[ Royal palace, Main-Port ]
the heavy oak doors open, spilling a shaft of pale sunlight hitting across the well polished marble floor. The throne room is wide and symmetrical, built from pale stone that reflects light perfectly from the tall narrow windows. A deep red carpet runs straight from the main doors to the far end of the chamber, its edges trimmed in silver and gold thread. It stretches across the smooth stone floor, leading directly to a short flight of steps—three, or maybe four that rise to a raised platform.
Atop the platform sits the heavy guarded throne : a grand chair crafted from gold, its surface engraved with curling patterns and inlaid with polished gemstones. Rubies, emeralds and sapphires that catch the eyes easily. The back of the throne rises high, arched like a cathedral window with two gods sculpted in each sides.
behind, a massive banners hang from the wall and balconies. It was the flag of the Victoria Kingdom along side the flag of the MistFortune.
A large eagle dominates the composition. Its wings are fully stretched, spanning wide across the frame with sharp and angular feathers that give it a sense of motion. The eagle's talons grip a flowing banner in which it wraps around its legs. The fabric curling mid-air which bears the name < MistFortunes>. Around the eagle, scattered elements: a pale blue and silver-colored flower with delicate, icy petals sits near the edges. An icy-looking sword appears nearby, its blade jagged and frosted with a faint shimmer that hints cold steel.
As the heavy doors open, a figure steps in. He walked with measured pace, head slightly bowed, hands clasped behind his back. The light from the tall windows hitting his glasses. He approached the throne, eyes closed.
"Your Majesty, the three guards you've sent to find the princess has been found dead at Dauphin."
[ "what about Victor? Where is he?" ]
the man lift his head, a soft chestnut shade framed his face in a clean bowl cut just above his eyebrows, he wears a slightly rounded glasses, thin metal frames that catch the light when he walks. He wears the royal uniform of the palace: a deep navy coat with structured shoulders, trimmed in silver thread along the cuffs and collar. A crest is embroidered over his left side of his chest, the symbol of his Kingdom. His boots are polished, gloves tucked neatly. Despite the formality of his attire, there's a quiet gentleness to his presence as if he's more scholar than soldier.
— ever since his team was dead, his communication device has been cut. Currently we have no information about his presence.
— we don't know if he's alive.. or dead..but one thing is sure, princess Anny is at Dauphin. A clueless child can't go too far.
["…"]
her gaze has a solemn, almost distant expression her gaze slightly lowered as if caught in a thought. A single tear run slowly down her cheek adding a quiet weight to her face. Her hair is short with wavy curls and voluminous hair with diamond earrings dangling down her slim neck, she wears a necklace of round beads just above her collarbone. Her garment is richly detailed that suggests nobility. The line of her clothing flowing outward from her shoulders and chest giving her a composed silhouette. On her head rests an ornate crown, adorned with jewels. Its points arche and embedded stones. It sits firmly.
Her hand moves gracefully
"Cody, put Evelene in charge until i come back. I'll search for my daughter myself."
— your Majesty-y it's too dangerous for you to head alone, please, let me accompany you!
…
"..alright then, come on let's get ready."
———————————————————
Birds flit between branches, their calls echoing faintly through the tall trees. Somewhere deeper in the woods, a child-like voice could be heard
"These trees are super tall! Are they 7-8..9 feet tall?"
we walked carefully
"Zack..how tall are you? Are you as tall as these trees", she giggles
"Zack what is this insect?", she picks an insect on the ground
"zack"
"Ouu, zack look!"
"Zack"
"Zack do you like rabbits, i just saw one running", she pointed at a bush
"Hm..zack what's your favorite food?", she rubbed her stomach, "mine is a soup"
"It's made of a chicken broth with vegetables inside"
my face full of annoyance
a muscle twitching
"Zack, you seem to know a lot about everything, you even knew Eris's whereabouts and who took her.. those kids respected you..", she paused, "tell me.. what position do you hold?"
"If you're asking how i knew who took Eris.. well", i inhale before continuing, "i used to work for the
hands tucked inside my pockets, she waved her dress and say, "really?"
I looked at her, " yep, but i don't anymore…i kinda did them dirty so i'm not in good terms with them.."
she scratched her head and then an unknown weak voice came from one of the trees,
—um…e-excuse me..
