I blinked awake to the thump of my own heartbeat.
Morning light spilled through the window, warm and pale. Dust drifted slowly through the sunbeams.
Something warm and soft rested on my chest—
Eimira.
She was still asleep, curled up close to me like the world outside doesn't exist. Her hair had spilled across my shoulder, strands brush my neck each time she breathed. Slow and calm breaths.
I didn't dare move. I didn't want to. She looked so peaceful, like what happened yesterday never did.
"I guess it's obvious she's been through many events like this." I muttered.
My hand rested against her back, without thinking. I felt every rise and fall of her breathing beneath my palm.
For once. My mind felt at peace.
Then came a knock.
The door creaked open and Feona stepped in.
One eyebrow rose.
"Well damn." She said under her breath. "Should I come back later… or should I just get used to seeing this."
I groaned.
"Feona…"
She walked in further, arms crossed and boots tapping lightly on the wooden floor.
"Hey, don't blame me." She smiled. "You two look like a painting. You know, the type you hang over fireplaces."
I stared at her.
She shrugged.
Her voice softened.
"You know… this might be the fastest Eimira has ever gotten close to someone."
I blinked.
Feona leaned against the wall. "It even took a while for both of us to get close. She barely lets anyone get close. And it made me worried."
She glanced at Eimira. "I'm glad she did this time, and shockingly, it's not another female, haha."
She lifted a small food basket.
"Anyways, I brought breakfast. And coffee too. The others are outside, eating theirs."
She grinned again. "So, when are you guys going to make me an aunty?"
"Just drop the food and leave, Feona." Eimira murmured beside me.
"Our beautiful white-haired princess. You are finally up. Thought you'd just cling to zan zan the entire day." Feona teased as she placed the food on a table.
"Oh yeah." She turned to me. "Zandren, the king asked to meet with you."
My brows furrowed. "Me? What would he want with me?"
"How would I know?" She shrugged. "A knight from the palace just delivered the message earlier this morning."
Eimira rubbed her eyes then made her way to the coffee and food placed on the table. She took a sip from the coffee. "Let's just wait till the day we depart before seeing him".
"That's... Kinda bold, isn't it?" I stared at her. "I mean, he is the king of Terraka."
"It's fine, I'll just let him play with my hair, and we should be good." Eimira replied bluntly, making her way to the food basket on the table.
My brows furrowed. "Wha-?"
I turned to Feona for an explanation.
"What? Don't look at me."
We exchanged glances a few more times.
She sighed. "Well, The king is Eimira Dad's close friend, so he's kind of like an uncle to her."
"Ehh…" '
Yeah, I'm totally screwed if I mess up.' I thought.
Feona laughed a little, as if knowing what was going through my head.
"Hmm.." She swallowed what she was eating. "When I was young he'd call me over just to braid my hair. He sees me as his daughter."
"Hey—" Feona gently thumped Eimira's forehead. "Don't talk while you eat. You'll choke again."
"Bleh." Eimira stuck out her tongue playfully.
"You…" Feona squeezed Eimira's cheek. "Anyways I'll be going back now. Later."
Feona left the room.
I laughed. "Thank you…"
Eimira glanced at me. "For what?"
"It all still feels like a dream…" I pulled out a seat under the table and sat beside her. "Meeting you guys was nothing short of fortune."
She giggled. "Fortune uhn."
Eimira, still a bit sleepy, went through the food basket sluggishly.
Her hand loosely grabbed a sandwich, and took little bites. Crumbs fell on the table.
Her hair, usually perfect, spilled across her shoulders in messy waves. One strap of her clothing slipped from her shoulder.
She looked smaller like this.
Just another pretty girl.
No blessings. No captain's posture.
Just Eimira.
And I found myself staring.
"That's a bit intense, don't you think?" Eimira asked.
"What is?"
"You.." She took a bite. "Staring at me."
I smiled. "I didn't notice…"
"Jeez." She chuckled.
Paper wrappers rustled as her hand rummaged through the basket for more food.
"Eh…" she lowered her head. "I-I think I ate it all… Sorry."
I laughed. "It's fine. You fought a lot yesterday."
She giggled awkwardly. "I-It's not that, hehe… I just love eating."
