Chapter Two: The Blue of Umir
We had set off five days ago. Four more days remained before we would reach the capital. As I gazed out the carriage window, the northern landscape welcomed us with open arms. Spring had just begun, and the air had grown warm. Verdant forests stretched far and wide, a sea of green that breathed life into the season. I could smell the crisp scent of foliage and feel the softness of sunlight brushing against my face.
It was peaceful. Almost too peaceful.
When I turned my gaze forward, I saw Sasha sitting across from me. Her presence stood in gentle contrast to the view outside.
Sasha wasn't a fairy tale beauty. Her features wouldn't stop a ballroom or steal the breath of poets. She was, by most standards, slightly above average. But somehow, I always found myself drawn to her. Maybe it was her shy smile, or the calmness in her round, ocean-blue eyes. I didn't understand it, but I never questioned it either. She brought me peace.
As I lingered in thought, Kevin called out, "Young master, we've reached Umir City."
I glanced outside and saw the city unfold before us—lively, bright, filled with noise and color. A trade city in its full glory.
I instructed Sasha and Kevin to keep their statuses hidden. Since we had taken a secret route through the wilds, I didn't want unnecessary attention. The official royal escort—our twenty-knight carriage—had taken the main road and would arrive fifteen days later. Our path had been riskier, but safer in its secrecy.
Kevin found us a modest lodge tucked away in a quiet district. Once settled, we each went to our rooms to freshen up.
After a short rest, I felt the urge to explore. The streets called to me, and despite my protests, Sasha insisted on coming along.
"I won't let you go alone," she said with furrowed brows, her arms crossed in stubborn defiance. I sighed, knowing it was pointless to argue.
It was still early, but Umir was already alive with trade. Market stalls overflowed with goods, and the streets buzzed with haggling voices and the clatter of carts. However, it was also crowded and chaotic. Vendors, seeing us idle and well-dressed, treated us as nuisances. One particularly rude man nearly had me drawing my sword, but Sasha pulled me back.
"Let it go. Today's a busy market day," she whispered. "Fighting here would draw attention."
I grumbled, conceding. I had hoped to gather information, but that idea vanished like smoke in the summer air. Just as I was about to turn back, I spotted a jewelry shop.
And beside me, Sasha.
Why not?
I entered the shop and said, "Sasha, I want to give you something. Pick whatever you like."
Her face turned crimson. "Y-Young master… I don't need anything. Really. I-I don't want anything..."
I ignored her words and asked the vendor to bring out his best pieces. Even without noble insignias, our attire marked us as people of wealth. The vendor, recognizing that quickly, brought forward a display of exquisite items.
My eyes landed on a pair of pearl-blue earrings—soft, elegant, and uncannily matched to the shade of Sasha's eyes.
I didn't hesitate. I bought them and handed them to her.
"Try them on."
She did. And in that moment, I couldn't tell what was more beautiful—the earrings, or the girl wearing them.
We returned to the lodge soon after. I asked Sasha to bring lunch to my room while I reviewed some materials on Arcadia Academy's academic structure. I had just opened a book when I heard a cry.
A woman's scream.
I was on my feet immediately.
*****
Her heart was still fluttering. The earrings sparkled softly in the sunlight, and she couldn't stop touching them.
It wasn't the first gift he had given her, but it was the first they had chosen together. That meant something. Something special. A warmth lingered in her chest, unfamiliar and fragile.
She had always felt useless compared to him. Yet this time, she had insisted on staying at his side. She wanted to be more than just a shadow.
With those thoughts in her heart, she stepped out to fetch lunch. But then—
A broad figure suddenly collided with her.
"Oh! I'm sorry," she said quickly, bowing her head.
She tried to move past, but the man grabbed her wrist.
"Where do you think you're going? You scratched my armor. You have to pay for the damage," he snarled.
"What? I… I just bumped into you. That can't be—"
"Look! Right here. A scratch!" He pointed to a dented section of his gear that had clearly been damaged long before.
Sasha froze. Her breath caught. These men weren't looking for justice. They had seen the earrings.
Fear trickled into her.
"How… how much do you want?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"Oh, it's not about money anymore. Come with us. We'll make sure you pay in full," he said with a wicked grin.
"No—please—just take the earrings then," she said, reaching for them.
"They won't be enough." His companions appeared and seized her arm.
She screamed.
"Kyaaaaa—!"
Suddenly, she was pulled free. A familiar hand—warm and firm—gripped her and pulled her to safety.
She knew that hand.
*****
"Sasha," I said, steadying her. "What happened?"
She clutched my coat tightly, trembling.
One of the men stepped forward. "This isn't your business."
"I'm her guardian," I replied flatly.
"Then you can pay for the damage your girl did."
I looked once at the so-called "damage" on his armor.
"Really? A bump did that?" I said, dryly. "Must be some paper-thin armor."
The crowd chuckled.
The man's face twisted in anger. He stepped closer and muttered under his breath, "If you don't want to pay, then hand her over. We'll settle this our way."
That was it.
My fist landed clean on his face. The crack echoed in the air.
He hit the ground like a sack of flour, unconscious.
His companions froze, looked at him, then scattered.
Cheers erupted.
Just then, Kevin showed up. "What happened?"
"Where were you?" I asked sharply.
"I was… having lunch?"
I sighed and explained the situation, instructing him to make sure the thugs were dealt with properly.
Then I turned to Sasha.
"Come with me."
She didn't speak. She couldn't. She was still trembling.
I brought her to my room and gently placed her on the bed. Normally, even this would make her blush like a beetroot. But now—she looked shaken to her core.
So, I did the only thing I could. I hugged her.
Her small hands clutched my shirt, and she broke down in tears.
"Hic… sob… I'm sorry… It's my fault… I shouldn't be here… I'll only cause trouble for you. I should just… leave…"
"Sasha," I said, lifting her face gently, "You're not going anywhere. You're not a burden."
"But I—"
"You're not."
She stared at me, eyes wide, uncertain.
And then, without thinking—without a word—I kissed her.
****
His lips…
They were warm. Soft. Gentle and firm all at once.
Is this really happening?
I should pull away. I should say something. But I… I don't want to.
My heart is melting.
So I kissed him back.
****
We stayed like that, in that quiet, warm moment. The city outside went on with its noise, but none of it reached us. Her trembling stopped. Her breathing slowed. She looked up at me, eyes still glistening with leftover tears.
And for the first time, she smiled—not with shyness, but with something else.
Trust.
Affection.
Hope.