CHAPTER XIII: CAT'S CLAWS

"Yes, I am, My Lady."

"Caville, tell the horseman to send us not to near at the market."

"My Lady?"

"And I wanted you to guard us without seeing you behind. Follow us as if you were our shadow. A knight following us will catch too much attention. I want to enjoy my stroll without attracting people."

After saying that, Lady Beatrice did not wait for the knight's response, and she mounted in to the carriage followed by Marielle.

Confused with the unexpected scenario, Caville closed the door of the carriage. "Is that the lady? Were the rumors really true that she changed? And are those words given by an eleven-year old girl?", he thought with disconcerted.

The carriage started to move. After surely passing the gate, Beatrice opened the curtain of the window to look outside. She was amazed by the greenery field that came into her view, and the fresh wind smoothly touched her cheeks like kisses. It was a good day to leisurely tour outside. The sun brightly peeped from the cumulous clouds. The sound of birds chirping from the trees is likely a sweet humming in her ears while looking at the wide beautiful scenery.

Upon reaching the village, the buildings and streets are the same with her previous life, but obviously, incomparably with the business center in cities where there are skyways, trains, and high buildings with huge glasses for windows and walls. The convenience of technology such as escalator and elevator, computers, and mobile phones is inexistence. Of course, instead of cars, there are carriages and horses. The only difference was the clothing and the equipment that you'll see. It was far behind from the innovative world she used to live. It was a simple living like in their provinces, she thought.

The carriage stopped, and Caville alighted from his own horse. He opened the door of the carriage, and offered his hand to her. She placed her hand and gently went out to the carriage. Then, it was Marielle turned.

"Thank you, Caville." Beatrice purposely smiled to the knight.

Caville did not response, and only bowed his head.

She turned then to Marielle. "Marielle."

"Yes, My lady."

"Let's enjoy this little tour. Please guide me well."

"Yes, My Lady!", Marielle answered blushing. She was happy to be relied by her lady.

It was an honor for Marielle while Caville was aghast inwardly by the scene in front of him. It was not easy to digest the changes manifested by the lady.

Before walking away, Beatrice called her knight. "Caville."

"Yes, My Lady.", he stopped musings.

"I know it was a bit harsh when I said that to follow us like a shadow, but please understand that I just want to fully enjoy this trip without catching unnecessary eyes.", she kindly explained.

The voice of Beatrice appeared to be pleading in Caville's ears. He lowered his head more, and embarrassingly answered. "There is nothing to worry about, My Lady. Your order did not give any disturbance for me."

"Thank you for your understanding, Caville.", she smiled again.

Caville was astonished by the lady's concern of him. "It is my pleasure, My Lady.", he answered wholeheartedly. "I will guard you with ease, My Lady". Without knowing, his ears were brightly red.

"His ears were brightly red. How amusing"., she chuckled inwardly.

In her memories, Caville was quiet as a personal knight, and thorough with the task given to him by the real Beatrice. She wonders if the knight in front of her now ever acted this way in the past. She thought, "Handsome and tall, and those gray eyes and red hair, any woman will be easy to be mesmerized by his appearance."

From her previous life, while getting older, 'til she reached the age of 27, she never remembered herself being attracted by any beautiful physical appearance. Well, she did in her teenage, but as a person matures, beliefs and perspective changed.

She was only an average woman back then. There is nothing special about her, and one reason that inevitably, insecurities slowly built inside. Growing up, she had that set of minds.

But experience and challenges taught her something, and she holds to the sayings, "you will learn that there is nothing wrong with you when you met the right people." and "handsome or beautiful appearance is merely special bonus, and the real reward is a good heart."

Unfortunately, for her, she died early before she could experience to build her own family. Nevertheless, now that she was given another chance, she will treasure it well.

Even so, she still knows how to appreciate good appearance if she saw one, but not enough to fully attract her in romance.

