"Where shall we go first, your Majesty?" Gloria asked him in excitement.
"Oh, before that, we need some sort of disguise. It'll be easy to blend in the ground if we use those cloaks." He suggested as he pointed at the hanging clothes from afar.
"May I ask why we need to hide our identity?"
"It's because we'll cause another ruckus again if they found out I'm the young prince and you're the Godswell I was protecting. So I thought it was much safer that way."
"Oh, I see... It feels like we're a newlywed couple who just ran away from home together. Tehee~" She giggled.
Edward became flustered. "HA?! Don't think about stupid things, you creep! I just don't want to cause another trouble, that's all! My father has already enough on his plate."
"Wow... I didn't know you were such a good son." She teased once again
He groaned and scratched his head in annoyance. "Ugh! Enough of it already! If you don't want to do it, then I'll just leave you behind and let the people badmouth you. I'm going home."
He pivoted his body in the opposite direction so he would walk back to the carriage. But then Gloria quickly clung to him to stop him.
"Fine! Fine! Let us buy those cloaks, then have a look around to our heart's content. I apologize for teasing you so much, your Majesty~" She happily said as she dragged him towards the store with the clothes.
"W-wait---- Why do you have to drag me around?" He struggled from her grasp, but eventually, he gave up.
When they approached the tailor, she immediately greeted them, "Oh! Greetings to you, your Majesty, and my lady. Welcome to my humble store. May I ask what you may be looking for?"
"I would like a pair of cloaks that is fit enough for us," Edward answered.
"Are you sure? It's not winter season yet. The fabric would only make you sweat, and I'm sure that would feel uncomfortable for you." The tailor asked for confirmation.
"Yes. You've already probably know that I just caused some ruckus earlier when I scared off those knights by myself." He proudly said as he smirked.
"And besides, I don't want to cause any more trouble, so I decided to put on some cloak to hide."
"My~ My~ What a clever prince you are! I'm sure you're also doing it for your other friend over here so I would be willing to give you a discount. I just hope the rumors won't spread to the other towns since they truly despise the Godswells."
The tailor stood up as she searched through her collections of different clothes that vary in size and design.
"Anyway, I just hope these cloaks would fit your measurements." She gave each of them the spares.
They wore it to check and figured that the sizes are just enough.
"Mhmm!" Edward nodded. "We'll take it!"
After purchasing the cloaks, they went outside to have a walk.
They began to look around as they stumbled upon various vendors who can still recognize them despite their outfits.
Most of them were kind enough to give them a discount as a token of their heartfelt apology for what the Godswell has unwillingly experienced. They gave her different items such as bread, corn, cheese, etcetera.
That's why the basket, which Edward was holding, is occupied with a lot of items.
"Why don't we stop by the library and meet with Annie already? This stuff is already really getting heavy."
"Alright, then~ Let me help you." Gloria assisted him until they were able to reach the central plaza.
A central plaza is a place where social events can take place. Most of the time, it is occupied by street performers or other circus members to entertain both the customers and residents of the town. However, during festivals and other important events, the plaza is usually filled by a completely different class of people instead.
One of the active establishments present here is the National Library of Baschlain, which is the meeting place that the maid mentioned earlier.
They sat on a nearby spot of green grass under the shade of a tree as if they were just having a normal picnic day.
Edward looked around to find the maid. "It seems that she is still not here."
"Well, we did agree to meet up with her around 4 pm. But I think it is still around lunchtime."
"Hmm yeah, you're right." Edward looked at the other shadow of the trees from afar to figure out the time.
"Are you getting hungry?" He asked out of concern, which made Gloria smirk.
"How about you, my dear? I bet you're already getting tired from carrying all of that. You can go ahead and take a rest here in my lap." She provoked him.
"SHUTTAP! I'M FINALLY BEING NICE BUT YOU'RE RUINING IT!!!" Edward shouted as his whole face reddened from both annoyance and embarrassment.
Gloria let out a loud laugh when she saw his reaction. His awkward side is priceless.
"THAT'S IT! I AM SERIOUSLY GOING HOME!!!" He was about to walk out again, but Gloria grabbed his wrist to pull him back to her side.
