(6 hours before reaching the border of Flareon Kingdom)
'Creak! Creak! Creak!'
The monotonous and rhythmic sound of the wheels started to feel irritating. The temperature was increasing with every passing minute as the caravan sped rapidly, weaving its path through the Southern forest of the Bloom kingdom.
The forest grew thinner the nearer they got to the border of Flareon, a beautiful and prosperous kingdom protected in the lap of an extremely hot sand desert. Summer reigned in that kingdom for the whole year, as the red dragons possessed the power of flame. There were even rumors that their flame breath had burned a major part of the kingdom, turning it into a desert.
With a sudden jerk, the caravan stopped in front of a small and empty eatery as two middle-aged men jumped down from the front row while talking. "I'm hungry. Let's eat something here."
"Yes, that's better. Flareon is still a few hours away," his companion agreed promptly, following him inside the eatery.
*****
'Mmmh!'
Blinking a few times, she opened her beautiful, hazel eyes at last. A ray of bright afternoon sun was falling directly through a small crack onto her fair face. Though she looked slender, she was graceful. The flush on her pale cheek was like the flush of sunset on snow; her long blonde hair hung in graceful curves over her shoulders.
While coughing, she tried to sit up straight when sharp pain ran through her veins, accompanied by the jingling sounds of the heavy chains that bound her hands and legs, stopping her from moving even an inch. Her body felt numb and heavy.
"Brother!"
"W-wake up! Wake up, b-brother!"
She was trying to recall the reason behind her pathetic condition when a low and faint sound of sobbing caught her attention. In the darkness of the caravan, as her eyes adjusted, she noticed that 10 or 12 young women like her and two little kids were also locked inside that small space. Except for her, all were unconscious and bound with chains, but the two kids were sitting in a corner like two lost and scared rabbits.
The little girl, around six years old, murmured again in her teary voice, "B-Brother, are you in pain?"
The young boy looked as thin and dirty as the little girl, in tattered clothes. He appeared exhausted, panting rapidly, and his tanned face looked red.
In a panting voice, he assured his little sister, "No, Jo. D-Don't cry."
"But your body is burning. What do—"
"Ahem!"
The young lady with hazel eyes muttered in a dry voice, interrupting the scared sibling. "Can you bring him near me, little girl?"
Both of them got scared at first and then, shocked as they noticed such a beautiful person in that cramped and dingy place. She looked like an angel even in her tattered and dirty clothes.
Jo hesitated for a moment and then, in a trembling voice, asked, "W-who? Who are you?"
"Hazel. My name is Hazel. D-Don't be scared of me."
Hazel coughed slightly, her throat was feeling so dry that it was impossible to speak. Yet, in a comforting tone, she assured them again, "I can help your brother."
"Mmm."
Jo instantly stood up and started to drag her brother's half-conscious body with great difficulty. The young boy looked around 15 or 16 years old. He was tall, though very thin, and his long bangs covered half of his face. While crawling, he somehow managed to reach near Hazel.
Sitting beside her brother, Jo murmured again, "Sister, what do we do now? Can you really help my brother?"
Hazel scanned her surroundings for a moment before commanding in a calm voice, "Close your eyes, Jo. Please?"
"Huh?"
Jo instantly closed her eyes as if receiving a divine command.
Hazel had already realized that breaking or untying the chains was impossible. Stretching out her hand, she checked his temperature with a grim expression, thinking to herself, "Hmm... His condition is really pathetic. This is going to be painful." Clear hesitation was on her face as her fingers trembled a bit, "I hope that it will work."
Without wasting a second, she dug her nails into her palm until fresh blood gushed out, turning her pale hand into a bright crimson. Pressing her palm against his forehead, Hazel murmured a few incoherent words. Instantly, her eyes lit up with a green aura, and the blood began to fade, getting absorbed by the young man's forehead.
"Ugghh!"
He groaned in pain as if tiny flames were burning his whole body. Hazel appeared to be in more pain than he was. Her rosy cheeks turned pale as she bit her lip tightly in agony, but she continued murmuring those words.
Jo, hearing her brother's groans, asked in a concerned, trembling voice, "B-Brother? C-Can I open my eyes now?"
