Erin

Chapter 04-At the Market

Illya ran to the market as fast as she could. There was no time to waste especially that the crowd in the market usually goes thin fast like a whirlwind being there on this moment and would be gone like it was not even there the next moment. She expertly dodged obstacles on her path and woved in and out through the people who were walking towards the market so they could hopefully buy something that would stuff their stomach full. Thankfully when she arrived, her friends at the market saved a spot for her. She was able to sell all of her goods at a good price and it was unusually quite high compared to her other goods that she sold before.

Illya was certainly happy since she would be able to save more money and that would mean no growling stomachs on the next couple of days. That would keep them alive and she would also be able to help those people who are less fortunate than her. She could now provide more food to them and the children would be grateful. Those little children won't have to seek out to the wild forest alone so they could scavenge some food which would not be enough for them.

There will be good food to eat later, she said to herself. Her father would smile and their home would get brighter again. You see ever since her mother died, their home has been quieter and becoming sadder since her father was constantly depressed. But her mother's death did not mean that Illya's father has forgotten his responsibilites to his child. He took care of her when Illya was still a baby. He would hold her hand when she first learned how to walk. He would bring her everywhere he goes. He would watch her as she plays with his father. They would go on little adventures to the wild forests just to climb a tree and watch the sun as it sets. She loves her father very much. That was why when her father got sickly, she vowed to herself that she would take good care of him.

She was walking towards home now that she had finished her job at the market. She was thinking of what good food she would feed her father this evening. Her thoughts were so deep that she did not notice someone infront of her until...

BAM!

Illya's POV

I would need to buy that vegetable he loves so much and some of those spices too. Oh yeah and the children's favorites too. Oh bother! I should walk fast. I am hungry. My stomach's growling and it wants food right now. Seriously, it's complaining. I need to--

AH!

Wait did I just bump into someone?! Oh my! *scuttle* *scuttle*

Strong hands gripped Illya tightly so she would not fall. She touched the person's abdomen to steady herself. She was looking down trying to orient herself and noticed something that, well, shocked her.

Hmmm muscles...

Huh?

What has gone into your head just now Illya?

Erase erase that thought.

I can't believe this. I need to say sorry for bumping into this person especially that I was not even looking.

"I'm so sorry!" I said.

"No, it's alri--"

I looked up to apologize again when my words got caught in my throat. It was like gravity. His eyes are just pulling me in. I just can't look away. It's breathtaking. I can't believe it. It's as if I'm looking in a sea of stars that I just could get lost in it. That as if he knew the secrets of the world. I'm holding my breath and I don't notice it. He is keeping our gaze and neither one of us is moving.

"Breathe." He said as he smiled at me.

Embarassed, I inhaled and exhaled blushing furiously. I looked away so he would not see my embarassment. That was one long staring contest!

That was unexpected. You know bumping into one chunk of hunk.

Wait did I just say that out loud?! Seriously, what is wrong with me today?

I peeked at him and he was grinning like crazy. And I just realized that I'm still leaning on to him, touching his hard-chiseled muscles on a guise they call the abdomen underneath what he is wearing now.

I admit I hesitated on removing my hands from that abdomen of his but that would mean more blushes for me not that I'm blushing right now. What is wrong with my blushes this day? Has it been automatically turned on?

"Um... I'm sorry again for bumping you. I was not looking to where I was going." I said.

He shook his head and he smiled that dazzling smile.

"There is no reason to say sorry. It's fine. I wasn't looking where I was going either anyways so we are equal." He said.

"Okay." I said hesitantly.

"Sir!"

I looked over the guy's shoulder to see who was calling. It was one of the palace guards that we townsfolk commonly see littering the streets to safeguard not only the royal family but also the people of this kingdom.

"Sir, it's getting late. We need to go now or your tutor would be furious." The soldier said.

"Alright we'll go but allow me to say goodbye to her. Miss, may I ask your name?" He said.

"Illya is my name."

"Well Illya, it is a pleasure to be acquainted to you."

He asked for her hand and suddenly kissed her hand, said goodbye and was lost to her sight as she stood stockstill, shocked by what just happened a moment ago.

And a thought just crossed her mind.

Was that Prince Phillip?!

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Author's Note:

So how did it go for you? Next chapter would be about the Ball. Prince Phillip and Illya's story is about to end. Yep, it's a spoiler. The main story would be updated soon.