Natty swallowed her saliva in surprise, her hand that was in front of her body then moved to grip the tip of her apron.
"C- Capital?" she repeated quietly, she looked at Lucian, with a hint of confusion. Was this some kind of test, a joke or even he guessed this was Lucian's new trap?
"Yes," Lucian replied without hesitation in a firm voice. "There's something I'm looking for, you know I've never been out of the mansion in my life?"
He hung on for a moment, then closed his eyes to turn his gaze away from Natty, his index finger and thumb and index finger holding his cheek, "You know what I mean?" he said again, then scratched his head that wasn't itching before continuing his words, "I don't want to waste time twisting you
tar direction or get lost."
He then pointed to Natty with his index finger, "And you, more than anyone else in this place, know the way there."
Natty could only look at Lucian with a confused expression by blinking his eyes a few times, she swallowed her saliva again because she didn't know how to respond to this situation. Lucian's speaking style did sound flat, but for some reason he felt Lucian right now like someone who was trying hard not to sound like he was pleading.
Lucian then cast his gaze away for a moment, "If you don't want to, you can refuse. This is purely my request, not an order." He said, then looked back at Natty and added, "Of course, I'll also say the previous terms next time."
Natty widened his eyes for a moment, once again he couldn't believe he would hear the arrangement come out of Lucian's mouth. For a moment, Natty could only be silent and stood stiffly in place, her heart pounding slightly from confusion and perhaps a little touched.
Natty's face flushed faintly, he quickly lowered his head trying to hide the red hue in her check.
"I... I won't refuse," she said in a slightly trembling voice, "I'll be happy to help you."
Lucian then smiled smirkingly, then nodded his head softly. "Good." He said briefly, "I think Pavel has got his horse ready, we have to go now."
Ignoring Natty's answer, Lucian started to walk first, Natty followed him with a little shaky, "Wait Young Master...!"
Lucian didn't answer, he just turned his head slightly towards Natty.
"You... you're going to leave now?" asked Natty, her voice sounding a little oaky.
"That's right, if you don't hurry up I'll leave you," Lucian replied, he then resumed his steps while waving his hand back, as if beckoning Natty to follow him immediately
***
After finishing inspecting the horses that the horseman had prepared on Pavel's previous orders, Lucian nodded slightly to make sure that the equipment and harnesses were properly attached. The horse is dark brown with such shiny fur.
He patted the horse's neck gently, felt a strong energy from it and then smiled faintly. He then took a deep breath and stepped on the stirrup and swung his body onto the horse's back. He almost slipped, but managed to hold his body before falling, then he quickly readjusted his sitting position.
Natty, who saw that, immediately held his breath and then reflexively raised her hand as if she wanted to catch Lucian with her abilities just in case she really fell.
"Young Master...?!" Her voice sounded like a small scream.
Lucian sighed for a moment, "I'm fine." he said as he straightened his body while holding the horse tail, "You didn't ride?"
"Ah about that..." Natty lowered her head in embarrassment, her hands gripping each other's aprons in front of her body. "I... I can't ride a horse, Young Master."
Lucian snorted for a moment, then reached out to gesture to Natty to hold his hand, "Hold my hand, I'll help you,"
Natty looked at Lucian's hand that was stretched out at her, then glanced at the man's face again doubtfully. In hermind, she remembered clearly a while ago that the man had almost fallen.
Seeing that expression, Lucian let out a long sigh, then said in a calmer tone, "Don't worry, I won't let you fall."
Then despite her hesitation, Natty slowly raised her hand and grasped Lucian's hand. As soon as her hand was grasped, with one strong enough pull Lucian pulled Natty up, helping her onto the horse's back. Natty staggered forward slightly, almost hitting Lucian's back, but she managed to hold back, quickly holding onto Lucian's waist tightly to keep her from falling.
Afterwards, Lucian straightened his body and moved the reins slowly, making the horse start walking.
"A tight grip, this will be difficult for you who are riding a horse for the first time." Lucian said casually.
Natty just nodded, her hands gripping Lucian's robe tightly. At first, the horse was just walking quite slowly, however once they exited the mansion gate and entered the cobblestone streets towards the outside, Lucian applied a little pressure with his heel to the side of the horse's body, making the beast speed up its pace.
The sudden movement made Natty gasp slightly, she held Lucian's robe tighter. Her body shook slightly backwards and forwards following the rhythm of the horse's steps which were now faster.
Lucian glanced back, his eyes flashing amused at the girl's panicked reaction, but he didn't say anything. Only her curved lips formed a small smile full of amusement.
***
After such a long journey, finally the horse they were riding drove through the gates of the capital. In front of them lay a view of a big city that was so busy. Majestic medieval-style towering buildings can be seen along the main street.
The boisterous sound of the city crowd, the footsteps of hurrying people, and the roar of speeding carts filled the air. The high stone walls and cobblestone streets that have been frequented by horses and four-wheeled vehicles, give a dense and lively feel.
