"Aren't you going to release my hand?" Artemis asked in a bored tone. She gave up trying to remove it herself and let him hold onto it as he pleased. Where was he dragging her anyway?
Alexander released her hand now that she wasn't frantically trying to get away from him.
Artemis' eyes widened at how he casually just let go of her hand now. "Wow. Couldn't you have just done that before?" She questioned wiping away imaginary traces of his touch.
"I preferred to hear you whine like a child," he answered looking around at the activities. He no longer had to patrol the festival as he put that responsibility on Thomas. Alexander could either go home and take a well overdue rest or enjoy the festival.
"Like a child? I wasn't the one bickering with someone back there. You're the man-child. You guards can't even do your job right," she said the last part out loud. There was no reason for her to hide what she thought.
Alexander raised his perfectly shaped right brow. He stopped to look at the woman who was exaggerating the situation. "I don't recall bickering back there. We were simply having a conversation."
"Do I look stupid?"
Alexander thought it over. He gave her a look which made her think he was contemplating saying yes or maybe.
"I should just kill you," she muttered looking away from the annoying man. Artemis wouldn't mind taking out someone's precious son today.
"Threatening me is a crime," Alexander answered, enjoying the company of the strange woman. She spoke her mind and seemed like an honest woman. Most people like to hold back their thoughts and lie to him.
Artemis folded her hands, tilting her chin up. "Well, it wasn't a threat but a mere warning."
"You like violence don't you?"
She shook her head at his question. "No, I like to let people know they're up for a terrible day if they don't leave me alone. I'll be violent only if you provoke me."
"I didn't provoke you-"
"You kept touching me!" Artemis exclaimed, reminding the blockhead beside her. Why couldn't he get that through his thick skull? "Geez, you're agitating. Was that a requirement for guards? Be as agitating as can be?"
"Yes."
Artemis was in complete and utter disbelief. How could he just admit it so quickly? "Are you crazy?"
"Me? Crazy? It's funny the woman who stood by a burning stall is calling me crazy," he commented, knowing the fire would rile her up. This woman was fun to poke at and he didn't know why. It was so out of character for him.
"I told you I was fine. Did your mother drop you on your head as a baby?" She knew humans were quite clumsy and did this often.
"My mother's dead," he replied with no hint of sorrow in his voice. His facial expression didn't change either. It made Artemis start to feel bad for even bringing up his mother although she did not know. "But I did remember the countless times she dropped me. What slippery hands she had."
Artemis was lost for words. What was seriously wrong with this man besides the concussions he had as a child? Why did the king allow for a psychopath to command and protect people? The king's crazy to allow this. This guy in front of her was crazy. They're all crazy.
She didn't know whether to laugh or feel bad for him. Artemis didn't have the heart to argue with someone like him.
Artemis patted the armor on Alexander's body. "It'll get better for you. I'll pray for you."
Alexander halted his steps amused by her words. She'll pray for him? "Are you kidding me?"
"No, it's a big deal if I'll pray for you. You're crazy and don't even know it."
"I assure you I'm fine," Alexander said.
"Look how the roles reverse."
Alexander chuckled, then took a deep breath and glanced up at the beautiful woman in front of him. When was the last time he enjoyed the company of a woman again? He couldn't remember off the top of his head.
Catherina always chased them away anyway. No one wanted to be in competition with a spoiled princess who got whatever she wanted from the king.
"You're really amusing. Miss…" he trailed off waiting for her to give him a name.
There was no way she would give him her name. "Stranger."
"Miss stranger, I told you my name."
"Yes. You did before dragging me here-Wait. Why on earth am I still walking with you?" She wondered out loud. Why had she continued to walk beside him when she wanted to go home?
He was the general. Alexander was the worst person she could take a stroll with. One slip up and they'll be battling it out right here in the middle of the festival. She put her guard up once again not knowing why they were not up before. Was his craziness rubbing off on her?
"Have we met before?" She heard Alexander ask.
Why would he assume they met before? He didn't see her the night they caught the thieves as she was hiding in the dark. This would be their first official meeting for him.
"I get this strange feeling we've met before," he continued. Even when he first saw her today, Alexander got a feeling like he had seen her before.
"This is the first time I'm visiting the town. We've never met before," Artemis replied. "I wanted to come out and have a day filled with entertainment but you ruined my day."
"Entertainment? I know where you could be entertained," he reached his hand out for her to take.
Artemis stared at the palm of his hand, welcoming her to grab it. However, she didn't trust him. "I already told you, I don't like being touched." Especially by your kind.
"Right. Well, follow me closely for a day of entertainment," Alexander placed his hand back by his side.