Chapter 433: The Emperor’s Daughter 433
It was fun to see the artworks, but the most interesting ones were the buildings. I go to see many strange buildings; perhaps more structures would rise in a few years.
We needed to build such things in Agrigient!
Of course, the first thing we had to do was visit the paG.o.da. After taking the city tour and breaking away with the party, I came to the tower alone. Since it was a well-known place, there was a high possibility that my ident.i.ty would be revealed, so I didn’t bring my companions with me.
There was nothing special about entering a tower with guards after Ahin spoke to them. Looking at the inside of the building, I wondered if the interior was unexpectedly ahead of Agrigient.
When I arrived, I was waiting near the window until Ahin came. It was the first time I had ever seen such a tall building. Of course, there were too many such structures here; this place wasn’t the only one, but it was the highest building in the city and offered a broad view.
“Woah, this is great!”
The view of Bruges was so beautiful. There were small towers all over the city as if they were stars.
These were the views that everyone would like to see at least once in their lives.
Ferdel had told me that he would come to such a place hand in hand with Silvia.
“May I ask what you are seeing?”
Ouch. I almost tripped upon hearing the voice. Ahin grabbed my waist to prevent me from falling, but it was more difficult for me to fall into his arms.
“Ah, thanks.”
“Be careful.”
My cheeks were red for no reason. The other person was just another child, but my heart wouldn’t stop beating loudly. I bit my lip to hold onto my excitement. However, Ahin seemed puzzled.
‘Ah, why is my body acting like this?’
I coughed and sat down. I felt terrible for showing that side of me, but I was convinced that he didn’t notice.
As I sat down, Ahin, too, sat on the sofa. The fluffy sofa was comfortable to sit on. It was really fluffy. Seeing how I touched the couch, Ahin smiled.
“I see that you can’t take your eyes off it.”
“Yeah?”
Did I look stupid?
I had nothing to say apart from a smile.
Why did I feel like a kid in front of this person? Maybe Ahin knew so much that made me feel intimidated by him.
Wait, this was similar to when I was younger.
“Was the view nice?”
“Yes, the city is beautiful.”
I grinned. I had been around for a couple of days, but this city was just the best; it didn’t fail my expectations.
It was good to see the facilities in the city that were beyond my imagination. I knew that the water and sewage system and infrastructures were sound, but the sanitation and security were the best. Above all, the fact that the city buildings looked like art was the best thing about Bruges.
“Of all, I think that the tower is a work of art which would remain in history.”
Ahin smiled as I said that. He smiled a lot, but as I watched him, I realized that he was the kind who would share his smile with others.
I hated myself for thinking that.
“May I ask why you’re frowning?”
‘It’s because of you, you man!’
However, as a reasonable person, I didn’t say that out loud. I glanced around again.
In Ancief, the walls were mostly made of wood, so I a.s.sumed that the rain would rot them down, but Bruges’ buildings were of stone, which gave me a different concern.
How much would the decorations have cost?
Looking at the murals and the statues on the exterior building, I couldn’t stop wondering. Agrigient’s structural style was stone, so I wanted to take one craftsman from here and build a pretty building in my country. Of course, the interior design done by our artisans was the best.
Still, the exterior design seemed different, so wouldn’t it be better to take an experienced one from here? Thinking so, I opened my mouth.
“I was just thinking, how much would it cost to build?”
“Well, I heard it was a lot.”
“Really? How about the building decorations?”
“When it comes to labor costs, I didn’t hear much.”
Indeed, this was a thorough job.
I felt terrible even though I knew how much it would cost. After all, this was the kind of art that was difficult to earn. Even in Bruges, where culture and art bloom, such structures were a treat.
With my chin on my hand, I was in deep thoughts when Ahin laughed. Seeing Ahin laughing was a rare thing, which made me feel doubtful if I heard it. What was the reason?
“Why are you laughing?”
“Because you are cute.”
“I am?”
I was the one shocked at the answer he gave. What did he just say to me? Cute?
“Where are you going?”
“I don’t know.”
“…”
Eeh, he just said I was cute, though.