"Wow... after seeing this I really feel like I'm in that game right now," Lucian muttered as he turned his head to the surroundings.
However, for Natty, all of that feels very far away. She could only feel her stomach shaking with the horse's movements. The long journey full of speed is now starting to make her feel nauseous.
"Young Master, it feels like all my stomach wants to come out right now," Natty said while holding her stomach.
Lucian looked back, seeing Natty's expression getting paleer and more uncomfortable. "You're not okay?" asked Lucian, a little worried though his voice still sounded flat.
"I'm sorry, I can't seem to go on anymore," Natty said in a voice that was almost trembling. Her body leaned forward slightly, trying to hold back the nausea that was getting worse. She really couldn't keep riding the horse anymore, and it even felt like if she was forced to do it just a little longer, she would really vomit out her stomach.
Lucian sighed slowly, raising one of his eyebrows as if thinking quickly. "There seems to be no other choice," he muttered flatly. He then pulled the horse's bridle, stopping his steps on the side of the road.
Lucian then got off the horse, stroking the neck of his horse. After making sure his horse was calm enough, Lucian stretched out his hand towards Natty without saying much.
Natty, who was still pale and looking weak, looked at the hand with a hint of hesitation for a moment. But eventually, she strengthened herself and accepted Lucian's helping hand. With Lucian's help, she slowly descended from the top of the horse's back, both of her legs wobbling as she stepped on the ground.
She was still trying to catch her breath, closing her eyes for a moment while holding back the nausea that had not completely subsided.
"You can walk, right?" asked Lucian.
Natty opened her eyes slowly and nodded slightly, "I think I can, Lord." she replied quietly.
Lucian released his hand slowly, making sure Natty wouldn't fall right away. He then led his horse to walk beside them, while Natty walked slowly beside him.
The roar of the crowd in the capital city was heard more and more clearly. The streets were filled with vendors shouting for merchandise, small children running around, and city officials passing by. The smell of toast and bacon was faintly smelled from the direction of the market.
Lucian glanced at Natty out of the corner of his eye. Seeing that the girl was still pale, he slowed his pace without saying much.
"If you want, after this we will find a place to sit for a while," he said lightly, as if offering a choice without force.
Lucian only nodded once without answering, then resumed his steps while guiding his horse. Occasionally he turned his head to the left and right, his eyes observing the crowded streets and the various buildings they passed. He tries to match this scene with the memories of the capital city that he knows from the game.
After walking in silence for a while, Natty finally had the courage to ask.
"Young Master, I'm sorry if I'm presumptuous," she said doubtfully, "why do you suddenly want to go to the capital?"
"Hmmm?" Lucian muttered shortly, his eyes still sweeping around. "Didn't I tell you before, to find someone?" he replied casually, as if it was a very ordinary thing.
"Is there a specific place you want to go?" asked Natty again, her voice sounding softer with hesitation.
Lucian glanced at her for a moment before looking back at the front. "Do you know the direction to the western district?"
Natty tilted her head slightly, trying to remember. "The western district...?" she muttered. A few seconds later, her facial expression changed. She looked at Lucian doubtfully.
"I know it.... Wait, Young Master, isn't that the place of beggars?" she said in a slightly high voice.
"That's right, there's someone I want to meet there," Lucian said in a low voice, as if going to the slums wasn't unusual for him. "Good, then please help me, Natty."
Natty looked at him worriedly, her hands subconsciously gripping her apron again. But seeing Lucian's relaxed expression, she finally nodded slightly, holding back all the questions that were about to come out of his lips.
They walked down the main street before finally turning into narrower alleys. The further they go, the atmosphere of the city changes drastically. The road, which was once clean and crowded, slowly turned into a rocky path filled with mud and puddles of dirty water. The buildings here look shabby, with cracked walls and peeling paint. An unpleasant smell was faint in the air, mixed with the smell of smoke and rust iron.
A few people in shabby clothes sat leaning against the street corner, staring at Lucian and Natty with suspicious or hopeful eyes. There were little children running barefoot, and some old beggars who were hunched over in despair.
Natty gripped the hem of her shirt tightly, her steps a little hesitant. "Young M-Master..." whispered, her eyes moved restlessly to pay attention to her surroundings.
Lucian remained calm, one hand guiding the horse, the other at the side of his body as if ready to act at any moment. "Don't worry. There's nothing to worry about."
Natty as usual could only suspend, they resumed their steps. Lucian noticed one by one the beggars he saw but none of them matched the npc character.
But strangely, even though they had been around for quite some time, Lucian didn't find any sign of the presence of the person he was looking for. Alley after alley they passed, but everything seemed foreign and showed no results.
Lucian stopped at a narrow intersection, his eyebrows furrowed deeply. He looked around, trying to recall the clues he knew from the game, but still there was no sign familiar to the npc. That's when someone approached them.
A middle-aged man with tattered clothes, tangled hair and some visible dirt on his face.
"Hey Sir, it looks like you're not from this district,"