Christian stared at Skye for a different reason. The furry little cat seemed to be enjoying himself so much that Christian felt a bit envious. When was the last time that he had enjoyed something to the point where he could smile like that little cat?

Both he and Skye agreed, though, that it was more fun when they were with Robin than anywhere else.

Keith glanced at the cat, then lifted his eyes to examine Robin's face, looking for something. Robin, noticing his gaze, glanced up, but Keith had already looked away.

'Was it my imagination?' Robin wondered to herself, as she paused.

Skye patted her hand with his paw.

"Don't stop now!" he protested. "Keep going!"

Robin returned to petting the flying cat until it had fallen fast asleep.

----

Three hours later, they stopped in a clearing to take a break by the roadside to rest the horses, as the road was beginning to get rough. Skye took to the air, to stretch its limbs, and everyone stretched and walked around the clearing.

"Ho? It seems like there are some ruins over there?" Robin said, looking at the remains of a tower visible from the road.

"Ah, yes. this was one of the watch towers of Ekkins.h.i.+re kingdom. As part of the treaty signed with the Demon King, we have not repaired them as a sign of our goodwill." Christian said.

Robin looked at Christian with surprise.

"What?" He asked.

"I'm surprised." Robin admitted. "I didn't think you would know the specifics of that treaty, given your temperament."

"Give me some credit, please." Christian sighed. "Just because I don't know something doesn't mean I can't learn. I've been studying the treaty ever since we left the Capitol."

"Hmm. I guess you're right. You do deserve some credit." Robin cheekily agreed with a mischievous smile, as she stood up.

"What?" Christian's mind became blank as his eyes were captured by Robin's smile.

"All this sitting is making me feel rusty. Want to go explore the ruins before we set off again?" She asked innocently, as if she hadn't just teased him.

"Ah, yes. I'll tell Keith to let him know.." Christian turned away awkwardly, as his ears turned red. Internally, his mind was going into overdrive.

'Why was I staring at a man!? This is bad... Could it be that I am actually...' He shuddered. 'No! there's just no way. Then, maybe it's something else? That's it! Robin looks so much like a girl, that I am starting to treat him like one...This is bad...'

Christian had a serious expression on his face, as he approached Keith, who was talking to Earl, one of the knights.

"Is something the matter?" Keith asked.

"Ah..no...Robin and I are going to explore the ruins over there. I wanted to let you know so that you wouldn't get worried." Christian replied.

Keith watched Christian's expression, and sighed.

"To be honest, I'm more worried about you, at this point, but since Robin will be with you, I can be at ease. Call out if you need something."

"Mmn. I will." Christian nodded, still preoccupied with his internal crisis.

'I need to reinforce the fact that Robin is a man.' Christian came to the conclusion. 'He is a Hero. As a Hero, he should have my respect.'

Christian paused, then reached into his bag and pulled out a flask, taking a sip.

"You know, of all the odd things to do, you really shouldn't be drinking hard liquor before going exploring." Robin pointed out. As Christian had taken a while, she had come to see what was holding him up. Unfortunately, the monent she caught sight of him was when he was taking a sip from his flask.

"What? No, I'm not drinking liquor this is...um..." Christian stammered.

"What kind is it? Bourbon? Whiskey? Perhaps b.u.t.terscotch or Vodka?" Robin asked.

"It's not-" Christian choked. Robin looked at him with an unbelieving stare.

"Really, it isn't what you think it is." Christian insisted.

"I'll be the judge of that." Robin said cooly as she confiscated his flask. Bringing it up ro her nose, she sniffed. "Eh, it really isn't alcohol?...There's no smell...but then again, it could be a flask magicked to not let the smell escape..."

She took a sip. "It really isn't alcohol!? Isn't this just water?" Robin asked. "Why would you put water in a flask when you can just grab some from the water barrel?"

"That's because this is no ordinary water." Christian sighed. "It's Holy Spring Water. I went through a lot of trouble in order to get this before I left. Do you remember when I was caught in that spell that had me -er...chase you all over the Capitol?" He asked.

"To be honest, I was trying to forget it." Robin replied flatly.

"Ah..well, this was the antidote that I heard you fed me while I was out." Christian replied somewhat awkwardly.

"It is highly effective at expelling and cancelling any foreign mana or active spells that affect the body. So, if, per se, there was an illusion spell surrounding the castle, after drinking holy spring water, unless it were a high ranked spell, the odds of being trapped in an illusion are greatly reduced."

"Really?" Robin asked.

"Yes, really." Christian nodded. He didn't tell Robin that he secretly suspected thst he might still be under the effects of that failed potion.

"Somehow, this water sounds more amazing now. Ah, and I just drank some! Was it expensive?" She asked Christian, a bit worried.

Christian shook his head. "Not expensive, just troublesome to acquire, since there's only a certain amount that we take from the spring every year, to preserve its effectiveness. Any additional water must be applied for, and approved by the Spring Guardian.

Luckily, my father had prepared some for the banquet, to prevent any unfortunate accidents from happening. But, when I filled a flask with it, I was caught by old Skinflint..."

"Ah, you were scolded?' Robin chuckled.

Christian nodded. "For two whole hours after the party ended, I had to listen to him. The more precious something is, the longer the scolding."

Robin nodded, and patted him on the shoulder, returning his flask. "You have my sympathy." She said solemnly with a straight face, but her trembling shoulders gave it away.

"What, you're laughing at me!?" Christian exclaimed.

"Ahahahaha, Sorry!" Robin burst out into laughter. "I can't help it! The prince getting lectured by the treasurer, hahah! The mental image is just too funny!" She doubled over laughing, then stepped back, out of reach of Christian's hair-ruffling hand.

"You..." Christian's expression twitched. "Get back here! I will make sure that not a hair on that head is in its place, when I'm done!"

"Haha! That's only if you can catch me~" Robin said, running straight towards the ruins. "I'll race you there!"

"Hey, that isn't fair! You had a head start!" Christia complained, as he followed Robin to the ruins. Robin hid out of sight, when she arrived, planning to play a trick on Christian.

"Ooy! Get out here, Robin, and face me!" Christian called out.

"Ho? I won, so I should get a prize, shouldn't I?" Robin asked. Her voice echoed in the ruins, making it hard to tell where she was hiding.

"It can't be called winning if you ran before the race was announced. You cheated!" Christian replied, looking around.

"So, no prize? How disappointing. I'm afraid I must decline then." Robin teased. "How strange, for someone who is quite willing to throw money away to random strangers, you sure can be stingey about the strangest things."

"Robin, I'm serious. Although these ruins are small, there are still dangers involved. Please come out where I can see you!" Christian said, more seriously.

"Then why do I get the feeling that you're the most dangerous thing here?" Robin replied, leaning against the greenery growing out of a small cliff face behind her.

Toc! Toc. Tuk...

The noise echoed out from behind her, as a portion of the cliff opened up to reveal a cavern. Robin, in surprise, turned around swiftly, only to realize that it was probably a secret room she had discovered by accident.

"Gotcha!" Christian grabbed her from behind, and messing up her hair. "That's for laughing at me!" He said, before noticing Robin's attention was elsewhere.

"It looks like I found something." Robin said, quietly.