Alice & Alicia: Religious Twin Daughter

Saville Village

The dawn of March van Ryvat. The sun is shyly climbing the sky. Its yellowish-red glow brought warmth amid the cold of tomorrow.

Derrick stands in a fortress at the very outer edge of the Kingdom of el Vierum. The fortress was entrusted to the family of van Ryvat to guard the western frontier. The fort is flanked by the Kaskas Mountains. Behind it was the land of the Saville Family, a family of merchants who came about decades ago. On top of that desolate fortress, Derrick stood up and wandered into his own world.

He had a lot of discussions with his grandmother last night. The alliance was truly formed. Nah! Actually since Duchess Evianna married first, an alliance has been formed. Derrick just tightened his bond on behalf of the Vi Alverio Family. He also stared at the close and steep Kaskas Mountains. Must be hard to get through.

"How did Saville get through those mountains?" murmured Derrick in his solitude. He saw how strong the Kaskas Mountains were. It feels awkward to build a fort around here. The mountains themselves were already natural fortresses.

"They're great people. Do you know what? The mountain was hollowed with iron," replied a young man who was reciprocated with a cold look of Derrick. The young man ignored him. Maybe he doesn't even care. That's not really a problem.

"Who?" derrick asked with an expression that showed no interest. It seems like he has no intention of knowing at all. Just asking for mere formality.

"Ramirez," the young man replied with a carefree smile, "Ramirez van Ryvat. You can call me, Rez."

"Oh, okay," Derrick turned his gaze back to the Kaskas Mountains. There was a piece of road that had its end swallowed by a mountain there. Derrick was curious about the direction the path was heading.

"That is the way to the village of the Saville Family" Rez said as if he could read Derrick's thoughts from his eyes, "I've been there. There is a wall at the end of it. The architecture of the building inside is much different from that in the kingdom. That's a beautiful place. Unfortunately I can't get through the fort next."

"How many fortresses are there?" this time Derrick was really interested. Obtain it. He looked at Rez who told him with passion, "Come. I only saw two of the fortresses. The second fort is also a very long distance from the village of Saville. The walls are thick and high. There was a hard iron covering it. I'm sure the wall is very strong."

"Is that really so?" Derrick wanted to visit the fort. He again took his gaze to the road that connected the Kingdom of el Vierum and the Village of Saville. A village that not many people know, but the trade union is very large even in foreign countries.

"Well, are you interested? I can take you there if grandma allows it," Rez proudly offered, "I happen to be free right now."

"Young Duke, please don't listen to him!" exclaiming someone who sounds flat from behind. That guy gasps. Sweat drenched his face. His face was clouded by annoyance. He looked at Rez sharply.

"Young Master Rez! Your work is still piling up. Quickly follow me back," said the rather short-snaked ash. Her messy hair added to her impression of rarely taking care of herself. He looks very tired after being forced to work rods from Anyer to Panurakan.

"Yus? Didn't I finish yesterday?" rebut Rez with an innocent face.

Yus is getting upset. He was forced to soften yesterday because Rez was suddenly called to welcome an important guest. Yus called out in protest, "You think today's work has not come. Get ready yourself!"

"Ugh, you're so chatty. I'm almost traumatized to be the future head of the family because of you!" accuse Rez outspokenly. Derrick started to lazily deal with them. Before Yus returned to vent his anger, another person who entered the list of bullies this morning came to Derrick's mind.

"Greetings, Young Master," greeted the man politely. He did not bow down like most nobles when meeting people higher than him. He simply gave a friendly smile and reached out to shake hands. "I am Sifer of Saville. Marchioness van Ryvat himself told me to guide you. It's nice to meet you."

Derrick just nodded and accepted Sifer's helping hand. Yus went back to nagging Rez. Sifer himself looked increasingly bright-faced.

He's been trying hard for a month in Marianna City. There are other agents who are now helping the Hamra Family rehabilitate and reconstruct the city. His work will be over in a moment. He could soon enjoy his vacation.

"Do you want to go now?" bargain Sifer politely, "I'll prepare a horse to get there."

"Come," Derrick replied.

Derrick is ready. He put his sword on his back. They both leave without bodyguards. Sifer said the line was secure. The distance is not too far away anyway.

"Are you ready?" Sifer led a handsome brown horse. Her friendly smile was beautiful on her face. Derrick would never have thought that the man of manners had committed a pirate massacre in Marianna City a month ago.

"Let's follow me, Young Master Duke," Sifer rode his horse followed by Derrick. They went through the gate of the only fortress. The bodyguard guarding the gate saluted when Derrick showed his emblem.

The horse ran very fast. Their footprints were on those dry deserted streets. Dust grains billowing in the air. The sun starts to confidently emit its rays.

To the right and left of Derrick are steep cliffs. He was amazed by the Saville Family who could cut the mountain. His mind was filled with questions.

The distance is really close. Derrick saw a gray walled gate in the distance. The wall is not high. Very much different from the high and sturdy Fort van Ryvat.

This time it was Sapphire's turn to show her badge. The gate was opened soon. The village that Rez told him about began to be seen in Derrick's eyes.

Rather than being called a village, the place is more suitable to be called a neat housing complex. A large highway was built in the middle, branching off in various directions across Saville. The population is quite a lot. They had bright faces with well-built bodies. Derrick had just realized that Sifer also had a strong body. He might be on par with a senior knight.

"Why do they wrap their heads and hair?" Derrick watched the hooded women walking around him, "Didn't they feel sultry on this hot day?"

"Wrapping?" at first Sifer was a little confused. He immediately understood when following the client's point of view. He understood, then made sure, "You mean the girls and women, right?"

Derrick nodded, then Sifer happily explained, "They close the aurat and keep the honor. That is their right and duty as women. If asked if they are not sultry, I don't really know. Maybe they're used to it because they've been wearing it since childhood."

"Eart? What'sthat?" Derrick doesn't understand the vocabulary Sifer uses. He felt like he had just discovered something new that caught his attention. Researching these cultural differences may be a pleasant refreshing for him.

"The law is the part of the body that should not be revealed. Instinctively, the part that is considered aurat can definitely cause embarrassment if viewed by others. Especially women. You could say, they wore that veil to keep the jewelry."

"Interesting," commented Derrick who later muttered, "This is much different from the culture in the Kingdom of el Vierum. So, Akilla van Ryvat always wore those covered clothes for that reason. Well, she does look more graceful and dignified than any other noble girl."

"You mean Princess van Ryvat who is now part of the Pearl Palace?" Sapphire found something even more interesting. If the guess is correct, then...!? Nah! Looking at Derrick's flat face, it seemed like it was wrong.

"Yes, she's the most unique girl in social circles" replied Derrick without a face that didn't change in the least.

"Huh? I hear you don't like to go to events like that" Sifer pulled again his pessimism. He found signs that added to the possibility.

"There's a very chatty person in my office, "unknowingly, Derrick has already started to open himself up to Sapphire's whereabouts, "You don't need to know any further."

"You investigate the princesses?' guess Sapphire.

"Little bit" said Derrick briefly. The water is very calm. Sapphires can't find anything there.

Although it looks outside so, in Derrick's heart there is something that tickles warm. He remembered the girl he just called. He felt something, but did not know and did not want to admit what it was.