Duke looked at her, a bit frustrated, but it could not be helped if she needed sleep, although it was worrying to see how much she needed to rest. He stood up and gently positioned her to lie on the seats, pulling her legs from the ground. Richard noticed how her feet were dirty. He thought for a moment before reaching for the blanket. He placed his hand on her ankle and the other on the blanket. The dirt was removed as the golden energy washed her feet. The same energy cut a piece of the blanket and it was reshaped to form soft, delicate shoes on her feet with a thick bottoms. The hair of the Duke turned black when he was done. He covered her with the blanket and sat across her to rest.
During their short, maybe more extended trip, the young princess was sleeping, hugging the blanket tight, feeling strange that this unknown to her warm fur was keeping her warm, making her enjoy every moment under it. Richard remained in his seat with his arms crossed. He would occasionally close his eyes to take a short nap now and then but would check on the princess. They were slowly getting closer to the port city. It was around an hour of drive away from them when the girl woke up. Duke opened his eyes when he heard her move and yawn. He opened his eyes and looked at the princess touching the shoes he had made.
"I hope you do not mind, Princess. I made them while you were sleeping." He spoke to her with a casual tone while keeping his arms crossed.
She just softly smiled. It was the first present someone had given her ever since the war began. Slowly sat properly and ladylike.
Gently brushed using her figures, her long curly hair and placed it behind her ear.
"A-a-are w-we there, y-yet?"
She asked him kindly. There was something different in the tone of her original voice and the one she was using with her magic...The Duke did not miss this small difference. However, he did not pay much attention. The girl had more exciting and concerning abilities.
"We are around one hour from the port. We take a break there as my ship is prepared." He answered her question and looked how he was gazing at the floors. "Is...something wrong?"
He questioned, rather confused by her bow. Her head slowly lifted and faced the young Duke
"N-n-no.."
She assured him until the loud growl from her tiny stomach echoed again. It was cute and funny, but it was only natural for someone to be this hungry. It was only three hours ago that she had not only one but four sandwiches, yet there she was, still carving for more... Such selfishness.
"HM..!"
She hugged herself as she did her best to keep down her complaining stomach and those red cheekbones.
'such an idiot...stooooop.' those thoughts anger her stomach, so as a result was for it to growl louder
Richard looked surprised as he heard the rumbling of her stomach. It was pretty concerning to him to see such appetite. Even in her malnourished state, she should be filled by now. He reached into a compartment and took out a small box and a canteen.
"Here. It is some jerky and water."
He offered her as he placed the box gently on her knees and opened it. The smoky and salty smell hit her nose like a bull. Duke then leaned and closed the canteen that was between her legs.
"You sleep a lot and eat a lot, Princess. I feel we should take you to a healer to examine you. I am concerned those might be symptoms of some illness."
He said as he sat back down on his seat and looked at her, his eyes examining every inch of this petit body, wondering how she could live under the worst circumstances when this beautiful girl was on the battlefield. Suddenly, she held his hand and took a deep breath with a soft smile on her lips
"M-my lovely y-young Duke... T-that is not a-an illness, b-but b-because I w-was left being s-starve for a m-month. It was m-my punishment b-because I-I-I killed a king wh-who tried to r-rape me."
He was surprised when her thin fingers held his hand and her gentle voice spoke sweetly to him the sad story. He looked at their hands, then at her as she explained. Frustration and anger grew in him when she described the origins of her condition. He allowed her to hold him as long as she wanted, but he kept his hand loose.
"I find it repulsive to hear that you were subjected to such treatment. I can promise you nothing of the sort will happen to you while I am your keeper." He spoke with an upset tone. Richard then watched her eat and decided to take his chance. "Princess, do you feel strong enough to talk with me for a brief moment? I find it urgent we discuss the term of your stay in my land." He spoke softer and more politely. Aravis kept eating until his voice stopped her and she tried to hold back her hunger, but it was almost impossible, so she just kind of ignored the fact that he asked her if she had the strength to talk. Duke sighed as he watched her eat like there was no tomorrow. Her hands were moving faster and faster to eat as she finished and had drunk half of the water from the pouch, then cute, small belching from her mouth escaped.
Immediately Aravis covered her mouth and her whole face turned red. The Duke eyes widen. He knew that he was not in place to judge her or scold her for this behavior, so he was left with one option... pretend he did not hear so he wouldn't put her in a difficult position.
"I see, we must deal with your hunger first before any serious conversation can begin. I am afraid all my rations have perished by now. I was not prepared for a companion with such hunger."
He said regretfully. The Duke did not enjoy hearing her stomach growl and he was barely tolerating her eating mannerism. But her circumstances excused her.
"Please try to bear with your discomfort for a little longer. On my ship, your craving for food will be challenged. The food storage is quite vast in my vessel." He said proudly and with a little chuckle. "Do you wish to rest till we arrive?" He asked as he looked at her.
Aravis of Psion was now with a full stomach. It was pure satisfaction for her. His question only misleads her to dark thoughts. Would she hve a cage awaiting for her on the ship? Maybe it would be bigger, better, warmer. But it would still be another cell...A golden one. She had to make sure before she would answered to his question.
"A-am I going t-to have a-another c-cell? I-is g-going to be c-clean...warm...?"
She fearfully questioned him while licking her fingers to clean them from food oil.
"Cell?"
Duke repeated after her, confused about what she was talking about. When he realized she was assuming he would keep her in a cage, like she was before, he immediately wanted to clear things out. However, the girl was already asleep, to his disappointment. Unfortunately for both, Aravis tired body would not let her to stay up for too long. The young girl was lying on the seats and sleeping peacefully. It was a paradise for her to sleep under natural sounds, not those from the basement. Rain... rats eating her raw meat and cheese. She was happy and thankful for those little things that Duke offered her. She would do everything to please him and maybe try to discover ways to control her magic so she could be completely free from all.
He sighed frustrated, as it was clear they really needed to talk, but the girl's weak state was in the way. He placed the blanket on her again, ensuring she was comfortable. After that, he sat down and looked through the window. He made a mental note to remember to prepare a feast for her.
An hour passed peacefully and the carriage entered the port town, where the sounds of merchants and traders were loud and chaotic, like a bee hive. Duke's ship was at the very end of the port... A majestic ship made from black wood and covered with golden decorations. The staff and crew looked from it as the carriage returned.
"Princess, we have arrived."
Duke announced softly, trying to wake her up.
The loud noises woke her up and she immediately jumped from her seat. It was just like the battlefield, but the only difference was those noises were pleasant, no screams of death or fear, no smell of burned skin and woods.
"W-w….A-arrived?"
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