Morning came by quickly.
Multiple birds from the nearby provinces couldn't help but chirp indistinctly, singing to the trivially bone-chilling atmospheric conditions. Although it was quite a chilly morning, the sun still managed to dazzle against all odds, as it reflected from every boundary of the Earth's peripherals, illuminating it.
Amidst an extremely crowded, and noisy market. Multiple carriages, buyers and sellers with multiple shops and stalls could be discerned. Noelle could also be seen gently entering one of the carriages there with the help of James lending her a helping hand.
It was already the day of her final departure from James and Silvia. Although despite of her finally having the chance to explore the world, she now appeared quite sad. Simply because she would profoundly miss James and Silvia as she had developed some type of closeness towards them, even though it was only three days she spent with them.
Apparently it was only James that accompanied Noelle to the nearby market area, Silvia didn't come along with them. Solely because she would have to stay behind and watch over the house on their behalf incase of any bandit attacks.
Sitting much more appropriately on the carriage seat. A pleasant smile formed above Noelle's voluptuous lips as she stared forward at James.
Letting go of Noelle's hand. James returned the smile.
"Thank you James. For everything. For the luggages and for the coins. You're too kind," Noelle appreciated with the most thankful eyes ever.
"No. Don't thank me Noelle. Instead thanks to you for everything. You're the only one I could appreciate for enabling Silvia's quick recovery. So you needn't thank me about anything. Just see it as me returning the favor," James disregarded Noelle's appreciation.
Patting Noelle's head, "Now my dear. Stay safe. Make sure you write to me and Silvia once in a while. We would look forward to it, as she has grown quite found of you lately. She has even really been taken this your little sister, and big sister's oath as a real thing," James stated with a short chuckle.
Causing Noelle to grin. "She's such a sweet girl. I'll definitely write to you and Silvia once I arrive at my destination safely I assure you," Noelle assured delicately.
"Alright then. We need not keep the horseman waiting any longer. Here's your luggage Noelle. Keep it safe, and don't let anyone snatch it away from you, okay?" James handed over the small bag of some clothes and some stuffs which Silvia had gifted Noelle as per James request.
Knowing that Noelle probably had nothing to wear, so he had to lure Silvia into giving Noelle some of her clothes, and it was quite easy convincing her given that Silvia was already enamored with Noelle already.
Noelle took the luggage into her grip and positioned it on her thighs as she nodded obediently to James words.
"Goodbye Noelle! Goodbye! I hope to see you soon," James waved his hand.
Waving back at James gently, "Goodbye James. I also look forward to seeing you and Silvia once again. Take care of my younger sister on my behalf."
"I sure will," James replied.
Afterwards Noelle urged the horseman to begin moving forward. And as instructed the carriage began moving forward with swift apace.
Noelle percepted James' trivially old face for the last time before gradually closing shut the white curtains of the small carriage as they drifted farther away from him.
Noelle sighed groggily.
Relaxing her back against the seat of the carriage. Noelle closed her eyes firmly. Trying to balance all the excess, and complicated thoughts in her head amidst all the loud noises accommodating the market area, with so many merchants advertising their goods and services every now and then.
Having to say goodbye to Silvia back at James' house was the most difficult part of their separation. The girl appeared to be utterly reluctant to let Noelle go. Noelle could only muse over how powerful her siren song was, to have been able to allure Silvia that much. To the extent of even having fallen deeply in love with Noelle in just a short period of time.
"Such a sweet girl," Noelle whispered. As she smiled triflingly. It's been long since she had a proper conversation with someone her own age.
'She would probably get over me soon. It's just a matter of time, and the allurement would fade away from her eyes,' she thought.
'Too bad. I wouldn't be able to use my siren song anymore. Oh well. it's probably for the best, I guess,' Noelle felt quite downed by the mere thought of that.
Ignoring all those thoughts. Noelle knew she shouldn't be encumbered by the past. She had to now be fully focus on the future. She mustn't let anything distract her from the plan she had managed to secure yesterday.
Noelle knew exactly where to go. It would take her two whole days to get to where she was going, but she didn't mind. Her hope had already been situated upon the plan she had managed to cook up yesterday.
Fortunately, James was kind enough to gift her some few coins, so now she wouldn't have to burden herself about being in a rush to find a job. Although she would eventually need to get one, but at least not yet. The coin would last her for approximately some few weeks.
A two days journey was going to be quite a long and boring one. Having to seat alone in the carriage for several hours doing nothing but to just reflect upon her unfortunate life like a dummy.
She could only pray inwardly that the journey would be extremely fast, and that a snowstorm or a rainstorm doesn't transpire. It would only slow her down, and exhaust her purse of the silver coins in it. Causing her unnecessary expenses, especially now that she was so broke.
