The three of us go into the market, curious and excited. Careful to not bring too much attention to ourselves. I was so enthralled by all the people and the wonderful stalls that I almost forgot the pain my feet were suffering from.
However, soon the excitement was no longer enough to keep the pain away, and I started to stagger. Thankfully, I was aided by Wolff, who noticed my suffering. He called upon the idiotic prince, who had run off in front to ask him to wait for us and go slowly. You never guessed what he did... He looked back at us, gave me a 'look' from head to toe, lingered in his eyes there for a while, and then went on as usual.
Ahrrrrrrr... If I could just smack him! But no.... he was a prince, the future emperor... I had to control myself, even if it frustrated me to no end. Gathering myself, I just give a weak smile to worried Wolff and try to move forward to where the troublemaker prince had run to.
I and Wolff find him in a stall close by discussing something with the vendor. We were still a little farther away from me to understand what they were talking about, though Wolff for sure knew as he started to smile right away.
Before we reached the stall, I noticed something shining from the prince's neck. A necklace with a blue stone, shining like the moon. No one seemed to notice it, which was odd. The stone was definitely something that would grab people's attention. However, no one cared. Like no one cared for a boy with red eyes. There was something strange going on.
I turn back to Wolff and notice how he was hiding his under the hood of the cape. A wise choice to avoid scornful looks. His eyes, while still beautiful, were now of a more "normal" colour. And unless one stared at them close by, they could pass by as human eyes. All this explained why no one made uncomfortable looks at the wolf boy, it didn't explain, however, how they didn't do it to Cedric.
When we arrived close to the idiotic prince, I continued to analyze the necklace. Sure something was off with it. I was so focused, that I didn't even care what kind of stall was it and what the boys were talking about with the salesman. My eyes only saw the bluestone, until red eyes blocked my vision.
The prince came so close to my face that I almost jumped back, surprised. Before my body could react I was caught by an idiotic prince.
"Be careful or you will get even more hurt! I don't want to have Wolff carry you around with that heavy dress. It would kill his back." Said Cedric with his small hands on my arms to secure me. His eyes, mesmerizing like rubies, were on max intensity.
They were so pretty I almost lost myself in them, but his words prevented that scenario. I was so angry! I mean is it my fault that I am hurt? I don't want to be carried by Wolff either! Why do I have to get scolded by a conceited 8-year-old prince, who brought me against my will so he could enjoy some 'fun time'? No! I don't care anymore! I will tell him off! I don't care if I die! I will anyway of angriness!
I was ready to say some words to the prince when out of nowhere he went down to the ground and touched my feet, gently. He takes out my shoes and starts to apply some medicinal cream on them. I noticed then he had taken the cream from a bag he had concealed under the cape. It was not the only thing I noticed then. Next to my feet was a pair of shoes, colourful and beautiful, and a shallow sole.
When he finished applying for the medicine, the prince took my shoes away and put them in his bag. Then very gently he put the other shoes on my feet, checking, as carefully as possible, if they fitted my feet.
I was so shocked, that words didn't come out of my mouth until the prince stood up. And when he did, my only words were a simple thank you.
Prince Cedric said nothing to me, instead he paid the seller, took my hand, and continued his visit to the market. While we walked I continued to be too shocked to notice the market.
The prince of the Moon Empire touching another person's feet, applying for medicine, and even putting on shoes... it was unheard of and something no prince would do. Only servants did that. The shock of this made me forget my, well-deserved, anger at him. Instead, I wondered what was on the head of the little idiotic prince.
The next hour was filled with visits to several stalls, lots of buying, and eventually some food. In all of these visits, I got suspicious of the blue necklace and the apparent apathy of people in Cedric's eyes.
"May I ask something, your Majesty?" I asked, preparing the terrain so I could find out what plagued my mind the past hour.
"Cedric." My surprised face might have been funny since both boys started to laugh. "We are undercover right now. You cannot call me that. Just call my name, Cedric." His childish smile was certainly a prelude to his future woman's heart-destroyer smirk. I should be careful, there was a reason why he was the father of one of the main leads.
"Yes, you are right... Cedric." I said trying to look the other way, to avoid his watchful eyes and gather some courage. "I just wanted to know, about the necklace you are wearing and why no one seems to notice it. Not only that, why no one is noticing you... Cedric? I would have thought you would be quite... noticeable."
Cedric didn't say anything at first, so I thought he was going to pretend he didn't listen until he stopped walking and came closer to me. His eyes were again intense.
"Well, I think I should tell you since I dragged you here." He whispered, his face was so close our noses almost touched. The closeness got me off balance and I tried to give us space, but I couldn't since his hand prevented me from moving.
"You can't." Said Wolff, but Cedric's determined eyes stopped the complaint.
Reaching closer, Cedric's whispered into my ear. "My uncle gave it to me so I can conceal myself among the people I wish to avoid." for a child, Cedric's voice sounded uncharacteristically hoarse and low.
But I understood the secrecy. Cedric's uncle he was talking about was no other than the Lord of the Tower. The head chief of all wizards, alchemists, and other practitioners of magic. He was the equivalent of the Head Priestess of the Temple. They were counterparts and enemies.
One was light and the other was night.
Besides being immensely powerful and an ally to Prince Nathaniel, there was not so much information about him in the book. I always thought of him as someone who the writer created to help Nathaniel fight the Duke, who was team Prince Francis.
In the Sun Empire, in which the Temple faith was strong, the Lord of the Tower was seen as an enemy. An evil person. Just like most magic that came from the Tower. So no good would come to them, or me, if someone heard us talk about magic.
After he had said what he wanted to say, Cedric moved away and continued to enjoy his time. As if he hadn't said anything of extreme importance to me.
"I hope we can count on your discretion, Miss." This time the whisper came from Wolff, who gave me a wide smile when I turned to look at him. Again, his teeth made sure the warning sank in.
The rest of the time we spent at the market no longer seemed as enjoyable and I was happy when they decided to return to the palace. It was starting to get dark and cold.
We went back through the same route we used to escape. Using the same hole in the palace wall, I thought while passing through that tight place, we would be able to escape any problems. Alas, I was naive.
When we finally left the hole, we were greeted by no less than 50 royal guards, several government aides, and a royally pissed-off Duke.
Yay, we were screwed.
Soooo what did you think about that ending?! Do you think they are really screwed?
Tell me about it!
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