Was she in Love with another man?
~
The Fashion Boutique of Hildeth and co.,
The Town of Crimsonton,
Kingdom of Velicia,
The fall of Night,
The Ninth Day of the Month of November,
Thirty Third Year of the Reign of King Jesse Crestings
~
"Then I will escort to the place in exchange for your service and return you here to the boutique when you are finished", Nate offered.
There was a smile of absolute excitement that filled her face as Amelia nodded, "Aw, thank you very much! But wouldn't you be late?"
"No, I'm in no rush", the blond haired man smiled.
"It will be unsafe to be travelling far into the night. I will take you home for some bread and dinner before you can set off or perhaps stay for the night", the damsel said, as she was nearly finished with the work.
"No thank you, but the offer is most kind, Nate answered. "Perhaps another time when I visit? I believe I can't afford to stay this once."
"I will at least buy you something to eat at a hotel", she insisted, as she sealed the knot. "There, it is all done", she said, giving the man a smile.
"Thank you so much", the cavalry chief said, feeling guilty that he had extracted so much work from her. But he still didn't know how he could reel the conversation towards her romantic relationships and outlook.
"So 'Jasper' is your brother?" he asked, commencing conversation, as he helped her descend his horse, one step at a time.
"Well, yes! How did you know?" she asked, carefully placing her foot on the landing, both her hands in his palms for balance.
"Well you told me", he chuckled.
"Oh", the damsel laughed, like she was embarrassed. Then, she thanked him for the chivalry of helping her down, making him wonder if she deemed herself to be an old lady for treating a man disguised twice her age like he was younger.
"I will be back once I put my things away", she said, giving him a lovely smile.
"Of course, Miss", he nodded, taking his horse by the reins and walking her to the door, as though he was ensuring that the large man who had been stalking her was not around.
Nate's eyes also searched for the patrolling knights on the street to see if they were in order.
Just then, there was a man on a horse approaching them hastily, vigour evident in his swift motion.
"Mel", he called and Nate perked up to the voice of Head Knight Erion of the West Wing.
"Erion?" Amelia called from beside him and Nate took a step back, realising that the two truly were close.
"I wanted to see if you were safe after last night", the dark haired knight said, dismounting his horse and pretending like the man in a disguise was not there.
"Oh", the damsel nodded, like she had reservations when she thought back to the night he had mentioned. "Thank you for the concerns", she said.
"No really", Knight Erion said. "I was thinking about you all day, but I could not visit, for I was held up at the Imperial Castle on heavy duty. I had to meet the Crown Prince. I wanted to come see you and now that I was finished with work, I came straight over", the man elaborated.
Nate stared at him like the story was far from convincing. But Amelia seemed purely sold. Her eyes reflected that she was moved and a soft blush painted her cheeks as she replied, "That is so kind, Erion, thank you very much. I do not know what to say. You really are very considerate. Always looking out", she shook her head, like she was feeling emotional.
"Well, it's not for everybody I feel this way", the dark haired knight answered, with a chuckle. Nate was frustrated that he had to endure such a conversation that clearly answered his question with what he did not want to see.
Then, Erion turned to the disguised companion and asked Amelia, "Ah, who is this?"
The cavalry captain put his hand out for a shake while he decided a false name.
"This is my friend. He is a traveller and he came by for some help with his horse. I just thought I'd do my part, since he has a long journey ahead of him", Amelia answered for him, without even knowing his name, let alone his identity.
"I'm Jacob", Nate said, and Erion shook his hand with a tense grip.
"I'm Head Knight Erion, in charge of this wing, sir. Nice to meet you. I hope your journey goes safe. It isn't easy since the routes and wilds are dangerous, especially at an old age", the dark haired man said, as though placing a specific amount of emphasis on his age.
"I'm not that old", Nate said through grit teeth. "I am thirty nine", he finished, realising that he could not say any lesser because of his disguise. "And I am capable of defending myself from any sort of threat."
"Oh, but you only look thirty seven", Amelia said, innocent of the brewing tension between the men.
"Why thank you", the blond haired man chuckled, adjusting his beard. "And yet, you treat me like I'm twelve", he shook his head disapprovingly.
The damsel giggled, before calling back, "I'm sorry, but you feel like it!"
"Amelia here is rather kind a person and would immediately oblige to help anyone. That is why I constantly feel the need to watch over her, unless she gets taken advantage of", Erion said, fixing Nate with a particular look, despite the smile on his face.
"I see", the man nodded in response, before looking down to see the damsel completely blushing and fidgeting with the hem of her apron.
"If you are finished, maybe you'd like to come over for dinner with me, Mel?" the knight asked, turning to the dark haired maiden.
To Nate, it was fairly evident that they were in something of a relationship, since the man was so possessive of her and seemed to be comfortable enough to share meals.
~