TGS - Chapter 19
Chapter 19: Interlude
Along the way, Lotus had seen other pedestrians and vehicles on the road, but most of them passed by silently, never getting close, let alone striking up a conversation.
After all, a carriage escorted by a troop of cavalry, no matter how simple it looked, was not something an ordinary person would dare to provoke.
Therefore, the Royal Guard was on high alert towards this group of people who had so brazenly requested to see Alyuin.
The young princess pondered for a moment before agreeing. She leaped lightly from the carriage and subconsciously turned back, wanting to help Lotus down.
Lotus: "..."
Mind your status. What princess helps her scribe down from a carriage? No, a half-grown child helping an adult down from a carriage is just plain wrong.
Swept by Lotus's clear, cool gaze, Alyuin had no choice but to pretend to casually withdraw her hand.
Lotus got out of the carriage herself and stood beside the young princess, looking at the two people riding towards them.
In the lead was a red-haired youth dressed in riding attire. He was impatiently saying something to a stout man half a step behind him, only turning his proper attention to Lotus's group when he was right in front of them.
Alyuin: "You two requested to see me. What is it?"
"Your tone is really unpleasant. Whatever..."
The red-haired youth curled his lip, pointed a finger to the sky, and got straight to the point: "I'm asking you, are those two golden eagles yours?"
High above their heads, the two sister golden eagles were leisurely chasing each other, occasionally beating their wings. Sometimes they would glide a little too far away, but they would always fly back quickly.
Alyuin nodded, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. She had a feeling that the youth opposite her, with contempt written all over his face, wouldn't have anything good to say.
As expected, the moment the young princess acknowledged ownership of the eagles, the red-haired youth said bluntly, "I'll take them both."
"What my young master means is, your golden eagles are well-raised, and we are willing to offer five gold coins to buy them," the man who looked like an attendant behind him immediately added.
Alyuin replied crisply, "Sorry, not for sale."
The attendant said hurriedly, "Hey, if you think five gold coins is too little, we can raise the price. The price is negotiable."
Seeing that they were just there to buy the birds, Motis relaxed his guard slightly. Hearing them persist, he said, "My master said they're not for sale. It has nothing to do with how much you offer. If there's nothing else, let's go our separate ways. We're in a hurry."
The attendant said in a placating tone, "Please, reconsider—"
But the red-haired youth couldn't stand it. He raised his voice and demanded, "You say they're not for sale just like that? Do you know who I am? They're just two birds. If you know what's good for you, give me the golden eagles. It would be your honor!"
The attendant wiped his face, as if at his wit's end with his young master, and looked at the young princess with a pleading gaze.
Alyuin didn't get angry. She glanced at the tall horse the red-haired youth was riding. "That's a fine horse you have. How much?"
"You dare covet my horse? You couldn't afford it even if you sold yourself!"
"I can't afford it just because you say so?" Alyuin raised an eyebrow, a half-smile on her face. "It's just a horse. Name your price. It's negotiable."
The red-haired youth was choked by the young princess's words, momentarily at a loss for a reply. He looked at the golden eagles, then at his own horse, and stomped his foot abruptly. "You just wait!"
With that, he turned and spurred his horse back to the middle of his group.
Alyuin shrugged and looked up at Lotus, her earlier sarcastic smile instantly transforming into a sweet one. "Let's get back on the road, Teacher."
But Lotus wasn't looking at her. Her gaze was fixed on the group opposite them, and her expression suddenly sharpened. "They're going to make a move."
The red-haired youth was seen snatching a bow and arrow from a guard's back, drawing the bow, nocking an arrow, and aiming at the circling sister eagles. With a swoosh, he let the arrow fly.
A sharp cry came from overhead. Both golden eagles had dodged the arrow and were unharmed.
The red-haired youth pulled another arrow from his quiver, cursing under his breath in frustration, "Damn it. I refuse to believe I can't shoot them down."
The arrow was loosed again, but it failed to follow its intended trajectory.
Another sharp arrow came whistling through the air, swift as lightning, like a sliver of the moon. It struck the first arrow's shaft dead-on, snapping it clean in two!
This was an extremely skillful technique. The red-haired youth was startled and turned his angry gaze to the other side.
Beside the simple, even plain-looking carriage, Alyuin's small figure stood against the wind.
She held a bow in one hand, the hem of her white dress fluttering in the wind. For a moment, it looked just like the billowing cape of a general in the army.
The princess's gaze was sharp and cold. She easily drew the bowstring to its full extent. This time, the arrowhead was aimed at the red-haired youth. She released it without a hint of hesitation.
I'm going to die. He's going to die.
Out of instinctual fear, the red-haired youth's entire body went rigid, unable to move. His pupils dilated instantly, reflecting the cold glint of the approaching arrowhead—
A dull thud.
The arrow viciously embedded itself in the carriage frame behind the red-haired youth, grazing the side of his face and shearing off a few strands of hair, which drifted lightly to the ground.
"One warning."
The young princess said coldly.
