They left the moment they rose. It took a while for the innkeeper to charge them for the extra few minutes they stayed and all sorts of other costs that had Bazil boiling.
While waiting, other guests of the inn spoke in awe amongst each other about some angel who sang to them in their sleep.
They even faintly hummed a word here and there, revealing that it was no other than the song Salīa had sung in the room.
She and Bazil finally exchanged glances, chuckling at the matter. Yet the moment lingered, and their eyes couldn't help but lock.
It was only when the innkeeper cleared his throat for the third time that they noticed and broke away.
"Brother and sister, huh?" the innkeeper's wife sneered, causing Salīa's cheeks to redden.
"Don't be rude," the innkeeper hushed her. "Some brothers and sisters are just close."
"Seems like it."
Bazil wanted to retort, but instead chose to get them out as fast as possible and on forth with their journey.
There wouldn't be any lands bigger than Chiro from this point on.
So, they rode as far as they could, occasionally stopping in small villages with high recommendations from Prince Naca's map.
In one village of mostly gentle elders, they happened upon a book stall and fingered through a few secondhand books.
Salīa had always been an avid reader, and so most of those she had already read. Yet she caught sight of smaller books shoved into a tucked-away shelf.
The stall owner gulped nervously when he noticed her edging towards it. He intended to hide it away, but when he saw her smirk instead of a frown, he let it be.
She flipped through the hidden books quite seriously.
A strange expression for the stall owner to see, since he was used to many getting excited by them and purchasing them stealthily or slipping them back in the shelf before anyone could scold them for it.
Bazil, having found his book of choice, cheerfully appeared beside her to see which she was considering.
Just as quickly, his smile dropped.
"Hmm," Salīa muttered to herself in a trance. "The drawings are not that mature as the artist has quite a young hand that imitates the greats, but I'm sure they'll develop. Luckily, the plot seems unique, and the words sharp."
She spoke so blissfully that Bazil couldn't help but be disconcerted.
Whether what books or performances to get one's thighs wet, what brothels offer the best beauties to make a worthwhile night, or even what foods to feast on to go into rut, she really seems to know it all.
The more he thought about it, the more morose he became.
"Does it bother you?" Salīa asked, having jolted him from his thoughts.
He couldn't admit that it did, but neither could he conceal that every time he thought of her fascination with such things, many complicated emotions sprang out of him.
And from them were born countless questions, dancing through his mind like thousands of tireless spinning tops.
"If I were as insatiably promiscuous as the rumors say, surely there'd be at least some firsthand speakers to live to tell the tale. Is it not?"
Salia paused, surmising his true concern.
"None have touched me there more than my own hand."
Bazil's lips quivered at the thought.
"It's not like I claim to be some virtuous maiden either. So, wishing I only use my fingers to stroke yarn onto knitting needles is like hoping to catch bats out sunbathing."
His face stretched taut.
Hmm, how do I make this simple?
"My love may be sacred, but my lust is beastly."
There was a pricking heat in his darkened cheeks, one he could only hide by looking away. Yet Salīa noticed, nonetheless. They tread on, and many hours had passed in silence until they came upon a wedding in passing.
It seemed all that nervousness had shed its grip on Bazil as bliss took hold of him.
He even smiled as the couple kissed and got covered in petals sprinkled on them by loved ones. This wedded couple then held up their baby, who giggled mirthfully.
Bazil stayed still, enchanted by each moment.
How fascinating that sensual matters scare him, but marriage and babies soothe him. What a beautiful mind he has.
Salīa waited patiently, simply watching him watch the wedding.
As a royal heir, she knew eventually she'd be asked to marry. Yet fortunately, there was never a strict custom on how that would come about.
If my land did have arranged marriages, mine would certainly just be an arranged farewell party for me.
Even if I didn't run away and endured it, the moment my partner would try to consummate with me would be the moment that he consummated his early death instead.
A bouquet was tossed out to onlookers, and a pretty lady caught it, inviting applause. Salīa smiled.
I guess I'm not adverse to or against love. And I'm sure love must have some place in my heart. But for now, the only thing that warms that heart is the release I bring myself with a few strokes of my fingers.
Bazil was beaming ear to ear when he turned back to her.
It reminded her of how happy he'd get over little things when they were kids. She always thought his smile to be one of the prettiest things she'd ever seen.
A new thought dawned on her.
What if Bazil knew something she didn't in matters of the heart? What if he could lead her to be less fearful of the things that eased him, and she could do the same in turn?
Yet no doubt this would take much time. And she wasn't one to force the arms of a clock.
For what if it struck to a moment that neither of them could rewind?
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