So the more likely situation was that the king and the royal family were somehow suppressing as much information about Esme as they could, meaning that only a few people know what she looks like and what her name is and the rest of the masses don't know who she is but know she exists.
'But why, tho?'
It didn't make sense to him. What reason would the king have that warrants wanting to hide Esme's existence from the civilians.
"I suppose that makes sense. Anyway, we have a problem…"
"Yes, if we can't get guards, what should we do?"
Arthur couldn't help but scratch his chin in thought, should Bulat come demanding he pay a protection fee, would it be wise not to do so? while he can handle anything that Bulat might throw at him should he refuse. However, this was more about Esme's safety than it was about him.
He gave her items to help keep her safe from things like muggings however if Bulat is powerful enough to have the knights under his thumb then he's far more dangerous than your typical thief and giving Esme magic items is not enough protection.
"If Bulat's men come, do you think it's better to pay the protection fee?"
Arthur decided to ask her. Ultimately, this was more about her safety than his own, so her input was important
"Ah–"
"Don't say that it's my duty to protect you, and because of that, the decision is up to me. This is about your safety, so tell me your thoughts"
Arthur immediately cut in, already feeling that she was going to say something about it's a man's duty to protect. Therefore, all decisions regarding that are up to him.
At his words, Esme pressed her lips together, she was going to say exactly what he said she would, however now that he called her out, she had no choice but to speak her mind, she he hesitated to say what she really thought however if he's asking then there should be no issue.
"I don't like this practice of people having to pay a criminal just to be safe in their homes"
She said and her brows creased into a defiant frown but she only spoke half of what she wanted to say, mostly because she felt if she said the other part, it would be selfish and too much of a demand, plus it's not what Arthur asked.
"Do you not want us to pay the protection fee? you know that puts your life at risk, right? I can't be everywhere."
He advised, and her eyes shifted to the floor, looking away from him before she spoke.
"Won't your items be enough to protect me?"
Her words lacked any confidence as she asked, he looked at her, silently staring at her and forcing her to shrink into herself, his silence making her more than a little anxious.
Esme was aware that her words were not exactly wise, she was only inviting danger to herself and her home, however having to pay just to be safe in her home felt wrong not only that but having other people do that also felt wrong, it didn't sit right with her and she didn't want to let some criminal hold the lives of people in his hands.
If she had any sway as a princess she would only need to send word out to Palace, unfortunately however she didn't have that kind of power, she doubts anyone would listen to anything she has to say.
"Esme, why are you against paying the protection fee? tell me your honest thoughts"
She did not answer his question immediately, allowing the silence to linger between the two of them before she opened her mouth.
"Because why should anyone have to pay a criminal to be safe in their own home, you paid for this house with your hard earned money. Why should you now pay some criminal to live safely in it."
She answered her words gaining confidence as she spoke, she saw his scars yesterday, she ran her hands over them, feeling the healed flesh, she had no doubt that being an explorer was a job that was extremely dangerous, as such any money earned is money deserved.
Aside from not wanting Arthur's hard earned money to go to waste, it also did not sit right with her to have people who are scum and criminals take people's money when they don't deserve it, Esme saw that as an immoral act.
Despite her defiant words, she still avoided eye contact with him. She was afraid of meeting his angry scowl and expecting a scolding look that told her she was naive.
"I understand. If my wife feels so strongly about this, then I can only comply and support her decision"
He shrugged, Although in order to keep her completely safe, he has to get rid of Bulat completely, he also figured Esme was indirectly telling him that she also didn't want other people in the neighborhood to have to pay to be safe in their homes.
Essentially, his wife was asking him the tall task of having to get rid of the criminal boss that was oppressing the people. A good example would be a player taking a quest from a villager NPC.
"No, the decision of what to do is still up to you. You can disregard what I said if—"
"I understand that, Esme. I'm making the decision to agree with what you're saying. You're my wife. If I disregard what you say, then am I even your husband?"
He said with a smile as he patted her shoulder, reassuringly.
Hearing his words, Esme could only look at him. It was odd, letting a woman have a say in such matters when she knows nothing about the matters of men. It was strange.
Safety and protection of the home and family are matters only men are supposed to discuss and decide without needing the input of women, that's what she knows and has been taught.
Yet her husband cared not about that and allowed her to have input, not only that but despite her input being clearly flawed he is still willing to agree and support to it. That was beyond strange.
She had no words to say to him, simply looked at him, she had understood he was different but she hadn't truly got the depth of it until now and she did not know how to feel about it. He was contradicting things she's been taught as common sense. It didn't feel right.
"Anyway let's have some cake, despite it being bare, it was still delicious"
He said, licking his lips as he said so, his taste buds already wishing to taste that cake once more.
"Is it not still just bread at this point, I don't think it qualifies as cake"
She heaved a sigh as she spoke, her lips breaking into an amused smile, she thought maybe she should learn how to bake, it's not good for your husband to like another woman's cooking.
"Does it matter? it tastes good, and the person who made it said it was cake."
Arthur turned his heels and made his way towards the kitchen, already looking forward to getting another slice.
"Wait, in that case, I'll make some tea to have with the cake"
Esme advised while holding Arthur back by his arm, if they're going to eat a cake that's basically bread, it would go well with some tea, at least that's what she thought.
"I can have small slice before then, can't–"
Arthur's protest to her suggestion was interrupted by a sudden knock. It wasn't a gentle knock but a loud one, the type that is often used by the police back on earth.
The knock surprised both of them. However, before either of them could attempt to answer, the door clicked open. Someone chose to enter without being invited in by the residents.
Two men entered, both wore black long coats that reached their knees, with brown trousers and boots.
The two were a pair of tall men, one being lanky and tall with ginger orange hair, while the other had substantial muscle hidden underneath the coat, and his build was big enough to make it apparent. Both men wore top hats.
"Excuse the intrusion"
The skinny one spoke first, his eyes small and half closed into small slits. He had what looked to be an amused smile on his lips.
"Intrusion? clearly we're the trespassers here, and this is your house"
His tone of voice felt playful and unserious however his face showed a clear displeased frown. He quickly repositioned Esme to be behind himself and stood face to face with the two men.
....
A/N: Hope you enjoyed, please comment.
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