"Are you a nobleman from a neighbouring kingdom?" asked Alya. She has put her axe down and is now curtsying. 

"Well, that was a close guess. I am a courier from the kingdom of Nereya," answered the foreigner.

"Oh, I see. Welcome to the kingdom of Aoira," said Alya. 

"And if I may ask, what is a young lady doing here in the middle of the forest alone?" 

"Well, this young lady has to earn some bread," said Alya. 

"Earn some bread? How about your husband?" the charming courier asked.

"I don't have a husband, sir. I am still young and I believe I have plenty of time to charm a dashing carpenter later," said Alya.

"Carpenter? You are looking for a carpenter specifically?" asked the courier, emphasizing the word "specifically".

"Well, my father is a carpenter. So it will be great if I can get someone to help my father and I. The business is quite busy with this advance growth of our city."

"I see. Please forgive me for being rude. My name is Garnet. And you are?" he stretches out his right arm to handshake Alya's.

"Alyana Aurelia."

"Well, Miss Alya. I am not going to prevent you from doing your work. But if you'd allow me, I would like to take a rest under the shade of that tree there," Garnet said.

"I think that's fine. The forest isn't mine you know. You don't have to ask for my permission." 

Garnet smiles and retreats to get some shade. After a quite few hours, he asked.

"So, do girls normally work this hard in your country?" 

Alya was about to swing her axe to finally cut the trunk of the tree when he asked. She stopped and then looks at him.

"What? I am only asking a question."

"Can't you see I am busy?" she complains, being somewhat salty because she has been working tirelessly in the past couple of hours. She is exhausted, drenched in sweat, and extremely thirsty. 

Alya sighs,"Give me 5 minutes."

She swings her axe a few more times toward the trunk. That mighty tree falls to the ground with a huge thump. 

Alya lets out another huge sigh and drops her axe too. Dragging her feet, she walks toward Garnet and proceeds to drop herself to the ground, next to him. 

"So?" he asked with a huge smile, glad that this tomboy girl is finally done swinging axe as if she is about to slaughter an entire enemy army. 

"What was your question again?" she asked. Her eyes are shut closed as she leans on the tree.

"Do girls in your country normally work hard labor like this?" Garnet repeats his question.

"Well. Not all girls I suppose. I am just a bit unlucky I guess. But we have to eat and for that, I have to make money."

Garnet nods and then he stands up. 

"Why don't you leave that wood and axe here. I will take you to a good place so you can rest better," he said.

"My father always tells me not to trust strangers so easily," she answered.

"We have introduced each other and kept each other company for hours. I am no stranger," he said.

Alya chuckles,"Smooth."

'Garnet does seem like a good guy. He is probably a courier of a very wealthy country. I guess he must have already booked a nice inn at the city. Resting does not hurt, does it?' Alya tries to convince herself. 

"I guess a little rest and a glass of hot milk do not hurt," she finally answered.

Garnet gives her his hand to pull Alya up. He then jumps on the saddle of his horse then gives his hand again to Alya. This time to pull Alya up on the saddle as well.

The two 'strangers' ride slowly towards the exit of the enchanted forest.