"Your Highness! Your Highness! Can you slow down a little?!"
Zuzu struggled under the weight of the goods on his back, nearly tripping over his own feet as he tried to keep up with the prince. With his long strides, the prince moved effortlessly through the dense forest path even with those goods tied to his back, while Zuzu and the guards trailing behind were in a miserable state.
some clutching onto tree trunks for support, others using sticks to steady themselves, and a few barely dragging their legs, all panting from exhaustion.
The prince, continued walking at the same brisk pace.
"It's getting dark and moreover aren't you the one who said we needed to reach the capital as soon as possible?" he remarked, not ready to stop.
Zuzu wheezed, gasping for air. "B-But still! Can't we slow down just a little? And more importantly, why did Your Highness insist on traveling on foot instead of using the water route? And through the forest path of all places?!"
"The water route would take at least seven days just to reach the main city let alone the imperial capital. Traveling by land is faster."
Zuzu groaned and yanked out a map tucked in his sleeve, scanning it quickly before protesting, "Then we could've gone through Nadha Village if you were so set on traveling by land! Why didn't we—"
"Nadha Village has demon activity at night, and with the upcoming festival preparations, it'll be too crowded. Taking this route through the forest is the best option. we'll reach Reikoku city faster this way and then take shelter there."
Zuzu froze in place, his face turning pale. "Your Highness! You're not avoiding risk,you're walking straight into it! This forest itself is a demon's lair, and the—"
Before he could finish, the prince quickened his pace even more, forcing Zuzu to break into a run, his protests turning into desperate cries.
"Reikoku City?! That place has even grander festival preparations than Nadha! T-This is madness, Your Highness!"
————
"You're not joking, are you? You really have the same birthday as His Highness the crown prince? Astra, you're so lucky!"
Arisu had been repeating the same thing all day. Even now, as they walked through the bustling market street, she trailed behind Astra, still in disbelief.
The city was more crowded than usual, shimmering with festive decorations. Stalls overflowed with rare goods, vibrant fabrics, and trinkets, while merchants called out to passing customers. Restaurants had lines stretching for meters, eager to taste the special dishes prepared only during the festival season.
Astra, however, did her best to ignore Arisu's relentless excitement. She had already heard the same question over a hundred times.
Pretending not to hear, she kept her eyes on the festivities, scanning the various stalls. If only there were a potion to make Arisu finally shut up.
"Ya! Here, here! All the young ladies, come take a look at these newly arrived hairpins imported straight from the capital! Come, come! And young men, don't miss out get one for your fiancée, your mother, or even your secret love!"
The voice of an old merchant rang through the bustling market. His stall was filled with an array of intricate hairpins, shimmering under the lantern lights.
Arisu's eyes lit up as she spotted the display. Without hesitation, she rushed toward the stall, completely forgetting Astra behind.
The merchant, upon recognizing her, beamed and immediately pointed in her direction.
"Aren't you the youngest daughter of Defense Minister Kaneko? Welcome, Miss! An honor to have you here! Please, take a look at our finest collection!"
Arisu scanned the selection as the merchant eagerly presented a variety of hairpins. Yet, none caught her eye until her gaze landed on one.
A delicate hairpin adorned with pearls, its craftsmanship so intricate and elegant that it stood out from the rest.
The merchant, noticing her interest, smiled knowingly.
"Ah, this one… a rare piece, indeed. The pearls are so precious that even nobles from the imperial capital offer double the price to obtain it. They say only those truly blessed by fortune can possess such a treasure."
That was all Arisu needed to hear. Blessed by fortune? Then obviously, she wanted to have it.
Without hesitation, she reached out for the hairpin. But before her fingers could grasp it, another hand got there first.
Arisu's eyes twitched as she slowly turned to see the owner of the hand. Her sharp glare met not just one but three pairs of equally piercing eyes.
A girl in front of her was adorned in lavish jewelry, seemed like she belonged to that noble the merchant earlier mentioned.
Behind her stood two others, one on each side, both rolling their eyes as if already dismissing Arisu. Yet The girl before her wore the same expression tense at first, then shifting into a smirk. she lifted the hairpin and examined it under the light, before turning back to her.
