Alice & Alicia: Religious Twin Daughter

Plan in the Capital

"Thank God we got to the capital safely," Lut looked at the gate of the capital of the Kingdom of el Vierum which was beginning to be seen. Looks like people are waiting there. The new merchants, travelers, and citizens settled their affairs outside the fort.

"That jerk is definitely not going to follow us" Var commented. The aura of resentment and anger had never disappeared since he left Marianna City. While in it, he was always a cowardly rat who could do nothing. "He knows we'll never be accepted."

"Have it, we still don't know until we try it," Lut tried to cheer up. In fact he was irritated with every grunt of Var. However, he has no right to comment.

His family was lucky not to be touched by the city lord. Her sister lives in the capital while her mother is sickly and can only be at home. He was grateful for the illness his mother suffered. It was like the dust that replaced the stone throw.

They both entered the capital smoothly. The entrance fee of the gate is still affordable for them. The next problem was finding a way to deliver the letter. Of course they were unable to enter the Pearl Palace carelessly.

"Let's find Professor Alverous's residence first," Lut suggested, "He's the only acquaintance I have in the capital."

"Do you have an address?" Var asked pessimistically. For him it was still impossible to contact such a large person. Between him and the nobles, there was a huge wall separating the two. As much as Var tried it, he wouldn't be able to get through it.

"Come on," Lut replied casually. That answer made Var upset. He'd love to punch Lut if he didn't say, "Calm down, man. Professor Alverous was a famous person throughout the kingdom. People will know the place. We just have to ask or you can try the other way you got."

"I'm going to the Holy Temple" Var said later. Maybe he wanted to purify his soul first there to be calm or maybe not. Var grumbled after agreeing to part with Lut, "May the Holy Temple in the capital not be as rotten as Marianna."

Lut managed to find Professor Alverous's address in half a day. The house of the good big man was in the noble district. So, at least he had to tidy up his appearance first.

"I never thought I would use a plaque from the professor so quickly," Lut stared at a fine stone carved with the coat of arms of Professor Alverous's residence in the background. Fortunately, he did not reject it first. Professor Alverous was so amazed by Mainne that he gave her such an important item. By showing the plaque, he will be an honored guest at the professor's residence.

"Excuse me, sir," the gaze of a guarding person changed when he saw the plaque that Lut had brought. He saluted and said, "The professor is going outside the capital. You can come back in a few days. Is there anything you want to say?"

"What?" Lut gave a look of disbelief. However, the guard had no reason to lie to him. He thought for a moment. There's not much time. He should as soon as possible convey these matters to the Pearl Palace.

"No thanks for the help" Lut left Professor Alverous's residence. He then tried to go to the Royal Academy to look for connections there. No one helped him. Even the plaque is useless.

"Ck, how's this?" Lut patted his forehead trying to clear his mind. It's his second afternoon in the capital. He had just returned home from the Royal Academy after a futile wait of hours.

"So, what are we gonna do?" Var who had been back to the inn since had asked. Desperation was again imprinted on his face that was losing hope. The shadow of a girl haunts his heart. He cursed in his heart for his weakness.

"Waiting for Professor Alverous or reckless to the Pearl Palace," Lut said softly. There was no seriousness in his words. After all, Var had not heard it. He closed his eyes with his arms while lying on the bed.

Lut let out his breath. He could not bear to see his friend suffer even more. He who does not understand love let alone have a lover certainly does not understand the depth of suffering of the cowardly young man.

Lut also came out of his inn. He saw the reddish sky dimming. Mentari will soon return to his contest. If this was Marianna, she would be able to see that sunset at one of her favorite places.

Lut walked over to the place he had seen when he returned home from the Royal Academy. A remote building flanked by two other high-rise buildings.

To get there, Lut had to walk down a small alley that was quite clean. Different from other small streets. No trash, no dirt, no bums. There was only darkness because an unflinching light approached him.

An old man raised his face when he heard Lut's footsteps. He stopped sweeping the alley leading to his house. Nah! It does not deserve to be called home. It was just a windowless cube building and only had one space.

"Young man, what are you looking for here?" ask the old man. Very rarely do visitors come to this place. If there is, usually the people who come it brings a business.

"Grandfather, let me pray here, please" replied Lut politely. The old man frowned. It turned out that the young man was not one of the people who used to look for him. He nodded slowly and invited Lut to enter his place.

Although small, the old man's place had a place to wash. I was relieved to see him so that he did not need to return to the inn if needed later. Shortly after, a boy came and sat quietly in one corner of the room.

The old man told him to turn on the lighting and he got up without making a sound. One by one the candles that were taped to the wall he lit. The room became brighter so it looks a shelf containing old books that began to shabby.

After the old man finished his affairs outside, he immediately entered and led the prayer. Lut felt relieved in his heart as he came to the right place.

The little boy immediately said goodbye to the old man finished he prayed after praying. As for his arrival, his departure did not make the slightest sound.

Lut decided to rest for a while in that place. To him, it was quieter here than hearing Var's endless grunts. He thought of various ways to resolve his problems and delivered a letter to Mainne. Without him realizing it, the old man had already observed his uneasiness and walked up to him.

"Young man, what's so burdening you like that?" asked the curious old man. Lut. He saw that the old man was a good man. He also dared to tell her the problem.

"Is that so?" said the old man of the mangosteen-beard heard Lut's story, "It's so bad. Then what are you planning here?"

Lut recounts his plans to exploit Mainne's relationship with Crown Princess el Vierum. He hoped that the princess could convey the grievances of the people of Marianna City to the king. The old man chuckled and said, "Young man, let me tell you. I've experienced a lot of bitterness in my life and the most bitter thing is to wish on humans."

Lut was speechless not understanding the old man's intentions. His gaze was again lowered until the old man said, "Will but, your plan may be too."

Lut saw a ray of hope from the old man. Perhaps his prayers will be answered soon. The old man said, "Come with me tomorrow. Let me show you a path that can deliver a letter to your talented sister."

"Really, Grandpa? Do you really have it?" I am grateful in my heart. His prayers for many days were finally answered. He can breathe freely. Soon, the little boy came again. It was time to pray apparently. After praying, Lut returned to his inn. Now with a happy and grateful heart.

He pondered over the old man's words again on his way back to the inn. He also understood that the place of hope and reliance was only on the Almighty God.