Rosie was no longer as cheerful as she used to be. She just walked silently behind Aslan through the narrow alleys. When they reached the market, Aslan paused.
He looked back, making sure Rosie was following him. Because it was crowded, he grabbed Rosie's hand.
There was a hint of guilt in Aslan's eyes because the girl had lost her spirit. The two of them walked through the busy market. He didn't know where to go now.
Aslan looked at the surrounding area, but he couldn't think of a place where Rosie could get her spirits back.
"Is there a place you would like to visit again?" Aslan asked, looking back at her.
Rosie shook her head slowly. "Um… I guess… today is enough."
The girl's voice sounded weak. Aslan clicked his tongue. He didn't know what annoyed him, but hearing the princess who was no longer cheerful, made him feel uncomfortable.
It felt like something was stuck in his heart. The man took Rosie to the stall where she bought the seafood.
"Would you like to buy it again?" Aslan asked.
"Um… to be honest, I'm already full," Rosie replied unenthusiastically.
Aslan took Rosie to a more complete accessories shop.
"Perhaps you would like to have a look, Your Highness?" Aslan asked again, and Rosie shook her head,
"This is enough. I don't have any money with me," she replied softly.
Aslan frowned in confusion. Since when did money become the reason for the girl to refuse to buy something? Wasn't he already paying for her?
"If that's what you're worried about, I still have a few coins with me," said Aslan.
"No need, Lord. This is enough."
Aslan's annoyance only multiplied when the girl became more formal with him. He didn't know, but it felt really weird. The man took Rosie out of the shop and went to the shop selling the candy.
"Would you like some more candy?" the man asked.
Rosie just shook her head, and Aslan didn't know what to do anymore. It looked like today was enough. They had to go back to the castle because in the evening Howland might come back.
However, just as Aslan brought Rosie to get back their horses, he suddenly heard a strange sound. He looked up to see the bright sky.
(There can be no thunder when the sky is this clear) Aslan thought.
Again, he heard the rumbling, but now he heard it from behind. The man looked back and found Rosie lowering her head while clutching her stomach.
"I'm… not hungry," she mumbled.
Aslan nodded in understanding. He pulled Rosie with him. His plan to return to the castle was canceled. The day was still long. There was some time before nightfall.
Aslan took Rosie to a food bar.
"I told you I wasn't hungry," Rosie insisted.
"I know," Aslan replied simply.
He pulled the girl inside with him. When the door was opened, the bell that was in the entrance tinkled sweetly. A few people glanced, then returned with their activities.
The food bar was full of male customers. There were only a few women there. Aslan invited Rosie to sit at a dining table with two chairs facing each other.
"The food here is delicious," said Aslan, receiving a list of food from a waiter. "Perhaps you'd like to taste it?"
Aslan glanced at Rosie secretly, who looked doubtful at the list of food in front of her. He had already decided what he wanted to eat and waited for Rosie, who was still reading the list of the food in front of her.
"Would you like some noodles? The cold noodles here are quite delicious. One portion can fill your stomach."
Rosie bit her lip and pushed the list away, then she shook her head. "I'm not hungry."
Aslan clenched his jaws when he saw how stubborn the princess was who didn't want to admit that her stomach was rumbling because of hunger.
"You sure? You probably won't be able to find food like this in the capital," Aslan said, making Rosie gulp.
Almost, she was almost tempted.
The girl shook her head, then she looked away to look around the bar. Her eyes were fixed on a glass of pink grated ice and also the rows of food that lined up on the long dining table that was being eaten by other customers.
There was a noodle bowl. Seafood fried rice, salad, and also various kinds of meat. The more she stared at it, the more tempting it became for Rosie.
"What if we make a deal?" Aslan bargained. He finally got Rosie's attention back when the girl looked at him.
"Deal? What kind of deal?" Rosie asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
Aslan pushed the menu that Rosie had put away earlier.
"You choose whatever food you want and I'll erase the money you've borrowed so far."
Rosie raised her eyebrows.
What kind of deal is that? From all sides, it was clear that she got all the benefits and Aslan got nothing. Her stomach growled again, making Rosie blush.
She glanced at Aslan, who was waiting for her answer. A subtle smile formed on her lips, and it quickly faded away. Rosie didn't want to make Aslan on cloud nine, thinking that he had persuaded her to eat.
Rosie lifted her chin, then read the food list again. "Well, if that's all I can do to reduce my debt, I don't have much choice."
Aslan nodded in response to the princess's answer.
"I want this. This. This. This. This. And this. Hmm… this too. This looks delicious. Maybe one too."
Rosie pointed to almost all the foods on the list. The girl turned to the side table, then pointed to another one.
"And that grated ice for dessert," she added and returned the list of food to a surprised Aslan.
"Are you sure you're going to eat them all?" Aslan asked, making sure Rosie didn't pick the wrong food.
Rosie looked at the table beside her and nodded confidently.
"No doubt. I want it all," she replied with a broad smile.
Aslan fell silent to find the princess's cheerful smile returned in an instant. Well, he didn't have much choice either. He had made a deal and he couldn't run away from the consequences. Aslan called the waiter.
"Are you sure you ordered all of this, Sir? Did you bring enough money?" the waiter asked skeptically.
"Relax, my husband brought quite a lot of money," said Rosie casually, making Aslan cough on the spot.
"Ah! Then I have to move you to another table. This table won't be enough for all the food you order!" the waiter replied, becoming more enthusiastic.
Rosie smiled broadly, ignoring Aslan who was glaring at her.
"Your Highness!" Aslan rebuked in a whisper.