A P H I A
I am looking suspiciously at the crown prince while sniffing the delectable foods on the table between us. He indeed invited me for lunch, but I doubted his motive.
"Dig in, priestess. I did not tell them to put poison on your food." Prince Kalmin said while smiling mischievously.
"What the hell?" I reacted, and he chuckled. Now I'm scared to eat. "You did not invite me because I won, right?" I asked him.
He smirks. "No, it's not the reason. There is nothing to celebrate about your lucky victory, priestess."
I rolled my eyes at him. "You know I used magic to win, right?" I asked, and his expression tells me he knew from the beginning.
"You did?!" I look at Howard, who is currently eating grilled beef. He insisted on sitting beside me. The rest of the commanders are eating silently. Prince Kalmin invited them as well.
"I have to be wise, Howard. I couldn't let this prince bully me." I said.
"Erskine told me to put you in a difficult situation. He said that you might use your magic just to win against me." Prince Kalmin said, and I rolled my eyes at him again.
That great mage is really something. I'll deal with you later, Erskine!
"It's good that you can use magic when you are in danger. You are not a burden to my knights." Prince Kalmin said.
"B-Burden?! Me?! I won't let it happen!" I shouted in anger. Gosh! He's getting into my nerve!
"I'm glad to hear that, priestess." He smirked. "Two months from now, you will officially join our expeditions, and it depends on what Order you will be joining. It depends on the situation and area of the expedition. I might be putting you in the most critical situation." He said.
"I am willing to do it as long you let me kill you once I make it back alive," I warned him as I pierced the grilled beef with the knife.
He laughed in amusement. "I'm looking forward to it, priestess." He said, challenging me. Gosh! I can't believe a prince like him exists in this world. What a total dumbass.
"I am excited to have you in my Order, Lady Aphia," Aloisia said, and we both giggled in excitement. "Let's lead my Order with the power of women!" She shouted, and we both laughed.
"I know some places where we can pick some herbs for your potion. I will take you there once you join my Order, Lady Aphia." Elbrus said, and we bumped our fist before chuckling.
"I can't believe you are getting along with our commanders." Prince Kalmin said in a straight face.
"Want to join our circle of friends?" I asked while smiling, and he shook his head in disbelief. Tss. Boring.
"I will be supervising your training with Erskine from now on." He said.
"What will be your role in my training? Erskine is too much already. I can hardly manage his desire to use my magic in an impossible way!" I exclaimed.
"I will be there just to laugh at you." He said while smiling. Jerk. "Erskine is a freak when it comes to magic. You cannot stop him from doing his job."
"What will be my role in this expedition?" I asked, trying to restrain myself from eating these delicious foods. I still don't trust the prince. I know he can poison my food.
"There are different kinds of monsters, and most of them are impossible to kill using knights' swords or their magic. The priestess's magic will be our key to defeat them." Prince Kalmin explained, and I nodded.
I got nervous all of a sudden. What if my magic doesn't work against those monsters? What will happen to me? I wonder if they will send me back or throw me away because I'm useless.
After lunch, Aloisia invited me to have tea, and I decided to reject her invitation since my mind was all over the place. I'm worried about my ability as a priestess. I wonder if I can do this.
The next day, Erskine gives me a day off. I scream and jump in happiness. I finally have my most awaited day! Erskine gave me some money to enjoy myself downtown. Yes, I am going to explore the central city and enjoy my freedom, even just for a day. I quickly returned to my room and grabbed a hooded cloak.
A white carriage took me to the Capital City that took about an hour from the castle. I was so amazed to see a carriage in real life. It's my first time seeing a real carriage. I failed to contain my excitement once I got in. I was giggling in happiness as I examined every inch of the carriage. I feel like a damn princess. Shit.
The central city of the Kingdom of Arcovia is like a medieval town in Europe. It's clean and organized.
I was strolling the busy street of the city when I met Aloisia. She was shocked to see me, and she even screamed before hugging me. Wait, we just met yesterday, didn't we?
"I'm sorry. I was just so shocked to see you. I did not expect you to be here." She said. "Why are you here? I mean, I thought you were not allowed to go out." She added, and I smiled at her awkwardly.
I think she thought I was a prisoner.
"Erskine grants me a day off, and I decided to explore the central city," I explained. "What are you doing here?" I asked.
"I bought food for my Order. Our expedition is scheduled tomorrow." She answered.
I nod. "I see. Please keep safe."
"Good luck with your training." She said before leaving. "Enjoy your day off!" She shouted while waving her hand.
I continued walking the street while looking for something that I could buy. I will spend all the money that Erskine gave me. "Hi! How much is the apple pie?" I asked the vendor, and he smiled at me. He told me the price, and I bought it. I was eating it while checking all the stores along the street.
I was checking the accessories in one store when I heard commotions a few meters away from me. "What's that?" I asked while munching the apple pie.
"It must be Commander Clovis's admirers." What?! I looked at the vendor in surprise.
"Admirers?!" I exclaimed. Are they what we called "fans" in my world? What is he, a member of the boy band?!
She nods. "Commander Clovis is popular among women." She said.
Popular, huh. Right. Who wouldn't admire that handsome face, well-built body, and those beautiful eyes? I sighed.
"Are you one of them?" The vendor asked while smiling.
I quickly shake my head. "Oh, no. I'm not. I just know the commander, that's all." I explained, but I cannot deny that I am attracted to those beautiful eyes. I really like the color of his eyes.
I wear my hooded cloak and cover my head with a hood. I should avoid bumping into someone I know. I want to spend my day off alone and do what I want to do freely.
I keep checking the accessories in front of me when someone puts his arm around my shoulder. I was startled, and my body froze. "Hi, my lady, are you alone?" The guy asked, and I think I am familiar with his voice.
I turned my head to look at him, and my eyes widened in surprise. "What the hell, Howard!?" I exclaimed before removing my hood.
He moves away and looks at me in shock. "L-Lady Aphia!?" He shouted.
"Pfft!" I look at Elbrus, whom I just noticed. "Of all the girls that you spotted, you luckily picked the priestess." He said before laughing.
What on earth?! I just said that I don't want to bump with someone I know, and now the two commanders are right in front of me! What a lucky day!
"What are you doing here?!" Howard said, looking so disappointed. Should I feel insulted?
"I am just looking around," I said. I bite my apple pie while looking at them. "What about you two?" I asked.
"Howard is actually looking for someone to flirt with," Elbrus said while chuckling, and Howard looked at him in shock.
"Oh. You must be lonely, Howard." I said.
"What?! No!" He complained. "I thought you were someone else, and you looked gorgeous, that's why I tried to hit on you." He is blushing while explaining.
My back was facing the street, and he thought I was gorgeous? I was even wearing mg hooded cloak. How could he tell how I looked? I shake my head in disbelief. I couldn't believe his flowery words.
"Are you hitting on someone you just think gorgeous?" I asked innocently.
"Pfft!" Elbrus is trying to suppress his laughter.
"Stop it. I feel embarrassed already." He said while covering his face. Elbrus and I looked at each other before bursting into laughter. Damn! He's cute!
I am more comfortable talking with Aloisia, Howard, and Elbrus than Clovis and Gunther. They are fun to be with.
Howard and Elbrus offered me a Capital City tour, and I agreed to go with them. They take me to different stores and historic places in the Capital City.
We are resting under the tree near the fountain when Gunther and Clovis pass in front of us. "What happened?" Howard asked when we noticed Clovis's face.
It's bleeding.