Chapter 8

𝕾𝖔𝖓𝖌 𝖙𝖔 𝖑𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖓 𝖙𝖔: 𝕳𝖊𝖞 𝕾𝖙𝖊𝖕𝖍𝖊𝖓 𝖇𝖞 𝕿𝖆𝖞𝖑𝖔𝖗 𝕾𝖜𝖎𝖋𝖙

***

Stunning as the water droplets created many hues, he became my comfort when I was unable to shake my previous daydream. The way his warm skin touched mine, the way his bright smile lit up my face, and the way he looked at me as though there was nothing more than any hope for me

What is it about him that makes my chest feel at ease all the time? Despite the fact that I was submerged in water, I was able to float above it. I just don't know sometimes.

Though I've learned in the past that knowing something could be dangerous, maybe knowing it would be preferable. I would be happy to know nothing more about this if it weren't harmful.

"Come on, this would be fun," he said softly, eclipsing the strange emotions I'd managed to push aside. I smiled and shook my head. Perhaps today would only be enjoyable if I accompanied him on his adventure, hopefully by the end of this week.

"Try this," he said, entwining our hands. When I turned to face him, he was directing me towards the various stools. Though I could hardly hear Sir Francis and Anna trailing behind, I knew Henry would not let go of my hands.

Not when I sensed his hold tightening. It was me who seemed to release his grip on my hand. He stopped and forced me to test out a few of the clips on a stool. An elderly woman grinned at us as she sat in front of us.

She laughed even as she glanced down at our hands and at Henry. She shook her head and moved towards us, albeit still not quite as close as Henry and I were.

The old woman said in a lovely, cheerful voice, "I guess even children nowadays would be couples," but my eyes widened when I saw what she meant.

"Ma'am, we are not---" Henry tightened his hold on my hands before I could even finish speaking. I looked from the giggling old woman to Henry, and I couldn't resist opening my lips to speak, though nothing came out.

His face is reddening, as though he's picked up a fever somewhere along the route. He might have been urging me to proceed by tugging on my hand, but that would explain why he would still want me to attempt the clip.

"I would want to give you this as an early gift for the festival tomorrow night, tiny ones. Therefore, if you come by after tomorrow, I hope you remember to wear these." The elderly woman gave Henry and me two pieces of jewelry. I have a clip with a crimson lock in the shape of a heart.

Henry had this necklace that looked like a key and was golden with a red end when I glanced at it. I thanked the woman and gave her a grin. She would just smile and brush it off, even though I was ready to pay.

I didn't know what to think when the elderly woman said, "I just hope that you two will enjoy this day," but I bowed to the elderly man, who merely waved at us with a smile. Henry then hurried me out of the location.

Actually, since Henry was holding my hand, I was just going with the flow. However, as of right now, I have no idea where we were going or how we ended up here in these bushes. Before I knew it, my gaze was aimlessly roving.

"Where are we?" I asked, not once glancing at Henry. But he only asked me another question, not providing me with an answer.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yes, but where are we?" When I asked the same question again, something told me to turn to face the young boy, and when I did, he was staring back at me with a strange smile that was too real to ignore.

He came in closer to me, his voice still a whisper, and said, "I guess it's your first time in a place like this; no wonder." This brought back memories of the evening he initially offered me his coat, which I still own today.

"Aside from the fact that I'm still a small lady, my parents won't let me go outside without Anna and Sir Francis. Furthermore, this would be my first visit to this place," I remarked, but I winced when a firefly flew across my cheeks and rested on my shoulder.

"Henry, what is that?" When I asked, all he could do was laugh and wave the firefly away.

"Relax, we wouldn't be harmed in here"

"Are you even preparing to answer my questions?"

At that point, he laughed and almost released his grip on my hand. Had I not flinched once more, he would have been able to catch me, but Henry was moving so slowly that he had to twist his ankle to catch me.

One thing I know for sure, though, is that when the two of us tumbled to the grass, I landed on top of Henry, who was whispering some hurtful comments.

I said, "I-I'm sorry," but at that moment, with his arms wrapped around my tiny waist, I was unable to stand. That's how we remained while I waited for him to recover from his terrible blow to the grass. He turned to face me, and I could see how much he was sighing.

Then he gave me a head pat, just like my dad used to do. Because Henry would always gripe about every little thing I did, there seemed to be something peculiar about the tenderness of his embrace and his current demeanor. He didn't appear to be relieved until now.

But relieved of what?

"You're not hurt, are you?" He inquired, and I declined.

As we straightened up, he took some leaves out of my hair and tangled them until I scowled at him. "Well, it's better that way," he replied, supporting me to stand.

However, I moved in closer and caressed his chest, as he seemed to be experiencing pain.

"Because of this, you shouldn't just bring me here by yourself while the two of us are alone. Where is the exit now? Aside from that, Anna and Sir Francis must have been concerned about us," I remarked, reaching out to stroke the painful area on his chest.

But when I looked at him, he had wide eyes, like I had done something wrong.

I said, "What?" but he just shrugged.

He looked away and mumbled, "I guess the pain went away the moment you caressed it," but I was able to catch his tone and laugh.

I laughed as I said, "Don't worry, I'm already done," gesturing to his chest just enough to cause him to back off.

He merely let out a sigh and shook his head, but upon closer look, I noticed a smile on his face. I'm not sure how, but it seemed like everything around us was moving slowly and that the only thing sparkling was him.

I felt as though he had placed another flower on my ears as he quickly leaned in towards me and extended his hand to the side.

"There, remember when I said that you look better when you have a flower on you?"

"How could I ever forget the day you said some words before running away from me and entering your carriage as if we were done talking"

"Well, aside from that, I wanted to apologize, so I came to stay at your home for a week. I suppose I was experiencing heat waves at the time."

We both laughed at our remarks as soon as I looked at him after I sighed.

"I guess you're already forgiven; besides, you even know this kind of place, no wonder I would think you've been in this market for so long."

"I used to visit this spot frequently in the past. However, I suppose I should concentrate more on my lessons right now." He wasn't lying when he stated those things, and I can tell by the honesty in his eyes, but I can also see how depressed he was.

Was it something else, or was it just me? This small youngster was quiet and not at all expressive the first time I met him.

We didn't see each other again after that birthday night, with the exception of when I got engaged to Caliere. Even then, he merely gave me a fleeting glance rather than expressing anything more.

I discovered new aspects of him this time around that I was unaware of. Whenever something seems to be bothering him, he will occasionally scratch the back of his neck and turn to look away. He used to pretend to pat my hair and giggle before he said anything when he wanted to talk.

Was it because he was the first person to contact me that evening and even gave me his tiny coat that he quickly became someone I held dear?

As we sat next to the enormous oak, I laughed at the thought and gave him a brief glance before speaking. I felt him stiffen when I laid my head on his shoulder, but he eventually loosened up.

How long did we remain like this until I nodded out in his warmth? However, as I awoke, I saw my comfortable chamber, and upon surveying my surroundings, I noticed Henry, who was also sleeping on my bed, holding my hand.

I grinned.

I'm glad we weren't lost, even if I don't know how he was able to summon Sir Francis and Anna to the market. Perhaps because this time, I trusted the correct person.

****

"Milady, his Highness the crown prince, was at the entrance of the household, should I ask him to wait a little longer?"

"Anna, what did you just say?"

***

Author-nim note: edited ^-^ Please forgive my grammar; English is not my first language. ^-^