Asena, unable to find a logical explanation for the question that had been bothering her since they set out, approached Maisie to find the answer.
- My Lady! There's something that's been bothering me. (She continued speaking without giving Maisie a chance to answer.) This prince has been appearing in unexpected places for the past two days. Is it a coincidence or is it something he's doing deliberately? I just can't figure it out.
- (Maisie's face involuntarily soured at hearing the prince's name.) Prince? Forget about it. Let him do whatever he wants, as long as he stays far away from us.
- Don't say that, My Lady. You know we've met a few times in real life too. Let's say those were coincidences, but I don't think our meeting here is a coincidence. Think about it, the man is stealthily approaching us right under our noses without us even realizing it. Don't you think that's strange?
- Don't be ridiculous... What does the Prince have to do with us? The man has nothing better to do than bother us? Besides, didn't Arat say we were assigned to gather medicinal herbs? Arat also received orders to come ahead and check the mountain for the Prince's safety. The event, it's that simple...
- My Lady... You are truly very naive. Arat's sudden appearance at exactly the time we need him... This is too good a timing to be a coincidence. I think there's something strange about this.
- Asena, whether what you're saying is strange or not, I don't care. But I know that we owe Arat a debt. Naturally, we also owe the Prince a debt. Even though I don't want to, we have to pay this debt.
- (Meanwhile, Polat, who was constantly checking his map, reminded Maisie.) My Lady, we are about to reach the bridge. You said we should definitely stop here on the way back. If you wish, we can take a break by the river.
- Okay, as you say... Taking a break and resting a little will do us all good.
Before crossing the wooden bridge, they turned off the road and took a break on the flat, grassy area by the stream. While Polat was keeping watch for security reasons, Serdar, thinking a hot cup of coffee would do everyone good, took out the teapot from his bag. Then he gathered some dried wood from the surroundings and started boiling the water in the teapot by lighting a small fire.
Maisie and Asena were sitting on the grass a little distance from the fire. Asena wasn't happy that the conversation she'd started on the way there had been left unfinished. But after all this time, she couldn't just continue talking as if nothing had happened. So, she took a different approach to finish the conversation and express her thoughts.
- My Lady, now that I remember. How are we going to get back the red wolf that Arat is carrying for us?
- (Maisie didn't miss the opportunity to tease Asena.) I don't know, do you have an idea?
- I don't know either, My Lady. I'm not sure when we'll encounter him again.
- Hahaha… You're so funny, Asena. You were absolutely sure they were following us, now you're not. Really?
- My Lady, I…
- No problem. As long as they don't leave the game, they'll show up somehow. Actually... I've got a great idea. (Maisie stood up and turned toward the forest.) HEY YOU! OVER THERE! TELL ARAT TO COME TO US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
- (When Maisie screamed, Asena couldn't sit still and stood up.) My lady, what are you doing?
- I'm calling Arat. What's so surprising about that? Hahaha…
Polat, not understanding who Maisie was calling, immediately came to Maisie and Asena's side. Serdar, who had overheard their conversation, remained calm and brewed everyone a cup of coffee from the boiling water.
This was their first camping as a team. To calm everyone down and ease the atmosphere, Serdar began to tell them his first camping memory. Everyone happily listened to this interesting and funny memory while sipping their coffee.
…
Alpkutay wanted to get to Maisie's side as soon as possible, but they only had two horses. Two horses for three people. If Sencer and Arat rode the same horse, it would slow them down considerably, and Maisie would have reached the village long before Alpkutay could catch up. Alpkutay made a quick decision and left Sencer behind.
Sencer should walk behind them. Alpkutay needed Arat. Because Arat had the red wolf's corpse. And Alpkutay thought he could be near Maisie by using the wolf's corpse as an excuse. That's why Arat couldn't stay behind. He absolutely had to come with Alpkutay.
After seeing Maisie's location on Sencer's map one last time, Alpkutay mounted his horse. According to the map, this road led directly to Lonepeak Town. Maisie and her team had not strayed from this road since leaving the mountain. Alpkutay knew this because he had been tracking them constantly on Sencer's map.