"I apologize once again, your Majesty. I just really can't help it because I'm having a fun time with you!" Gloria genuinely said as she smiled.
"As for your question, I do feel a bit hungry. Can we eat some of the bread?"
"Fine." He gave her a piece. "Just stop it, will you? I never had a friend who was a girl. So I don't know how to react when you say those things."
"Eh? But I thought you're the type of person who is quite popular with the ladies."
"Not really. I always play with my cousins and focus on my swordsmanship that's why I don't get along with the ladies."
"Ohhhh! I feel honored to be your first." Gloria sweetly smiled.
"Huh? Who told you we're already friends? How many times should I say that I'm only doing my job as your bodyguard?" He crossed his arms, but she just laughed it off.
"Anyway, shall we go to the forest next? I'm quite curious about what the forests and mountains look like from a closer perspective. Also, my sister has tasked me to find something, so I need to go at least once."
"You want to go up there?" Edward looked at the faint figure of the mountain.
"We can't. There were rumors that the place is full of wild beasts. It's off-limits. I'm your bodyguard, so I gotta keep you safe."
"Are you perhaps... scared?"
"No, I'm not!!! We can go in some other day, with a few more guards who will protect us. But if we go alone right now, I'm sure I can still protect you!" Edward claimed.
"If that's the case, let us not waste time and embark on our next adventure!" Gloria excitingly said as her blue eyes shimmered.
She went off and led the way while he just sighed in exhaustion.
They continued their way towards the forest as they followrd the road so they wouldn't be lost.
After they treaded the long path, the number of trees started to increase. Gloria could hear the chirp of the birds and other creatures from the trees. She also felt the gentle breeze that swayed their cloaks. She was pleased by the beauty and solemnity of mother nature.
It was quiet for several more minutes until Gloria was the one who broke the ice first.
"This cloak is so thick and warm. It is an outfit designed for withstanding the cold weather, yes?" She said, already getting tired from walking.
"Um, yea. Its material is from our sheep's wool."
"A-a sheep?!" Gloria questioned in bewilderment since the sheep is considered a sacred creature in their religion.
"Don't worry we don't kill them. We just shave the wool and then process it to make some fabric." Edward cleared the misunderstanding.
"Ah, I see. That's amazing! Your tools must've been assisting you when it comes to things like this. In our case, we always use magic on almost everything else."
"Now that you've mentioned it... I'm now curious how you'll use your magic in doing these kinds of stuff. I also would like to know about the teachings in your religion since you said earlier that your people view us as barbarians. I would like to know the reason as to why they call us that."
"Oh... About that... I apologize in advance if it may offend you, your Majesty. But, our ancient doctrines say there was only one God that rules the heavens and the universe itself. We called our deity the Creator because, in our belief, He was the one who created everything from dust, so He has the highest authority. It is mentioned in His laws that we cannot make any other idols and worship them. Our older priests and priestesses believe that your people have made their weapons as your idols and use them against other people to murder them. So they've been lecturing us about how barbaric that was and that we must cleanse your sins so you can be forgiven by our God."
Edward made a disgusted expression. "That's some totally creepy stuff coming from a weirdo like you."
Gloria glared and pouted at him. She had finally thought that he had a nice and cool side on him, but it seems that it was only a facade to keep his image on his subjects.
This annoying side seems to be his true personality. How disappointing.
"Hmph." She crossed her arms. "Well you're the one who asked for it, didn't you? I apologize if it offends you, your Majesty."
"Well, I can't blame them though. We didn't have a God, and then one day, we just started making our tools to survive. But you're wrong about worshipping them because we're only using it for lots of various ways and uh..." He paused for a moment to reconsider the statement he would say.
Gloria also stopped walking as well and faced him. Her blue orbs looked into his eyes as if she was trying to find the answers in there.
He averted his gaze and answered, "Yeah, we butchered your ancestors, but you were the ones who attacked us first. We just want to protect ourselves and continue to live, that's all. But because I grew up here, I've always been thinking that the Godswells were a bunch of evil people who wants to invade our land and kill all of us like what they did to our ancestors and the dragons. Do you understand now why I despise your people so much?"
