The Path to Ivory

Ch. 7 - And They Would Cross

Deep breath in, quick exhale out.

It was really weird for me to be out like this, and the prying eyes certainly hammered that into my brain. I knew, as did they, so we would all have to learn to live with it. Or try.

My feet moved so fast but the world felt so slow, I felt like I had a time limit over my head. 'Find a wife today or one will be found for you.' That's not exactly what was said, but those exact words repeated in my mind. Like an alarm. It felt like I had no reason to be so frightened at the thought but... I just couldn't help it. The residential district was a quick walk from the castle gates, and I was already passing it. I never knew I had such an energy to me.

Once I had gotten further in to the shopping district, I allowed myself a moment of calm. I stopped, catching my shaky breath, and watching the people as they worked. They moved so methodically, it genuinely looked like everyone was on a track. I guess I was no different, at base level, doing the same thing every day and never thinking about change. I wonder if they thought like I did, too.

Prim and proper, every day.

Blinking a couple times, I decided to continue. The air to me was so stale, even though it was pleasant. It had just become the usual, so the lack of change made it boring. The colors were boring. The people... I shouldn't dare think like that, be it truth or not. Because if they were boring, then so was I, and I surely did not know if I was ready to accept that as fact. I should at least try to not be boring before I declare it, right? Think... spur of the moment! Even if I was barely capable of it, I changed things up today. That was good.

The people who looked up to actually see me gave me puzzled looks before bowing, bidding me a good day. I wouldn't be rude, so I nodded and echoed them like a parakeet, continuing down the sidewalk. I wonder who cleaned it... I wonder who cleaned everything. I had never met the people who cleaned the castle, either. Oh, how these thoughts made me feel like a bad person. Why today is everything passing across my mind?

Who do I look for? Someone who does the same thing every day? That was everyone in this kingdom. I suppose the exception would be those who couriered the goods to other kingdoms and surrounding towns. But even then, is that not just repetition? Would I enjoy that, being with someone who is just a mindless doll like me? Maybe it would be better for the retainers to go out and find women to marry... though I think it would only be a matter of time before they fall into the same fate. If not less than, considering she's going to end up just being a decoration for the benefit of another decoration!

Frustration began to build, it seemed like every answer was a bad one, and I didn't want to be so repetitious day upon day, at what point does someone break? On their eighteenth? It certainly felt that way. The murmurs of the people didn't help me at all, and I turned quickly to view them.

While I expected them to be speaking of me, I was fortunate to find that that wasn't true, but for some reason it didn't make me feel any better. They stood surrounding a horse that seemed out of place. That... was unusual. Out of place is like a foreign concept to us, to me. Well, as prince, I might as well investigate! My day is going nowhere but south, anyways, right? I smiled that of one who was on the verge of shattering like glass, closing the distance.

"Good morning and best greetings- er... good morning!" I closed my eyes and felt like a fool. "What are you all-"

"Good morning!" They all spoke so suddenly and began bowing to me. I didn't want to surprise them like this, I just want to see.

"Yes, well met. What are you all looking at?" I asked, and they all lifted their heads. I had never seen anyone look so surprised, as if they had to buffer what they said next. It brightened my mood slightly.

"Uh, this horse, young sir." That stung me. "It's... dirty. And we believe it may have..." The man speaking gestured to a pile next to the horse.

I think they were implying that it defecated, but I gave them a puzzled look. In what world did it look like dirt, rocks, and general buildup? And the horse didn't look dirty, it looked well ridden. I stepped forward, and reactively, they all stepped back. For the better, since I wanted a closer look. Especially since they were calling the horse an 'it'. It's kind of an easy tell.

"Oh, he's precious!" I speak, his eyes are so kind and that of one who's worked hard. I lift my hand and part my coat, offering it to him. The horse looks away from the many people who now backed up and over to me, sniffing my hand. He had the look of hunger, so I slowly pulled my hand back. "Ah, I have no sugar cubes, good sir. But I can grab you one!"

The citizens look at me like I'm speaking another language.