Her Dark Knight

The Market

The weeks had flown by. The day of her wedding to Prince Alaric was drawing ever closer, so the young pair had spent every possible minute getting to know each other better. Eventually, Lady Kylia had put her foot down and demanded that her best friend spend some time with her. The Duchess Arabella agreed, reluctantly as she wanted to see her dear Prince, but still agreed all the same. 

They had decided to venture out into the city. The last time that Arabella had been able to pass through this part of the Kingdom had been when she was just a small child– still holding tightly onto her mother’s grip as they had travelled the streets in their wagon. 

This time, the two Ladies had decided to walk those same streets, to experience what the real city of Epineio was like. They were accompanied by Igor, who was still in the dog-house with her father, so was not letting the pair out of his sight. 

The streets were bustling with activity, young children running around in circles playing ball games, whilst a group of boys were sat near the entrance of an apothecary playing a game of marbles. Arabella smiled at all that passed her, nodding to a few that pointed at her in shock and turned to their friends.

“Goddess, I don’t think I could ever get used to this. I’m glad I’m not the one marrying into that scoundrel’s family.” Kylia snorted, watching all the onlookers with disdain as they openly gawked at the future Queen.

Arabella sighed and turned her head to face her friend, deciding to ignore the passing comment about her betrothed, and said, “It’s just something I shall have to get used to, I suppose," and deciding to change the topic of conversation, asked, ”Where's Killian? Is he too busy to see me after all these years?"

Kylia laughed, rolling her eyes humorously as she responded, "He's always too busy for anything. Probably nursing a hangover, I would say."

With a few chuckles directed at the older Lord of the Stratiotis house, the young women began to head towards the weekly market that took place in the main square of the city. This area of town was full of excitement, a loud and eccentric crowd forming near the entrance of the square surrounding a hastily made wooden stage, upon which stood a group of four men singing and playing instruments.

The Duchesses smiled as they took in the light atmosphere around them, laughing with delight when some performers broke out into a lively jig around the stage. This was what the city of Epineio was about – merriment and living in harmony with all other Weres. The dancers continued to spin in a dizzying display of moves, making Arabella laugh out loud and start to clap along with all the other onlookers. Kylia glanced at her friend and grinned, taking in how the Lady of Angelos’ eyes seemed to shine with excitement. Her heart soared as she heard her dear friend’s laugh, so Kylia reached out to grab Arabella’s hand and squeezed, smiling as her friend turned to look at her and cried with joy, “Oh Kylia! Aren’t they amazing?!”

Kylia nodded, drawing her eyes back towards the performers – who seemed nearly finished with their dance. Once the jig was over, the two Ladies and their guard ventured further into the square. 

The stalls that they passed were packed high with different types of wares, to their left were merchants of silks and spices, hanging cloths of a dizzying array of colours that sparkled as if they contained precious jewels. To their right – an intoxicating mixture of aromas as food was cooked on open flames. The sustenance ranged from spicy curries to delicious-looking pastry bites that Arabella knew would just melt in her mouth. The scents given off from all the different cuisines blended together in such a wonderful way that it made the young Duchess’ mouth water in delight. She just wanted to try it all! The area was humming with activity, young and old blending into one giant crowd that seemed to move like a tidal wave through the small spaces between each stall. Some were stopping to buy different items or sample foods, but Arabella was just elated that she could allow herself to get swept away with the bustle of Epineio’s very centre.

As they walked past a street vendor selling fruits of all kinds, Arabella spotted two young children, a boy and a girl, hunched awkwardly on the floor. The Lady eyed the two curiously, wondering what they were doing. When she saw the girl openly eyeing the colourful fruits laid upon the table, Arabella smiled with delight and quickly grabbed two apples from the stall, turning to face the two children and handing them over. “Here… Take these two, you mustn’t go hungry. Do you need any more?”

“Th-Thank you, Miss. Thank you!” The boy mumbled quickly, grabbing the young girl’s hand and darting off into the crowd.

Igor, having seen the Duchess take the fruit from the stall and the vendor opening his mouth to shout, quickly produced a few gold coins from his pocket and gave them to the stunned man. He smiled at the young Lady’s turned back but shook his head with disbelieve at how naïve she was.

Arabella turned back to face her companions, sighing with sadness, “I can’t believe people can still go hungry nowadays… We must try to look after everyone, what have those children done wrong to suffer in such a way?” 

Lady Kylia smiled knowingly but did not reply, only patting her friend on the hand before directing her away from the annoyed vendor. “Bella… That’s just how our world works I’m afraid. We’re at the top, and the top-dogs use those beneath them to rise even higher, whilst the poorer ones suffer at their expense.”

“But it’s just so wrong, Kylia! If I could, I would give all the poor people of our City all my money! If it would help I really would!” Arabella said passionately, almost shouting with her belief at how unfair it was.

“Maybe that’s not the best way to go about it, your Highness…” Lady Kylia said, grasping her friend’s hand with seriousness, as if to get a point across.

They continued on through the market, stopping here and there to view the jewellery and dresses that were on display. The Lady of Angelos purchased some new diamond earrings, that she knew would look good with her wedding dress that was currently being made by the seamstress of the Royal Family. As they walked, the Duchess pondered on what her friend had meant with her wording; she knew that she was to be the future Queen, but it was often unheard of that a married-in member of the Royals could ever possibly implement changes to their laws. How could anyone expect it of her?

She tried to bring the subject back around but Lady Kylia shot her advances down every time, giving brief glances to her father’s butler, Igor, in subdued panic. Lady Arabella eventually got the hint, deciding to leave the topic until another time where they could speak in private. Igor had remained as a steady guard stuck to them through their whole excursion, his eyes never leaving the two Nobles for fear of getting caught on his employer’s bad side again.

Unbeknownst to the young Queen-to-be, she had another pair of eyes watching her. A hidden figure, dressed in a large cloak, was standing at the entrance of the alley – his eyes watching her with indifference. He seemed to be a tall man, with a broad figure showing even hidden beneath his black cloak. “Soon…” He mumbled to himself, disappearing back into the shadows.