The season had changed from spring to summer, then from summer to autumn. Herscherik had grown with the season, too. For half a year after he began sneaking out into the castle town, Herscherik had taken to the outside world through his secret passage on any afternoon when he wasn’t studying or practicing swordsmanship or riding.
“Thank you! Please come again!” Herscherik smiled, handing his customer their bag of fruit. His smile was infectious.
After watching the customer leave, Herscherik stretched and took a deep breath. The autumn climate here was not too hot nor too cold, but just right. Herscherik gazed up at the endlessly expansive, blue sky. Amidst his busy days of study, training, and research, the vast canvas of blue made him forget about the minister and the perils of his country for just a moment... Well, he wished it would. At the very least, it was still refreshing.
“It’s a huge help when you come around, Ryoko. You really bring in the customers... and sell the fruit!” Louise happily reminded Herscherik. They had already made considerably more sales than the fruit stand made the previous day. “Right, honey?”
Louise had called out to a large man, easily twice as tall as Herscherik and four times as wide. He looked much more like a lumberjack than a fruit stand owner. Louise’s prompt caused the man to give Herscherik a quick glance before he returned to silently hauling boxes of fruit.
Beauty and the Beast...
Herscherik couldn’t help but compare the kind and energetic Louise and her intimidatingly quiet husband to a certain movie from his previous life.
“Ryoko’s talking up the customers enough for both of you! You better kiss the ground he walks on!” Louise said.
“Please. I really enjoy being here,” Herscherik interjected. He didn’t want them to get into a fight for his sake. “I’m always worried that I’m only getting in the way...”
Louise’s husband remained silent and gave Louise and Herscherik another glance. Then, he began delicately wrapping the fruit with some fabric. Somehow, his broad back seemed more approachable.
“He’s embarrassed.” Louise gave a shrug.
Herscherik had no idea how she could tell but concluded that it must have been the power of love.
“Are you sure this is okay with you, Ryoko? You’re helping us out a lot, but what do your parents say about it?” Louise could imagine that her young shopkeeper’s parents might keel over if they knew their precious son was out in the castle town alone helping run a fruit stand.
Herscherik shook his head. “My father’s very busy, so I don’t see him too often. My mother died when she had me... You don’t need to worry about my parents.” Herscherik had only meant to tell the truth, but he noticed that both adults looked a little uncomfortable. Not that he could read the ever-so-subtle shifts in the stoic expression of Louise’s husband, but he read the awkward air and rushed to add, “So my father told me that I should go out and do the things I enjoy! Don’t worry!” He held his fists out in front of him for emphasis.
This comment, however, triggered the opposite reaction from what he had hoped for.
They’re looking at me with even more pity...
Despite only telling some of the truth, Herscherik seemed to have dug his own grave somewhere along the way. As he stumbled in an attempt to clear the air, a fruit appeared before him. Herscherik looked up to find Louise’s husband looking back down at him, fruit in hand. After Herscherik timidly took the fruit, he returned to his work.
“I’m sorry if I was being insensitive,” Louise apologized.
Herscherik shook his head again. “Thank you for the fruit, Sir.”
Herscherik saw that Louise’s husband had given a faint nod while his back was still turned, and took a bite out of the fruit.
The prince spent the rest of the day servicing customers, polishing fruit alongside Louise’s husband, and discreetly gathering some information.
Before he knew it, the sky had turned from blue to sunset orange. While time did seem to fly while he was helping run the fruit stand, Herscherik also noted that the days were growing shorter as they approached winter, just like it did in Japan.
Come to think of it, we have a similar climate to Japan, too.
Herscherik glanced at his pocket watch to find that he stayed later than usual. Especially for the past few visits, he couldn’t help but stay as long as he could.
“I’m sorry. I kept you longer than usual,” Louise apologized, seeing that Herscherik had checked his watch.
“It’s not your fault, Miss Louise. I was having so much fun that I lost the track of time,” Herscherik reassured her as he hurriedly began packing... Well, he just had to put on his jacket.
“You’re coming to hang out again tomorrow?” Louise asked.
“Yes, I’d love to.”
Louise smiled in response. “Oh, right.” She clapped her hands together. “I’ve seen more strangers on the streets, lately... I think they’re from the country. The constables are on edge, too. It’s not as safe out there right now. Be careful on your way home... You want my hubby to walk you home?”
Her husband rose to his feet at the mention. While Herscherik was grateful for the offer, he couldn’t possibly accept.
“I’m okay. I’ll be careful! See you tomorrow!” Herscherik said to the couple and ran off.
Louise watched the child leave until he turned a corner. “Another fun day,” she muttered.
Louise and her husband did not have children of their own. They had decided to hold off because of financial concerns. But ever since “Ryoko” started coming to help their fruit stand, their days seemed more lively—enough to consider trying for a baby. They both understood the decrepit state of their country. The king served the nobles above his people, and the nobles and government officials acted solely for their own gain. Even the officials at the bottom of the pyramid, like the constables, neglected the people they were supposed to protect. This country was a harsh environment for anyone outside of the aristocracy.