A Knight's Devotion (On Hold)

Chapter 2

After a few hours in the swaying carriage, we finally reach the next village. The knights start carry our luggage into the inn.

“Oof!”

I pick up my bag with both hands, but it’s suddenly taken from me.

“I’ll carry your luggage, Princess,” Lute stated.

“Oh, thank you. This town is really busy! There are so many shops… it’s really lively, isn’t it?”

Since I’ve barely been out of Kanai Village, everything I see is fresh and exciting. There are rows of bread and sweets I’ve never seen before in storefront windows. The people walking around through town are dressed fashionably, and I can’t take my eyes off them.

“Is this your first time in this village, milady?”

“Yes. I’ve hear a lot about it, but I had no idea it was so wonderful!”

“After we put down the luggage, would Your Royal Highness like to take a look around town?”

“Oh! Is it all right?”

“Of course. It must be stifling to be surrounded by us at all times.”

Lute peers down at my face and grins.

How should I respond back to him?

“I’m just happy to have so many people to talk to.”

“…Are you sure you’re not forcing yourself?”

Lute peers at me with a worried look on his face.

“Haha… I’m serious,” I giggled. “Everyone’s so different; time really passes quickly when we’re together.”

“I feel much better hearing you say that, milady,” Lute smiles gently. “Walking around town will be a nice change of pace, milady. I will accompany Your Highness, of course.”

“Thank you.”

Luke smiles quietly and Haku comes up besides us.

“You two are having a fun little chat, aren’t you?” Haku asked. “Let me come with you!”

“You must have really good hearing.”

“I can always pick up on the voice of a pretty girl.”

Lute sighed. “…Just don’t cause any trouble for the Princess.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Haku says, brushing off Lute’s warning.

“Princess. Haku and I shall accompany you into town.”

“Yes, thank you!”

               

After we set down our luggage, we go out to see the town. There are all kinds of rare foods, goods, and clothes I’ve never seen before in Kanai Village. My chest begins to hurt from sighing in wonder at each new thing.

I wish I could have gone on a journey like this with Grandma. Now that I think about it, I never got to take her anywhere.

“Who are you buying that cup for?” a girl asked.

“Mother. She’s feeling down after her favorite cup broke yesterday,” another girl answered.

I hear two girls chatting together at the general store.

That’s right. I should buy something to send to Grandma. What should I get?

I think for a while, and an image of Grandma in the kitchen wearing an apron springs to mind.