TBATE-ONESHOTS

Honorbound 10

The rest of the carriage ride went smoothly, and Tessia had managed to calm down by the time they reached the bookstore. As the carriage came to a stop, Arthur got up from his seat and was the first one to exit the carriage. He turned around, holding the door open, and offered his hand to assist Tessia and Kristine with exiting the carriage.

Tessia raised a brow as she elegantly stood up from her seat, "I can get out on my own, thank you very much."

Arthur shrugged and lowered his hand, "As you say, Princess."

Tessia exited the carriage with a small smile on her lips. While it wasn't a big gesture, she did appreciate Arthur's offer to assist her out of the carriage. 

Kristine approached the door and offered her hand to Arthur with a grin, "Well, I, for one, am open to assistance."

Tessia turned and narrowed her eyes slightly on Kristine as Arthur casually took her hand and helped her step down from the carriage. Kristine smiled at Arthur and thanked him before approaching Tessia.

Kristine's smile faded as she noticed Tessia's expression, "What?"

"Nothing," Tessia said flatly, and turned.

Kristine's eyes furrowed in confusion as she and Arthur began to follow Tessia to the bookstore. The bookstore was a large two-story building with vines and moss growing along the walls and windows. Above the door was a sign that read, "Alice's Bookstore."

Tessia walked inside, and she smiled warmly at the aroma. She always thought the bookstore had a specific sophisticated aroma, which she loved. The inside of the bookstore was vast and large. Tables were set up near the beginning of the store, where individuals could sit down and read. Behind the tables were several bookshelves, all full of books of different sizes and genres. Above them was a small square opening where individuals on the second floor could look down to the first floor. 

"I always did love the smell of this place," Tessia said contently.

"It's a combination of things that gives it that smell," Arthur informed, and Kristine and Tessia curiously looked at him. Arthur looked around the store with a small smile. He chuckled a little, "If you go to the older books section, you will find that the smell is stronger there."

Tessia raised a brow, looking at him inquisitively, "Have you spent a lot of time here?"

Arthur's eyes flicked to her, and he nodded, "I have. Especially growing up."

"A soldier who reads," Kristine said comically. She grinned, "Careful, Arthur, you'll mess up the stereotype that all soldiers are imbeciles."

Arthur chuckled and shrugged, "Maybe I'm an imbecile who reads."

Kristine smiled and laughed a little, covering her mouth. 

Tessia's eyes narrowed slightly on Kristine before she turned and said, "Come on."

"You two go ahead," Arthur said and began to walk toward the counter.

Tessia stopped and looked at Arthur, "Where are you going?"

Arthur looked at Tessia and shrugged, "Just gonna hang out. Don't worry, I don't sense any threats. Plus, there are only two exits, one of which requires a key, so you're safe."

Tessia's brows furrowed as she watched Arthur walk away and approach the counter. She noticed a girl around Arthur's age standing behind the counter, writing in a book, who she recognized as Lilia. Tessia had to admit that Lilia was beautiful. She had long brown hair, which she had braided, and kitten-like hazel eyes. Tessia had spoken with Lilia in the past since she would come to the bookstore frequently. She always thought Lilia was nice but didn't know much about her.