Curse 13: The Carriage Ride

My friends and I were standing outside of the stadium.

There wasn't any need to stay there anymore since the Knights' selection was over.

The other five knights had gone inside their carriage. Some had horses as their ride, and some had either a lizard, a bear, or even a wolf carrying them. I could also guess that they had magic crests inside those animals as well. I couldn't be certain for sure, though...

"Well, it looks like we should get going." I held on to my brown bag and announced that to Laetus and Sedatus.

"Yeah, I know." Sedatus nodded to me.

"I guess this means that we won't have any more time to hang out like before, huh..." Laetus's voice sounded a bit sad. Laetus sighed and placed her hands in front of her. "Seriously, seeing you and Peritia banter like that really takes me back."

"Don't talk like this will be the last time we'll ever meet!" Peri scratched the back of his neck, looking a bit embarrassed.

"Sure, but now you two have responsibilities. And I doubt that we could visit you right away, anyway." Sedatus shrugged his shoulders. It might seem like he was calm, but he was also sad that we wouldn't be able to hang around like before.

"I'm not even sure if the king allowed it, though," Peri muttered.

"Well, there's always texting and calling?" I suggested.

Laetus frowned, and her shoulders lowered. "It wouldn't be the same, but that's true, I guess."

I slowly held both of Laetus's hands.

"Don't worry. I'll make a way to talk to you guys more often. I just need to figure out a system."

"How could you sound so sure?" Peri raised his left brow at me.

I folded my arms with a huff.

"Just because."

I frowned and looked at a corner.

I need to head to the library as soon as possible, but I can't ignore a friend either. I might be desperate to get my normal life back, but I could at least try to have those two visit as often, too...

I smiled and looked at Laetus in the eyes.

"Well, there you have it! I won't know unless I try!" I answered with a determined look.

"Don't make promises you can't keep, Tristis. It may not end well..." Peri placed his hand on my white hair.

Normally, it would be nice, but for some reason, I felt like yanking it away and looking at Peri annoyingly. "Well, I'll still try anyway!"

Beep! Beep!

I heard my mirror beeping. I took it out and flicked it open.

Oh. It's from Mirari.

'I'll meet you later today by the castle's king-size tea party table. Make sure to bring a major scoop!'

King-size tea party table? The castle has that?

The castle had to be pretty large in that case.

... I hoped I wouldn't get lost.

"Oh! Seems like the ride's here!" Peri said.

I looked back and stared at the parking area for the carriers. "Really? Which one?"

"I don't know. You tell me." Peri pointed at a corner. It showed a giant carrier with five horses, many diamonds on the door and window, and not to mention, there were five maidens and five butlers forming a line.

Ah.

And there was a maid holding a sign: 'Preserve for Maiden Tristis and her boyfriend best friend Peritita.'

"That's REALLY getting old!" Peri shouted, his eyes closed, cheeks burning, and arms folded.

"I'm starting to think the king and the prince love to joke around..." I scratched my own head.

"Though, I'd believe it..." Laetus and Sedatus said in unison.

I saw Peri grabbing hold of the new sword that was provided by the king and princes, so I was hugging Peri from behind to hold him back.

"Easy there, easy there!" I panicked.

***

After saying goodbye to our friends, Peri and I went inside the carriage.

In it, there were two rooms that were split from the front to the back.

The maids and butlers were in front, and we were sitting at the back. The back had comfortable seats that were so fluffy and amazing! It had cup holders, there was a mirror that could come out of the ceiling if you wanted to call from miles away, and a lot, and I mean, A LOT, of drinks that were meant to be used for after parties. And all I saw was alcohol and no soft drinks.

I know I was legally able to drink, but I didn't like the taste of it that much.

Or, at least, that was what Peri told me that one time we tried drinking a bottle to celebrate my birthday.

I still was a shut-in at that point—well, I still am—but I wanted to at least try it out of curiosity.

Anyway.

There was a clean red carpet underneath our feet.

The walls were made out of the same material as the carpets.

Last but not least, there was a door above the ceiling. We could stick our heads out to see from the ceiling if we wanted to. But I wasn't really in the mood. Nor did I have time for that.

I rested my arm on the window, staring at the road that seemed like it was moving.

From here, I could see everyone staring at the carriage.

Some had happy faces, and some were kind of pissed.

I didn't really blame any of them for having those looks. I would, too, if I saw a nice carriage like this one.

But I'm still worried about the king and prince noticing my magic...

Right.

Peri made a valid point back there. They might know what type of magic I had used during the selection today.

And I was no idiot—they might've had a motive for such tactics as putting me as the leader of the knights. And based on the information I read in my mirror, that includes professionals as well.

That means sneaking in and out of the library doesn't seem to be the smart option.

It looked like I may have to do my research at night in my room.

I'd try to ask to organize the bookshelves and borrow the books that related to my curse. After that, before anyone realized that it was missing, I'd jot down the notes inside my mirror and take photos of important pages.

Yeah. That'd be the safer option...

I glanced at Peri, who seemed to be sleeping during the whole ride.

How could anyone be sleeping at a time like this?

I blinked and then leaned towards Peri since the window area was a bit further away than where Peri was sitting. Despite us sitting in the same seat.

Having a closer look, I could see his Adam's apple moving.

... Didn't he sleep at all?

I crawled towards Peri as silently as possible.

Crawl, crawl. Crawl, crawl.

I had never seen him sleep around Laetus and Sedatus before. Only when I was lying on my bed during those dark times.

