36 An Encounter in Tal-El City

The blissful feeling of having acquired a Thunder Horse served as a natural deterrent for Chalice. It rendered Luke's glowers at her a mere punch into cotton. In the end, Luke succumbed to the influence of her mood. He let the incident slide with a mere sigh much to the chagrin of Levi.

After camping for a night, the group of incognito inspectors arrived at Tal-El City of the Guthrie Plains a few hours before lunch time. As per usual Rye and Ward, the trusted knights slash aides, took the horses to rest and be fed. They also proceeded to check for supplies which they were lacking. The trio on the other hand went roaming around to check the City's estate.

Tal-El City was considerably different from the other cities in the territory. The buildings were all in domical shape. Chalice was so fascinated about the infrastructures which hasn't seen even on Earth. She begged Luke to get rid of their bindings so she could enjoy going around. With just a few minutes of cutely pleading and her killer puppy dog eyes, Chalice got her way.

Levi snorted at her though and started nagging Luke for being lenient to her for the nth time. She could only sigh and ignore Levi's antics. Contrary to his belief, she was absolutely not walking disaster about happen. Chalice swore that if he uttered another word, she'll pester him until he rips his hair off. That would be quite a sight.

Chalice skipped through the roads like a child in an amusement park, completely throwing her image. Luke was helpless while Levi facepalmed. Their mistress has been possessed by child. They refuse to believe that it was an inherent trait.

She dashed from one place to another totally ignoring the two men who hovered ten steps behind her protectively. When she saw a glimpse of a busy plaza with various food stalls set up, Chalice practically run off like a breeze. Due to her haste, her two companions were caught off guard. They only recovered after a couple of heartbeats and promptly followed the direction she went into.

By then, Chalice had already reached the plaza and was excitedly savoring the wafting aromas of various delicacies. She was so taken in with the food that she didn't bother looking where she was going. Such negligence and lack of attention like this obviously would lead to mishaps. And since it was Chalice involved, a mishap did happen.

Just as she was about to head to a stall selling candied fruits, the salivating lady collided with someone and was sent stumbling to the ground. Surprised by the sudden force, Chalice grumbled as she tried to get up. A hand appeared in front of her which she took without reservations. She was having difficulties standing up with her skirt.

'Dumb dress. I should have just worn trousers.'

She thought as she huffed to regain her balance. When she finally gained a stable footing, Chalice looked up to the owner of the hand assisting her.

A strange, tall man met her eyes. He has dark obsidian eyes, sharp nose, and full lips. He reminded Chalice of an Arabian Prince dressed in a garb similar to Sinbad in that anime she binge-watched one time back on Earth. She remembered it was called Magi.

She tilted her head at him curiously as she retrieved her hand. Chalice silently gauged the man. Amaranth is quite welcoming to foreigners so she didn't find it too surprising to meet one here. Especially since Tal-El City was quite famous for it's unique buildings. The clothes though different, Chalice could still see that it was purposely made to be understated. Despite that, it's luxurious feel did not escape her. Add the meticulous and exquisite craftmanship of the bangle and the ring on his person, Chalice knew that this man was not an ordinary tourist.

"Are you alright, Miss? You should be careful where you're going."

The man said in his deep bass voice. She nodded slightly.

"I'm fine. Pardon my carelessness, good sir. Thank you for the assistance."

She bowed slightly to him. Chalice was about to bid her leave, but the young man beside the Arabian Prince person suddenly chided her.

"Hah! You're not only careless. You're also a disgrace. How can a woman walk so heedlessly like a barbarian? What a shame. You're looks are wasted on you."

Chalice's eyes narrowed dangerously. Did this freaking manboy just insult her? Fine. She admit it was her fault for colliding into them. His precious Arab Prince person haven't even said anything and he's running off his mouth as if he was the one who suffered from the force of collision. Besides, she already said sorry and she didn't even mean for it to happen. Just that, and he thinks he's allowed to brand her a disgrace? Though she was already used to being called that in the capital but it was totally unacceptable at this time. He's badly looking for a beating.

Her previous playful demeanor sharpened dangerously at her annoyance. The tall man squinted in surprise when he noticed the change in her aura. He held his hand in front of his companion and turned to her.

"Forgive my subordinate, Miss. He doesn't know what he's saying. I apologize for his offense."

Chalice breathed in deeply, calming herself. She stared for a long while at the man. Fine. She'll reluctantly accept his apology and not make a fuss about it. Her fruits were waiting for her.

"It's fine. I shall pay it no mind since I was at fault first and for the fact that you assisted me in standing up. But please do heed my advice, teach your subordinate some humility. You can never be too sure of the people the you'll encounter in the streets. Sometimes, a beggar may in fact be a king."

Just as she finished those words, Luke and Levi has already caught up to her. Luke asked about the situation but she merely waved it off and dragged the both of them to the candied fruits stall that had been ceaselessly calling for her.

---

"Go and take your punishment. I don't need a servant who gets ahead of his master."

Arhan coldly turned to the servant by his side. He looked at the direction the woman and her companions. A look of pondering in his eyes. Suddenly another man came rushing to his side.

"Sultan Arhan, my liege, my apologies for making you wait. The City Manor has a slight issue. Where do you want to go next?"

He smiled at the man. The City Lord of Tal-El was an acquantance of his in the territory of Amaranth. His mother was a well-known noble lady in the Kingdom of Ogen but fell in love with the previous City Lord of Tal- El City during one of her leisure trips. Their tale of love was quite popular back in their kingdom.

"The City Lord needs not to apologize. As a dear friend, you going out of your way to accompany me is enough. By the way, does the City Lord perhaps know of that woman?"

Arhan pointed at the trio standing in the fruit stall, specifically at the beautiful woman happily eating candied apples.

The City Lord gazed at the woman that the eminent ruler and Sultan of Ogen pointed at. He was accompanying this royal who was once again on one of his spontaneous vacations. However, he rushed back to the City Hall because of an urgent letter hence he wasn't aware of the previous incident. Still, he studied the woman in question when the sudden realization hit him. Those eyes! He looked cautiously at the Sultan.

"My liege, has that woman offended you?"

The City Lord asked nervously. He would be stuck between a rock and a hard place if the two had some sort of conflict. Sultan Arhan shook his head and sighed.

"I'm afraid it was I who has offended her. Though it was my servant who went out of line. Still, it falls onto my fault as the master."

Arhan explained. The City Lord gaped at him in surprise. He cleared his throat and answered the Sultan's question.

"That woman, my liege, is the Amaranthian fief's princess and currently our Proxy Fief Lord. The urgent letter which I had received a while ago was from the Duke himself informing us about her. That letter was supposed to have arrived fews weeks ahead of her. However, there has been a mishap and thus it came to us late. I assume she is here now on an inspection."

The Sultan looked at him with a slight furrow on his brows.

"The Amaranth princess?"

The City Lord nodded and proceeded to further expounded the lady's identity.

"Yes. That woman is Lady Chalice Solveigh de Amaranth. The only daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Amaranth."

Arhan was silent, his lips formed a slight arc. So, she was the duke's daughter. How interesting.