I woke up in the middle of I don't know what time, when I felt someone is staring at my sleeping face! This made me panick. I didn't remember sleeping last night. After that conversation with Eilif, I was pondering with my thoughts of going back home. Instead I fell asleep without even having my dinner!
"Who..?"
As I was trying to see who's that familair built sitting next to my bed my heart won't stop from pounding. Then the lamp beside the bed suddenly lit up.
I breathe out when I found out it was Eilif.
"What are you doing here?" I ask him.
Checking how my clothes change to pajamas, I think it was Flora who changes my clothes.
"You didn't eat your dinner. It's bad to be sleeping with an empty stomach."
"Well, I am not that hungry.." I reason out. I forgot about dinner to be honest.
"We travelled the whole day, that's an amazing stamina you got there."
As I look into his smirking face, I notice how the moon illuminate the beauty of his face. Even with the dim light of the room, it cannot overshodow his face. His red eyes glowing like it was bound to happen while in the presence of the moon behind him, rather outside the open door to the balcony.
A beauty, that I just notice if it wasn't for him entering this room I am occupying. He is not wearing his cloack, again with that plain shirt, his muscular body fits well. As if the most handsome man I have met before won't even stood a chance compare to him.
With his height, and his build, the beauty stand-out so much.
"Lady Prestine..?"
I stop from my thoughts and look back at him. "Y-yes?"
"You should eat." Is that what he wanted to tell me?
"You are supposed to be resting now. Why come here instead?" Was it only to remind me to have dinner?
"Flora's making a fuss about you sleeping so early. It must have been my fault for dragging you to travel the whole day, with barely resting."
"Sorry for disturbing." I just said and make my move to stand from the bed.
"Do this inn happen to have a kitchen?"
My question surprised him, for only a second. Then he nod.
"You better wear some coat, if you are going outside your room."
I check the pajama's I am wearing. This is nothing but a plain sleeveless. Though my chest, I just followed what he said, and grab the coat he offered.
He then guided me to the kitchen. Good thing they have this oven here. And a place where they preserve all the vegetables needed. There are few meat, so I didn't mind.
I started what I usually doing in the kitchen. Not minding his stares at every move I do. Using this knife, and chopping onions and garlic. Good thing they have the best knives here too.
"Seems like you are good in the kitchen." I'd take that as a compliment.
"I am usually the cook among with my friends."
"Good for you, I barely know ladies who could cook nowadays.."
I look at him for a second and continue chopping. "Discrimination do exist in every world. In my world, there happened to be like that. Woman should stay at home. Taking care of the house rather than going out working."
"That's not to discriminate. Ladies should stay at home."
"To what? Stay pretty? Drinking tea with some other ladies and gossip around? Waiting for every man's command like a puppet? That won't do."
He scoff of what he said. "Only those confident ladies will do that."
I didn't argue with him. I should respect what his ideals are. Afterall, we both lived from a different world.
"By the way, aren't you gonna sleep now?" I ask him and prepare to serve the food for us.
Sueté vegetable is really the best menu I could serve. Well, only Ellis and Shane appreciated this menu back then.
"It's almost two AM now, I will rest after you eat."
I wanted to smile. I honestly wanted to smile! But I have to stop myself. There's no way he'd care for me to the point of waiting for me until I could eat! No way. No way in Hell!
"Nocturnal? I guess?" I started eating. He then do the same. At first he was smelling the food. But when I started eating, he then eat the food I gave him.
"Not really."
"Then why bother.?"
He stops from eating and look at me. There, again. Those as red as blood eyes, staring at me.
"I dunno..." After saying that he finished his food as quick as possible and stand. "I will wait for you in your room."
I don't have any idea of what he said. Or why is he acting that way. I just finish my food as well.
Is he just weird? Saying something then leaving immediately?
I just don't understand men at all. I shrug my shoulders thinking about what he said. Then ignore. Cleaning the plates that I used and making sure the table was clean before finally going back to my bed.
Now that I am alone, holding this candle that slightly giving lights to the hallway, I just found out that my room is in the third floor of this inn. They said they rented the entire building just for us. Though I know for sure that getting an inn like this will be very expensive. I don't think asking Eiliff about the costs will be helpful at all. And I don't have a single penny with me.
Sahana took good care of everything I am using. Flora, who's taking care of me as well was hired from what they said, far away land. I wonder if Flora is married? Or have kids? I don't know. Maybe I could ask her some other time.