It was a tall slim lady, her pale blonde hair was neatly put up in a side bun, placed atop her head was a delicate flower hat, the kind one worn during a quiet eras. Its layered petals curved outward like silk, soft and cut with a fine mesh veil draping gently over her side.
she wore a formal black dress with a fitted bodice and short puffy sleeves, underneath she wore a tight black sleeves covering her entire arm. Three small buttons run down the front, the skirt flares out from the waist fully to the floor level, she grabbed onto her dress as she got out and faced us,
— Do you mind helping me get out of this forest..? I got lost and i can't seem to find my way out..
Tears were falling from her round big eyes, her eyes were special.
she really sound genuine.
"Where are you heading to miss?", Anny said
she really sound genuine
"Sorry. Ma'am", i step in, pulling Anny behind me.
her eyes emit a green aura, her pupils weren't ordinary, rather like normal people like us, hers had a vertical line as pupil
like a snake's eyes.
" we can't help you. We're in a rush."
"Good day."
i grab Anny and decided to walk past her, she stopped me, "wait a minute.."
Anny looking at me with a mean look
— wait.
— i recognize you, you're Zack.
she grabbed me by my shoulder as i look at her,
— you're Zack from that devil family..
she eyed Anny before saying
— Are you in danger? Did this man harm you?
I blinked and she vanished
she grabbed Anny and pulled her towards her body
— GET AWAY FROM THAT MAN!
— you should NEVER stay near that guy!
she was squished under her arms, shocked
— He's not a good man! He'll hurt you, Anny!
?!
She tried to push the lady's grip on her neck, " how did you know my name..?"
"Don't listen to her Anny.
i grab my bag's strap,
"touch her and you're dead. Let her go", i raised my hand
"I'm asking nicely."
she moved her sharply to the left, keeping her close but away from the approaching figure
she gave a dead serious look
— you're not like this Zack, are you planning on using Anny for your own benefits?
her expression shifted, her lips curled into a crooked smirk, eyes narrowing with quiet mockery
— Kill me if you wanna test me. Let's test our speed.
— Mertha doesn't care if i bring Anny dead or alive. As for you? You want..no..you need Anny alive. Thats the difference, we don't.
tension was in the air, i tried hard to control my anger but her voice just itches my brain. I stare at her quietly not saying a word,
— This is actually the first time the
she starts laughing
[ she really was an annoying crazy lady ]
— Mertha gave me an order : " if zack got in the way, kill him."
— HAHA!
her veil moved with each laughter as her grip on Anny's neck tightened as she struggled
— How does it feel to know that the woman who looked after your parents died, the woman you consider as a "Mother" to say such things..haha.. to say she doesn't care if you're dead or alive.. hehe..
her snake like eyes piercing my body
— It hurts, no?
i paid no attention to her words and let her enjoy herself
— Did Eris tell you that Anny is here?
— Eris? Who's that?
she rolled her eyes
— ahh.. that ginger, she's a slave to Master Sen now. I just happen to met you guys without trying too hard
i tried to make a move while she was lost in her storytelling
— STAY BACK! Or i'll slice her throat!
I froze
— hehehehe
— there's one last thing you should know.
Her blonde hair waving smoothly as wind passed us, her eyes sharpen
— Recently i heard that..Mertha, Sen and your sister are all sheming something.
—Why don't you give a visit to Sen? Maybe he'll take you back.
— Iriel, tell Mertha not to trust my sister. She will back stab her and Sen.
before i could say, Anny burst in tears and was finally aware of what was happening, " ZACK SAVE ME!"
" DON'T LET HER TAKE ME..I-I.. DON'T WANNA DIE..!"
A sticky fog emerged from her body it was the most disgusting liquid one could posses, her body, arm, legs, torso started being eaten by the liquid and Anny's scream could be heard across the forest. "Kekekek"
before they could disappear i looked at Anny and told her, "listen Anny, they won't hurt you. They can't. Just trust me."
the forest was quiet, and both of them vanished before my eyes.
[ i hope she doesn't hate me for this. ]
i figured this would happened. The moment the
hmm
i scratched my face with my finger.
i couldn't risk it, i know how unpredictable Iriel can be, plus Mertha or Sen can't lay one finger on Anny. My sister won't allow it. Now that Anny is gone i can reach Mont-Fairy in just 7 days.
Sparks crackle around my hand, waiting to be unleashed.
before something bad happens, i will be there to rescue Anny, or.. he will.
certainly he'll be there on time.
but i prefer if i did it.