You decide to say goodbye.

You consider the situation based on a balance between the norms of aristocratic courtesy and a sense of gratitude towards your companions.

You think, “Associating with these two commoners will probably be of no use to me... However, I still feel grateful towards them. Franz and Oolok helped me. It would be quite worthy of me to say words of gratitude to them as they parted.”

You reply to your charming cousin Olienna that you consider it necessary to spend a little time meeting with your old acquaintances to thank them and say goodbye.

Olienna smiles tactfully in response, although there is some confusion in her gaze. She orders a pair of armored guards to escort you to the place where Franz and Oolok are now.

Armored warriors lead you to one of the large wooden buildings that are located in the area next to the castle.

Large two-story building.

On the ground floor there is a stable, and on the second floor there are rooms for grooms.

You go to the second floor.

Servants coming towards you immediately bow low to you.

You, conscious of your own nobility, gladly accept these signs of veneration for your person.

You and two armored warriors approach a small, dirty room on the second floor.

With some surprise, you see that another armored warrior is standing near the door to the room.

As a precaution. Perhaps unnecessary precautions.

You and two guards go inside the room.

Oolok is sitting on a small bed. The blanket is crumpled randomly.

Franz is cutting a loaf of bread near the wooden table.

The gazes of your recent companions are directed in your direction.

But as soon as they see that you are accompanied by two armored warriors, a certain suppressed... nervousness immediately begins to be felt in their eyes.

You smile friendly and say: “I wanted to thank you, guys. You both helped me get to my family's castle. You both protected me during our dangerous journey. I asked my cousin that you both be adequately paid for your services.”

Franz and Oolok's gazes barely flicker over your face. For some reason, their attention is mainly focused on the two armored warriors who are accompanying you.

In response to your words, Franz nods slightly and says: “I was glad to help you, Jerome... I'm sorry, I should have said, honorable sir Jerome! We were both actually paid a significant amount of money. Thank you!"

The half-orc's gaze expresses suppressed feelings.

What is this?

Anger? Contempt? Yearning?

Oolok gloomily says: “Yes... They gave me money. A hundred gold coins is a lot of money... During the journey, I experienced a lot with you, Jerome... You wanted to find your family and now you have succeeded. But I’m clearly not welcome here... If I have to leave, so be it..."

You feel awkward and embarrassed.

For the last week, your life in this castle has brought you nothing but pleasure.

However, you weren’t even interested in how Franz and Oolok live. Obviously, their living conditions were different from yours. And the differences were clearly for the worse.

Suddenly Oolok quietly speaks to you: “I would like to tell you something, Jerome... Something personal... Could you order these two armored warriors to wait in the corridor...”

You are a little surprised by this request.

What does the half-orc want to tell you?

Is this something important?

Or are these just obscene phrases that are associated with your “intimate” relationships in the past?