I AM NOT THE LOVE INTEREST!

Chapter 8: Chapter 8: An Escort

Chapter 8: An Escort

—CELIA—

The carriage came to a stop, and the moment I stepped down, the world greeted me all at once.

The noise, the colors, the lively movement of the people.

It was so lively and so completely different from the manor.

Vendors called out to passing customers, voices overlapping in rhythm. Laughter rose from somewhere nearby, followed by the unmistakable sound of someone arguing over prices as if it were a matter of honor.

I blinked, taking it in, and felt a small smile form despite myself.

"...This is rather charming."

I was startled at my words and accent.

Did I just...

Ah. Nevermind.

I adjusted my simpler dress and stepped forward, blending into the crowd without effort. No one bowed. No one stared too long. A few glanced at me in passing, but nothing more.

It was... comfortable.

"Fresh fruits! Sweet as honey!"

I turned toward the voice as curiosity already got the better of me.

"That is quite a claim," I said, stepping closer. "May I verify it myself?"

The vendor laughed, clearly amused. "Of course, miss. Please, have a taste."

He handed me a slice. I took a bite, paused, then gave a small nod of approval.

"I must admit," I said, "you speak the truth."

He grinned, pleased with himself, and I purchased a small portion without hesitation.

I continued walking, letting the flow of the crowd guide me. Stalls lined the streets with bright fabrics, small trinkets, and all sorts of handmade goods. It felt less like a place meant to impress and more like a place that simply existed as it was.

I slowed near a stall of accessories and picked up a simple hairpin, turning it slightly.

"That piece suits you, miss," the woman behind the stall said.

"It is quite lovely," I replied. "Simple, yet well-made."

"You have a good eye."

"I do my best," I said lightly.

She smiled, and I paid for it before placing it into my hair. It was not extravagant, but it felt right.

As I moved on, a group of children rushed past me, nearly brushing against my side.

"Careful now," I said, catching one lightly by the shoulder before he stumbled. "You must watch where you are going."

"Apologies, miss!" he said quickly, though his grin remained.

"I suspect you will forget that advice in a moment," I replied, amused.

The others laughed, already pulling him along.

"Come on!"

They ran off again without a second thought.

I watched them go, shaking my head slightly.

"Full of energy," I murmured. "And very little caution."

Still, it was hard not to smile.

I continued further in, pausing this time at a food stall.

"What is this?" I asked, gesturing to a row of skewers.

"Grilled meat, miss. Fresh and well-seasoned."

"I see. Then I shall take one."

I accepted it, took a bite, and nodded with approval.

"This is quite good," I said. "You have done well." freeweɓnovel.cøm

The vendor looked pleased at the compliment.

I moved on again, more at ease now, letting myself enjoy the moment rather than overthink it.

The noise no longer felt overwhelming. It felt... natural.

A part of life I had not realized I missed.

I slowed near a fabric stall, letting my fingers brush lightly over the material before glancing around once more.

"This was a good decision," I said quietly.

A simple walk through a place where no one knew me, and no one expected anything from me.

I exhaled softly with a faint smile lingering.

"For once," I murmured, "things are going rather well."

But then I spoke too soon.

"You."

I froze.

That voice.

I knew that voice.

I turned slowly, already feeling my soul preparing to exit my body for the third time today.

And there he was.

Knight Commander Matthias Sinclair.

Of all people.

Of all places.

Here.

In the one location I specifically chose to avoid people like him.

"...You have got to be kidding me," I whispered under my breath.

Because truly, what were the chances?

No, actually, don’t answer that. The chances were clearly very high in this kind of story.

Matthias stood a few steps away, tall, muscular, and very much out of place in a crowd like this.

Even without formal armor, there was something about him that made people instinctively give space. His presence was steady, disciplined, and entirely too noticeable for someone I was trying very hard to avoid.

Meanwhile...

I was standing there with my cheeks still slightly full from the street food I had just taken a bite of.

Perfect.

Absolutely perfect timing.

His gaze moved over me once, measured and sharp, like he was confirming what he was seeing.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, clearly confused.

I blinked at him, still chewing.

I swallowed quickly, nearly choking in the process, then straightened as if I had not just been caught mid-bite like a criminal.

"I might ask the same of you, Sir Sinclair," I replied, brushing my fingers lightly against my sleeve as if that restored my dignity.

It did not.

Not even a little.

His brows drew together slightly. "This is not a place you frequent."

That was... accurate.

But for her.

Not for me.

I gave a small, polite smile. "Circumstances change."

That sounded vague enough to be safe.

He did not look convinced.

His gaze lingered as if trying to reconcile the version of me he knew with the one currently standing in front of him eating skewers in a public market.

I could practically hear the confusion.

Good.

Let him be confused.

Confusion meant he did not immediately connect me to anything dangerous.

Hopefully.

"You are alone," he noted.

"Ah yes," I said calmly. "I wished for a quiet walk."

He glanced around at the crowd, the noise, the movement.

"...This is your idea of quiet?"

I followed his gaze, then looked back at him.

"Ah...hahaha." I laughed awkwardly.

He studied me again.

Still unconvinced.

Still suspicious.

This wasn’t going very well.

I clasped my hands lightly in front of me, maintaining composure while internally screaming.

Why is he here?

Why is he talking to me?

Why is the plot so committed to finding me?

This was exactly what I had been trying to avoid.

Exactly.

I forced a polite smile anyway, because running away immediately would only make things worse.

"Well," I said, inclining my head slightly, "it was... pleasant seeing you, Sir Sinclair. I shall take my leave now. I have... matters to attend to."

I stepped to the side, already preparing to disappear into the crowd like a responsible person avoiding danger.

"Very well."

He suddenly spoke that made me pause.

"I shall escort you, Lady Aria Valen."

I froze mid-step.

Ah.