The Guarded Princess

LXI

A few days had passed and the merchant ship finally came to a stop at a harbor that the three only vaguely knew from books that they've read. Only merchants ever came to the island but it was a country with an artistic culture that attracted those from the outside. However, it was a country that few could visit considering only those with permission were allowed to enter.

"So this is the Kina Kingdom."

Kaede stepped off and looked up, the towering structures of the Kina Kingdom standing proudly in the sun as the castle could be seen situated on a mountainous hill far off in the distance.

"It's an ally of the Seven Seas Alliance," Masrur said.

"Huh?" Kaede looked at him. "Then isn't being here pretty dangerous? Since you two did technically leave them."

"As long as we don't get found out it's fine," Masrur answered, looking at Lucy.

Lucy smiled at him and nodded her head. "Yup."

"But I heard that they sent out search parties after you two. Both the Sindria Kingdom and the Kou Empire were worked up about it," Kaede said for he heard it from the merchants who trembled with fear just remembering the orders that had been passed throughout the countries.

"Well, if it does become known," Lucy chuckled. "Then we'll deal with it then."

"We'll make a run for it," Masrur nodded his head.

Kaede stared at the two with a stupefied expression before turning away, sighing as he shook his head. He looked at the two through his violet eyes as both Lucy and Masrur stared back at him with carefree smiles on their faces.

"You guys really have nothing planned out, huh?"

"Part of an adventure is to sometimes just go with the flow," Lucy grinned as she stepped off the ship with a light bounce. "Right?"

Masrur followed her. "That's right."

Kaede shook his head and laughed to himself. He was always the studious type and honestly speaking, he kind of wished that they could just travel freely like this without having to worry about anything. Catching up to them as his shoulder cape billowed behind him, he walked at the same pace as them.

"If that's what you guys say," he grinned.

Lucy and Masrur smiled at him as the three walked as a group through the streets of the Kina Kingdom. Despite the short amount of time that they had been together, they had already grown used to one another's company for the days they sailed on the ship were enough to get to know each other - especially in the case of Masrur and Kaede. With Lucy being there, they got along fairly well and it was in no time that they could address each other without feeling awkward.

"Ah," Kaede looked up.

"Kaede?" Lucy tilted her head.

"Sorry. Wait a minute," he looked back at them before continuing on.

Lucy and Masrur watched as Kaede jogged over to a nearby stall and talked with the owner there before handing him a few coins in exchange for the masks that were lined up on display. Kaede returned to them and gave one to Lucy and then to Masrur who looked at it in question.

"In the Kina Kingdom, it's normal to wear masks. This way, we won't attract too much attention," he explained. "Since foreigners are rare."

Kaede looked the two up and down as a bead of sweat rolled down his face. Truthfully speaking, they stood out with their cloaks for even with the hoods on, they were quite noticeable. Masrur had his towering height as a Fanalis and Lucy radiated the aura of a King as the rukh fluttered around her. But, at least like this, the citizens of the Kina Kingdom wouldn't pay them much mind for they were at least respecting their tradition.