"Wow" I gasped as my mouth fell open at the sight. I was panting from running most of the way. The night breeze was cold, but my face burned with excitement. The place bustled with numerous people of all ages, especially young women and men dressed in simple yet colorful clothes. I glanced down at myself, feeling overly dressed, but at least it kept me from standing out. The village square was adorned with colorful banners, and lantern lights flickered. I stood at a corner, taking in the lively scene. The commoners mingled joyfully, creating an organized chaos.
Old men and children gathered around bonfires, sharing stories loudly. Groups of men and women were busy drinking, chatting loudly, or playing games. Some men on a makeshift stage sang softly, accompanied by slow music—a familiar folk tune. Couples danced in response to the music, and children chased each other with paper flags, giggling and shouting excitedly. Stalls were set up around the square, offering a variety of treats. I breathed in the sweet aroma of roasted meat, baked bread, stews, and pastries, almost tasting them. I touched my pockets, groaning as I realized I had forgotten my money purse.
Unexpectedly, I recognized a few noble men in a corner, toasting to freedom. It seemed they had organized themselves into groups following their interests. I walked in the opposite direction, not wanting to be recognized, although it was unlikely as few people knew my face. The night was cold, signaling the beginning of autumn. I sniffed and rubbed my arms to ward off the chills, regretting not wearing gloves, If only I had listened to my instinct. I walked into the crowd, scanning the unfamiliar area, A group of people caught my attention, I admired their organized movement, it was a popular dance step for the Albus people, standing among the co-spectators I clapped in response to the music swaying from side to side when suddenly; a hard object hit my shoulder, pushing me slightly. I let out a yelp, crying out in pain as a tall, broad figure loomed over me.
"Mister, do you not see where you are going? You almost knocked my hand out of place," I winced, flinging my hand as if to push it back in place.
"Oh my, you were in my way. I didn't see you there," he snickered, which only provoked me because he was blatantly lying.
"Tell me, are you alone, or did you come here with your lover?" he asked, I frowned, eyeing him from head to toe, convinced I didn't need to answer his question.
"Please excuse me" I attempted to escape his menacing presence as he blocked my path.
"Ho ho, a rude young lady. You should answer when I ask you questions." he came closer, his countenance darkened as his lips curled into a smile, I took a whiff of him, he reeked of alcohol. I used my finger to block my nose, but the odor was still strong.
"Uh, I don't want to talk to you. Please, relieve me" I groaned. He snorted as he grabbed my hand, I wiggled, surprised at his violent exposition. I was startled and looked around, hoping someone would react to my situation, but people just passed by. This fueled idiot, driven by too much booze, was ruining all the fun. I had to endure his unwelcome advances.
"You are so beautiful. I haven't seen anyone quite like you. Come along, let's get a drink. Which would you prefer? There's beer, ale, cider, mead, as well as Perry" he said, causing me to scrunch my face in disgust. I couldn't believe the nerve of this man.
He dragged me along, and I shouted for help, but my cries got lost in the noise, and people around ignored us like they didn't see his poor attitude towards me. I was terrified but I had to keep my composure, if there was anything my mother would tell me frequently, she would say 'Don't let anyone see your fear'
"How dare you, you imbecile. I could have you hanged for this or incapacitated, both of your hands severed, or that tongue of yours ripped out. How dare you touch me you rude man" I yelled, but he ignored my bickering. I wiggled, my efforts in vain compared to his strong grip.
He dragged me to a less crowded place, towards the barrels of wine. My eyes scanned the unfamiliar area as I bit hard on my lower lip, puzzled by how I ended up in such a mess in just one night. I was terrified and at a loss for what to do.
"oh what do I do" I thought
"Two large cups of ale, my good man," he motioned to the wine server. I sneered.
"Leave me, you arrogant fool, why are you doing this?" I asked him
"Help me, Sir, this man has held me hostage." I begged the wine server, but soon realized he was drunk. How could I forget? We lived in a time where a woman's value was determined by the man she had in her life. A woman's life was close to worthless, so it was every woman's dream to marry a man who could offer her protection. Even I, as a princess, could not escape this fate. It was my fate to marry a man who would stand as a king, and I his guinea fowl that laid his golden children.
"Sir, it seems your madam is angry with you," he chuckled as he handed the cup to the rude man.
"I am not his madam," I yelled at the wine server, glaring as I stomped on the feet of the rude man, but it had no effect.
"Impertinent," he raised his hand to hit me. I cowered trying to avoid it, but it never came. I looked up to see another tall man holding the rude man's hand from landing on me, the darkness of the night covering his face.
"What is it that you are trying to do to my woman?" The stranger asked, my eyes opened wide in surprise.
