To Nalsy's surprise, the city centre glowed with numerous streetlamps densely placed along the pavement, and their intense light almost resembled daylight. Even though Nalsy decided not to question the day and night thing anymore, she felt unsettled with the night-like darkness.
Nalsy limped slowly on the pavement, taking in the new views around her. She didn't have much of a look previously as she was too focused on holding it together.
Now, she was mesmerised by the unusual window displays and all the people around her who seemed to be dressed elegantly in long frocks and blazer jackets.
Nalsy was too preoccupied with everything that was unfolding before her to notice Edmund's gaze on her. Subconsciously, he smiled as he saw Nalsy's unfiltered emotions show on her face. Her cheeks reddened, her glistening eyes wandered around, unsure of what they should rest on, her lips parted in awe, corners of which pointed upwards.
"Careful." Edmund quickly pulled Nalsy back as she stepped onto the road without looking where she was going, her gaze too fixated on a fountain that appeared at the end of one of the streets. As Edmund pulled her back, a carriage drawn by horses sped by them, running by where Nalsy was about to step. Edmund looked at Nalsy with disapproval, but Nalsy didn't care for it.
"Now, how did we come to be in the 18th or 19th century?" Nalsy asked Edmund, who just shook his head at Nalsy's carelessness, letting go of her arm as they were safe to cross the road now.
"We did not," Edmund replied coldly.
"Is there a historical festival around?" Nalsy kept asking curiously.
"No," Edmund replied shortly, pointing for Nalsy to wait for him as he disappeared by the counter of a bakery.
Nalsy didn't protest as there was so much she had yet to look at, from beautiful houses set evenly in the row to yet another horse-drawn carriage that rushed past, the intriguing sculptures on the top of lampposts.
Edmund was quick to get the food, and as he turned around, he realised just how much Nalsy stuck out from her surroundings, not by her clothes alone. However faint her smile was, her face was still gleaming compared to the people walking behind her, who have been drowned in their sorrows for too long, with permanent frowns engraved on their young and old faces.
Edmund passed Nalsy her food, and they ventured towards the fountain located in the city square. The fountain was located opposite a colossal iron gate which was wide open at this time of the day, welcoming the visitors of the castle. But not everyone could walk past the guards by the gate. People rushing towards the castle were primarily soldiers dressed in uniforms, hurrying towards the training grounds.
Edmund pretty much swallowed his food and quickly disposed of the wrapper before Nalsy took more than a bite of hers, still in a trance over the unusual beauty of the city.
Edmund checked the watch on his wrist, unhappily realising that he had to continue to the training grounds to supervise the ongoing training. As a General, he often overlooked the training to ensure that the program was run sufficiently to prepare young men to enter the combat with the least amount of risk to their lives.
"Shall we head back?" Edmund asked Nalsy. "Or would you rather explore the city centre?"
"I'd happily have a look around the city," Nalsy said without looking at him.
Edmund passed her a small wallet filled with notes, and at last Nalsy looked at him with a frown on her face.
"In case I'm running late, there should be enough for you to get something decent to eat for lunch. Also, get yourself anything else you might need for your stay."
Nalsy was uncomfortable with him offering her money; hence she hesitated. She tried to push the wallet back into his hand, but Edmund was quick to move away.
"I don't want to spend your money," Nalsy said coldly. Her eyes were looking at Edmund with unspeakable hardness. Edmund had to fight himself to not crack under her watch.
"I'm afraid that this is not up for discussion," Edmund ordered.
"How much am I okay to spend?" Her voice was quiet. She hated situations involving money and finances.
"All the cash in the wallet is expendable," Edmund said with a shrug. "Spend it all. And if you need any more, I'll provide more."
"Don't be stupid," Nalsy said with annoyance. "I don't want to overspend" Nalsy looked at notes of unfamiliar design. She was worried that if she spent too much, she would seem ungrateful. She was already very uncomfortable knowing that she must rely on Edmund. It was ingrained into her that independence was crucial, and ever since she became an adult, she worked every minute that she wasn't studying or sleeping.
"You can spend it all" Edmund smiled reassuringly. Nalsy nodded unconvinced.
"Thank you," she said, blushing.
"My business shouldn't take long, but it also depends on Caspian's mood," Edmund said, still studying Nalsy's face carefully. Nalsy put the wallet delicately in her satchel bag and gave him a nod. As she looked around, she noticed the burning looks of the people everywhere. Occupied by the beautiful surroundings earlier, she didn't see the stares, but now she felt them on her skin, and as she didn't like being in crowds, people looking at her made her feel increasingly anxious.
"Shall I meet you back at your home?" She asked, hoping that she would not have to stay in the busy city centre for long.
"I don't want you to get lost," Edmund's face twisted in a slight frown.
"I'm confident that I can find my way back," Nalsy tried to be reassuring.
"Okay." Edmund agreed. "Try not to wander off. You'll be safer near other people or at home." Edmund ran his hand through his hair. Nalsy noticed it and wondered if he always did it when he was considering something careful.
"Don't worry about me," Nalsy replied. "If it comes to the worst, I can always kick them in the face."
Edmund was surprised by the bold reminder of Nalsy's defence skills. He nodded at her statement, and soon he was persuaded enough to walk towards the iron gate.
As he passed by it, guards standing on each side saluted him.