A Day With a Stranger

Celeste stood in the clearing, watching Kael disappear into the forest. The audacity of that man! Who did he think he was? Her golden eyes narrowed, still glaring at the direction he had walked.

"'Weak woman,' he says," she muttered, crossing her arms. "I could've handled that Tiger-Lion without him."

But despite her annoyance, a small voice in the back of her head whispered that she was glad he'd been there. The Tiger-Lion had been far more aggressive than she expected, and though she knew she could have defeated it, she hadn't expected anyone else to intervene.

She sighed, brushing dirt off her pants. "Enough about him," she said to herself. "I'm here to enjoy the forest, not argue with strange men."

With that, she started walking again, her steps light as she moved deeper into the woods. The trees grew taller and denser, their branches forming a canopy that filtered the sunlight into a soft, golden glow. Celeste felt a sense of calm wash over her, the kind she hadn't experienced in years.

For the first time in her life, she was free — no castle walls, no watchful eyes, no overprotective parents. Just her and the forest.

---

After about an hour of wandering, Celeste found herself at the edge of a small, sparkling stream. She knelt beside it, cupping her hands to drink the cool, refreshing water.

"This is amazing," she murmured, her reflection shimmering in the gentle current. "So much better than being cooped up in the castle."

As she sat by the stream, a rustling sound came from the bushes behind her. She turned sharply, summoning a small magic circle in her hand. "Who's there?"

To her surprise, a group of small, fluffy creatures hopped out of the bushes. They looked like a cross between rabbits and squirrels, with long ears and bushy tails. Their fur was a soft lavender color, and their large eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"Oh!" Celeste exclaimed, lowering her magic. "Aren't you adorable?"

The creatures chirped softly, hopping closer to her. One of them sniffed at her boot before climbing onto her lap. Celeste giggled, stroking its soft fur. "You're not afraid of me, are you?"

The other creatures soon followed, surrounding her and chirping happily. Celeste felt a warmth in her chest. It was rare for her to feel this connected to the world around her.

"I wish I could take you all home," she said, laughing as one of them tugged playfully at her sleeve. "But I think my parents would have a heart attack if I showed up with a pack of... whatever you are."

As she sat there, enjoying the company of the creatures, she heard a familiar voice call out behind her.

"So, this is what you're doing instead of running from the Tiger-Lion?"

Celeste whipped her head around to see Kael leaning casually against a tree, his arms crossed and a smirk on his face.

"What are you doing here?" she snapped, her tone more annoyed than she intended.

Kael shrugged. "I could ask you the same thing. You looked like you were about to get yourself killed earlier, so I figured I'd keep an eye on you."

"I don't need a babysitter," Celeste shot back, standing up. The creatures around her scattered, disappearing into the bushes.

Kael raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that? Because from where I'm standing, you don't look like someone who knows how to survive out here."

Celeste glared at him. "I'll have you know, I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I don't need your help."

Kael chuckled, shaking his head. "Suit yourself, princess."

Her eyes widened. "How do you know—"

"Relax," he said, cutting her off. "I don't know who you are. 'Princess' just seemed like the right word for someone as... delicate as you."

Celeste's cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and anger. "I am not delicate!"

Kael smirked. "Prove it."

Before she could respond, Kael turned and started walking away. "I'm heading to the village," he said over his shoulder. "Feel free to tag along if you get tired of pretending you know what you're doing."

Celeste stood there, fuming. She wasn't about to let him talk to her like that. Without thinking, she started following him.

---

The two walked in silence for a while, the tension between them palpable. Kael led the way, his confident strides cutting through the underbrush with ease. Celeste followed a few paces behind, her arms crossed and her lips pressed into a thin line.

Eventually, Kael broke the silence. "So, what's a 'not delicate' girl like you doing in the forest anyway?"

Celeste hesitated. She wasn't sure how much she wanted to tell him. "I... wanted to see the world," she said finally. "I've spent my whole life in a castle. It was time for a change."

Kael glanced back at her, his expression unreadable. "Must be nice," he said.

"What do you mean?"

"Having the choice to leave," he replied.

Celeste frowned. There was a bitterness in his tone that she didn't understand. "What about you?" she asked. "Why are you out here?"

Kael shrugged. "No reason."

Celeste narrowed her eyes. "That's not an answer."

He sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. "Fine. I live out here. Happy?"

"You live in the forest?"

"Yeah. It's quiet, and no one bothers me."

Celeste tilted her head, studying him. There was something about him that didn't quite add up. "You don't seem like the type to enjoy solitude," she said.

Kael snorted. "And what type do I seem like?"

"The annoying type," Celeste shot back.

Kael laughed, the sound echoing through the trees. "Fair enough," he said, grinning.

---

As they continued walking, the trees began to thin, and the sounds of a bustling village reached their ears. Celeste's eyes lit up with excitement as the forest gave way to a small clearing, revealing a lively marketplace.

The village was unlike anything she had ever seen. Stalls lined the streets, selling everything from fresh produce to handmade jewelry. Children ran through the streets, laughing and playing, while merchants shouted to advertise their wares.

"This is amazing," Celeste said, her voice filled with wonder.

Kael chuckled. "You act like you've never seen a village before."

"I haven't," she admitted, her eyes scanning the vibrant scene.

Kael looked at her, surprised. "Seriously? You've never been to a village?"

She shook her head. "I told you, I've spent my whole life in a castle."

Kael's expression softened, and for a moment, he seemed almost... sympathetic. "Well, welcome to the real world, princess," he said.

Celeste ignored the nickname, too caught up in the sights and sounds around her. She wandered through the market, stopping to admire the various items on display. A vendor selling flowers caught her eye, and she approached the stall, her golden hair glowing in the sunlight.

"Would you like to buy some, miss?" the vendor asked, holding out a bouquet of daisies.

"They're beautiful," Celeste said, smiling. "How much?"

"Two copper coins," the vendor replied.

Celeste hesitated. She had never handled money before and realized she hadn't brought any with her. "I, um..."

Before she could finish, Kael appeared beside her, dropping two coins onto the stall. "Here," he said, handing her the bouquet.

Celeste blinked, surprised. "You didn't have to do that."

Kael shrugged. "Consider it an apology for calling you weak earlier."

She looked at him, unsure whether to be grateful or annoyed. "Thank you," she said finally, holding the flowers close.

Kael smirked. "Don't mention it."

---

As the day went on, Celeste and Kael continued to explore the village. She marveled at everything she saw, from the colorful fabrics at the tailor's stall to the mouthwatering aroma of freshly baked bread.

Kael, meanwhile, seemed content to follow her lead, occasionally teasing her but always keeping a watchful eye.

When the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the village, Celeste found herself at the edge of the forest once more. She turned to Kael, a genuine smile on her face. "Thank you for showing me around," she said.

Kael raised an eyebrow. "Didn't think you'd actually thank me."

She laughed. "You're not as bad as I thought."

He grinned. "Coming from you, I'll take that as a compliment."

As they stood there, the sound of crickets filled the air, and the first stars began to appear in the sky. Celeste looked up, her heart swelling with a sense of freedom she had never known.

"This was the best day of my life," she whispered.

Kael glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "You're easy to impress," he said, though there was no malice in his tone.