Chapter 17: The Plan
"Is he still not finished?", Doug asked while turning to Elliot.
"I'm not sure he said it wouldn't take too long", said Elliot
"I wonder what he's doing", Miara muttered to herself as she watched from the carriage.
They had already loaded the carriages and were ready to leave. However, Aaron had still not stepped out of his shed and had instructed them not to enter, they weren't sure what he was doing.
"We have to go, we can't wait anymore", Doug said while walking towards the shed. Before he could reach the the door a crack could be seen appearing.
A young man slowly walked out into the early morning light, His dark black hair gently swayed in the wind, his light brown skin glowed with a healthy light ,and his golden eyes shined so brightly even the sun would feel shame at the sight of them. His features perfectly sculpted, it was as if he had fell from The Heavens. He was wearing black high top shoes rimmed with gold and white thread, loose black silk pants, a simple white under robe. Over this, he wore a set of luxurious black robes, on the collar one could see and elegant pattern embroidered in gold thread. At his waist a white belt with gold trim and draped on his back what can only be described as a golden feathered robe.
"...."
"...."
"...."
Silence
'Was this really a human? Was he not an angel? Did he get lost on his way to heaven?'
All of them simply stared at this young man who was beyond compare. The sun broke through the clouds and gentle beam of light feel on him. His golden robe glittered and his eyes appeared to glow as he stared at them. Some of the villagers that had been walking about quite literally stopped and stared, their mouths hanging open. Doug, Elliot, and the guards were no better off.
Ella who had been in the carriage with Miara literally gasped!This was her first time getting a good look at Aaron, she had never seen anyone this perfect, even the Royal Family couldn't compare!
Miara watched as Aaron walked over to Doug and Elliot and couldn't stop her heart from beating rapidly nor could she pull her eyes away, a light blush began to creep on her face as she stared at him. However, she was soon woken from her daydream.
"Your Highness!"
Ella had grabbed onto Miara hands and began calling for her.
"Huh?...What is it Ella?"
"You need to make him yours!", Ella said with a burning passion in her eyes.
"What are you saying?!", yelped Miara. She was at a lost, this had come out of nowhere.
"He's strong, he's reliable, and most of all...!", Ella couldn't finish. She was panting as if she had gone mad after seeing Aaron, she had never seen such a perfect face before and she needed more!
So she came up with a plan!
'He's the same age as Her Highness and best of all Her Highness seems to have a crush on him! If I can get them together I can bask in his radiance everyday! Based on his clothing he has high status so that shouldn't be a problem. He's strong and Her Highness said he has a Peak Platinum Bloodline so his His Majesty shouldn't object. It's the perfect cri...Plan!' , Ella's thoughts were running wild as she held Miara's hand.
All Miara saw was Ella with a glazed look in her eyes as she heavily panted. She was starting to get scared, Ella was acting strange.
"I mean you too would be perfect for each other. I can see you have a thing for him," Ella said after waking from her daze. She would get Miara on board no matter what!
"E-Ella! What are you saying?! I'm just grateful that he helped save us...that's all!", Miara's entire face was red as she heard Ella. However, she couldn't deny that the idea had excited her heart.
"Your Highness! What are the chances of finding anyone like this again? He's so young yet he can defeat an Earth realm Qi Beast! Possibly has a a Peak Grade Platinum bloodline! Platinum! Most of all...He's GORGEOUS!!! I've never seen a man so handsome!"
Ella had gone all in, she wouldn't let this opportunity pass.
Miara was basically spouting steam out of her ears as she listened to Ella. However, she found herself agreeing with everything she heard. She begin fidgeting with her hand while staring at the carriage floor.
"B-But what if Father doesn't agree?", she mumbled softly.
Success!
Ella was thrilled to see Miara take the bait, all she had to do now was reel her in!
"Why wouldn't he agree? He's powerful, has a high class bloodline, and judging from his clothing he's obviously not some commoner! Those robes are as fine as those high nobles and Royalty would wear!"