He always slept at the edge of the bed. Most likely due to him taking care of me with my mom and dad. And when Laetus and Sedatus went home, Peri always stayed behind.

I know I already thought that many times before, but I do find that sweet and adorable.

I crawled a couple more times before feeling my palm on his.

"Huh?" I looked at the very palm I was touching. Not sure what to do, I simply stared at it.

Were his hands always this big?

I didn't want to cause any trouble, so I slowly backed away and sat down properly.

Fixing my dress, I placed my hands together on top of my knees.

A-anyway! I need to focus on my goal! I have to—

Bump!

The whole carriage hit a bump, and Peri rested his head on top of my lap.

I lifted my hands just in time before Peri's head was over it.

"I'm sorry, mistress. We shall be careful from now on." A maid with short blond hair and green eyes spoke to me after opening the small window on the front wall.

"A-ah! It's fine, it's fine!" I waved my hands at the maid.

"I see. Well, you can relax and do whatever with Sir Peritia in here. The walls are soundproof, and we won't arrive for the next ten minutes." The maid mentioned this when she saw Peri lying on my lap.

"Hehe! Don't worry, we'll behave and not do anything! Peri isn't the type to make moves like that in front of strangers!" I gently played with Peri's red hair.

"Ah, so you're the person who wears the pants in your relationship?" The maid asked.

"I don't order Peri like that! And anyway, why would Peri want me as his girlfriend!?" I laughed and continued playing with Peri's hair.

"I'm sorry, but it seems like you're very fond of Sir Peri because you're playing with his hair."

"Huh?" I looked at my hand, and she was right. I simply smiled and spoke: "His hair is pretty fun to play with!"

"... Cute. Sorry for interrupting your downtime, Mistress Tristis."

With a small blush appearing on the maid's cheeks, she swiftly closed the door and locked it from the other side.

I told her that we won't be doing anything... I furrowed my brows.

But I looked back at Peri's sleeping face.

"But still, Peri looks peaceful while sleeping..." I admired.

I wasn't sure why, but I brushed my fingers over Peri's forehead.

Still warm...

I looked at the window, still seeing the people who were watching the carriage from the outside.

... I almost didn't want this carriage ride to end, for some reason.

***

We made it to the entrance of the castle.

"Yawwwnnn!!!" Peri stretched his arms in the air. "Oh boy, that nap was great!"

"For someone who didn't trust the king and his sons, you sure slept well on my lap." I gave a teasing smile.

"Yeah, I have no excuse for that. I'll cook our meals tonight as an apology. It's on me." Peri scratched his face shyly.

No need! I enjoy you sleeping on my lap! A sight to behold!

I giggled at my thoughts.

Peri walked forward a bit and placed his hands on his waist. "Anyway, so this is the place, huh?"

I looked at the castle, and I couldn't believe my eyes.

Firstly, the entrance was a lot bigger than I expected. The guards here seemed to change from the animals that were buff and walking on two legs to two normal guards.

... Who also happened to be buff.

I wonder if the citizens and the rulers here have a type...

Muscles were great and all, but I'd never seen a skinny guard yet. I did see a couple of normal body types, but nothing to shake things up.

Then again, if there were any attacks, then having guards that could hold their weight was pretty smart on their part.

I folded my arms and stared at the abs of each guard.

"It could still use some work..." I muttered, squeezing my eyes a bit.

"What? You like guys three times your size or something?" Peri asked me, sounding a bit annoyed.

"Hmm?" I looked at him in surprise.

"I saw you staring at them. Do you like them or something because they're buff?"

Smack!

I smacked Peri's stomach.

"Hey!" Peri shouted.

I pulled up his shirt and observed his abs as well.

"... Nah. I prefer this body type instead..." I narrowed my eyes seriously.

Right. Peri's body is balanced. Not too buff and not too skinny! He's just perfect!

Peri placed his shirt down and backed away a little.

"Tristis! You got to remember that I'm a man and you're a woman!" He shouted with both of his fists raised up high.

"Hmm? I know," I blinked at him.

"Then would you like it if I suddenly took off your dress and revealed your bra and underwear?!" Peri whispered to me as his face got close.

But despite him trying to scare me, I didn't show any hint of fear.

"Really? Well, you could if you want to. That'll make us even, right?" I honestly answered.

Peri sweated at my answer.

"... No. You should've slapped me into next week for suggesting such a crazy idea."

I scratched my head. "Why would I do that? It would be only fair, right?"

"Nope. I'm done with this. Next thing you know, you were gonna offer to show me something that's not normally okay between a guy and a girl." Peri sighed and shrugged his shoulders.

"... How did you know?" I tilted my head once more.

"Tristis, before you piss me off, let's get inside." Peri turned me around and pushed me towards the castle.

Ah. I may have gone too far this time with the teasing...

"... Also." Peri began saying. I looked back and saw him blushing madly. "You should only do that for someone that you're interested in..."

"... Huh?" I continued to stare at Peri.

I turned my eyes back, feeling a bit more embarrassed.

... Maybe I should dial back. I wouldn't want to ruin Peri's chances to find the girl he likes if I stuck with him like a bug.

Right.

So right now, I'd need a grand tour of the castle. How it functioned, how things worked around here, and how to slip through the cracks without raising suspicions.

I frowned and held my chest.

My chest hurts...

It wasn't from the past 'sleep' I had experienced.

Those pains felt different.

This one... somehow felt worse...

Like my own words hurt me. And I didn't understand why...

But I had to suck it up. I needed to carry on with my goal. My mission.

I needed to stay focused.