"Please, forgive for not welcoming you at the city gate. My na is Janine, your betrothed."
"No, you are not."
Everyone waiting at the gate was shocked to hear their young lady get rejected, and in front of so many people at that. In truth, Janine was not actually going to show herself at all for the duration of the Zimrs' stay, but as soon as she saw Riley stepping out the carriage, she could not help herself but be curious.
She was told that the 7th son of the Zimr family was a good-for-nothing, soone who had spent his entire ti thinking of fantasies and telling people that he was stronger than everyone else—only to be beaten up several tis by his older brothers.
Everyone knew that he was a nincompoop.
But as soon as Janine saw Riley, none of those mattered at all. How could one who carries himself with such pride and nonchalance be simple?
"F…Forgive us." And this ti, it was Janine's butler who lowered his head to Riley to rectify the situation as he saw his young lady getting interested in Riley, "We did not welco you at the front gates out of spite—it was my fault, I had initially thought that you would be coming later this evening, Young Master Louis."
"I told you, I am not Louis." Riley shrugged.
And as he said that, Janine and her staff all looked at each other in confusion. They then turned their focus back to Riley, only to see him pointing to the boy who was driving the carriage.
"He is Louis Zimr, everyone." Riley casually said as he stepped to the side to introduce Louis.
"He… is?" Everyone blinked, "Then… why was he driving you?"
"Circumstances, I believe." Riley once again shrugged, "And I shall take my leave now that we are in the city. Louis, it was fun reconnecting with you—I hope that your life here will be better than the last."
"That—" Louis was about to say sothing, but Janine cut him off as she grabbed Riley's robes.
"W… wait." Janine stamred as she looked back and forth between Louis and Riley, "Why would he be driving you? That does not make sense to , Sir."
"D… don't touch him!" Louis raised his voice as he rushed to grab Janine's hand, but Janine just looked at her in disdain, even clicking her tongue when she did so, "I'm just telling this for your sake!"
"Hmph…" Janina slapped Louis's hand away, "It would seem the rumors about you are true, Young Master Louis. How dare you touch without permission?"
"You don't understand, he—"
"I could very well say the sa to you, Lady Janine." Louis's words were cut off, "Please do not touch without permission. We do not know each other yet."
"T…that…" Janine instinctively let go of Riley's sleeves as she saw the empty look in his eyes.
"How dare you say that to the young lady!?" And of course, this kind of threat will not just pass through for Janine's butler, "Who do you think you are!?"
"Riley Ross." Riley shrugged before summoning the magic book and showing the tag to the butler, "Hero."
"What!?" And as soon as he said that, everyone's eyes widened as they leaned closer to Riley's book—and true enough, the cover was labeled as 'Hero'. The butler imdiately covered his mouth upon seeing that, taking several steps back before falling to his knees and groveling in front of Riley.
"Please, please forgive for raising my voice at you, Hero!" The butler pleaded.
Even Janine held her breath as she glanced at Louis. No wonder he was the one driving, was he also trying to warn us that Riley was a Hero? She blatantly misunderstood.
"This is doing too much." Riley sighed, waving his hand as he turned around and walked away; not even acknowledging the butler's pleas. He was already in the city, all that was left was to leave fate to do whatever it does best.
Who was he even going to et first? If it follows the usual script of his life for the past decade, then it would most likely be Miss Pepondosovich… or V.
"Well then, Louis." Riley glanced back, "I do hope we never et again—and again, enjoy your life here. Most did not get a second chance, or perhaps they did? Hm."
And with those words, Riley just casually waved his hand. But before he could take even 3 steps, Janine blocked his path.
"Please, forgive us for not distinguishing that you are a Hero!" Janine bowed her head before glancing at her butler, "Quick! Call Father!"
"There truly is no need for any of this, Young Lady." Riley sighed and shook his head.
"N…no." Janine stretched his arms to the side, "When… when a Hero visits a city, we are required by law to accommodate him or her! Please, it would be a disservice to the entire city if you stay sowhere else—please, stay in our estate!"
"By law, hm?" Riley blinked. This world truly is interesting, and Riley was sure Janine wasn't talking about normal laws, but by the laws set upon by this world, by this dinsion, "Very well, then. I will stay wherever Louis is staying."
"With… Louis?" Janine blinked in confusion as she glanced at Louis, "N…no. We can set you up in a finer room, we—"
"No." Riley shook his head as he walked back to Louis, "I would be more comfortable to be staying with a previous party mber."
"A previous… party mber?" Not only Janine, but the other people present there could not help but check each other out to see if they heard it clearly, "What… do you an by that, Hero?"
"I ant what I ant." Riley shrugged as he stood beside Louis, who was seemingly at a loss as to what was happening, "Young Master Louis here was a previous party mber…
…one of the strongest people have ever t in my life."
"He… is?"
And with just those words, Janine's eyes started to glimr; the way she looked at Louis, now completely different.
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