Chapter 25.5: Sweets are the best reward when you save someone!
Kein's POV
I was done sketching Rose while I was on my carriage.
As my eyes landed onto the pretty wrapped box that contained a delicious looking cream cake that Nigel and Vincent had prepared for me.
"I can't wait to eat it with Lenard."
I happily thought of the things we could do together after all this week away from him.
I think Vincent has already informed my aunt and uncle about me coming back 'home'.
I do not miss Aunt Haren. Not one bit.
"Ah right. The carriage is going into the city first. I should buy new shoes while I'm there." I looked down at my worn out shoes.
I can't believe Vincent said it'll turn into a talking puppet soon. Well, it is a little loose...
"Young miss, we're close to the city." The Coachman reminded me as I looked outside the window. The building was now coming into view as the carriage had now stepped inside.
I was using a guest carriage, thankfully one without a noble crest.
Once we have arrived safely, I get off the carriage carefully taking the cake with me.
I cradled it like a newborn baby because fuck I can't let it go to waste.
"Thank you, kind sir for bringing me here safely." I told the Coachman as I gave him a gold coin as a tip.
"A pleasure, miss. Be careful on your way now." He snapped his reigns as the horse neighed, trotting out of the way.
Alright, now to go shoe shopping.
I walked into the familiar city street with all the vendors calling out to my attention making me interested in all their wares.
You know, since we have plenty of gold for a moment, why don't I buy something I probably won't need right now but I'll surely need in the future.
Saving the shoe for last.
I went ahead and decided to browse some other items first. Shopping with Kein sure is fun.
"Little lady! Why don't you take a look at our finest jewelry? We have many very talented jewelers making our products these days. Surely one can catch your eye!" (Stall vendor)
Oh? Is that so?
The voice of that one old man in the stall drew me in so I decided to take a look. "Young master! Welcome! Welcome! Look around!"
Wait? Young master? I pointed a finger to myself and then realized. Oh, right I was wearing boy's clothes.
And this is Vincent's fancy clothes- I forgot to change into commoner clothes-
I must've been mistaken as a rich young master now. "Sorry but I'm actually a girl." I told him. The stall vendor panicked and immediately apologized for assuming. I told him it was okay and just decided to browse his wares.
It was all really... fancy but not really my type. Sapphires, rubies, silver encrusted in simple designs, nothing is speaking to me. "Hmm... yeah nothing is really catching my eye at the moment."
"No! Surely there has to be something! How about my jewels at the back?" The stall vendor wouldn't give up as he took out a small box, opening it revealing really complicated flower design accessories.
"Now surely! Has something caught your eye?! A pretty young miss like you should like flowers!" You know I think you should low down on the comments if you feel guilty of mistaking me as a boy-
But I ignored him for a bit as I decided to look through the box.
Wait this is?
I reached out to the jewelry that caught my attention remembering two people.
"A rose necklace and bracelet with lilies." I muttered as my hands felt the detailed forging of these. It must've been one experienced person. I can't see any flaw in their work!
Yeah for some reason these remind me of Rose and Cecilia.
"Oh? Do you like those two sets of flower designs, young miss?" (Stall owner)
I look up to see the stall owner's smile as he points at the rose one first, "The meaning of rose. To never see blood as an answer. I offer you a rose instead. Ah yes, what a classic puronian choice."
The stall owner points at Lily next, "Lilies are such graceful flowers. It blooms depending on the weather, I see you've taken interest in the white Lily one instead."
I eyed the jewelry carefully as I smiled, "Do you also know the flower language of a Lily here?" I was somehow nostalgic. It hasn't been that long but surely the first princess Cecilia left an impression on me.
Perhaps this flower reminded me of her in a way.
"The flower has the language of, to be perfect and sublime. We hide our flaws and to always remain pure of heart." The stall owner dramatically explained as I swear I heard some melodramatic background music at the back.
"So will you be purchasing them, young miss?" (Stall owner)
I looked at the two flowers and both reminded me of two people. I tried looking for something Lenard or Vincent might like but I have forgotten to ask their favorite flower-
So I guess these two would be enough for now. I nod at the stall vendor, grateful to have come here. "That will be five gold and thirty silvers in total." (Stall owner)
I gave him six gold coins instead and told him to keep the change.
