Another Villainess

Chapter Sixteen

"Look how beautiful this is. . ."

Throughout the hours of sightseeing and browsing, we find ourselves lured into a fancy looking shop filled to the brim with exotic blades. A shining blue one catches my eye.

Eden looks over my shoulder at the sword and nods.

I look at the beautiful sword and then stare down at the sword attached to his belt. It's jagged and used.

"Where did you get that one?"

"I got it recently, actually. I asked Captain if I'd ever get one and he pointed me to the stockroom."

"Isn't it a little. . . rough for a knight of this family's status?

He shrugs.

I feel the beautiful blue sword's edge, running my finger an inch down, cutting my thumb.

"What are-"

"I'm going to get this sword for you. Bring it to the counter."

He tilts his head, puzzled.

"A fine sword that is, Madam. You have a good eye!" The store owner smiles widely, his top teeth showing just barely under his bushy grey mustache.

"Yes." I respond. Eden's surprised face is worth every bit of the high price.

Smiling slyly I have the sword wrapped and then carry it over my shoulder back into the hot, bustling market.

I guide us to the river that runs through this town  where it's quiet and peaceful with benches along the path that make it even more lovely.

As weird as he is, my day has been fun. No— maybe not fun— but relaxing.

"Eden?"

"Your finger-"

"Eden." I wobble the sword on my shoulder, looking out into the water.

"Yes?"

"Do you really not care about the way you're treated at the manor?"

Birds whistle around us as the clamoring from crowds become white noise.

"It's more work to stop them." He reaches out and gently holds up my hand. "Lets clean it with the supplies we got." He takes out the bandages and clumsily wraps it around my finger.

"It's too big. . ." My eyes soften at the messy wrapping.

"I'm not as good as you are at treating wounds I guess." Eden chuckles. "But what about you? Do you care about the way you're treated?"

I nod. "But it's not bad now." I think about Leondra's past actions, but really I can't be mad about her misdeeds, and I definitely can't bring myself to say she deserves it. I'll justify everything she did until now because she's gone and if not me who will?

"Oh!" I hand him the sword. "And throw the one you have out. It would break after a single swing."

"Thank you."

We look at the water silently for a while.

"Should we go back?" I ask. It's getting late now, but I wish I could leave that house and this stupid plot forever, living peacefully and far away. And in that wish I see my first and only friend in this world with me.

"Yes, Lady Raiyus."

We trudge back to the marketplace, searching for the carriage.

- - -

"Leondra, come find me again if you get bored. I'd escort you anywhere."

I raise my brows. If I didn't know any better I'd easily misunderstand those words.

We stand outside the rear of the knights quarters. This quiet night tells us that all others are asleep, leaving us the ability for a peaceful goodbye.

Eden's smile is small, so small I'm not even sure it is a smile.

"I will." I subconsciously give an awkward thumbs up.

He doesn't say goodnight, but instead waves as he walks into the building.

And I return to my own room, where I know that the only thing I can wait for is the next scene in this story that requires a villainess.