She Gets Her Own Room

Gerard didn't know what to say, so he nodded his head, sheepishly. After that, he and Robin quickly learned the beginner magics for all except the dangerous magics: breeze, waterball, earth spike-made of sand, and bloom-which was nature magic.

As for poison, lava, and fire magic: those would be saved to practice in a more open environment. Jasmine didn't know any spells for dark magic, as that was something only the demon lord knew how to use. Robin was curious but she had enough common sense to know not to experiment with something so dangerous.

By the time the first lesson had finished, it was almost noon. Even though the carriage was rather comfortable for a carriage, it was still rather bumpy inside. So, they stopped by the road to have their mid-day meal.

Robin had prepared several sets of sandwiches using soft white bread that ponzu had made under her instructions. Alongside that was a light soup that wouldn't upset the stomach, even after bouncing around in a carriage all day. The five guards accompanying them also seemed to enjoy the fare.

While Robin was able to avoid having a long entourage of knights following them, King Zephrem had insisted upon these five guards. In this world, the number of guards was usually a sign of noble status. While Zephrem was okay with Christian going incognito, he also wanted to ward off troubles caused by people thinking he was a mere commoner.

Even Keith and Jasmine approved of it. After seeing their approval, Robin threw up her hands. She had no choice but to allow them to come along as well.

The five guards were headed by a large sturdy man called Daniel Lionfist. This man was a typical macho muscles-for-brains man who valued strength above everything.

While Robin didn't like his attitude, the attention and care he gave to his duty was somewhat admirable. So, she decided to leave things be for the time being.

But...if he tried to follow her when she went out to wander around the next town, she would dump him faster than light speed. For this reason, she had to wear her mask outside, even though her comrades were already familiar with her face.

Christian sat there quietly, a sulky frown upon his face as he ate.

"Wow, this is the most quiet I've ever seen Christian behave!" Robin noted. "Usually he's so talkative."

Christian glared her way, pointed to his mouth, then pointed at Jasmine.

"You're not talking to Jasmine?" Robin asked, trying to guess what he was trying to say.

"No. Jasmine hasn't lifted the silent spell she cast upon him this morning." Keith snickered, breaking out into laughter again as Christian glared red-eyed at him.

"Oh, that's right!" Jasmine snapped her fingers. "How about now?"

"Hmph! I guess I know who I'm not bringing out as a drinking buddy!" Christian turned away from Keith. "You can pay for your own liquor from now on!"

"Ouch! Hey, what have you got against my liquor!?" Keith winced. Liquor and good food were his bread and butter. To lose Christian's patronage meant he really was mad.

"Nothing. I simply have a grudge against you, oh useless guardian of mine." Christian retorted.

"Maybe before you tout your guard useless, you should place your hand on your heart and ask how you will ever do great things when you offend many powerful people with your unfortunate mouth."

Keith sarcastically huffed in return. He knew that guilt-tripping the prince would lessen Christian's anger towards Keith.

"Hmmph!" Christian turned his head away, ignoring Keith. But, Keith knew that he was somewhat forgiven at this point, even though nothing was said.

Christian then concentrated on Robin. "So, did you survive the lesson?" he asked her.

"What? Why are you talking about it like that? Jasmine's lecture was super interesting!" Robin replied.

"Urk! Yet another young man has been converted to becoming a reader of dusty scrolls!" Christian lamented with a sigh.

"Stop being so melodramatic." Robin snorted. "At least you're lucky your world even has magic. In mine, it's something only found in fiction and myth."

"You're kidding, right?" Christian said with a somewhat disbelieving expression. He had not been at the tea luncheon when Robin had explained the truth about her world.

"Do I look like I'm kidding?" Robin frowned.

"...No?"

"Why is that a question?" Robin threw Christian's signature phrase right back at him.

"Because I'm still pondering over whether you are trying to trick me or not." Christian replied.

"Let me ask you a question, then." Robin sighed. "In the time that you've known me, have you ever seen me use magic at all?"

