A Beautiful New World

However, Isadora was oblivious to her lady's plight for she was a woman on a mission. She wanted to make it clear to the bear cub that she did not become a bumbling buffoon in front of him because she was afraid of him.

She remembered his face when he asked her if she hated him. She wondered if he made the same face as she slammed the door shut on his face.

She was not afraid of him. He needed to know that. 

"We have Wulfhart's permission!" Isadora loudly proclaimed for she was not afraid of him. She wanted to hold eye contact until he responded, but again, her heart took control and she bowed her head averting her eyes.

Her eyes rested at his feet. She bit her lips turning her lips to match her flushed cheeks. 

Jessamyn was shocked by Isadora's brazenness. Bernard seemed like the type of guy who talks with his hands rather than his mouth.

What if he hits us?

Bernard scratched his head seeing the little woman taking an offensive stance against him. He thought he had scared her away.

Was I wrong? And why does her face go red only when she looks at me? Ah… there she goes. She is biting her lips. She's going to run away now, isn't she?

"You can ask the bird!" Isadora said managing to meet his eyes for a second more. Clasping Jessamyn's hand, she started running "Let's go, Milady!"

Jessamyn didn't protest. She might hold some hope for Jerrick, but she had no hopes for Bernard. The latter had a nasty glare and an intimidating voice. She decided to make a run for it along with Isadora, hoping the situation wouldn't escalate.

Bernard let out a deep sigh. He could never understand humans. He thought he understood Isadora a little as she was the first person to tell him that she didn't hate him, but maybe he was wrong.

He walked behind the running ladies, intentionally leaving enough space between them and him. Although they appeared to be running down the stairs with all their might, he knew he could catch up with just a couple of large steps.

Although they looked fragile, they were persistent in running after their goal. He had no specific instructions from Wulfhart on allowing them out of the castle gates. Usually, that meant that he could do whatever his heart wanted—that's what Wulfhart advised him in the past.

He didn't like that they were running away, but did he have the heart to stop them?

He watched Isadora smiling and giggling while saying something to the other woman. Can he put a frown on her face?

By golly! Look at her smile!

 His heart missed a beat when Isadora turned to look at him. Clearing his throat, he walked down the stairs.

He saw the carriage waiting at the front, with the pet bird circling with frantic excitement.

He knew one thing. Wulfhart wouldn't like it if he lost either one of them; especially the other woman. It would be better if he stopped them from leaving the castle.

"Wulfhart is not home," Bernard told the stable boys and watched their faces go pale. At times, their master did ask the bird to pass on commands. This was not one such time. He wanted to leave the decision to the driver of the carriage.

Isadora was giggling as she helped her lady inside the carriage. Before closing the door, she looked at him. She curled her lips at him and his eyes landed on her. Like clockwork, she bowed her head the moment he looked at her.

He stopped at a distance, watching her getting inside the carriage. She was excited to go out. The carriage driver looked at him for answers. For some reason, everyone thought he could make decisions in the absence of Wulfhart.

He did save Wulfhart's life once, but he never felt like he deserved such respect from Wulfhart's servants. If anything, he owed his life to Wulfhart for he rescued him from a fate worse than death.

But for the first time, Bernard was comfortable with the little power he held in the castle; he didn't want to stop those excited women from doing what they wanted to do.

How could he dampen their spirits? He would stop the carriage if the other woman was alone, but she was with her. How could he scare her to submission?

He nodded. With a gentle click of the tongue and a light tug on the reins, the driver signaled the start. 

Bernard found his place at the luggage carrier at the back of the carriage. He could have waited for his horse, but he was…impatient.

He wanted to be close to her. He needed to watch her to make sure she didn't escape.

The constricted place was not uncomfortable for him; he found most places constricted for the world was not built for people of his stature. He found that annoying and that thought left a permanent frown line between his eyes but this time, the constraints of the surroundings faded into insignificance, overshadowed by the sheer joy of being near her.

Holding his sword, he leaned back and looked at the sky. He had traveled this winding path a thousand times but he never found it was something to enjoy.

Was the sky always this blue? He wondered. And was the autumn foliage this vibrant the previous autumns? Even the air smells so fragrant. Was it this way always? Did I miss it all or is today different?

Oh, and I've never seen a squirrel before… He chuckled. Look at it stuffing its face with nuts… Isn't it cute?

Was nature always this beautiful? Or is this a new world?

He smiled not minding the abominable screeches of Wulfhart's pet bird.

-----

Jessamyn blankly stared at the changing scenery in front of her. But quickly she brought a smile to her face as she saw how excited Isadora was.

Both of them marveled at the way Roche was built. The planning that went into the construction of the city in an uneven terrain was brilliant. The carriage stopped in the market street of Roche. The cobblestone-laid streets were filled with people and merchants leaving no room for a carriage—even the carriage of the Archduke—to pass through.

Both Jessamyn and Isadora weren't disappointed. They found it a blessing.

"We can do whatever we want!" Isadora giggled happily. "By the way, Milady…" she whispered seeing the bird sitting on the window. "It's not mango season. We can't find mangoes in Ravensworth even. How are you going to find them here in Roche?"

Jessamyn shrugged. If that bird was truly intelligent, it wouldn't have succumbed to temptations.

But she decided to try. Maybe they could find dried mangoes. 

"Shall we, Milady?" Isadora was so excited to look around. She always wanted to go shopping with her lady.

"Absolutely!" Jessamyn too had found an odd enthusiasm.

Just as they got down, Isadora was grabbed by the big bear, stunning Jessamyn.

"What are you doing?" Jessamyn asked.

They didn't even know that guy followed them here!