Chapter 4

Levy sighed softly as she shifted a bit, trying to find a more comfortable position. Riding side saddle was always uncomfortable. She glanced up at Gajeel, who was her official pillow for the journey, not that he was a comfortable one with all the armor he wore. He was staring straight ahead, focused on keeping sight of the old trail they were on that led through the woods. His arms were secure around her, assuring her that she would not fall under his watch. Their horse trotted along dutifully, Levy's additional weight barely noticed by the strong steed. Behind them rode a few servants, with an additional horse packing a bit of luggage.

This was Levy's first excursion with Gajeel by herself… well, without her parents, anyways. The servants were mostly there to chaperone in place of her parents, and she knew they would report any indecent behaviors to her parents. Still, it was nice to have time with Gajeel that wasn't monitored by her parents. Even when they were alone in the gardens, it was only for a few minutes at a time. Servants were told to swing by now and then to make sure nothing indecent was going on. Gajeel barely got his victory kiss the other night, as a maid came by only a few seconds after it ended.

"Are you cold?" Gajeel's question brought Levy out of her thoughts, his voice slightly muffled by his helmet. She looked up at him with a tiny blush and nodded. In the shade of the trees, it was rather nippy, and she was starting to feel the chill. Gajeel slowed his horse and allowed the servants to catch up, and he turned to address the nearest one. "Grab a blanket, if you will." His order was firm but not unkind, and the servant quickly grabbed one from the pack horse. Gajeel wrapped it around his intended and she smiled at him in thanks before they were setting off again. "We will reach Clovertown by sundown at this rate." Gajeel told her as they trotted along.

"You've yet to tell me why we are heading there." Levy mused softly, playing with a wrinkle in her dress. She'd dressed for travel, wearing a comfortable but plain beige dress that made her seem a bit more like a commoner. Closer inspection would show the material was nicer than most commoners could afford, but from a distance she would look like one, which would deter bandits… except the trail of servants behind them was hard to explain away. Gajeel had been annoyed by this, too, saying it defeated the purpose to traveling incognito if they were so visible. Luckily, they'd yet to have any trouble. But Gajeel was a realist, and was expecting trouble if they continued in a big group like this. He'd rather not have to fight on this trip, so he had led them on a trail less-traveled in hopes of avoiding highway bandits. You could never be too careful when escorting a princess, after all.

"They are holding a festival. I thought you'd like to have some fun away from yer parents for once." He chuckled a bit, looking around for something. He chuckled when he saw what he was looking for, and he turned to look back at the servants. "Oi." He called out. "If you follow this trail, you'll end up in Clovertown by morning. I wouldn't follow us, or you'll get lost. We'll meet ya there." Levy's eyes went wide at his words, and the servants all stared at him in shock, then panicked as Gajeel whistled and had his horse take off in a sprint, breaking away from the trail. Levy tensed and held onto her intended tightly as he laughed and rode off with her, ditching the annoying servants.

"G-Gajeel, what on earth!" Levy exclaimed in surprise when he finally slowed them down after several long minutes. He just chuckled at her.

"I know a shortcut, and I thought it'd be nice to have some privacy, gihi." He laughed at his intended. "We're going on ahead, to have some fun on our own."

"B-but what if they get attacked?"

"Bandits won't bother them. They're just a group of commoners." He assured her. "We were more likely to be attacked with you and me there. Think about it, shrimp. Why would a bunch of commoners have a knight with them?"

"T-they… wouldn't." she said quietly, blushing at the pet-name he'd taken to calling her in private. He was teasing her for her stature, she knew, and she had fought the name at first. But… it grew on her. She secretly liked it, liked that he thought of her so much to give her a name he used as a term of endearment… even if his tone was teasing most of the times he said it.

"Bandits would have known one of ya was more than a commoner… and seeing as yer the only one riding with the knight…"

"They would know it was me." Levy's eyes went wide at this. He nodded.

"Without us there, there's nothing valuable to prompt an attack." He told her.

"I see… b-but we could still be attacked."

"Yes. But I assure you, I can protect you better this way, because I won't have to worry about protecting the servants, too." He assured her gently as they trotted along. "Besides, I have a fast steed. If it comes to it, we can outrun any attackers. I know the area well. We will be fine, shrimp. Just trust me."

"I trust you." Levy smiled lightly at him. She didn't see it, but she knew he smiled back. His arms tightened around her a bit, and this time he warned her before they set off in a sprint again. He wanted to get to Clovertown early enough that they could enjoy the festivities tonight. Levy was in for a treat.