4

On one of the tree branches, sat Arcane. She was happily munching on a bright pink fruit that looked like it was an apple painted pink. But by the satisfied look on Arcane’s face, it seemed as if it tasted much better than an apple.

“Oh! I am stuffed,” she patted her belly that was peeking out at her. “I better go back now,” She got ready to jump but there was something else that caught her attention. She stepped up on the branch that was higher than the current one, so she could see the view behind the walls. Surprisingly she saw small houses in the distance, it seemed as if it was the town.

“I didn’t know that the town was this close to the palace…’ Arcane mumbled. “I wonder if Saorsa is out there sneaking away from her palace.” Arcane’s words contained envy, her eyes twinkled at the sight of the freedom that was waiting for her beyond those walls.

Snap’

The branch she stood on broke, Arcane’s eyes widened at the sudden stimuli, she was about to get hit badly but because of her previous reflexes, she landed on her feet like a cat.

“Ho!’ a sound of disbelief escaped her lips, “I thought this body was weak so I didn’t bother practicing, turns out it’s rather flexible.” She chuckled and didn’t realize the scratch on her arm because of the sharp edge of the branch that had scratched her.

On her way out of the orchards she discovered another fact, it was that she was lost.

“Agh!! Why am I so dumb!” Arcane lightly hit her head and spoke in an annoyed tone.

“My Lady! Is everything alright?” A sweet and calm voice came from behind the bushes, Arcane turned around to see who it was. A guy with crimson hair and emerald green eyes emerged from the bushes. He was wearing a formal uniform and he looked like he was an official knight. He was a tall and handsome guy that made Arcane pause in her steps. And she kept on staring at him without blinking and her mouth half-open.

“Miss?” he asked again.

“Oh!” Arcane finally blinked and shifted her gaze away from the guy, “That… I am lost,” said Arcane with embarrassment.

“...(Chuckle)” There was a low chuckle that entered the Arcane ear. She looked at the guy with a funny expression.

“Is there something wrong?” SHe asked.

“No! Not at all...I was just.” HE fixed his attitude and spoke again. “Please honor me to escort you back to your room.” said the guy and bowed down lightly.

“You will? I mean you will do that for me?”

“It’s not that of a big deal, it’s our job to help out people who are in need.” replied the guy.

“That is so nice of you, I would love to get some help,” Arcane replied joyously. “By the way what should I call you? Sir,” she asked.

“It’s William Brice,” He replied.

“William Brice...That is a nice name. Shall we go then? Sir.Brice?” Arcane grinned and stepped forwards.

They walked out of the orchards silently, Something was pricking her, the name she had just heard wasn’t that simple, it had some significance in the story but she wasn’t able to remember who it was. Her thoughts were so deep that she didn’t see the prickly bushes she was about to step in. William pulled her back just at the moment when he saw where she was stepping.

“My lady, is everything alright?” his hands were holding Arcane by her arms while his voice carried concern.

“Ah!” Arcane jumped in pain, William had held her where she had injured herself a while ago. William’s creased eyebrows parted when he saw the painful expression on her face, he pulled away from his hand with guilt. “I am sorry, I couldn’t control my strength while helping the lady!” he responded, his face flushed, Arcane looked at his white glove that was stained with the blood from her arm. “Tsk...your glove got dirty.” she pouted. “Please let me help you clean it.” Arcane completely ignored his words.

“Pardon? My glove?” he looked down at his hand and realized that his glove had stains of blood on them, his eyes widened to the point where they were about to fall off.

“Did...did I do that?” The color of his skin faded, and he looked up at Arcane’s sleeve that was ripped and a bloody scar was seen on her white arm. His face looked like he was about to cry.

“No!! You didn’t do this! I got hurt after I fell off the tree.” Arcane tried to calm him down by clearing his doubts, but his stiff muscles didn’t relax. He kept staring at her injured hand for a while and then finally showed signs of life by pulling out a handkerchief from his pocket. “My LAdy please press it against the wound, it will stop the blood for the time being,” his voice was trembling at this point. Arcan didn’t say anything and took the handkerchief and pressed it against her arm.

She could see the Palace from here so she decided to go on her own. “Sir, William I will be on my way then, If I get a chance I will surely return your handkerchief to you.” She smiled and stepped away, leaving Wiliam with a sour expression.

When Arcane was far enough that even her screams wouldn’t reach William she spoke to herself. “I have read the name William Brice somewhere but, who was he?” she bit her lips as she thought.

“Princess!!! “

Arcane lifted her head to see who it was and saw Blana running over the other with soaked eyes. “Where were you?! I was looking for you everywhere.” Blanca whined.

“I was right here, where else would I go?” She said and walked away. “Princess, why are you holding a handkerchief against your arm?” asked Blanca.

“I got hurt while walking,” Arcane replied.

“Princess, you should be careful when you walk around, why are you so careless?” Blanca kept on nagging Arcane until she was done wrapping Arcane’s wound.

“So...did you find the library?” asked Arcane.

“Yes, Princess.”

“hmm...I would like to go there, could you lead the way?” asked Arcane.

Blanca’s eyebrows creased suddenly, “But Princess, you should rest.”

“I can’t rest, I have to find a way to go back,” Arcane mumbled and got up off the couch.

Blanca glanced at the piece of cloth that was red with blood.

Blanca didn’t understand why she wanted to go back to the home where everyone had despised her but in reality. Arcane was trying to go back to when she was Joy.

“And Blanca! Keep that handkerchief safe, I will wash it once I get back to the room.”