade. The individual who trapped us here might be the assassin sent after Asher, or possibly even you, Tyrion," Estoria explains the situation to him clearly.

"I'm familiar with creating a mana barricade, but I've never attempted to break one, especially from the inside where it's more challenging," Asher admits.

"Asher, you possess the knowledge of using mana to cast spells?" Tyrion asks, clearly surprised by this revelation.

"Yes, I taught myself how to use it," Asher confirms, shedding light on his self-taught magical abilities.

"That's truly remarkable, Asher. Even prodigies often struggle to grasp it until they come of age," Tyrion exclaims, clearly impressed by Asher's talent and determination.

"Asher, given your ability to self-teach and your knowledge, do you think you can find a way to break the barricade from the inside?" Estoria asks, seeking his expertise in the challenging situation.

"I'm not sure, but I can certainly give it a try," Asher responds, willing to use his skills to attempt breaking the barricade from the inside.

"If there's any way we can assist you, Asher, please don't hesitate to let us know," Tyrion offers his support, showing a willingness to help.

"I'll need to focus entirely on the barricade, so please keep Estoria safe, as I won't be able to defend against any threats," Asher explains.

"I'll do my best to keep both her and you safe while you concentrate on the barricade," Tyrion declares, ready to defend against any potential threats with his drawn sword.

"I don't see anyone around us. Where could they be?" Estoria quickly scans the area for potential threats, confused by the absence of any immediate danger.

"Mana rush," Asher murmurs, his gaze fixed on the barricade as white particles resembling bubbles flow from his eyes, gradually enveloping the barricade from the inside.

"Wow," Estoria exclaims in awe as the bubbles from Asher's mana rush continue to expand and cover the inside of the barricade.