Soft, warm congee was served to Calluna and her party for dinner. In addition, fragrant floral tea to aid digestion was brewed and poured for her. Each bite that she took felt like heaven melted on her mouth and swirled in her belly, easing the stress of travel and the habitual vomiting along the way.
"Thank you so much," the prince said after dabbing her lips. "I really did love it, and it has made my stomach feel a lot better."
"I am happy that my servants have treated you well," Baron Shen replied.
"Yes, of course," Calluna said. "When will we meet to discuss your support?"
The middle-aged man smiled and spoke curtly. "I have a meeting tomorrow morning, but I don't expect it to go very long. I have all afternoon to converse with you."
"Wonderful." Calluna replied, standing from her seat and dusting off her pants. "I will see you tomorrow afternoon, then, dear Shen."
"Rest well, Your Highness."
-
Calluna wandered leisurely back to her temporary quarters, observing all of the various paintings that decorated the walls. It was a very expansive estate, and she found herself happily observing the indoor plants during her stroll back to the room.
Outside her door was Vincenzo; leaned up against the wall with a lazy smile and polishing his sword. He waved at the prince as she approached and slid the weapon back into its sheath. "How was supper, Luna?"
"It was good. What time is it?" She asked as she strode into her chambers where Guinevere sat quietly, sewing.
"An hour or so past sunset. Why?" Vincenzo answered.
"Is there anything fun to do in Stanint at night?"
"I think most of their festivals are in the spring and we are currently in summer," he replied, scratching the top of his head. "I'm sure there are bars and stuff open, though."
"Let's go, then," she said confidently.
His brows collapsed, furrowing skeptically. "What?"
"Let's go out."
"You might think that saying that cleared things up for me, but I only feel even more confused, Luna."
"What is there to be confused about? I'm tired of traveling, and sleeping sounds terrible right now since I just have nightmares each time. So we go out on the town!"
He reached forward and placed a hand on her forehead. "Do you have a fever or something? Or maybe the incident damaged your brain completely... Calluna hates alcohol! She'd rather die than drink."
"I'm Luna, not Calluna. You named me yourself! And I, Luna, want to go dancing and have drinks." She replied indignantly, her stubborn tone even rousing a giggle from Guin.
"Where did you find this attitude? You've been nothing but formal since you woke from your coma – and now you've mustered such sass!" His tone was light and joking, and his signature smile finally rose to his eyes.
"Is that a yes?" Calluna asked, crossing her arms.
"Of course it's a yes, I love drinking." Vincenzo chuckled. "How exactly are you planning going out, though? You're pretty recognizable."
"That would be me," Guinevere's noble, airy voice answered. She stood from where she had been sat sewing, holding a hooded cape in her hands. "This hood I just made worn over the peasants' gown I packed should do just fine with a little makeup."
Calluna smiled and took Guin's hand in hers, then placed a light kiss on the maid's knuckles. "I owe you my life!"
"Anything for you, my Lord." Guinevere returned the expression and squeezed the prince's hand affectionately.
Calluna then turned to face Vincenzo once again, and this time it was she that was serving a mischievous grin. "Be my husband?"
"Sure. Newlyweds?" He caught onto her plan very quickly and played along.
"Yes, and I'm with child. An excellent story if you ask me."
"Perfect, I'll go out for a bit and put my sword away. Come out when you're ready to leave, dearest."
"I'll try not to keep you waiting, husband."
-
The gown was navy blue and had a simple design, one that was pleasant but wouldn't draw attention. She had taken off her eyepatch and Guinevere put her hair up asymmetrically, the wavy fringe of blonde locks draping over the scarred flesh and hiding it from view. The makeup that Calluna dorned was simple and aimed to make her appear older, which was a strange feeling for her.
It wasn't so long ago that she had been worried about her first wrinkles and a few gray hairs appearing from stress, now here she was trying to look more mature… It just didn't quite feel right.
