Chapter Six: The Delicious Red Fruit

“May your radiant light shine upon me, sheltering me as I pursue the path of the strong I long for.”

In Xia Mingyu’s understanding, the relationship between a medieval lord and his squire or knight was one of mutual support. Knights and squires were to offer unwavering loyalty to their lord, even at the cost of their lives. Yet, in return, the lord was obliged to provide protection and appropriate respect.

If Xia Mingyu truly had the backing of a kingdom of fourteen hundred million people, he would unquestionably accept Berg’s request, the very man who had saved him from the jaws of a wolf. But the truth was, he was nothing more than a marginalized individual bearing a title that sounded formidable but held no real power.

He was utterly incapable of fulfilling Berg’s appeal and therefore could not justly accept his loyalty. Otherwise, when the truth came to light, he might meet the same fate as that wild wolf—struck dead by Berg’s furious arrow.

Time ticked away by the second, and the fervor on Berg’s face gradually stiffened. Sensing the danger, he cast a pleading glance toward Anlia standing beside Xia Mingyu, hoping his beloved elder sister, who had watched him grow up, might help him in this critical moment.

In his eyes, this sister—radiant and enchanting as if a goddess descended—had spent three days in close company with the noble lord. Surely, by now, a bond as close as fish to water had been formed. A word of persuasion from her should still be within the bounds of the lord’s tolerance.

Moved by Berg’s pitiful gaze, Anlia hesitated, her lips parting to speak, only to be firmly restrained by Robert’s hand on her shoulder. She looked at her foster father in confusion, knowing how much he valued Berg, even raising him as his own son.

Robert only shook his head resolutely. Though it pained him to refuse Berg, this precious, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity had to be reserved for “that matter.”

Seeing this, the young girl could only return a helpless look.

Oblivious to the exchange of glances among the three, Xia Mingyu remained bowed in thought. After a long pause, he finally spoke.

“Forgive me, I need a few more days to consider this,” Xia Mingyu sighed softly, a trace of regret flickering in his dark eyes.

After much deliberation, he decided to take more time—after all, what if… he truly stumbled upon some golden opportunity?

At his words, the warmth on Berg’s face was swiftly eclipsed by deep disappointment. To Berg, this was nothing less than a polite refusal in noble parlance.

Even after saving your life, you, noble lord, still refuse to accept a man of humble origins like me as your squire?

Suppressing his resentment and sorrow, Berg rose, bowed slightly, then turned away with his head lowered and shoulders slumped. Anyone could see the loneliness etched in his retreating figure.

“Your Highness, I must attend to affairs in the village. I will take my leave now.”

Once Berg had departed, Robert also chose to leave, leaving only Xia Mingyu and Anlia in the cabin.

“Miss Anlia, would you take me for a stroll around the village?” Xia Mingyu pondered aloud.

He had spent three full days holed up in the cabin learning the language. It was time to get some fresh air, and perhaps gather more firsthand knowledge of this world—after all, seeing is believing.

“It would be my honor, Your Highness,” the golden-haired maiden said, rising onto tiptoe as she lifted the hem of her simple, patched linen dress and bowed gracefully.

Despite her modest attire, her elegant movements and delicate, fair face made her resemble Cinderella from a fairy tale.

If only Cinderella’s fate was to marry a prince, and he was but an ordinary one in a sea of fourteen hundred million.

A flicker of regret passed through Xia Mingyu’s gaze.

...

It was afternoon. Sunlight filtered through sparse clouds, dappled upon the winding dirt paths of the village, as if draping the earth in a soft, golden veil.

Walking along the dirt path with Anlia, Xia Mingyu soon found himself surrounded by lush orchards.

Bright red, enticing fruits hung like dazzling rubies against the dark green leaves, painting a scene as exquisite as an intricate oil painting.

The air was thick with a rich, fresh fruit fragrance, making one’s mouth water.

At least, Xia Mingyu’s appetite was thoroughly awakened.

Back on Blue Star, as a poor university student, he could never afford such all-natural organic fruits.

Noticing this, Anlia smiled warmly and asked, “Your Highness, would you like to try some?”

Xia Mingyu nodded emphatically.

With that, the maiden skipped lightly toward the largest tree in the orchard—an ancient giant, its trunk thick enough for four or five people to encircle, towering tens of meters high, its fruits the reddest of them all.

“Uncle Simp!” Anlia called out, waving up at the middle-aged villager perched on a ladder picking fruit.

Her voice, usually as clear as a mountain spring, cracked slightly from the effort.

Hearing the call, the villager looked down in confusion.

Seeing Anlia’s waving hand, he smiled, but when his eyes fell upon the young man beside her crowned with a string of white characters floating above his head, his expression turned to one of fear.

“Y-Your Y-Your Highness!” Simp stumbled, nearly falling from the ladder.

Fortunately, he caught hold just in time, or such a fall from that height would have been fatal.

But dying was one thing—he could never forgive himself if he sullied the lord’s eyes and caused the village’s most beautiful flower, Anlia, to be harmed by the lord’s wrath.

With that thought, Simp climbed down swiftly like a nimble monkey.

“G-Greetings, Your Noble Highness,” he stammered, prostrating himself with hands and feet, his voice trembling as if squeezed through clenched teeth.

“Rise,” Xia Mingyu said softly.

The word meant “stand,” while another, “Kara,” meant “withdraw.”

Only when granted permission did the villager rise, still bent in a respectful bow.

“Uncle Simp, the lord wishes to taste the fruits of our orchard. Please present the sweetest fruits you’ve picked today to His Highness,” Anlia said gently, her voice ringing like silver bells, sweeter even than the fruit-scented air.

“Certainly! It is the honor of Fruit Basket Village!” Simp’s nervousness instantly gave way to excitement. Blushing, he set down his basket brimming with fruit, then began rummaging eagerly through the pile.

Moments later, he lifted a single fruit, smooth as silk and glowing a deep crimson, holding it out before Xia Mingyu.