...The Chase...

The Prince was standing in his balcony :

- Good morning, Your Highness.

- Any reports from last night?

- No, there was nothing. I think this is a good sign

- I'm not sure about that, but I dreamed about something strange. I was furious and full of rage .. suddenly strange eyes appeared in front of me. When I saw them, it calmed me down immediately. I felt like they were touching my soul.

- I hope, your Highness, find peace.

- Yeah, me too. What about the competition?

- We are following the plan you ordered. Today will be the last day for the tests.

- Prepare the fighting ground for tomorrow.

- Right away, your highness.

Rose was confused over what Roy told her, She kept looking at the big emerald in her possession " I came here because I need money, this gem is very expensive, I think it can help me repay most of our debt, but.....Doesn't this consider stealing? I can't do something shameful and tarnish my father's honor. I must earn money through hard work, there is no other way to do so"

Rose hid the gem in her bag, she felt that there were a lot of eyes following her.

- Hey kid why don't you join us, we will chill for a bit since we don't have much to do. Said one of the participants while smiling cunningly

" So, that's what Roy was talking about, a lot of them are here because of money like me, but I don't think that all of them will act honorably, not after seeing such treasures. They will think of not only stealing their gems but stealing others too if they can. I must disappear from their sight until the day end"

She turned her back and headed towards the forest.

" I will take this chance to go back to that lake, I don't know why, but I want to see that wolf again. Geez, it sound crazy, why would I want to meet that monster again?"

Suddenly she stopped, someone was following her. she pulled out her sword.

" How impudent, they are even following me. I think they are five men, I can take them down on my own, but my identity could be discovered. I will play along with them, this is going to be fun."

Rose put back her sword and ran away while the others tried to follow her, but she managed to escape from them.

She kept running until she found the lake, it was shining in the daylight. She took off her head cover and sat down on a big rock :

- How beautiful, I can't take off my eyes of this magical place.

While she was enjoying the view, she heard the sound of a horse running. She hid immediately above a tree.

The horse got closer to her until it stopped right under that tree, it was Prince Hans.

Rose didn't recognize him at that time.

" Who is this man? is he one of the palace workers?"