"Okay, as much as I appreciate your help but I think this is a bit unnecessary." Everyones eyes were on me as Jayce, Camille, and Jubilee were following close behind me like a ducklings following their mother. It had been three days since my recovery and the three of them had been on my ass wherever I go since then. The stares of the fellow soldiers on me as I muddled around with the gaggle of followers close behind me constantly. Camille and Jayce claimed they were concerned of my condition, while Jubilee was hot on my heels for a seperate reason. The day after the storm had subsided she kowtowed before me begging for forgiveness for her previous behaviour. Elves were connected deeply to nature and the raging storm warped her emotions to become unstable. I completely understood and had no ill will to her, but she insisted on following me after. Now all I wanted was to do my laundry in peace.
"Let me carry that for you." Jayce tried to take the satchel that I had stuffed my used clothes in but I moved it away.
"I can carry it but thank you." I gave him a small and sweet smile. His pale cheeks flushed pink making murmurs in the crowd and my heart pound painfully at the same time. It was confusing on how such a stunningly handsome man could turn into as cute as a puppy in a millisecond. He was eyeing me warily and shooting glares at the soldiers staring st me, making them look away. The beating bright sun that couldn't penetrate the woods cast harsh glares from the metal armour most of them were wearing almost blinding me. Camille saw me trying to blink the stars out of my eyes.
"Are you okay Lady Rhea?" She bounced up to me, hovering over me to block the sun from my vision. She was much taller than me so it worked out pretty decently, but her dazzling beauty and the sunlight around her cast a halo effect over her shimmering dark skin. I couldn't help the small blush rise to my cheeks.
"I'm okay, thank you Lady Camille." Her face softened at my words and she reached out and tugged at the baby blue linen skirt I was wearing. The attire I had been wearing today was simple, a white blouse and a flowy pale blue skirt with no decorations. It was simple, but the coverage was necessary to hide my scars. I wasn't used to luxury goods and thought it suited me quite well but I could see both Camille and Jayce frowning at the garment when I had put it on. Now she was rubbing the material between her fingers looking even more dissatisfied.
"Lady Rhea, Theosia is quite well known for its beautiful garments. I happen to be quite close with a good designer, would you like me to introduce you to them?" Her sapphire eyes were sparkling and I could feel sweat collect at my back as Jayce peered over her looking interested in our sudden conversation.
"That's okay, but I appreciate the thought. I don't need much." The words that I spoke were the truth and seemed normal, but everyone was staring at me like I had three heads.
"O-Of course I wouldn't make you pay for anything!" Camille released my skirt, with a flustered face. Jayce and the crowd looked at me pitifully, the only sound to be heard of that of the burlap and silk tents rustling in the wind.
"Um... okay but I'm still okay. Really, I'm satisfied with what I have." For some reason I felt guilty at her previous reaction. I never expected her to pay, and as much as it is true I don't really have any money I get by just fine with what I have. I had the view that there was no use vying for anything more if I was satisfied. Everyone seemed floored with my words, and tried to look busy around us as I just turned around and started to move quickly through the burly crowd. I heard a small chuckle and turned to see the eyepatch Cretor woman giggling at me. She closed her usable eye at me in a way that looked like it was supposed to be a wink to me. It was a bit comical but also a little cool. Her blackish brown leather armour was a stark contrast to the sea of white clad royal knights around her, her deeply tanned skin of her arms scarred and exposed until her wrist guards. It was hard of me to take my eyes off of her, but I just kept darting trying to shake my three pronged tail off.
"Lady Rhea!" I felt tiny arms link around my left arm and a heavy weight pull against me as I kept briskly walking. Jubilee was grinning at me sheepishly, her freckles almost twinkling at me. Her icy blue ices were looking at me like I was a light in the dark. Even though her previous behaviour was explained by the elements, her usual demeanor was still quite childish. Moreso that of a happy and carefree one rather than an entitled brat. I found it quite endearing, and couldn't help but smile back. She reminded me of the orphan children at the monestary, clinging to my arms and skirt as I did chores.
