We picked up the books that Felya had recommended and the others, I chose because of the title alone.
"Are you sure you want that book? It looks predictable." Felya asked with her eyebrow raised.
Perfect then!
I nodded with a wide grin on my face. "Very sure."
"Alright."
I still haven't finished reading all of the ones in our library but how can I take away the opportunity of Felya wanting to give me anything I want?
After the bookstore, we went out to the marketplace to buy some snacks. We always did this when we were younger. Even though Felya is a well-mannered and strict noble lady, she sometimes still wants to feel free of nobility.
"The blueberry pancakes your mother cooked for us were amazing, as usual," Felya commented as she bit off from her sandwich.
"Amazing is an understatement."
She snickered and nodded. "Of course, you say that."
"This sandwich is the one that's amazing too."
"Agreed--"
"Look out!"
I cut off Felya and pulled her to the side as I heard a fast carriage going our way from behind.
We, fortunately, avoided it thanks to my hearing. The guards that were following behind us, also covered around where we were.
"Oh, goddess... Thank you, Nera."
"No problem..." I muttered in reply but I stared at the carriage.
Crazy bastard! I shouted in my head.
I continued to stare at the carriage and saw that the horses were out of control and galloped faster than normal.
...Ah wait, were the horses the ones who went crazy?
Oh no, the coachman must need help!
I continued to stare at where the carriage was heading and saw a hooded man just standing in the way.
Wait a second!
He looks like he isn't going to move away anytime soon! What is this guy?! Isn't he hearing the people shouting at him?
I dropped the books I was holding and ran as fast as I could to the man. Doing this, I unconsciously used my aura to hasten my speed.
Oh, my goddess!
I moved so fast that I reached the man seconds before the carriage could. I scooped him up without a word, his back and his legs on my arms, the so-called princess style, and immediately ran to the side of the street.
I thought I'd be breathless by now, running a few meters away from where I was, and carrying a whole grown man on my hands. It's so easy...
This must mean my exercises are working!
I shook my head. This isn't the time to celebrate yet.
I have to rescue the coachman too.
"Are you alright?" I suddenly asked the hooded man.
"Yes..." He replied quietly.
That's good enough!
I carefully placed him by the side of the street and instantly ran to where the carriage was heading. I jumped with my right leg and landed on the roof of the carriage.
"Oh my!" The old man exclaimed.
"Don't worry! I'm here to help you!" Wasting no second, I swiftly carried the old man and jumped near the hooded man.
Thank goodness I insisted on wearing pants today. The only casual day my mother would ever allow me to do so. As I relaxed my body, I put out my aura quickly.
Tch, I wasn't supposed to use this until November. But at least now I know what I'm doing is working. I chuckled in my head.
Here I come Knight's Exam!
"Thank you, my dear..." The old man bowed his head many times and then stared at me. "Oh no, my lady! I apologize!" He went down on his knees. He must've noticed the color of my hair...
"Please stand up! I only did what I should, no need to apologize." I waved my hand and propped him up to his feet.
"Thank you for your mercy." He weakly apologized.
"Sigh, no need to. But I want to ask. What happened there?"
"I'm afraid I have no idea, my lady. The horses suddenly went on a rampage. I had no control at all..."
I slowly nodded and looked at where the carriage is. Thankfully, the Third Division knights have stopped the horses with a calming spell, I suppose.
But what would've happened?
The old man bowed once again and went to his carriage to talk to the knights.
Should I help him?
It's none of my business but--
"Thank you, my lady." The hooded man slightly lowered his hood and bowed his head. He was slightly taller than me and had black hair, black eyes, and light brown skin. "I owe you my life, thank you."
I forgot about this guy. I raised my hand to signal him to stop bowing. This is so tedious...
"It's fine, you don't owe me anything. I'll go now." I smiled, waved my hand to him, and walked to where I left Felya. She has her hands on her mouth, she must've been surprised when I suddenly jumped out.
"Wait!" The man abruptly held my wrist.
I subtly tried to pull my hand away as I felt he was going to do so but he was faster than me.
And also, he's strong! Really strong!
My eyes widened in shock and I faced him.
"Hey! Let go!"
"Ah! I apologize, my lady." He bowed once again, but deeper.
I rubbed my wrist and stared at it. A commoner this strong is extremely rare. Just like how Jasmine is a rare gem among the smart commoner people.
I wonder who this is? That's extremely amazing.
"Do you not know basic manners? You can't suddenly hold a woman like that!" Felya marched her way to where we were and went in front of me.
"Felya, calm down. It's fine," I rubbed my hand on her shoulder. "But she's right. Don't do that again." I looked at him.
If he did that to any other lady, their bones would've been crushed. His grip was too tight. I wonder what he wants to talk about that he held me so strongly.
He bowed in front of us again and apologized. Ah, I've had enough of this.
"Well, what did you want to say?" I questioned.
"I just thought to ask if you're alright," He tilted his head. "And I'd like to pay you back someday, Lady Ponterise."
A commoner pays back a Marquess' daughter? Unheard of.
But I'm not one to judge. Money isn't the only thing he could pay me back with. Who knows. If he wants then I'll let him.
And he knows my name already, but I guess it is quite obvious who I am with my hair and eyes, since there are only a few Marquess households, paired with the iconic sky blue eyes, it could only belong to the Ponterises. But as a commoner, I didn't think he'd be informed of high society like that.
"I'm fine," I flashed a small smile. "And well, I won't stop if you want to pay me back, if we find an opportunity to meet again."
He gently smiled and bowed.
"I'll keep that in mind, and once again, thank you."
He walked away and left me with an angry Felya. I could feel her glare boring through my head.
"I know, I know..." I spoke first before she could say anything.
"How dangerous!" She lightly slapped my back. "Are you hurt anywhere?"
I shook my head. Actually, I feel a lot better now that I opened my aura for a while.
"Thank goodness," She put her hand on her chest and sighed out of relief. "Let's go home now. I'm worried something else might happen..."
I looked up the sky and saw it was turning orange. I nodded and took the books that fell on the ground.
Afterward, we went home safely.
[***]
The black-haired man put back his hood as he walked away from the two ladies. The dark purple-haired woman that rescued him and the blue-haired woman that shouted at him. He slightly grinned as he heard them bickering at each other.
He then glanced at the carriage that almost took his life, or at least, would've injured him badly. He furrowed his eyebrows at the thought and remembered the purple-haired woman.
Definitely, this day is burned in my mind, he thought as he smiled at the sun setting in the west with a beautifully orange-painted sky.
After talking to the old coachman and the other knights around the place, he walked back to the tree by the side of the plaza, where he had left his horse, and rode it back to his place.
"Welcome back, Arin." His companion bowed and handed him his horse.
He immediately rode the horse and smiled at the thought of the person he owes his life.
"Nera mi Ponterise, huh?" He mumbled as he whipped the lead rope to make his horse go faster. "How can I repay you?"