Kamora was up and ready, a little giddy about going out with the young Fae lord. Despite her earlier reservations, she couldn't wait to explore the commoners' market with the young lord, especially given how excited he was.

She had brought him commoner's attire that would allow him to blend with the crowd, but someone with a good eye would be able to see that the outfit was of perfect quality. Although his father had not come to see them off, Kamora didn't mind and had taken it upon herself to prepare Jarosh for what he might see later on.

'Listen,' she said while they were at the entrance waiting for the carriage's arrival. 'You have to be by my side at all times. Do not talk to anyone you do not know, and never let go of my hand.'

'Are you going to hold on to me all the way there?' he asked, and she nodded. A strange look passed his face, and he quickly looked away.

Ignoring his strange expression, she continued. 'Do not stare at people too much. There are bad people out there, and they would not hesitate to take advantage of you if they realize you are a noble.'

'But we have guards escorting us,' Jarosh said, looking up at her with a frown.

'Even the guards will be blending with the crowd. If we draw attention to ourselves, we will not have the full experience we are hoping for. And I doubt your father will allow us to go to the market again.'

Jarosh nodded at that. The carriage finally arrived at the manor's entrance, and before they could hop on, Claudia's voice stopped them in their tracks.

'I assume you have everything prepared?' she said from behind them. Kamora turned around and gave her a quick bow.

'Yes. We have everything we might need.'

Claudia hummed. Kamora could feel the intensity of her gaze roaming all over her, causing hairs to rise at the back of her neck.

'May we go now?' Jarosh whined, breaking the growing tension.

'My lord,' Claudia said, her gaze now on him. 'Are you really sure you want to do this?'

Jarosh huffed. 'Even if I don't want to, it's too late to change my mind.' Claudia was about to say something, but he cut in, continuing his speech.

'We are just wasting time here. If we leave early, we are sure to arrive back home on time.'

It was in instances like this that Kamora had to remind herself that young lord Jarosh was just an eight-year-old child. Most times, his manner of speech mimicked that of an adult, another thing which Kamora felt sad about. The young lord should not have grown so fast.

'Let's go,' he said, turning away and heading straight to the carriage. Kamora bowed one final time to Claudia, and followed the young lord into the carriage.

Once they were comfortable inside the carriage, it began to move. Jarosh was seated at the window, and he looked out giddily, a wide smile etched on his face.

'My lord, have you ever left the manor?' Kamora asked, and he nodded, still looking outside.

'Whenever father was going to a noble's house for an informal visit, he always took me along, so he could use me as an excuse whenever he wanted to leave.'

Kamora frowned. 'Do you have any friends?' she asked, her voice soft.

He shook his head. 'I couldn't be bothered with them. All the noble kids I have come across act like children.'

Kamora frowned sadly. He was a child and was supposed to act as one.

The rest of the journey went on in silence, and finally, they arrived at the commoners' market. Although the carriage stopped by the entrance, they could hear the bustling noise coming from the market place.

Kamora got down, then stretched out her hand for the young lord so she could help him get down safely. After that happened, Kamora, now holding on to the young lord, walked to the driver and kindly asked him to park at a spot where he would not be very visible. When he agreed, she began to lead Jarosh into the market.

The noise surrounding the market increased as soon as they walked in, and Kamora squeezed the young lord's hand reflexively, as if to comfort him. When she looked down, his eyes were wide open in awe and admiration as he looked around. Several people pushed past them, and Kamora had to draw him closer to her side to prevent him from bumping into people. The market was overly filled with people, everyone moving in different directions as they bought or sold things.

She felt a tug on her hand and looked down to see Jarosh pointing at something. Her eyes slowly moved to what he had pointed at: a store selling fried chicken.

Kamora looked down at him and smiled, then began leading him to the store.

'Good day,' the owner greeted upon sighting both of them. Jarosh didn't answer as he was busy salivating at the feast set before him. Kamora simply smiled endearingly.

'How much do you sell this?' She asked, pointing at one of the fried chickens already spread out.

'We do not sell it alone,' the shop owner answered happily. 'This is a new recipe I recently discovered, and I find that it goes well with this.' He brought out a small covered plate and opened it. Jarosh tugged on her hand and so she asked the man to slowly bring his hand down. It was green-colored rice mixed with large peppers, carrots, and other things she couldn't place.

'What is this?' She asked.

'I call it curry rice,' he boasted proudly. 'It goes perfectly well with fried chicken.'

She looked down at Jarosh and at his ecstatic nod. Then she faced the man with a huge smile, 'I would like to buy two portions.'

The man's eyes lit up. 'Of course! Coming right up!'

When they had received the food, Kamora paid the man and then led Jarosh out of there. She led him with one hand and held their package in another as they walked down the market street. They stopped at almost every stall because Jarosh wanted to taste everything, and she was too soft-hearted to refuse his wish. The excuse she kept telling herself whenever another thing was added to their already growing pile was that it might probably be the last time he would ever visit the market.

Several hours passed, and the sun was already blazing hot in the sky.

'My lord,' she whispered to him after they finished buying another bag of baked cookies, one which he had already opened and was eating from.

'We need to start leaving,' she said. She held up her slowly numbing hand and said, 'we have purchased quite a lot.'

Surprisingly, Jarosh agreed quickly. 'Okay then. Let's go!' He grinned widely at her, his eyes lit with excitement. 'I can't wait to try them all out.'

'My lord, you bought only food,' she pointed out. 'Why didn't you buy anything else?'

'Nothing else interests me,' he said, biting into another cookie he had taken from the bag he carried. 'I came here for the food only.'

'I doubt you will be able to finish them all today,' she said, and his grin widened.

'That's why I have you with me.'

Kamora smiled, her heart turning to mush.

They continued their journey, making their way back to the entrance of the market when suddenly, someone called out her name.

'Kamora?'