3 Chapter 3 - At the market place

Aerysha missed the chance to meet his father yesterday as he arrived very late that evening.

She woke up that morning and slowly arise from the bed. She saw Elin preparing her wardrobe for the day and she gave her a faint smile. Elin returned a bright smile and stood up near the windows and open the curtains. The rays of the beautiful sun that went in feels very nice.

She went to the veranda and watched the sunrise. She feels like the worries from yesterday vanished. She inhaled the fresh air and exhaled softly.  She smiled brightly at the new day. She turned around and called Elin excitedly.

Aerysha: Elin let us go to the marketplace. I want to look around.

Elin smiled. She knows what her lady wanted to do right now. She wanted to visit the marketplace in the guise of a commoner. She does this every time to clear her worries of the past days.

Elin: Yes, I will prepare for my lady.

***

They arrived at the market place. Aerysha was wearing a hood despite wearing the commoner's clothes underneath. She suddenly felt excited as it has been a long time since she went to visit the market place. You will see different merchandise and the bustling of people, they are either laughing or bickering. 

The common world that she missed so much. Where she once belongs to and even if she is now part of one of the noblest houses in the kingdom, part of her is still a common body.

She went and visit the stalls of food as well as the stalls that sell small and cute trinkets and jewels.

Aerysha: Elin look at this, this pin will look nice on your hair.

She picked up a nice looking hairpin and put it on Erin's hair. Erin blushed.

Elin: My lady you don't have to buy this.

Aerysha laughed and said.

Aerysha: Elin, I like to buy it for you okay. And what did I tell you when I am wearing clothes like this? Just call me Aerys okay?

Elin blushed more and just nodded her head in agreement with her lady.

They were busy looking at the trinkets when somebody bumps Elin that she almost fell on the merchandise in front of them. Aerysha got startled but she regained her awareness and looked at the man who was walking away as if nothing happened. She then looks at Erin's face who was flushed and looks down on her waist where the pocket money should be. There is no time to waste she walked fast to catch the man who bumped Elin.

When she reached the back of the man's shirt Aerysha pulled the man that halted his stride.

Aerysha: Where do you think you are going, mister? I think you have something that is mine.

The ordinary-looking man was shocked that he was easily caught by a woman. He squirmed and then changed his expression pretending that he is angry at Aerysha's act.

Even so, Aerysha did not let go. She tightened her grip on the thief's shirt.

Thief: I do not know what you are talking about -

Aerysha: Give it back.

She looked at the thief with serious eyes.

Thief: What are you talking about miss.. -

Aerysha: Give it back now or I will call the soldiers who are stationed not far away.

She looked at the soldiers who were standing guard in a near outpost.

Thief: ok, ok miss just let me go and I will give it to you. I will not do anything since there are soldiers nearby.

She loosened her hold at the thief but the man took the chance and swiftly run ahead. She knew that he will attempt to run away that is why she is ready. Elin was just watching what was happening with a worried look on her face. She is worried about her mistress being found out more than anything.

Aerysha runs after the thief and before the guy reaches the outpost he turned into an alley. She picked up her pace and turned to the alley where the thief turned.

Elin: My lady! Ah no... Aerys!

Elin confusedly called but Aerysha is already in pursuit.

She saw the thief turned another alley while looking at his back.

'What a swift fellow' Aerysha thought to herself. 'but you won't escape me'

She reached the point where the thief turned and she suddenly bumped her head to the back of a man with a huge built.

Aerysha: Oh! That hurts!

She exclaimed while holding her forehead.

Aerysha: Who the heck...

Aerysha paused when she peeked in front of the man and saw that there are two knights in front of them. One is holding the thief on his shirt and he hangs him in the air like a rabbit. 'They sure are huge men and both wearing black cape at that' Aerysha briefly thought. Her eyes returned to the back of the man. He was wearing a black cloak with a hood, unlike the other two knights whose faces were not covered at all.

'This guy doesn't want to be known. Well me too. But I cannot just let that thief go!'

She thought and pull her hood to cover her face more.

Aerysha: That thief stole our purse. And so I am in pursuit. Thank you so much Sirs for catching him.

Aerysha started explaining while walking in front of the man without looking at him. She put up her hand in the air towards the thief and said,

Aerysha: Hand me my purse. And I won't report you.

The thief's face was very troubled but then changed his expression and responds to her with a nasty voice.

