I’ve Been Exiled, But I’m Alive and Well - Chapter 113 (Patreon)

“Elle, where do you want to go?”

It's been almost three weeks since my stay in Arburn. I've already been to all the places I wanted to visit.
I'm not sure where I want to go. However, I can't afford to waste Jed's goodwill, so what should I do?
I looked around for a good idea and saw a sign.

“Jed, would you like to go to a play?”
“In a theatre? That’s something the nobles go to see, right?”
“It’s a play for commoners.”

I pointed to a poster advertising a play.

“The Boheme Troupe…?”
"It's a troupe that travels all over the world.”

The Boheme Troupe.
It’s an unusual troupe that has about fifty members, ranging in age from five to seventy, and come from very different backgrounds.
Originally, there were apparently only five people in the troupe, but as they traveled around the world, they became the number they are today.
The duration of their stay in one town is only a week.
The contents of their plays is not favored by the nobility. It's no wonder that the troupe's target audience is commoners.

“You seem to know a lot about them.”
“I had been to one plays of theirs before.”

I've been to a play once. When I was in the Ansanse Kingdom, I stopped by the Boheme Troupe when I was out in the castle town with His Highness Cyril.
The story was about a young commoner who overthrown a tyrannical king who tormented his people and ruled the country. The battle scenes were so extreme that many people looked away, especially when the king was killed. It was a refreshing story in terms of content, but I don't think the nobility would like it.
His Highness Cyril apologized after watching it, saying that he was sorry for making me sit through such a play, but I personally found it quite interesting.
I was fascinated by the actors' performances, regardless of the content. It was a wonderful play that I would like to see again.
The only thing is that they left the next time I went to the castle town, and I didn't expect to see them again.
I never thought I would see them again in Arburn.

“It’s about to start. I wonder if there are any seats available?”
“Would you like to join me then?”
“Of course.”

I followed Jed as he started to walk ahead of me.
The central square was packed with people, and I was beginning to worry if there were any empty seats.
The line went on, and once inside, we reached the ticket booth.
Jed looked unsure of what to do, perhaps because it was his first time doing something like this, but he stepped forward and called out to the salesperson.

"Excuse me, do you still have tickets for today?
“We only have box seats left, is that okay?"

Box seats are more expensive than regular seats.
But this is not a high-class theater where aristocrats come. It's probably not that expensive.
It's fine for me, but what about Jed?
I looked at him and decided on my own that he would be fine there.

“Understood.”

As expected, the price was not that high. But it's my standard, so a commoner probably wouldn't have enough.
That's why they still had these seats available.
The commoners of the Principality of Agreable are not very well off. It is understandable that they would hesitate to buy tickets with this price.

“I will pay for it.”

“I stopped Jed who was about to pay the full price. He looked at me, saying, “You don’t have to mind it.”
I've always thought that Jed had a lot of money, even though he doesn't work.
I wonder if he's related to the royal family. Or maybe his family is just rich.
I'm not in a position to speak for anyone else, but he has a very strange sense of money, too.

"Anyway, since I invited you, I'll pay.”
"Then I will pay for yours. You can pay for mine.”
"Excuse me, I will pay.”

Not wanting to be left out, I paid in full and was given a drink voucher. Apparently, they were given out to those in the box seats.
Jed looked apologetic and asked, "Is that okay?" But the purpose of today's outing was to thank him, and he had to accompany me to the play. I won’t feel good unless he lets me pay for it.

"Don't worry about it. Let's go get a drink.”
"You can drink while watching?”
"It's a box seat, so no one will blame you. It’s not polite to drink during a quiet scene, though.”
"I see."

Jed looked at the vouchers curiously.
I believe that kids from well-off families should have seen a play or two during their childhood.
Was it my misunderstanding after all? I'm not sure anymore.
We head upstairs and arrive at the bar counter.

“You are drinking alcohol?”
“Yes, what would you like?”
“Let’s see…”

I’m drinking with moderation.
Though, if Giselle knew that I had been drinking, she would be furious.

"Jed, please keep it a secret from Giselle that I was drinking.”

When I said so to Jed, who was holding a bottle of alcohol in his hand, he nodded with an expression of uncertainty. He seemed to have a question, "Fine, but why?"

“Because I'm going to get scolded otherwise.”
"So that's it. Alright.”

I'm glad he didn’t pry into my affairs.
I handed him the voucher and ordered a cocktail that, despite its refreshing appearance, had a high alcohol content. After I came of age at fifteen, I always drank one of these when I saw a play.
I ordered it out of habit.

I went to my seat, humming to myself as I watched my first play in a long time.

Next chapter: https://www.patreon.com/posts/55439046