If only Thalia was accompanying, this wouldn't seem like a date.

I buried my face in my hands, thinking about last night. Though I'd tackled him in the conversation, my answers made me embarrassed like never before.

Activities of pretty insects. Seriously, Althea? I ran my hand over the face. God damn, I sounded like a five-year-old. All the better wordings were coming now, and I couldn't do anything but mope around why hadn't I said those.

But why was I being embarrassed in the first place?

Because you want him to look at you as a woman, not a childish girl, A voice said inside me.

"No! Um... yes but, not in that way..." I stammered to myself, cheeks flushing red. What a misery, my own self could make me blush. No wonder I'm a gone case in front of others.

Especially in front of him. And I had to face him now. Alone.

I looked around the hallway, someone asked me to wait in. Like a scared cat, my eyes wandered for the dangerous woman, if she was anywhere in sight. Despite me swearing to be on her good side, I had ended pissing her off. Things were just piling on my plate. I had to figure out soon, how to fix my equation with her.

My eyes repeatedly shifted to the entry door. No, I don't have the guts to look him in the eye as he enters. I turned around to face the throne that was at the far end.

The morning sunlight entered the various carvings on the roof in a way that illuminated the throne. I imagined Julian sitting there, in all his glory of a king, ruling his empire.

Today would be the day I would figure out what type of king he is.

I looked down at my dress. A rose-pink chiton outfit. Two golden brooches were pinned at the tip of my shoulders, followed by sleeves that hung around the arms. The soft material flowed till the feet. My hairs were a simple braid on one side of the shoulder.

Sound of wood clanking on the ground entered the lone hallway, and I slightly turned to the direction. Soon his feet appeared in my bowed view.

"Greetings, my Lord," I acknowledged him.

"Hm, here," I raised my head to see him handing my book he took last night. In the split second, I saw what he wore. A red-wine coloured rich fabric draped around his shoulders, pinned over the heart with his empire's symbol. It was adjusted in a way to hide his wounded right shoulder but exposed the other one. Below was the cream coloured Greek warrior attire that came till his knees.

"Thank you," I bowed again and with a single motion of his hand, we walked out. Two guardsmen followed us.

We crossed the gardens and turned right to reach an area which consisted of stables and various carriages. I stopped, noticing we would take a carriage to go around.

That would fail my plan of understanding him as a king.

"My Lord, can we walk?" I asked. My breath hitched when I saw his face for the first time this morning.

His jaw was shaved, leaving only a lingering stubble. The light brown eyes that shone under the young morning light, and his hair, though always in waves, were combed back in a sleek fashion after the bath.

Even though he wasn't dressed fancy, he looked more than good.

And I wondered what a hunk he would look like in a tux.

He did a once over my attire, then levelled his eyes to mine. I could tell my weird request surprised him.

"Uhm, you know I need to... write everything in detail," I looked at the palm trees in the distance, "And, walking would offer... just that," I fiddled with the book,

"If- if you wish to," I added. He was a king. I couldn't just impose my decision on him and think he'd agree.

He raised his hand, and the guardsmen taking out the horses to be attached with the cart stopped. Julian watched me with inquisition, probably thinking about what I said.

"Your legs won't hurt?" He tilted his head in question.

The mere question had blood rushing to my cheeks.

"No, no- they won't. I'll be fine." I smiled sheepishly.

"Alright then, we'll go by the path," He walked beside me and I could sense the smile in his voice. A guardsman opened a wooden umbrella-like thing over his head while another one walked behind us.

Kingly rules, I thought as I walked a step behind the Romanowskian ruler.

The palace complex was enormous, which took a while to get out after all the turns. I tried looking as far as possible but couldn't find the general public of his empire.

It was important to find them because they'll be the key factor in determining his nature as a king. I wanted to gauge their reaction. How did they behave in front of him? Were they scared, friendly or something else?

"... That's why I thought the carriage would be fine." Out of the blue, I heard him say. I held my breath when the sentence made no sense to me.