Thief: Ma'am you are very wrong I did not steal from you. You are mistaken. Please take back your words as this is causing me trouble. Sir knight, please put me down I did nothing wrong.

The thief looked at the brown-haired knight whose holding him and plead like a puppy.

A nerve popped on her head and she smiled menacingly under her hood. 'What a liar' she mumbled.

Aerysha: Still want to get away when you are already caught.

Aerysha looked at the knight and asked.

Aerysha: Can you hand me this thief good Sir? I will bring him to the captain of the peacekeepers and file a formal complaint.

The Knight looked at the man at my back asking for approval when the mystery man nodded the knight responded to Aerysha.

Knight 1: Sure Miss, but may we get your name please and can you show us your face?

Aerysha became silent. And everyone was standing still. The Knight's serious face irritated her. But she knew that she needed to do it to establish trust. She looked at the thief and she saw his more troubled face. 'You can't get away now you thief!' She thought and smiled.

Aerysha: Oh well! Can't be helped.

She slowly pulls down her hood and reveals her face, her long golden-wavy hair flutters in the wind. The two knights in front of her gasped and stood still like they've been bitten by a snake.

That's when the man at the back stepped forward and stand beside her and look on her side to see her face. The man looked silently and then smiled under his hood.

Hooded-Man: Oh... what a beauty... -

The man was taken aback when Aerysha faced him and looked at him with her furious bluish-green eyes.

----

Aerysha didn't know what happened to the knight whose holding the thief but the knight was just standing still while holding the vest left by the thief. The thief took his vest off to escape the hold of the knight and sneak away. 'Damn! This thief is testing my patience!'

She looked at the hooded man beside her but she still can't see his face, she also didn't hear what he just said. Her focus now is on the thief who was sneaking away. 'This thief is wasting my precious time!' She searched for a sword and found the man has his sword on his belt. She swiftly took the sword and rushed towards the thief past the two unmoving knights.

Hooded-Man: Hey! That's...

The sword was heavy and it strained her wrist. 'Damn why is this sword heavy?' She put some mana to her wrist and hand to properly hold the sword but it was still heavy anyhow she somehow was able to handle it. The thief saw her approaching with a sword and he screamed while running away.

Aerysha saw a barrel and she hit it with the sword, the planks scattered in the air. Before it fell to the ground she kicks one of the planks in the direction of the thief and bulls-eye! It hits the back of his head.

The thief sprawled on the ground. She went beside him and thrust the sword beside his stomach. The thief flinched nervously. Trembling he slowly raised his hand with the coin purse.

Thief: Please forgive me, miss. Here is your purse.

Aerysha: Good! young sir. You should have handed it in earlier, that way you won't get punishment. But now...

Aerysha tilted her head giving the thief the signal that there are knights here. She smiled and snatch the purse from the thief.

She picked up the sword and walk back to the hooded-man to return the sword. She looked at the two knights with a strange look. They are gaping at her. She instantly understands that look. They are shocked by a lady's wild action. She blushed a little and nodded her head in understanding while passing the two.

She reached her destination in front of the huge man. She bowed and handed the sword.

Aerysha: My apologies my lord for taking your sword abruptly. The situation calls for it hence my action. I hope for your understanding.

The man silently received his sword. One, two, three, four, five... seconds have passed and the man is still not answering her and so she maintained her posture while blushing. 'This is awkward, oh Aerys, what have you done, you might have offended a big unknown fish!'

'Pfft!'

She flinched. Did she hear right? He laughed. She slowly lifts her head and stands properly this time. Her brows knitted confusingly.

Aerysha: ...my lord?

Hooded-man: Hahahaha! Hahahaha! Interesting!

She got more confused. Why is he laughing? Something funny? She got more red from embarrassment as she doesn't understand why the man laughed.

He suddenly reached for her right hand and kissed the back of it. It was a soft kiss and she flinched. The man raised his head and met her eyes. 'Red! No, golden-red eyes! and a handsome face!'

Man: ... It is nothing my lady I completely understood.

He said smiling.

She quickly pulled her hand away from the man.

Aerysha: T-thank you!

Elin: Miss! Ah! A-aerys!

Just in time, Elin appeared calling out to her.

Aerysha: Oh, sister! I got back our purse.

She nodded her head towards the two knights then she faced the man in front of her again.