After Arat mounted his horse, they set off. The second run of the horses, which hadn't rested enough, wasn't as fast as Alpkutay wanted, but they still managed to catch up with Maisie after a half-hour gallop.
…
As Maisie and her team gathered to set off again after their break, Alpkutay and Arat appeared at the bridge. Seeing them from afar, Asena immediately approached Maisie to tell her she was right in her thoughts.
- I told you, "They're following us," but you didn't believe me. Look, they've arrived as soon as you called.
- (Already surprised Maisie silenced Asena.) Be quiet, Asena. I'm already shocked, don't confuse me any more.
As Alpkutay and Arat turned their horses and headed towards the resting place, Maisie and her team immediately bowed respectfully to the prince. Alpkutay dismounted and approached Maisie as closely as possible.
- Lady Maisie… I thought you had already arrived in town, but here you are. Today we meet again. This must be fate, mustn't it? What do you think?
- (Unable to say anything, Maisie replied to the prince with a fake smile.) This is entirely thanks to the Prince's goodwill. As you say, it must be fate.
- (As if he hadn't said it himself, he confirmed Maisie's words.) Yes, yes, I think exactly like you. Even though we live so far apart, we can come together and help each other in this false world. It's as if we're following a destiny that brings us together. Isn't that strange and beautiful?
(When Maisie didn't answer, he changed the subject.) Speaking of help, I've heard that next to Arat has a red wolf carcass that belongs to you. Is that true?
- Yes, Your Majesty. As part of our mission, we were supposed to take that carcass to Miss Agata, but we decided to leave the red wolf carcass with your knight Arat in return for his help.
- Who is Miss Agata?
- The owner of the weapons shop in town. She gave us this mission.
- Okay, I understand. Then let's go and deliver the red wolf carcass to Miss Agata.
- But Your Majesty, we…
- Don't contradict my decision. This wolf was killed by you. Arat has no part in this. If you want to repay your debt, you should think of another way.
- Yes, Your Majesty.
- Good. I'm glad we agree on this. Then (Alpkutay looked around and saw the bags being prepared.) From what I see, you are preparing to leave. Let us come with you and help you complete your task by delivering the body. What do you say?
- We don't want to be a burden to you, Your Majesty...
- You are never a burden to me. Please don't say such things again. Don't even think about it. (He turned to Arat.) Arat, help Lady Maisie mount horse.
- (Maisie looked at Alpkutay in surprise as Arat brought his horse to Maisie's side.) Your Majesty, I cannot ride a horse in your presence. This is not right. Please don't ask me to do such things.
- Then I won't ride either. It wouldn't be acceptable for me to ride a horse while a Lady is walking, would it? Let's walk together.
- (Maisie, thinking that the stubbornness might cause him trouble later, reluctantly did as princes said.) Your Majesty, you shouldn't walk while we have horses with us. Please mount your horse. I will mount horse as you wish.
While Alpkutay and Maisie mounted their horses, the others were waiting for ready. When everything was ready, they all set off towards the town…
Maisie's heart was filled with fear, anxiety, and unease. Because, while Alpkutay was with her, there was a possibility that something might happen to him and the royal family might use it to bully her own family. She would never want to cause such a thing. She could do nothing but pray silently, "May nothing happen and may this journey end as soon as possible."
Alpkutay, on the other hand, was very happy to have Maisie by his side. Having the woman he loved gave him peace. Every now and then he would turn to look at Maisie's beauty and ask her questions to hear her beautiful voice. Maisie repeating things he already knew only increased Alpkutay's trust in her. "This girl isn't lying, and the information I received is completely accurate."
Maisie didn't talk much. She gave brief answers to questions, but that wasn't very important. After all, Alpkutay preferred his wife to be so quiet. Because, in the future, when his father gave him an important task, Maisie would be by his side as his wife. It was best for her to remain in the background, not interrupting Alpkutay in public.
The seemingly endless journey for Maisie ended very quickly for Alpkutay. When they reached the stairs leading to the town, at Alpkutay's request, Arat took the rented horses and went to meet Sencer. The rest of them climbed the steep stairs together and arrived at the town square.
When this tense and anxious journey was finally over, Maisie immediately wanted to leave Alpkutay's side.
