Schemes and Subtlety

The young boy's piercing gaze locked onto me, his eyes reflecting a wisdom that belied his tender years. They held an unfathomable depth, hinting at knowledge and abilities far surpassing my own. I couldn't help but feel awestruck in his presence as I stood before him, the weight of the mysteries that enveloped him pressing upon me, compelling me to seek answers.

Summoning my courage, I spoke, my voice laced with curiosity and respect. "I am Anant, and I couldn't help but be captivated by the incredible display of power you just demonstrated. Who are you, and how did you acquire such extraordinary abilities?"

The boy's lips curved into a faint smile as he gracefully lowered his staff, the spikes that had previously immobilized our assailants retracting back into the ground. He studied me intently, his penetrating gaze assessing my intentions, before finally responding, his voice steady and measured. "I am Arin, a royal knight-sage."

"Arin," I muttered, my surprise evident in my tone. I paused for a moment, trying to process the revelation. "A knight-sage? And you possess such remarkable powers?"

Arin's sweet expression suddenly shifted, his gaze darting towards a nearby cart. Concealed within its intricate shadows, I caught a glimpse of a shimmering figure—a mature lady radiating elegance. Every fabric she wore exuded opulence, and the air was tantalizing with her delicate fragrance. It became clear that Arin's unexpected sweetness stemmed from her presence.

Seemingly compelled to approach her, Arin gracefully bent down and spoke softly. "What happened here?" the lady inquired, her voice gentle yet commanding.

"Nothing much, princess," Arin replied, his tone respectful. "Just a few dorks posing as thugs."

Just then, the lady pointed towards me and asked Arin, "Then who is that person? Why is he dressed so strangely?"

A sudden realization struck me. The clothing style of this world and my own world were quite different. Since my arrival, I had been wearing the same clothes from my world and hadn't changed them in days. I began to feel doubtful, and it seemed that Arin didn't leave any chance to jump to weird conclusions.

As I went to explain, a swift and soft hand landed on my back, gently pushing my head down into a bow. The touch was familiar, and the voice that reverberated spoke with authority, "Sorry, Princess, but please don't conclude this way. We are just travelers."

The voice belonged to Piro, and it felt like she had saved me from an awkward situation. However, Arin remained cautious and asked, "Then where are you from? And what are you doing near the Republic of HarmonVale?"

I muttered to Piro, "Don't you think we should be careful about revealing too much?"

"Just shut up and let me handle it," she whispered back.

Arin found our exchange less than entertaining. "What are you two muttering about?" he inquired.

Rising from my bow, Piro addressed the princess, "Sorry, Princess, but we are from a nearby village. I am a clothing designer, Piro."

"And he is my friend," she continued, gesturing towards me. "A somewhat useless dork, but for now, he's my guinea pig for trying out my clothes."

The princess seemed intrigued. "Did you create these clothes? Are they really comfortable?" she asked.

"Yeah," Piro replied confidently.

She added, "If you want, my friend can try on a few outfits I have stored in my magical bag."

Everything felt a bit strange, yet I had no choice but to play along. On one side, there was the arrogant Piro, and on the other, the cautious Arin, despite his immense power. The tension in the air made me keenly aware that my next move could have significant consequences.

Piro began pulling out a few clothes from her magical bag, and to my surprise, they were strikingly similar to the ones from my own world. It seemed she had somehow acquired them during our travels. Reluctantly, I found myself being subjected to a torturous fashion show, forced to try on various outfits and showcase them to the princess.

The princess observed each outfit with a keen eye, her interest piqued by the foreign styles or if it to called more than an another world respit. Meanwhile, Piro's confident demeanor hid her ulterior motive. During a rare moment alone together, she leaned in close and whispered, "Listen, foolant. Just play along, impress the princess, and do as I say."

Confused, I couldn't help but ask, "Huh? But why?"

Piro smirked and gave me a sly hint. "Don't you want to go inside the region?"

Suddenly, everything became as clear as the sky. I understood her plan, “Oh, this is what you upto.”

As the fashion show continued, I felt a sinking feeling that the plan was veering off course. Not only was I subjected to trying on various women's attire, but Piro seemed determined to showcase every kind of piece imaginable. It was becoming increasingly uncomfortable for me, and I sensed a growing interest in Arin's eyes as he observed the situation unfold.

To my surprise, Arin interjected, his voice carrying a hint of mischief, "Princess, it seems this dress would be even more alluring if you were to wear it."

The princess, already immersed in her own world of beauty, exclaimed with delight, "Oh, yes, you're absolutely right, Arin!"

Taking Piro's hands in hers, she made a decision that caught us both off guard. "So, I've already decided. Piro, you will be my personal designer as well. Come with me."

Piro's expression shifted into a dramatic one, and she hesitated for a moment before responding, "Oh, of course, my lady, but..."

Intrigued, the princess inquired, "But what? Is something bothering you? My knight will assist you with any concerns you may have."

Piro took a step forward, her face downturned, perhaps feigning a sense of reluctance. "I'm afraid your knight won't be able to bring back my lost motivation for designing," she responded, her voice laced with a hint of comedy.

Curiosity flickered in the princess's eyes as she asked, "And why is that?"

Piro's answer came as a shock and a source of amusement to my ears. "Because I can only imagine new designs when my friend is nearby, especially after troubling him with trying out various outfits," she confessed with a mischievous smile.

The princess pondered for a moment before making a decision. "Well then, you can come with him," she finally declared.

It seemed that the plan was set in motion, and surprisingly, Piro played her role well, showcasing a different side of herself. With everything falling into place, we left the scene, embarking on our journey toward the Republic of HarmonVale.