There was a long silence between them since they were talking about a deeply sensitive subject.
"Yes, I do but... Do you hate all of the Godswells? Do you think all of them are evil?" Gloria gave off a warm smile when she asked this.
What the heck is that? A trap question?
Edward struggled so painfully hard to come up with an answer.
"I do. I hate all of them, and I cannot forgive them for what they did to our ancestors. I also hated my father for trying to befriend the Godswells after all they've done to us. But I guess it was his decision in the first place, so I can't say anything against it." He honestly answered.
Gloria seems to be satisfied with his answer.
"Well... How about you? Don't you feel comfortable around us?" Edward returned the same question.
"Hmmm~" She thought for a moment before she honestly answered, "You all seem nice so I don't hate all of you. I think I'm starting to like this place."
Then she stared at him and said, "Especially you."
"Ha?!" Edward was shocked.
"Well, you did protect me earlier. That was cool and nice. It made me feel worthy and wish that I could do something like that too."
"I only did that because it's so rude and unmanly for a knight to ridicule a little girl." Edward scratched his hair, not knowing if she is still messing around him.
"You were also saying bad things to me yet you also see me as a girl. I think you're the one who's weird in here." She laughed when she realized it, not being able to predict his train of thoughts.
He felt ashamed of that fact, so he tried to change the subject. "Shuttap. It's none of your business. Can we already hurry up and find whatever you're looking for?"
"Of course!" Gloria nodded. "I'm finding some medicinal herbs that would help us improve making our potions. Do you perhaps have a shrub here that fits the description?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about. But I suppose I can lead you to an area where there are a lot of shrubs. Follow me."
Then Edward led the way as they strayed from the road and went even deeper into the forest.
As they walked together again, Gloria noticed that the trees were getting more numerous to the point that she already lost count.
All of them possessed long erected trunks which made them intimidating. Their branches and leaves are thick enough to block the sunlight's rays, making the vibe even more mysterious.
Gloria started to feel uncomfortable, so she walked closer to Edward's side. Meanwhile, he quickly noticed this.
"Hmm? What is it? Is there something wrong?"
They were startled when they heard some rustling from the leaves.
"Eep!" Gloria shrieked and immediately hid behind him, being scared.
"Shush!" Edward gestured her to calm down.
When she was already fine, he slowly approached the bushes. He also unsheathed his sword, preparing himself for the ambush.
Then after a few moments of deafening silence, a large boar rushed itself towards their direction.
Edward waited for the right moment while he was bending his torso and knees. And then, at the next second, he was able to aim and stab the sword towards its throat in an attempt to quickly kill it as well as avoid its sharp tusks.
The boar squealed in pain and snorted in ferocity. Since it is pretty much thick-skinned, his attack was rendered ineffective, instead the boar became even more furious.
It struggled and tried to shake off his grip from the sword by moving its head a lot, which gave Edward a hard time on pushing his sword deeper.
"Dammit!" Edward steadied his stature as he was already grabbing on the boar's snot, so that he wouldn't let go of his sword.
Then he swiftly moved himself and hopped unto the boar's snot, so he wouldn't fall while the boar was running around aimlessly.
Soon enough, the boar bumped its head to a tree, which caused Edward to feel a tremendous pain.
"GAH!" He groaned and loosened his grip as he fell down on the tree's roots.
The boar only shook its head sidewards to reorient its perception. Then it prepares to approach once again.
He coughed out some blood and gave it a menacing glare so it wouldn't dare to come close. He felt too weak to stand up as the force might've broken some bone from that impact.
Even though he wanted to fight back, he can't. Even though he didn't want to lose his life here, he couldn't pick up his sword.
This doesn't feel good.
So this is how desperate the soldiers were when they were fighting against something stronger than them.
The boar was about to hit him again as he closed his eyes and braced himself for the impact.
"Your Majesty!!!" Gloria shouted as she raised her arm in an attempt to reach him.
From her palm, golden particles began to appear. It reformed into a more substantial material, then it extended itself towards the boar's direction.
The tangible golden object has successfully pushed the boar away to a nearby rock, which made it unconscious.