I had nothing to say about it, so I looked blank as I got up. Seeing that, Ahin anxiously spoke.
“Your hair brings in a lot of attention.”
“That is why I wear a robe.”
“Even your appearance is noticeable.”
“…”
What could it have meant? Did I stand out from the crowd?
Before blaming me and my appearance, I wanted him to look at himself, but I didn’t want to crush his spirit, so I let him speak.
“Even after walking around like this, no one seems to have noticed you.”
“I know.”
It was a little strange for me too.
Some of us wore tight robes, and more than anything, a.s.sisi and Valer were the noticeable ones, so maybe I wasn’t given too much attention.
Honestly, I had the most famed appearance on the continent. Anyone with little feet and red eyes would be recognized as the royalty of Agrigient. I even wanted to dye my hair, but it was c.u.mbersome, and above all, the dye I placed didn’t even work on my hair! I could have brought a striking shade, but I didn’t have the time to get it, so I just tried to cover myself with a robe.
Once I returned, I would get a dye.
I didn’t know when it would be, but I would dye my hair for the next time I travel. I nodded as I thought to myself, but the gaze which was on me was stinging.
I looked up.
“…?”
As I tilted my head, Ahin smiled.
It was an empty smile.
An eerie feeling.
Sometimes, even people who seemed stiff could make me feel like that. I couldn’t explain it, but I would feel weird around certain people. At that time, the image of how I tried to be an ideal princess would overlap with my current position.
Was it tough for Ahin too?
Even a perfect person could get tired, right?
In that sense, I was fortunate that Ahin seemed comfortable being around me. I didn’t know if it was good or bad. Strangely, I couldn’t help but lose focus when seeing him.
“Ah right, I have news from the capital.”
What news? Since I seemed nervous, Ahin looked down, as if it was bad news.
“It looks like Emperor Caitel is enraged. It was said that he led his army and entered Ancief. Tens of thousands of troops are stationed on the border, and the Emperor’s party has arrived in the capital of Ancief, Lorlen. I heard that even Langres is under the same situation.”
What!?
Suddenly I felt thirsty and drank water. I almost died. Woah, that was crazy! Surely, my dad wouldn’t, no, what the h.e.l.l was he doing?
I felt like I did a great job running away from Ancief. I knew that he wouldn’t stay still, but his reaction was a lot more over-the-top than I thought.
Wait, so that meant that the royal family of Ancief knew I ran away? What an international embarra.s.sment!
What was more urgent than that was that I had to get Sherto fast.
“I need to head to Bureti tomorrow.”
At this speed, it wouldn’t be a shock if dad came over here.
There were a lot of things I had to see, and I couldn’t get caught! I was feeling sorry for my dad, but I wanted to see it.
As I nodded, Ahin asked.
“But may I ask why you intend to go to Bureti?”
“My mother was from Bureti.”
“Ah.”
I just shrugged because that one exclamation told me what he thought.
However, I smiled to hide the bitterness I was feeling. Ahin, who saw me smile without speaking, asked.
“Do you know this?”
“Huh? What?”
“The color of Bureti royalty’s eyes change when they touch a Sherto royalty?”
“Huh? Is that for real?”
I didn’t know that; suddenly, Ahin got up as I was trying to think. What? What was happening? I t.i.tled my head, but Ahin came closer and stood right in front of me.
Uh, huh?
I didn’t know what he was trying to do, so I just stared at him; before I could react, Ahin’s soft lips touched my forehead.
I stiffened under him.
What was it? Ahin was the one who did it, but why was I feeling embarra.s.sed? Uh! Why?! I was too shocked to utter anything, and all I could think about was for the embarra.s.sment to end!
What the h.e.l.l was all this?
“It really does change.”
As he moved back, Ahin smiled.
I wondered if my eyes changed or not. I just bowed, covering my face to hide the blush that crept onto my face.
No, what was all this!? Why! Please explain what I was going through!
I wasn’t sure what I was feeling, but I wanted to die. I tried to hide my reddened face at all costs and held back my tears.
I hated Ahin for smiling, not knowing what I felt.
Was he okay with what he did!?