A saloon. That's the only way I can really describe the place where Cai brought me. It was an old building that was made mostly from old pieces of wood haphazardly nailed together. So much so, that there were no windows on the walls, although they were not needed, The wood making the walls was filled with about as many holes as there were splinters.
Inside the saloon was a floor made of packed dirt, a few tables that were not really tables, simply other items -like an old crate- turned upside down so people could place their dinks on them, and what I guess was a bar.
Luckily for me, the saloon was mostly empty, likely because it was still early in the evening. We had traveled the whole day and I wasn't sure what time it was exactly, but my stomach was telling me it was time for food.
"Well, if it isn't the rogue Prince." a woman behind the bar greeted us and grinned at Cai. She had short brown hair that looked like she had cut it with a pair of hedge clippers, and breasts that were probably each about the size of my head. The low black dress she wore gave an extensive view of her cleavage and as we approached her, she leaned her elbows on the bar to allow even more of her boobs to show.
~Jeez, we get it, you've got some honkers...~
I watched Cai out of the corner of my eye to see his reaction to the woman, but he's either gay or he just didn't care, cause I never saw him looking there.
~Or maybe he's a butt-guy~
"I'm back." Cai said flatly to the woman and tossed a small bag on the bar in front of her, one I assumed was full of coins.
~What's going on here? This better not be a brothel or something!~
"I see that." She picked up the bag and weighed it in her hand, then she tilted her head to look past Cai toward me, "Is she the one?"
~What does that mean? Holy Shit! Is he selling me to a brothel? Wait, then wouldn't she be giving him money?~
"I-" I opened my mouth but Cai lifted a hand as if to allow him to do the talking.
"She is." he nodded, "Although I'd appreciate it if no one else knew that."
The woman raised an eyebrow at Cai then opened the small bag, she peaked inside and a small smile split her face, "You're secret is safe with me."
"Good." Cai nodded, "Then we need a room. And I think it's finally time that I get that debt repaid."
I watched silently as the woman bit the inside of her cheek then shrugged. "Whatever you want, your majesty."
Cai grimaced.
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~ Of course there is only one bed... What, did I reincarnate into a Korean drama or something?~
And aside from one very rickety bed that seemed to have plywood as a mattress, there was nothing else in the room.
Well, that's not entirely true, Cai and I were in the room.
"Umm, so." I sat down on the ground so that I would not accidently be sitting on the same bed as him later. He watched me plop down into the packed dirt and frowned. "What is the plan from here?"
"We will stay here tonight." he answered and sat on the bed, "Naomi is going to help with your situation, and then tomorrow we will leave."
I looked at my black skirts that were now stained a beige color because I sat in the dirt and dust, "'my situation'?" I echoed.
"Yes." he didn't elaborate further and crossed his legs.
I stared at him as if expecting him to say something else but he only stared back. I was once again struck by his features; he was the opposite of Altan in many ways, but handsome all the same. I think I was especially amazed at his long black hair that looked shiny and soft as if he had washed it with Panteen just an hour ago.
"So," I cleared my throat and averted my gaze when his blazing blue eyes met mine, "That girl-"
"Naomi," he supplied her name.
"Yes, ehem, Naomi." I pulled my knees to my chest, "You said she had to repay a debt to you?"
Cai nodded his head. "There are many in debt to me."
I blinked, "Just like me?"
Cai paused considering this, "Some like you, yes."
"But you didn't keep Naomi by your side until you thought of how she ought to repay the debt." I pointed out, trying my best not to sound angry or ungrateful that he had helped me out of the palace. Because I was grateful... I think.
"Naomi's debt was not as big as yours."
"Oh." I shut up after that, and we sat in silence until another question came to my mind. "So... approximately how long do you think it will take you to think of a way I can repay my debt?"
Cai didn't answer this question. Instead he stood and crossed the room to me, he sat down cross-legged on the ground in front of me and leaned forward so that our eyes met.
~Shit Shit Shit~
I tried to look away, I didn't want Cai thinking I had the hots for him, especially when we were alone together in a bedroom. But he caught my chin and pulled it back around so I was facing him.
"If you meet my gaze like this." he spoke and held my gaze, "I will answer all your questions."
My mouth dropped open, "Um your majesty- I mean, Cai..." I pulled my chin from his grasp and looked away from him. "I'm really grateful and all that you saved me from an unwanted marriage but I'm not interested in-" I stopped speaking when he began laughing. My head swiveled back to him and I took in the sight of a smiling, laughing, Water Mage prince. "What-"
"That's not why I want you to look at me." He continued laughing then acted as though he was wiping a tear from his eye.
~Oh that's good... but why do I feel slightly offended that the idea of him liking me is so funny to him?~
"Then why?" I asked.
He smiled then, "Because you're the first person to meet my gaze that isn't my own family."
~I guess that makes sense because he's a prince.~
"I find it refreshing." he answered finally. "And to answer your question from earlier." he began and I realized I was meeting his gaze again, "I think I will decide how you can repay me by the time we enter Pani Rastra."