Chapter 4- taste of freedom

I crawled through the garden until I reached the very end of it. I stood up then shook my clothes. I rolled my eyes around. I sighed when I realized that I had finally left the Palace. It is also ideal that there are no guarding soldiers on this side. Finally, I can have my freedom! For seven years I really knew the ins and outs of the Palace and alas, this is it. I notice that there are no respectful soldiers here. Because of my curiousity, this is what I found out.

In order not to be heard, I ran away from the high walls of the Palace. It's up to Nesta to find me later because the truth is I just ran away. I ordered him to get me a snack but I took that opportunity to get out.

For seven years I was also curious about what was outside the Palace. Not once has Vencel been able to get me around. Maybe it's because I can't really avoid being over protective as a father to me, so do Raegan, Eomund and Cederic. Good thing, they also didn’t hear that I escaped. Raegan is busy with his holding Royal Chivalry Order. Meanwhile Eomund and Cederic are currently having private lessons. I, on the other hand, have not told Vencel if I will be a student but I hear that he is hiring my private teacher. So I’ll have fun first while he hasn’t found anything and this one.

Even before I went out I really prepared for it really well. I remember things I could use since I lived in modern times. The first thing I made way was my eyes. Because they are different colors I thought of making a contact lens. Since I was a writer in my previous life, it was inevitable that I wouldn’t study things for the stories I was doing. So as much as possible I collected and studied carefully the materials and formulas I would make for making the contact lens. Fortunately, it doesn't itch the eyes, even with the liquid solution I made. How many times have I gone through trial and error before my work was perfect!

I have natural red and violet eyes. I made the contact lenses I made amber color. I also found out that the princess of the Empire was known to have different eye colors so I had no choice. For my disguise to be a success!

Little did I realize that I had reached a crowded place. I silently rolled my eyes around. I tore the cloak that was on my head, I couldn’t help myself to marvel at what I saw. There is a lot of life around me. I continued my walk. I feel like my heart is overflowing with joy because I raised my arms and I was even able to circle the path that you thought I was ready to dance.

So this is that taste of freedom!

If this is how I find myself in this place, I am really willing to run away, anytime!

I filled my eyes with what I saw. This is what the market in this world looks like. Noisy but fun. I also saw a musician not far away. I did not hesitate to approach it. I watched him as he played. I slowly closed my eyes so I could feel it even more. When I was satisfied I approached the can just in front of the musician. I took out gold to pay him. I didn't take long and left immediately.

I went for a walk again. My hands are just behind me. I spotted a Bake Shop not far away. A smile flashed again on my lips. I run to the door of the Bake Shop. I pushed open the door and a bell rang, signaling that a costumer had arrived. The tables and chairs exposed me, but what caught my attention more were the cakes and assorted pastries on the shelves. I was excited to come over and look at the different kinds of cakes. I want to taste them but I can't because Nesta as well as Vencel and my siblings will hear that I ran away. I'm sure they'll give me a sermon by chance.

"Have you chosen anything, Miss?" smiling woman asked me, she's maybe the cashier.

Before I could answer I chose a cake first. Aha! "I hope so." at the same time I teach chocolate cake. "I'm going to eat here, huh?"

"All right, Miss." he smiled and said then he took a slice of chocolate cake.

I paid then I handed over the cake. I laid the plate on the table. I sat down in one of the chairs. I was excited to eat the cake I bought. I was thrilled when I tasted the taste. Delicious! I missed these foods while I was in the old world.

After I ate I left that Bake Shop. I wandered again. Oh, I love the Capitol. I never though I could feel like this! I enjoyed it so much even though I only came here alone.

Next I went to was my favorite. A Book Shop. I pushed open the door. Not too many people. Except for one guy who was busy arranging books on bookshelves. I leaned over the bookshelves. I’m looking for my intentional books.

I need a magic book. I've been practicing this for a few years but it's just a mistake so I need more knowledge for how to use this. What should I do to enhance my skills?

The ending, I don’t see. I only see magic elements. More in romance and history books are also available in the Book Store. I was a little disappointed but never mind, maybe it's not just the Book Store in the Capitol. Maybe there are others.

Because of my wandering I no longer realized where I had landed. I have noticed that people are rarely here. I stopped walking. I observed the environment. I opened my mouth when I saw that these were just alleys. There are dark parts of this place. I also think that I won't find a Book Shop here because it looks like I'm no longer in Kabihasnan. In my view, these are just dwellings. Apartment or Inn, that sort of thing. Hayys, so it's time to go home.

I was about to walk back when I stopped when I heard a noise to my right. I followed that with a look. My forehead wrinkled spontaneously. Why do I feel violent when I hear a word in that direction?

I don't know what pushed me to follow the source of those sounds and voices. I put the cloak on my head. I swallowed as I carefully approached it. Slowly one of my palms landed on the wall. Slow down and make sure I don’t create noise as I approach that place. As I got closer and closer he sounded louder and louder. I decided to stop. I leaned my back against the wall. I peeked a little.

"Ugh!"

