Capítulo 23: She Hides Her Face
The stone walls outside were massive, Battle-worn, and sturdy. Even from a distance, Robin was able to see the castle peeking up from behind the walls. As they got closer, Robin thought to herself. 'If even these walls are so tall, then how tall would the castle itself be!?' When they arrived at the gates, Prince Christian stopped his horse, prompting all the others to stop their horses as well.
"Why are we stopping?" Robin asked, even though she had also stopped her horse.
"We need to wait." Prince Christian replied.
"Wait? Wait for what?" Robin tilted her head, puzzled.
Trumpets blasted out from the castle walls, announcing the prince's entrance. Prince Christian grinned in amusement.
"That." He replied.
"Oh." Robin said. "Does this happen every time you pass through the castle walls?"
"Almost." Christian replied.
"When does it not happen?" Robin asked.
"When I can slip past the wall guards without them recognizing me." Prince Christian replied.
Robin glanced sidelong at Christian. 'DOESN'T THAT MEAN IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THEN!!?!' She internally yelled at him. Now was not the time to be agitated, she knew. But somehow, she really wanted to punch Christian in the head.
So much for being low profile...Not! Robin had prepared for a situation such as this earlier. reaching into her bag, she withdrew a brown paper mache mask with white markings around the eye, and a yellow marking down the bridge of the nose. In fact, the mask was modeled after the markings of the local robin bird.
"What are you doing?" Prince Christian asked.
"Retaining my identity." Robin replied. "To everyone else, it doesn't matter who I am, so much as I am the Hero Robin. When I am not on Hero business, do you think that I WANT everyone to recognize me?"
"I'm surprised you can even separate yourself and 'Hero' at this point. What are you afraid of?" He asked.
"Paparazzi, assassins from foreign nations, merchants, black-bellied nobles, possible hero fanatics..." Robin ticked of her growing list of undesirables as she enuerated them on her fingers.
"Stop, I get it." Prince Christian sighed.
"In summary," Robin concluded. "The less who know my face, the better."
"It should be fine for the procession, but you are going to have to show your face to my father." Christian warned.
"If it is only to him, then gladly." Robin replied. "Otherwise, what is he going to do? Force me?"
Christian paused. The Hero was right. Even if the king wished to see his face, it was up to the hero's disgression. For the king to use force on the Hero would reflect badly upon him, as the supposed 'benevolent' ruler. Moreover, the Hero himself was not a citizen of the king-having come from a foreign land. Therefore, if he wished to maintain a good relationship with the Hero, the king could only allow the Hero his privileges.
"What about those who have already seen your face?" Christian asked.
"It can't be helped. I only finished this mask last night." Robin yawned. At this point, she had gone over twenty hours without sleep, and was almost dozing in the saddle. Despite this, she had managed to come up with a counter to any death flags during the time she was waiting for the guards to arrive from the capital.
In fact, she had started on the mask as soon as Christian had retired to sleep. Using some fabric glue left over from a different project, and several sheets of paper from a newsprint pad, shredded into strips. The colors she obtained from a few broken jars of dye that she painted on afterwards.
"How is it staying on your face?" Christian asked.
Robin rolled her eyes. "It hooks on behind the ears like a pair of spectacles. Any other questions?"
"Yes, but I'll ask you later." Christian said as the huge gate doors suddenly began to open.
Completely according to Robin's expectations, when they did enter the Capitol city, the citizens, carts, and carriages, had all cleared the center of the road, and the people lined the sides, respectfully cheering. But, most of them there were not there to see Prince Christian. Instead, they were curious about who the Hero was. Therefore, the sides of the streets were much more clogged with people than usual.
The fact that Robin was wearing a mask did not disappoint the crowds at all. Instead, it made them further excited. What kind of face was underneath Hero Robin's mask? Why did he need to wear a mask? What kind of secrets are hid underneath? This topic would entertain gossip societies for months on end in the future.
Prince Christian pretended that he didn't notice the large crowds and nudged his horse into a walk, beginning the procession to the castle.
Robin usually preferred to enter inconspicuously. But, inconspicuous would probably be impossible with Prince Christian.
'Come to think of it, I'd probably be spotted at the gates just because I am in possession of the Hero's sword.' Robin realized.
'I'll have to find some way of covering up the hilt to make it less noticeable.' Needless to say, she still held out hope for being able to walk around the capital, inconspicuously.
How else would she know how to help the citizens? If she appeared as the Hero, then people might not answer as honestly. Therefore, having an identity as a nobody was important. Moreover, some things could not be learned from just basic patrolling of soldiers, especially if there was a dark side to this bright city.
After escorting them to the castle gates, Marshall halted. Gerard's guard let him climb off the horse before the Marshall led his men off to the guards barracks. He left Prince Christian, Robin, and Keith to dismount and continue on foot.
They left the horses to a few pages that appeared like clockwork. And so, with Prince Christian and Keith in the lead, they climbed up the flight of steps.
As they stood at the top of the steps, and gave their names, Robin wondered what sort of person this King Zephron would be.
"Announcing the arrival of Prince Christian, Hero Robin, and retired General Keith." The announcer cried out.
"Hey, what about me?" Gerard asked.
"You just stick with me, little buddy, and don't wander off." Robin said. "Perhaps he just doesn't announce those without a prevalent title?" She then turned to Keith. "I didn't know you were retired!"
Keith chuckled. "How else would I be promoted to the Prince's babysitter?"
"Ah. That makes sense." Robin nodded.
"Keith, you rascal!" Was all that Christian could say before the opening doors caused him to cut his words short. "I'll deal with you later." He muttered.
"Heheh. Gladly." Keith breathed.
With no more delays, they entered the castle.
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