Everything happened in the blink of an eye. The man's amber gaze moved towards me, and I caught my breath as our eyes met. There was something about him that was larger than life, and street grew quiet around him as all eyes were drawn to him. And... I've never seen anyone with so much presence! It's like you dominate the scene just by existing! His gaze swept the crowd, the gaze of a predator looking for his next meal, and nobody wanted to meet it. He was clearly someone you should not pick a fight with, and the tension in the air told me that everyone has sensed it, too. Or at least ALMOST everyone.
"You wanna fight me? Yeah? Let's do it!" challenged the drunken man, it didn't seem like he understood how tense the atmosphere was and how worse it could still get. "You've got spirit, I'll give you that." said the other man with a grin. "Wait, please! Can't we find a peaceful way to resolve—" "shuddup!!" Before I could even complete my proposal of finding a peaceful way out of it, I was cut off by an angry voice. No— My heart stopped completely for a moment as the drunkard kicked angrily at my fallen books, sending several of them flying. I watched in horror as they soared through the air, pages flapping wildly, before landing in the middle of the street. Of course, it had to be right as someone was riding a horse straight towards them. "Hmm?" It was a majestic white horse, but it was the rider who caught my attention, staring at the books as he reined his horse in. Oh, great. Now we have the attention of TWO men who don't look like they should ever be messed with.
"Who would be so insolent? Was it you?" said the rider. His gaze was as cold as ice, and something ruthless glittered deep within it, like a tiger catching sight of its prey. He wasn't even looking at me, yet I was afraid to move, afraid even the slightest twitch would bring death pouncing down on me. Wait a minute, that crest on your saddle—Oh! Oh noo! You're a member of the royal family, aren't you? The sudden realisation had struck me so hard that I clamped my mouth shut. "Huh?! Who the hell d'ya think ya are! Stop sneerin' at me!" The drunkard's face was flushed as he began stomping on my books, but it was the cruelty in the other man's eyes that filled me with dread. "I hadn't intended to participate in such a vulgar side show, but perhaps this is how one finds amusement at a festival?" said the Aristocratic Man. "Wait—" I tried to speak. The babble of the festival around me seemed to fade into silence as the man began to draw his sword from the sheath at his hip. (You can't be serious—are you really going to kill him?! Over this?!) Sunlight gleamed off the blade, almost blinding me, and then I was moving. "That's enough! Pull yourself together!" "Wha—?!" The sword was still only half-free from its sheath when I reached the drunkard, slapping him across the face so hard my hand hurt. I could feel the people staring at me. Lots of people. But most of all, I could feel the gaze of two startled predators.
"What was that for?!"
"You need to calm down! Or do you want to get yourself killed over this?"
"What are you..."
I glared at him, gesturing discreetly at the crest of the blond man, and one glance drained all color from his face. It was clear that I'd finally gotten through to him, and I breathed a quick sigh of relief before turning towards the man on the horseback.
"I'm very sorry if we caused you any trouble! I hope you can find some way to forgive and forget this incident." I lifted my skirt in courtesy, wishing I had a better idea of how to address the royalty, but it's wasn't like I'd ever had the chance. Suddenly the amber-eyed man burst out laughing, a loud refreshing sound that cut straight through the tension. I was so wound up I nearly jumped out of my skin, but I could feel the mood in the air lightening immediately. "Don't worry, he's not so petty that he'd actually kill someone over something like this," said the man, his amber gaze soft & his black hair shining in the sunlight. "What?" something seemed off about it, did they know each other? "...I tire of this," said the other man, clearly unfazed by what had just happened.
"Are you done playing Daniel?" Another well-dressed young man appeared, shrugging smoothly as he reined in his chestnut horse next to the white one. "Yes. This was a waste of my time," replied Daniel.
We're saved... I think...? The tension began to seep out of me, until I realised the man's ice-blue gaze was focused on my books, strewn across the ground.
"Are those books yours?" "Yes..." He fell silent again, still staring intently at my books, and my breath hitched in my throat as he narrowed his eyes. What am I missing here? Are books sacred to the royal family or something? His gaze moved suddenly from the books to me, pinning me to the spot, and I only distantly heard the man next to him speak, "What now? Don't tell me you're in the mood for a romance?" "Romance is worthless, but—" his sword moved in a sudden, fluid motion, and the next thing I knew, the tip of it was hovering just shy of my throat. (But—why—) I held absolutely still, not even daring to breathe as he used the flat of the blade to tilt my chin up, forcing me to look at him. "Those books are different. They're worth more than you are. You'd do well to remember that," his voice was ice-cold. I want to ask 'what the hell is wrong with you' but I know better than to question royalty. I gave a faint nod, not daring to shift my head too much, and the blade moved away from my throat at last. I watched in stunned silence as he sheathed his sword and took up his reins again, urging his horse onwards. The man astride the chestnut horse watched him for a moment, before nudging his own horse gently with his calves. But as he rode away, I saw his gaze move towards me, and I was startled by the bright amusement glittering in those golden eyes.
The second they were both gone, I felt the tension inside me unravelling all at once, and I took a great, gasping breath. (I thought that was going to end really, really badly... and I'm so glad we're all still alive.) Out of the corner of my eye I saw the drunkard sinking weakly to the ground, but I ignored him and turned to face the other man.
"Thank you so much for helping us. We're indebted to you. Would you mind if I asked your name?" "It's Asher. And you don't need to be all formal with me." "Well-thanks, Asher. Do you... know that guy? The one on the white horse?" I asked, being hesitant if I was intruding a bit too much. "Yeah, but we've never really talked that much." Asher bent over as he spoke, and I belatedly realized he was gathering up my fallen books and the gifts I'd been given as well. "Here you go," he handed over the stuff with a smile. "Oh, thank you!"
(Hmm... they're a little scuffed, but nothing seems torn or damaged. And a good thing, too—I spent WAY too much money on these!)
"You really like books, huh?" "I love them! They're usually way more interesting than the real world. But right now—" I tucked my books under my arm and knelt down next to the young boy, and Asher crouched at my side.
"Hey, pipsqueak, you okay?" Asher asked the little boy, who started wailing. "Waaah... Mama..." "You're lost, huh? Come with me, then." "...Can you... find Mama?" "Sure can. Let's go find her together." Asher's smile was like warm sunshine as he reached down and lifted the boy up, setting him on his shoulders.
Wow, I don't know what to say-you're like an entirely different person now! The stalking lion was gone, his predator's gaze now friendly and almost sweet somehow, and his gentle smile made my heart skip a beat.
"Umm, Miss? Thank you for helping me!" said the boy, rather nervously. "You're welcome. And I'm really glad you're okay." I smiled at him. "Same goes for you. Now c'mon, pipsqueak, let's go." "Oh, hang on, I'll—" But before I could offer to help them search, Asher was striding away through the crowd, his hand raised in a casual wave. You scared me a bit at first-okay, a lot-but now I feel like read you wrong. You're actually really nice. I'll have to thank you properly if I ever run into you again. And you sure do stand out in a crowd, so you'll be hard to miss! I watched until they were out of sight and then turned away, hugging my books to my chest as I made my way through the crowds.
Meanwhile—
"At last I've found you."