They continued down the piazza, passing by many buildings reminiscent of the renaissance. Dante stopped near a marvelous fountain.
"Go there. I'm gonna click a photo." Dante waved, pulling out his phone.
Missio stalled for a moment before standing beside the fountain, stiffly.
"Make a pose." Dante raised his phone.
Missio raised his arms, forming a peace sign on both and smiling.
"Loosen up."
Hearing his brothers order, Missio loosened up a bit. Dante narrowed his eyes, placing Missio in the side of the picture. He clicked two photos and raised his head.
"My turn." He stepped forward.
He handed his phone to his little brother. Missio spun around and looked at his brother though the camera. Dante crouched down, resting his hand on his knee. He stared at the camera as Missio raised it. Missio licked his lips and clicked two pictures as well. Dante jolted up and rushed over. He swiped, seeing the photos.
"Nice!" He took his phone.
He stared the picture for a second. He rotated forward and headed towards the crossroads at the end. Missio followed him. While they went towards the left, Dante made a call. He rested the phone near his ear as it beeped. After a few seconds, the call went through and an old man's voice came from the other side.
"Happy Birthday, Dad." Dante chuckled.
Missio's eyes widened as they were shadowed by the houses.
"Thanks, Dante. Where are you right now?" Alaric laughed.
"Verona. Walking around the place as we speak." Dante informed.
"Marcus did tell me you and Missio went somewhere. It's good that you're taking your brother out."
Missio pressed his Music Box, filtering out his father's voice with the music.
"I was expecting a scolding but…"
Alaric chuckled. "I'm not stranger to your situation. I can't say anything with the things I've done."
"Don't be… but I won't be able to visit you for a while." Dante replied.
"No worries. Missio is much more important than my birthday."
Dante sighed. "Okay, then… I'll catch you later. Bye."
"Bye."
Alaric cut the call. Dante stared at his mobile. Then, he tucked it into his pocket. He shook his wrist and checked the time. The time was 9:39 AM. Dante whistled. He tucked his hands in his pockets and looked ahead.
"Missio." He called out but got no response.
He tilted his head, gazing at Missio. Watching the former lieutenant general walk with a lowered head, he clicked his tongue. He tapped his headphones and lifted his head. The sun struck them again. Missio's eyes flew open.
"Let's grab some breakfast and explore the rest of this place, alright?"
"…Sure." Missio adjusted his headphones.
Dante led them, glancing around the open area. Eventually, they settled down at an open restaurant. Both brothers sat opposite of each other, slumping into their chairs. The waitress walked over with two cups and the menu.
"The menu, sir." She placed the cups and handed Dante the menu.
Dante opened it as she poured them cold water. He browsed it for a minute as she left. Then, he handed it Missio.
"Here."
Missio flinched. He glanced at the menu. He raised his hand and snatched it from his brother's hand. He looked through the meals on it, struggling to decide what to eat. The next second, the waitress appeared with a small notepad.
"May I have your order?"
Dante shifted in his chair.
"I'd like a cup of tea with sugar, cornetto, and chicken wings with mayo."
"Half or full chicken wings?" The waitress asked.
"Full." Dante replied.
She nodded and noted it down. Then, she flicked her head towards Missio.
"And you, sir?"
Missio shrunk a little. His jaw twitched a little as his mouth opened.
"Um… A medium ma – margarita pizza, A cup of tea as well and uh… that's all."
The waitress nodded and wrote his order down. She spun around and ripped it off the notepad, heading towards the kitchen. Right then, Dante clapped.
"Good job." He stated.
Missio blushed. "Thanks…"
Minutes passed in a blur. Their food finally arrived – steaming hot and full of flavor. Dante inhaled the smell and exhaled.
"That's so… sweet."
He wrapped his finger around the cup of tea, sipping it. Smacking his lips, he felt the sweetness was just right. He then, picked up the cornetto and took a bite out of it. The sweet pastry melted in his mouth as he nodded in approval. Missio took a sip of his tea as well. He picked up the knife and cut the pizza. He gripped the slice and blew on it. Then, he took a bite out of it. The hot meal burned his mouth as he tried to blow it in his mouth.
"Eat slowly. We have all the time in the world." Dante took a bite of his pastry and a sip of his tea.
"Uh, huh." Missio responded in a muffled voice
He swallowed the slice and exhaled heavily.
"Not doing that again." He wiped his mouth.
Dante laughed and bit down on his chicken. "Be careful."
The two continued to eat their meal for a while. After they finished, the waiter brought over the bill. Dante flipped it open, drawing his phone. He scanned the QR code within. He glanced at the cost – 450 Aureus. He entered the required amount and proceeded. Then, he entered his pin code. The transaction went through and he showed it to the waitress.
"Thank you, sir." She stated, taking away their empty plates.
As she left, the brothers wiped their mouths with tissues. Both exhaled heavily, filled up to the brim. They sat in silence for a few minutes. The wind brushed past them as the chatter of the surrounding people became apparent. Then, they stood up, pushing the chairs. They pushed them back in and left the café. As they walked through the open space, Dante furrowed his brows.
'Where to next… what places are near Piazza Delle Erbe…'
His mind raced. After a few seconds, a mischievous smile couldn't help but form on his face. He covered his mouth, controlling his laughter. Missio raised a brow at his brother's behavior as the King tucked his hands into his pockets.
"Missio." He called out with a dry voice. "Let's head over to Juliet's wall."
Missio narrowed his eyes. "Sure…"