Way to go with a king, Althea, not facepalm, I wanted to facerock myself. It was common sense not to ask a king to repeat. Ignoring what they said is the highest disrespect to them. Not to forget, some kings even punished people who did so.

"Couldn't we walk there, my Lord?" I did the wildest guess, trying my voice not to waver.

He glanced aside with an unbelievable expression, "There's only so much you could walk."

Ah, Thank God.

I spotted a few carts in the distance, loaded with goods. All of them entered the palace complex through a different route. When they disappeared behind the palace walls, an idea struck me.

"My Lord, if we cannot go to your chosen place, can we walk to the marketplace?"

He gave an annoyed expression. Surely, why would a king like to go to a marketplace? But damn, I wanted my plan to work.

"According to a writer... a marketplace is the heart of a kingdom. And it's an equally important place, where people come every day." I explained. When his looks didn't budge, I hesitated before doing the one thing.

I gave him the puppy eyes.

The flip in his mood was remarkable. When his annoyance melted to an unbelievable look, I lowered my head.

This couldn't get any more awkward.

"If- if you want to," I mumbled again.

"Lower this," he ordered the guardsmen who held the wooden umbrella. The guard closed and pleated it to form a spear. Julian did an eye talk with them and they went different ways.

"Let's go," he said, tucking the wine red fabric till his nose, so only his eyes were visible. He wrapped the remaining cloth around his shoulder.

"What?" His voice came muffled when he looked down to see me gaping at him, "You'll do your work and I'll do mine. Let's go," And he began walking away.

Odd king.

After walking for a while, we entered the residential area where huts were lined one after the other. The sand was cleverly removed from around the houses and paths connecting them, making walking easier.

Julian's eyes slithered from one corner to another, watching every moving thing. He walked a foot ahead of me, just so people don't think we are together.

What is he up to?

The residential area became more bustling with life, and I figured we had reached the marketplace. People rushed with food carts, sun-baked bricks and other items. Julian walked into the market, leaving me on my own. Suddenly I became a nervous wreck again.

How will I start asking people? I meandered along the contours of lined shops, checking out the stuff they were selling. Some people had their house situated here, such that the backside of their home faced the market, where they sold.

Some sat on the ground on a carpet, displaying items where people crouched to inspect the goods. The place was divided into sections, where each sold specific goods.

Freshly caught fish lay on linen, sold by an old lady. Some smaller fishes swam in a pot filled with water. I passed it and found all sorts of meat being sold in the next one.

Crossing the area, the groceries and grains section came up. I bent down at one of the open shops who sold cereals. The shopkeeper gave me a gentle smile, and I smiled back. Feeling welcomed, I picked some pulses to feel their texture.

"How much do they cost?" I asked.

"We have installed today's produce on a give and take basis, dear lady. That'll cost half a hekat of wheat," he informed. Oh, so it was the barter system in work here. It was a system where one exchanged products, instead of money.

"I'm afraid I have nothing to give," I shrugged, smiling, "So, the king has applied a barter system here?" I started cautiously. My features though soft on the outside were inspecting the man like a hawk for any emotion he displayed in the name of the King.

"As far as I know, he is generous enough to allow both barter and money systems here," He arranged the sacs and poured in more grains. I wrote some pointers from what I understood.

"Do you write, dear lady?" The man asked, amused, as he noticed the book in my hand. Unlike the usual men's bitter response to women writing, he appeared happy by the fact.

"We came from Greece to Egypt so that my daughter could study. It's very good that they allow both genders to study here," He said, delighted.

"That's so good to hear. Can I meet your daughter?" I asked eagerly, hoping to write something unique.

"Ah, we don't bring her here, but I have my helper. He writes as well, and I'm sure he could explain the knowledge you are seeking." When he saw my enthusiastic look, he turned around to call a man who was shifting sacs nearby.

"Alexan! Come here son, you've got a like-minded lady here!" he called, after which he began attending to other customers who had accumulated.

When the man named Alexan came to crouch in front of me, I looked at him in disbelief. A sense of home in these foreign lands washed over me, causing an inaudible sob to surface my throat.

