A squirrel jumped from branch to branch, almost slipping from the snow while keeping an eye on three figures making their way downhill.
"My lord, do you require me to provide you with warmth?"
"Nah, the heat you gave me earlier is still lingering. It's more than enough for now."
"I understand. I shall wait until you feel a chill again."
Aside from Seven getting chills from the cold, Iria couldn't help but worry that he might get overstimulated.
For a man whose entire years were defined by the silence of the manor, the sudden influx of the world's noise and other stimuli might be too much for him.
Iria had generally opposed this idea, but she relented today to cheer him up; his mood seemed heavy since this morning, perhaps due to the curse.
Seven slowed his pace, glancing sideways at the knight accompanying them.
"You've been staring at me since we left the gates. Am I that interesting?"
The knight immediately averted his eyes.
"Forgive me, young lord. It is simply because this is my first time seeing you in person."
"Oh?"
"I have stood guard at the manor for fifteen years, yet I was never once granted the honor of an audience."
Seven shifted his gaze to a squirrel perched on a nearby branch, busy munching an acorn.
"And now that you have?"
"I can say that I am perplexed. The young lord is… not what I expected."
"..."
Iria slowed her steps just ahead of them.
The knight gulped, wondering if he had said something wrong that contributed to this silence.
Seven returned his gaze back to the knight.
"Disappointed?"
"No, young lord. I am merely surprised that you seem so much more... ordinary than your siblings."
The acorn slipped from the squirrel's paws, tumbling into the snow.
Seven nearly choked from trying to hold back his sarcastic laughter.
'Fudge. Ordinary, eh…? If not for the curse… would I have been a monster like them?'
Such thoughts crossed his mind, but doing that wouldn't change anything.
Instead, Seven calmed himself as he began to think of a way to break the silence. Thinking about it, he doesn't know the knight's name either.
"Your name."
Seven stated in a composed tone.
The knight instantly dropped to one knee in the snow.
"I am Wilson Heinrich, young lord. The Vice Commander of the Neamh Order."
"Wilson."
Seven repeated, his shoulders trembling as he fought back a manic urge to giggle.
"L-lo… Lo siento, Wilson."
The knight blinked, clearing his throat awkwardly.
"I… I do not understand, young lord."
"It's nothing. Let's go."
"Yes."
Step, step.
Seven almost slipped on the snow laden downhill pathway, his shoulders continued to shake until they finally reached the village.
The distance was roughly 2 kilometers from the manor's premises.
Iria halted, gesturing toward the settlement below.
"We have arrived in Neamh, my lord."
His gaze followed Iria's fingers.
Rows of timber houses leaned toward one another across the narrow cobbled road. Their steep slate roofs were layered with shingles and patched with mismatched wood.
Stone chimneys puffed thin trails of smoke into the pale and snowy sky.
"It's… unexpected."
He was fascinated.
The village looked exactly like the stories of the grandparents telling their grandchildren before sleep.
The entrance consisted of a short wooden gate set into a thick stone wall built from uneven bricks stacked tightly together.
Above the archway sat a small gatehouse, supported by dark wooden beams arranged in crisscrossing beams. The walls were framed with timber, with two rectangular windows faced outward toward the road.
On the reinforced wooden doors, there were large round rivets and iron bars that were etched with the name:
NEAMH SRAIDBHAILE
Wilson stopped a few steps before the other two knights guarding the entrance, standing upright with swords on their waist and a metal poleyn on one of their knees.
"I ask for your patience, young lord. Please allow me to change my attire, presuming you do not wish to announce your arrival."
"Go ahead."
"I appreciate your understanding, young lord."
Wilson offered a short bow and entered the gatehouse.
The two knights stationed at the entrance stiffened, exchanging a brief look before dropping into the same short bow like their Vice Commander performed.
""We greet the Young Lord.""
Their voices were controlled, loud enough for Seven to hear clearly but not to draw the attention of people passing along the inner road.
Seven acknowledged their greeting with a nod.
The knights then returned to their posts, their expressions turning back to stone.
It didn't take long for Wilson to return, wearing a set of casual clothes— though a sword remained at his hip.
"You may proceed, Young Lord. I will keep my distance, but please be cautious. There are merchants and outsiders wandering the village, thus I may not be able to shield you from every gaze."
"I… I'll keep that in mind."
Iria led him forward, Seven felt the weight of the open sky pressing down on him.
Up close, the timber houses had small windows where the glass is divided into small squares. The doors were also uniform with all painted in muted blue, and mossy green iron hinges and handles.
They passed through a river that ran along one side of the village, crystal clear water flowing steadily beneath an arched stone bridge wide enough for an outrigger canoe to cross.
Step, step.
Iria dragged him to watch the fishes by the river.
Wilson, walking a few paces behind, cleared his throat loudly and looked at a particularly interesting patch of moss on a nearby bench.
"Look over there, my lord. Those are called koi fish. They are considered symbols of perseverance, as they are quite resilient creatures."
Iria folded her hands neatly in front of her as she spoke.
"They are also cute and colorful, like little swimming jewels."
"...Aha, right."
Step.
"My lord, the child there is holding spun sugar. It is a winter delicacy. Would you like to try one? They are light, like you are eating a cloud."
"...Sure."
Iria inclined her head slightly and led him forward yet again.
Seven found himself watching her profile.
Iria's expression had not changed since they entered the village. She gestured occasionally, explaining architecture, goods, and customs like a tour guide.
"The timber framing is typical of older settlements. Neamh was built for durability against mountain winds."
"Oh—"
Honk!
"You two! Keep your lovey-dovey off the road!"
An old man bellowed from his carriage. His face turned into a shade of purple as he nearly clipped them in the narrow road.
Iria stepped aside immediately, pulling Seven by his sleeve and bowed her head politely.
"My apologies. We were inattentive."
"Geez. Couples these days…"
The old man grumbled and the carriage took off.
Iria and Seven continued walking.
Step, step.
At a narrow turn in the street, the stone dipped slightly with snowflakes. Seven's footing faltered, but Iria caught him by his wrist before he could fully slip.
"Careful, my lord."
Seven came to a realization, his cheeks slightly turning into a shade of red as his hand felt electric where Iria held it.
'I-is this… like a d-d-da… d-date?'
The narrow road and alleys widened into a small plaza.
Iria finally let go of his arm, both of them panting, their breath forming little clouds in the frosty air.
In the center stood a circular stone well with a wooden pulley.
Around it were several market stalls with fabric canopies supported by wooden poles. Crates of vegetables. Sacks of grain. Hanging herbs. Bundles of firewood were stacked neatly.
"This is the central trading square, my lod. Most winter supplies can be obtained here."
Iria tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear without breaking eye contact.
'...Beautiful.'
Seven began seeing flowers and felt butterflies in his stomach.
Iria noticed his blank state, and thought she had done something to lower his spirit.
"I apologize if I have been overbearing in my explanations, my lord. I shall correct myself."
"Ah. It was… fun."
"I am glad you felt that way, my lord."
Iria paused.
"Forgive my boldness, but continuing to address you formally may draw attention. May I suggest temporary identities while we are here, my lord?"
"Yeah. I… d-don't mind."
"Okay, then. Seb. It suits you."
For the first time since earlier, Iria smiled and adjusted the edge of his sleeve
"We are here to purchase winter provisions. I shall introduce myself as your fiancee. It discourages unnecessary inquiries."
Seb blinked.
"F-fiancee?"
"Yes. I believe it is the most efficient explanation for why we are together."