The Refuge of Fate

Chapter 45 - "Yeah... Men"

"How much is this?" he asked pointing to the pile of bright red apples. The shop owner immediately responded. "Two gold coins for each apple, your grace."

Shaking his head, the knight sighed.

Everything was too expensive here.

"Two gold coins? An apple only costs two copper coins in other kingdoms," he retorted with a frown and the vendor smiled wider. "That is the case for normal apples, your grace," the man started and the knight crossed his arms waiting for an explanation as to why a goddamn apple could cost two gold coins.

"However, these apples are personally grown by the people of magic." Contorting his face into question, the knight raised his eyebrow. "And what's with it if these apples are personally grown by the citizens?"

"They are far different from the normal apples, your grace."

"Elaborate," he demanded with a huff but the vendor just kept the smile plastered on his face.

"Compared to the nutrition of normal apples, these contains a thousand times-" the vendor stopped midway when he saw the knight's expression change from questioning into slight astonishment with how both of his eyebrows rose together.

"And once eaten, these apples could hasten the regeneration of wounds a hundred times faster than what the body could do-"

"Hold up!" He interrupted and the vendor clasped his hands together when he knew that he had convinced the knight. The latter on the other hand grabbed one apple and inspected it with his keen eye. "So, you're telling me this little thing right here is even better than the highest-grade potions sold in other kingdoms?!" He exclaimed in which the vendor gladly nodded his head.

"It is, after all, grown by the people of magic, your grace." Convinced, the knight doubtfully grabs a few coins in his chest pocket and gave it to the vendor. He immediately bit into the fruit and its sweet juices filled his mouth.

"Hmm... this is good," he moaned and the vendor's smile widened further. "Just as what I have told you, your grace. The apples are better than any other apple in this world."

Now that he was convinced and happy with the apple he bought, the knight thanked the man and went on his way. He was too busy munching on the savory fruit that he did not care he bought an apple for two gold coins. "I appreciate having his grace purchase the apples that I sell. Thank you so much," the old man spoke and he simply subconsciously nodded his head.

Two gold coins were already expensive enough and not even nobles would spend such an amount on a single apple. In fact, two gold coins can buy a crate of medium class and size apples.

He was also too busy with eating that he failed to notice the stares that he got as he walked in the middle of the seemingly busy road.

"It is his grace!"

"Your grace! It had been a long time since we last saw you!"

"A pleasant morning, your grace!"

The people around were instantly drawn towards the knight who held a half-eaten apple on his hand and was now throwing it in the air while munching happily.

He continued to eat with the people around admiring him.

Not until someone stepped in front of him which caused his steps to halt. As the knight looked down, he saw a young girl. The latter had her head bowed as if she was afraid and it was evident how she was embarrassed as her ears were red.

"Y-Your grace!" She called and the knight looked at her with curiosity.

She looked like a young maiden who had just reached puberty.