"How can I help you-" He raised his head from the grains below but stopped.

"Coretta?"

"Aarmen!" We whispered together.

He looked around once, then shifted farther from the shop owner, "Hey, long time no see?" he whispered in English, giving me a bright smile.

"Really, so long. When did we last meet? It's close to three years, I guess..." I hastily wiped a stray tear.

"Coretta, is everything okay? I know your life is tougher than me..." He said, concerned. When my eyes fell on his hands, I couldn't help but take them in mine.

"What... h- how did this..." I opened his hand to see his swollen palm, scratch marks running from one finger to another. His usually soft hands had turned rough, with blisters over the fingertips. Guilt washed over me at the sight.

"Coretta," he sighed, "People don't take it nicely when random men and women hold hands in fourth-century public. You know that, right?" He laughed lightly. I let go of his bruised hand.

"Aarmen," I lowered my gaze, "We all know that you studied the hardest for this project, and... you ending up in so much-" I exhaled, "You don't deserve this. This hard work, this pain." I looked him in the eye.

He picked up the grains, only to let go, "You are naïve, Coretta," he snickered, "Trust me, I'm the safest one of you all," He looked up in my moist eyes,

"Palace life, though full of useful things to write about, is the hardest. I have no idea how you are handling it so good," he smiled, "As of these hands, it's fine. Nothing I can't manage."

I took in a deep breath and let go. He was right. But it was so hard to see the people you know, in pain.

"The ruler of Romanos is here," I sighed. He panicked instantly.

"What? Goodness, where?" He looked around, alarmed, "I've never seen him but Lorenzo was telling one day, that man can threaten anyone with a smile."

"He did something to Lorenzo?" I asked, my eyes widening.

"He had to attend a warrior meeting where he met him. Bro was terrified like a chicken that day when he talked it out to me." Aarmen explained further. I rubbed my temple in a sigh.

"Okay, look. I think something is going to happen here. And look at this," I opened my AI book to him,

"He has asked me to write everything in Greek, so I can't write any critical analysis on him," I looked around the market, but found the red-wine coloured clothing nowhere,

"And he reads my book every day." I contemplated how to say it given his wounded hand.

"I'll write about it," he said without hesitation. Opening his book, he opened a fresh page and wrote Coretta on top, "All credits belong to you," he chuckled, "And don't shed tears on mere things," He raised his hand to my face but retracted it, shaking his head.

"You know I'm an emotional ball. Can't help what my eyes do," I giggled, "Anyway, what is this Dunkin-"

"You came here to buy grains?"

I almost died at the deep voice that came above me.

Gulping, I assured myself that he knew nothing about me and Aarmen. Most importantly, Aarmen. I couldn't forgive myself if he got in trouble because of me.

"I... was asking how they- make the grains," I trailed, then spoke again, "Also I got to know that... money and barter system, both work here," I gave him a timid smile, hoping he knew I was out here knowing how the market worked.

"That's already mentioned in the commerce directory of the palace," he stated flatly. Narrowed eyes were the only thing visible on his face. His voice though muffled brought a chill down my spine.

"C- Can I help you with anything, m- master?" Aarmen interjected, his voice scared to bits.

When Julian looked down at him with suspicion, I quickly stood up. Oh Lord, I hoped he didn't see me holding his hand.

"No," he said a single word, then turned to me. Without saying anything, he kept a hand on my back to led me out of the grain section.

I felt my back burn at the contact of his rough hand. Face instantly heating up like crazy.

"Coretta, damn, don't let him possess you or something. You know how ancient men have this caveman-like instinct on females," I heard Aarmen speak in my head, worried.

I know, I shuddered.

We reached the other section where people sold craft items, mostly handmade. Pots, baskets, wall hangings, decorative pieces made of wood and many more.

Spotting a shop seemingly more crowded than the others, I looked up at Julian, "Can we go there?" He said nothing, and started walking.

The shop was selling jewels, as both men and women hoarded it, that had the owner yelling at them. It was also a fairly bigger one than the rest.