"Oh, I see…" I crossed my arms. "Well— now I'm hungry."
"Are you mad about it?"
I faced away. "Maybe. It was meant for both of us."
"Hey…" She tugged my arm. "Are you really mad at me?"
I glanced at her a little.
'So cute. No no, Zandren don't fall for her scheme'
I smiled. "I'm not angry. Not a single bit."
'Weak bastard.'
"Yay.." She chuckled. "Don't worry, I'm not going to just let you starve."
"Hmm?"
Eimira walked over to where her sword and bag were. She scrambled her hand in the bag a bit then brought out a little money pouch.
"Here…" she tossed it.
"Oop." I caught it.
"Head down to town and get whatever you want." She added.
"Oh, ok. Is there anything you'd like?" I asked.
She crashed on the bed. "What would Eimira, who is me, like? Hmmmm."
She sat up. "Can you get me a roasted Nymirel duck,moss cakes, and crystal berry jams? Hmm sea fluff rice would be good too. Some cake pastries, moonfish soup and whatever fruit juice is available, or wait, maybe Ale? Na, get me the fruit juice, just tell Feona that, she'd know what to tell you. Thanks"
"Wow" my jaw dropped. "Well.. uhh that's a lot"
"You know, you shouldn't judge a woman by how much she eats." She pouted. "And also I haven't had all those in a long time, during explorations it's mainly just little rations, stale bread and hard chocolate."
I chuckled, lightly. "Understandable…"
She laid back down. "And don't worry, I gave you fifteen gold stones, all those cost just one. So you have fourteen to yourself. Plus, those stingy girls wouldn't help you with anything"
We both laughed.
"Don't you think that's too much?" I asked.
She chuckled, dryly. "Zandren…"
"Hmm?"
She sat up. "Zandren."
"Yes?"
She placed her hands on her chest. "If not for you, I wouldn't be here now."
"Oh…"
I flashed back to when Devorakh targeted her, and I jumped in to save her.
She frowned slightly. "So… don't say the things I do are too much, alright?"
"Ok, Eimira."
"That's better." She smiled. "Anyways, you should get going now, Feona and the others are heading out also, so you should catch up with them before they leave."
"Aren't you coming?" I asked.
She turned on her side, covering herself with a blanket. "No, I need more sleep."
"Ok then. I'm heading out now."
"Hmm. See you soon."
The door clicked shut.
Sob.
"Even after eating his breakfast, he still worries if I'm okay." Eimira muttered, softly.
She turned on her back, her arm across her face, wiping her tears. "Even after saving me, he still thanks me for just being there when he woke up."
"Nyseria… was he the one you talked about?"
Eimira asked as if expecting an answer, but none came.
"Why have you gone silent?"
She sniffled. "It doesn't matter, I have to make him mine."
****
The Capital was alive.
Carts rattled over stone roads. Vendors shouted over one another, trying to get in customers. Metal pans clanged from nearby food stalls. Even with all this, the capital remains clean and spotless. Unlike Eldale, this area of the capital was mostly occupied by Nobles, or foreign travellers from other nations.
"The capital has a whole different vibe from Eldale." I said, looking around.
"Maybe for you, since it's your first time here." Chichi responded.
I moved closer to the group, slightly bumping into Ryona.
"Why are we babysitting for Mira?" Ryona asked, folding her arms.
Feona chuckled, lightly. "He's here to buy some food, since Eimira ate all of his."
"Ah, the usual occurrences." Chichi giggled.
"Does he know the rules though?" Tabbi asked.
"Yes, yes, he does. Mira gave him enough." Feona replied.
We stopped at an intersection.
Crowds flowed around us in both directions, carts rattled past us, and vendors shouted from their stalls.
"Why'd we stop? I asked.
Feona placed her arm around my shoulder. "There…"
She pointed down the street to the left. A small restaurant sat between two buildings, smoke curling from its chimneys.
"...that's where you'll get most of what Mira asked for, and maybe yours too." She said.
"When you're done, you can just come back here and find your way back to the carraige." She added, pointing down to where we were.
She tapped my shoulders. "Got that?"
"Y-Yeah, I think…" I nodded.
She clapped her hand once.
"Alright girls, let's move."
She darted off with the others, giggling as they disappeared into the crowds.