Edward was frozen in surprise when he saw that. He couldn't believe it with his eyes. So he didn't notice when Gloria was already beside him.
"Your Majesty!!! Pull yourself together! I will heal you now, okay? I'm not really good at it yet, but I'm still going to heal you!" Gloria hastily said as she started to cast a healing magic spell on him.
Edward winced in pain.
"What are you doing...?" He stared at her as she was concentrating. "You fool... You're in the territory of Valor, in our Kingdom of Baschlain to be specific. It is forbidden to use magic. If someone sees you doing this, you would be executed for commiting treason."
"Shut up! I don't care! Why did you let yourself get hurt?! You could've easily avoided it!" Gloria started to lecture him as her body emanated more golden particles since she was emotionally unstable.
"It's your fault. I couldn't react in time because I didn't have enough practice. I also didn't want to let it go because it would've hurt you instead. It's funny how I ended up losing because of a Godswell, even though I was really trying my best." He bitterly laughed.
His eyes widened when he felt her teardrops on his cheek. She was crying.
"I told you to shut up, so you should save your breath. Just let me heal you. Please." She said in between of her sobs.
Edward silenced himself as he watched her. He stared on her pair of eyes that were blue like the skies. He could see the loneliness in them.
They poured more salty teardrops on his fac, so it reminded him of the rain that he was hoping to happen. But he was not sure if he liked it.
He soon felt a relief as his wounds disappeared. The golden particles from her body have also slowly dissipated.
The silence conquered the two of them for a few moments, until Gloria spoke.
"I apologize if I had to use my magic, your Majesty. I shall face the consequences for committing such a treason..."
Edward hesitated for a moment, but he soon replied. "Don't worry. I'll keep it a secret for the both of us. If word come out that I got hurt, it will cause a lot of trouble. Not only for us, but also for Annie. For that sake, I will never speak a word about what happened. I'll also do this as a token of gratitude for saving my life."
Gloria smiled, being relieved. "Thank you too, since you also saved my life."
Edward felt a weird feeling on his chest when she said it in the most genuine way possible while wearing that beautiful smile.
He cleared his throat. "Don't mention it. I'm simply doing my job as your bodyguard."
"Mhmm." She nodded
"Let us head back. It's getting dangerous here." Edward stood up as if nothing happened. "Annie will probably worry about us if she noticed we've been out for a long time."
Gloria's knees are still feeling numb because of what happened. It seems that her healing spell had taken an amount of her strength.
Edward noticed this, so he turned around his back. "Hop on."
"Pardon?"
"I said hop on already."
He gently pulled her body so she could lean against him, then he swiftly carried her weight with his arms. Soon after, he begins to walk.
"A-am I not heavy?" Gloria shyly asked.
"Well yeah, compared to that basket you had, you are indeed heavier. I would appreciate it if you go on a diet." Edward frankly answered.
"That's so rude..." Gloria pouted as she leaned against him. "I don't know if you're a nice guy or a straight-up jerk."
"I'm neither. It doesn't matter what kind of person I am. What's important is that I know who I wanted to be."
"That's admirable indeed. I suppose you want to become someone like your father, yes?"
"Mhmm." He nodded. "Though, of course, I'll be better than him."
"My, what confidence. I had wished I had the same esteem as you had."
"Didn't you have any ambitions for yourself?"
"I have none. I had hoped for what's best for my people as I continued to pray for them to have good health and live happily."
"Your dream is also admirable."
"Thank you."
A moment of silence reigned between them, so Gloria spoke again,
"Can I ask one last favor? After this, I won't demand any more wishes."
"What is it?"
"Can you be my friend?"
Edward couldn't answer.
"Well... It's just. When I thought that this would eventually be over once we leave, I might not be able to visit here and see you again. I will probably go back to that place. I will miss all of my fun times here. So... I would like it if I make the most of it."
"I highly doubt that. Our countries will continue to work together towards peace. So as long as we cooperate, we will still have a fair chance of meeting again in the future."
"Is that so... Then I will look forward to it. Please promise me that you would still protect me as my bodyguard."
"Yes, I will."
And so they returned to the library with the promise they kept in their hearts.
- To be continued