The sun hung high in the sky, its golden light spilling across the rolling farmlands, casting long shadows of wheat stalks swaying lazily in the breeze. The path ahead, a narrow dirt road, snaked its way through fields of green and gold, with the occasional patch of wildflowers dotting the edges. A wooden carriage creaked and groaned as it made its way down the uneven trail, its large wooden wheels clattering over rocks and ruts, causing the entire frame to jostle with each bump.
The horses at the front—two strong chestnuts with sleek coats that glistened under the sunlight—trotted steadily along, their hooves crunching against the loose gravel. Their manes flowed with the wind, flicking back as their heads bobbed rhythmically in time with their steps. The harnesses jingled softly, a contrast to the heavier thud of the wheels.
Inside the carriage, Arianna sat on one side on her lonesome, while Tipha and Clive sat together on the other. Clive made sure he wasn't touching the elf woman, as to not disturb her. He sat as stiff as a log. The bumpiness was unavoidable. Each dip in the path sent a small jolt through the wooden seat, making the breasts of the elves jiggle. Clive couldn't help but stare at the mesmerizing sight, quickly turning away before they saw him.
The scent of fresh hay and tilled earth filled the air, mixing with the warmth of the sun that bathed everything in its glow. The breeze was soft but persistent, brushing past the horses' flanks and lifting the ends of the driver's hat as he urged them forward with a gentle flick of the reins. I
"Gah…" Tipha scoffed with her arms crossed, "I've never liked carriages."
"You've complained every time we got on one." Arianna asked nonchalantly. "Would you prefer to walk then?"
"At this point, yes."
"That wouldn't satisfy our client here, right?" Arianna cooed as she placed a hand on Clive's head and ruffled it.
Clive instinctively bent down to make her stop. "I- I would say so."
"7th Prince…" Tipha continued, "You have never told us, why are you going to the ruins anyway?"
Clive stopped. He had a reason, but there was absolutely no way he could tell anyone else. It was too dangerous. "I-It's a secret…"
"Ah…" Arianna laughed nervously, "It's good business to not pry too much into his details. We're only accompanying him to the ruins, remember?"
"I suppose so."
"What about Miss Arianna and Miss Tipha?" Clive said, deciding it was his turn. "W-What other quests have you two been on?"
Tipha leaned back onto the wall of the cart and thought to herself. "Ah…just a few quests to teach some little ones, a few small errands for merchants, and two escort quests. Yours being one of them." Arianna then eyed the other elf with a deathly look, "Oftentimes, we get requested for…ehh…special services. We usually reject those."
"Special services?"
"Yes!" Arianna added, rather excitedly. Her staff was between her legs, and she seemed to be flustered. "Special services where we use our bodies to satisfy our clients. I could not help but think about being—!"
"Oi!" Tipha yelled at her friend. "She's the reason I don't accept those requests" she sighed, "You are too young to know anyways."
"I see…" Clive said, awkwardly.
The three then sat in silence for a little while, enjoying the breeze from the windows. As the carriage rumbled over the uneven terrain, it hit a particularly sharp bump, and Clive lost his balance. With a sudden lurch, he tumbled sideways, unable to catch himself in time. He landed face-first against Tipha, his fall causing him to inadvertently press into her breasts. His hands instinctively clutched at the folds of her purple gown for support, almost slipping the entire thing off. "Ah—" Tipha said, shocked.
"Oh my!" Arianna added.
As he tried to steady himself, Clive couldn't help but notice the delicate, floral scent that emanated from Tipha. It was a soft, calming fragrance, like a fresh bloom in the spring. The scent was gentle and soothing, and it made him feel oddly comforted despite the awkwardness of the situation. Tipha looked down at Clive, her expression a mix of surprise and slight embarrassment. "Ara~" she said softly, her voice tinged with amusement. "Are you alright, 7th prince?"
Clive, still flustered and trying to regain his composure, mumbled an apology. "I-I'm so sorry, N-Miss Tipha. I didn't mean to—"
Tipha gently pushed him away, her touch warm and reassuring. "It's alright," she said, trying to put on a neutral face and hide her blush. "Just be careful next time."
Arianna, sitting nearby, raised an eyebrow at the incident. Her gaze shifted between Clive and Tipha, her expression neutral but her eyes twinkling with a hint of amusement. "It seems our client is quite fond of you, Tipha~"
"S-Shut up!" Clive, now sitting upright and trying to ignore the heat in his cheeks, couldn't shake the feeling of Arianna's gentle presence and the lingering scent of flowers. He was in another trance, which was broken by the knock of a fist on wood.
"Aye." said the coach driver, "Elrich Dungeon yeah? We're here."