Scratching the side of her head.
Noelle reach for her bag of luggage. She opened it up, bringing out a small plastic container. She closed back her bag of luggage carefully remembering back to what James had told her about some thieves and bandit scrolling around the market and ready to steal.
Noelle couldn't afford to lose the small luggage she had. It would be a really huge pain in the ass if she was to be robbed and left stranded.
Shifting aside all her heavy thoughts. Noelle opened up the plastic container, and present in the plastic container was some esculent muffins which James had packed up for her. Picking it up one after the other she ate it so as to pass time.
'So delicious.'
"I hope we get there sooner. I really hope so," Noelle mumbled, her sweet and alluring voice occupied with abundant hopes. She hasn't even gotten anywhere yet and she was already getting really exhausted by the ride.
'THUD!'
Suddenly a dull sound emerged the air. As though the carriage she was currently in had just collided with something ferociously. And meticulously after the bizarre thud sound, Noelle could feel the carriage halted its movement.
She became quite apprehensive. She wondered what had just transpired. Hastily, she shifted herself towards the entrance and moved the curtains aside with her hands.
Staring outside. Noelle could discern that they were still present somewhere in the extravagant market area. Glancing around. Everything seemed fine from her perspective.
Coming down from the carriage. Noelle advanced forth the horseman.
"What's wrong here? Why isn't the carriage moving any farther? Did something bad happened?" Noelle threw the horseman multiple questions, as she had no time to waste on the road. Besides it was going to be dark soon.
"Sorry ma'am our carriage collided with a rock," the young horseman said apologetically. As he had already gotten down from the horse, attempting to get rid of the rock beneath the carriage wheel.
Noelle could only watch him as he did so. She exhaled. She obviously had no time for this. How unreliable can this carriage riders be at times?! This is so tiresome!
Fortunately when Noelle was still a royal princess of the renowned kingdom of Sunria. She needn't worry about anything of this sort. Every preparations would have been made perfectly, they would have hired the most skilled horsemen for her, and they would've definitely hired the most comfortable carriage for them to ride in.
However, she was now down to a lowly young lady with zero home, family or wealth to rely on. It was extremely so devastating. As she folded her arms exasperatedly.
Few minutes later…
"I'm done ma'am. I've removed the rock away already. I'm sorry for the discomfort, I know it's very unprofessional of me. Please accept my apologies. You may go back into the carriage and let us continue our ride just like before," the standing horseman bowed slightly to show his utmost and sincere apologies towards Noelle.
"It doesn't matter, you don't need to apologize. It wasn't your fault that the rock got stuck under the wheel. All that matters now is that the rock is gone, so let's continue the ride as before. I really don't have time to waste."
Noelle purposely disregarded the man's apologies. Knowing that the horseman only apologized to her so that she wouldn't decide to demand for a refund from him due to his infidelity to convey her without any hurdles.
Instantly after saying that, Noelle turned to leave the horseman's present. However, she was viciously sent backwards towards the ground against her own will, after bumping into someone harshly.
"Ahh…!"
Noelle wanted to exclaim but was immediately halted when she realized that her body hadn't touched the ground just yet. But instead she had been caught by the wrist, and by the person who collided into her just now.
The person pulled her upwards by the wrist. It was a hooded figure so she couldn't see the person's face accurately, but she could tell that it was a man's physique.
"Sorry ma'am," the man behind the hooded figure uttered boldly with an hoarse voice, which didn't really sound apologetic. Then left immediately after those two words of his'.
Noelle hadn't even been able to assimilate everything properly enough. She panted intensely. Regaining her posture.
She attentively glanced around so as to search for the peculiar man that just recently bumped into her, but he had unexpectedly disappeared so quickly.
Noelle sighed.
Ignoring that, Noelle adjusted her clothes appropriately as it had already been misplaced due to the bewildering collision.
"Are you alright ma'am?" the horseman asked worriedly, seeing the discomforted looks on Noelle's facial expression.
Noelle nodded slowly, "I… I think I am," she replied. Then looked around one last time for the hooded figure. And when she couldn't see him, she eventually stepped inwardly into the carriage again.
Noelle sat down, she placed her luggage back on her thighs. Thinking back to the weird collision of not too long ago, and back to the hooded figure that bumped into her. Something seemed detaily off about it, notwithstanding she couldn't quite lay her fingers upon what was odd about it yet.
When the carriage began moving as before. Something spontaneously popped into Noelle's head. Finally realizing something.
"Wait a minute…!" she muttered as her emerald eyes became attentive.