An expensive place is expensive for a reason. They use the finest of the finest in everything, and of course, Caelum paid for my food.
He did not eat. He just stared at me the whole time, his eyes still trying to figure me out.
It was the first real meal I was having in forever... Well, since I entered this world. So I made sure to eat to my fill. But then, even as I tried to stuff myself, I could not beat the level of etiquette that had been beaten into my soul.
I held the fork and knife correctly, cut the steak, ate the salmon, and even chewed with grace... Like I was born nobility.
Anyone could fake nobility. Anyone could fake being someone important, but there was no way to fake eating habits.
Caelum watched me and was stunned. He was baffled, to the point it felt like he was sitting with a real member of high society... Those who prided themselves on etiquette.
It was to the point that he let this question slip out of his mouth while he subconsciously stared at me with awe.
"Who are you?"
I heard it and looked up at him, but he pretended not to have said anything and looked away. I let out a small laugh.
Even I was baffled by my etiquette, so it was only understandable that he'd be baffled.
Who am I? He asked.Well, I'd like to know as well.
After the meal, I walked out with Caelum and then spotted the horse I had stolen from Julian's caravan. The stable keeper was brushing its fur, which made me smile with pride.
"Give me a coin," I demanded, my hand stretched out, and Caelum looked at me, his nose bridge squeezing together. "Come on, don't be stingy. Just a coin."
He tucked his hand inside his coin pouch and took out a gold coin. I snatched it from him and walked towards the stable keeper.
"I see you did a fine job," I said, my voice smooth and poised, and as soon as he saw it was me, he quickly bowed his head.
"Ah, yes, my lady. I made sure your stead was in pristine condition all night." He said, and I chuckled.
"Here, for your trouble." I dropped the gold coin directly into his palm.
His eyes glistened at the gold coin, and he began to bow his head so low it touched the ground, thanking me with all he had.
"Thank you, my lady. Thank you so much." The stable keeper had tears in his eyes, and it made me wonder how much a gold coin was worth.
I thought he was just overexaggerating and just took my horse from him, walking back to where Caelum was standing.
Caelum looked at me for a while, unable to understand me, and then at the horse, switching the topic before things got weird.
"This is one of my family's horses," he said with certainty.
"Oh my, you recognized it? Do you keep track of all the horses by chance?"
"It's the breed." He answered. "Only my family can afford to give their knights such an expensive horse."
"Hm, is it that expensive?"
Should I sell it for backup funds?
Well, it's too late since Caelum has set his eyes on it now.
"Ah, by the way, how much is a cold coin?" I asked, and Caelum looked ahead. It looked like he wasn't going to answer, but then he said,
"A gold coin is the same as the annual salary of a commoner." He said, and my eyes nearly widened.
Phew. I almost lost my composure there, but it was that expensive?
Now I know why the stable keeper was reacting that way. I just handed him his entire year's worth of salary.
Well, he's just lucky to have met me. I grinned, feeling proud of myself, but then it dawned on me.
A gold coin was that expensive, and yet Caelum went around with a whole pouch of them? Was he that fearless, or did he just treat money like water?
He didn't even feel regretful about giving it to me. He was just skeptical, wondering what I was going to do with it, and that was all.
Jeez, this wealthy family must be over-the-top wealthy. I'm so glad that's where I'm heading. If I cause a little commotion here and there, they won't arrest me, right?
I whistled, already plotting what I was going to do when I got there, when I saw a carriage in front of us.
There were knights too, wearing the same gear I saw on Julian's caravan.
Caelum handed the horse to one of the Knights and then looked at me.
"Get in." I looked at the carriage and then at Caelum. So, we were going by carriage. I thought we'd be walking the whole way, and I was prepared to slip away in the middle to give him a hard time because I knew he'd surely find me.
But that plan's gone down the drain.
'Of course, we're going by carriage. He's from a rich family. Why does he need to walk?'
I tried to get in, but unlike how Julian had carried me into the carriage, this was harder. The footing was high, and I needed to stabilise myself on something if I wanted to get in, but there was nothing.
Damn carriages. If they were going to make it luxurious, they should at least put something in to aid a lady like me to get on without any issues.
I was making my way up when, of course, it had to happen; I lost my footing.
It was too damn high. It was NOT my fault.
I fell back, but tried to wiggle my body around so I wouldn't fall on my butt but then I got caught.
From behind, Caelum, who had been watching me as I struggled to get on, caught me.
Hm, I didn't think he'd catch me. He must have had a lot of beef with me, and yet he caught me.
I looked into his grey eyes, and they were stunned. So, even he didn't know how or why he caught me. I must be rubbing off on him.
I smirked, caressing his cheek.
"So, you really are a gentleman."