At the entrance of the Capital of Otis, Leticia saw the gate and the guards standing, overseeing and inspecting the identities of the people that wanted to visit the Capital of Otis.
Leticia was overwhelmed by the large and tall gate. She felt her jaw open as she stared at the sight.
Mike noticed her astonishment and couldn't help but also looked at where she was looking.
He understands why she was surprised as the first time that he set foot in the Capital also left him with the impression why it was deemed the wealthy kingdom.
"Is this your first time at the Capital?" He asked.
Leticia nodded and replied, "I've never set foot outside the Oakland town so, I guess yes… this is my first time seeing it."
"I see…" He answered.
Leticia proceeded to look around as she was fascinated to see these many people gathered at the entrance of the Capital with different clothes that were set to what their occupation and the state of their rank.
She could see the long line that was waiting for their turn, there's merchants, a carriage of wealthy people, travelers, adventurers, and mercenaries.
And then she looked at herself draped in black cape.
It looks suspicious…
"Next…!" The guard shouted.
Her attention was grabbed and she turned her head to the front. Leticia was flustered and immediately extended her hand to her sling bag and looked for her identity card but then she heard a gasp.
"Urk!"
Horror was plastered at the face of the guard that was looking up at the hand that was outstretched.
Leticia who noticed a bit slow saw a silver emblem. And heard some of the whispers of the people waiting in line.
"It's a Black Stallion Knight…"
"Oh my goodness!"
"It's the Knight with a Demon face!!"
"Don't look! Don't look!"
Her brows immediately crumpled as she pondered if what she saw was true plus the murmur of the people got her attention.
However she could not take a second glance as Mike hid it inside his pocket after the guard quickly bowed in 90 degrees and pointed to enter the Capital without saying anything.
She looked back at Mike and just saw the scary expression that she deemed as his resting face. Leticia was still trying to get used to it.
But Leticia knew that look was just Mike being nonchalant about his surroundings, that was why she was adamant to ask him a question.
Why does their surroundings seem to be enveloped with silence?
As the horse moved forward, Leticia still couldn't help but notice the atmosphere that turned different as Leticia noticed the look of the people that were looking their way.
'I really want to ignore what I heard...' Leticia said as she looked down and sighed.
But based on what she deduced and the response of the people, it seems that it's true.
"Haa…"
"Miss Leticia are you alright?"
Leticia heard him ask and she quickly changed her countenance but her eyes were still focused at the back of the horse.
"Oh… I'm okay, Sir Mike!" she clenched and held the reins to put herself at ease with her mind that was working fast as the information entered her brain.
Mike then noticed that Leticia seems to have heard what the people at the Gate were saying but still, he thought that he was not the one to tell him about that since she will also learn about it if she just thinks about it.
"Then, why don't you face forward and see what the Capital offers before we arrive at the Co-... I mean the leader's place."
At his word, Leticia confirmed her suspicions.
'Ahhhh! What should I do?! He's really part of the Black Stallion Knights... that means…Ah!' Leticia held the reins so tight that her nails were imprinted to her palms.
"Miss Leticia...?" Mike called, but she was not answering.
"Miss Leticia...?"
Still, he was ignored and she was still looking down as if she was possessed. Mike waited but there was no answer and so, he decided to see what was going on as he hopped down from the horse.
He looked up and saw that she was in deep thought.
"Miss Leticia…?"
After the third call and a touch on her hand, Leticia blinked as if she was waking up from the entrance and noticed that Mike had already gone down and was holding the reins guiding the horse somewhere.
"Do you want to look around?" Mike suggested as if he was not aware that Leticia was in a deep thought just a seconds ago and was worried about something.
"Really?! I could do that?" Leticia asked, her honey eyes sparkled with excitement.
Mike was amused to see how Leticia could quickly change her demeanor in a split second.
Initially, Mike was not someone who would enjoy a walk where people would gather like in the market or the Capital because whenever they see him their looks of fear is attached to their eyes and they avoid him like a plague that he can't help but be in a foul mood.
And escorting a lady was one of the top in his list to make his mood sour throughout the day. Especially, escorting a noble lady that was deemed to be the flower of their house that will break if not handled with care.
But when he saw Leticia and the look of excitement in her golden colored orbs he thought that it's not that bad to accompany her besides she's not someone who would whine like the ladies that he escorted before.
So, for the first time in a while he smiled as he replied to Leticia.
"You can look around as much as you like..."
***
"Ooohhh! So this is what the Capital is like…" Leticia stated, overwhelmed by the people gathered at the central squares.
Mike's lips slightly raised upward as he saw that Leticia was having fun even if they were looking at the sword stores as it had been a while where he could also relax without thinking that people were looking at him with fear as Leticia was with him with a look that she was having fun.
Her eyes shine whenever she looks at her surroundings where she sees people smile, do their work, bargain at the stores or simply tour around.
The atmosphere here was different compared to the Oakland she was accustomed to.
"I'm glad I got to see this…" She said,
Mike looked at her with bewilderment as well as exhaustion mixed on his countenance.
So, he can't help but to ask. "Why did you stay at that place when it seems to me that you're one of those people who likes to travel?'
Leticia stops munching on the food that she bought on one of the stalls and looks at Mike who was also looking at her with curiosity.
'Do I really look like that?' she asked herself as she scratched her face with her slender finger.
He was right though.
Leticia, back on earth, was someone who loved to go to places that would expose her to the culture of the locals besides her part-time job as a model of clothes in a teens magazine made her love to travel as they sometimes shoot outside the studio.
'But I never really thought about it. Is it really that obvious?' she wandered.
They are now sitting beside the fountain in the center square as Mike and Leticia decide to take a break from their tour and have lunch beside the fountain.
She faced him with her hand still holding the barbeque stick.
"I'm not really sure why…"
Leticia vaguely answered and proceeded to eat her food as she ignored his stare.
Minutes passed and Leticia could still feel him looking at her. With a sigh, Leticia decided to explain further.
"I didn't really have thoughts of leaving Oakland. I was satisfied with my simple life there, besides, a lady travelling by herself would most likely be exposed to danger. I'm not someone who would rush through things like that just because I'm someone who likely loves to travel." she said.
Well, she can't really expose herself that she just arrived in Oakland three years ago and had no idea where to go.
She was so busy trying to adjust to that place that travelling somewhere didn't cross her mind until Hugh said something about her being in danger because of the assassins that were searching for him.
"If Hugh didn't suggest leaving the Oakland town, I would most likely live the rest of my life there. I also have a dream of a peaceful life you know…" she added.
Mike was just looking at her with a complex expression. He doesn't know if he would be glad that she gets to travel for the first time and see the beauty outside her comfort zone or that he would feel bad as he knows that she's walking through the tiger's den on her own.
"I see… then I'm glad for you." he simply answered and looked towards the people that passed by.
'I pray that your wish comes true…' Mike sincerely thought.
***
"Miss Leticia, we're here…"
Leticia's jaw dropped as she saw the luxurious palace behind the black gate.
"Sir Mike, don't tell me…"
Mike nodded and confirmed her thoughts.
"Yes… This is his residence in the Capital…"
'In the Capital…?' Her mind wanders.
"Ha-hahaha…" she laughed awkwardly, she's been trying to deny it since the moment that she heard Hugh's name but…
'How the hell did I get myself into this?!'