But the little princess's next words instantly floored everyone!
"Brother Yakth, Brother Restin, why are you fighting? Is it because of me? I know I'm very pretty, but I'm still young! You don't have to compete for my affection!" Sitting atop her horse, the little princess blushed and squirmed, her earlier heroic shout of "Stop!" completely gone.
*Where did this little brat learn such things?* Sophie thought as she picked herself up off the ground, baffled. *She's way too precocious—does she even know what "competing for affection" means?*
"Milta, what are you doing here?" Yakth brushed the dirt off his clothes—remnants of his earlier tumble—and addressed the princess. So this was the same Milta who'd been reduced to tears by Yakth's earthworm prank!
"The guards reported to Father that you were dueling outside the city. He was going to send Second Brother—" Everyone except Sophie's family shuddered. Milta grinned mischievously before continuing, "But I begged him to let me come instead, so here I am!"
Sophie frowned. *Why does everyone react like that? Is Milta's second brother really that scary?*
"Hurry back with me! Father is waiting!" Milta turned to the guards behind her. "Bring the stretchers Second Brother prepared. Carry Brother Yakth and Brother Restin gently!"
*So they already have stretchers here too?* Sophie mused. *Milta's second brother must be quite the strategist. I wonder what kind of person he is. And this princess isn't as naive as she seems.* She studied Milta's sly smile with newfound interest.
As the group moved away, Sophie couldn't help but worry about Yakth. But this was noble business—she had no place interfering. After getting Milta's permission, she decided to return to the inn. But first, she'd continue exploring the capital's sights and, more importantly, its food!
Without Yakth—her walking wallet—Sophie mostly window-shopped, lingering at stalls with longing gazes. Each time she put something down, she'd stare at it a few more seconds before moving on.
"Crystal fruit skewers! Icy, sweet, and tangy—one bite will leave you craving more!" A vendor's shout caught the family's attention. They zeroed in on a cart adorned with round wooden sticks, each skewered with dazzling fruit treats—far more elaborate than simple candied hawthorns. The craftsmanship was impressive, though the price matched the extravagance.
Sophie grabbed two skewers in each hand. Charles, munching on one, held another high for Little White perched on his shoulder. But his unsteady grip made the skewer bob up and down, forcing the poor creature to perform acrobatics just to take a bite.
Suddenly, Charles' ears twitched. A loud *gulp* sounded right behind him. He spun around—and nearly dropped the skewer in shock. Two wide-eyed children, their faces inches from his, stared hungrily at Little White's snack, drool glistening like crystal on their chins.
The siblings—clearly twins—froze when they realized they'd been caught. The boy clutched his sister's hand tightly, both still eyeing the fruit skewers with desperate longing.
"Do you kids want some?" Sophie crouched down, smiling warmly.
They shook their heads vigorously—but their eyes never left the skewers.
"Here, Auntie will give these to you. Good children deserve treats!" She offered the two untouched skewers meant for Charles. "Eat up! If you want more, my mom will buy them!" Yakth chimed in, encouraging the younger kids.
The boy smacked his sister's sneaky outstretched hand. "Mom said we can't take food from strangers!" His voice was firm, but his gaze betrayed his hunger.
"Then how about helping Auntie with something?" Sophie coaxed. The boy finally looked up, suspicious. "What?"
"Can you tell me how to get to the magic competition inn? I'm new here and lost." She put on her best helpless expression.
Charles, about to protest, shut his mouth after a subtle wink from Sophie.
"Go straight, turn left at the end of this street, then right at the second road," the boy recited eagerly.
"Perfect! As a reward, these skewers are yours—you earned them!" Sophie beamed, feeling a bit like the Big Bad Wolf luring in Little Red Riding Hood.
The children accepted gleefully. Just as Sophie stood, a woman's voice cut in.
"Jones! Goodman! What are you doing here?" The twins stiffened, hiding the skewers behind their backs.
"Mom, this auntie was lost, so we helped her," the older boy, Goodman, mumbled.
The woman, Eva, took one look at her kids, the strangers, and sighed. "I'm Eva. If my children caused any trouble, I apologize."
"Not at all! They're adorable. I'm Sophie—just arrived in Lamipore." Sophie smiled.
Eva nodded gratefully before fixing her kids with a stern look. "Where's your father?"
The twins glanced toward a nearby tavern, then guiltily lowered their heads.
"That *idiot*!" Eva's sunny demeanor darkened into a thunderstorm. Without another word, she stormed into the tavern and soon emerged, dragging a man by the ear.
"Ow, ow, Eva, ease up—it hurts!" The handsome young man winced, his face contorted in pain.
"Oh, *now* it hurts? What about your promise to quit drinking? Huh?" She twisted harder, ignoring his yelps as she marched him past Sophie's family and down the street. The twins waved goodbye before scampering after their parents.
Sophie chuckled, shaking her head. The sun was setting—Yakth was probably back by now.
*Or was he?*