Ceres

68

"We will be going ahead of you."

Ceres suddenly said those words which puzzled all of them, except for Gil. Knowing this princess and traveling with her for these past few months, he already knew what Ceres meant and wants to do.

Leonard went near Ceres along with his horse.

"If it's scouting, we already have people doing it. Why can't you normally travel with us like our personal guards?"

Leonard didn't like Ceres and Gil to be ahead of them. He doesn't fully trust them and he thought that maybe, they will set-up some sort of trap along the way. It's much safer to keep your enemies close in case something happens.

Ceres looked at Gil and the latter was the one who explained. By now, everyone knew that Ceres didn't like to waste her saliva and talk that long. She quietly looked at them.

"We are mercenaries and we have received jobs which can be done along the way. This includes some bandits which if we cleared, may help you travel smoothly."

Hearing what Gil said, everyone have dumb faces. They didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Ceres and Gil are still thinking of earning money while taking advantage of their help.

Amidst the dead air, Lennard spoke.

"We understand you but, we are in a hurry. We have to reach the capital in four days since we need to attend the banquet. If you guys went out of your way and do those jobs..."

Everyone understood what Lennard meant. They need to be ahead of their time since they may not know if there are other mishaps along the way. The safest plan would be to arrive at the capital as soon as possible. Ceres, too, understood that time was important to these people more specifically since they came from the royal family. But, she didn't want to waste any opportunity.

Out of the three royal siblings, Ceres' stare landed on Leona the longest. Of course, everyone caught this small gesture.

"You guys don't have to worry. We will keep you safe in this journey."

Right after Ceres spoke those words, she went ahead while riding the horse given to her. Gil, of course, followed her. Everyone, particularly the royal siblings, were puzzled. But, they could not do anything about those two. They still don't know how powerful those two are or if they have any status in the kingdom at all. Their identities were still shrouded in mystery and thus, it is not good to offend them.

"I feel like... I should believe him."

It was Leona who first spoke and broke the silence. Her eyes were clear and were staring at the direction that Ceres and Gil went. Lennard could only shake his head and lead her to the carriage. Leonard went ahead too and followed Ceres and Gil, he feel like he should watch every move they make. This was clearly dangerous but Lennard left him. It was also a good opportunity for Leonard to experience things beyond the royal family affairs.

Ceres and Gil felt Leonard's presence behind them. She didn't mind if he was going to follow them but, what she did mind is his appearance.

Just base from Orion's case before, Ceres can be considered a disguise master. Well, she is really a disguise master even in her previous world. Moreover, when she does her job, she wants it done without any flaws. It is one of the reasons why she minds Leonard's appearance.

She stopped her horse and naturally, Gil also stopped his. They waited for Leonard to catch up.

"What?"

Leonard was quite puzzled when he saw them waiting for him. Then, he couldn't help but grab the hilt of his sword.

Are they thinking of silencing me?

However, before he could even move, Ceres went down her horse and signaled him to get down. Of course, he wouldn't do as Ceres' says because he doesn't trust them. That's why, Ceres clicked her tongue and signaled Gil to do what she wants. Gil immediately made Leonard faint and when he was falling down the horse, he caught him and placed him in front of Ceres.

Ceres, then, helped Leonard put on the face mask they used before which made Leonard look like an ordinary person. After the face mask was put in place, Ceres rode her horse once again. It was Gil's job to wake the prince up.

"What did you do to me?!"

The prince, as soon as he woke up, crawled away from them and grabbed his sword. He unsheathed it and directed it to Ceres and Gil. Based on what happened earlier, he knew that he wasn't their opponent at all. And, to think that he is already a level 23 magic practitioner.

Gil only brought a mirror in front of him.

Looking at it, Leonard was surprised and was afraid.

"What is this?! Do you plan to steal my identi---"

Ceres couldn't help but shake her head. Deep inside, she wanted to curse this royal prince in front of her. Are those in power really bore arrogant and naïve children?

Ceres went ahead. She doesn't want to explain things and also, she wants to surpass Gil in capturing bandits. Thus, Gil was left to do the explanation.

"Your previous disguise is flawed. He helped you improve your disguise. Without taking of the face mask, no one will be able to recognize you. It will be troublesome if the bandits were alerted because a royal prince was with us. However, I must warn you. Give back that face mask after you've used it."

Gil rode his horse before continuing what he wants to say.

"That person is too stingy and doesn't want anyone using her items beyond its borrowed time."

After saying that, Gil immediately followed Ceres. He wasn't thinking about capturing bandits but rather, thinking that he needs to be by her side. Or else, his master would punish him once again.

Leonard was left touching the face mask on his face. Only after Gil told him that he was wearing a face mask that he felt he really was wearing one! This is how formidable Ceres' disguise technique is.

When he realized that they might have gone further away, he started following them once again.

---

On Lennard and Leona's carriage, Lennard couldn't help but look at his sister. Leona was happily humming a song while looking outside.

"Do you think they've gone far ahead?"

Leona turned her head to look at her brother.

Lennard could only smile.

"What do you think of him?"

Leona only smiled. Even under her veil, one would feel that a refreshing smile is hidden underneath.

"I think he's a good person."

Leona's beauty can be compared to the fairies and elves in stories. That is also the reason why she is sought and admired by a lot of people. However, what everyone did not know was that during the royal queen's pregnancy with Leona, she was visited by fairies and elves. This story is only known by the royal couple.

The royal couple only told the twin brothers that Leona is a special existence and that she may be able to see the good in people. However, without evidence, not everyone would believe such thing particularly Leonard.

This is also the reason why Lennard was not wary of Ceres and Gil.

"Uhmm... Big brother..."

Lennard was woken up from his reminiscing.

"What is it?"

"Thosegreen speckles surrounding you... What are those?"-tbc