Day 39

Morning

It's been a month since the day Aunt Aline told me about the past I had forgotten. Between me and the Prince, nothing much happened since he became busy once again.

The man only showed me that soft side that one morning, then returned to being that cocky jerk right after tsk tsk. Though I admit, there is an improvement.

Out of boredom, I walk around the many halls and passby the training area. There I stop and glance at the training. Sometimes I come by to watch how the royal guards train, with swords and all. They usually have their commander around at those times, sometimes it Kace who leads their practice, and this time apparently it's him whose joining them.

He swung his sword with grace and speed, something I'll never be able to do.

"Miss Astor!" He came to an abrupt stop, with a slight look of shock on his face and handed the sword to the guard he was sparring with.

"Hello Kace!"

"Is there something you need?" Kace asked, then walking over to me.

"Nothing really, I just came by to watch the training."

"I see."

He's still awkward as ever.

"Are you busy today?"

"Hmm." I pause to think about my plans. "Not at all!" The only things I've been doing is enjoying the facilities here, or hanging out with Luca And Adria. Kace the least since he's often busy. As for the prince...

"I'm going into town today to buy a couple things. Would you like to come with me?" His voice had a subtle sound of shyness in it. Oh but I'm glad he asked, I haven't been to town in ages!

Is it just him and I though? I get to go to town with this really adorable and good looking royal butler? Calm self, calm!

Kace still, and always had a special place in my heart sobsob

"Of course!"

"Okay. We'll leave in an hour, is that alright?"

"Yes sir!"

The town was awfully busy. Some people were in rush, carrying loads of stuff, and others just seemed to be out for recreational activities. And for the scenery, it wasn't all that different from House Dahlia, or the castle. Nature was still highly valued.

I stood by a pretty, marble and polished fountain where leaves floated on the clear water that was held in the area. The breeze that so often passed me was quite relaxing. I'm wearing a much lighter dress made for occasions such as this where it wasn't a necessity to dress to nobility. It would be extremely warm for me to be wearing those dresses I'm always forced to wear if I had to dress in them out here.

"So what did you need to buy?" I asked Kace. He stood by me looking at what appears to me a checklist he had.

I tried sneaking a peak at it earlier, but he's quick to notice and would hide the paper from me.

"We're going to the jewelry shop first."

The jewelry shop? Why there though?

Wait- don't tell me... He brought me along because he wants to buy something for a girl and needs my help deciding! But for who though?

Perhaps he meets with a girl whenever he leaves the castle? Omg!

"Why are you giggling?"

Oh shoot he noticed! "Oooh nothing! Come on lets go!" I skip ahead of him to where I can recall jewelry being sold. There was one stall in particular where the jewelry was just beautiful, but the lady told me she was a travelling merchant and only came by so often. Perhaps if we're lucky she'll be here today!

I pass stalls selling different kinds of things be it food, or souvenirs, until I reach the stalls selling jewelry and scan them with my vision, to see if the travelling merchant was around.

"Come to see my beautiful gems? I've come far and wide to sell these babies like no other."

I hear a familiar voice, sweet and calming.

"Miss wandering merchant lady!" I gasp and rush over to her stall. It had a very 'mystic' vibe to it. Decorated with hanging gems and magic circles.

Her face was covered with an almost transparent, silk like cloth. Her night black locks fell down from her back to a length I can't see properly from where I stand. My gaze shifts from her to the jewelry she was selling. Brooches, rings, earings, necklaces they had such pretty designs and shiny gemstones!

One in particular caught my eye. A pendant necklace with the design of a musical note and a bright green gem held in it. The color reminded me of a hazy vision.

The queen? She had the same green eyes. Or in this hazy memory of mine she did.

"That's a green Apatite." The lady tells me. "It implies unconditional love."

"Do you like that one?" Kace asks me from behind.

"Huh- I was just looking at it. Anyway aren't we here because you needed something to buy?"

I turn towards the stiff male and he averts his gaze.

"You, girl."

"Yes?" Again I turn, facing the lady.

"Haven't I met you before? A few years back."

"Uhh I believe so..."

"You've grown into such a fine lady!"

I can see the grin on her face beneath the cloth. For a merchant who travels to many different places, she'd remember me?

"I see great things in you." She continues. "So please purchase this necklace! I'm going to go broke!"

Well that was an unexpected turn of events.

"I'll buy it." Kace walks forward and takes out the bag of coins he had with him for whatever he planned to buy.

"But Kace! You aren't here to buy me stuff, right?"

"That'll be 1000 gold coins!"

"1000 gold coins!?" I almost fainted at the price.

"Keep the change."

And this idiot just handed the entire bag of coins to the lady as if it was nothing! "It's okay Riselle, these are my savings. And I still have plenty more."

"Just how much do you get payed?!" I pause. "And why are you buying me that necklace?!"

"Because."

"Because?"

"This is what I planned from the start."

I stared at him in silence, while the lady put the necklace in a pretty box, and handed it to Kace.

Many thoughts ran to my head. I'm mostly confused and unsure how to act. I mean he really just bought me a necklace which was priced 1000 gold coins!

Kace opened the box and took the necklace. "Can I put it on you?"

"It's too late for me to say no now." I sigh. "But don't go purchasing stuff like this for me again!"

"I can't promise you that." He carefully put the necklace around my neck and hooked it. The green apatite shone in the light. A very pretty, pretty green.

"Thanks..." I utter softly. How am I ever going to repay him for something like this though? "You're an even bigger idiot than I am, aren't you."

"Please do not feel in debt to me, Miss Astor. I'm doing this out of my own will." He gives me a small, awkward smile.

"You smiled..." He rarely smiles!

Inner me is screaming, because this idiot here has one of the softest smiles my eyes ever had the blessing to see.

"Ah, young love." The lady giggles.

"Y-young love?!" I back away from Kace.

"Miss Astor, we should go and find somewhere to eat lunch."

He really just ignored what the lady said.

But love? I don't think Kace sees me anymore than one of his childhood friends but also as the Prince's guest. And hah! Too bad for you miss but I'm not interested in love no matter how cute or nice the guy!

"Yeah, lets go get lunch. I'm starving!"