The Unwanted Prince

Chapter 6 : The Journey Back Home

"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."

The silence that hung in the air was intense, hence, Mikhail didn't dare say a thing. The man also kept quiet as if observing something he had never seen before.

The two stared at each other for a long while before the otherworldly man decided to break the silence. "You... is this your first time here?" the man asked, making Mikhail snap out of his trance.

"Whe-... Oh! Ye-yes. Yes! It is!" Mikhail fumbled on his words as his face flushed from embarrassment. The man continued to stare at Mikhail in silence.

"I see... Then... I presume you do not know me." the man said as he smiled at Mikhail, cocking his head to one side inquisitively.

"Er... no... I don't..." Mikhail replied, confused at this question. Am I supposed to know him...? But I can tell he is a big shot from the way he holds himself and controls such a big army... Mikhail thought to himself as he stared at the man with curious eyes.

"May I know your name, young lad." the man asked, snapping Mikhail back to the present.

"P-pardon?! Me? My name? Oh, um... I'm Mikhail Orvielle." Mikhail replied, flustered from the sudden question.

"Orvielle... Hmm... Looks like I'm not mistaken after all... It's a pleasure to meet you. I suggest... you keep your hood on in the future when you leave any premise." the man said after pulling his handsome face out of a thinking position and lifting the corners of his lips as he smiled at Mikhail.

"O-oh... Oh! Of course!" Mikhail replied in a daze as the man walked off. He quickly threw on the hood of his cape, chasing after the man.

"W-wait! What... what's your name?" Mikhail yelled out as he chased after the man who started sprinting.

For such a person... he moves like an assassin... Well... maybe assassin isn't the right word but... He's fast! Mikhail thought to himself as he struggled running after the man. "Heh. You'll find out soon." the man called out before disappearing around a corner.

"Whoa~ He's so fast! Hah... Hah... How even..." Mikhail panted as he leaned his body in an A-pose, catching his breath. What does he mean... that I'll find out soon?

***

Embarrassingly... I have to go back home. It was so troublesome last night. I have to go back home and earn back the money... Mikhail sighed as he walked back to the archway he and his friends passed through coming to the city.

I'm broke and hungry... I couldn't even eat last night because of the commotion that happened in the tavern... Mikhail sighed to himself as he heard his stomach grumble.

"Here." a sudden voice said, causing Mikhail to jump.

"Huh?! What?" Mikhail exclaimed as he noticed a loaf of bread being pushed into his hands. Mikhail's eyes trailed the owner of the pair of hand offering the bread only to notice it was the boy he rescued yesterday.

"Consider this my repayment for yesterday. And... it's not a lot of money but... Here... Thank you for yesterday." the boy Mikhail helped yesterday said.

"O-oh... Thank you... But the money..." Mikhail said, about to return the money when the boy shook his head.

"You helped me out plenty yesterday. Take it. It's a token of my appreciation." the boy replied, smiling as he pressed the bag of money into Mikhail's palms.

"... Then... I'll be sure to spend it wisely." Mikhail said smiling back at the boy.

After the transaction with the boy, Mikhail stared into the bag of money the boy gave him. It was enough for spending another night in the city, so, Mikhail hurriedly re-rented the room he slept in for another night and kept some spare coins in his bag. Trying not to waste his experience, Mikhail left the inn to explore the town.