A few days after my birthday I was finally able to make my ice barrier. I was so happy I could float. Wait, I was actually floating. Later that day I showed the results of my hard work to Mr. Gerald and my parents. They were really impressed with my evolution and agreed to let me go out to the town the next day, after my insistence. I have really worked hard on all my studies and my mother couldn't object to anything. That evening I told everything to Chopa who was listening happly, or maybe it was the belly rubbing that made him happy. I instructed him to not follow after me to the town as it can be dangerous to a little puppy. It was actually strange that he didn't grow at all since I met him, but maybe wolves didn't grow as fast as dogs.
That being said, the next day, after a quick breakfast, I was dressed in a commoner dress that Mia prepared especially for me and went to the town by using the carriage the servants usually use. I tried not to stand out. I think it worked as no one turned an eye when Mia and I got out of the carriage. The coachman was waiting for us there while we looked around a little. There were so many people there, going their own ways. I was fascinated. Although commonors, their clothes were good looking. They weren't luxurious, but not rugs either. And they were fashionable also. Mia knew the place better and suggested we go to a store. The one that she picked was really big with plenty of products. It had many beautiful dresses and even a corner where a tailor could take your measures. There was a section only for hats and another one for umbrellas, gloves and fans. After looking around fascinated, I decided on a beautiful white hat with small yellow flowers and bought it with the money my parents gave me. I thought it would be useful while exploring the market. I smelled some delicious foods coming from there. When I told Mia that, she just smiled and said something about being the same whatever clothes I wear. Well… a hungry tummy is a hungry tummy.
We bought many sweets and stopped at some kind of cafe to order ice tea which was perfect for this hot summer day. While drinking our tea, I was focused on the people on the street. They were happily chatting with each other while buying different things from the market.
"Your eyebrows are frowning, Miss. Is there something wrong?" asks Mia as she studied my face.
"I am just amazed by everything. The people here look so carefree. And the children just run freely on the streets. It's really a wonderful place."
"It's all thanks to your parents, you know. They have also protected this area, as well as some other areas, so that the people here will not be poor. They have the lowest taxes in the country, and often provide medical care to those who need it. The people here love the duke family very much. Most of the vegetables that we used back home are received as gifts from them." Mia informed me.
"I did not know that!" I started thinking. My opinion on every other thing I learned beside magic was that they were unnecessary and they were just wasting my time. My parent's job also seemed very boring, but it was in order to protect the people here. Maybe my efforts should be put more into becoming better. "I have to raise to that level as well, to protect these people."
"I have never expected anything less from you Miss." She patted my head and smiled kindly at me.
When exiting the cafe, I heard some noises from a small alley nearby. I, of course, headed towards that place without hearing Mia's concerned word. I sensed her becoming more sharp and ready for anything. Although I wasn't allowed to have weapons, I knew Mias had some knives hidden somewhere, maybe even a short sword. Before arriving at the scene, an older woman came from the bakery and started scolding some kids.
"You should mind your own business. What kind of children are you to pick on those weaker than you." she shouted after three boys who seemed older than me. She then lifted up a little boy from the ground. "They even dirtied your clothes, these kids. Don't worry, Damon, I will send your grandmother some soap as well with this bread. Come in now, you can have muffins while you wait." Then the woman saw Mia and greeted her.
"Mia, what brings you to town today? Are you after my famous bread?" She said smiling.
"Not necessary, Greta, but we would love some." Mia answered.
"Who do we have here?" asked the woman named Greta while looking at me.
"She is my little sister who followed me to town today." Said Mia without hesitating. I wondered if she would buy the lie. It's not only that we don't actually look alike, but my light brown hair, now stuffed under my hat, was nothing like Mia's light blond hair. Of course, siblings can have different hair colors, but nobody would pass me as Mia's little sister. Greta didn't insist on the matter.
"Hi there! Would you like to have a muffin as well while waiting inside?" I nodded before catching a glimpse at the little boy that was hiding behind her. He was shorter than me, but not with much, and a little thin. But what struck me was not that, but the pitch black hair that was cut enough to reach his big slanted dark eyes that might cut through you or look into your soul. His skin was darker than most people I knew, an olive tone. His eyes seemed unique to me and couldn't make myself look away from them. The boy felt my gaze and looked down, avoiding it.
"This is Damon, the grandson of one of my best friends." Greta smiled while introducing him to us.
Damon said a little "Hi" while looking down at his shoes. They were very dirty, probably because of those boys earlier. I felt my blood boiling. Why would someone bully such a little, cute boy!
"I would love some muffins, thank you!" I said a little too brutal to Greta who might have been wondering if she did something wrong. She invited us in and I sat at the same table as Damon. I was still angry while looking at him. Mia followed us quietly, having a puzzled look on her face. I almost never spoke so angrily with people.
The poor boy I was staring at angrily, didn't even know where to look to avoid my eyes. Greta, sensing that something might go wrong, decided to ask me why I was angry at them.
"Angry?" I asked surprised. I then realised that I was again staring at him. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stare like that." I said while changing my face to a soft smile. I started to eat my muffin and Mia went to chat with Greta about the bread she was going to buy.
"Are you buying bread for your grandma?" I asked him.
He looked a little shocked that I would speak to him. "Yes", Damon said softly.
"Your grandmother is very lucky to have such a cute and loving grandson." I added, not backing down. I wanted to know more about him.
He finally looked at me with big puppy eyes. How lovely, he really was cute! While looking at me, his expression changed from being scared to surprised.
"Do you not think that I look ugly and gloomy? With this dark hair and eyes? And my dark skin..." his voice broke when saying the last words.
"What?" I asked a little higher than intended, so high that I startled him. Luckily, Mia went with Greta in the other room and didn't hear me. "Why would I think you look ugly because of your hair or skin? I think your hair is just fine! And dark skin…?"
Ì remembered one time, a few years ago, when a foshenran ambassador, friends of my father came to visit. It was the first time I saw someone from that country and the first time I saw someone with skin so dark, much darker than Damon's. My first reaction was to look at him with the biggest eyes I could make. I had no idea then that skin could be like that and the most time he spent with us, I just stared at him until he smiled and said that he also has a little girl four years older than me and she had a similar reaction when she first saw my father. I was shocked because I thought my father was the norm for how most men looked, more or less. In the end, I concluded that he was a nice man because of his constant smile and the way he joked with my father. I was getting angry again. Why would someone tell this boy something like that? Then I thought of something more outrageous.
"Was that the reason they were picking on you?" I asked him and he looked back at his shoes and gave me a little nod.
"Well, I absolutely do not think that your hair looks gloomy nor ugly! I think your hair and features make you more special. And I am sure there are others that think the same. What does your grandma say?"
"She always tells me that I've got my hair from my mother who was a great beauty and that I will become very handsome when I grow up. But I don't..."
"I agree with her." I interrupted him.
He looked at me again, like looking to see if I also wanted to bully him. I smiled kindly at him. Mia came to announce that we have to go home or else my mother will be furious. I said goodbye to them and hoped that on my next trip I will meet him again. Of course the next trip didn't come as quick as I wished…