Leonard made his way to the stables, with his eyes on a black stallion. With a quick snap of his fingers, he alerted the steed, who walked towards him. He seized the reins of the horse, flung himself over, with a jerk of his legs, the horse started to move, heading out of the palace. His hooves hit the dampy earth with agility, passing by multiple carriages on the narrow road. He rode past numerous towns, before stopping at a market—Thrustborn.
The busy streets didn't seem to notice his presence, as majority of the commoners doesn't have an information on who he is. With his thick coat over his shoulders, the crown prince dismounted his horse. With his fingers wrapped around the reins firmly, he entered the crowd. But, he stood out. The people were soon to recognize him as an elite, and they moved out of his way. His aura screamed arrogance and authority. Young girls and women sneaked peeks at him, hoping he could notice them, but Leonard's face was expressionless, causing them to wonder if he even notice that people were around him.
His midnight eyes swept his surroundings before landing on a male vendor, not too far from where he stood. He was about walking towards him, when his ears picked up a voice from the numerous in the market. A frown settled on his face and he turned to his side. His sharp eyes instantly took notice of a dark-skinned girl, with a scarf over her head, standing not too far from him. He caught sight of her red-hair, that was tied in a bun, peeking out of the scarf on her head. His lips pulled up slightly, and he switched direction to the little red-head that has been clouding his thoughts.
A quiet smile was on Dydra's lips, as she and Megan listened to Oryen bargaining with the man in front of them.
"Eight shillings, lady!" The man huffed at the old witch, who shot dagger at him with her eyes. Eight shillings! This man was a total scam.
"What do you mean by that? I was here yesterday, and you sold it to me for four. How the heck does it cost double the price within twenty four hours?!" Her lips twitched, her ocean blue eyes glaring at the man. Why can't he just sell the cabbages for four shillings?!
"How am I supposed to know that? Taxes increased, now pay me my remaining four shillings or get out of my sight!" He warned. His hand stretched forward, wanting to grab the already packed cabbages the raven haired woman held. Oryen was quick to notice this, and yanked it away, holding it behind her.
As the two continued to bicker, Dydra's blue eyes went to the kiosk beside them—a jade kiosk. She caught sight of a sky blue jade bracelet that seemed to be to calling her. She took a step to the kiosk and she took the bracelet in her palm, admiring it. The shop owner was a middle aged woman, noticing a customer, she was quick to wear a bright smile and she spoke.
"It's one of a kind." Her voice had Dydra look at her, giving her a small smile. The shop owner was quick to notice Dydra's eyes colour, dumbstrucked by the features of the girl that united, giving her a fairytale like beauty. The smile on her face increased, and she continued.
"It matches your eyes. Why don't you give it a try?" She suggested, but the red-haired girl was soon to disagree, as she recalled she didn't have money.
"No, no," she put down the jade bracelet and pouted. "I can't afford this. I'm sorry for bothering—"
"Pack it for her." A voice from behind her interrupted, and before she could turn to look who it was, a gold coin was tossed to the shop owner, who swiftly caught it. Her eyes sparkled and she quickly started packing the bracelet.
The red-haired girl turned to look behind her and her ocean blue eyes came into contact with a pair of midnight eyes. A frown settled on her face, as she quickly sized him from up to down—he was an elite. The trauma of those elite that belittled her, when she ran errands at the Thelmond mansion, gripped her and she immediately bowed.
"My lord, forgive. But I have to reject this kind gift." Her heart pounced against her chest, as she hoped he doesn't cause trouble for her.
A displeased frown settled on the crown prince's face. Doesn't she recognise him? It was not up to twenty four hours since they met in the forest. Does she have a poor memory?
"Wow, so the little fox has little memory," he mumbled, but loud enough for her ears to pick it up.
With her head still bowed, the young witch's brows drew close, as she tried to recall who called her "little" and "fox." Her eyes suddenly widened in realization and she straightened her posture. Was this the guy from the previous night? As it was dark last night, she didn't see him face. Her lips set in a thin line, as she carefully sneaked a glance of him. Her heart skipped a beat, as it met the familiar midnight eyes. It was him! She exclaimed inwardly. She was quick to notice his charming face, which caused her heart to race rapidly. Blood rushed up her face as she recalled the question he asked her—if it was her first time being touched by a man.
Satisfaction washed over Leonard, as he took notice that she recalled him. A realization popped in his head and his gaze went to her feet—she was wearing boots, though they looked like they were bigger than her.
"Glad you didn't forgot your shoes today," he stated. Dydra was quick to avoid his gaze and she bit her lips and mumbled.
"Whatever."
Not being aware of his keen sense of earing, she didn't know he heard her.
The shop owner was done packaging the bracelet and handed it to Leonard, who received it. He stretched out his arm, extending it to Dydra, but the young witch shook her head violently. She wasn't going to collect gifts from an elite, who happens to be a man. What if he had a wife at home, and she finds out? Things wouldn't turn well for her, now would it?