Peeping in the stall, I found striking blue gems and picked one to see. Julian stood leaning against the stall, watching the wild crowd silently.

"Who said you can touch them?!" The owner screamed and slapped my hand away. The gem fell back in the wooden box.

"Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't know," I apologised, rubbing the back of my hand at the stinging pain.

Julian shifted from one foot to another, still watching without a word.

"And you," the shopkeeper's bitter gaze turned to him, "What are you doing leaning against my shop? Is this your father's property that he'll pay if you do the damage?!" he snarled, "Get your ass out of here!"

I just stared... at the fool of a man.

The masked ruler of Romanos didn't say a word and shifted behind the horde of people who were here before us. I also went back to wait for our turn.

Opening my book, I started scribbling meagre stuff that I got to know. Honestly, I found nothing to write, given Aarmen must've covered this area.

"The rumour seems true, man. His Honour did appoint another court writer. But never knew it's a... woman." My ears perked up, but I kept my eyes on my book.

I could feel the sly gaze of two men, who also stood there to buy the goods,

"She is running low on reasoning, I guess," The other one snickered, "Doesn't she know how the previous writer disappeared just like that. Anyway, since when do women have enough senses?" He threw a hand in my direction,

"No wonder she'll end up worse off than that male writer."

I felt suffocated.

"Women are only useful in warming men's bed and raising children. Which brings me to the fact that... look at her robe,"

"So fucking tearable," The other man grunted.

I saw all red.

Control, ignore, I chanted. I can't do anything because that would break the rules I had set. I just seethed to myself, hand clenched to fist, thinking it was the men's throat.

Two strong claps resonated in the area. The sound was so bold and hard that even in the market's chaos, some people turned their heads at the source.

The masked ruler who stood beside me.

When people were still gauging the mysterious man, two guards who were with us in the morning came rushing. On Julian's direction, they threw chains around the two gossiping men and brought them to their knees so they couldn't move.

Everyone watched in horror-filled silence, but the next second, all of them were gasping and running around.

I turned my head to see Julian had taken off his mask.

"Stop," The voice had such an inbuilt command that everyone froze in their spot. Not daring to move from where they stood. The entire marketplace was dead silent in a matter of few seconds.

"Were culprits from the fabric section sent to the palace?" Julian inquired calmly, going to stand in front of the kneeling men.

"Yes, my Lord. The one who was charging more money from people. Also, his helper, who was trying to touch unaware women." The guardsman informed, holding on to the chains.

Julian had his arms crossed, looking down at the men emotionlessly.

"Any say to defend yourself?" he asked. The men stiffened further.

"Running low on reasoning, are we?" he chuckled, then stepped back, "You should know how much your king despises gossiping," He clapped his hands once, and the guardsmen dragged the men away.

What surprised me that the dirty gossipers were so scared that they didn't even beg for mercy. I did a quick check to find most of the heads bowed.

Some kids were trying to have a look at the king, pointing their little hands at Julian, which had their parents giving them deadly glances to stop moving.

Oh well, what is that shop owner doing now?

His hands were pressed against his mouth, eyes widened like an owl's. Probably hoping that shutting his mouth now would undo what he spoke moments ago.

To my surprise, he disappeared behind his shop, only to return with a chair. He tiptoed to the front and gently placed it down. When Julian turned around, he sprung to action.

"My Lord! It's- it's an honour to have you... among us. P- Please if you could take some- rest," Two of his helpers came with large hand fans, and stood on either side, trembling beyond control.

Julian wasn't fazed and settled in the chair, crossing one leg over the other, and relaxed back. He crossed his arms and looked at no one in particular.

"Erasten Giles, tradesman from Sparta who sells the Egyptian lapis lazuli gemstone. Am I right?" He tapped his foot, and the owner gulped.

"Y- Yes, it is me, my Lord," he stuttered.

"I'm impressed by your successful business," The man's face brightened up, "But the amount of complaints against you has disappointed me greatly," Julian tched. The man Erasten, looked close to crying out.