บท 37: Assumptions
"Whaaaa...Whoa! Midel! Midel! Look over there! And there too! It's colorful! That smells delicious!" Shiiba ran in front of the stalls one after another on the busy streets in one of the cities. There were colored banners and flags adorning the simple streets. Street musicians and different food bazaars were lined in the center of the city attracting visitors and residents alike. They all noticed that the people within the South Kingdom's territory all looked, as they have heard from the Banished Village, beautiful. No one was ordinary-looking. Even the street sweepers look pretty with pink hair and fair skins.
"Good thing Theoden have that invitation as a merchant. Who would have known that we would arrive at the festival on time?" Midel smiled turning his eyes into crescents. "It's been a while since I have seen her act like a child."
"How old is she?" Yllana asked while petting the white rabbit on her arm.
"About a century, I guess. Souls like her grow pretty old and they don't even live normal lives unless contracted." Shiiba was still running to the stalls while Midel was talking to Yllana.
"Yrah and I will look for the Blue Seal Inn to rest for a while. The rest of you can go look around." Theoden was smiling as he noticed how excited Shiiba was with the festivities all around them. It was just like yesterday when his two daughters were like that but now, they are both mature. Prince Devon followed Theoden and Yrah while Lucien tailed Midel and Yllana.
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Theoden was rubbing his chin as he gazed out the window on the second floor. After a few minutes, he heard his daughter enter the room and speak.
"Father, are you all right?" Yrah's red hair was swaying with the wind as she spoke. Contrasted with her green dress, she looked simply pretty. He took her to a chair and let her sit first.
"I am. Why are you out of your room? Did the prince bother you again?" He was about to march out of the room to go to the prince when Yrah spoke again.
"No...no. Let him be. I think he is cultivating again, he was so quiet these days." Theoden just smiled at his daughter's words. 'Of course, he would be. Imagine being suppressed by a powerful mage all day long,' but he only said it in his mind. His gaze fell on the scene outside the window again.
"I remembered your mother always loved going to festivals like these and buying new things for both you and your sister. I miss her already." During their journey to the South Kingdom, he never once mentioned anything about his wife. There are thoughts that only a father would understand and only a father should carry. "Your mother didn't even have the chance to welcome both of you back. We were waiting for both of you to return."
"Father..." Yrah felt tears flowing down her cheeks as she remembered how their mother died. She wasn't even there to help her sister save their parents. She immediately wiped the hot tears and smiled trying to uplift the mood. "I know little sister did her best. It was too much of a burden for her at such a young age to be the kingdom's number one Holy Knight. I heard that the empress did not want to revoke her of the position. Prince Devon said it in passing. The crown still thinks she might come back to the kingdom someday. Are we really going back, father?"
"I am thinking of going back to your grandfather's hometown. Your mother's father might just help us and bring back that light in your sister's eyes. Ever since she came back...I...I couldn't see your little sister. It was as if something has taken her away from us."
"Maybe it was the last war. She never told us anything about it. Maybe something happened. Why don't we go to the market? Maybe you will feel better after going out."
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"Why does this p-, I have to dress like this?" Prince Devon was scowling after changing into a set of ordinary clothes. He felt awful being in plain clothing. His face wrinkled so much and was red with anger.
"You chose to travel with us then you should dress like us as father suggested. You stand out too much and you'll just be a bother if you continue bragging about your status. That won't work as it does in the North Kingdom. Or... do you like to go back now to your mother?" Yrah's teasing tone reached the prince's ears as he followed them outside of the inn. They were going to find a restaurant to eat in for the evening. And Theoden suggested they should find one earlier for fear of running out of slots if they reserve later.
"Tss...You know I wouldn't go back to the north if you won't." He crossed his arms and pouted. Yrah smiled knowing how the little prince, who was one head smaller than her, would react to her teasing.
When the three of them went to the market, Theoden found himself immersed in trading with other merchants, he did not forget to bring a few metal ores with him and the herbs they found on the mountain to trade with. Yrah just stayed quietly by his side making sure she wouldn't lose her father's voice in the bustling crowd. Prince Devon, unknowingly, also got mixed into the trading conversations and aided Theoden in the process.
"Silver ores are priced at lower rates than refined silver. Why don't you just make refined silver? Swords, shields, things like that so you could profit more." Theoden shook his head as the prince's ignorance with the trading process.
"You may gain a few more coins for processing the silver like that. But you would also have to find a good weaponsmith to pay, you would need other people to decorate it. And then you have to find the right people to sell it." Theoden's explanation created a frown in the prince's forehead. He found it very troubling to have such an arduous process just to sell a processed silver piece.
"It takes more than just melting it and then selling it? That was really bothering." The prince commented.
"It seems you are taking a liking the trade business. Our father is known for his skill in knowing opportunities so we trust his decisions. Ores are also easier to sell. Jewelry makers, weaponsmiths, and more would need it to make their other products so it has a larger market than refined products." Yrah added. They have been into this business.
When they reached the center of the city, they saw people rushing to get out of the way. Imperial soldiers were asking people around with a portrait on their hands. They went to the side to avoid the commotion as the soldiers passed by them.
"What an unfortunate girl that was to be hunted down by the emperor. She must have done something for the emperor to be looking for her specifically."
"Have you seen the portrait? She is a stunner. But she doesn't look like she is from around here."
"Maybe the empress' health is not up to the expectations of the emperor and is looking for a replacement. Tsk, another sacrifice for the emperor's power."
The crown continued talking about a girl that the emperor is looking for. Prince Devon grabbed a young woman from a stall and asked, "Hey, did you see the poster the soldier was holding?" When the young woman nodded her head, he continued to ask, "What does she look like? The girl the emperor was looking for?"
"Red hair and red eyes,"
Prince Devon's hand loosened as realization dawned on him. The only girl he knew that has red eyes and red hair only numbered into one. Then he heard coins dropping on the ground. When he looked back, he saw Theoden stunned and his palm was open.
Yrah's lips were trembling as she tried to grab Theoden's hand and ask where they last saw her sister.
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Galloping horses roared through the festive streets of the Golden Leaf City. It was only one city away from the imperial capital. The streets were filled with curious people gossiping and whispering about a girl that the emperor is searching for.
"Why is the emperor looking for me? I wonder." Yllana whispered as she gazed coldly from the corner of the street. Her hair was now brown and her eyes were black thanks to Lucien's magic fruit. "How long will this last?" She turned to her side and met Lucien's eyes. They heard rumors just a moment ago about a girl being hunted down by the imperial soldiers.
"A week...I assume." He made her eat an ordinary-looking fruit. It was a small brown fruit just the size of a grape. It turned her hair brown and her eyes black, making her look just like any ordinary citizen.
"I haven't made any trouble yet but someone is already tracing me down. Could it be related to the incident at the Banished Village?"
"Midel and Shiiba are already looking for more information. Don't worry." Lucien stated.
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