The young girl, named Alisha stayed in the alley for a while longer, finding comfort in its solitude. When the princess got up and dusted herself off, she felt a presence behind her and quickly turned around, coming face to face with a tall mature man wearing an elegant outfit. He had his long brown hair slicked back and his posture and expression showcased a high social status. “Good evening to you milady. My name is Roderick Derichs. "He said with an elegant voice. “G-Good evening…” Alisha replied hesitantly for some reason. "I happened to have overheard your statement back at that inn." The mature man stated while crossing his arms behind his back. “I also heard how shamefully the people of the guild replied…” He continued while looking straightly at her. “Y-Yeah…” The young girl said in a low voice, feeling uncomfortable about the topic she was so desperately trying to get over. “I would like to point out that there is nothing funny about your goal, because something like that is entirely possible. I've heard countless times about those strange stones and I believe that I'm capable of helping you find them.” Roderick explained with a gentle smile. “Really? You can?!” Alisha suddenly raised her voice in excitement. “I can indeed. Would you like to talk it over lunch? It's already noon.” He proposed while gesturing warmly. “Sure, let's go mister Roderick! My name is Alisha Leonheart. "She said while making a small bow. “It's an honor to meet you.” He said gently as he took the lead. “Miss Leonheart…” he quietly repeated after her with a smirk while his boots made clamping sounds on the stone pavement as he began walking.

Almost an hour later, as Alisha and Roderick had finished their meal at a luxurious restaurant overlooking the harbor, they were discussing the topic at hand over a drink. "So when you said that you've heard about the gems... What did you mean by that?" Alisha said while she brought the glass to her lips trying to act as mature as possible. “As I've already said before, miss Leonheart, I have served as one of the bodyguards for the Emperor himself for over 2 years. Thus I met people from all the walks of life and I've heard of quite some tales. Of course that includes tales about the so-called magical gems you're searching for." Roderick replied while taking a sip from the red liquid floating about his glass carefully trying not to stain his white cotton shirt. "So exactly what have you heard, if you don't mind me asking?" The girl asked earnestly as she tried to process the situation. “Everything will be revealed on time milady, do not fret. I just need you to trust me on this. ” He said softly while crossing his legs. “I'll try…” The young girl replied looking unsure as she swiftly finished her non-alcoholic drink and placed the glass back on the table. "Shall we be off, Miss Leonheart?" Roderick said as he finished his own drink and picked up the tab. Alisha nodded regaining her composure.

You didn't have to pay mister Roderick... ”The princess stated while opening the door leading outside. "Do not worry milady, it Is common decency!" The man said while raising his voice in a playful manner. “But-“ Alisha was cut off as she saw a familiar face woke by her. "THAT'S HIM!" She thought to herself while recalling the events at the guild hall. "THAT RUDE BOY!!" She continued her train of thoughts as they both looked at each other while passing by. "Is something the matter, milady?" Roderick asked, touching her shoulder gently. "No, no... It's... It's nothing." The young girl said softly while holding her head. "Are you okay?" He asked in a worried tone. “Yeah it's just a headache…” She replied while she continued walking. “THE MOMENT I SEE THAT IDIOT AGAIN, I GET A TERRIBLE HEADACHE!” Alisha thought to herself once again, blaming the young man for her unexpected misfortune. The grown man, immediately took her hand and escorted her to a shaded alley. “Wait here miss Leonheart. I will get you a glass of water" He quickly stated while taking off towards a nearby building. "What is happening to me..?" The young girl whispered weakly as she gradually lost consciousness and her body hit the ground with a thud.

"W-where am I?" Alisha whispered as an unfamiliar ceiling came into view while she pushed her heavy eyelids open. Steadily, she tried to move her hands but yet another unfamiliar resistance blocked her movements, and only then did she realize the cold sensation on her wrists and the rustling noise of chains echoing through the room. "I'm tied up?!" The young princess exclaimed as she tried to get up but to no avail. "Good morning... milady!" A familiar voice echoed with a different tone through the room. "Did you sleep well?" The same voice could be heard asking not so sincerely. "Roderick!" Alisha hissed angrily as she turned her body, that was lying on the cold concrete floor, to look at the man she had spent the evening with "What is the meaning of this?!" The princess continued, shooting him a furious glare. "Your kidnapping, what else?" Roderick replied, as he walked back towards a desk and sat on the chair. Alisha quickly scanned the room realizing that they were not alone. Five men, in fact, were standing near the seated man, all of them wearing blank expressions, devoid of emotion. Furthermore, each and every one of them, including Roderick, had swords hanging from their belts. “You're messing with the wrong princess!” The young girl stated confidently as she tried to break free from her confinements. “Don't even try little girl. These cuffs are made from sealstone. You can't use magic while wearing them. And besides you don't even have your staff with you. Your resistance is completely futile.” The grown man slightly amused said, as a cocky and evil smirk formed on his lips. “Sealstone? So this was your plan all along?" Alisha asked clenching her fists behind her back in frustration. “Of course it was! To think that you would actually believe that some grown man with so much experience would believe in this stupid legend let alone help you search for these non-existent stones! Oh how naïve and stupid you are, little girl..." Roderick exclaimed emphatically while his expression changed from polite and elegant to cocky and evil. The fake kindness in his eyes was no longer there, as greed gradually took over. “I don't need your help! I don't need anyone's help! I'm going to find them even if it's the last thing I'll do! I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF PEOPLE TELLING ME WHAT YO DO!" The young girl shouted in an outburst. "You will find them?!" Roderick said as a hysteric laughter followed shortly after. “Quit it little girl. People like you are really annoying. The seven magical gems are not real! They're just a fairy tale! Your dream of finding these damned stones cannot be fulfilled!! FACE IT! ”The grown man shouted even louder with each sentence as he tried to crash Alisha's spirit. “I don't give a damn what you or anyone says… I will find them… I will never stop believing! AND NO ONE IS CAPABLE OF TAKING MY DREAMS AWAY FROM ME! ” But she shouted at the top of her lungs once again, managing to get up to her knees while warm tears rolled down her cheeks. “You're extremely annoying little girl!! You, Hugo, gag her as I write the letter to her parents!” Roderick commanded and the man on the far corner of the room nodded, as he brought a piece of paper in front of him. “Letter? You'll ask for a ransom?!” Alisha quickly voiced as she came to the most logical conclusion. "How much are you going to ask for Master Roderick?" A man standing next to him asked in a weird voice as he itched closer to the man in order to take a peek on the piece of paper. "That is none of your concern, Julio." Roderick quickly replied ignoring Alisha's statement completely. "Get away from me!" The young princess almost automatically shouted as the tall man, presumably named Hugo, brought a cloth to her mouth and tried to tie it up behind her head. "Stop resisting!" A hoarse voice came from the struggling guard as he grabbed her shoulder from the back. Then suddenly, at that exact moment the door flew off it's hinges and crashed on the wall directly in front of it. Everybody darted their heads towards the entrance of their room, where a figure of average height was standing. Ashen hair. Black sleeveless top. White bandages on both forearms and black gloves. Dark brown pants and black boots. Excellent crafted sword and a pair of cold blue eyes staring at Roderick with killing intent. "It's YOU!" Alisha shouted in a mixture of relief and confusion. “Hey there fellows. Mind if I join in?" Erin, the man Alisha met back at the guild hall, inquired not breaking face in the slightest.