"Yes Miss Jubilee?" She grinned at me as we approached the laundry tent. Surprisingly there weren't very many people lingering around it which I was a bit shocked but I was so focused on Jubilee's smiling face that it didn't faze me too much. I was so entranced that I didn't even hear the whispers around us.
"Nothing! I just wanted to say your name." She squeezed my arm and pressed her face against my shoulder. I couldn't help but chuckle, resisting the urge to drop my satchel and rub her wild hair. I could feel the heated dark air behind me. I craned my head back to see Camille and Jayce firing angry glares at the clinging Jubilee. I thought it was cute seeing their faces contorted in clear annoyance. As I was looking at them, I felt my satchel be ripped from my tiny hands making me jump at the sudden roughness.
"Please let me do this for you Lady Rhea!" I couldn't even react in time as Jubilee took the time I was distracted to snatched my satchel from me. Her entire body was quaking with unbridled energy, darting towards the tent. Just as she did, a swarm of soldiers came in and started bustling around the area-- effectively barricading the tent from me. They all send me knowing smirks and winks, but were also trying to show that they weren't looking at me. I was frozen in shock and my chest started to quiver as I held in laughter. It was absolutely ridiculous, but watching as the swarm of guards all looked at me with happiness in their eyes. I wondered when they had even come up with this plan before, with the small hunting parties that were being sent out and the state of my laundry.
Wait a minute. For someone to come up with this plan they must have been keeping an eye on my laundry. I brought my four dresses and the garment given to me by Mother Meredith, one of which I used on the ride here and the other three I've used up in the last few days. It was a little unnerving that someone was keeping track of my laundry. It didn't take a genius to figure out who it was. I turned on my heels, the soft fabric of my dress rubbing against my skin as I saw Jayce looking to the far left. He realized quickly that I would figure it out. His black leather armour was tight and covered his body entirely. He didn't wear any metal adornments, just his sword sheathed to his side. He seemed to push around the light from around him, shining even more brilliantly with his fringe haircut pushed backwards in a messy but handsome style. It was enough to make my heart throbbed with one look. I didn't realize that I was so openly drooling at him until Camille stepped in front of him looking just as dazzling. Her body was covered in a tight sparkling orange silk top with a low V neck and exposed arms. Her waist was wrapped with gold ribbon embellishments, the rest of the orange silk dress floating around her at mid thigh, black pants covering her legs. I could see daggers strapped to her thighs underneath the floating strands of silk around her. She reminded me of a poisonous flower-- beautiful but dangerous.
"The Saintess is drooling at the quiyan." Someone whispered and it barely reached me. The final word was unknown to me.
"No I think it's the Duke."
"Have you seem Lady Camille? It's clearly her!" Jayce's ears turned red as he overheard and finally turned his head to look at me while Camille was grinning wildly at me. It broke me for my stupor and I gave them a coy smile.
"You guys caught me off guard." I walked over to them, feeling the wind pull at my rather long skirt and my hair tied up in a bun. Jayce raced towards to me meet me halfway, shoving Camille out of his way. He reached out and snatched my hands, causing his fingers around mine.
"The camps Saintess shouldn't have to worry about doing menial chores." If the man could sparkle he would be right now. I could only chuckle nervously as everyone zeroed in on our hands touching.
"I'm not really a Saint--"
"Don't say that milady!" The crowd of onlookers screamed so loud it caused me to jump. Even Jayce's face darkened quickly at my words. The swarm inched closer to me until I was surrounded by burly men and women. Jayce squirmed and seemed a little uncomfortable by everyone's closeness but he tolerated it. Everyone seemed concerned to the point it made me start sweating.
"Do you think you haven't done enough?"
"You're our saviour milady!"
"We would give our lives for you!" Their words of praise and love made my head spin and sent shiver down my spine. I knew my face was burning from all the praise I was receiving. It was a sudden onslaught of compliments, praise and love that I was unused to being showered with. It was only something small, but I couldn't help but my face shining brightly. I didn't think that in this hopeless situation I would finally find some light.