"It would be a shame," the girl mused, her tone laced with mockery, "if such a rare treasure fell into the hands of just anyone… when it was clearly meant to be a decoration for the most blessed person with fortune….like me."
The merchant's face lit up with recognition.
"Oh! Miss Kogane! What a fortunate day the daughters of both the defense minister and the finance minister have come to our stall!"
Arisu's expression soured the moment she heard it.
Maihima…
She turned to glare at the girl, who smirked while holding the hairpin.
"Who are you calling just anyone?" Arisu snapped. "And most blessed? Look who's making that claim. Give it back. I was the one who laid my eyes first."
Maihima's smirk vanished, her eyes flashing with fury.
"What are you yapping about, huh? Watch your mouth in front of our leader!"
The girl to her right snapped, while the one on the left added,
"You dared to show disrespect by questioning her? How bold!"
"Miaomiao, Meimei." Maihima called out her voice smooth, One of the girls immediately handed her a fan, which she lazily flicked open, waving it.
"Looks like someone forgot their place," she mused. "Your status comes after ours, yet suddenly, you've grown the nerve to talk back. Is this really the same girl we knew?" She let out a soft laugh. "How much you've changed in just a month of my absence… I wonder what gave you such courage."
Her gaze darkened slightly as she continued, "Ah… Could it be because you've been spending too much time with that troublemaker?"
Miaomiao scoffed. "I heard she got punished again. This time, she's included too!"
Meimei gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "My heavens! First, trying to burn down the hall… then to deceiving the master! All because of befriending a nomad? She's ruining her family's reputation!"
Meanwhile, Astra noticed Arisu was missing and started looking for her. Hearing Arisu's frustrated voice nearby, she quickly headed toward the source.
Not willing to tolerate it any longer, Arisu shot a glare at them and yelled,
"Don't you dare talk about her like that! At least she isn't like you two, clinging to your so-called leader like bedbugs on bed just to gain benefits. And yes, I got the courage to talk back now so don't think you can bully me again! Or have you forgotten how she taught you a lesson the last time you teased me?"
Astra, hearing it from a distance, immediately recognized the voices and quickened her pace.
"Hoho, look who's back and causing drama again. Did someone mention me?" She swung her sleeves casually as she stepped beside Arisu, who was still fuming. Meanwhile, the three girls visibly paled at Astra's presence.
"You—y-you! What are you doing here?!" Miaomiao stammered, only to be kicked in the leg by Meimei, who shot her a glare.
"Hey, Miaomiao, it's been a while." Astra waved at her with a smile, but Miaomiao quickly turned away, pretending not to see her.
Maihima, swung her fan and spoke,
"we're not here to cause any drama. It's Arisu instead. All because she wants the hairpin I have in my hands."
Astra glanced at the hairpin, then at Arisu, who immediately spoke up.
"I was the first to see it! I was about to buy it, and she interrupted me before I could!"
"But I grabbed it first," Maihima said smoothly. "Just seeing something doesn't mean it's yours. What matters is having the ability to claim it."
Seeing the rising tension, the merchant, who had been silently observing, took the opportunity to step in, rubbing his hands together eagerly.
"Now, now, no need to fight, young ladies. I have a simple solution. whoever offers the highest price gets the hairpin."
"Agreed!" Maihima said without hesitation.
Arisu hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Agreed!"
Astra sighed, knowing exactly where this was heading. The bidding began as the hairpin was placed in front of them.
"I'll pay 100 silver coins," Arisu said confidently while Maihima and her two tails burst into laughter.
"100 silver? I'll pay 101 gold coins," Maihima smirked, Arisu didn't back down. "200 gold coins." Maihima snapped her fingers lazily yawning.
"301 gold coins."
Arisu raised her hand. "500 gold coins."
The crowd around them had grown. Astra sat down, watching the ongoing bidding. The situation had already attracted the attention of passersby after all, who wouldn't be curious about the daughters of two wealthy ministers arguing over a hairpin? just as the excitement peaked, everyone was stunned at Maihima's next words.
"Then I'll pay double 1,000 gold coins."