Chapter Seven - A Cloak Figure

We are currently inside a dress shop after the struggle of walking under the heat of a tilted road that almost made my legs crumbled. Fortunately, the mall that was thrice the size of the palace is somehow near, which was located at the end of the street. It was quite an experience and for the record, this is my first time going outside without the use of any transportation.

"We'll take everything from here..." Gwyneth strides with her finger gliding over the clothes that was hanged in a rack. "...to here."

"Hey, isn't it too much?" I whispered.

The clothes she pointed was the ones that I tried earlier. Back in LaRue, the seamstress would visit me and take my measurements unlike here, I almost fainted for trying different clothes and shoes while swirling around in front of the mirror. However, the designs are fascinating and modernized. I wasn't used to thin fabrics, but I think I could pull it off.

"As I've said, my lady. You don't have to worry for today's expenses. Perhaps, you looked so cute with those clothes that it would be a waste if you can't wear them." She said as she clasps her fingers on her chest.

My ears heated. Cute? I would never see myself in that way but hearing Gwyneth said that seems like she is not joking.

I crossed my arms after her sudden compliment. "Then, what about you? Did you buy for yourself?"

She nodded. "Of course, my lady. Actually, it's over there."

My jaw literally dropped when she pointed the bunch of paper bags on the floor. Did she buy the whole store?

The woman who was in-charge guided us to the counter and Gwyneth handed her the card. After she swiped it to a machine, she told us that the clothes will be delivered at the hotel but I insisted on bringing ten paper bags with me because I don't have anything decent to wear in this world.

The clothes that Martha sent to Hugo was made of thick fabrics and is not suitable for this country's weather. Luckily, Gwyneth has the same body size to mine and the one that I'm wearing now is hers.

After the series of dreadful moments, we decided to eat since it is almost noon where I remained silent and let her talk. She ordered two boxes of fried chicken and my stomach feels odd after the waiter placed it on our table. It is too much oil!

I shook my head in disdain when she instantly grabbed the chicken's leg and put it on her mouth without using utensils. How could a lady act like that?

"It must be hard living in this world." I sighed. Seeing her like that, she must have gone through a lot.

She pressed her lips and faced me. Then, she licked the remaining ketchup from her finger. We might wash our hands before eating and I'm glad that she's getting comfortable with me but at least she should use a fork!

"My lady, it's fine. I know you are surprised about my manners but using your hands in eating is normal for the humans in this country. Besides, the chicken tastes good if you use your hands."

My head turned to the people around us and most of them were eating in hands. How barbaric! I rolled my eyes to her and started eating using my spoon and fork. The chicken was indeed savory and has a perfect crisp.

After we filled our stomachs, we stopped at a smartphone shop. Gwyneth said that Hugo forgot to buy me a phone, so she picked the latest one. When the series of talking ended, we decided to get home.

Gwyneth was walking excitedly where she sways handful of paper bags. As we were near the exit, she felt a sudden stomach pain and excused herself to the bathroom.

That's what she gets for eating in bare hands!

I waited for her outside where I placed the

paper bags beside me and leaned my body on the wall. I removed my shawl and was going to fix it on my head, but a sudden strong wind flew it over a cloak figure who was sitting not too far from me. Do humans wear cloaks in this weather?

I took a step slowly and reached for the shawl, but the figure stood up and faced me. He reeked of unfamiliar stinky smell. I moved back as he was walking towards me. I'm sure he was a man just by looking at his broad frame.

Is he going to hurt me? I don't have the necklace because I hid it under my bed so that Gwyneth won't see it. Why does danger come to me when I'm off guard?

The man stopped a foot away and handed me my shawl. I took a deep breath for I felt relieved and was going to say thank you but, in a blink, he was already on the floor. That's when I realized that Gwyneth is in front of me.

"Did he hurt you, my lady?" She asked while her fists were on air.

"No." I shook my head in surprise. I never thought she could punch like that.

She immediately grabbed the paper bags and dragged me away.

"Wait!" I stopped her.

"My lady, we need to go. He's a beggar and might look harmless but we don't know what he might do." When she realized that I didn't have my shawl, she went back and snatched it from the man's hand. "Geez. It smells bad now!"

"We should at least give him a coin." It bothers me to leave him defenseless on the ground.

"L-lady Sydelle..." The man barely said but enough for us to hear.

My feet suddenly moved on its own. Did he know me?

"Your grace, it's dangerous. Please, don't." Gwyneth instantly grasp my arm, stopping me to get closer to him.

I hastily moved her hand away and kneeled beside the man. I pulled up his hood and a green fluid flows from his nose. I gasped. He's a fae!

He has curly golden-brown hair, long beard, and dirt patches on his face that seems like he was worn out for a long time. I lifted his arm and glared Gwyneth.

"Help me." I said. She was giving me a look of hesitation.

"M-my lady, he's dirty! Y-you can't touch him."

"We need to." I replied.

I rolled the man's body and even more surprised to see him wearing the badge of knights in LaRue. He's definitely one of my missing knights!

"C'mon help me!" I whisper-shouted and pointed the badge. "He's one of us!"

Her eyes widened and threw the paper bags away. Together, we lifted the man's body and took a step away from the crowd. Gwyneth went back for the paper bags and after that, she casted an invisible barrier to make a portal.

On an instant, we're already in my room and laid him on my bed. We immediately throw our bodies on the couch and almost collapsed because of his weight and stinky smell.

"I smelled like a sewer now." Gwyneth panted.

"Do you still have some mana? Can you clean him?" I asked.

She shook her head. "I still have some, but it wouldn't be enough to clean him."

Hugo limits a beagle's mana for a day. It is to ensure that they won't use their powers for a greater purpose.

"Should we call Hugo?"

I suggested.

"That would be impossible, my lady. As you know, Lady Fraulein is here. He might still serving her."

I forgot, that's why Hugo wasn't with her this morning.

I sighed. "Since we can't bathe my knight, we should wait for Hugo, then."

"What?" She rose from her seat. "Do you want your room to smell like a sewage? We can't wait for that long, my lady. I'll wake him up!"

She furiously walked towards my bed and I followed her. She pinched her nose and made a feather out from her hand.

"Hey! Wake up!" Gwyneth said as she swirls the feather around his nose.

The knight didn't move no matter how many times she tickled him.

"That's strange, I didn't punch him that hard, but I think he's already dead." She mumbled.

My brows creased and went beside him. I put my face near to his nose. He's still breathing!

Something doesn't add up. I am very sure that he lost his power but how can a knight like him that was trained like a monster became weak and helpless?

I slightly raked his unruly hair that was covering his face and almost burned my hand when I placed my palm to his forehead. I unwrapped the cloak from his body to lessen his heat but his tunic is soaked in green. Out of curiosity, I raised it and a bile is rising from my throat when I witness a horrendous wound from his side. There are small worms digging his skin and his flesh seems to rot as it turns blue.

"H-he's sick." I said before covering my mouth and ran to the bathroom.