Miara's eyes lit up and she began nodding an agreement with Ella. Just based on Aaron's clothing she could tell he was from a distinguished family yet she wasn't sure which one or even which kingdom he was from.
Ella seeing her positive reaction continued.
"I have a plan to captu...I mean have way to get you two together!", she finally revealed her hand.
Miara's heart was thumping in her chest after hearing Ella but she couldn't help but want to listen to her. A weak whisper tinged with embarrassment escaped her lips exposing her true feelings.
"...Can you tell me?"
Ella was cheering in her heart! She had succeeded, she would be able to be around that divine creature daily if the plan was a success!
With an evil grin plastered on her face Ella leaned over to Miara, who followed suit and leaned in as well. Soon whispers and discussion laced with subterfuge could be herd coming from the carriage along with a creepy laughter every now and then.
At this moment unbeknownst to anyone a plan to trap an innocent young man was being concocted.
Aaron who had been speaking with Doug and Elliot suddenly felt the hairs on is neck stand.
'…...', he had a strange feeling someone was speaking about him but soon he heard Elliot yammering again.
"To think you would have also have an Inter-spatial ring. I knew you were amazing Master!", Elliot said.
"Yea, those things are quite expensive it's smart that you keep it hidden. However, to think you would carry such fine clothes with you...you're the first I've seen", Doug joined in while staring at Aaron in a new light. Most people carry extra weapons, pills, and food yet Aaron actually carried such fine clothing instead. He had begun to realize that this young man quite enjoyed wearing fine clothing.
"Eh?", Aaron was confused but it quickly dawned on him, He hadn't been caring any packs on him yet now he had new robes that seemingly appeared from no where.
He had purchased this outfit when he was in the shed spending 2300 points on the new black and white robes, shoes and belt. The system could repair items bought from the store so he simply had his pants repaired He had decided to go with black this time so that if got dirty or bloody it wouldn't to be obvious as compared to the white robes.
'Whew...that was close. I really should start paying attention to these thing', he sighed in relief
'However, how am I going to explain to her', he thought while staring at the carriage Miara was in.
He couldn't deny that he had a thing for Miara but he wasn't quite sure how to approach her considering she was a princess. Eventually, he decided that he would actively pursue her and let things happen naturally from there.
"Alright, we should get moving now, your horses are over there ", Doug spoke while pointing at two black horses near the front.
"Ah..Just a moment, I have something I need to do.", Aaron said and began walking over to Miara's carriage.
Doug seeing this could only smile and walk to his horse. Elliot however decided to follow Aaron; he appeared as if he was without a care in the world, a silly grin could be seen on his face.
Aaron paid him no mind and continued over to the carriage, soon he was standing at the door and gently knocked. After a moment the door opened and he saw Miara's maid, Ella.
"Sir Heart, how can I help you?", she said with a bright smile. Appearing to be a gentle and caring woman.
"Nothing much, I just had something I wanted to give to The Princess"
'Holy shit! This is too perfect!' Ella was jumping up in down on the inside. However on the outside she appeared to be calm and reserved.
Before Ella could speak up Miara had poked her head out, as she looked at Aaron she began blushing from ear to ear.
"You want to give me something?", she asked tentatively.
Aaron was quite for a moment while he took in her blushing face but he quickly recovered. He flipped his hand over and a something appeared in his hand. Folding it open one could see it was a long white silk cloak, it was as white as fresh snow in the sun as it shimmered in the light. On the back one could see a thin six inch wide green circle outlined in gold, inside this circle was a ancient looking tree with golden bark and emerald leaves. However the most prominent thing was that around the top of the cloak one would see what could only be described as leaves. A thick layer of lush emerald green leaves that reflected the light like crystals could be seen around the collar and shoulders. Finally, a thin and elegant golden buckle could be seen on the front of the cloak on its face an emerald was embedded..
Miara's eyes where shining as she looked at the cloak. It was the most beautiful piece of clothing she had ever seen.
