The day was fading toward sunset as the trio wandered the snack stands. Gaius watched silently, observing them buying treats left and right. Liliana, a familiar regular, received snacks for free from several stall owners, chatting and laughing as she collected them. Gaius clicked his tongue, unimpressed. To him, it all looked like spoiled rich kids showing off money they didn't earn.
Liliana bounded over to him, a basket brimming with snacks in one hand and more stuffed into her mouth. She shoved some toward him.
"Here you go!" she said through a mouthful of candy, the words more incoherent sounds than anything else.
Gaius waved her off.
"No thanks. I just want to go home."
Liliana tried to cheer him on, urging him to enjoy the moment, but he wasn't buying it. To him, this was all just a display of wealth.
Emilia and Kirian had moved a few steps ahead. Emilia, trying (and failing) to sound like a cool, responsible adult, called back:
"Stop being difficult! When someone puts effort into giving you a gift, you should accept it!"
Gaius snapped. His voice carried genuine annoyance.
"Why are you just flaunting your wealth at me? You don't even care about others. You're here, spending money your parents gave you like it means nothing."
Kirian and Liliana were about to step in, but Emilia held up a hand and continued, this time with surprising sincerity:
"You're right—we are just rich kids spending money. But it's our money. We worked hard for it. Every week we do odd jobs around town, and we even go on adventures. The experiences we earn, the money we get and spend—it's all ours. Just because our parents are rich doesn't mean we should flaunt their hard-earned wealth. And you shouldn't judge someone without knowing them. Kirian and Liliana invited you here because they genuinely want to be friends. You're the one flaunting disdain without context."
Her words struck with honesty, and even Kirian and Liliana exchanged surprised glances. They'd never seen Emilia speak this way about anything besides money.
Gaius's shoulders slumped, and he lowered his head in shame.
"I… I'm sorry," he muttered.
"No problem," Kirian said cheerfully, giving him a small smile. "And sorry for dragging you along so suddenly."
"Yeah… me too," Liliana added softly.
Emilia glanced around. The sun had already set.
"We should escort you home," she said.
Gaius hesitated, then finally nodded.
"Okay… thanks."
The group walked through the streets, softly illuminated by floating magic lamps. The river flowed below the stone bridge, reflecting their quiet steps. A gentle, somber calm settled over them.
On the other side of town, a medium-sized, worn-out building came into view.
"This is it," Gaius said quietly. "I live at the orphanage."
Kirian stepped forward, striking a dramatic pose.
"Ha! The place of hopes and dreams! Your mother also lost her father young and cared for others, never losing hope, and she became a Hero! I, Kirian Zennon—a future hero—shall illuminate this place with my heroism!"
Liliana clapped in genuine happiness. Emilia grinned wildly, already scheming something.
Then, a flood of children burst out of the building, running straight toward Gaius. They bombarded him with dumb questions, one already trying to climb onto his back, another attempting to flip Liliana's skirt. Some started striking exaggerated fighting poses at Kirian and Emilia.
An older girl, about their age, stepped out and called the children back inside. She had short hair, a warm smile, and greeted the trio politely.
"I'm Florina," she said. "I hope you didn't cause any trouble."
"They were no trouble at all," Liliana said, halting at Gaius. "That goes for you too—don't cause trouble with your bad attitude."
Gaius felt the sting of her words.
Emilia handed Florina the basket of snacks.
"I couldn't possibly take these," she said.
The trio insisted, laughing. "We got tons for free. We'll get more another time."
Florina smiled genuinely. She made Gaius say thanks as well, and he obliged.
After exchanging goodbyes, the trio began walking away. A few dozen steps later, a carriage pulled up in front of them. The door opened, revealing a bodacious woman with a tail—Camila.
"Get in! You're about to miss dinner!" she called.
Excited, they climbed inside, and the carriage drove off along the stone-paved streets.
Thus, another peaceful day passed in the land of Aleria.