She paid no more attention to the stunned group, put away her bow, and led Lotus back into the carriage. A few seconds later, the Royal Guard continued onward. The carriage moved at a steady, unhurried pace, leisurely disappearing into the distance.
Even the two golden eagles overhead seemed to know what had happened. They called to each other twice in what sounded like mockery before flying off into the distance.
The red-haired youth: "..."
He touched his hair with a trembling hand, the fear of a death that had been inches away still lingering in his eyes.
"Young master, are you all right?" the attendant asked anxiously.
"What could be wrong with me? Get lost!" The red-haired youth pushed him away and gritted his teeth viciously. "Just you wait. Don't think this is over. They're going to Digebia, right? Let's go!"
In the eyes of both Lotus and the young princess, this incident was merely a small interlude on their journey.
He was just a spoiled heir who acted recklessly, relying on his family's status. They figured he wouldn't dare to retaliate openly. As for scheming in the shadows... there were plenty of people who wanted to deal with Alyuin in secret. This boy wouldn't even be near the top of the list. It was enough to simply keep an eye out for him.
After passing through a stretch of low hills, Digebia City was close at hand.
As the largest main city in northwestern Solancia, Digebia covered a vast area and had massive fortifications. Its gray walls, built of giant stones and mortar, stood majestically under the sky. The lively sounds of people could be faintly heard from within the city gates.
Evening was approaching, and torches had already been lit on the city gates. The figures of soldiers guarding the post could be seen moving beside the flames.
They had clearly noticed the troop of cavalry and the carriage they were guarding. A soldier leaned out and shouted, "Halt! Any further and our archers won't be so courteous. Who are you? State your names."
Motis, at the very front, reined in his horse and replied, "I am Motis, Captain of the Solancian Royal Guard."
"Show proof!"
Motis compliantly held up his token.
The city walls were high, and from such a distance, the soldier naturally couldn't make out the shape of the token, but the act of producing something was proof enough of their attitude.
Immediately, someone rode out from the city gate. He nodded politely at Motis and looked closely at the token. The moment he saw it, a look of astonishment appeared on his face.
The Royal Guard?
This was a guard unit whose fame and status far exceeded its practical function, but its symbolic significance was tied to the heritage of Solancia. Not even the city lord himself would dare to treat them with disrespect.
The man's gaze swept over the carriage behind Motis, and his smile became even more courteous. "So it is Captain Motis. Please, follow me."
He led the group to a place inside the city that looked like a garrison for the guards and went no further. "I will send someone to inform the city lord at once. Please wait here. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
Alyuin sat upright in the carriage. The window curtains had been lowered before they entered the city gates. Her expression was calm, but her back was ramrod straight, as if she were preparing for battle.
"Don't be nervous," Lotus said softly.
"I'm not nervous." Alyuin pressed her lips together. "I can joke freely in front of you. What's there to be nervous about when facing the Lord of Digebia?"
Before the words had even left her mouth, the young princess seemed to have a sudden realization, and her tense back relaxed.
Sitting opposite her was the incarnation of a god. If she could be this way in the presence of a deity, why should she worry about the Lord of Digebia, whose nominal status was no higher than her own?
The moment she relaxed, she started to get a little mischievous.
"Suddenly, I think I'm a little nervous. I need my teacher's comfort," the young princess said with great conviction.
Lotus obliged by patting her on the head. Alyuin narrowed her eyes and, after a moment, added, "That's not enough."
It is human nature to press one's advantage.
Lotus chuckled, leaned over, and gently gave the young princess a hug.
Alyuin had only meant it as a joke, but she hadn't expected Lotus to actually hug her. She froze unconsciously as soft, slightly curly black hair brushed against her cheek, carrying a serene fragrance—a mixture of aquatic flowers and the cool scent of river water, like a snowtu flower petal touched by morning dew.
The hug lasted less than a few seconds. Lotus sat back in her seat and, seeing the young princess still in a daze, tilted her head slightly. "If that's still not enough, I can give you a blessing kiss on the forehead."
"Really?"
Alyuin blurted out.
Lotus: "When have I ever lied to you?"
Alyuin fell into deep thought. After a long moment, as if having considered it carefully, she said seriously, "Okay."
This time, Lotus didn't have to move. The young princess scooted over herself, looking up at her with sparkling, expectant eyes.
Lotus tucked a stray strand of long hair behind her ear. She recalled that in the legends of many later mythological systems, the blessings of the gods were usually bestowed with a kiss on a believer's forehead.
It was a blessing, and also a sign of divine favor.
Although there were no similar records in ancient Solancian mythology, Lotus still wanted to do it. She sincerely wished to give this child the most wonderful of blessings.
With this hope in her heart, Lotus lowered her head slightly.
Just then, the captain of the Royal Guard's boisterous voice suddenly came from outside the carriage.
"Your Highness, the city lord is here!"
Lotus paused, straightened up again, and said with a normal expression, "It's time to get out of the carriage, Alyuin."
Alyuin: "..."
At that moment, she suddenly felt the urge to grind her teeth.
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