"This is something I made for you while I was in the shed earlier", Aaron explained
This was the excuse he had come up with, he had indeed spent quite some time in the shed as he designed the robe. So he could just say that he already had the materials and just put it together if anyone asked. It was better than nothing.
Ella's eyes began to shine when she heard Aaron. She had wanted to get on her knees and thank the heavens. She didn't care where the cloak came from nor did she plan on asking.
'Perfect! This is too perfect! Keep it up!'
Elliot could be seen in the background grinning from ear to ear.
'Ha, Master is such a ladies man! To think he would so openly pursue the princess!"
"You made this? For me?", Miara looked at Aaron with surprise. She hadn't expected that he would make her such a beautiful cloak. Thinking that he had made it for her she began blushing, her joy blinded her from the origin of the cloak.
"I thought that you had taking a liking to the feathered jacket I wear so I thought you might like it. I figured the leaves would better suit you on the back I also added your family crest", he said while passing it over to her.
Ella had made her move before Miara as she suddenly grabbed the cloak from Aaron. Quickly she draped it over Miara and latched the buckle. Her movements were so quick and fluid that an observer would think she and Aaron had planned this.
Aaron's eyes widened as he stared at Miara wearing the cloak. He had spent his last 1400 points on the cloak and had to heavily modify a simple white cloak in order to get it to where it was. But staring at Miara now he felt it was worth it. Wearing the white cloak over her green and gold gown the elegance she exuded was beyond compare. The emerald green leaves matching perfectly with her bright green eyes, creating a stunning image. Even Ella was stunned by her beauty but she quickly got her bearings and gently nudged Miara.
Miara understood what she meant, turning to Aaron she blushed while asking in a low voice.
"How does it look?", she said while nervously twirling her hair in her fingers.
Aaron was in a daze and unconsciously spoke out loud
"Beautiful...way to beautiful"
Miara had basically become a tomato her face was so red after hearing Aaron but in her heart she was happy.
Ella was eyeing the innocent young man like prey almost failing to contain her excitement.
'To you think you would so openly walk into my trap! The Heavens have eyes!'
Aaron realizing what he said began blushing his golden eyes darting around. Ella seeing him act like this almost shot into the sky, If one looked closely they could see her body shaking.
'Oh dear God! This face! Are you trying to blind me?!', she yelled in her heart.
Miara was also surprised to see him blushing and acting so shyly. She began laughing.
"Thank you, I love it", she said with a a bright smile on her face.
'Damn', Aaron was caught off guard by her smile and couldn't deny that he was hooked.
"I'm glad you like it. I should probably go now, Doug is probably tired of waiting" , Aaron said after taking one last look at Miara.
Ella saw him walking away and begun furiously nudging the Princess. She had completely forgotten about her status and only had one goal in mind.
Miara and Ella had planned on what to do earlier so she knew what Ella wanted her to say. She balled her little fist and made up her mind.
"Aaron, ride in the carriage with us.", she said calling him by his name for the first time.
"Eh?"
"You must still be tired so it only makes sense you ride with us.", She spoke the lines she had rehearsed.
"It's ok, I'm fi-", he couldn't finish before Ella jumped in.
"I Insist Sir Aaron, on behalf of Her Highness. You were injured protecting us, this is the least we can do."
Before he could make out a response Ella had already went to his back and begun pushing him into the carriage. Soon enough he was sitting across from Miara had who suddenly lacked the confidence she had from earlier as she fiddled with her fingers.
"Hahaha, to think we get to ride in a carriage with Her Highness", Elliot who everyone had forgot about also began making his way over only to be met with a kick to the chest.
"Argh!!"
Ella didn't even bother to look at him as she slammed the door shut.
"Why?!"
Elliot shouted as he lay on the ground gripping his chest. He looked quite pitiful.
'You could've just said no' , he cried in his heart.
"Hahahahaha"
Doug had witnessed the whole thing and couldn't stop laughing he was used to Ella's behavior. He waited for Elliot to get on his horse before turning around and ordering.
"Lets go!"