There's this wide window along the hallway. I stop walking and stare at the moon. I never have time to admire the moon back then. I know it's only natural for me to say that, because of how busy usually my schedule back then. Thinking about it now, if it wasn't for Sahana who brought me here, I will never have time like this, admiring the beauty of the moon.
Then memory of Eiliff's beauty came to my mind. That only happened earlier and now that I got to think about it, he is indeed beautiful. What a nice view..
"What took you so long?"
That's ... how he greeted me when I came back to my room.
Him, sitting to the chair he used earlier, looking so impatient. If only I have my pencil and paper with me, it will create a perfect portrait of him.
"Well, I ..." I can't find any words to answer him. So instead of thinking about answering him, I just put the candle to the table and remove the coat I was wearing.
Ignoring him, while going to the comfort room for me to wash my face and do my shinanigans before heading back to my bed.
I made sure that I was taking my time inside the wash room so that he'll get bored waiting for me. Well, there's no way he'd be waiting for me for that long. Though it pinches my heart with guilt, I still take my time.
Well, it's not that he'll be waiting for me to discuss something, right?
But to my surpise he was still there, sitting quitely, rather sleeping. I don't really have any idea why he is here inside the room I am occupying. But looking at him sleeping like a child. What a poor posture.
His head actually look likes it's dangling. And he'd flinch every time his head moves.
Why is he even here in the first place?
I get the extra blanket and put it on top of him. This way, he woudn't feel cold. I walk slowly past him and close the door of the balcony. As I got back, ready to lay down on my bed, I check his sleeping position. That's not a good sleeping position honestly.
I should invite him to sleep with me on the bed, but I stop myself from doing so. This is a very conservative world. I must never forget that. And even if I used to live in a modern world, I barely entertain any male friends.
Now that I remember it, I have never even dated anyone back then! And I am turning twenty-nine for goodness sake!
This is one hell of a reason why Ellis would always introduce me to her male friends.
Again, I look at Eiliff's sleeping face. Even his eyes close, it is still undeniable beauty for him.
God, if only every single person was born with that kind of beauty, no one will ever feel insecure.
Flora woke me up the next day telling me it's almost lunch time. She was worried about how I slept last night without even eating dinner. So I have told her about Eiliff reminding me and helping me prepare for food last night.
She was even surprised with what I said and reprimanded me about letting a man in to my room in the middle of the night.
She was nagging me, that even if it was the tower's magician, I have to be on my guard on letting him in. So all I have to do is to agree with everything she said.
When I woke up that time, Eiliff is no longer there. The blanket I have given him was already folded on top of the chair.
Flora, as usual helped me with my bath. As it takes time, I am getting used to it. Even the dress was prepared by her.
Giving me light meal to eat and leave when I was done.
"By the way, have you seen Sahana?" I ask her before leaving.
"Sir Sahana was ordered to check the center of the town."
"What for?"
"There will be measurement on the magical tools they will be using for the festival." She informed me. "Today marks the Moon Goddess festival."
I was surprised with what she said. So festival like that exist in this world. I wonder how they celebrate with that.
Moon Goddess festival hah. I wanted to know if I could go and take a look.
When I finally got out from my room. I was looking for anyone who would want to accompany me. I wanted to go sight seeing, but I am not familiar with this place, so I needed a guide.
"Arcon...!"
The blue haired guy look at me with a wide smile. "Milady!"
"Are you busy? Can you spare some time for me?"
He look like thinking about something. Perhaps about his schedule. "Today is the Goddess of Moon festival!"
"Yeah, Flora mentioned about it, so I wanted to take a look around. And I don't wanna go alone."
"Your maid servant? I see, but I can't do it today Milady, forgive me. Master has different orders for me for today."
I got sad when he said that. So I force to smile and said my excuses to him.
How sad it would be. Since Flora mentioned it, I got curious to go out and watch. I was hoping to see how they celebrate the festival.
I stop walking and enter one of the empty room. Here, they have set a sofa near that big window. Where the view of every children running happily with their friends. Today, seeing the place became more crowded makes me itch to go out too!
Then an idea pop up!
'Yeah, Eiliff...'
I started roaming around the inn, checking every room to find him. Yeah, I could ask him to go out with me.
I stop infront of the door near my room. I knock three times then enter.
"Eiliff! Are you here?"
When I didn't hear any response, I slowly walk outside the door. But stop my pace when I heard the heavy footsteps.
There, my mouth almost watered. My eyes shines like I have seen the greatest blessing the God of beauty have sent me. This one of a kind sight is worth to risk a life just to see. A man standing infront of me. Almost half naked. Water slowly cascading through his abs. And that huge scar to his left shoulder became more attractive.
