Love & Duty

Chapter 8

"I'm a traveler; I was hoping you could tell me what's good around here?" she asks an old man selling apples.

"Oh! I'm glad that your travels have brought you to our peaceful town. Here." he offers her a bright red apple. "One of the good things here, you could say our products? They are always fresh, just like the apple you are eating now. It was just recently harvested, naturally grown."

She could tell how natural and fresh the apple was from its taste, filled with juice and such sweetness! "Is that why you like this town? Or is there another reason you love it here and call it home?"

The old man took a moment to think. "I was born and raised here, and so were my parents. This has always been my home. However, I decided to stay because of its people. Of course, we can't forget our Princes!" that answer sounds interesting; she needs him to elaborate.

"The Princes have taken care of us a lot since the passing of the King and the Queen. I'll be honest, but I thought we were doomed. I'm very proud to say I was proven wrong. Young Prince Ren visits us personally and ensures all our needs are met! He is charming that way. Our King-to-be tries to act cold, but I've known the young man since he was a child. His love for his country and people can't be hidden from me." He laughed at the memory of a small Damon. "One thing that differs us from others, it's the personal care we feel from our Princes." that's the answer she needed.

"Thank you. I will keep your answer in mind." she continues on her way around town.

"I'm sorry Ren couldn't make it today. I hope it didn't inconvenience your plans too much? He sent me to guide you, so just ask me if you need anything, Princess Sophia."

"Don't worry about it too much, Rowen! I'm actually enjoying this; with Ren here, I doubt the citizens will be as honest as they are now."

Sophia was on another quest to gather information for her assignment. Tyler and Valerie are with her, of course, as usual, walking behind her. Since Ren was busy, Rowen was assigned to show her around and help with whatever she needed.

To her dislike, she was wearing her hood to cover her identity. Still, she will admit it made it easier to walk next to Rowen without drawing as much attention as royalty would.

Sophia was surprised at first at how much Rowen knew about the towns around them and the people. He probably knows every single corner around here. "Can I ask how come you know everything around here? And everyone?" she asks curiously. She doubts her aides know every corner of Whitestone.

"Other than the fact I chased after Ren over the years?" they laugh at his troublemaking past and still present. "Before I got recruited, you could say I traveled around a few known towns in Greenwind. I thought it would give me a slight advantage." he chuckled, "I didn't know the person I'll be assigned to would make me discover all of Greenwind anyway."

"But you can't seem to get away from him." she points out.

He shakes his head while chuckling at his situation. "That little rascal has managed to nail himself in my heart. Can't get rid of him anymore."

That answer made Sophia feel something unpleasant; he is comfortable enough to even call his Prince a rascal. Yet, he can't find it in him to call her anything. Just Princess. "You can be really mean sometimes." she lets out under her breath.

"Sorry? I didn't catch that." he says innocently.

"N-Nothing. What's next?" Sophia nervously changes the subject; she wouldn't know what to tell him or how to explain why. She just knows she hates how Ren gets to be someone close to him, and she is kept at arm's length...

Tyler scowls at the scene taking place in front of him. "Everything okay with you?" Valerie asks when she notices his expression and looks at what is making him scowl.