Oohh! *stretches arms* A healthy amount of physical labour is really good for the mind. Truly no need to think too much and just follow orders and other instructions. Also everyone's so nice so it was a delight working with them. Though I can't shake the feeling that someone is spying on me from a distance. I just can't relax incase someone for some odd reason has schemed against me. Well now let's just go wash up and arrange the bread I just baked today for Luwi as an apology for his injury. But before going I should scan my surroundings. As I scan my surroundings I spot Maruf with my peripheral vision staring intently.

 I... I think I know who's been spying on me. So I walk towards Maruf since I'm planning on visiting Luwi to see how is he recovering. As I near him I can see that he is deep in his thoughts. But then Maruf seemed to have heard me since he snapped out of his thoughts. Upon seeing me he gives me a shy smile.  

"Hello ms Rouhani" he greeted.  

"Hello Maruf, feel free to just call me Ally" I greeted back.  

"Yes I am aware but I am more comfortable calling you like this. Please do not feel offended ms Rouhani" Maruf answered elegantly.  

"Would calling me ms Alicea suffice instead since using my surname is a bit too formal" I asked.  

"That would be better ms Alicea" Maruf replied in a delighted tone.  

"Do you have any plans after work?" he inquired.  

"I thought that I would like to visit Luwi to see how is he doing" I answered Maruf smiling faintly.  Upon hearing my plans his eyebrows went up for a few seconds.  

"How about you?" I asked back.  

"I am about to go check on that dummy too. Would you like to join me ms Alicea since you are also going to visit him?" he invited me.  

"It would be my honour to join you" I replied.  

"Though I would like to return to my room to freshen up" I added.  

"Of course. That is no problem" Maruf replied.  

"Let us meet in front of the main entrance" Maruf suggested.  

"Let us meet there then. I shall come as soon as possible" I agreed with him.  

We then parted ways. At first I didn't notice it but after a while I noticed that I was skipping and almost running to my room. Well what can I say, I am feeling content from today's workload. I must admit it is sometimes tiring being with his majesty, because I have to constantly stay vigilant but also not show it. Well to make it more clear I still sometimes get anxious around his majesty to be frank. Something in me wants to trust him but I am too afraid to yield. I finally get to my room. I then wash my face and rebraid my hair. After I have freshened up I take my bag I just got with my money recently and head to our meeting point. When I got to our meeting point for the first time I take notice of the person I am with. How he looks like and acts. 

Not that I have not paid attention to his majesty, it is just that I have been focusing on him so much that I have not registered other people's appearances. I have almost only been able to register their voice and way of speech. The almost comes from Luwi, since you know... The accident... And yes I did not pay attention to Luwi's and Maruf's appearance when they introduced themselves. I must admit that I am a bit ashamed of myself for just now starting to pay attention to the people I am araound with__ 

 "Ms. Alicea?"  

"Ye-yes?!"  

"Everything alright? You seemed spaced out" Maruf asked mildly concerned.  

"There is nothing to worry about. I just have a lot of things in my head" I answered as I clutched the strap of my bag.  

"Does ms. Alicea have anything to ask before we go ahead?" he inquired his gaze gentle.  

Then it hit my mind. Franticly I open my bag and take out the map of the capital and hand it to him. Maruf gets a bit confused.  

"Can you mark Luwi's address so I would not get lost if I ever wanted to visit him myself?" I asked Maruf.  

"..." 

 He looks at the map. Contemplating wether to tell me or not. Oh.. Of course... He.. Does not really know or necessarily trust me. I won't wonder if he wouldn't__  

"Here you go. It is this building near the second major well in the capital and that house marked with a family crest in the map is that ruffian's house. Also that is also his family crest". 

 I look up at Maruf. He then handed back my map.  

"Thank you..." I did not expect him to tell me.  

"Shall we now get going before the sun's down?" Maruf suggested.  

"Yes please" I answered. 

 We then head out to Luwi's. Eventually we had to speed up our walking pace to Luwi's. The reason for speeding up was because Luwi lived substantially far from the palace and usually one would go by horse to his house. But because I do not own a horse we now go by foot. The late afternoon was calm and quiet. The reason for the quetness is that we are not passing by the marketplace. We are going through a shortcut that happens to be isolated from the marketplace. A nice wind wisps through our clothes. 

