The next morning, I was woken by someone gently tapping my shoulder.
"Mmm..."
I frowned and curled deeper into my blanket.
"Two more minutes, Mum..."
I turned over and closed my eyes again.
Silence.
Then—
"...Huh?"
My eyes flew open.
I sat up so quickly that my blanket nearly fell off me.
Skull was kneeling on one knee beside me.
For several seconds, neither of us said anything.
My face slowly burned with embarrassment.
Oh no.
I had been dreaming.
A dream about my old life.
My mum had been waking me up for breakfast, and—
I just called Skull Mum.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
Please.
Let the ground open and swallow me.
Skull cleared his throat.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that."
I slowly opened one eye.
He stood up straight and looked away.
"Now get up. We need to continue our journey."
I sat there for a moment before crossing my arms and looking away with a pout.
"Aren't you forgetting something, Mr. Skull?"
He went quiet.
I waited.
He sighed.
"It's time for us to be on our way, Celestial."
My eyes immediately widened.
Then I closed them happily.
"Ahhh..."
I squealed quietly.
I couldn't help it.
I could never get tired of hearing my new name.
Celestial.
It sounded so cool.
It still felt strange sometimes, but every time Skull said it...
It felt a little more like mine.
"Are you done now?"
His flat voice ruined my moment.
I opened one eye.
"Don't ruin it."
He stretched his hand toward me.
I smiled and placed my hand in his.
He gently pulled me to my feet.
Then I suddenly froze.
"Wait."
Skull tilted his helmet.
"What?"
"I haven't showered yet."
"...Huh?"
"I mean, I haven't washed up."
I pointed toward the trees.
"As in, taken my bath."
"You have to wait for me."
"I don't want to be all smelly while we're traveling."
I placed a hand proudly against my chest.
"After all, I'm a lady."
Skull stared at me.
Then he turned away.
"Whatever."
He walked toward a nearby tree and leaned against it.
"Make it quick."
I grabbed a fresh set of clothes and headed toward a stream I had noticed the previous evening.
It was a little deeper inside the forest, surrounded by thick trees and tall grass.
By the time I reached it, the morning sunlight was already reflecting beautifully across the water.
I crouched beside the stream.
Then I saw my reflection.
And froze.
Again.
I stared.
And stared.
And stared some more.
Almost an hour passed before I finally snapped out of it.
God...
I'm really beautiful.
I leaned closer to the water.
In my previous life, I hadn't considered myself anything special.
Not ugly, maybe.
But definitely not the kind of person who made strangers stop and stare.
But this girl...
These bright blue eyes.
The long golden curls.
The smooth features.
The figure.
Sometimes I still couldn't believe this was me.
No wonder people keep staring.
I touched my cheek.
"Skull is definitely blind."
I finally forced myself to look away and began washing up.
A while later—
"Celestial!"
Skull's voice echoed through the trees.
"How long will you keep me waiting?!"
I smiled.
"Don't you know a lady has to take her time to wash properly?"
"What is this obsession with reminding everyone that you're a lady?"
His voice was getting closer.
"I'm honestly surprised you even remember."
My eyes widened.
"Hey!"
I immediately covered myself more carefully.
"Don't come any closer!"
"Are you planning to see me without my clothes, you pervert?!"
There was a brief silence.
Then his deep voice answered.
"What exactly haven't I seen before?"
My entire face went red.
I froze.
Memories of our first meeting immediately came rushing back.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
"That is a memory I would very much love to keep buried."
For a moment, there was silence.
Then...
I heard him chuckle.
My eyes opened.
I looked around.
I couldn't see him anywhere.
But his voice sounded close.
Too close.
Yet I still couldn't tell where he was.
How does he do that?
I quickly finished washing up.
I changed into a fresh red dress and used the water as a mirror while arranging my long curls into a neat bun.
Once I was satisfied, I tied my white veil around the lower half of my face.
Then I gathered my things and stood.
"Finally—"
I took one step.
My sandal came loose.
"Oh—!"
My foot slipped.
I squeaked as my body tipped backward toward the stream.
My eyes squeezed shut.
Then—
A cold hand grabbed my wrist.
My body stopped.
I slowly opened my eyes.
Skull was standing beside me.
His hand was firmly wrapped around my wrist. relief washed over me.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
Then he sighed.
"Seriously?"
I blinked.
"I should've given you the name Clumsy instead."
I frowned at him.
Then I looked behind me.
My stomach dropped.
A large rock sat beneath the shallow part of the stream.
If I had fallen backward...
I could have hit it badly.
I looked back at Skull.
My anger disappeared immediately.
"...Okay."
I smiled sheepishly.
"I'll allow that one."
He pulled me toward him.
But my footing slipped again.
My eyes widened.
Before I could crash into his armor, his other hand caught me firmly around the waist.
I froze.
Skull looked down at my feet.
"Why didn't you tie your sandals?"
"I..."
Before I could finish—
He suddenly lifted me into his arms.
I gasped.
"What are you doing?!"
"Shut up."
He began walking.
"I can't risk you falling into a river because you don't know how to tie your own sandals."
He carried me toward a small rock beneath a tree and carefully placed me on it.
Then—
He knelt down.
I froze again.
His armored hands reached toward my feet.
And he began tying my sandal.
My heart suddenly began beating strangely fast.
What is wrong with me?
I stared down at him.
The sunlight reflected softly against his silver armor.
