The princess stepped out of the carriage, her delicate frame wrapped in a flowing dress of soft lavender silk that shimmered faintly in the sunlight. The fabric was embroidered with intricate floral patterns in silver thread, matching the delicate tiara she wore—a simple but elegant piece that glimmered like stars in her golden hair. Her hair had been brushed to perfection, cascading like a waterfall down her back. Her cheeks had a healthy blush to them, likely from the excitement of leaving the mansion, and her blue eyes sparkled with curiosity and a hint of mischief.
"What?" she asked, tilting her head slightly as she caught me staring, her voice laced with confusion.
"Oh..." I snapped out of my daze and laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of my neck. "Your outfit makes you look super cute. Royalty really are on a different level. Even when you're still young, you look so refined and beautiful. Much different from what I'm used to." I let out a lighthearted laugh, trying to ease the moment.
"S-stupid... don't say that!" she stammered, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of pink.
Before I could respond, she stamped ahead of me, her small fists balled at her sides, clearly annoyed—or embarrassed.
I followed after her, chuckling softly. "Did I say something wrong, Princess?"
She whipped her head back with a sharp huff. "It's Elara," she corrected, before turning back and marching forward.
"Alright, alright, Elara," I called out, still smiling.
Suddenly, my steps faltered as the breathtaking scenery before us unfolded. "Whoa..." I couldn't help but let out a low sigh of awe.
The Silverbrook Retreat was a vision straight out of a dream. The river glimmered like liquid silver under the sunlight, its gentle current weaving between moss-covered stones. Towering trees with golden and emerald leaves swayed lazily in the breeze, their reflection dancing on the water's surface. Wildflowers of every hue blanketed the grassy banks, filling the air with a faint, sweet aroma. Birds sang softly from the branches above, their melodies blending with the gentle babble of the brook.
The princess stopped and glanced back, curious as to why I'd fallen behind. When she saw me standing there, admiring the view, a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
"It's beautiful," I whispered, not even realizing I'd spoken aloud.
I could feel her gaze lingering on me, her eyes filled with something I couldn't quite name.
"Yeah... beautiful," she murmured softly, almost absentmindedly.
**
The princess watched with a mixture of fascination and mild disgust as I fashioned a makeshift fishing rod. I had insisted earlier to the servants that we wouldn't need them to pack food for us, promising I'd catch lunch by the river instead.
The magistrate had mentioned that the river was teeming with Silverfin Trout, a delicacy known for its tender, flaky meat. The thought of roasting one over an open fire was already making my stomach growl.
Using a sturdy piece of silkroot string, known for its strength and flexibility, and a simple fishhook, I had crafted something passable for fishing. It reminded me of the lazy afternoons back in the village, where I'd sit by the riverbank with my father or little brother, fishing to escape the monotony of farm work.
I tied the string tightly to the stick I found earlier and walked down to the riverbank, searching for worms to use as bait. The sun was high in the sky now, its golden rays sparkling on the water, indicating that it was nearing lunchtime.
The princess trailed behind me, her regal demeanor betrayed by the wide-eyed curiosity in her expression as I crouched to dig through the mud. Her fascination quickly turned to horror as I unearthed a squirming, pale-pink worm with a faint iridescent sheen, the telltale sign of a Gleamworm. These worms were commonly found near rivers and were known to glow faintly in the dark, making them excellent bait for catching Silverfin Trout.
"Eww," she exclaimed, shivering visibly as she watched me pick it up between my fingers. "How can you touch that? It looks so slimy and disgusting!"
I glanced at her, a mischievous grin spreading across my face. "It's not as bad as it looks," I said, dangling the squirming worm toward her.
"Wait—don't bring that closer!" she shrieked, her face contorting in horror as she scrambled back.
I couldn't help but laugh maniacally, pretending to chase her with the worm in hand.
"Noooooooo!" she yelled, running toward the trees.
As I gave chase, I felt a ripple of movement through my resonance skill. I paused briefly, sensing several figures edging closer. I realized then that we weren't entirely alone—there were hidden protectors stationed nearby, probably knights assigned to guard the princess from the shadows. They must've thought her scream was an actual cry for help, but once they assessed the situation, I could feel them retreat to their previous positions.
I chuckled to myself. Well, I suppose being chased by a madman holding a worm could be considered an attack.
**
"This place reminds me of the Crystal Glade," Elara said softly, sitting beside me as I cast my makeshift line into the water. Her expression was wistful as she gazed at the tranquil scene before us.
