She gave the owner the money he required and watched as he wrapped up another large doughy treat in paper and handed it to her. She put that tasty in her bag and grabbed her other one, taking a huge, unladylike bite. It was warm and chewy on the inside, crisp on the outside. It had a hint of butter flavor and was one of the best breads she had ever tasted. She had crumbs on her mouth when Dain approached her from the left. She smiled at him and he laughed when he noticed the crumbs now clinging to the front of her blouse.
“You look good in bread,” he said smiling large.
She glanced down and saw the evidence of her weakness and brushed them away.
“Yes, well..” She shrugged her shoulders and swallowed the bite in her mouth, slightly embarrassed.
“Don’t feel the need to apologize; I see that you’re content. I will make nothing more of it.”
At that, she smiled again. They strode through the market square, stopping every now and then to peruse the wares available for purchase. There was lively music today, a lute player in the center of the square playing an upbeat tune to match the upbeat people on a fine warm spring day. She moved with a small bounce in her step, casually looking over all the beautiful things the artisans had brought in for the day. She stopped in front of another cart, peering at the necklaces that were hanging from it. She moved in front of a particular one and stopped again. It was a bright silver chain with a silver heart hanging on it, and on that heart was another made from a deep red stone. She lifted it in her palm and stared at it.
Dain was behind her; she didn’t notice. He watched her as she looked at the piece, turning it around, examining it intently as a child would a new toy. He saw her face light up and her eyes sparkle. He was bemused why something so simple would avert her attention so. She looked for a few more minutes, glancing quickly at the rest of the treasures, then moved on to the next cart.
He held back for a moment or two, letting her get ahead of him, then turned to the cart owner and pointed to the necklace she had been admiring. He pulled out the amount of coins needed and paid the man.
“Do you require it wrapped up, Your Majesty?”
“That’s not necessary. I’ll keep it safe in my pocket.”
“As you wish, Sire.” The man pulled down the trinket and handed it to Dain, who quickly tucked it away in the inner pocket of his red velvet doublet. He hurriedly moved on before she noticed his absence. She had passed by the rest of the carts and was now standing in the center of the square, listening to the music from the minstrel. When he reached her side, she was tapping her foot absentmindedly. She peered at him over her shoulder. He was smiling, apparently amused with something.
“I have never seen someone take in so much with so much intensity before.”
“You’re making fun of me.”
“I would never make fun of someone who bested my Bounty Hunter with his own weapon.”
She glared at him playfully. “Now you really are making fun of me.”
He laughed heartily. “I’m simply pointing out that I find your passion for the everyday fascinating.”
“It’s a beautiful day, the music is lively, and the square is overflowing with things that sparkle and smells that tantalize the taste buds. And I’m in the company of a handsome king who has promised to look after me.”
He wanted all of a sudden to kiss her lips. “I don’t think you need much in the way of looking after, but I appreciate the sentiment.”
“Well, you have at least allowed me to let my hair down and forget, if at least for a few hours, that I’m being hunted by a scoundrel that wants to own me. Besides, I haven’t had such pleasant company on a day into town in a very long time.”
He bowed to her. “My pleasure, Your Highness.”
She looked away from him and started clapping with the music. She was smiling so big, and her emerald colored eyes sparkled whenever she turned her head toward him. Her curly red hair held streaks of gold that glistened from the rays of the sun. He was enraptured. He watched her move and couldn’t help but stare. She was so beautiful, her body curvaceous and sensual. Her down to earth attitude made him feel completely carefree himself, and he found himself tapping his own foot now to the music. He hadn’t felt so alive in someone else’s presence in many years. He felt his heart melt with the sound of her voice, and he wanted so much to be closer, not just physically, but emotionally. He wanted to know everything about her. He wanted her to keep talking, about anything and everything. He had never wanted to be that close to anyone, and the thought not only excited him, but frightened him as well. He could very easily see himself being captured indefinitely by her radiance.