Lazarus Peirsaly

4. A Meeting Beneath the Stars

"Ansietria."

"Ansietria... So unique, yet lovely. And your last, if it is no burden?"

"I'd like to know that too. One thing led to another so my memory is lacking at the moment."

"A troubling situation, yet you seem unbothered. Your perseverance is admirable." Huh, she accepted that quickly. Saves me the trouble of having to explain it again.

"Well, if you can't remember any problems, you can't care about them either. Or maybe that's just the type of person I was."

"To start things anew with no issues..." Hiev stays silent and looks up, seemingly lost in thought. Unfortunately, I don't really care, so I'll have to interrupt her.

"You said you were a princess? If you are, why would someone of your position be alone in a place like this?"

"Alone? But you are here with me, are you not? That cannot be called loneliness."

"I mean before I showed up. And I'm no Xias Knight or anything to properly escort you." Is everyone in this kingdom just clueless? Perhaps education just isn't advanced far enough for people to develop common sense.

"It is peaceful here. And... due to my circumstances, I often escape my quarters without the knowledge of others, so it would be troubling to request the presence of a knight." Her eyes seem to shine a little less. Even someone like her must have her own problems. Best not to pry. It would be a hassle to try and comfort someone.

"Then I'll leave you here to enjoy your spot. It would be rude of me to intrude." I sit up and turn my back to her, trying to make a hasty retreat. Someone with that much wealth randomly showing kindness to a stranger... It has to be a trick of some kind.

"It is no issue, your company is not unpleasant. Please, stay and enjoy the canopy of stars that blanket the sky." Damnit. Running away from a supposed princess could end badly for me. If she hadn't invited me to stay, I could've been home free... I just found out I look good, I don't need my head being chopped off so soon in the event she gets upset at my refusal.

"As you wish." I lay back against the tree, the two of us staying silent afterward.

After a couple of minutes of silence, I speak up. If she isn't going to make conversation, I'd like an excuse to leave. "You aren't planning on asking me what I'm doing here myself?"

"Just as I have my issues, you must have yours as well. If you did not feel it necessary to inform me, then I needn't ask." Despite the cold reply, her voice continues to keep a calm and neutral tone. She must naturally be like that. Luckily she's a princess, such bluntness could make some people upset.

"You're surprisingly understanding of all this. I thought a princess sneaking out would be more curious about the world of commoners." I assume I'm a commoner at the moment despite my unusual circumstances. I might be closer to a peasant at the moment though.

"It does interest me what the residents of the kingdom think and feel, but it would be rude to interrogate others about such a mundane topic."

"Makes sense." More silence follows. I can't take it, I'll just be a little honest and hope she leaves.

"I was planning on sleeping here. The grass is soft enough and the location is out of the way so people probably wouldn't visit here while I sleep."

She curiously tilts her head at me. "Sleeping outside? Could you be one of the 'useless homeless wretches' my sisters often remark about? The outfit you wear looks to be of higher price than the wages of such people though, so I cannot imagine it true." Ouch, no remorse at all from her. It stings a bit more when she doesn't even see it as an insult. Maybe I am technically homeless right now... But I can't just admit that. And this dress is that expensive... I'll have to thank Synlie again if our paths cross once more.