He looked at me for a long moment before letting out another sigh.
Then he gently pulled my hand away from his.
"We made a deal."
His voice was calm as always.
"The place I'm going... doesn't have room for strays."
My eyebrow twitched.
He seriously called me a stray again...
Normally, I would've argued.
But I didn't have the luxury to.
I shook my head desperately.
"Please..."
"I'll find somewhere else to stay. I just... want you to be nearby."
"I don't know anyone here."
"I don't trust anyone here."
"...I'm scared."
The last few words came out as little more than a whisper.
Before I realized it, tears had begun rolling down my cheeks.
He looked up at the evening sky, remaining silent for what felt like forever.
Finally, he sighed again.
"...Fine."
I looked up hopefully.
"But you'll pay me back somehow."
"Nothing in this world comes for free."
A smile slowly spread across my face.
"I promise."
He turned around.
"Then quit crying and let's go."
I hurried after him, unable to hide my excitement.
As we walked along the old dirt road, he explained that there was a nearby market town where we could buy proper clothes and something to eat.
I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
"Umm... there's one problem."
"I don't have any money."
Actually...
I don't even know what kind of money people use in this world.
"I'll pay."
He answered so casually it caught me off guard.
"I'll add it to your debt."
"...My debt keeps getting bigger."
"It does."
"...You're seriously scary."
"I know."
I couldn't stop myself from laughing.
---
After walking for a while, Skull suddenly stopped in front of an empty cottage.
"Wait here."
"I'm going to ask where the nearest market is."
"I'll come with you."
"No."
I puffed my cheeks.
"Why not?"
Without looking at me, he replied,
"You're exhausted."
"...Your feet are red."
I froze.
Slowly, I looked down.
Sure enough...
The bottoms of my feet were bright red from walking all day.
He noticed...?
He actually noticed?
"Be a good girl."
"Stay here."
"I'll be back."
"...Okay."
I watched him walk away until he disappeared down the road.
After that, I walked up to the cottage and tried opening the door.
Locked.
"...Just my luck."
With nothing else to do, I sat on the small wooden porch.
I picked up a stick and absentmindedly began drawing random shapes in the dirt to pass the time.
Every now and then, I looked around.
Rows of timber-framed cottages with white plaster walls and dark wooden beams stretched along the quiet road. Their roofs were covered in thick golden straw, and little vegetable gardens surrounded many of the homes. Chickens wandered freely while a few goats grazed nearby.
The entire village looked exactly like the medieval drawings I'd spent hours staring at in my old school's library.
It still didn't feel real.
I really...
Had been reincarnated into another world.
...
Clank.
Clank.
Clank.
The rhythmic sound of metal striking metal pulled me from my thoughts.
I looked up.
Five knights in full armor were marching through the village.
Their armor was much bulkier than Skull's.
It looked heavy and rigid.
Skull's armor, on the other hand, somehow looked sleeker... cooler.
One of the knights suddenly slowed to a stop.
The other four continued marching ahead.
He changed direction and walked straight toward me.
When he was only a few steps away, he removed his helmet.
Messy sandy-brown hair fell over his forehead.
He had thick eyebrows and sharp brown eyes.
The moment he saw me...
He froze.
Then a smile slowly appeared on his face.
"Good afternoon, my lady."
His tone was surprisingly polite.
"I must admit, I did not expect to find such a beautiful young lady sitting here alone."
I blinked.
"...Beautiful?"
Did...
Did he just call me beautiful?
He stepped a little closer, studying my face.
"Your blue eyes are truly remarkable."
"And your features are exceptionally delicate."
"Were you dressed in garments befitting a noble lady, one might easily mistake you for a princess."
I just stared at him.
Wait...
So I'm... not ugly?
Then his smile changed.
Something about it suddenly made me uncomfortable.
"If you would accompany me for but a single evening," he said with confidence, "I can reward you with more gold than you could spend in a lifetime."
"I also possess lands and influence."
"I serve as one of the highest-ranking knights within the Royal Palace."
I immediately took a step back.
"No, thank you."
His smile disappeared.
He reached forward and grabbed my wrist.
"I asked you politely."
His grip tightened.
"But should I decide otherwise..."
"I can simply take you."
Pain shot through my arm.
"Ow!"
"L-Let go!"
He only squeezed harder.
"You belong to me now."
"Outside the Capital, the authority of a knight is absolute."
"No commoner would dare oppose me."
He began dragging me away.
I dug my heels into the ground with everything I had.
He laughed.
With ridiculous ease, he lifted me onto his shoulder.
"So light..."
"So fragile."
He chuckled as he carried me toward the forest we'd only just left behind.
"Help!"
I screamed as loudly as I could.
"Somebody, help me!"
The knight laughed again.
"It is pointless."
"No villager would dare leave their home."
"And none would be foolish enough to challenge a knight."
I looked toward the cottages.
Every single door remained shut.
Every window stayed closed.
No one came.
No one...