I'm feeling in a good mood today so I don't mind losing a little more money than I should- even though I'm literally a very cheap woman.
While I was busy sighing, I finally found an open shoe store and went inside and got myself a new pair of shoes. It was dark brown colored, comfortable, and it's for men.
Finally I have new shoes.
I stored my old one in my ring. Just in case I'll need it again.
.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.
I was walking along the stress and saw the church. There seems to be some shouting or something in the middle of it. "People of Puronia! Our light goddess has blessed us another day!"
There were several priestesses, and a priest leading a crowd. "Bless the light goddess for protecting our kingdom! We offer you our prayers! May the light be with you!" (Priest)
Oh no. It was some church meeting about the words of the light goddess. I don't attend the masses, I can't wake up Sunday early in the morning just to get into church. I have work that's why but damn I have to leave before they get roped into something I'll regret.
The crowds listen to the words of the priest, "Adultery is a sin! Stealing is a sin! Same sex marriage is a sin!"
Oh hell no what he did just say? We got a homophobic piece of shit in here. I grit my teeth a little mad about the last one as I decided to listen in to see what it's all about. "This woman! Is from the kingdom of [Sprivanto] and has come to taint our beliefs! Our church will protect the light's rule!"
The priest points at a woman who just smiles awkwardly in the middle of it, trying to understand the situation. "Um... I... Uh…?"
The woman stuttered, her face growing worrisome as she looked at the crowd's judging eyes. I also tried going through in the middle of the crowd as I saw a beautiful girl who was being placed in the center of attention as if she's some object.
She tries her best to stay composed even with all that.
Her clothes were different from Puronians, it was more colorful, a little more exposing, it honestly reminded me of Spanish clothing more than anything. Her light tanned skin, green eyes, and long locks of green hair.
Everyone in the crowd went eye wide and whispered quietly to each other. "No way... so does she like the same gender?" (Bystander)
"Be careful... I hear they just come up to whoever they want." (Bystander)
"Oh... no. What if she suddenly harasses me?!" (Bystander)
"Oh man. How can she live like that? Without a man in her life how can she ever have kids who will take care of her when she gets old?" (Bystander)
I cross my arms feeling angry. Here they are spewing shit how the light is righteous but don't know you think judging someone just because of their preferences is also shit? "I don't know? There's probably like a thousand kids waiting for adoption, you dumbass."
I said without any hesitation in my voice. The person who said bullshit looked down on me considering he's an adult he's taller but that doesn't mean he's educated.
The girl from another country also heard me and smiled in my direction.
"What do you know? You're just a kid little one, of course you won't understand but don't worry. You'll see that the light does not approve of this. It is a sin after all." (Bystander)
The bystander shrugs as I wanted to raise my voice at them but the priest was just spewing more shit like that westboro church back when I worked in the states. The audacity of these guys!
"It is a sin! The light has spoken! We must continue our bloodline! This felony must be stopped! Look at this woman! She is the definition of a devil incarnation for thinking impure thoughts!" (Priest) points at the woman making the others agree, his words of confidence swaying the crowd.
The girl from sprivanto looked like she couldn't take it anymore, as she tried to speak up but was immediately cut off by the priest. "She must be cleansed in the name of the light goddess! I decree!"
What the hell? You know I was just enjoying a nice walk around here but then I see this?!
"Yeah, cleanse her!" (Bystander)
"She would be free from these words by the dark demon itself!" (Bystander)
"Save her priest! Take her into the light!" (Bystander)
Take her into the light of my ass. The crowd was already shouting as they cornered the Sprivanto lady. I was not going to stand by and let her take this on her own. I don't give a damn if they say same sex marriage is a sin in here now.
What they're doing is public humiliation and its so disgusting.
"Hey lady! Run with me!" I immediately pushed into the crowd as I grabbed her hand. "Ignore them! Just run!"
"Hey girl! She must be cleansed! Return us to her!" The priest shouted as the other crowd gasped.