"Why of cour-" Christian paused. Come to think of it, he really hadn't seen Robin use magic.

"Have you?" Robin grinned, knowingly.

"Ahem! I, uh, I suppose I haven't, come to think of it…While I already knew that you didn't know any magic, it had not occured to me that such a status extended to your whole world as well." Christian admitted reluctantly.

Jasmine laughed at his plight.

"See? Now you know why I am necessary on this trip. You could have spared yourself the trouble, cousin, and just stayed home."

"And miss out on all this excitement? No way! I may be the prince, but even I'd like to stretch my legs eventually." Christian shook his head.

"Oh? I think Uncle is just hoping you'd learn a bit of disgression and grow up on this trip. He has about given up on you, you know." Jasmine pointed out, poking at Christian's sore spot.

"Urk! That's none of your business!" Christian snapped, feeling the sting in her words.

"Come to think of it, how long will it take to reach Port Oracle, again?" Robin asked.

"Two weeks, if all goes well." Christian said. "If we run into trouble, though, it could very well take up to a month."

"Oh? Looks like you have you have your work cut out for you, then." Jasmine snickered. "It will take a great amount of effort for you to refrain from digging your own funeral hole."

"Cut it out, cousin!" Christian retorted.

"That should be my line, though?" Jasmine chuckled. "But, I digress. I will patiently await for you to make your next mistake."

"You say that as if that is all that I do!" Christian exclaimed.

At that point, both Jasmine and Keith looked at each other, then turned their head away and laughed.

"Oy!" Christian objected to their attitude.

Robin chuckled off to the side. These three were almost as good at smack-talking as a certain tv show...But, jokes aside, it was never boring to be around them.

Right before sunset, the carriage pulled into a large town named Pingham. It had profited considerably from being on the route to Port Oracle. And several inns lined the main street.

Christian chose an inn of relatively good standing, according to hearsay, and the carriage occupants entered the inn, while Ponzu and the carriage driver went to go park the carriage, and take care of the horses. Two of the knights went to take care of the horses, while Sir Daniel and two other knights followed the Hero's group into the inn.

Jasmine paid for one night's stay for four rooms. One room was for the knights who were not on guard duty. Even a good inn like this sometimes could not prevent sneak attacks, so the knights would guard in shifts.

Another room was for Jasmine. After all, one couldn't expect a lady to sleep in the same room as other men. The third room was for Christian, Keith, and Gerard. The last room was for Ponzu, the driver, and the last of the knights.

"Oh, that's right. Robin, which room will you be sleeping in?" Christian asked.

"There's not enough room in the knight's room, the driver's room, or your room, so Robin will have to stay with me." Jasmine answered smuggly.

"What!? No way! I don't allow it! You know it's scandalous to have a lady sleep with a man in the same room!"

"There aren't any other choices!"Jasmine said, they only have 4 rooms open."

"In that case, I have a solution." Robin interjected.

"Robin, which room will you sleep in!?"

"Yeah, what's your solution!?"

Christian and Jasmine seemed somewhat enthusiastic about the situation.

Robin snapped her fingers and two silvers showed up in her hand.

"I am getting my own room." Robin replied.

The innkeeper's eyes twinkled at the sight of money.

"If it's a room for one, i do happen to have one last one available. Begging yer pardon, sir. I thought you were looking for a room for more than one, so I didn't list it."

"How much for one night?" Robin asked.

"Two large bronze coin, including a hearty dinner and breakfast, last room down the hallway on yer right." The innkeeper replied.

"Sounds good. When's dinner?" Robin asked.

"Food should be ready in an hour." The innkeeper replied.

Robin paid up, and walked away twirling the key around her index finger.

Christian and Jasmine just stood there, speechless until Ponzu and the driver walked in.

"Well, at least there won't be any scandals." Christian muttered.

"I think you should be more worried about that, concerning your recent fiasco." Jasmine retorted.

They both parted ways to check their respective bedrooms before dinner.