Lute and I have joined the rest of the knights again. After we safely pass through the mountains, we arrive at a lake.
“Let’s stop here to make our plans going forward,” Gaia suggested.
Everyone sits down by the lake shore. Gaia spreads out a map in the middle, and then looks around at everyone.
“Because of the attack of the bandits, we have strayed far from the direct route to the palace,” Gaia stated.
“So we’re here now?” Haku asked as he points to a lake on the map. “We’re pretty far from the mountain path.”
“We’re going completely in the wrong direction. What the hell are we doing?” Shion commented.
“That being said, we can’t turn back the way we came,” Lute implied. “The bandits will be waiting for us.”
“But what else can we do?” Kenny asked.
“Shall we fight them again?” Haku wondered.
“We need to put the safety of the Princess first,” Gaia stated.
“Which road should we take, then?” Lute asked. “We should choose a safe, well-traveled route.”
“Wait a minute,” Kenny said. “I think I remember something…”
Kenny turns the map around to face him and frowns. “I remember! It’s Shika Village!”
“What about it?” Lute implied.
“One of my customers from the blacksmith shop mentioned it,” Kenny commented. “When they visit a relative who lives in a town near the palace, they pass through Shika.”
Everyone looks at Gaia.
“What shall we do, Commander?” Lute asked.
“All right,” Gaia said. “Let’s trust your customer and go through Shika Village. We leave in thirty minutes.”
“I’m gonna go move around for a while,” Kenny said.
“I don’t have anything else to do, so I’m going with Ken,” Haku implied. “What about you, Shi?”
“Nap,” Shion replied.
Everyone stands up to go enjoy their free time. However, Lute stays by my side.
“What would you like to do, Princess?” Lute asked.
“I was thinking of taking a walk.”
“Then I shall accompany you.”
We stroll through the dappled sunlight shining through the trees. The only thing we can hear are the birds singing and the rustle of leaves stirred by the wind.
“It has been a long time since I spend such a quiet, peaceful time like this,” Lute spoke.
“Me, too. I’m still in disbelief over what has happened to me these past few days.”
“I’m sure you are, milady. Anyone would be surprised if a group of knights suddenly showed up and declared them royalty.”
“Are you ever unsure of anything, Lute?”
“Of course. I am not perfect, milady.” Lute smiles softly at me and I…
“You seem perfect to me.”
“That is all it is, Princess. It is just an illusion.” Lute jokes with a chuckle.
Pulled in by his smile, I find myself laughing as well.
YOU ARE READING
A Knight's Devotion (On Hold)
Roman d'amour"I pledge my loyalty to you, Your Royal Highness!" -------------------------- It's the Middle Ages, and Sophie lives in the countryside. One day, Sophie suddenly find herself attacked by a group of men dressed in black... and five royal knights save...
