Epitome of a Hero

A part of me

I stand in front of the foods section at the grocery store, debating whether to just buy nachos or potato chips as a snack for our group study tomorrow. Fei and Sheene will be coming tomorrow afternoon and now I’m stuck on picking whatever it is that I would want.

It’s your choice, Tricia.

I began pointing at the both of them so I took both and laughed silently right after. “Well, I can pick both since I want to have a taste of these.”

I put both the bag of nachos and potato chips on my arm before putting it on the basket. As I walked through the soda section, I suddenly remembered the grin that Kyle gave me before he went home, making me stop on my tracks.

If I have to be honest to myself, I have never felt anything like this before because I already shut myself from it for a very long time.

****

“Princess Damian,” a noble man greeted as I walked on the village at the west of the palace. He was wearing his luxurious garments as he roamed the place, while I wore my armor, trying to find some place where I can rest from all my worries.

I gave him a small nod and he immediately asked another question.

“Can you spare some time to make some acquaintance?” He asked and I thought about what reasons I can make up just to stay away from this person who seemed to walk such a dangerous place for a noble like him.

“Who are you?” I asked, turning down his request with my tone. I stared at him while holding the handle of my blade and he noticed my stance as I asked.

“Whoah, whoah. Calm down tiger,” he chuckled and I raised both my brows at him rephrasing my question with my action. “As expected from the bravest woman on Cyprus,” he added before giving a respectful bow.

There’s so many people around.

“I am Prince Troy. I am an ally of King Mordeau and I am here to give my---”

Though it may be disrespectful, I cut his sentences off by walking away. I have no liking to the allies of the King nor the King himself. He may be my father but he already is a monster in my eyes especially with what happened to Julla.

“Damian.” Troy grabbed me by my wrist which I whisked away immediately. “Did I… say something wrong?” he asked gently and this time he doesn’t sound so forced.

“Nothing,” I answered. No one knows how I am being treated so it seems. “I am going to the tavern, if you can withstand the noise in there, then you can follow me.

I started walking but he pulled me once again but this time I didn’t waste my energy and pulling back and let him.

“Princess Damian, can I have the honor of accompanying you today?” The noble man placed his hand near his chest upon his question and I gave him a firm nod.

“You don’t have to be so formal to me, Mr. Troy. If you know about the kingdom, you probably know how the King stripped away my title. Just call me Damian.” I started walking and Troy followed my steps until he walked by my side.

“I knew of that and I am sorry,” he mumbled.

“You don’t have to be sorry for me, and I don’t need your sympathy,” I exclaimed. All of them have the same reaction, that pity makes me want to vomit--- I never needed it.

“Still, to me--- you are a princess. And might I say, how incredible of a woman you are,” he flashed me a grin and I just looked at him and shrugged. Hmm.

I think I am pretty immune to men. I have been with men most of my life all because the armies were made mostly of men. I think that’s why their charms already made me feel nothing.

As we reached the tavern, I ordered a beer and the prince sat down beside me, shocked of the idea of me being a drinker.

“What about you, fine man? What drink shall I offer?” The bartender asked and the prince just shook his head. I huffed, “Not a drinker, are we, ‘fine man’?”

I took a chug of my beer until the last drop and damn, it was such a fine liquor. The spice just runs down through my throat making me feel the burn which made me experience a feeling other than my dull state.

“Quite a drinker, huh?”

Troy said as he watched me drink and I just ignored him.

“Is this how you make friends Damian?” he asked all of a sudden, looking at me with such pity and care in his eyes which I will never need nor asked.

“I don’t have friends,” I exclaimed.

“And what makes you think I’d make a friend out of you?” I added making his eyes twitch a little.

“You don’t have to put it away like that. I came here with clear intentions, Madam. You don’t have to treat me with such disrespect,” he quoted solemnly and it felt like a slap.

I took a deep breathe in and decided to face him as I remove a piece of my shitty ego.

“Then tell me why you are really here, Prince?” I stared into his eyes and he stared back with his green eyes still having the same reaction as before.

“I want to know you better,” he said directly and I have a shrug.

“This is me,” I declared.

After that event, Troy never stopped talking to me and I was the same as I was before--- cold and still had the heart as hard as stone.

But looking back at it now, I think I treated him like a friend…

I smirked at myself.

Well, it’s too late now for everything. Ain’t it, Damian?

I finished the carbonara that I was eating from the small restaurant where I stopped to gather my thoughts after my groceries.

I wonder how he is on our world now … I hope he finds a good friend too …

I stood up and just walked to wherever my feet might take me while I recall all my memories of the people that I have been involved on my world.

Whilst I did, I realized that I was going to an art store and it made me kind of happy.

There were art materials everywhere and I tried looking at each and every one of them. I still have money on me, maybe I can buy a charcoal pencil since the one and only pencil is going to be gone after maybe 10-15 heavy sketches?

I wondered how I knew these things and remembered that the body I have is not really mine but someone else ‘s.

Maybe I am enjoying a little bit too much…

I decided to just go out of the store after a realization but a familiar voice called me even before I leave the door.

“Caprius?”

I turned back and saw Adrian with his blue cap carrying a paper bag.

“Hey! What are you buying?” he asked immediately as he walked towards me and I grinned.

“I was just looking around. You?”

He showed me what’s inside the paper bag and I saw some new paint brushes and acrylic paints inside.

“I am going to practice traditional painting,” he sounded so excited and I felt kind of glad for him too.

“I was supposed to buy some charcoal pencil. Mine was already getting blunt.”

“I have more of them! I can just bring you one on Monday.”

Wow.

“Are you… sure?” I asked with awe.

“Yup. I’m going to paint anyways, might as well give it to someone who’s got a good hand for sketching,” he laughed and I did too.

“Thank you… That will be a great help. I might make you one if ever I feel like it,” I said as I playfully swat his arm. I might really do it if I feel like it though. I am not to say that I’ll do it eventually even if I feel like I won t be consistent.

Adrian’s eyes sparkled after what I said making me laugh even more. “Really?”

“Yea, I’ll just give it to you when I’ve done it.”

We had a great time on the store. Adrian kept telling me about the function of each art materials that we saw and it was all so fun to hear. He was treating each item with too much marvel, reminding me of how I treated my sword back in my world--- with such care on every touch and amazement on every time I wielded it. It brought the life out of me and it was very fun seeing how Adrian’s passion just flows out of his eyes whenever he talks about his art.

I had a great time and I went home after that.