"Count the seconds as your die. We will try to make it less painful..."
With a sword pointed at his neck, the boy stood there lazily.
His fingers moved in swift motion as a golden glow formed on his fingertips swiftly transforming to a small dagger.
"Y-You are calling him weak, but there are so many of you out to kill him. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"
The slightly trembling yet confident voice had him pause in his movements. The sword pointed at his neck was taken back and he tilted his head to the side.
"I will protect you," The girl said, not sparing a glance in his direction as she kept her gaze set on the men who were out to assassinate him.
Her damp wine-shaded tresses framed her small face but that did not stop him from looking at those wistfully ambitious grey eyes.
The dagger in his hand slowly transformed into a small grey flower before dissipating in wind.
If Esme had seen this, she would have been shocked as she had never once seen someone possessing such magic.
But her focus on the moment was somewhere else.
"Little girl, you should run away when there is time. We have no enmity with you."
Esme pursed her lips. She didn't run away when she was hiding behind the tree. Now that she claimed that she will save the person, it will be irresponsible of her to run away.
She tilted her chin slightly, "I give you a chance to leave."
The assassins laughed amongst themselves before one of them spoke up, "Since you are not willing to leave, then die with him," The tip of the sword was pointed at her neck.
"Aunt Ruby~" She called out quickly before things would be irreversible.
The assassins paused as they looked at each other before looking around. Was there someone else here?
Even the victim in the scene, the boy who was wearing baggy clothes folded his arms in front of his chest looking at the girl with a hint of curiosity.
Esme stood rooted to the spot when the silver-clad woman did not appear anywhere around her.
The assassins burst into laughter, "Girl, are you stalling for time? A weak little girl-"
"Sister Ruby," A hint of impatience was apparent in Esme's as she interrupted the man.
Before anyone could comprehend what was going on, they found a copper-skinned young woman standing in front of them donned in a silk silver dress that revealed her smooth waist. The slit that started from the thigh revealed one of her long legs that had them marvel at the sight of her.
One of those assassins glanced at Esme, "Did you call this woman for us to have fun with?"
Not used to hearing such vulgarities, Esme felt a bit uncomfortable.
Although one of them said that, a few of them were cautious of the woman who appeared out of thin air.
"Sister Ruby, you can help me with this, right?" Esme blinked.
"Why else would I appear?" Ruby rolled her eyes at the little princess as she looked at the assassins disinterestedly.
And in the next moment, a white fog appeared in front of her eyes blocking her vision. Esme could hear some screams but she could barely see anything.
Within a few seconds, the fog disappeared and Esme could not see the assassins anymore. Her gaze landed on the cliff before she looked at the dark woman who lazily stretched her body and disappeared in a slithering motion.
'So strong,' Esme's eyes glittered slightly.
Noticing a presence behind her, she tilted her face to the side only to find her gaze locked with a pair of pale blue eyes.
"Are you-?"
"What do you want?"
She noticed the boy was wearing some shabby clothes, his face was dirty because of the mud. A hint of pity appeared in her eyes.
Perhaps, he also had some issues. Did he need help?
But his question got her curious, "What will I want from you?"
"Wealth or my attention? You must have some goals to take the risk."
A small frown settled on her little face, "What makes you think so?"
His gaze measured her from head to toe, from her drenched gown to her messy condition, "You look pitiful."
'Less than you,' Esme held back the urge to argue. It was not proper for her. She turned around to leave.
"What's your name?" Came the question that had her pause in her tracks.
She turned around and tilted her chin slightly upwards, "You are not worthy to know my name," A hint of haughtiness remained in her grey eyes.
With that, she walked away without looking back at the person who snapped his fingers and in the next instant, the rags on his body disappeared as he wore a loose black shirt with a black velvet cape that reached till his knees. His raven black hair was coiffed to perfection as his sea rover-like eyes shone, looking in that direction even after the girl disappeared.
"Aleister, I found him," A man in his early 20s walked towards him, raking his fingers in his Teutonic gold hair.
The boy turned around and tilted his head downwards to look at the white tiger that was following the young man, "I had to travel seven seas away to find you."
As if it could comprehend his words, the beast lowered his head in guilt.
A stellar smile appeared on that devil-may-care face as he patted its head, "I just met your younger sister.''
'Growl'
"You want to meet her? She already left."
The man frowned, "Did you meet someone here? Did something go wrong?"
Aleister tilted his head to the side, ''Nothing unusual. Just another assassination," The corner of his lips tugged up, "Just another girl falling for me," But a special one.
"How do you know she fell for you?" Rowan ignored the first sentence as he glanced at the seventeen-year-old boy.
''She couldn't take her eyes off me. She was ready to sacrifice her life," His eyes wandered in the direction the girl disappeared.