"Once again, I'm alone." I looked around. "Well, no point in just standing, let's go."
I slapped myself, lightly. "First interaction alone… I can do this."
I took in the streets of the capital.
Gold and silk on one side. Dust and patched clothes the others. Nobles and wealthy men gathered beneath bright awnings and polished stalls. Perfumed merchants displayed necklaces and jeweled brooches as if they were trophies.
A whistle grabbed my attention.
I turned my head, and moved aside, letting a white carriage with oak frames rattled by.
"Walk on the side of the road, boy." The coachman sneered.
"Shit, I got distracted. I hope I didn't look weird to others.' I looked around. 'Good, barely anyone saw that.'
I continued.
A few steps away from where I was, peasants and merchants moved through the same street in worn boots and faded cloth, careful not to brush against the velvet sleeves of passing Nobles.
I sighed. "Well, this changes my perspective of things…."
I stepped into the restaurant, the door making a soft ring as I opened and closed the door. I made my way to the counter to place my order.
An old man stood behind it. The owner, if the way he watched the room was anything to go by.
"Hmm, a young face." He gestured to a stool, smiling. "Take a seat."
"Hello…"
"Good day, what can I get you?"
"Oh.. uhh—" I pulled out the list I had written in the carriage. It contained everything Eimira wanted.
"Uhm… can I get a roasted Nymirel duck, uhh moss cakes—"
"Ah ah, let me guess." He interrupted. "Nymirel ducks,Moss cakes, crystal berry jams, sea fluff rice, cake pastries, moon fish soup, with ale accompanied with fruit juice. She says either but most times she means both."
He laughed. "It's good to see some things don't change."
"Uhh?" I furrowed my brows.
"Haha, these orders are for little miss Eimira right?"
Still puzzled, I answered. "Yes they are... How did you know?"
A soft thump beside me.
"Thanks for the drink." A man said, dropping his mug along with two silver stones.
"It's four silver Ghart."
Ghart leaned in. "Business has been tough lately, I can barely afford to eat and feed my family."
"Yet, you spend valuable silver on Ale?"
"It helps the mind, and without the mind one can't work." Ghart laughed.
The old man sighed. "Fine, you can leave, just come back with full pay next time."
"Woohoo, you the best Bartho, expect more customers." Ghart cheered, and left the counter.
"Ah, sorry about that." Bartho said. "I always have to look after them once in a while."
"Oh no, it's fine."
"Where were we?" He thought for a moment. "Ah yes, little miss Eimira."
I smiled. "Yeah, we were talking about her."
Bartho reached for something under the counter.
"She usually comes here after every mission, and she always ordered the same thing…" he said, as he brought out a piece of clothing.
He grabbed the used mug and started cleaning it. "... though it's worse if the mission doesn't go well."
"She stress-eats a lot." He whispered.
He finished cleaning the mug, then placed it on a shelf behind him. It clattered as it landed.
"If I may ask, who are you to Eimira?" He asked. "She usually comes alone or sometimes sends Feona. This is the first time she's sent someone different."
"Ohh... Umm, I'm kinda like a..."
'What do I tell him?' I thought.
"I-I'm a personal servant for Captain Eimira."
'Yeah… that should do.'
"Hmm, I see."He smiled. "Glad to see the little miss is making new friends."
"Uhh?"
"Little miss Eimira doesn't keep servants." He winked.
I chuckled awkwardly. "Oh…"
He laughed. "Sit tight, I'll go get your orders ready. She loves it when I make them myself."
As he was about to disappear into the kitchen, he turned back. "But aren't you going to order something for yourself?"
"I think I'm just gonna have the sea fluff rice and Nymirel chicken" I glanced at the pie in the middle of the counter. "And a slice of pie too"
"I'll give you two." He laughed. "My name's Bartho by the way."
"I'm Zandren..."
He smiled at me then disappeared into the kitchen.
****
I was on my way back, orders in hand, thinking of nothing more than getting them to where they needed to be and finally stuffing my face. That's when I heard raised voices up ahead.
A commotion.
A tall fat nobleman in a fine robe stood in the street, his nose so high it looked like it might snap, barking insults at a peasant trader whose cart was half-spilled onto the ground.
