A P H I A
"Aphia, wait!" He tried to stop me, but I did not let him. I'm sure he wants to try it as well; he is just shy to accept it. I want to enjoy my life here in this world before it gets complicated. I wanted Prince Kalmin to experience the things he cannot do alone.
We entered the place, and I noticed that it was packed with customers. The whole tavern reeks of alcohol, and my nose cringes because of its strong smell. "Are you sure about this?" He asked, and I looked over my shoulder to look at him.
"I am one hundred percent sure," I answered while smiling. The place is quite spacious, and the whole area is made of wood. They have a fireplace to keep everyone warm. The tavern is slightly dark because they are only using candles.
I drag Prince Kalmin in the innermost area of the tavern until we reach the bar. We sit on the high chair and excitedly look around the place. "This place is amazing!" I exclaimed in amusement. He groans in frustration, and I chuckle at him. "Stop whining! Let's enjoy the night!" I shouted at him, and he shook his head.
The person on the bar asked for our drinks, and I ordered whiskey for me and beer for Prince Kalmin. He looked at me in shock, and I just laughed at him. While preparing our drinks, someone plays the bagpipe, and the music is tingling in my ears. The music, the place, and the drinks are the perfect combination for tonight's adventure.
"I can't believe I am letting you drag me into this kind of place." Prince Kalmin said, and I patted his shoulder.
"Don't worry. Just a few shots and we are going home after that." I said, and he smiled at me before shaking his head. "What?" I asked since I got confused at his reaction.
"We are going home, huh." He said, and I looked at him in confusion.
"What's wrong with that? We live in the same place, aren't we?" I asked, and he just shrugged his shoulders, making me more curious.
I drank the whiskey I ordered, and I shut my eyes closed as the bitter taste of the alcohol exploded in my mouth. "You better not throw up on me, Aphia." Prince Kalmin warned me before drinking his beer.
I laugh at him. "Don't worry. I have a high alcohol tolerance." I said before drinking another shot. He shakes his head in disbelief.
"The alcohol in your world is tastier than ours," I commented.
"So, you are used to it, huh."
I shake my head. "I only drink occasionally," I answered. "By the way, what's your goal in sneaking out of the castle every time you want?"
"I want to learn how our people make a living. I want to know how they live. I want to know how to be an ordinary person, and I want to explore the things outside the castle." He answered before smiling sadly while staring at his beer. "I envy Clovis." He said, and that made me look at him in surprise.
"What do you mean? You are the crown prince." I said.
"The crown on my head restricts me from doing what I want." He looked at me sadly. "Clovis, on the other hand, can do whatever he wants. I envy him for the freedom he has." I gulped the lump in my throat as I felt Prince Kalmin's sadness.
"What are the things that you want to do?" I asked before drinking another shot of whiskey.
"I want to explore other places besides our kingdom. I want to learn about other races' traditions, cultures, and magic. I want to know my limits. I want to know what I can contribute to the world. I think I have a lot to learn in this world." We both sighed in frustration and chuckled after realizing our topic.
"You are adding more bitterness to our drinks," I said while chuckling.
"You started it. I am not been this talkative and expressive before. It's your fault." He said.
"I understand your frustration, your highness. The feeling of wanting to go out and be free is greater than your responsibility." I sighed, and he looked at me. "However, don't you think there is also someone out there who envies you for becoming the crown prince? Someone wants to be in your shoes and will do everything just to get the crown?" I said.
"What I just want to say is you don't have to feel envious of someone's situation in life like how you feel towards Clovis. Always be grateful and be the best of whatever you are." I said before smiling at him.
He smiles at me. "I did not know you could say decent words." He said before chuckling.
"I know some words of wisdom, and I seldom use it." I rolled my eyes at him in annoyance for ruining the mood.
"Lady Aphia?" I froze on my track as I heard a familiar voice. Shit! It's Aloisia's! I slowly turned to face her, and she looked at me in shock. "What are you doing here?" She asked before looking at me from head to toe. "Why are you dressed like that?" She asked, and I gulped the lump in my throat.
I look at Prince Kalmin. He is trying to cover his face using his hands, and, luckily, his back is facing Aloisia's direction. I turn my gaze back to Aloisia, who is waiting for my answer. "I spilled a coffee on my dress earlier, so I decided to buy cheaper clothes available in the area," I answered before chuckling nervously.
She gave me a suspicious look. "What are you doing here? Are you alone? Who taught you about this place?" She shoots questions one after the other, and she's pressuring me.
"Uhmm. I'm with a new friend. I just want to check this place out and try their drinks."
"Where is your new friend?" Aloisia looked around the area, and I took the chance to cover Prince Kalmin with my cloak and pulled him behind my back. "I want to check if your friend can be trusted or not." She said before diverting her gaze back at me.
"H-He's here," I said as I patted Prince Kalmin's shoulder, and Aloisia looked at him. "He's shy," I said while chuckling nervously.
"Aloisia, where have you—Lady Aphia?!" Howard shouted after seeing me, and I mentally slapped my forehead. The situation is getting worse! "What are you—" He stopped midways as he looked at me from head to toe.
I was about to open my mouth to speak when Elbrus, Gunther, and Clovis suddenly appeared. My mouth gaped open, and my eyes widened in shock. Talk about timing! What are they all doing here?!
"Aphia, you are here," Clovis said while smiling, and I heard Prince Kalmin curse. Wow. It's the first time I heard him curse.
"What are you doing here?" Elbrus and Gunther asked at the same time.
It's the same question I want to ask all of them.
I breathed out before smiling at all of them. "I am just checking out this place and trying their drinks," I repeat what I said to Aloisia earlier.
"In that clothes?" Howard asked and looked at me suspiciously. What's wrong with it?!
"She changed her dress since her original dress got dirty," Aloisia answered on my behalf, and I nodded.
"Who is with you?" Clovis asked, and Prince Kalmin recited a sentence of profanity words that I couldn't understand.
"I'm with a new friend. He's behind me, and he's too shy to face all of you." I said while chuckling awkwardly.
"He?" Elbrus asked, and he tried to look at Prince Kalmin's face.
"What's his name?" Aloisia asked. Shit! Name! I need to come up with a name. I looked around the area to find a name. Name! Name! What should I name him?! Tavern?! No, he will kill me. Alcohol? Definitely not name for a human. Fireplace?! Shit, what am I thinking?! Bar?! No! Stool? What?! Candles?! Chandelier?! Whiskey!? Vodka?! Beer?!
Shit! I hope Prince Kalmin will not kill me for doing this.
"Gin," I uttered, and they all looked at me in confusion. "His name is Gin," I repeated, and Prince Kalmin cursed in annoyance.
"Really?" Aloisia asked, and I nodded while smiling at them.
"Prince Kalmin knew you are here, am I right?" Howard asked, and I nodded.
"Did he let you out of the castle at this hour?" Elbrus looked at me suspiciously, but I still nodded.
"He allowed you to go out alone?" Clovis asked, and I nodded to the nth time. What's with all these questions?!
"I couldn't believe this. The crown prince won't let the priestess go out at this hour." Gunther said as he looked at Prince Kalmin.
"W-We had an argument. He was angry at me, and when I asked for his permission, he just nodded at me and shooed me away." I explained, and I felt Prince Kalmin poking my back. Shit! What is he doing?! "It's getting late. I think I need to go back now to the castle."
"I'll take you home." Clovis offered, but I quickly shook my head.
"No. I'm fine. My friend here will take me home. I trust him." I grab Prince Kalmin's hand. "We'll take our leave now, commanders. Have a good night." I smiled at them, and we hurriedly left the tavern.