[img]https://files.catbox.moe/9kfkwe.png[/img] The blonde woman had motioned for him to follow her, it made the nobleman raise an eyebrow. Since when was he supposed to let a commoner lead him? He was a noble, he should go first! But then… he began to think more about it. A few extra seconds at least. This was akin to how he and Flynn were hunting in their youth on horseback, how they would saddle up on their high horses and literally be elevated above everyone elses heads. It made him feel nostalgic. Of course his horse was of a richer breed than Flynn's, that was likely why he saw to compensate it with all the decoration. He couldn't help but feel that Flynn, despite his royal blood at times felt insufficient in his presence. Thus the nobleman felt at ease letting this happen. Beside they were bestest of friends. How they would have entered the forests with their bows at the ready. However the goddess clearly saw more promise in him than Flynn, that's why his bow was much harder to string than Flynn's for certain. The hunting dogs did do well at hunting deer, but Flynn always managed to fling his arrow first due to his clear advantage in gear! The nobleman furrowed his eyebrows as he kept following Dyna, forgetting about addressing her or memorizing the way they were going. That he had been forced to jam one of his own arrows into the already dead deer to prove that he had in fact hit it. It wasn't his fault that the goddess had bestowed him with the guile of a divine consort. Even Flynn was unable to tell. But then again. Outscoring royalty was frowned upon. Even by the most prestigious families. He recall his own words to Flynn back then. [color=f49ac2][b][i]'It would appear despite my perfectly aimed arrow, this deer in particular seemed defiant enough to not be felled by one arrow, and thus your highness was able to finish it. Well done!'[/i][/b][/color] He thought back on his words and smiled. Those were the good old day when the sun still shone and- Now he realized why he was remembered of a hunt. Following Dyna was like following a dog. A hunting dog. He slammed his empty fist into the palm of his other hand as he came to the realization. Which came just around the same time that Dyna motioned to the more private section of the hot spring at the very top. The nobleman's eyes began to sparkle like only privileged noble eyes would, his eyes wandered over it. Perhaps it was true. Perhaps this girl was in fact serving his goddess, maybe she saw something useful in her. The nobleman blushed as he pondered on it. Aelios had known he would visit and had prepared a servant to greet him, and made sure she were of a lower birth and rank than himself so that he wouldn't feel being less than what he were. He felt a sudden warmth that almost took him off-guard, and he wasn't the type of man to ever be caught off-guard. He had only felt these feeling towards himself before. Coming to think of it, he had such a feeling at the marketplace the other day. Wait a moment. This blonde woman was present. He may have been drunk from his wine. He thought he had seen double, but no. This woman definitely had horns back then. And now she didn't. By the goddess. Aelios had cured her of the blight. The nobleman's eyes widened. That meant he was likely the cure to the blight himself. For who amongst Aelios choosen would have nobler, purer blood than him? No one! He had to find Flynn and tell the news! But first he had to bathe. Ayel set his ever precious noble eyes on Dyna for a moment before looking over the private section of the hotspring. [color=f49ac2][b]"You have my gratitude, which is a reward in itself, you may be dismissed. However I would also like you to make sure to not allow any animals in here while I am enjoying the view."[/b][/color] He looked down at the water, even if it was steamy, he could make out the perfect structure of his face in the watery reflection. And then he turned to Dyna, who had left. Just when did she leave? Had she left before he had finished his speech of gratitude even? He felt like gritting his teeth. Those uncultured rude commoners. But in this case perhaps Aelios had some less important task for her like tending to the latrine or bathe that guardsman. Perhaps she had returned to stand where she initially stood? He shook his head, whilst rich he couldn't afford any more moments thinking about it. He began to undress and in his horror couldn't find a place to hang up his noble attire. Putting them on the stones was not an option. Not only could they get splashed but only commoners placed their clothes on the ground. He chuckled as he imagined those northern barbarians bathing, if they even did. Likely fully clad in their clothes. He spotted a torch being held at a nearby wooden post with an iron holding piece on it. That was perfect for hanging up his attire and hat. He reached up with all his height and grabbed the crude looking torch and looked for a trash-barrel. But upon not finding any, he couldn't put it into the water to put it out, he just tossed it away. Somewhere over the other end of the outside of the building. Or was it the forest? Either way. He was rid of it right now. He fully undressed and his hat, corset and rest of his attire was hung up on the torch handle. He put his exepensive jewelry into his pouch which he put into his coat, before he was fully undressed and went over towards the water. [color=f49ac2][i]'I shall descend into Aelios holy water with grace befitting of a lord-'[/i][/color] He thought and then he felt that his previous slow pace began to speed up drastically. The stone he had stepped on had been misplaced by some underhanded mason. He didn't slip. The noble fell into the spring headfirst and then his head popped up, his hair over his eyes. He reached up to attempt to fix his locks which were now drenched. He pulled his hair back. [color=f49ac2][b]"Wretched craftmanshi- Wait a moment."[/b][/color] He said aloud, another brilliant thought entered his head. Perhaps it was not so badly crafted. He had thought himself as a lord... Aelios had gotten displeased. He was a consort to be, not a lord. He had for a moment forgotten his importance and place in the world, and the goddess in her attention upon him had given him a reminder. It all now made sense to him. He clasped both his hands together and looked at the dark sky. [color=f49ac2][b]"Praise the sun!"[/b][/color] Then the nobleman tried to move to the border of the upper spring section, looking down at the regular spring below. Wonderful. It was wonderful. He felt truly like a god watching down from above. He could likely behold all those unclean and undeserving commoners from up here. Perhaps that priestess of the other day could be bringing him cheese and wine up here on a platter. The more he thought about it. Perhaps having those savages bathe below was a good idea after all. He could distinguish himself from them, and watch them beat and fight each other. Like gladiatorial combat. A crude sport. But they were crude creatures. How fitting. The marquess smirked and relaxed. Nothing was going to ruin this moment for him. He was getting what he deserved. He had to find his friend later and relay his theory that made all the sense in the world, that he… himself was the cure for the blight. Maybe a single drop of blood could cure all ills? Wait a moment. He could make a fortune selling a cure! He could put the price high enough so only the rich and successful could buy them! A plan began to take shape. A master plan even.