We left the temptations of the markets as quickly as possible. Usually, I’d go around hunting for rare books to add to my collection, but I didn’t want to risk another encounter with my brother.

As we kept on walking, it was hard not to notice all the attention Haine got. She really did stand out. Whether it was her looks or her clothes, she caught the eye of way too many people. And if it was because of her clothes, I was worried that someone might call the guards on her for indecent exposure. A part of me was kind of embarrassed, but another part was kind of jealous that it wasn’t me getting all that attention. I wasn’t that plain-looking, was I?

Regardless, she kept following me with that same cheery demeanor as always. Either she didn’t notice, or didn’t care. Well, as long as she was happy.

Our next stop was the artisan’s quarter. This section of town was always filled with the sound of burning forges and hammers, all clanging away at their next masterpieces. While I did really want to go around shopping for a new sword, what we were here for was some new clothes. Ones that fit her properly this time.

“So, um, feel free to pick out whatever you like. It’ll be my treat,” I said, as we walked down a street of high-end boutiques. Dresses and clothes fit for a noble. The prices definitely felt like it. This… might take a big chunk out of my budget, but I had already committed to it. Partially as thanks for earlier, but mostly so she had something to wear that let her fit in better. I just had to pray she didn’t choose anything too expensive.

Haine looked on in awe at everything. “Wow… I’ve never seen so many cute outfits before!”

With that being said, she dragged me along from shop to shop, trying on all sorts of clothes. Whether in frilly dresses, elegant suits, adventuring armor, and fancy imported robes, she pulled everything off. She kept asking for my opinion, but I could only keep giving her a thumbs up. I didn’t really understand most people’s obsessions with clothes. Just stick to whatever was most comfortable, right? But after seeing her pull off all those different outfits, I think I kinda got it.

As the hours passed, the shops began to close up as the moon rose overhead. In the end, she decided not to get anything.

“Are you sure you’re fine with that?” I asked. “I mean, you looked great in everything. It would be a shame if you didn’t buy any of them.”

“Ah, thanks, but no thanks,” she replied. “None of ‘em had what I really wanted.” She pointed to someone behind me. It was a student wearing the academy uniform. “I wanted to try wearing something like that.”

“Right. That.” I had almost forgotten. “You can’t get that in any stores. T-that’s only for… for students of the Royal Knight’s Academy.”

“School, huh. Never been to one. Do you think they’d let me borrow a uniform- hey, what’s wrong?” She asked.

I felt something warm run down my cheek. Oh. I see. I was crying. I didn’t even realize. Why? I thought I was over it already, that I’d accepted what happened. Why now? I just…

“I wanted to wear that too.” I tried to wipe away my tears but they kept on flowing. “I-I wanted to pass the exams, and become a knight, and prove to my family that I wasn’t a failure.” I went on and on, choking on my sobs. Everything that I was holding back. “B-but now… even though I know it’s wrong, even though I shouldn’t believe it, I-I keep thinking that maybe… just maybe they were right. That deep down, I’m nothing but a fa-”

I was interrupted by Haine catching me in an embrace. “Hey. Don’t say that kinda stuff.” I could feel her warmth spread across my face as she pulled me tightly into her chest. “You’re still alive, aren’t you? If you’re still out here, trying your hardest, then there’s no way you could be a failure. And you don’t gotta listen to anyone who says otherwise.”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

I stayed there for a moment. Falling into her embrace, feeling her warmth press against me before slowly pulling free. I took a deep breath to calm myself down, taking in the night air. “Thanks. Again.”

“Seriously, no need to thank me. I’m just here doing whatever I want.” She grinned, patting me on the head. “And if you even need another pep talk, I’m always your gal!”

“W-well, um, I appreciate it. B-but, maybe we should move to somewhere more quiet. With, um, less people around,” I quickly added. My face was probably beet red after realizing how many people were staring at us. I had to take back what I thought earlier. I never wanted that kind of attention ever again.

I led her a short while to a small park I had found a while back. A tiny patch of greenery tucked away in a lost corner of the city, overlooking the bay. It was a slice of paradise, just for myself. I often came here for a quiet place to study.

The moon hung high in the sky, brightly illuminating us in its pale gaze. The shine of city lights reflected along the ocean like constellations. Even at night the city of Astraea was still alive. The hum of people clamoring below, the ships docking and departing through the waves, the streetlights that never dimmed; the city never truly slept.

“I’m glad I met you.” That was kind of a strange thing to say out of the blue, but I felt it was appropriate. As we sat under the moonlight, I moved closer and reached for her hand.

She moved closer as well. Too close, actually. She looked straight at me, our noses almost touching. I could feel her warm breath on my lips. I… I mean I didn’t mind, but I still needed some time to prepare for this kinda development.

Her hand moved to cover my mouth. Before I could even react, she pushed me onto the grass, with an uncanny strength. Well, it wasn’t like I tried to stop her. I felt her body overlap mine as we hit the ground together. “Shh. Don’t make a noise,” she whispered.

I-I felt like we skipped some steps somewhere I mean, this was all happening so suddenly, and I didn’t expect her to be so… so… well, forceful.

“There’s been someone tailing us. For a while now, I think. And now that we’re somewhere more remote…” She nudged her shoulder somewhere behind her, but I couldn’t see anyone.

That wasn’t what I was expecting to hear.

“W-what?” I stammered out. Why would anyone be stalking us? “T-they’re not here for me, are they?” The worst case scenario popped into my head. They could’ve been sent by my father to find me. Or worse, my brother, as part of his little revenge. I didn’t think they’d go this far, though. Did they really want to send me back home that much? To trap their little runaway failure, back in her cage?

“Nah. They’re here for me,” she stated matter-of-factly.

“W-who are they?” That was the first I’ve heard of this. She had only been in the city for a few days at this point, but she was already in trouble.

“Eh, I’m not too sure myself.” She shrugged. “If I had to guess… They might be the people who summoned me over here.”

She was saying something ridiculous again. “What do you mean by that?”

“I dunno how to explain it. I woke up last night surrounded by some masked weirdos.” She hesitated, and for the first time seemed tongue tied. “Well, let’s just say I found a way to escape. After wandering around a bit to lose them, I happened to bump into you.”

If even half of that was true, then she was way too calm for what was happening. “S-shouldn’t we call the guards or something?”

“Oh. Huh, never thought about that.” She looked genuinely shocked. “Well, I think it’s too late now. They’re here already.”

I took a deep breath. Even if Haine didn’t realize it, she had already done so much for me. I thought my life ended yesterday. I had spent so much time focusing on getting into that school and succeeding, that I forgot that there was more to experience in life. Much, much more. She helped me realize that. So if someone was out to hurt her, then…

“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you,” My resolve was set. The feeling in my chest was yelling at me to do this.

“...I would tell you not to get involved, but I don’t think anything I say would change your mind.” She gave me a knowing smile, before rolling off of me and crouching behind a nearby bush. “So? What should we do?”

“Just follow my lead.” Even if I was a failure, I still had the training of a proper knight. I had to do this. This was how I could prove myself. For my new friend, and for my own sake.