As they continued their stroll, a serious thought entered Jacob’s mind.

"Did you tell Lidia about the king’s blood being in the food and water? I’m only curious because she is in charge of the main food distribution."

Maria’s face turned serious.

"That’s the frightening thing; she had no idea it was happening which means there are two ways the king is somehow getting it in the resources. He has people in the market areas doing it for him or his blood is somehow being mixed with the groundwater we are using to grow crops. Considering that his blood is also in our water, I believe the second one to be more plausible."

"Damn..."

Maria squeezed his hand.

"It’s going to be okay. I know we’ll figure something out."

A small silence followed her comment.

"I think we should get to know the noble clans better. I feel like we hardly know anything about them to trust them so easily. Especially the Katra Clan."

"I heard they are having this dinner planned at Sarah’s tonight. Do you think we should go?"

Jacob smiled to himself.

"I’d rather spend the evening with you alone if that’s okay. It would just feel like we would be doing more work by going to the dinner and trying to build relationships. I want to enjoy this peace with you as long as I can."

Maria punched him on the arm gently.

"So much for this peace you wanted. We’ve both broken so many things today!"

They both laughed before stopping at a large fountain. Around the area, there seemed to be a festival going on. There were many women dancing with their kids, guys cheering with a large group of friends, and people throwing coins into the well and putting their hands together. Jacob noticed what looked to be an art stand with multiple empty canvas.

He rushed over to see what it was about. The woman behind the counter smiled brightly.

"Hello there, young lord. How may I help you today?"

"Hello ma’am. What is this art stuff you are selling?"

"I’m selling canvases for kids to paint whatever they like. However, you may purchase some too if you desire. I will provide the paint completely free as long as you return it."

"That sounds fun! I’ll take one please."

The lady handed over a large empty paper and a few buckets of paint. Maria helped him carry the paint to a nice spot on the stone streets. She looked at him confused.

"Why did you only get one paper to paint on?"

"I thought we could paint on it together. Create something that both of us like."

She smiled brightly.

"I guess jumping right to creating a legacy together was a bit forward. Creating something like this will be much easier! What should we paint?"

"I think we should try and paint that view we always see."

"I see. That’s quite a lovely idea. Let’s do it!"

As they both started to paint on the canvas, it only took three moments before disaster struck. They kept bumping into each other’s heads, painting over each other and getting paint all over their clothes and skin.

"Hey, stay on your side, Maria!"

"My side? You keep bumping into me with your big head!"

Jacob grabbed a big bucket of blue paint from her.

"Stop hogging all the blude paint! I need some more for the sky."

Maria yanked it back.

"I wasn’t finished!"

They wrestled each other over their paper. Paint started flying everywhere as they fought. Both of their outfits were a complete mess, and they had paint splattered all across their face. Eventually, Maria put Jacob in a headlock. He started kicking and squirming to free himself. The area around them started getting affected. The ground started to quake from each impact.

"You’re making a scene Maria! Let go!"

"Not until you give me my paint!"

"It’s both of ours! Why are we even fighting?!"

"Because I feel like it!"

Jacob got his head out from her grasp and tackled her to the ground. More paint went flying everywhere. Everyone in the festival enjoyed watching the show so much that they all started laughing and cheering.

"I got my money on that brunette! Look at how determined her eyes look! That paint will be hers!"

"I got mine on the prince! No way he’s going to let her get away with that!"

Eventually, Maria started biting Jacob to try and get an advantage when he finally got a good grip around her neck with his arm, trying to calm her down. More people around them laughed.

’Damn it! Why are they laughing?! We’re being serious!’

Eventually, they both just stared at each other breathing heavily with messy hair and painted bodies. Jacob held out his hand.

"Truce?"

Maria smiled innocently and grabbed his hand.

"Truce."

Suddenly, she pulled him forward, causing him to fall on his face. Using the opportunity, Maria grabbed the now completely empty blue paint bucket and raised it above her head.

"RAH!"

The crowd erupted with applause and whistles. After Maria noticed there was no more paint, she brought the empty buckets back to the woman.

"Thank you for the paint! We must go now!"

As Maria walked over back to their painting, Jacob was already staring at it peacefully. Upon the canvas was exactly the view they were used to seeing in perfect detail. The mess they caused miraculously created a masterpiece from the chaos. However, something that caught both Jacob and Maria’s attention was even the rift from the meadow they saw was somehow visible with a small black dot of paint.

"Creepy. I don’t like weird coincidences. Maybe we can paint over it later."

He stood up and rolled the painting before handing it to Maria.

"Consider it a gift for me fighting over the paint."

Right as he said this, Jacob noticed something terrifying looming over him. It was the shadow of the kingdom’s walls. The sun was quickly descending in the sky, which meant nighttime was almost upon them.

"Shit..."

Without saying anything, Jacob scooped up Maria in his arms and sprinted back towards the palace. Maria started blushing but put her arms around his neck to balance herself anyway.

"Jacob? Where are we going?"

"No time. Just hold on tight!"

Jacob ran so fast up the steps, he almost tripped when he reached the top. There were some guards who tried to stop him to make him drink wine, but he was moving too fast and knocked them over from his momentum.

"I’m sorry! I’ll do it later!"

Jacob was almost back to the Rose Clan dormitories. Right as he reached the front of the door, he started banging on it.

"I made it, Lidia! I’m in time! I have Maria and she’s okay!"

Lidia opened the door slowly.

"I have to say, I completely doubted you would make it back in ti-"

Lidia saw the two of them. Jacob was still holding Maria in his hands, both of their hair was a complete mess, there was paint covering all of their bodies and Maria lost a shoe on the journey back.

Jacob saw Lidia’s reaction and slowly set Maria down before putting his hands behind his back innocently.

"What the hell happened to you two?! Were you both attacked by a paint monster?!"

Maria handed Lidia the painting.

"We made this together, mom. We worked really hard on it. But, if it’s not that good it’s because Jacob stole the blue paint from me and we kind of... fought over it."

Lidia studied the art with amazement.

"Wow! This is really good! Did you win the fight?"

Maria smiled brightly.

"Of course!"

"That’s my girl! Come inside and we can get you cleaned up."

However, as Maria walked inside, Lidia ran out towards Jacob and scooped him in a massive hug. Jacob’s ribs started creaking from the force.

"M-miss Lidia. I think you’re going to collapse my lungs!"

Lidia held on but loosened her grip. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Thank you for bringing her back to me safe. I’m so glad you didn’t kiss that girl in the shoe shop! You passed the test!"

Jacob could not have been more confused at any of these remarks.

’Shoe shop? Kiss a girl? A test? What exactly was I expected to do today?’

Jacob awkwardly let out a response.

"No problem."

Lidia finally let go of Jacob, allowing a normal amount of air to fill his lungs.

"So, is there anything else you need?"

"Me and Maria want to get to know the noble clans better. I’m sorry we missed the dinner tonight by the way."

"It’s okay. But if we are getting together with them again, it will have to be after we work in the fields. We are getting a bit behind on our quota, so the Rose Clan needs to go back and help."

"That’s fine. I’m sure Maria and I will figure out something we all can do. I’ll talk with the Katra Clan."

Even though she walked inside, Maria ran past Lida and gave Jacob a hug and whispered into his ear.

"Thank you for today."

Jacob got chills hearing her alluring voice so close.

"I’ll see you tomorrow."

With that, Maria and Lidia walked back into the Rose Clan door and closed it. Jacob could have sworn that the second the door shut, he heard Lidias loud voice begging Maria to tell her details and drama.