Today has been a hot and sunny day. So sunny that his his majesty forbid me to work a long time under the sun in fear of having me getting a sunburn on my scalp since I did not have my veil with me.  As I and Maruf are walking we haven't exchanged any words after we left the palace grounds. Strangely enough it doesn't feel anyway what so ever awkward at all. Rather peacefull instead.  

 I am absolutely ashamed of myself. We have been walking almost half the way and we haven't exchanged any words of conversation. I have rather been too focused on observing the Jaguar warrior's behavior. Thankfully she has been too busy admiring her surroundings to notice my partly intense observing. Should I start a conversation? If I do, what should we talk about? Hmm... I look up. The sky is now painted with orange, rose, lilac and yellow. Stars are starting to appear creating a romantic mood. I breath in the now cooled fresh air. Air so fresh that it makes me yawn.  

"Di-did you have a busy day?" Alicea asked. Alicea bore a meek smile.  

Yes. Busy observing you. Argh! No! I will not say that aloud.  

"I have been worried of Luwi, how he has been doing at home" I admitted.  

I look down at her. Alicea's face suddenly turned somber with a hint of bitterness. A single tear streaked down her cheek. She clutched her bag's strap. The air became heavy. Alicea's shoulders drooped down. Her gaze down to her feet.  "I should've been more carefull since you are in a foreign land" she murmured through her teeth.  What was that? Did not that dummy Luwi say that it was his fault?  

"Uhh... Ms. Alicea?"  

"Hm?! Oh! My apologies. Did you say something?" Alicea snapped out of her somber.  

"Is there something bothering you?" I asked. 

 Alicea contemplates whether to answer me. She starts to fidget with her fingers. Lips slightly trembling she opens her mouth.  

"Uhh...Ye-yes erm it-it uh I__I know I shouldn't but... I still feel bad about what happened between me and Luwi. Even_even t-tho-though his majesty said that it-t was fine" words wobbled out when she answered me. 

 What?! What exactly had happened ?! My blood started boiling. How dare she hurt Luwi?! I take a deep breath. The only reason I ever was nice to her in the first place is because Alaric my king told us to be. Though I must admit I was surprised by how co-operative she was.  *Sniff*  No do not let yor emotions take over. Be rational.  *Alicea falls on her knees in the background*  I cannot touch her since my king has said that it was alright. I think I should hear her out.  *Sobbing quietly*  *She shivers* 

 "I knew something was still not alright. I should have known I would lose my life not by his majesty's hands but his. All the stalking all the observing. He must be enraged" Alicea muttered under her breath. 

 ...How pitifull. My anger upon seeing Alicea on the ground just trembling just simmers down. I just for some reason can't help but not be angry at her anymore. Then immedaitely the memory of her crying in agony in the cell floods down. Then instinctively I crouched down to her level my shadow covering he whole body to comfort her by gently caressing her back with my right hand. Then words I did not expect to say come out:  

"Regardless what happened I forgive you".  Alicea calms down. 

She lifts her head to look at me. Our eyes meet. Upon meeting her gaze my chest starts to hurt and my memory sends me to the first time we met. Alicea was like a scared bunny back then. Fragile and helpless. I then blink and I am back to the present. We stare at each other for a little while. 

"I...I really...*sniff*...Regret hurting Luwi. But! *hic* I swear that I did not mean to and I should have known better. Thank you" Alicea said her lips slightly trembling.  

My eyes widen. I did not expect her to say such a comment. Even the way she looked at me changed. Her gaze was gentle and I could sense how genuine and gratefull she was. Yet for some reason the burden in my heart has seemed to have grown bigger. I wonder why.  *Alicea clears her throat*  

"Shall we get going now before the sun sets Maruf?" Alicea asked. 

 "Oh uhm, yes we should" I answered her.  

We then stand up and continue our way.  *After a little while*:  Argh! We yet again awkward with each other. What should I do? We started to near Luwi's residence. Thank goodness we're getting closer on meeting Luwi... After 30 minutes of walking we get to Luwi's house. Strangely enough my heart is ever so heavy for some reason. I do not understand at all why. I look to Alicea before we knock on Luwi's door. She bore a soft smile, her eyes gentle.