Chapter 8: An Escort
—CELIA—
The carriage ca to a stop, and the mont I stepped down, the world greeted all at once.
The noise, the colors, the lively movent of the people.
It was so lively and so completely different from the manor.
Vendors called out to passing custors, voices overlapping in rhythm. Laughter rose from sowhere nearby, followed by the unmistakable sound of soone arguing over prices as if it were a matter of honor.
I blinked, taking it in, and felt a small smile form despite myself.
"...This is rather charming."
I was startled at my words and accent.
Did I just...
Ah. Nevermind.
I adjusted my simpler dress and stepped forward, blending into the crowd without effort. No one bowed. No one stared too long. A few glanced at in passing, but nothing more.
It was... comfortable.
"Fresh fruits! Sweet as honey!"
I turned toward the voice as curiosity already got the better of .
"That is quite a claim," I said, stepping closer. "May I verify it myself?"
The vendor laughed, clearly amused. "Of course, miss. Please, have a taste."
He handed a slice. I took a bite, paused, then gave a small nod of approval.
"I must admit," I said, "you speak the truth."
He grinned, pleased with himself, and I purchased a small portion without hesitation.
I continued walking, letting the flow of the crowd guide . Stalls lined the streets with bright fabrics, small trinkets, and all sorts of handmade goods. It felt less like a place ant to impress and more like a place that simply existed as it was.
I slowed near a stall of accessories and picked up a simple hairpin, turning it slightly.
"That piece suits you, miss," the woman behind the stall said.
"It is quite lovely," I replied. "Simple, yet well-made."
"You have a good eye."
"I do my best," I said lightly.
She smiled, and I paid for it before placing it into my hair. It was not extravagant, but it felt right.
As I moved on, a group of children rushed past , nearly brushing against my side.
"Careful now," I said, catching one lightly by the shoulder before he stumbled. "You must watch where you are going."
"Apologies, miss!" he said quickly, though his grin remained.
"I suspect you will forget that advice in a mont," I replied, amused.
The others laughed, already pulling him along.
"Co on!"
They ran off again without a second thought.
I watched them go, shaking my head slightly.
"Full of energy," I murmured. "And very little caution."
Still, it was hard not to smile.
I continued further in, pausing this ti at a food stall.
"What is this?" I asked, gesturing to a row of skewers.
"Grilled at, miss. Fresh and well-seasoned."
"I see. Then I shall take one."
I accepted it, took a bite, and nodded with approval.
"This is quite good," I said. "You have done well."
The vendor looked pleased at the complint.
I moved on again, more at ease now, letting myself enjoy the mont rather than overthink it.
The noise no longer felt overwhelming. It felt... natural.
A part of life I had not realized I missed.
I slowed near a fabric stall, letting my fingers brush lightly over the material before glancing around once more.
"This was a good decision," I said quietly.
A simple walk through a place where no one knew , and no one expected anything from .
I exhaled softly with a faint smile lingering.
"For once," I murmured, "things are going rather well."
But then I spoke too soon.
"You."
I froze.
That voice.
I knew that voice.
I turned slowly, already feeling my soul preparing to exit my body for the third ti today.
And there he was.
Knight Commander Matthias Sinclair.
Of all people.
Of all places.
Here.
In the one location I specifically chose to avoid people like him.
"...You have got to be kidding ," I whispered under my breath.
Because truly, what were the chances?
No, actually, don’t answer that. The chances were clearly very high in this kind of story.
Matthias stood a few steps away, tall, muscular, and very much out of place in a crowd like this.
Even without formal armor, there was sothing about him that made people instinctively give space. His presence was steady, disciplined, and entirely too noticeable for soone I was trying very hard to avoid.
anwhile...
I was standing there with my cheeks still slightly full from the street food I had just taken a bite of.
Perfect.
Absolutely perfect timing.
His gaze moved over once, asured and sharp, like he was confirming what he was seeing.
"What are you doing here?" he asked, clearly confused.
I blinked at him, still chewing.
I swallowed quickly, nearly choking in the process, then straightened as if I had not just been caught mid-bite like a criminal.
"I might ask the sa of you, Sir Sinclair," I replied, brushing my fingers lightly against my sleeve as if that restored my dignity.
It did not.
Not even a little.
His brows drew together slightly. "This is not a place you frequent."
That was... accurate.
But for her.
Not for .
I gave a small, polite smile. "Circumstances change."
That sounded vague enough to be safe.
He did not look convinced.
His gaze lingered as if trying to reconcile the version of he knew with the one currently standing in front of him eating skewers in a public market.
I could practically hear the confusion.
Good.
Let him be confused.
Confusion ant he did not imdiately connect to anything dangerous.
Hopefully.
"You are alone," he noted.
"Ah yes," I said calmly. "I wished for a quiet walk."
He glanced around at the crowd, the noise, the movent.
"...This is your idea of quiet?"
I followed his gaze, then looked back at him.
"Ah...hahaha." I laughed awkwardly.
He studied again.
Still unconvinced.
Still suspicious.
This wasn’t going very well.
I clasped my hands lightly in front of , maintaining composure while internally screaming.
Why is he here?
Why is he talking to ?
Why is the plot so committed to finding ?
This was exactly what I had been trying to avoid.
Exactly.
I forced a polite smile anyway, because running away imdiately would only make things worse.
"Well," I said, inclining my head slightly, "it was... pleasant seeing you, Sir Sinclair. I shall take my leave now. I have... matters to attend to."
I stepped to the side, already preparing to disappear into the crowd like a responsible person avoiding danger.
"Very well."
He suddenly spoke that made pause.
"I shall escort you, Lady Aria Valen."
I froze mid-step.
Ah.
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