"Your woman?" I thought as I rolled my eyes, trying to make sense of what this new stranger was saying.
I did feel relieved, but who was this lad? So much was going on in my mind. Once again another fool. Was another mad man on the loose? Had I gone from the frying pan into the fire? I wondered.
"Your woman?" the rude man asked as he snorted, one hand holding his drink and the other hand he used in holding me was held by the new stranger.
I flexed my now free arm and raised my right foot with an aim in mind. I was going to teach him a lesson for misbehaving with me, I went for his man parts and landed a kick, causing the once-tall man to tumble to the ground, writhing in pain and letting out a loud cry.
"You madwoman, I'll kill you!" he screamed. The new stranger grabbed my arm, running with me following behind. Where was he taking me? Was I in a new situation? My first attempt to explore the world, and there were madmen all over the place, claiming me like I was some commodity in the marketplace—insolent! I pulled my hand, making myself free.
"Who are you? Have you also come to claim me?" he turned to face me, and I finally got a good look at his face.
"Claim you? I just saved you!" he raised his brows, and I was left stunned by his appearance. The light from the bonfire shone brightly on his face, revealing beautiful eyes of an ice-blue color that seem to sparkle in the light, a narrow long nose, he had a strong jawline with expressive eyebrows that added depth to his gaze, pouting lips that fit perfectly into his face, and short wavy, charcoal-colored hair that fell effortlessly. He was clad in a finely embroidered tunic and a feathered hat that he held by his side.
"Wh..Who are you?" I stammered.
"The man that saved you from that drunken fool. Are you also drunk?" he furrowed, eyeing me
"We..well, you just came from nowhere and dragged me. That was insolent of you, no way to treat a woman, so disrespectful," I said glaring at him.
"Rude? I saved you from that obnoxious suitor, but is this my well-deserved appreciation? How about you take care of yourself? Your gentleman will soon recover from your attack, and he will be here for you," he said, threatening to leave. I reached for him without thinking.
"Wait, you can't leave me here. Take me with you please" I followed behind as he stopped abruptly, and I slammed into his back.
"The gods, why is your back like a rock?" I rubbed my head. He turned around, and we locked eyes, his gaze filled with amusement. I looked away, embarrassed. He motioned for me to come with him, I hesitated but followed.
"Are you hungry?" he asked, as we stopped in front of the stall of a woman who kept on grinning like she had won a lot of money, there were countless vendors, coaxing passersby to patronize them.
"How did you know I was hungry?" I inquired, but he ignored my question, picking up an abnormally shaped food, I opened my eyes widely curiously inspecting the food.
"It's delicious, try it" the stall vendor said as he handed her three silver coins retrieved from his pocket. She grinned as she pocketed the coins and commented about us making a beautiful couple. I suddenly felt shy and gave a weak smile, grabbing the food from his hand, He chuckled.
"What do you find so funny" I said glaring.
"I haven't met any strange lady like yourself before. You haven't uttered a single word of gratitude since I saved you from that savage, instead all I get are glares that expresses a desire to drown me "he said, I looked away as I found my food an interesting item to examine
"Why do you keep looking at your food like that?" he asked, and He started to walk as I trailed behind, distracting me from inspecting the bread, at least that's what I concluded it had to be.
"How do you eat this?" I questioned, he looked at me confused.
"Well, by putting it in your mouth," he replied with sarcasm, I munched on the food, surprised by its incredible softness and sweetness.
"I tastes delightful" I squealed
"Don't tell me you haven't eaten bread before" he asked amused
"Of course I have, but these tastes different" I smiled happily.
"Anyways, thank you kind sir. Your intervention was most timely; You saved me while the others just watched as that man dragged me away." I thanked him sincerely, as I grinned
"It was my duty and pleasure, would have done the same for anyone else" he smirked
"You should be careful. That animal is a feared man, and no one likes to mess with him," he warned.
"Yet you did, for my sake," I said with a thin smile that vanished quickly.
"Besides, he is feared? Who might he be? A noble?" we continued walking
"A noble? He's just a well-known hunter and a bully" he scoffed.
"A hunter? A commoner with such audacity." I exclaimed, alarmed.
"What?, so only the high-born are allowed to have audacity?" He furrowed his brows.
"No, that's not what I..." I started, but he cut me off.
"Besides, the nobles avoid this sort of gathering. They are not inclined to associate with the commoners or low-born, as they often call us," he explained, which left me looking at him with disbelief, confused.
"But isn't this celebration to celebrate Albus? Everyone is supposed to be involved right? "He scoffed
"With the level of your credulousness, I can see you are a noble even by your looks. You're so naïve, and you've probably been babied all your life. Though you attempt to disguise yourself as a humble maiden, your bearing speaks of grace and nobility. " He said
"What? You can't talk to me like that" I said angrily, stopping us on our track
"Have I offended you?"