My palm flew into my mouth as I inhaled. My eyes widened in shock when I saw the teenagers hurting someone. My gaze shifted to the person they were hurting. He curves his body even as he hugs it to protect himself. I even heard that they were raining cheaply on their victim. I even witnessed them even spitting on it which I was even more shocked by!

When they were satisfied they left it. They left the man lying on the ground, his body covered with wounds. I looked at the men, they were completely gone. There I dared to approach the man left behind. I swallowed again.

"A-are you okay?" I weakly asked him.

I failed to get an answer. Twitter went up in my system.

I tried to move him until I could see his face. I watched his face. Even his face was bruised and his lip was cracked! The blood was still fresh in his mouth! Open my mouth. Wait, this guy is familiar to me. Wait, who is he again ?!

"Prince Calevi?" I call softly, there is no certainty in my tone.

He slowly stared. Our eyes met even though his eyes were already bulging with weakness.

"I need to take you to the doctor!" I exclaimed. I led him but because he was heavy we even fell! I winced in pain.

"Who is that?"

I stiffened in my position when I heard a man's voice. My heart beat faster. How many times have I cursed in my mind. We need to get away from it!

I quickly led Prince Calevi and stood up. I wanted to move on but I fell down again. My eyes widened when I felt the pain in my foot. Oh no, don't tell me, I'm really paralyzed ?! Sheez, how are we going to escape this? How can we get out of here ?!

"Why, you still have plans to run away, ha!" he was able to tweak me. I winced again because of the pain. This man is empty. How dare he pulled my hair! Even my dad and brothers, they could never do this thing to me! "Looks like you're also the son of the Noble. If I'm yours, give me everything you own. I'm even happier if you give me gold!"

I looked at him sharply. "B-let me go if you don't want to ... I'll regret it later." I said hard.

He laughed demonically. "And you still have the urge to threaten. You think I'm scared of you?"

"If it were here, would you be scared?" we even heard another man's voice just near us. Our eyes widened when suddenly a long, sharp sword appeared stuck to the neck of the man who had pulled me out! "Let go of the young lady's hair if you don't want to say goodbye to this world." tough and streaked with hatred in its voice.

Mama slowly let go of my hair. But the sword was still not removed from its neck.

"I-I'm released ..." he said trembling.

No one said the man holding the sword pulled him. I turned around and my eyes widened as I witnessed the mama being violently pushed against the wall and without saying a word the sword was stabbed in the stomach. The mother vomited blood until she lost her life. It was as if I was out of breath at what I saw!

The man was hooded so I couldn't see his face very well. He retrieved the sword and then threw it aside. "Clean up, Egos."

Suddenly a man in a black cloak appeared from the alley I passed. He picked up the discarded sword and left immediately.

My gaze shifted to the man in the hoodie. I was swallowed badly. My grip on Prince Calevi tightened. I backed away despite my leg hurting. He stepped closer to us until he slumped in front of me. I couldn’t take my eyes off him until he removed the hood of his black cloak as well. A new face exposed me. His skin was white and smooth. Her hair is platinum blonde. His nose is pointed, his eyebrows are quite thick and his eyes are green!

"What is the lone Cyan princess doing in this place, hmm?" he asked me seriously.

"Y-you know me ...?" the only thing I can say. Based on his voice, he is not one of my family members.

"Of course, I know you very well." smiling he said. "Who wouldn't know a Cyan princess or better known as the eyes of the soul?"

My forehead furrowed. "Eyes ... Of the soul?" I repeat.

A bitter smile flashed on his lips. "It's a pity I haven't seen you right away before. I've been too busy for a long time."

Wait, he knows me. How did that happen? I have a contact lens! I know my disguise is perfect!

No one said I put my palm on him, a sign that I was stopping him from explaining first. I could see how shocked he was at what I did. I looked at him seriously.

"Huh?"

"Before you speak, after all, you're here too. Maybe you can help us? Especially with me? Beaten up, eh." at the same time I turned to prince Calevi who is now unconscious.

His gaze shifted to what I was leading. When he realized who it was he drew a frown for it.

"Egos," he seriously called to his companion. "You'll take care of Prince Severassi."

"I'll follow." he approached me and carefully lifted Prince Calevi.

I breathed a little easier because he was going to be helped. Right now I have to think of a way to get out of here. I had to go home immediately so that I could avoid the questioning of Nesta and the Majesty.

I was almost paralyzed when the man who rescued us suddenly lifted me up. It's a bridal style! I looked at him in shock. "A-what are you doing ?!" I couldn't help but sigh at him.

He looked at me innocently. "You've been hurt before too, haven't you? I'm just helping you too because you'll have a harder time walking back to the Palace."

"K-I can do it myself!"

I heard him tsked. "I can't imagine that the only princess and youngest child of the Emperor of Cyan was clumsy and stubborn." he sighed. "Let me deliver you because your father must be going crazy because of finding you."