Aerysha: My sister is here and so we will take our leave, my lord. I wish you a great day!

She did not wait for their response as she thought that she will be in big trouble if her identity got found out by a noble. Aerysha pushed Elin and they quickly leave the scene.

***

Kale's POV

He and his knights were dumb-founded. He didn't expect the actions of the female in front of him.

He got intrigued with Eric's and Ter's reaction awhile ago hence he stepped forward to see for himself what kind of face the lady have. He thought at first she might have looked strange for them to be shocked. And so he wanted to see the face of the lady and to his surprise, she was quite the looker. 

He stepped forward and went to the young man lying on the ground.

Eric: Your highness...

He raised his hand to stop his words.

Kale: Bring this thief to the outpost. Ter, have one of your men investigate the young lady. She must be a knight in training. 

Ter: Yes, your highness. Understood.

'Come to think of it. She was able to wield my sword...'

He thought deeply.

Kale: I want news as soon as possible. You know where I am. Just don't disturb me tonight and tomorrow.

The knights bowed their heads as he walked away.

Kale reached the inn where he is staying. He is still in deep thought of the lady knight she met. She was able to wield his sword to think that she looks so small. Certainly, he saw that she struggled to hold his sword at first contact but she was quick to use mana to wield it better. Still, his sword is a special sword not anyone can wield it. 

Kale: Hmmm... she must be special, she got some talent huh. 

He reached his room and he took off his cloak and throw his body on the sofa.

Kale: Otto...

A man suddenly appears in front of Kale. He is a shadow knight that is always secretly following Kale and protects him.

Otto: Your Majesty. 

Kale: I found a talent. 

Otto: That's great, your majesty. Even if the search is not satisfactory at the moment, you have found someone interesting. Do you want me to recruit him? What position?

Kale: Right. I want her to be a shadow knight but she will stay by my side.

Otto: Pardon?

Otto looked puzzled for a moment and his eyes went big.

Otto: Your Majesty... SHE?... Shadow Knight...?

Kale: Yes, Otto, SHE. 

Kale smiled with a gleam in his eyes. Otto knew what that look means. It means his king is serious about what he is talking about. But a woman as a shadow knight?  What did this woman do to make the King of Amaris this interested in her? 

Kale: She is a beauty too. I want her.

Otto: Isn't it too rushed to put her as a shadow knight when you don't know her yet?

Kale: You know me well, Otto. 

Otto bowed his head and disappear. He knew what his King means. He will make sure to know everything about this woman. 

Kale look at the window where Otto disappears. He saw the sun setting in the background. 

Knock. Knock.

Kale: Enter.

A staff of the inn opens the door.

Staff: My Lord, a letter arrives for you.

Kale received the letter, opened it, and read. He looked at the staff.

Kale: Tonight is fine. Tell the person who delivered this.

Staff: Yes, my Lord. I will make sure that no one will disturb you until then. 

Kale: Good. 

-----------------

Aerysha and Elin arrived at the mansion. 

Aerysha looked at Elin who is pacing back and forth while she was changing her clothes.

Aerysha: Elin... what is --

Elin: My Lady, what you did at the marketplace was dangerous! Going after a thief and bumping into knights. We could have been in big trouble if words get out that the Marquis's daughter is walking around wearing commoners clothes and chasing a thief.

She laughed. She knew Elin was a worrywart. Although she is right, she could have been found out. She just hopes that those knights were not from the palace. Otherwise, they will definitely recognize her.

Aerysha: Elin, don't worry those knights weren't from the palace. That is why we left the scene as soon as possible to avoid getting found out. Haha!

Elin: Miss, you do not know how beautiful you are, aren't you?

Aerysha brushed it aside and sat down on her table. She is smiling at Elin. She is refreshed now that she went outside. It is too troublesome when she is going out as the Marquis's daughter hence the reason she wears the commoner's clothes sometimes just to avoid the gazes of the people who knows her as the daughter of the Marquis of Valencia.

Knock. Knock.

The door opened and a maidservant went in. 

Maid: My Lady your father is looking for you. He is in his office. He is calling for you now.

Aerysha and Elin looked at each other with a knowing look. 

'Did he found out that we went out and cause trouble?' Aerysha thought while looking at Elin.

Elin shook her head. 'No way my Lady' 

Aerysha: Okay. Tell him that I will look for him in his office.

The maid bowed and left.