"Thanks again, Guin," Calluna said with a smile. She reached around her maid's waist and wrapped her in a quick hug before turning to leave again.
"I'm here for you, Miss Luna. Now go have fun, I will prepare a hangover tonic for tomorrow just in case." Guin waved as the prince left the room, giving her a sly wink as farewell.
As soon as she walked out the door she felt a weight on top of her head, and her vision was blocked by a tall figure standing before her. She looked up to meet his eyes and spoke in a joking tone, "Wow, my husband's pretty handsome when he cleans up. I'm winking right now but I only have one eye, so just keep that in mind."
Vincenzo broke into laughter and lifted his hand from the prince's head, "Luna's a pretty good flirt, eh? Too bad you have to announce when you're winking, kinda kills the atmosphere. You still look beautiful as ever, though."
"Oh, shut up. I can't help getting stabbed in the eye! I'll have to make a hand motion or something instead," Calluna said with a defeated sigh. "Anyway, you're the guide tonight. Take me somewhere fun."
He nodded and held out his elbow for her to take, but to his surprise she skipped that and grabbed his hand and interlocked their fingers. "I'm not about to blow my cover because you're too scared to hold my hand, V. I need to relax for once."
"Scared?! I was being a gentleman, actually," Vincenzo retorted, squeezing her hand tighter out of spite. "I won't be the one blowing your cover, I swear on the goddesses."
"I'll believe it when I see it. How are we going to be traveling, honey?"
"Horseback, of course." Vincenzo led the hooded girl through the estate, dodging guards behind walls and various potted plants on the way. It didn't take long for them to escape, and he was very mindful of her injuries as they went.
As they slid out one of the back doors and into the gardens, the chilling breeze ruffled her skirts and hood; an excited shiver sliding down her spine as they rushed into the tall hedges. Dew from the leaves dampened the ends of her dress and shoes, and she reached her hands out to feel the tips of the foliage. Nature wasn't something she had admired or spent much time in during her previous life, and something about being Calluna made her feel a deeper appreciation for it.
They burst out the plants on the edge of the property and were met with a white fence. Upon reaching the fence, Vincenzo knelt down and cupped his hands in front of him. With a nod he motioned for her to hop up and over. "Mura is on the other side, you're in good hands. If you're really a Nempath you can even talk to him if you'd like."
Calluna went up to him and carefully hoisted herself up onto his hands, confident that he could carry her weight. She leapt over, wincing at the dull pain rising in her ribcage as she strained the healing bones slightly. After situating herself onto Mura's saddle, she felt anxiety build in her chest. She had never ridden a horse before.
「Hey. What are you so nervous for, don't you trust me?」Mura's voice entered her mind.
"No, that's not it- I just… I've never ridden before…" Callunda responded aloud without thinking.
Vincenzo easily jumped the fence and positioned himself behind her on the saddle and asked nonchalantly, "What? Did Mura say something to you?"
「I've watched you ride Momo before!」The horse retorted, stomping his foot.
Calluna completely ignored her partner and continued to talk to the stallion. "I already told you that I don't remember anything! I'm really sorry Mura, but won't you please take good care of us?" She pleaded, leaning forward and patting the space between his ears carefully. She then pulled a handful of oats from her bag that she had stashed in after supper, shakingly holding her hand down in front of Mura's mouth.
「...Fine. Just for you, though. Captain is annoying.」Mura replied and gratefully ate the oats, his lips tickling the skin of her palm and making her giggle.
"Don't worry about it, V." Calluna said finally, retrieving her hand and wiping the horse spit off on her skirts.
"Hey, you guys better not be talking trash about me just because I don't understand!"
"Of course not, we'd never do that. You're my dear husband, after all."
"I think I believe you even less now." He pouted, then wrapped his arms securely around her waist. She leaned comfortably backward into his chest, enjoying the relief of pressure on her bruised ribs and tired muscles. It was in this position, with the scent of his pine cologne enveloping her, that they set off to hit the town together.