I told the man who rescued us to take me to the Hospital so that I could witness with my own eyes that Prince Calevi was indeed being treated, so that I would be at peace before I was taken home to the Palace. I knew I would be scolded the moment they found out I went out without saying goodbye, especially since they would know I was about to perish. But I wanted it anyway. By the time the Noble Families of Severassi find out that their beloved prince has perished in our country, surely a big war will take place and I don’t want that to happen!

Prince Calevi is currently resting and recovering at the Hospital. I am so thankful that he has been removed from critical condition. While I was sitting quietly in the carriage, depressed and staring outside. I watch the people who are still in the Capitol. It doesn’t seem to be losing its life since I saw it earlier for the first time.

I cut my watching to events outside. Instead I thought of a way or excuse that I would say when they asked where I was from. Think...

"Whatever you do or even if you think of an excuse still can't hide that you're doomed, dear princess." suddenly the bullet just across from me spoke.

I shot him an evil look. Langya, can he read what I'm thinking ?! "I know, so I'll just tell the truth in case they ask." then I scolded him. Half-hearted after I said that because he seemed to catch me no matter what I did.

I even heard him giggle. "I didn't expect you to be sick either."

My face wrinkled even more. "What if I'm sick? Hmp!" I closed my eyes tightly. I slowly leaned my head in on the window pane of the carriage. I barely opened my eyes. I think landed on the floor. "I need to think about how Prince Severassi can get back to their country."

A deafening silence enveloped the surroundings. I admit that I am still worried even if we say he has been treated. But I am even more confident when he is back with Severassi. His family must have been worried too.

"Why do you have to take him back to where he came from if he doesn't want to be there anymore?" he asked seriously.

I was shocked when I heard that thing from him. I looked at him quickly. I opened my mouth a little. "A-what do you mean?"

He closed his eyes slowly and then folded his arms. "Before you rescued him, aren't you wondering why the Prince is here in Cyan? It's impossible for him to get lost in your country." he gave me a suspicious look. "My conclusion is that the prince has no intention of returning to Severassi."

I was silent at what he said. My forehead furrowed. I suddenly thought of what he said. Annoying, if I only knew. A question popped into my mind. Why? Why was he able to get away with Severassi and why did he want to go here?

If I could only look at the past, if I could only see what happened so that I could know what was the reason why Prince Calevi suddenly fled his beloved country.

My mind was just cut off when the carriage stopped. I immediately looked outside. We were in a quiet place, there weren't many people but from here I could see the Palace. I secretly bit my lip. I moved my foot a little to see if it still hurt. Okay, it still hurts. Maybe a week before it healed.

The man moved and then he opened the carriage door. When he got down he faced me then he held out his palm to me. I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. Eventually I was still able to accept it. She helped me get out until she was able to lift me up in bridal style again. I just thought how considerate is he.

"How do we get to the Palace?" I asked with concern.

"We can get there easily." he said then he approached a wall.

I was shocked to see that the wall was slowly getting light. The light that appears is a mixture of gold and white. The man took a step closer. We entered into that light. I tightly closed my eyes out of nervousness and fear of what might happen to us. On top of that, I was losing my vision due to too much light!

"Here we are." I heard him say.

I quickly opened my eyes. I rolled my eyes around. We are in a familiar place now. This is the place I slipped in earlier to escape!

He moved again then he gently made me sit on the fallen tree. He applied one of his knees to the grass. I flinched when he suddenly grabbed my injured leg. He touched it tenderly. I stared at his hand resting on my foot. It shone. I could feel a little heat from there until the light and the warmth of his palm were gone.

"You're fine," then he looked at me.

I could not answer immediately. Instead I twisted my leg to see if the pain was gone. I sighed. True, the pain is gone! I mean, I can walk anytime!

I left the seat. I jump to make sure my foot is well. I was even more excited. I smiled and turned to him. "Thanks, huh? I thought I'd wait another week to be able to walk properly again." I would also like to add that Vencel and the princes will not notice my injury. But suddenly something came to my mind. "Wait, why didn't you use that on Prince Calevi earlier?"

He understood my question. He looked away. "M-the power I have is very special. If I use it on him, I can't cure you."

I went home. Obvious liar.

"In that case, oh go ahead. He, I'm coming in, they're definitely looking for me ---"

"Sandals."

"Huh?"

Before he could speak again he took something out of his pocket. He approached me and then put something in his palm. I look down there. I shifted my gaze to him with astonishment on my face. A small smile flashed on his lips. "I did not attend the day of your baptism until this last birthday of yours, dear princess."

"What do you mean?"

"This should be my gift to you. I'm sorry if I can only give it now. I hope you will receive my little gift, as my compensation for the absences of my presence on your important days."

Even though I couldn’t understand what he meant I was able to accept the necklace. The stone used to make the necklace pendant is also beautiful. He is like a diamond. I smiled looking at him. "Thanks a lot."

"Thank you too for accepting, Princess Rini."

"Be careful."

He nodded then turned his back on me. He slipped through the wall again until he was out of my sight. I looked down again at the necklace I was holding. The stone glows and I smile. My grip on the necklace tightened as I glued it to my chest.