His helmet hid his face as always.
Yet for some reason...
I couldn't look away.
It's just Skull.
He's just tying my sandal.
Why is my heart beating like this?
He finished tying it and stood.
"Done."
His voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Now go get your things. Let's move."
I blinked.
Then quickly nodded.
"Y-Yeah."
I hurried back toward our little camp.
When I returned, Skull held something out to me.
A roasted fish.
It was wrapped neatly inside a broad green leaf.
I stared at it.
"When did you roast this?"
"A while ago."
I looked at him suspiciously.
"How early do you even wake up?"
He ignored me and started walking.
I hurried after him.
"Aren't you going to eat?"
"Already did."
I stopped.
"When?!"
No answer.
I narrowed my eyes.
Seriously.
What lengths will this man go to just to hide his face?
"If you don't hurry up, I'm leaving you behind."
I hurried after him immediately catching up to him.
---
Later that day, we entered another village.
People kept staring at us.
I looked around nervously.
"But I'm wearing a veil."
"It's not you."
I looked at Skull.
"Then who are they staring at?"
"Me."
"Huh?"
"Why?"
"They think I'm one of the royal knights searching for the princess."
"Ohhh."
I looked around more carefully.
And immediately noticed something.
The village looked damaged.
Several wooden fences had been broken.
Some doors hung crookedly from their hinges.
A few market stalls were overturned.
My expression fell.
The knights did this.
They've already been here.
Just then—
An old woman carrying a large bundle of firewood stumbled.
The wood scattered across the ground.
"Oh, dear..."
I immediately ran toward her.
"Are you okay?"
The woman looked up in surprise.
Then she smiled warmly.
"I am quite alright, child."
I helped her gather the scattered pieces of wood.
"You're such a sweet girl."
"Thank you for helping me, maiden."
I smiled.
"Of course."
Once I helped her stand, I pointed toward her bundle.
"Where are you going? I can help you carry this."
The old woman shook her head.
"No, no. Your knight must be waiting for you."
I turned around.
Skull stood several feet away.
"Come on!"
I waved at him.
"Come help this lady."
He looked away.
For a moment, I thought he would simply ignore me.
Then—
He sighed.
Slowly, he walked toward us.
The old woman looked slightly nervous at first, but Skull calmly lifted the heavy bundle.
"Allow me to carry this for you."
His tone was different.
Formal.
Respectful.
The old woman smiled warmly.
"Thank you, good knight."
Together, we walked with her toward her cottage.
When we finally arrived, she turned toward me.
"And what is your name, sweet maiden?"
My face immediately brightened.
I smiled proudly.
"My name is Celestial."
Skull's helmet slowly turned toward me.
"She's been waiting for this moment," Skull muttered.
I rolled my eyes.
But I couldn't stop myself from giggling.
The old woman turned toward Skull.
"And what of you, dear knight?"
Skull slightly lowered his head.
"You need not trouble yourself with the name of a wandering knight, ma'am."
"Remember the maiden's name instead."
The old woman smiled.
Then she disappeared inside her cottage.
A few moments later, she returned carrying two things.
One was a small bag.
The other—
A beautiful coat.
My eyes widened.
"Oh..."
The coat was a rich royal blue, the color of a clear evening sky.
It was made from thick, soft fabric and fell elegantly to just below the knees. The collar and edges were decorated with delicate silver thread, forming simple patterns that caught the sunlight whenever it moved.
The sleeves were long and slightly fitted around the wrists.
It wasn't overly extravagant.
But it was clearly far more elegant than anything I owned.
It looked like something a young noblewoman might wear while traveling through the countryside.
The old woman held it toward me.
"A small token of my gratitude."
My eyes widened.
"What?"
"Oh, no."
I quickly shook my head.
"This is too much."
"I only helped you."
"I wasn't expecting anything in return."
The old woman smiled.
"I am too old to wear such a lovely coat."
She gently placed it in my hands.
"And besides..."
Her eyes moved toward mine.
"The color suits you perfectly."
I looked down at the royal blue coat.
Then back at her.
I didn't know how to refuse anymore.
"...Thank you."
I smiled brightly.
"I'll take good care of it."
She nodded happily.
Meanwhile, Skull opened the small bag she had handed him.
His helmet tilted downward.
Inside were several food supplies.
Bread.
Dried fruits.
A few wrapped portions of food.
Enough to make our journey easier.
"For your travels," the old woman explained.
"You will need it."
My eyes widened.
I immediately looked at her like she had descended from heaven.
"You're an angel."
The old woman laughed.
Skull lowered his head respectfully.
"Thank you, ma'am. Your generosity is greatly appreciated."
She smiled.
We said our goodbyes and eventually continued down the road.
I hugged my new coat against my chest.
"She's an angel in disguise."
Skull looked up at the sky.
Then back at the road.
He didn't disagree.
I walked beside him for a few moments before looking up.
"So..."
"How many days until we get to wherever we're going?"
"We'll arrive by the day after tomorrow."
My eyes widened.
"Finally."
Then I paused.
I looked at him.
"Wait..."
"Where exactly are we going again?"
Skull kept walking.
And I suddenly realized something.
I had never actually asked.
I was the one who begged him to take me along.
I had followed him through forests, villages, rivers, and roads...
Without even knowing our destination.
I slowly narrowed my eyes at him.
"...Skull?"
He kept walking.
"Where exactly are you taking me?"