"Why are you looking for me?"
I woke up from my daydreaming of carressing that body. Ha.Ha .
"W-well.." I tried to focus my eyes somewhere. "I wanted to go out, but I don't want to go alone."
Damn! I hope he didn't notice my stares! I hope that I didn't look like a perv while letting my eyes scan his body!
A cold sweat on my forehead. This is not the first time I am seeing the man's body. But this is the first time I wanted to stare to a man's body!
Good heavens.
"Why?"
"H-ha?" When I look back at him, I was quite disappointed that he is already wearing clothes. 'Where the hell did my innocent brain have gone to?!'. I tried clearing my throat before answering him. "To the center? Flora mentioned about the festival."
He walk back inside the door where he came from. I waited for a minute and then I saw him all dressed up now.
What a waste bod.
"Today is the festival of Tohan's Town. They celebrate the Goddess of Moon festival yearly. And I heard that the noble family who owns this territory will be here too."
"Ah? Well, can you go with me?"
He gave me a doubt look. So I smile innocently. I hope he didn't notice what I did earlier.
"You must have enjoyed it.."
"Ha? W-what?" I know what he meant! So he noticed me. I look to my left side. There are times that I really can't lie straight. Especially when I really enjoyed that show. Ha.Ha
"I don't have much time today either."
The sound of disappointment in my heart shattered so loud. "Really?" My voice became sad. It's really sad that I was curious to death. I wanted to go and check. Because I have never been to any festival before.
Even if some places have festival. I don't have much time to go and celebrate it with them personally.
"We can atleast stroll for a few hours, but we must return before dinner."
My eyes shine, my ears even widened when I heard him said that. Like a child excited to go out for the very first time. I smile and speak happily. "Then, I won't roam around too much."
"Tsk."
"T-then I will be back for a minute. I will ask Flora if I need to change my dress going out."
Because I'm too excited to go out. I went straight to Flora and inform her about my plan to go out.
She really helped me change my dress to the most simple one.
"Master doesn't like to stand-out so much, so simple clothes are needed."
A plain blue skirt below the knee and a white blouse. She even let me wear a hairband with a small flower as a decoration.
I was smiling ear to ear when I meet with Eiliff, who's patiently waiting for me.
"Have a safe trip Master, Milady." Flora said while bowing.
"Let's go!" Like a child, I said with enthusiasm.
At first, Eiliff was walking so fast that my feet can't keep up.
When I pull him to my side and cling to his arm, he look at me with a furrowed brow, but I just ignored his expressions.
"I am a slow walker, so please walk slower." I told him while pouting.
He was obliged to walk slower to match my pace. As we are walking, I never let go of clinging to his arm while watching these kids laughing with their peers.
The smiles on their faces is the best thing a parent could ever see. Though I am not a parent, I still enjoy watching these children happy.
Some of them have balloons in their hands. Others have toys, there are few kids holding foods and flowers.
Families are everywhere. Smiling to each other. Some are talking seriously, others are laughing with their child.
Family..
There was a little girl who's crying while her father was comforting her. The mother gave the little girl a cotton candy.
Family..
Some of them are dressed well, while others are average.
Family huh? I tried to look at the stalls.
I somehow wanted to know if I ever had a family before. Or why I grew up alone. If ever I have one, why did they let me live alone.
Family, despite the success I achieve at the young age, I never longed for them. If ever I have one. But seeing these people here. These children with their parents.
That little girl crying, while the Dad is comforting her, makes my heart hurt for something.
"Are you okay?"
I breathe, and make my voice lively. "Yup! This is way more crowded."
"Is this the first time you have been in a crowded place? This usually happens rarely."
"Nah, I'm used to crowded area. Well, during book signing. Meeting with my fans." I smile remembering the last book signing I did. My schedule was out of the blue.
It was due to the demands of my fans. Every book I release became a hit. And meeting with fans is inevitable. Having small talk with them while signing. Giving smiles infront of the camera. The small gestures. The way they said I inspire them with my books. So, yes, I am used to crowded area.
"We haven't reach the center yet, but the people here are crowding already."
"You don't like crowded area.."
"I dislike being crowded." He honestly said.
It's too late to feel guilty. So I just smile at him.
"The Purrley Family is heading this way!"
When someone shouted with those words, the crowd move to each side of the road.
"Who are they?" I whisper.
"They are the one taking care of this territory." He answered. As if whispering.
I heard the sound of a band, more people came to us, that made me feel uncomfortable. I move closer to him, and almost stumble when a lady suddenly appear to my side.
