Page 20
“Both of your expressions indicate that you have witnessed a battle,” Kaera says with a smile on her lips.
Hilarious, Cael signs, rolling his eyes.
“I do not think it is nice to speak upon battle in such manner,” Elara says, her voice low.
Cael and Kaera look her way with surprise. Evidently, his wife does not appreciate dark humor. He exchanges a glance with Kaera, who raises her eyebrows in response. They each offer a nod, a silent agreement to respect her boundaries.
Cael steps down the stairs and approaches the towering white steed, using the physical routine of checking the leather reins to calm his racing thoughts. He keeps his back turned to Elara.
Kaera watches from her saddle, her gaze shifting between Elara’s soft expression and Cael’s rigid posture. Adjusting her seat, she points her horse toward the main thoroughfare. “If we are finished at the clothier’s establishment, we should proceed to the lower square. The marketplace vendors are waiting for our inspection before the afternoon cold settles.”
Cael mounts Snow, his knuckles turning bloodless against the leather as he extends his bare, callused hand down to her. Elara places her palm in his, the small touch of her skin sending a jolt through him as he lifts her back onto the saddle behind his frame. He remains unused to the softness, his body freezing at the contact.
As they continue to move forward, exploring their duties while letting Elara study the path with her eyes, Cael adjusts his position to give Elara the space she needs. He has not missed the way she has flinched away from him over the last two days.
No doubt she hates him already.
Cael stops himself, realizing he is being far too harsh upon her. He saw the sheer fear in her eyes when her father was in the chamber back in Veyrenn, and the way she relaxed during those rare moments the king was gone. Perhaps she is simply being distant to protect herself, studying him from afar until she is sure he is safe, much like he is doing with her. Though for entirely different reasons.
They arrive at the lower square where the vendors and small shop owners are waiting for the royal inspection. Around this area, Cael feels more confident. Here, he is more respected, having helped the people many times. It is specifically named Raeverband Market, in the main area where larger buildings and stores remain in Raeverband.
Except the place where Cael feels the most at ease is in chaos. A group of people and families stare from their shops and homes, eyes wide and gasps of surprise. Some of them form into a group, attempting to stop a tall butchering yelling at a small boy.
“You thieving, conniving piece of refuse! You thought you could steal from me and I would not notice?” he groans, one hand grasping onto the boy’s shirt collar.
“I did not, I swear!” the boy pleads. “I am telling you, I saw a cat snatch it and it ran away.”
The butcher steps directly into the boy’s face, his features twisted in unhinged rage. “Show me your pockets, boy! Prove your innocence!”
Before any of the guards can intervene to stop the violent chaos and release the kid, the butcher raises his free hand to physically harm the young boy. Cael leaps from Snow’s saddle and rushes toward them. He grabs the man’s arm, lunging forward. Then, he twists the man’s hand away, glaring at him. Storming grey eyes into shocked blue.
“Your Highness,” the man stammers.
The soldiers jump from their mounts, immediately checking on the little boy. Cael gives the butcher one final glare before tossing his arm away and turning to inspect the child himself. The boy’s eyes are wide with tears, his cheeks bright red. He appears to be only around nine years old. One of the guards speaks to him on behalf of Cael so the child can understand.
“Are you all right?” a guard asks in a gentler tone.
The boy’s eyes drift from the soldier to Cael, his head shaking frantically. “Please do not take me away, Prince. I have never stolen anything. I am not a criminal, I know better!”
Kaera slips from her horse, bending in front of the child with a soft expression while Elara remains on Snow. “That man will never harm you again. He will face his consequences.”
The boy only inclines his head, the fear lingering across his face. Cael pats the child’s shoulder, reassuring him without words before he turns and signs to the soldiers. Apprehend him.
Obeying the command, the guards take the butcher and guide him away as instructed.
“Will I still get into trouble?” the young boy asks.
Cael tilts his head down, his expression softening. Hoping the boy will not flinch or run away, he kneels down to meet the child’s height and offers him a reassuring smile. He shakes his head in the negative, his singular dimple on his right cheek evident.
Kaera steps beside them with an encouraging grin. “Here,” she says, handing the boy a piece of a cocoa bar.
The boy offers a shy smile and takes the bar. “Thank you, Prince and Princess.” He turns away, finding a quiet corner to rest in peace.
Kaera chuckles before turning to Cael, her eyebrows furrowing. “I cannot believe anyone, let alone a grown man, could harm a child. Even if the boy did steal.”
Cael nods. He turns to find Elara’s gaze locked onto him, a small, genuinely pleased smile gracing her lips. The approval in her expression is unmistakable. The moment she notices his eyes tracking her, she averts her gaze, her smile disappearing.
Cael turns away, hiding a smile. Forcing his stern composure to return, his hands move to face his sister. We must complete our rounds, he signs to Kaera. He scans the square, noting the many vendors who still wait for his assistance.
