The delicious aroma of roasted fish drifted into my nose.
I slowly opened my eyes.
Golden rays of the rising sun filtered through the trees, warming my face.
"...Morning already?"
I rubbed my sleepy eyes before turning toward the smell.
Sure enough...
Skull was sitting beside the campfire, calmly roasting fish over the flames.
Still wearing that ridiculous shining armor.
Seriously...
Does this man ever take it off?
I stretched with a yawn before sitting up.
"Where did you even get those fish?" I asked. "I don't remember seeing a river anywhere around here."
Without looking at me, he pointed behind the old house.
"There's a stream nearby."
"It leads to a river."
"Oh..."
He handed one of the roasted fish to me before pouring water over the fire, extinguishing the remaining flames.
"Thanks."
I happily accepted it and took a bite.
"Mmm!"
It tasted far better than I expected.
As I continued eating, I noticed him sitting quietly with his enormous sword resting across his lap.
He drew a cloth across the blade with practiced movements, polishing it until it gleamed in the morning light.
I blinked.
"Aren't you going to eat?"
"I already have."
I froze.
"...When?"
"While you were asleep."
Seriously...?
So he actually took off that helmet to eat while I was sleeping?
I pouted.
I missed my chance...
I still hadn't seen his face.
Not even once.
A mischievous smile slowly spread across my lips.
I scooted closer to him.
"I honestly thought you'd rather starve than take that armor off."
He ignored me.
"So..."
"How do you even bathe in that thing?"
Still no response.
I leaned even closer.
"...Wait."
"Do you even bathe at all?"
He extended a single finger and pushed my forehead away, creating distance between us.
"Stop talking."
"Finish your breakfast."
"We have a long journey ahead."
I grinned triumphantly.
Ha!
I got him.
"Don't worry," I said with a teasing smile.
"I won't tell anyone that you don't bathe."
I took another bite of my fish.
"I just hope you don't end up suffocating from your own smell in there."
I couldn't hold back my giggle.
A quiet grumble escaped his helmet.
"God..."
"If only there were a way to shut her up."
"Hey!"
I pointed at him dramatically.
"I said I wouldn't tell anyone!"
"My lips are sealed."
Without another word...
He suddenly stood.
Before I could react, he slammed the tip of his massive sword into the ground beside me.
The blade sank deep into the earth.
He knelt until our faces were only inches apart.
His deep voice became even lower.
"Do you know..."
"...a dead person's lips are sealed far tighter and more reliably than someone still breathing?"
My entire body stiffened.
I nearly choked on my food.
"I-I was joking!"
I quickly bowed my head over and over.
"Please forgive me!"
For a brief moment...
Silence.
Then—
A low chuckle escaped from inside the helmet.
I looked up in surprise.
He...
He laughed?
It wasn't loud.
But it was the first genuine sound of amusement I'd ever heard from him.
He pulled his sword from the ground with ease.
"Finish eating."
"We're leaving."
"Yes, sir!"
I nodded so enthusiastically that he let out another quiet sigh.
A few minutes later, I finished the last bite.
"Done!"
I hurried over to him.
"Good girl."
His large gloved hand rested gently on top of my head.
Pat.
...
He... patted me like some... little girl?💢
My face twitched.
Don't think you've won just because you scared me with that sword, Mr. Knight.
I'll get my revenge someday.
"Hm."
His voice echoed from behind the helmet.
"I have a strange feeling you're insulting me in your head."
I immediately forced the sweetest smile I could.
"Me?"
"I would never."
He remained silent.
I wasn't sure if he believed me.
...
We continued our journey for the rest of the day.
The endless forest slowly began to thin.
By sunset...
We finally stepped out onto a dirt road.
I stopped walking.
Before us lay a peaceful medieval village.
Rows of quaint timber-framed cottages lined the narrow paths, their white plaster walls crisscrossed with dark wooden beams. Most of the roofs were covered with straw thatch, while tiny gardens of herbs and flowers surrounded the homes. Smoke drifted lazily from a few stone chimneys, and old wooden fences enclosed patches of vegetables and chickens.
It looked exactly like something out of a fantasy manga.
I really wasn't in my world anymore...
As we walked deeper into the village, something felt... wrong.
There were houses everywhere.
But almost no one outside.
The silence was unsettling.
Without warning—
Skull grabbed my hand.
He pulled me behind him.
"Stay close."
His voice had turned serious.
"Something isn't right."
I instinctively hid behind his broad back.
For some reason...
Being behind him made me feel safe.
A few moments later, an elderly traveler appeared further down the road.
He wore a faded brown linen tunic beneath a thick wool cloak that had clearly seen many winters. A leather satchel hung across his shoulder, while worn boots kicked up dust with every slow step. A weathered walking staff rested in his wrinkled hand.
Skull stepped forward.
"Good day, good sir."
His tone completely changed.
It became formal and respectful.
He even spoke in an old-fashioned manner which I think is normal in this world.
I blinked.
Hold on...
He actually has manners?
So why is he only rude to me?!
I swear one day I'm taking that helmet off and giving him a hard punch on the face...
The old man flinched upon seeing Skull's armor.
"P-Please... don't hurt me..."
"I know nothing."
"You have my word," Skull replied calmly.
"I seek only information."
The old man relaxed slightly.
"The villagers remain within their homes"
"why is that?" Skull asked.
The old man lowered his voice.
"Have you not heard?"
"Our princess has disappeared."
"The kingdom has dispatched knights across every corner of the land to search for her."
"Sadly... not all of them have shown kindness."
"Many force their way into homes."
"Some have even injured innocent villagers during their search."
"I mistook you for one of them."
"I see."
Skull gave a respectful nod.
"My thanks."
The old man smiled weakly before continuing down the road, waving as he left.
I blinked.
Wow...
Was I so forgettable that he didn't even notice I was standing here?
Skull gently tugged my hand.
We stopped in front of one of the cottages.
"You may ask the villagers here for shelter."
He turned toward me.
"As promised..."
"I have escorted you safely to a village."
"Our paths end here."
My smile slowly disappeared.
So...
This was goodbye.
I looked at the little cottage before lowering my eyes.
The thought of staying here alone suddenly terrified me.
Maybe...
I'd simply gotten used to having him beside me.
Or maybe...
Somewhere along the way...
I'd started trusting him more than I realized.
He turned to leave.
Before he could take another step—
I grabbed his hand.
My fingers tightened around his armored glove.
"Please..."
My voice trembled.
"Please don't leave me."
I looked up at him, my eyes beginning to sting.
"I... I'm scared."