There were a few seconds of silence...Then, Hazel answered in a shaky voice, "Yes. Your brother is—Cough! Cough!"
The young man hastily sat up and interrupted in a panicked voice, "D-Don't talk, ma'am! You're coughing blood."
The guy who was burning in high fever just a minute ago, miraculously– was fit and healthy now. His red face regained its natural colour as he looked more energetic than before.
Seeing her brother restored to health, Jo nearly leapt on him in joy. "Brother, you're really fine now! This sister... she really healed you in a minute. T-Thank you, Sister."
Jo burst into tears of happiness and relief, hugging her brother. Hazel struggled to hold back her cough, choking on thick blood. Still, a faint smile curved her blood stained lips as she looked at them.
She was in unbearable pain, but her heart was filled with satisfaction at having saved that young lad. He would have died in an hour if she hadn't used her magic on him.
But using magic was forbidden for her since childhood.
If anyone found out about her healing powers, the entire continent would be plunged into war. After all, she was the only blessed child of Hecate, the one everyone was searching for—the one whose blood could even bring the dead back to life.
The young man, still worried, urgently said, "Jo, bring some water fast! She's coughing blood."
"Blood!"
Jo ran instantly and came back in a flash. Passing a small earthen bowl, she asked in a puzzled tone, "How is she in pain now? She was fine just a minute ago."
Pressing the bowl against Hazel's lips, the young man suggested in a guilty tone, "Ma'am, drink some water. I'm really s-sorry for causing you this much pain. It must be because of healing-"
"Cough!"
Hazel emptied the bowl in a breath and mumbled reassuringly, "D-Don't worry. I'll be fine so—Cough!"
Jo hastily leaned closer. "Sister, don't talk." Her eyes were brimming with tears again. Holding Hazel's hand, she continued, "Thank you for healing my brother, Sister. But please… don't die."
Hazel was used to the pain. She had healed numerous animals before, and every time, it hurt like this. However, healing a human with magic felt more difficult. It felt like she had used too much blood, and her heart was aching as if it were going to burst. Taking deep breaths, she managed to calm her rapid heartbeats a bit.
Looking at the young man, she asked curiously in a low whisper, "H-How are you feeling now? Any pain?"
"No, no pain. I'm feeling extremely energetic too. Please don't worry for me anymore."
The young man's eyes widened the moment he saw Hazel's face and her bright eyes. He blurted out in shock, "First Princess! Aren't you the First Princess of Bloom?"
Jo promptly asked, "Maid Princess? Sister is the Maid Prin—"
Before Jo could finish, her brother pulled her to kneel in front of Hazel and apologised hastily, bowing deeply, "Your Highness, please forgive us. We didn't recognize you. We are terribly sorry for causing you so much pain."
Hazel felt a bit uncomfortable. Though she was the first princess, she had never been respected as a royal. She was nothing but a 'Maid Princess,' and everyone taunted her for her inability.
"What is your name?"
"I'm Rue, and this is my sister, Jo. We're orphans. I was going to the capital to join the army before we got kidnapped," Rue explained, still looking down. Rue had a pair of very interesting eyes—sharp as a knife. Hazel found him quite interesting– honest and unique.
Smiling warmly, she murmured, closing her eyes, "Rue, can you do me a favor?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
He replied without hesitation, "You saved my life, Your Highness. I'm ready to serve you until my last breath. I can even give my life for you. I can—"
Hazel's delicate and melodious giggle interrupted his devoted speech. "Rue, you don't have to go that far. Just forget about today's incident." Taking a deep breath, Hazel added in a grave tone, closing her eyes, "None must know about my magical ability. Absolutely none."
"I swear to God, my sister and I will take this secret to our graves. Please trust us," Rue instantly proclaimed, bowing to her again.
Jo looked quite clueless, but still followed her brother. She wanted to talk more with Hazel, but Hazel was already in a deep sleep. Hugging her brother's neck, she murmured curiously, "She's so pretty. Can I call her sister?"
"Never!" Rue commanded while patting her head, "Jo, forget everything that you saw today. We need to protect Her Highness' secret."