This is a freaking parade. A band with their instruments. The horses walking slowly. And that open carriage with flowers around the carriage.
So this is their parade. They don't even have cars here. So horses are well used in this world.
There was an old man on the first carriage that pass through us. Waving hand to every person around.
The crowd became cheerful. They were shouting.
"My Lord! My Lord!"
But the smile on that old man on the carraige is fake. So fake. Forcing himself to smile to everyone.
Perhaps he is like a politician here.
Another carriage passed through, there was a middle-aged blonded woman, she's smiling so much that her perfectly align teeth are showing.
Again, the crowd became cheerful.
"Madame! We are so grateful to witness your beauty!"
She's not even beautiful.
"Madame!"
Everyone's cheering for that family.
Another Carriage and there were two people in it. A young lady with a blonde hair, smiling the same way the old man was smiling. Full of plasticity. There she was with a young man, who looks the same age as Sahana or maybe younger.
He's smiling. No, that flirty smile is so obvious. The young ladies around me was screaming as well. They are even giggling while shouting.
"Young Master! Look this way please!"
My hands are clapping, as slow as a turtle. I am not enjoying this parade at all. The main characters of this parade are good at faking of those smiles.
I am even getting goose bumps with those plastic smile.
Everyone around me are even gasping for air. The hand I am clinging to Eiliff's hand has been detached. Since I have to clap too.
"Oh My goodness..."
"Where is the Young Master heading too..?"
Every single young ladies around me are all like out of breath, with that presence of their young master.
His looks is normal for me. That blonde hair is not unique. If there's something, it was his eyes that's good to be staring at. It looks like an ocean reflecting the blue skies.
I kept blinking when I noticed that ocean like eyes in very front of me!
His ocean like eyes are really beautiful, but beneath those eyes are clearly full of malicious!
Everyone around me was gasping. And this ocean like eyes dude, is already standing infront of me!
Smiling ear to ear as if he have seen a jackpot, his left hand holding a long stemmed red rose.
I wanted to roll my eyes, heaven ward, but I stop myself. If he is one of the nobles Eiliff mentioned, I can't get any hate from anyone here.
"For the most beautiful lady my eyes have ever laid..." He said with a smile.
I even had time to look at my back to check who's he talking too, but suddenly, the crowd behind me turn likes how Moses parted the sea!
"A-ahm..." I am so used with these stares. One thing I just don't like is, someone infront of me pretending to be the kindest person.
"S-she's so lucky..."
"To have the Young Master's eyes have laid on..."
The envy of those voices irritates me.
I look to that flower he's offering me.
"Will you give me the honor of knowing the name of the most beautiful lady I have seen?" He ask.
He really have the gut to ask, infront of this crowded area!
I inhale and slowly exhale. I accepted the flower he offered and answer him with my name. "Prestine."
He didn't ask for permission, but he took my hand and kiss the back of my palm.
"Such a beautiful named, suit you so well My Lady, I am Earl Erebos Purrley."
Even his name gave me goose bumps.
After that scene he created, he was called by that young lady to continue the parade.
It was obiously embarrassing to create such thing.
My entire body wanted to shiver of the thought of him kissing my hand.
"Eiliff...." As if crying, I move closer to him and walk away from the crowd. As if he knew the assignment, he guided me to the nearest alley where no one can see us. "Can you sanitize my hand!"
"Hah?"
"It feels like...it feels like I have got into contact with germs..." I explain to him while rubbing the part where that dude kissed. It's giving me the shiver. "And this flower...It feels like it will give me nightmares!"
I heard him laugh, he took my hand and do something with it. It was a small magic circle, at first it feels cold, when the magic circle became orange my hand felt a warm water in it, and it got dried with Eiliff's magic.
"You didn't like the flower?" He ask me while staring at the innocent flower.
I shook my hand and hold his arm. "I don't wanna suffer from a nightmare. So please..." I whisper. "Get rid of that!"
As soon as I said that, the flower suddenly lit up with fire and it only takes a second before it faded with the air.
"The goosebumps that dude gave me..."
"That 'dude'?"
"Yeah, what was his name again.... no! Don't mention the name! I'd rather forget meeting that one!"
"If someone hears you, they will think of you as a rebel against the Purrley Family."
"Nevermind that. Agh!"
"What?"
"Tsk, that dude. It was cringey, wasn't it?" I ask him.
"I wasn't paying attention."
"I hope not to meet that dude again." I pray silently.
But I am not someone's favorite. Even how hard I try to pray. My prayers are quitely unheard of!
"You are really the most beautiful lady I have seen my whole life."