"Mother and I would sit out in the sun there, enjoying the weather while having sweet desserts and tea. I remember the gentle breeze on my face, and we'd talk about everything and nothing at all..." Her voice trailed off, and her gaze seemed distant, lost in the warmth of the memory.
"That sounds lovely," I said, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. She smiled faintly but didn't say anything else.
"What about you, Caelan?" she asked after a moment. "What was your village like? What did you like to do with your parents?"
I thought for a moment, letting the memory drift into my mind. "My parents were always busy tending the farm, so was I, really. But there were times, rare as they were, when we'd take a break after the harvest. My father would take us to the river to fish, or my mother would bake these amazing honey cakes for us to eat while watching the sunset. My little brother and I would race to the top of the nearest hill to see who could get there first. We didn't have much, but those moments were... perfect."
She listened intently, her expression softening with every word. I could tell that hearing about my simple life back in the village was helping her distract her thoughts from the grief of her mother's death.
Another hour passed, and despite my efforts, I still hadn't caught anything. The princess's stomach growled loudly, and I glanced at her apologetically.
"Sorry, Elara," I said. "You must be hungry."
"That wasn't me," she retorted, her cheeks flushing bright red. "I'm not hungry, and I don't mind waiting for the delicious roasted fish you promised me." She crossed her arms, attempting to feign nonchalance.
Another growl echoed from her stomach.
"Must've been the wind," she said, her voice barely hiding her embarrassment.
"Right." I shook my head wryly and stood, brushing dirt off my pants. "I don't normally cheat when it comes to fishing, but since the princess is hungry, I'll make an exception."
I winked, and her face turned even redder. She huffed and turned her back on me.
I activated my resonance skill, focusing on the water. I could feel the movement of the fish beneath the surface—the way their muscles tensed before darting forward, their swift, precise movements as they swam. The Silverfin Trout were elusive, darting quickly to avoid any disturbance. I zeroed in on one, predicting its pattern.
With a smooth, calculated motion, I flung the line into the water. I waited for the right moment, feeling the tension build, and then jerked the line sharply. The fish leapt out of the water, its silvery scales gleaming like polished metal under the sun.
"Gotcha!" I exclaimed triumphantly, holding up the thrashing fish. The princess clapped her hands excitedly, her earlier irritation forgotten.
"Wow," she said, her eyes wide as she stepped closer to admire the fish. "So this is a Silverfin Trout?"
"Yep. And it's going to taste amazing," I said with a grin.
**
Using my resonance skill, which I normally avoided when it came to fishing because it felt like cheating, I managed to catch two more fish.
The princess stayed at a safe distance, her gaze flickering between curiosity and mild disgust as she watched me gut the fish. The Silverfin Streamers, named for their shimmering scales that reflected sunlight even out of the water, were a prized catch in the area. Using a small knife, I carefully slit the fish along its belly, removing the guts and rinsing them briefly in the river. The shimmering scales remained intact, as they added a crisp texture when roasted.
Next, I plucked a few broad Flareshade Leaves from a nearby bush. These leaves were commonly used in cooking for their natural citrusy flavor that seeped into the food when wrapped around it. After wrapping the fish tightly in the leaves, I set them aside to rest, letting the natural oils of the leaves work their magic. If we waited half an hour, the roasted fish would have a zesty tang that would complement its natural sweetness.
"Shall we go try and find something for dessert?" I grinned at the princess, dusting off my hands.
"You stink of fish," she retorted, scrunching her nose and taking another step back.
I sniffed my shirt and, to be fair, I did smell like fish. "Just a bit," I admitted sheepishly.
The princess sighed heavily, as if dealing with a particularly hopeless servant. "Wait here. I'm going to get my purification wand from the carriage," she said.
"Purification wand?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It's a handheld artifact engraved with glyphs. When you wave it over yourself, it neutralizes odors and removes dirt or sweat. It's incredibly useful for traveling," she explained. "It also gives off a faint lavender scent, so you won't smell like a swamp."
I frowned. "Sounds expensive. You shouldn't waste something that precious on someone like me. Besides, I'll just take a quick dip in the water and—"
"You're more precious than a purification wand," she said flatly, cutting me off. Her gaze softened for a moment before she added, "You're more precious than anything."
Her words hit me harder than I cared to admit. I opened my mouth to respond, but nothing came out. Instead, I nodded and stayed where I was, watching as she walked gracefully toward the carriage.
"Yeah," I muttered to myself once she was out of earshot. "Definitely more expensive than I'm worth."