But it appears like you can't take your eyes off her. But his subsequent words contradicted his innermost thought, "You are Aleister Daven. They throw themselves at your feet. So, there is nothing strange in it," The man said with a straight face.
"Your finger twitches when you think bad about me," Aleister lazily stated.
Rowan pressed his hand to his sides before bowing at him, "My Lord, it's time to go back before it turns chaotic there."
"Are you trying to get away with it?" A golden ray shot from the boy's finger and in the next second, Rowan found himself tied with a rope.
"We grew up together, Aleister. Can you not hold grudges?" He shouted looking at the boy's retreating back.
Aleister did not pay attention to him. He glanced at the glow forming at his fingertip as it took the shape of a grey flower.
'You are not worthy to know my name,' The girl's word resounded in his mind as that slight arrogance in her tone lingered somewhere around him.
The white tiger growled as if it was demanding its Master's attention.
"Leo," Aleister patted his head, "She is indeed your younger sister.''
"Aleister...My Lord...Don't leave me behind~"
The beast and human duo ignored Rowan's pleading as they walked away.
...
"It is all my fault. How many times have I been taught that I shouldn't interfere in other's matters? But I had to go ahead to save that pitiful boy and my kind intentions were not appreciated anyway," Esme walked ahead as she tried her best to recall her way back to the small hut they were currently staying in, "One should always listen to what the elders say, unlike me."
The rain had completely subsided and the sky was gradually darkening while Ruby wasn't responding to the girl's words anymore which made her panic a bit.
Her stomach made a small noise and she quickly pressed one of her hands on it as a soft blush crept up her cheeks. She glanced at her left and right thinking whether someone witnessed it only to realize that she was not in the Castle anymore, "I am hungry too. What do I do now?''
"Esme..."
Her eyes lit up the moment she heard that familiar voice. "Aunt?" She turned around to look at her only to be pulled in her warm embrace in the next moment.
"Can you stop scaring me like that? Do you know how I felt when I couldn't find you anywhere?"
Esme was taken aback by her Aunt's outburst. She extended her hand towards her face to wipe the tears off but she was too short for that. She took her hand back to her side, "I'll never do that again. Can you please wipe your tears now?"
Marlene could not stop herself from smiling at her niece's antics. She stroked her head, "Where did you go?"
"I..." Esme paused before showing the herbs clenched in her fist, "Arlan had a fever and you were injured as well."
Marlene paused as she took the herbs from her hand before sniffing them. Her eyes widened slightly, "You got the right ones. My little girl is grown up now."
"I've been studying hard," As they walked back towards the hut holding each other's hand, Esme thought about something, "Aunt, will I not go to the Academy anymore?"
Marlene was taken aback, not expecting the sudden question from her, "You can't," she answered after a few seconds.
"I won't study anymore...'' Esme lowered her head slightly.
Education was not something that was considered important to many people in their kingdom. She had seen many of them not going to Academy or not being allowed to go there.
But she wanted to continue her studies.
"No, my girl. Who said you cannot study anymore? I am here for you. I will teach you both well."
Esme tilted her head to look at her. Her eyes twinkled. Yes, how did she forget that her Aunt was magnificent in studies?
"Did you face any trouble here?" Marlene looked at the girl questioningly
.
Esme shook her head, "I saved someone," Her Aunt nodded slightly to which she could not help but be curious, "You won't ask me more about it?"
"You are safe now and that's all that matters. But from the next time, remember to do it only when you are sure you can defeat the enemy."
The girl nodded.
She wanted to inform her Aunt about her newfound Sister Ruby but she had warned her not to do it before she disappeared. According to her, it might get her Aunt's life in danger and Esme did not want to take such risks.
"Although I saved him but he said that I did it because I wanted something from him." She frowned.
"Who was he?" Marlene was intrigued by it. It was rare to see her niece getting angry so randomly. Even though she was trying her best to not show it but it was still visible on her little face.
"A rude boy with beautiful eyes," came the girl's short reply.
What kind of description was that? Marlene did not whether to laugh or cry. "You should not phrase it like that."
"You think I am wrong?" Esme bit her bottom lips, "One should be grateful to their savior instead of doubting their pure intentions. Why would I want something from him? Am I that greedy?"
Marlene was curious as to who this person was who managed to irk her calm and composed niece to this extent. She sighed looking at the girl's begrudging expressions, "You're not wrong but maybe it is the same with them."
"What does that means?"
"When I was young, I had many friends. Many people reached me every day," As Marlene spoke, Esme listened to her attentively, "But as time passed by, I realized that some of them were eager to be my elder sister's suitors, some people were good to me because of my status while some were out to get my Brothers' attentions. They had their reasons, I understand but that did not stop me from being cautious when I made friends. The person you're talking about might have some reasons for the way he behaves."