The man bowed. "I-I'm s-sorry, Count Tharn. I didn't mean to hold her. Please forgive me."
Count Tharn kicked the man. "Shut it, you peasants are all the same."
Then I noticed her—standing slightly behind him, a young woman with eyes that flicked to me for only a heartbeat… but it was enough for me to know she'd seen me. Something in that glance promised trouble.
"Yeah, I'm not in for all that." I turned, and left.
Sure enough, once the noble was done with his display, she slipped away from his side and followed me.
"You there—" she shouted.
I didn't slow down.
But her footsteps followed mine. Quick. Persistent.
"Hey, I'm talking to you!" She called out.
I kept my eyes forward. "Nope."
Whatever she wanted, I had no interest. I already have enough to worry about, I didn't need more.
Suddenly a hand clutched my sleeve—light at first, then clinging.
"I told you to stop…" she said.
I gave in to her persistence and decided to listen to what she has to say.
"Yes I've stopped, now what do you want?" I asked, disdain clear in my tone.
"U-Uhm I just wanted to ask f-for your name" she said slowly letting go of my sleeve.
"My name? What do you need it for?"
"I-I" she stammered. "I want you to be my groom"
A look of confusion was written all over my face."Wha—?"
"I mean look at you, the dragons of Caramien took their time sculpting you." She said with a flattering gaze.
"Lady, you crazy" I turned to leave.
Then she lunged at me.
"I'm pretty too, our kids will be the pinnacle of beauty" Hearts practically floating around her head.
'She is pretty— but that wasn't the point.'
"Please, just let me marry into your home. I don't care if you're a peasant."
"Unhand me, woman" I said as I yanked her hand off me.
That's when a shout came.
"Guards! He's kidnapping my daughter!"
Footsteps thundered down the street.
"What the fuck is even going on?" I muttered frustrated.
"This is why I never let my daughter go out alone. This is the third time a man is staying to take her." Tharn lamented.
"Take her? Respectfully she's the one getting in my way." I replied, almost yelling.
"How dare you pig talk back at me." He sneered, pointed at me.
Five masked guards stepped forward.
I sighed and carefully placed the orders I'd been carrying gently onto the nearest crate.
"Stay here," I muttered—not to her, but to the food. I had no intention of losing the delicious supplies, especially one made with love.
The guards surrounded me. Blades drawn.
One stepped forward. "Release her and come quietly."
I held out my hand."She's the one clinging to me,"
My words fell flat.
The first one lunged.
"Shit…"
I dodged his attack, and I felt a surge of energy moving from my elbow down to my hands.
My body moved before thought could catch up.
Bam!
The first guard went down in one strike. The second barely had time to react before I sent him reeling into the dust.
I stared at my hands. "What was that just now?"
The rest hesitated.
"What now?" Tharn shouted. "Are you scared of one guy? Get him for me."
They looked at each other, then attacked at the same time.
"Pffff."
I moved through them, weaving every swing of their sword.
'When was I able to move like this?'
'Don't tell me.'
I flashed back to my encounter with chained Zandren. Those black things that crawled my hand.
Whoosh.
I dodged an attack.
A boot to a chest. An elbow to a jaw.
I swung my arm, and it caught one across the head. The punch was hard enough to crack his mask.
Then.
I felt a sharp stab.
I looked down and saw my clothes turning red.
The woman gasped, covering her mouth with her hands.
"That's it. Now chain him." Tharn laughed.
I froze. Slowly turned. My eyes met the one who stabbed me.
My rage surged.
My breathing became heavy and unstable.
The sword slid out as the guard took a few steps back.
He looked terrified.
I lunged, grabbing his face with my palm, and smashed him on the ground.
The mask cracked beneath my hand and the pieces fell aside to reveal the face of a young woman. She had already passed out from the impact.
"Ah…"
My mouth opened but no words came out.
"So…" I brought a little piece of cloth out of my pocket.
I wiped the blood off her face.
"...You are a grown man who hides behind ladies as his guards."
My words came out, cold.
Tharn's face was drained of colour, fury flickering across his features. His daughter lingered at a corner, now terrified.
I said nothing more.
Gathered my orders, and walked off.
Leaving a faint trail of blood behind me.