The semi-concrete roads of the town were almost void of residents.
Lianne and Lenora passed from one store to another only to find that the stores were either closed for the day or the vendors were with the procession.
The town looked like it had gotten through the battery of time.
Some of the structures had cracks on the edges, some had their paint fading, and others covered by moss. When they reached the plaza of the town, Lianne saw a statue of the late king build in the center of the fountain. She cringed at the sight of it.
“This statue would become memorabilia soon enough, but never will this be brought down. His son wouldn’t allow it,” the princess whispered low whilst staring at the statue forty meters high.
The plaza constituted of a natural wide lake. It was surrounded by mainly red oak trees and pines that grow to high lengths.
The brick pavements guided visitors to mainly eight garden pergolas surrounding the fountain, and a stone bridge to cross the moat that was connecting the lake.
From the east side, there situated was a royal bell tower and parallel to it, a few kilometers away was the clock tower.
The town was truly one that benefited Garlow’s victories for it flourished based upon the various manpower available to the people.
It had a blacksmith, smelter, a glassblower, a tailor for artistry, a studio for decorations and costumes, a clockmaker, jeweler’s shop, a butcher, and beyond the boundary of the town located a mill, fishery, farmhouse, and a royal observatory each in its well-built place.
The princess wasn’t able to miss out also the royal library and an opera house when they headed back to Lenora’s house.
It was her first time being in a different place other than the mansion, so she felt remarkably liberated.
When passing the market of the town, Lianne’s attention was caught in a simple set of stashed things in a table owned by a fat, modest vendor in his mid-fifties.
He was wearing a torn hat and by the time Lianne and her companion stood at his front, he gently bowed low in adoration of her beauty.
“My Lady, what do I have to be worthy of your attention?”
“Good day to you Sir, you have quite a stash of things right he–” Lianne suddenly stopped.
The old man smiled but was somehow perplexed.
“Do you like something, My Lady?”
Lianne nodded in response and pointed directly at an old wooden frame with a picture inside it.
It showed a boy of school age, wearing a black-green suit adorned with a crest of unknown origin.
The color of the suit perfectly matched the green in his eyes, but the way his eyes looked was haunting. It was soft, without malice and insensitivity. Lianne instantly knew who the boy was.
“It is Prince Ruen, My Lady, when he was still ten years old,” the vendor explained.
“I… I took hold of such a picture when I was scavenging around the mansion’s… well… ahh… garbage.”
He stopped, then gently lowered his head in embarrassment.
“Do pardon me for my lack of propriety, but I feel I am not one to make up false stories or even lie to such a beautiful maiden like you, My Lady.”
“She is the prin-” Lenora butted in, but Lianne quickly patted her head, stopping the girl from revealing her true identity.
The young girl gave a deep sigh however and turned her own attention to the trinkets across the table.
“Its alright Sir. I do understand. Would you allow me then to purchase the picture and the frame?”
“Oh! No My Lady!” the man voiced out loudly.
Lianne was taken aback by his quick response.
“I could never let you purchase such a worn-out picture! This one doesn’t have a price in it worthy of your money, but please can you accept this one as a gift instead?”
Lianne warmly smiled at the old man and said, “You are too kind Sir, but please, let me help such a good fellow like you by purchasing such a valuable object in your hands.”
The old man paused as if thinking deeply. He bowed his head again and replied, “If you insist My Lady.”
“Thank you, Sir,” the princess noted.
“I’m afraid I do not have any paper bag for you to clutch into My Lady. Would you allow me to deliver the picture then to the mansion if you would permit it?”
“Huh?!” Lianne was surprised by his question.
“How do you know I am living in the mansion?”
The old man smiled in a silly way.
“Well, for a lady of your beauty, I do not think you would be suited to live in our little town here. You surely fit in the grand palace, so I assumed you stayed there.”
“Oh.” She smiled in relief.
“But My Lady, considering the burial of the late king, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be allowed to set foot on even the main gate of the mansion. Would it be okay for you if I’ll just deliver the picture two days from now?”
Lianne dissected the gravity of his words. Two days from now would be too long, but procuring the picture frame was something she must do. She couldn’t deny that the picture had drawn her attention. But, if she’d wait that long, then it would mean…
“Yes.” Lianne finally answered in a low hesitant voice.
“My Lady?” the vendor queried, eyebrows furrowed as he hadn’t heard her clearly.
Lianne stared at the picture again and answered, this time sure of herself. “Yes. Of course, Sir, that would just be fine.”
***
The sky was dimmer when Lianne arrived at the mansion.
Arinna was instantly assisted by Paul to the stable while she continued to her chamber. The halls felt unusually quiet, but it didn’t surprise her.
Her dinner was already ready when she finished her bath. Her routines at the mansion were still the same, but there was truly a sense of fulfillment in herself when she pondered on her visit in the town this afternoon.
She longed to be back tomorrow again and explore more of the life she had never experienced, and maybe by then, she would be able to decide whether to leave or stay.
The moon was bright and full when she stepped outside the balcony after her dinner.
It was a windy night.
She enjoyed the fresh air tickling her skin; however, it made her shiver due to the coldness of it. What warmed her body up was when she inadvertently stared at a certain dark balcony on the third floor.
She gazed at it while unconsciously thought of the man in which every night stood there.
He was not present this night, but she expected that already.
She gave a deep sigh, then continued to enter her bedroom.
That night, her dream started with the memory of the boy’s eyes in the picture. What woke her up from slumber was the same eyes close to her face, almost like caressing her in the dark, and she absolutely felt naked beneath them.