"But Duke Elias is not like that. He is not after anything else, he is just after you, Aunt," Esme tilted her head upwards. Why that boy behaved so ungratefully had nothing to do with her as their paths will never cross again but her Aunt's happiness mattered to her.
Since she did not want her to be hurt, Esme was very cautious about mentioning Duke Elias who would have ended up being her uncle if not for everything that happened.
Marlene stiffened for a split second before recovering her senses, "We've reached. Go, Arlan is waiting for us. I'll get some fruits first for us," She said, blinking rapidly to not let her tears fall.
Esme glanced at her silently for a few seconds before stepping inside the hut.
At night.
Marlene sat on the floor as she glanced at the moon through the broken window.
"Aunt?"
She turned around to look at Esme and Arlan who were standing near the wooden door which was slowly swaying back and forth because of the wind as it produced creaking sound occasionally.
"Come here."
She patted the space beside her.
Arlan sat on the floor as a small frown made its way on Esme's face.
"You won't sit?" Marlene glanced at her.
"Can I keep standing?"
"You find it dirty?" Marlene smiled as she pulled the girl to her lap.
Esme shifted uncomfortably, "Aunt, I'm 14. You shouldn't do this."
"14 or 40. You will always be my Little Esme," Marlene glanced at the silent young boy, "Arlan, how do you feel now?"
"I feel better after Sister gave me those leaves," The boy blinked.
"Herbs," Esme corrected him before looking at her Aunt's hand, "How do you feel now?"
"It's much better."
"You lost your powers?" Esme stood up from her lap.
Marlene paused, "I did. But it does not matter anymore. We will be leaving this place by dawn."
"Leaving? Why will we give up so easily?"
Marlene held the girl's hand, "Can't you see? You're no longer the little princess. This is their kingdom, Esme.''
Esme lowered her head, "But my mother, your elder sister is the real Queen," her voice was soft.
"The real Queen who abandoned everything for a man."
Esme flinched at the sudden harshness in her tone.
Marlene closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath before stroking Arlan's back softly to calm him down from his frightened state, "I don't have powers anymore. I don't want you both to be involved in any power struggles where you will be putting your life at edge and I could just watch helplessly from a distance. You want to study? I'll teach you. You can do anything you want..." She paused as she looked straight into the girl's stubborn gaze before adding, "But you will live just like a commoner from now on. This is all to protect you both. But I will leave it up to you to decide whether you see this as a shield or a cage."
Esme turned around to leave and Marlene did not stop her knowing that the girl needed some time to accept this.
"Sister," Arlan called out to her before she could leave. Although he did not understand much about what they were talking about but he had something he wanted to ask.
Esme paused but did not turn around.
That prompted Arlan to quickly ask it before she leaves again, "That butterfly...When the man saw it in pain, why didn't he cut its c-cooco...cocoon to help it?" He was confused about it from the moment she told him the story.
Esme tilted her face to the side as she glanced at her Aunt from above her shoulder with a hint of indignance in her eyes, "If he had cut the cocoon, it would not fly. The more it was caged, the more it will struggle. Struggle till the cage gave up and the cocoon fell, till blood filled its wings, hardening them enough to let it fly," With that said, she turned around and left.
That child-like voice speaking those words of depth made Marlene's heart tremble for a moment. The unbending rebelliousness in those grey eyes made her proud yet scared her at the same time.
"The pain made the butterfly stronger," Arlan smiled upon realizing the cause. He glanced at his Aunt, "Will we leave, Aunt?" As she nodded in a daze, he continued asking, "Will we never come back here?"
Marlene snapped out of her daze. She stroked his head, "No, we will never come back to the Nevesray."
"Where will we go? What place is that?"
"We will go Seven Seas away to the Lands of Visteria."
...
"They caused the death of Brother Adrian. It is an unpardonable sin," Esme glanced at the moon as she stood near a pillar, "How could I run away like a coward? Is there no other way?''
"For now, no."
The soft whisper made the hair on the back of her neck stand as she turned around, "Sister Ruby, why would you say that?"
"Do what your Aunt says if you don't seek danger."
"You said you are my protector."
"I am but I won't come out unless it is a life and death situation for you. My duty is your protection. You threw yourself in front of danger for a stranger today and I helped you. Take it as a present of our first meeting," Ruby's silver dress shone under the moonlight as she stepped closer to her, "But it will never be repeated."
"But I..."
"No buts," The woman's graceful steps came to a halt as she pressed a finger on her lips, "You have secrets, little Princess,"
Esme's eyes widened. "Secrets?" A whisper escaped her mouth when the finger on her lips shifted.
"Yes, secrets," Repeated the woman, "Secrets that might destroy everyone around you."