"Yeah! Shove a dick up your mouth first then I will!" I replied back as the Priest staggered back.
"T-That's! So! Unholy! No! It's inappropriate! Disgusting! Take that girl too! She also must be cleansed!" (Priest) ordered the crowd and they immediately came running to chase us.
I laughed as I tugged on the girl's hand. The sprivanto girl laughed as well as we both got out of there together. "Get them! They must see the light before it's too late!"
"No thanks! The sun is the only light I'll be needing in my life!"
We ended up running in circles until we lost those people. I was tired but thankfully these new shoes came in handy, they're really more comfortable to wear and I feel light.
"Thank you, for saving me being out there with all those people... overwhelmed me." She says her voice is a little hoarse.
I smiled and waved my hand, "No worries. They had no right to judge you like that and besides it was pretty horrible to just watch and do nothing, miss." I replied back to her.
"You are a good kid. My name is Valentina Mondregal." She introduced herself and I was surprised.
Whoah! Even her name is in Spanish and her voice! Oh I almost lost myself there, "My name is Kein Rosenguard and I know that the priest might be like that but not all the light believers are homophobic! I'm sorry if we gave you the wrong impression."
It wasn't the first time I saw the priest doing some mass sermons among the people when I was shopping. It was annoying but people will have their own opinions. I know I can't change their mind easily if its one as stubborn as the priest.
It's like teaching a fish to fly.
This is the one time I decided to speak up and that's because they're hurting a person who probably doesn't even deserve this humiliation.
"Don't worry- I have a childhood friend who's also working as a priestess now and asked me to come and visit. She accepts me for who I am, she's currently overseeing and managing the orphanages on her last letter. I'm planning to visit there right now actually." (Valentina)
"Oh! Thank goodness." I breathed a sigh of relief knowing that those people didn't give her too much of a bad impression. "I also have a friend who works in the church."
"Rose, would be sad if she heard of this."
I was aware that Rose has feelings for me meaning she might be at least bisexual.
I wasn't oblivious, I just didn't take it seriously.
I don't want her to hear these horrible things about people. It might cause her trauma and even deal with more confusion.
Valentina bends down to my height, knee leveled and pats my head, "Not only you are a good kid. You are a good friend too. I hope all kids are like you."
My heart leaped out of my chest as I scratched the back of my head, "Um no problem!"
"I have to go now though. My childhood friend must be worried. Thank you, for helping me get out of there. Have this as my gratitude." (Valentina) takes something out of her hands out of thin air.
"Whoa magic!" I exclaimed as Valentina holds out the item in her hands before giving it to me.
She smiled as I received the thanks from Valentina, it was covered in colorful parchment paper as I could already smell the sweet scent of chocolate from over here. "Sweets from my hometown. It is Turron, many children love them."
My eyes brightened with joy knowing that food is the best payment for saving a person. I need to save more people these days! "Thank you, Miss!"
Valentina smiles brightly showing her perfectly set of white teeth as she pats my head again, "De nada." (Valentina)
We parted both ways. I finally got back 'home'. I feel happy being able to help someone after that. Of course, being hungry I ate the Turron that Miss Valentina gave. It really tasted so sweet and good, you really can't do anything like that here.
"Finally back, now what hell hole am I going in for now?"
I went inside the Yulien Mansion.
Aunt Haren's house.
The place seemed normal, it was just like how I left it.
I saw Madelyn not too far away with her two other companions. Maddie and Dottie.
I was just going to tip toe back into my closet like a normal gay person in hiding but then she noticed me she walks forward. I groaned as I crossed my arms, "You already burned my wrist. What more do you want?"
If she's going to ask for forgiveness or ask for a round two. I'm going to kick her ass this time with no hesitation- or at least fight back.
To my surprise she doesn't do anything for a moment. I looked at her hands clenching into a fist as if she's forcing herself to calm down. Madelyn stops for a moment to breathe and then turns to me smiling, "Welcome home, young miss."
"What, young miss?" I suddenly looked around me as the other maids noticed my presence that I was back. They quickly formed a line and immediately greeted me. "Greetings to the young miss." (Maids)
What the hell happened here?
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