"You seem to have a loose tongue sir"
He threw his head back in laughter. "Am sorry my words offend you, I was just trying to help you see the clear division between high class and low class, The nobles and the commoners never mingle," he said.
"Well I know there are discriminations, but I just assumed that those sentiments will be put aside for the sake of the celebrations"
"Well some nobles come around but they can never boldly reveal their identity. But of course, I can recognize them in a blink of an eye, just like I recognize you;
You are the only noble brave enough to dress boldly for this festivity." I looked down at myself, convinced he was saying rubbish; I was fitting in just fine. Although he was right, the nobles I saw earlier, wore simple clothing, probably to mingle freely amongst the commoners.
"Fine, you must know what you are talking about" I said sighing, finishing the rest of my bread, not willing to continue arguing.
"Anyway, who do I owe my gratitude to? Tell me, who are you, gallant stranger?" I asked, as the crowd went wild, catching our attention. He dragged me along to witness the occasion—a dance was going on, everyone cheering as couples hopped to the sound of the music. Fortunately, I knew this one; Jasmine had taught me, saying it was common among the commoners.
"The hopping dance!" I exclaimed excitedly, experiencing it for the first time.
"You do know it. Want to dance?" I nodded frantically as he chuckled, and we hopped and swayed to the incredible sound of the flute and drums. It was amazing; I had never danced with a young man before, especially not in front of so many people. I had only danced ball dances with my old, boring tutors in the palace. He grabbed my waist, carrying and dropping me with the sound of the drum, but I lost my footing.
"Oh my!" I was on my way to the ground, but he was faster, catching me by my waist. I opened my eyes, staring into his, lost in their depths. I stared as if I was searching for something I couldn't find, how could anyone be so beautiful. I hadn't met many men, but he seemed like the finest here. My heart was beating fast; this man had me feeling a new emotion I had never encountered.
"Are you okay, my lady?"
"My lady?" I said, alarmed, feeling strange hearing it from him; I was always addressed as "your highness."
"I'm fine" I found my balance again as he let go. I put a hand on my chest, feeling my heart beat against it. He led me to a corner, finding a seat for me.
"This must be what they call infatuation" I muttered low enough for him not to hear.
"What?" he bent to look me in the eye, and I held my breath because of his sudden movement.
"Beautiful" he said through his teeth, looking intensely at me.
"T..thank you, I am flattered" he shook his head.
"Am not flattering you. I've been to so many places in Albus and outside it, and beauty such as yours is rare" he said sincerely, but I chuckled, thinking it was a jest.
"That's not true, but that's kind of you" I said with a small smile but he rose, and we began to walk.
"Shame, you do not believe me" he chuckled.
"Besides, what made you bold enough to walk the night without an escort?" He asked with curiosity on his face
"Um, I just happen to be a daring lady." I said confidently
"Daring?" He laughed aloud; I furrowed my eyes, wondering why he was amused.
"The nights are dangerous especially for women here in albus, you might want to be less daring" I frowned
"well I don't see the women here quivering in fear, why should I be so cautious" I queried, he sighed
"As long as you have someone around you to protect you, you can walk around as much as you like" he said as he patted my head and smiled, I flinch at the sudden gesture
"What's your favorite part of the celebration?" he continued changing the topic.
"Um, I think the dance."
"Dance?" he chuckled.
"What about other events like the archery contest or the hunting competition, not to forget the tournament?" he asked enthusiastically.
"The tournam..." I said as my eyes trailed off, noticing some familiar-looking men—palace guards! I turned away, swallowing, wondering what they could be doing here.
"My lady" he called after me as I began walking off.
"I need to leave" I said.
"What? Why? The night has just begun; the fireworks display has not even started" he jogged behind me.
"I need to leave" I said again, running as he ran behind me.
"Allow me to accompany you on your journey, that I may ensure your safety and honor."
He held my hand stopping me.
"Your company is welcome, for I find your presence reassuring and your demeanor honorable, but I must decline." I snatched my hand back.
"But how do I see you again?" I stopped for a moment, his words ringing in my ears.
"See me again? You want to see me again?" He smirked as he nodded, and I asked, not feeling it necessary but intrigued by our encounter.
"Perhaps our paths have crossed for a reason tonight, I would like to believe that fate has woven our destinies together, milady." He said smiling warmly,
'a man who believes in fate? How uncommon ' I thought
"The archery contest" I said the first thing that came to mind.
"But wait, I didn't even get your name."
"Rheda. My name is Rheda" I said, running away as he chased after me, but I ran into a corner and lost him.