21 Rashan, her beloved

"Can I touch it?" I asked curiously, eyeing the falcon that was currently cleaning its plumes.

"Yes, he's trained well and won't harm humans. Unless you pick his feathers, then he might gouge out your eyes."

"..."

Maybe I should not touch Bell, no matter how fluffy and cute the bird looked right now.

After Nadia had blown the whistle, the falcon very agilely came down and landed on a wooden fence next to us. There was a letter bound to Bell's feet. Of course, both the bird and the letter belonged to Rashan.

"Rashan's ship has anchored at the port!" Nadia exclaimed gleefully.

"It's good to hear." I cheered for her.

"Let's go!"

"Eh...?"

"Let's go to the port!"

With Bell flying in front and circling over our heads, we found the ship without a hitch. It was smaller in comparison to the big foreign ships that came from the northern regions. The classic Coronian ship design was small and agile. But next to the black ships from Valencia, one could almost call it a boat.

Everyone was busy once they set the anchor. Some of these people haven't been on land for weeks and months. Some feared that their fresh goods would lose quality in the heat and tried to sell it as fast as possible. Each grain of sand that slipped through the hourglass was like a copper coin that fell into the ocean. Others just wanted to enjoy a fresh beer on land or a new meal.

No one paid attention to us when we slipped on board of the ship. The ship Rashan was on was well kept, and even with my untrained eyes, I could tell that it was better off than others. Whatever he transported must be of great value.

"Rashaaaan!"

Nadia, who walked in front of me, suddenly jelled and started to run off. A young man with short black hair turned around just in time to catch the small girl who very casually and agilely jumped him like a cat.

"Nadia!" He caught Nadia laughingly without sparing any effort and even managed to twirl the princess around once, before putting her down. He wasn't the least surprised to meet her here.

I always thought I was advanced, but currently, I was the only one on the ship who was affected in any way. Everyone else, all the burly men on the boat, didn't even bat an eye to that open display of affection.

Maybe I was too rigid from Florencia's form of etiquette.

It hasn't been a long time since I woke up with unfamiliar memories, but now they were part of me and the life I used to live before was hazy as if it has been merely a dream. The day I fell from the horse, it occurred to me that I haven't been thinking much about my situation before. But the shock and pain I received made it clear to me that I was very much alive - that I wasn't just a character in a book or a dream - that I probably won't wake up if I fall, but very likely die instead.

This was my reality now. No matter who I thought I was before, I am Dahlia Rubin from now on.

I haven't realised earlier, but the more time passed by, the more I became Dahlia. Blurry memories started to emerge one after another and became more apparent with each day passing by.

Now that I thought about it, the first time it happened was with Mother... I mean Martha. When we boarded the carriage, I thought of her as Duchess Rubin, Mother of Dahlia, wife of Duke Rubin. But the more we talked, the more memories of us surfaced.

From her flowery fragrance, I could recall the times she held me in her embrace, singing me a lullaby. From a third party who watched the story unfold, I suddenly became the person whom she carried to sleep when I had a fever as a child. Her features were overlapping with that of my mother's from a different life.

I can't recall when it exactly began, but somewhere on the way to Coronia it became natural for me to call Martha 'Mother'. The more time I spent as Dahlia, the lesser I felt foreign to this world. Sometimes, I even forgot that I was a character in a story written by my old self. My former life felt like a dream to me, and the longer I stayed awake, the more I began to forget.

Once again, watching the physical closeness of Nadia and Rashan - something I should have been used to see - suddenly made me blush and averting my eyes. Dahlia has never been, emotionally or physically, this close to any man in her life who was not her family. Not with Leon at least.

And.... wait - a - minute!

"What's with you, are you getting a heat stroke?"

Nadia, who regained her footing, discovered my red face and asked in concern. She knew that many travellers weren't accustomed to the heat in this country. Especially a young noble like myself, who couldn't even ride a horse on her own. The younger girl regarded me as someone to keep an eye on. That's why she took me by the hand wherever we went.

"No... no... I'm alright, don't mind me!"

I hastily shook my head in defence while I tried to get the image of a black-haired man out of my mind. Somehow, while I was lost in memories, his face popped up. The worst thing was, he had that unbearable grin on his face that seemed to ridicule me for my foolish thoughts. He was only part of my imagination, but his dark eyes glinted gleefully while he said: "Wasn't it you who took advantage of me? What could I've gained from touching you?"

Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh.... get out of my head!

Why did I have to remember that embarrassing encounter with that man?

"Is this person the new friend you've told me about in your last letter?"

Rashan's voice finally scattered my unwanted thoughts of Xander. With renewed focus, I faced the man Nadia had just told me about. It seemed he had heard from me as well.

"Yep! This is Daria, Enkir's sister who came from Florencia! And Daria, this is Rashan, my beloved!"

Nadia, very casually but unhesitatingly, introduced us to each other just like that.

