Die Arthia

B i l a n g LI

"Now, are we gonna buy jewelries?" She asked excitedly. I watch her walk to me with a sky blue off shoulder dress, below her knee. "Brandon?" She asked? I shook my head and look at her eys.

"You didn't asked me to go out of the manse with you just to buy you stuffs, aren't you?" I asked. She pouted as she shook her head.

"Just wanna experience those." She said. Hindi ko pinansin ang sinabi nya at hinila na si Ashin sa harap nya.

"Don't move." I said and easily carried her up. She smiled at me as she watch me jump behind her.

"Where should we go now?" I asked her.

"Do you know the Oro Bar?" She asked, I wrinkled my forehead.

That's a bar for mercenaries and unpleasant people.

"You do." She said not asking me anymore. "Huff! Huff! Let's go!" She said with so much energy, I slightly kick Ashin as I manuever him to the street.

I see a lot of commoners talking with each other as they buy goods, some are even fighting, I don't know if it's a real fight or what but people are watching them and cheering, I see some kalesa of nobles.

But I was distracted when the lady infront of me giggled. She slightly look at me.

"Isn't fun outside?" She asked. I did not speak and just look on the road. "It's your first time out right?" She asked.

"Quiet." I said. She just smiled and look at the road again.

"It's my first time too." She whispered but it didn't escape my ears.

I heard her sighed.

When we reached the shabby building we stop, people are looking at us as if we're intruders and we'll rob them. Mas mukha silang magnanakaw kaysa sa amin.

I jumped down and positioned my self to catch Cecilà, she smiled again and without hesitation she jumped on my arms.

I clenched my jaw. How can she trust me so much?

As if she knows me well.

"What are we doing here?" I asked, can't let go of Ashin's leash.

"We'll look for Cesario." She said as her eyes travel around the building.

"Who's that?" I asked. "Your lover?" She stop and seconds after she crack on laughter as if I said something funny.

"No." She said laughing in tears. I look at her without emotion.

"Stop." I said. She stop immediately, but still supressing her laughter. "Let's go." I said.

"How about Ashin?" She caress the tip of Ashin's hair since she can't reach all of it.

"You should go alone." I said. Her eyes widened.

"Wow, I really thought you're a gentleman!" She said. "You're so kind and gentle when it comes to that maid!" She said.

"Who?" I asked.

She just rolled her eyes and turn her back on me.

"Stop!" I said, panic is evident in my voice. "Stop, I said!" I shouted a little.

It's dangeous inside that Bar, don't tell me she'll walk there alone? When I said that she should go alone, I did not meant it.

"Cecilà." I said her name, it made her halt. I smirked.

See?

Her name is her weakness.

"Cecilà." I called again. She bit her lower lip trying to supress her smile, her face is red. Is it the sun?

I look up, the sun's heat is hot right now.

"W-what?" She asked trying to act mad.

"Wait for me." I said. She stop and smiled. "Yeah?" I asked. She's nodding while her smiling. I smiled.

She's easy to tame but she can also take a lead. Amazing.

I look around to call a person who'll take care of Ashin while we're gone.

I walk at the big guy sitting on the corner.

"Can you look after him?" I asked the guy who has a straw of hay in his mouth. He look at me boredly. "I'll pay you gold." I said. He raise his eyebrow.

"A noble." He whispered and look behind me. I move to cover Cecilà. I saw the guy smirked. I think I just asked the wrong person. "Who do you think you are?" He stand up and he towered me. I slightly look up at him.

"And who do you think you are?" I asked.

"Brandon." I heard Cecilà's small voice. "L-let's just g--"

"Cesario!" Someone over voice Cecilà. We all look at the lady who shouted a familiar name.

"You're Cesario?" Cecilà asked shockly. I look at her. "Ikaw ang sadya namin!" She said, all her fear just vanished. Cesario look at us.

"What do you want?" He arrongantly asked.

"Train him." Cecilà said without beating around the bush.

"What?"

Cecilà, I can't read her.

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