We have set out of the village before the sun rose. The weather was fine, and our pace was not fast and not slow. I was afraid at first that my mediocre riding skills will slow down the group, but fortunately I was able to keep up with their pace.

"How are you feeling?" Regaleon who was riding by my side asked.

"I am doing fine." I smiled at him in reply.

But in truth, my body was starting to get tired. My legs are starting to get sore and numb. We were riding for at least more than two hours now, not that long since we left the village. I opted to keep what I was feeling all to myself. I was thinking that this voyage is quite important, and time is of the essence.

"Let's take a quick break." Regaleon said. "Tell the men from behind." He ordered Chris who was riding behind us.

"Yes, your majesty." Chris replied curtly and turned his horse around to convey Regaleon's orders.

I was at a loss why we are stopping here now. We only started to travel just a few hours ago. I was expecting we would continue on the road until mid-day today.

The group halted and took a shelter under the trees' shades. I was about to come down from my horse when I felt my legs were quite numb from more than two hours of riding.

'Can I get off by myself?' I thought. It was a little embarrassing that with only that short of time riding I felt like this. 'It has been a while since I have ridden a horse, no wonder my body is aching.'

I did not want to whine and look like a spoiled lady. Everyone in the group are skilled fighters. They have experience in riding horses for longer hours than I have. It is understandable that it will be hard for me at first.

"Come, I will help you." Regaleon who just got off from his horse was now by my side. He held my waist with both hands and was about to carry me down.

I was happy with his helping hand, knowing that I cannot get off the horse by myself. I held onto his shoulders and let him carry me. When My feet touched the ground, my legs got wobbly. I was afraid I would fall but Regaleon held my waist firmly.

"Do not worry, I got you. Just hold on to me. Okay?" Regaleon said with a smile on his face.

"T-Thanks…" I replied to him shyly. 'It looks like Regaleon saw over me pretending to be fine.' I thought to myself and blushed in embarrassment.

Regaleon led me towards where Tricia had laid down a cloth on the ground. He helped me sit down carefully.

"When did you know that I was feeling uncomfortable?" I asked Regaleon shyly.

"I was observing you closely since we left the village." Regaleon said with a smile. "I saw you were getting uncomfortable half an hour ago, but you were trying your best, so I let you be. But just before I asked you, you were making such a face that cannot hide it any longer, and so I ordered for us to have a quick break." He pinched my cheeks playfully and chuckled.

"Aww, that hurts." I pouted my lips in irritation. "It's just that, I do not want to be a burden to the group, but I guess all was for naught." I lowered my head getting depressed.

"It is understandable that you are not that used to riding a horse for too long." Regaleon patted my head to comfort me. "You don't need to force yourself and just tell me what you are feeling. It will be more troublesome if something much worse happens to you if you neglect your body." He said while massaging my legs that was feeling numb and sore.

"Thank you." I looked up at him. "I will keep that in mind." I smiled.

"Your majesty." William who had just tended to our horses came. "The vice-captain wished to have a word with you."

"I understand." Regaleon stopped massaging my legs and got up. "I will be right back my wife." He gave a quick peck on my forehead and left to go and talk with Chris.

"Would you like some refreshments while your resting your majesty?" Tricia asked.

"Water will be fine Tricia." I said with a smiled.

"I understand. How about you Sir William?" Tricia asked looking at William. I thought I saw her eyes sparked just for a second.

"I am fine Ms. Tricia. No need to mind me." William refused kindly and made his usual handsome smile.

"I-Is that so." Tricia said and blushed. "Then I will take my leave and fetch her majesty some water." She quickly totted away.

'Oh my. Is what I am thinking correct?' I thought to myself. 'It looks like Tricia has a crush on Will.' I giggled with the thought.

The men were resting quite well under the shades of the trees. It was still early in the morning and the weather is not yet that hot.

"The men would like to express their gratitude to you, your majesty." William said in passing.

"Their gratitude, but why?" I looked at him with a confused expression. "I did not to anything to warrant their gratitude."

I was deep in thought, remembering if I have done something to gain the men's gratitude.

"It is because of your presence that they can rest easily in this journey." William said. I looked at him still in confusion. "Haha, it is because of their experience in the past journey towards the capital of Jennovia to save us that they are happy you are here with them on this journey this time around. They are able to have such breaks because of you."

"But aren't I holding the group back because of this?" I asked in confusion. "I was afraid that I am a burden because of this. I felt discomfort after riding for a few hours that I am embarrassed that they would think I am a spoiled lady."

I was really worried what the men will think of me. I do not want them to think of me being spoiled towards their master.

"Do not worry. They are not thinking like that at all. They also think that you are a goddess that can quench their strict masters iron hard heart." William explained. "Some of the men had told me how his majesty travelled towards the capital of Jennovia in post haste. They were traveling by horse with no breaks until night fell. They were exhausted with the journey, but they knew it was needed to save you in time. I might say, his majesty is rather strict to his men, he was like a tyrant whenever they were training and in missions. But still, he is a good leader none the less." He chuckled.

I giggled as well, knowing Regaleon's strict side. I only see the Regaleon who loves me whole heartedly. I looked at Regaleon who was not that far away from me, talking with Chris. He was wearing a serious face while listening to Chris talking. It was different with the Regaleon that always looks at me passionate eyes.

'So, he really is a strict leader.' I thought. 'And to think the men will look at me like a goddess to save the, from their tyrant of a leader.' I giggled.

edited by: nalyn

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