Chapter 29: Mine and your ‘Dase’.
It was decided that we would be arriving at the Royal Capital tomorrow evening. This is because if we were to arrive early, there will be arrangements made fitted into our schedule. Furthermore, there would be this social obligation that made it inappropriate to turn down the offer in that situation. So, both Kaid and Caron thought of not creating any opportunity to have plans being slotted and hence made that decision.
However, if we were to arrive in the evening, we would have to appear for the evening party. But, as we had just arrived from our long journey, we won’t be obliged to be in that party until that late of night.
Both Kaid and Caron who went through turbulent times were in perfect sync as they set up our schedule. Therefore, despite the Sun being still up high in the sky, we stopped our progress towards the capital
Our stop was a lively town with a large number of residents that is located not too far from the Royal Capital. The town is called Dase and it only takes about half a day by horse from the capital. Due to its convenient distance from the Royal Capital as well as it being situated along a large river, many merchants and goods would often pass through the town making it into a busy town.
Due to the sheer number, us from Laius did not stay in just one inn but were spread out among many other inns. During special occasions such as the King’s Birthday, people from different provinces and fiefs that would be attending the event would start to gather. In that case, there will be an agreement between the fiefs to decide upon which town or inn would the people of each fief stay in. If all were to be concentrated into one city, there would be a fear where one wouldn’t be able to have any inn to stay in at all as well as the fact that the profits would then be concentrated into one town. Therefore, for various reasons, it would be better to split up and take the lodgings separately to spread out.
The split was the highest for those that will be accompanying the master, Kaid himself. Whoever that will be accompanying him had already decided beforehand who it would be. Only after that, the other servants and the soldiers will begin searching for lodgings for themselves. I wanted to help out but I can’t do anything as being the person that I am. I’ll surely be just a hindrance to them instead and end up making them feel uncomfortable.
I looked out the window of the room that I was assigned in. I saw Caron instructing and bustling around making sure that everything was loaded off smoothly. And beside my room was actually Kaid’s room.
Our room isn’t at the inn’s frontside but rather the back. You can see a large open area that was meant for bringing in the cargos. Further in there was a space allocated for the horses, carriages and cargo to be parked. Because the inn was located slightly further away from busy streets of the town, the view from the inn was nice and clear as you can easily see the town’s plaza centre. However, due to the large trees that were planted on the border between the inn and the street, the view from the outside was obscured.
Everyone seemed to be knowing what they had to do while they segregated and offloaded all the cargo. This is probably because of the fact that the people who were part of this journey were those that had already been to the Capital before. The only ones that were participating for the first time were Samua and Jasmine. Even so, both of them were carrying the items back and forth so smoothly and efficiently amidst the others.
After Jasmine slumped over to place one of the items down, she looked up. Her eyes that were previously filled with such exhaustion instantly brightened up. It was impossible for me not to be happy after seeing her expressing such joy through her body just because our eyes had met.
I gently waved my hand at her so that I wouldn’t be disturbing anyone during their work. In return, Jasmine waved back. Then, she quickly pulled Samua’s clothes and pointed towards my direction. Noticing me, while holding onto the baggage, Samua managed to give a small wave with his palm.
As I waved back, it seemed as if Jasmine had thought of something and her face beamed up. Then, she quickly headed towards Caron’s direction – leaving Samua and I staring at each other blankly between the ground floor and the third floor.
“My Lady, is there something wrong?”
I was so focused on what was happening outside the window that I didn’t realise that Kaid was peeking out from behind me. Reflexively, I jumped up in surprise. But, at the same time, Kaid was shocked at my actions and we ended up apologizing towards each other, flustered.
Kaid was different from me. Rather than being a hindrance, he would be capable of giving precise instructions, he also had the physical strength to help out in carrying the cargos and despite everyone tried to avoid him from doing so, he had the determination to participate regardless. I wonder if I can be like that one day… I still think it is unacceptable for me to just ignore everyone’s advice against the idea of it, but like Kaid, I too want to be able to be of some help for everyone.
Then again, I never expected that Kaid would be right behind me since I assumed that he would still be downstairs. I had left the door open when I was bringing in my belongings, so I hadn’t noticed him enter the room at all.
“I apologise, My Lady!”
My heart was still beating fast out of shock, however, when I saw Kaid being even more flustered than I am, I couldn’t help myself but to calm down instead.
“I had thought that you were still with the others downstairs. I’m so-.”
“Shirley!”
Just before I could finish my sentence, I could hear Jasmine’s voice from outside the window. Without thinking, I turned around to see Jasmine jumping up and down while waving at me excitedly.