- Your Majesty, thank you for accompanying us on our journey. Now, if you'll excuse us, we'll go to our hotel.
- (Alpkutay, who had been dreaming of having dinner with Maisie, was faced with an unexpected departure, and his disappointment was reflected in his voice.) So soon? I thought we would stay together and have dinner until Arat and Sencer arrived. But of course… I can't stop you if you want to leave.
- Thank you, Your Majesty, you're very kind, but… We're a little tired from our mission and need to rest.
- (As Maisie and her team bowed, Alpkutay remembered the red wolf carcass in Arat's possession.) Alright, since you want to leave… Let it be as you say. Go and rest well today. After all, it's something you deserve… And let's meet again at the gun shop tomorrow at noon. That way we can deliver the red wolf carcass to you.
- (Although Maisie didn't want to, she had to accept Alpkutay's offer.) As you wish, Your Majesty…
As Alpkutay went towards the Alpin Inn with a smile on his face, Maisie and her team headed towards the Durinn Inn. Unlike Alpkutay's happiness, Maisie was tense and angry. She wanted to pay her debt to the prince by giving him the wolf's carcass, but her proposal was rejected. It seemed the prince didn't like the red wolf's carcass.
She had to find another way, but what? While Maisie was thinking about what to do, Asena moved closer to Maisie and spoke quietly.
- My Lady, I have something to tell you, but please don't be angry with me, okay?
- Why would I be angry with you, as long as it's not as absurd as before? Say what you want to say. I'm listening.
- Well, I observed Your Majesty throughout the journey. He seemed to enjoy traveling with you. He was chatting with you and, as if he were on a stroll with you, he kept observing his surroundings and talking to you about what he saw. And finally I realized that His Majesty acted very kind and tolerant when he was with you. My Lady, I think His Majesty likes you.
- (The thought that had never crossed her mind stunned Maisie for a moment, but she quickly recovered and scolded Asena.) Didn't I tell you to stop talking nonsense? What are you talking about liking? Don't talk such nonsense... And how well do you know His Majesty to say he's kind and tolerant?
- (Asena's cheeks instantly turned bright red for saying something she shouldn't have.) My Lady, I... I meant that you get along well as friends. I thought you might be good friends since you chatted all the way.
- Don't think that, Asena. If you're going to think such silly things, don't think at all.
- I'm sorry...
- Didn't you see? I couldn't even speak from worry in front of him. What if something had happened to him while we were with him? He would definitely blame our family and torment them, wouldn't he?
- (Asena, as if just realizing the gravity of her mistake, immediately stepped in font of Maisie and prostrated herself.) I apologize, My Lady. You are right, I spoke thoughtlessly. Please forgive me. I will never say such things again. Forgive me.
- Asena, what are you doing? Get up. Everyone's eyes are on us. Don't do such things in front of everyone and disgrace us. Get up, I said.
- Tell me you forgive me, then I'll get up…
- Okay, I forgive you, come on, get up. (When Asena stood up, added.) Let's get out of here as soon as possible.
Maisie, already tense, became even more angry after Asena's words and actions. This girl had destroyed all the thoughts in Maisie's mind. With no ideas left in her mind, Maisie walked nervously and angrily towards her room.
…
Alpkutay was lost in deep thought as he looked out of his room window. Today was a beautiful day. Perhaps today was the most beautiful day of his life. He had taken a trip with the woman he loved and managed to have a conversation with her. He couldn't reach out and touch her, but that wasn't so important. What mattered was that the first step towards a valuable relationship had been taken.
- Maisie isn't very talkative. That's probably a characteristic of hers... But she seemed a little nervous too. Is that why she didn't talk to me much...? Though I was nervous too. After all, This was my first trip with the woman I loved...
(A sudden realization came to Alpkutay.) So... Was she nervous because the man she loved was with her...? Of course, that must be it. Otherwise, why would she act like that? She definitely loves me too... ...
As Alpkutay dreamed, his belief that his dreams would come true grew stronger. But he was unaware that he was dreaming of things that did not exist. With a smile on his face, he thought of Maisie and relived the time he had spent with her.
After a long time, he lay down on his bed and fell into a deep sleep raising his expectations for the time he would meet Maisie...