Dreamwalker

5- In Royal Fashion

It wasn't hard for Bell to find the way back to Emeric and Nathan. In fact, it only took half the time to fight her way out of the thicket than it took going in. When Bell reappeared, Nathan immediately exclaimed, "Where have you been?"

"Bijoux was trying to run away," she replied, setting Bijoux down on the ground. Bijoux trotted over next to the horses.

"Well, don't run off again. We need to stay together. It's very easy to get lost in a forest-- especially if you don't stay on the path," Nathan advised.

"May we continue?" Emeric groaned from the ground. He must have fallen down from hunger.

"Yes, now that Bell is back. I predict that we will arrive in Niege very soon if we keep up a good pace."

They mounted their horses and Bell stuffed Bijoux into her bag for good measure. After all, she didn't want him escaping again just so she could make another deal with a monster like Morie. Luckily, Bijoux was very adaptable, and was perfectly fine with this arrangement.

"Say, Bell," Emeric remarked out of nowhere, "I thought I heard you talking to someone. At least, I heard you scream. Are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm sure. Trust me, I'm sure. I was talking to Bijoux." Even Bell wasn't sure why she was lying to Emeric and Nathan. She didn't have much reason to hide Morie from them--and yet, she felt like this was her secret quest, significant only to her.

"Don't press her, Emeric," Nathan barked.

"I'm not!" Emeric shot back. "And don't order me around! You're a knight and you should respect my authority!"

Nathan clenched his teeth together so he could muffle his annoyed growl. "What do you do as a knight, Nathan?" Bell asked to relieve the tension.

To Bell's surprise, Nathan perked up at once. Just thinking about his duties gave him a prideful smile. "Many things," he said pompously. "I help to train the military, I protect the royal family, and I sometimes act as an ambassador to other kingdoms. Harenae has multiple trade relations that I am responsible for overseeing. For instance, I travel to the southern kingdom Soleil sometimes to reaffirm trade deals. Soleil sends Harenae most of its salt while Harenae is more of an agricultural empire thanks to--"

Emeric yawned very loudly. Nathan stopped speaking so he could glare at the prince and snap, "I'm sorry, am I boring you?"

"More than you know."

Nathan crossed his arms over his chest. "Very well. Enlighten us with your duties as prince, your majesty."

It took Emeric a minute to answer. He wasn't hesitating, he was just thinking. At last he said, "looking good for the good of the kingdom."

"Waxen wings, Emeric, you represent the Gerin-Lajoie family! Show some dignity!" Nathan burst out.

"Yes. As such, I need to look my best," Emeric replied.

Bell chuckled. "Is that really it?" she asked.

"That's right. My mother takes care of most of the work, to be honest. My father handles more international relations, and I--" Again, he had to pause to consider his answer. "I'm not sure. I've been to school and trained to fight, but that's all. I really don't do anything important for Harenae. My betrothal to the princess Aysal is my first duty as prince."

Bell felt a little sorry for Emeric. She knew exactly who she was ever since Soutine opened the shoe store-- support him, mend shoes, live and die in Terre Pur. She didn't have nearly as much pressure as Emeric, who didn't even know what he should do to represent his entire kingdom. It must have been a rough life for Emeric growing up in a palace, knowing one day that he would shape the lives of thousands of people. "That sounds awful," she answered. "All those people looking up to you? You must have a lot of weight on your shoulders."