I pushed open the carriage door and stepped inside.
The plush velvet seats and intricate wooden paneling seed to absorb the sunlight filtering through the drawn curtains.
I noticed that there was a faint scent of lavender that lingered in the air, a delicate fragrance that the typical noble could afford.
And then I saw her.
Audrey was curled up in the corner, her knees drawn to her chest, her head buried in her arms.
Her pale blue hair cascaded around her like a silken waterfall, obscuring her face from view.
She looked so small, so vulnerable. I knew I ssed up, but I don't even think food could fix this.
Carefully, I approached her with the small brown box of skewered at in my hand.
"Hey..."
I reached out and gently tapped her shoulder.
Audrey's head shot up and her eyes widened as she saw standing before her.
For a mont, she simply stared at .
I couldn't make out her expression but it I could guess it was sothing that looked a lot like panic.
"What... uh... what are you doing here?" she stamred and sniffled.
I noticed a tear tracing a path down her cheek and I could feel my heart clenched.
I really did upset her.
"I just wanted to say sorry," I mumbled, extending the box towards her. "Here."
When I presented the box to Audrey, she hesitated, flickering between the box and my face.
Am I really that hard to look at?
Seeing her act like this made feel uneasy.
Slowly, she lifted her head and took the offering.
As she opened the lid, the rich aroma of grilled at filled the carriage, montarily dispelling the lingering tension.
GRR...
My stomach rumbled in response. Shit...
This couldn't get any worse, could it?
I turned away, desperate to hide my awkwardness.
Smooth, Julian... Real smooth...
Just as I was about to make a hasty retreat, Audrey's voice stopped in my tracks.
"I won't forgive you if you don't stay here,"
Just as my hand was right over the carriage door, I ended up freezing from her words.
Was it or is it starting to get cold...
I felt a faint, icy energy brushing against my back, making my muscles stiffen.
Was she instinctively using her powers?
Well, I can't run now.
Slowly, I turned back to face her.
Audrey's teary eyes were gone and replaced by a determined look.
She plucked a skewer from the box and held it out towards .
"I also won't forgive you if you don't eat this and call by my na."
Huh?
I was even more confused by words.
"You never even told your na."
I pointed out, unable to help the slight edge of annoyance in my voice.
Audrey's eyes widened, and a faint blush crept up her cheeks.
"Oh," she whispered, and her gaze focused elsewhere.
"I... I suppose I didn't."
Ehem...
She cleared her throat and, in a voice shy voice, she murmured.
"...Audrey. Audrey Zayla."
"Nice to et you, Audrey," I replied with a genuine smile.
"I'm Julian Ryker Uzziel. You can call by my last na, middle, or first. I don't really care."
I took a bite of the skewered at, savoring the flavorful juices that bursted onto my tongue.
It was delicious, a perfect blend of spices and tender at.
As I chewed, I extended my open hand towards her. I was hoping to shake her hand so I could be forgiven.
But... Audrey stared at my hand, almost puzzled as if she hadn't seen anything like this before.
That's when I realized that my casual approach might not be the customary greeting for a princess.
So, thinking quickly, I wiped my mouth, and I gently took her hand in mine and knelt before her, lowering my gaze respectfully.
smooch...
I brought her hand to my lips and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles.
"It's a pleasure to be in your presence, Lady Audrey,"
I gave my most sincere voice, and Audrey suddenly gasped.
***
10 minutes later...
"Um... I apologize if I spoke in a way that was botherso," Audrey said, lowering her head respectfully towards Julian, who sat across from her in the carriage.
"It's fine. I didn't an to raise my voice earlier," he replied, scratching the back of his head.
"So, are you a commoner, like most of the people in this village?"
Her words hit Julian hard, but he understood her lack of common sense from her sheltered upbringing.
"Yes, unfortunately so," he replied. "I apologize if my status bothers you."
"What do you an? There's nothing wrong with being a commoner."
Julian's eyebrows shot up.
He sensed sothing was wrong. This was out of character for Audrey.
"I'm of Marquis status," she continued, "but I recall my mother saying it's only a title..."
"I see..."
Julian finished his skewer and noticed Audrey was only halfway through hers.
RUMBLE...RUMBLE...RUMBLE...
Suddenly, the carriage began to shake.
"Did you feel that, Julian?"
"I'm afraid so."
Although his body felt calm, he knew that sothing was off.
BOOM!
The carriage door burst open, and a long, silver blade pierced the air.
Julian reacted just in ti, pulling his head back to avoid the attack.
"Kid, I don't think anyone said you could enter the carriage."
Benard stepped inside and his hood fell back to partially reveal his face.
"...!"
What the? Is that...
"Stop!"
A voice broke through the tense silence between Julian and Benard.
"I invited him inside."
Audrey stood up, defending Julian, hoping to de-escalate the situation.
"Is that so?"
"Yes..."
Benard sighed, exasperated, as he looked at Julian.
"Kid, you gotta be careful. Entering another person's carriage is an act of trespassing."
"Really?" Julian looked at Benard as he sheathed his blade.
"Indeed, depending on your standing in this world, so people may not have let you off as easily as I have. So please, don't do sothing like this again."
He's right, but I didn't think entering a carriage was this bad?!
"Okay, I'm sorry." Julian bowed towards Benard.
Haah.... as he looked towards Julian he pald his face, feeling guilty about scolding a kid like him.
"Don't worry, I know you didn't an it."
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