in the name of the queen

Chapter 15 The early bird catches the early bug
  Roland had never seen Los Angeles at four in the morning, but he was lucky enough to see the night view of Sussex, the imperial capital, at four in the morning.

The night view of the imperial capital can only be described in one word.

black.

It's so dark that you can't even see your fingers.

At this time, industrial civilization was still in its infancy, magic civilization was not widespread, and the chic nightlife was only exclusive to a few nobles.

The disadvantage is that when running, one foot is deep and the other foot is shallow.

The advantage is that you don’t have to worry about hitting anyone at all.

Who would be a serious person going out at this time?
  After scaring away three or two stray cats, Roland finally rushed home.

He wanted to go back to the house and sleep directly, but he still walked to the small restaurant out of habit.

The small wooden building where he and Lisa lived was a public property built by the empire. The property rights belonged to the empire, and the renters only had the right to use it.

My father was a junior officer with military exploits and was able to rent a house at a lower price.

That rear-rear battle was so brutal that he and his comrades finally became one with the earth and couldn't dig it up at all.

According to imperial law, this situation is considered missing and changed to death after three years.

The father is dead, but he is still "alive" in terms of procedures.

Only after the death is confirmed for three years will the procedures be completed to take away the public rental house or collect the full rent.

If nothing else happens, Roland will have to move out in a few months.

Of course, if you can find the official responsible for specific affairs and put something round and hard in the meat floss pancakes you send, no one will take it seriously.

The empire had an obligation to protect military orphans, and it made sense to do so.

Roland's family only consists of father and son. Their residence is spacious and the extra rooms are sublet to Lisa's family.

Not charging rent, the price is to take care of Roland and his son's food and daily life.

Roland's father was in the military camp most of the time, and Lisa's family was mainly responsible for taking care of Roland.

As time passed, he became closer to Lisa, but his father became a bit of a stranger.

No matter how late she comes home, Lisa will wait for him to have dinner with her.

He never tried to come home late at night.

The Imperial Library closed at ten o'clock in the evening, and he had nowhere to go.

Walking into the restaurant quietly, Roland originally thought that there would only be a cold bowl of Thalia noodles on the table, but he was quickly stunned.

Lisa is also in the restaurant.

She lay on the table, her hair a little disheveled, and just fell asleep.

On the dining table where she was sitting at her desk, the noodles that had been warmed in a basin had already become a ball, and the hot water had turned into cold water.

Roland's tiredness disappeared instantly.

Pick up the bowl, pick up the fork, roll up the noodles and put it in your mouth.

Familiar taste, just cold.

This is probably what home feels like.

If there is anyone in this world who is simply kind to him, it must be Lisa.

They were little hedgehogs shivering in the cold wind, trying to keep a distance where they could keep each other warm without getting stuck.

After swallowing the cold noodles, this dinner was definitely not a sumptuous meal, but there was a smile on Roland's lips.

When he was just rushing home from the Belfa neighborhood, he saw a small building for sale.

The yard is small and somewhat dilapidated. It's obvious that no one has lived in it for a long time.

Although I can't see clearly the advertising paper posted at the door, there must be contact information on it.

A dilapidated house is easier to negotiate.

After the training class ends tomorrow, I will take Lisa to see the house.

Of course, before looking at the house, he had to find Editor Byron to get the bonus.

The results of the essay competition have been determined, and it’s time to cash out the prize money.

While Roland was eating noodles, Lisa woke up from her sleep while rubbing her eyes.

"Roland, why don't you come back?"

She looked at Roland who was eating noodles in surprise, unable to distinguish between dreams and reality for a moment.

"I was delayed for a while because of something, but luckily I got back. My sister's cooking skills are the best."

Lisa's eyes fell on Roland tenderly, and she complained softly: "Really? I haven't forgotten that person's tortured expression while eating yesterday."

"That's not my sister's problem, that's Sussex's national dish."

Roland teased with a smile.

It’s no secret that the pinnacle of Sussex cooking is potato chips and fried fish.

Other than that, it’s all dark cuisine. But that doesn’t mean these two “national dishes” are delicious.

They are just passable.

Being accustomed to Thaliya cuisine, it was natural that I could not accept Soviet-style cuisine.

Lisa looked at the moonlight outside the window in confusion, her tone full of surprise. "Is it late at night?"

"If we sit for a while after our meal, we can enjoy the sunrise over the Thames River."

Lisa said "Ah" and looked at Roland with concern.

"Then you should rest quickly. I will go to the post office to ask for leave at dawn. Teacher Margaret will definitely understand."

No, she won't.

Roland thought silently.

Margaret's attitude towards him changed because he cooperated and could successfully complete the task.

If Roland becomes an obstacle to completing the mission, it would be strange for her not to fall out.

He smiled and said, "It's okay, I've already had a good sleep."

"Where did you sleep? Can you sleep if you're not at home?"

"Alina's house."

Roland put the last noodle into his mouth and briefly explained what happened just before Lisa asked.

Lisa's expression became a little strange.

She slammed the table angrily.

Roland was about to explain, but she couldn't help but complain.

"Miss Alina is going too far. You are a guest after all, but you are actually asked to leave in the middle of the night."

"Well, I left on my own initiative." Roland reminded softly.

Lisa bit her lip and said, "If she wants to let you rest, what if there is an obedient devil maid who can carry out the order, even if she leaves a note on the bedside?"

Roland was silent.

He didn't think so much.

Lisa was right, Alina just provided him with a place to rest temporarily and didn't care if he left.

"I always feel like there's something wrong with this woman, and it's big!"

Lisa grabbed Roland's sleeve and said softly: "Would you like to have less contact with her? You are too simple-minded, and I'm afraid you will suffer a loss."

Roland wanted to say that he had an agreement with Alina, but in Lisa's anxious and concerned eyes, all the reasons were just excuses.

Thousands of words, only one word left.

"it is good."

Alina lets being a model be just an excuse, she is actually using him as an observation sample.

She was secretly playing cards again last night while she was drawing.

Although Roland did not look back, he saw it through the reflection of the window.

The flames of the fireplace illuminated the windows, exposing Alina's carefulness in secretly picking the cards.

The agreement has been fulfilled and he owes Alina nothing.

Seeing that Roland still listened to the advice, Lisa had a satisfied smile on her lips, and her anxious mood became much calmer.

She resolutely refused to let Roland put away the tableware, so she picked up the tableware and walked to the kitchen.

As expected, Roland came back late enough. The sky was already white, and the sun of a new day was coming soon.

Just as she was about to wash the dishes, a big hand reached out and took the rag.

"Sister, I know what you are worried about."

Roland dipped the tableware into the sink and scrubbed it calmly.

"But I'm already in the game and there's no way out."

Wiping off the water droplets on the tableware, he raised the corners of his mouth slightly and pointed at a bird.

"The early bird catches the worm. Since you have no choice, just start early."

By coincidence, the great tit pointed by Roland quickly flew towards a wooden house, grabbed a small insect in its mouth, and flew away happily.

Lisa was silent.

The early bird catches the worm, but what about the early worm?
  The golden and red sunlight crawled into the room and fell on Roland.

His smile melted in the sunshine and was particularly bright.

Lisa laughed too.

She may be a shivering insect, but who dares to say that Roland is not the bird that flies first?
  (End of this chapter)