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"Marielle. There are so many stalls here.", she said without hiding her excitement like a child. "Well, I am a child so there is nothing wrong to act like one."

In her eyes, it was the same with festivals. There are a lot of people, but bearable for leisurely stroll. There are different food, games, and accessories stalls in this market. They deliberately avoided the wet market, not that she was afraid to smell fish or meat, but there is nothing for them to enjoy there.

They bought books and other materials such as pen and designed paper. While walking, they grabbed barbecue and drinks, and continued walking around in the market. They also went to a shopping store for women. She bought new casual, simple dresses with her own preferences. She didn't forget to give Marielle one dress. The latter was embarrassed and shy at first, but in her persistence, it was gratefully accepted.

Beatrice bought foods and accessories that she planned to give to all the servants in the mansion. It was called "pasalubong" in her previous language meaning when you visited somewhere new, the foods or accessories or any small things that was sold only in that place, you will share it to your love ones at home. It was a family tradition, which also a practice that can be shared with close friends.

While walking, Beatrice heard a commotion in the corner of the street. She followed where it was without knowing that Marielle did not notice her disappearance.

"Give that back. That bread—", cried by a little kid. "Sister instructed me—sniff to buy that."

"Who are you to order me? An orphan like you?", the bully kid said while holding the hair of the little kid. It appeared the boy is same age to Beatrice, but a little taller.

Sniff. Sniff. "I have to— please give— sniff it back.", the little kid cried while trying to reach the paper bag held by the bullied boy.

"This is my territory. And when I said my territory—", the boy was trailed off. Thack.

Beatrice threw her shoe towards the bullied boy. It hit his head heavily that made him fell down to the ground. The little kid stopped crying and turned where the flying shoe came from. It was from the young girl.

"What the— Who are you?!", he angrily asked. The paper bag was left on the ground. The little kid hurriedly grabbed and embraced the paper bag, and glanced to the girl again.

"What do you think you are doing with the kid?", she shouted.

The boy abruptly stood up, and went to her. "How dare you do that to me." Slap. The boy slapped Beatrice that made her out of balance and fell to the ground. "You messed with the wrong guy." Smirk.

While on the ground, Beatrice furiously glared back to the bullied boy. Obviously, she was too small to fight with this man. She touched her cheeks where she was slapped. She thought that her cheeks might be reddeningly swollen by now.

Though knowingly her strength is not enough, she doesn't care, and hurriedly, ran and pushed the boy with all her body weight. The boy fell down again. She managed to get on the top of him, and then, she started to scratch the face of the boy. With her weight, the bullied boy was trapped, and only ended up defensing himself from her scratches.

"You! It was you. How dare you!?", she shouted.

Until Caville found her, "My Lady?". He hurriedly lifted Beatrice from the top of the boy. The boy was full of scratches on the face. While being lifted, Beatrice was still struggling.

"No, put me down. I am still not finished.", she said irritably.

"My Lady!", Marielle, who was following behind Caville, called worriedly.

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To my readers, can I call you my fairies?

Anyway, have anyone here ever experienced a fight with their opposite sex? I mean, physical fight? Well, if you asked me, i did. It was just happened out of feelings, i guess. I was in grade school, maybe grade 5? Thinking about it again, it is a real laughing matter to me now.  To be honest, i cant remember the reason or the cause of that unforgettable event of mine. That is the first and last.

I am an introverted kid ever since, but sometimes, I guess, i dont know... maybe I got out of patience that time. I cant say who is right and wrong, and just reminiscing on it. The sittting arrangement back then was made of rows. one row consists of two chairs together. (left for boys, and right for girls).  and unfortunately, the one I have been with is someone who loves troubles, i guess. But I remember that even with  that first encounter, we became friends. kid's mind can blow adult's mind. hahaha

But still, I will still advise that dont look for a fight, and if it can be avoided, avoid it, and if it can set to an amicable talk, then, be it.

DONT FORGET TO VOTE AND/OR FOLLOW

--Isaiah