My quill dropped from my trembling hand and was instantly lost in the busy market streets. However, I didn’t care one bit. I simply stood slack jawed, watching this …man? haggle with the owner of a produce stall.

It was inconceivable, unthinkable. After so much effort, so much investigation, I found him in the same manner that you might find a friend who was lost in a crowd.

“Ah, sir!” I flagged him down just as he was about to leave the stall.

“…Yes?” He was barely audible in this busy street. Although you’d expect him to be, with his face thoroughly wrapped in black cloth. 

“You’re the storyteller, aren’t you?”

“Yep.”

Yes! I silently rejoiced. Not that I needed confirmation when he wore that ridiculous getup.

“Um, do you have a name you’d prefer to use or…?” I quickly stole a glance at his purchase. He carried a modest bag that was filled entirely with apples. There was an impressive variety among them, certainly more choices than one stall could offer.

“No other name.” The storyteller gave a half-hearted shrug.

I blinked. During the night he seemed to be much more…lively.

“Can I talk with you? It concerns some of your stories.”

“Sure.” He replied. The storyteller led me to a quiet street and then stopped suddenly. He turned around and looked at me with an unreadable expression. After a few seconds I realized it was my turn to speak.

“S-so…I think I should introduce myself.” I pulled out another quill along with some blank parchment. “My name is Leonard Keys and I’m a humble servant of the eldest prince. I’ve been searching for you on his request.”

He nodded but that was the extent of his reaction.

“The prince has heard many rumors about you and your stories.” I stared at the blank parchment and then hastily put it away along with my spare quill. Then I rummaged through my bag and retrieved a gilded letter.

“…?” He cocked his head in interest. It was the first emotion he’d shown so far.

“This is a formal invitation from the prince. He wishes to hear your stories in person.” I handed him the letter but he shook his head.

“No.”

“Um, this is an invitation from royalty. You can’t just…” I trailed off, remembering something important. How could I have forgotten my instructions for this exact scenario? After some searching I produced another letter and handed it to him. It was titled ‘If the storyteller refuses’.

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“Can’t go.” The storyteller wouldn’t take it.

“Even I don’t know what this one says. Please just read it.” I sighed in relief when he opened it up.

“Greetings, mysterious storyteller. I’m a little sad that you refused to meet me.” The storyteller read it aloud. He even lowered his voice in what I assume was an impression of the prince. It was disturbingly accurate.

“Are you really reading this out loud? Here?” I wished to ask. However, it was only my job to hand him the letter. Even if he burned it, it was not my place to complain. 

“Once I learned that Leonard managed to find you, I forced him to send me paraphrased versions of your stories.”

My aching hand and lack of proper rest can attest to that. After attending his stories, I continued to stay up and write down every detail I could remember.

“So far I’ve received the first advent in its entirety and I am deeply disturbed. After some investigation I was able to confirm that there is a lord under my father who holds the name ‘Vast’. After hearing of you in rumors, I thought there might be some truth to your stories but I never expected you to reference actual people and places.”

The storyteller paused for a second. I searched his expression but once again gleaned nothing. Then he coughed and continued reading as though nothing had happened.

“It seems that you are too cautious to appear before me. Maybe you think you know something? It doesn’t really matter. Just know that I have a good idea about your true identity. Even if you refuse me, I’m sure that we’ll meet in the near future.”

The storyteller lowered the letter. Without a word he handed it back to me and turned to leave.

“W-wait! Is it really a good idea to ignore the prince?” I stammered. He didn’t turn around so I pulled on his sleeve. “If you agree to meet him now then we can pretend like you never read that letter.”

“It’s fine. I read it.” He pulled away…or at least tried to. This man’s strength couldn’t rival a strong breeze. Sighing, he turned to me. “I’ll see you tonight, Leonard.”

I let go and he left without looking back. Sometimes it’s impossible for me to understand the prince. Though, it might be even more difficult to understand this man. I stuffed the letter back inside my bag and resigned myself to another busy night.

Why couldn’t he just accept? I lamented. Ah, I want to sleep.