"It's my honour to make your acquaintance, young lady Daria. May Raj watch over you." Rashan, undisturbed by Nadia's introduction of himself, bowed my way slightly.

"It's my pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir Rashan. May peace follow wherever you go."

After returning the bow, I finally got a good look of Nadia's favourite person.

Tall stature and a clean shaved face, he couldn't be older than Ramsis. His skin was a shade darker thanks to the ocean sun. Being a swordsman and working on a ship has given him a lean body and visible muscles, showing him off as someone liberated and adventurous.

I would say that he looked somewhat similar to Ramsis, only lacking the subtle beauty the Prince had inherited from his fairytale-like mother. Rashan gave off the look of an approachable and natural person while Ramsis smile seemed more mischievous and mysterious.

Even though he had that untamed look, after exchanging pleasantries, I had the feeling that he had a deep understanding of high society and was an eloquent person. He knew all the formalities and was very accomodating. The way he spoke wasn't crude; he was much more thoughtful than the knights who followed us. I guessed Rashan was not a person of low education or from common roots.

"So you've come all the way here on a carriage? Must've been hard on you. I wouldn't have been able to endure the small enclosure."

"The heat will go rapidly up from now on. You should consider wearing a muslin headscarf... one of our ships have new fabrics, you may take any that you fancy."

"How is Elem doing, has his swordsmanship improved any further while I was gone?"

"Have the two of you had lunch yet? I'm starving, we should take a break in the tea house."

Rashan was very attentive and also carried the conversation, never letting it die down. Rashan was neither as direct and charming as Ramsis nor as radiant and beautiful as Leon, but he had his unique charisma which made people feel positive and well cared for about him.

"How long will you stay this time?"

On our way to the tea house, we kept talking about various things like the new goods arriving at the port and the latest fashion trends. Since this country was well versed in craftsmanship, there was a lot to talk about. Rashan had vast knowledge in this direction. Now, sitting down on the carpet, getting our tea served, Nadia couldn't hold back her curiosity. The question of whether or not her beloved would set sail right after or not weighted down on her mind.

"We will take off after a weeks rest."

"Then you will stay for the Marisol Festival?" Nadia was delighted to hear the news.

I guessed that the two of them didn't have the chance to meet that often.

"Yeah, we will stay anchored at the bay for now. If you want to meet me, send me a letter through Bell, but don't always come over without prior announcement. It's dangerous." Turning towards me, he tried to include me in their conversation as well: "Daria, are you also staying until the Marisol Festival?"

"Yes, I am. My vacation is coming to an end soon, but I'm glad I will get to experience the festival before we leave."

"Then you will be joining the festivities in the palace?"

"I am," I answered honestly, "and... you?" I wasn't sure whether or not he had a rank high enough to enter the palace, but the way he chatted so casually with Nadia and even asked about Ramsis' daily life, made me assume that he was no commoner.

But why would he become a sailor? I've never heard of nobles being hired on trading boats or going on the journey themselves.

Was he fond of the sea? Was he seeking his freedom, far from the royal palace? Or just adventurous?

"I won't be attending the festivities in the palace." Rashan smiled unfazed.

The reaction that surprised me the most was Nadia's.

"You have all the rights to come!" The princess stood up in anger, banging her hands on the table loudly. Everyone around us went silent and gave us a sidelong glance before they went back to their own business. As long as there was no fight, people here don't mind some volume.

"Nadia, did you hurt yourself?" Rashan took her hands and rubbed them. Her palms were a little bit reddish from the impact. His smile was as calm as always. "You will frighten Daria with your impulsiveness." He reminded, but I shook my head.

"This is so unfair, why can't you go back to the palace? Envoys from Valencia and Florencia have received invitations. And even emissaries from various desert tribes are on their way. If they could enter, then why not uncle and you? It is your birthright!" While being comforted by Rashan, Nadia let out all her grievances, her eyes darkening in anger.

I was surprised to hear this. By now, it was clear to me that this wasn't as easy as I thought. It seemed Rashan did not choose this life himself. I think I understood a little bit more.

"It's alright. We can still meet up lot's and lot's while I'm here. Don't tell anyone, but I have bought you a present. It is something special; I want to give it to you on the night of the festival. Please wait for me at the west gate, alright?"

"A present? Don't let it be earrings again! I want a rapier, one like your's!"

"Hahaha, shouldn't you ask Ramsis for something like that? I will think about it when you beat me next time. So, don't cry, ok?"

"Who's crying!" Nadia reflexively jumped away from his embrace. Her face and eyes were red, but she indeed wasn't crying.

Rashan laughed out loud and ruffled the young princess' hair.

"Miss Daria, I'm sorry for showing you such an embarrassing scene of us."

"Please don't mind me! More so, I'm sorry for intruding on your time alone!" I reflexively turned down his apology. It was really a bitter feeling to be a third wheel! Ugh, I felt like escaping!