“Once we’re done with the cargo, we can go downtown! Isn’t it great?!”
“Hey, Jasmine! I did say only if the Lady wants to go as well!”
“Let’s go together! Samua is coming as well!”
“Huh?! I just heard of that now?!”
“Eh?! You don’t want to go?!”
“Of course, I’ll go! … I’ll go along too?!”
“I get it. I get it. Plus, you have already done your research beforehand on which shop to stop by in town, am I right?”
Samua also seemed to be having a surprisingly good time.
Both Kaid and I were apologizing towards each other so much that I got tired standing up. I sat down and looked up at him who was standing beside me. Kaid also shifted his gaze from looking outside towards me.
“Is it alright for me to go…?”
“Of course, My Lady. From now on, you should do whatever that you wish to do without missing out a single thing.”
“That… would turn me into someone that is very selfish. If you don’t scold me at certain times, I won’t like it.”
“…”
“Kaid…”
Kaid was giving out cold sweat as his eyes darted around the room. Though his gaze managed to eventually come back to me as if they had finally come to their senses.
“Ever since before, the selfishness that you had said was something that I would hesitate to call it as being selfish. So, how can I blame you for having such selfishness?”
I was amazed at Kaid for saying such a thing at this time. I wonder what he thinks of me. I’m worried that he might view me as a saint of pure and innocent nature. But, even I myself have desires. That’s why I would also have selfishness that would result in troubling him.
“Even if you say as so, you’ll be the one that would be in a bind. Because now that I was invited by Jasmine, I’m thinking how happy I would be if you would be able to come along with me.”
The moment I selfishly asked the busy man if we could go out and play together, Kaid’s eyes widened in surprise and blinked. When I saw that expression of his, I had this complicated feeling. As I had expected, he did misunderstand me as a person that doesn’t know what selfishness is.
“See? You’re conflicted, isn’t it? That is why you shouldn’t be careless with your words towards me, Kaid. If I were to be more and more selfish, you will be the one who will be in trouble.”
“Ah. No. I’ll accompany you for that.”
“Really?”
This time it was my turn to blink with my eyes widened.
“I was chased out by Carolina for making the others feel awkward while working. So, if My Lady wishes to go out, it would be better if I were to go with you. That way, there will be more solid protection from the guards… But.”
Kaid pursed his lips and averted his attention down at the window. I followed his gaze and saw Caron. She gave me a small wave and a wide smile. I waved back. I missed the days where I would only shake their hands by the wrist so that the others wouldn’t be able to see them. However, I raised my hand to the front of my chest and gave a small shake in response.
“Although I said it myself that I would accompany you, My Lady. But, I have a feeling that I would be hit by a huge outburst at the end.”
“What do you mean?”
“What I meant was that Carolina really likes you a lot.”
“I too like Caroline. Fufu… Is this what they call mutual love? I’m happy.”
“Those words, it would be best for you to tell Caroline directly. I’m sure she will be happy hearing it.”
If Caron is happy about it, I’m happy as well. fr(e)ewebn(o)vel
While the buzz of unloading the cargo upon arrival was ongoing, both Kaid and I had slowly spent time together until it was completed. However, the moment we were to depart for town, Samua and Jasmine were shocked to find Kaid tagging along with us. Without them knowing, their actions had ended up quietly hurting the said person.
“Once I arrive at the royal palace, I won’t be having any time to relax. Don’t you think it would be a good idea for me to have some fun as well?”
Kaid who was depressed silently asked Samua who was standing straight stiff while sweating profusely.
“Well. Just think of me as a wallet.”
“Eh?! Seriously?! Yay! I love you Master!”
“You! Idi- Jasmine!”
The more Jasmine jumped up with so much excitement and joy, Samua turned even paler. However, when he took the hand of Jasmine who spun around with joy and exchanged eye contact. It seemed as if it didn’t even matter anymore. I’m not sure if that’s even the case or not.
“Speaking of which, where’s Izadore? I haven’t seen him since we arrived.”
“Ah, Lord Izadore was in the same carriage as us but a little while after reaching Dase, he said that it was fine there and hopped off. I was glad to be able to take care of Lord Izadore but my seniors were disappointed that they didn’t get the chance to do the same.”
“I see. So, Izadore is quite busy as well.” freewebnove(l).com
“He did mention he’ll be back by morning.”
Kaid let out a heavy sigh.
“If he doesn’t, we will leave him here.”
While being restless as we are, we all head out to town. Some of us were surprised, some that was pale, some that was excited and some that had already given up.
Updat𝓮d from freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.co(m)