Hellos and Goodbyes

A deafening silence followed. The son looked upset, the mother became teary-eyed, and the father looked at her with pity.

"We're sorry for bringing this up. If you feel like not going home yet for fear of your life, you can stay here as long as you want." Faust handed the plate of salad to her, "Have more of these, they're really good. My wife just harvested the greens from our little garden."

After dinner...

Anna sat down on the bed and stared out the small window. It was eerily dark but she can see the silhouette of big trees outside. She recalled the events that took place days ago. This time she couldn't stop the tears from falling. She wanted to cry bitterly and to curse out to the Great Spirit for the fate that it had brought her but the boy suddenly walked inside the room carrying a mat and a pillow. He dropped them on the floor.

"What do you think you are doing?" she asked irritably while quickly brushing away the tears.

"I'm sorry… but the storage shed had been filled with logs. Can I sleep here instead?"

"No, find yourself another room."

"There's no other room here... but it's okay, I'll sleep by the fireplace. I'm used to sleeping anywhere anyway."

Sleeping anywhere? A memory struck her. "Wait, I know who you are!"

The boy grew uneasy. "You do?"

"You're that lazy servant who had eavesdropped at our conversation during the engagement ball!" Oops. She had revealed too much information.

The boy looked relieved for some reason but realization had also dawned on him. "Oh, I remember now. You were that girl who was engaged to the Prince of Kaminari… Then you must be… the princess of Kouku."

Anna folded her arms and stood menacingly at him. "Say one word about my identity, even to your parents and you will be beheaded. I'll make sure of that. What's your name by the way, servant?"

"I'm Yoh, Princess Anna."

"I command you, Yoh not to address me as princess when someone is around. I cannot divulge my royal background not until I find out who the murderers of my parents were. Tomorrow, you will take me to your king."

"My king?"

"Yes, he is friends with my father. He can help me."

"I'm not really sure about that…"

"Are you trying to sway my orders, servant?" the princess gave him a death glare.

"No, Your Highness."

"Good. If you do not have anything more to say, leave! I want to rest now."

The boy picked up the mat and the pillow on the floor and slowly walked out of the room. He seemed to be extremely distressed.

Why would the princess of Kouku want to meet the King of Kasai?

The next day…

"You are going to the palace?" Faust raised an eyebrow while he wrapped himself with a brown cloak. "Are you sure?"

"Anna would like to meet our king," Yoh said unexcitedly.

"Now that is such a bold move." The doctor chuckled.

"Why? He is strict but a very kind man," defended the blond girl.

Faust stared at her from the corner of his eyes as he sealed the boxes containing his medicines and concoctions. The prince told him earlier that the girl was from Kasai and that there was nothing to worry about.

"As you wish, young lady. I'll give you a ride to the nearest town as I'll be delivering my merchandise to a customer. Yoh, please help me carry these boxes to the wagon outside."

The two heaved the heavy boxes with caution.

"An opportunity gone, eh? You will be meeting your father soon, after all." The doctor whispered to the prince as they loaded the boxes. "I'd like to see his reaction when you come home with a pretty girl with you after months of being away."

"That's the least of my worries, Faust." Yoh climbed up the wagon and sat at one of the bigger boxes.

"Well, then. Say hello to the Kasai palace for me." The doctor patted his brown horse before boarding the driver's seat. "Let's go, Anna. It will be a long day."

His wife and the blond girl went out of the hut. Anna looked hesitantly at the old rickety wagon. There was no way she would ride that but she didn't seem to have a choice. She was found by a peasant family and although she did not show it, she was grateful to them for helping her out.

The wife tapped her shoulder and handed her a bag before she left. It contained her freshly washed night gown. "Don't forget this. It is a beautiful fabric."

"Thank you for letting me borrow your clothes..." Anna gave her a slight smile, squeezed her hand then approached the waiting wagon.

Yoh extended his arm to the princess and pulled her up. She sat down on a box across him.

"Goodbye my dear Eliza, I'll be back soon!" Faust blew his wife a kiss.

The prince rested his head on a box and closed his eyes to sleep as the wagon began to move.

Goodbye Great Spirit's river, Hello Kasai palace.