Part 10 - An Old Man

"What?! Are you kidding me?! I won't let you do that, Aurora!"

"I'm serious now, Mino... Do you see my face is like a joke to you?"

"And I'm serious about this too, Aurora! Are you going to die?! It's a dangerous thing and you know what it's like now if you go alone."

Mino get mad at Aurora because she wants to find Zalora just by herself. Is it a problem? Zalora is very important to her but what Mino says is also true.

"Did you forget? You're the one who said they're looking for you now! You can't go! What if something happens to you? Let me go find-"

"It's okay, you don't have to bother yourself for us. After all, we're just staying at your house. You shouldn't endanger yourself. For Zalora, I'll do anything. She's my sister, I can't leave her alone. "

"But do you know where she is now? Brother, what she said is true. We shouldn't interfere in their affairs by bothering ourselves. That's why I don't like it when you bring them here. They just invite trouble for us!"

"Shut up, Woozy! You guy who made her disappear! And now what?! You want to blame Aurora for that?! After all, Aurora and Zalora are already friends with us. We need to help them!"

Aurora stared sharply at Woozy who was looking at her with a look of disgust, crossing his arms over his chest before glancing at her. Still, Benson gasped when he felt something and immediately looked at Aurora.

He saw an aura from her that began to rise little by little.

"Aurora... relax. Your power will come out if you continue like this. And you will hurt them. Calm down, okay?"

Benson said as he looked at her and dragged his body at Aurora's feet. Yes, he is right. Aurora almost lost control and her power went out a bit. She took a deep breath, then inhaled his aura again to keep it from appearing.

"I'm leaving now. Thank you for taking care of our food and drink. This is the price..."

Said Aurora as she walked from there before placing a packet of bags on the table full of gold coins, making Lizzy roll her eyes as she cried.

"Aurora, wait! Don't go!"

"Let her alone. She's the one who caused the trouble."

Said Woozy as he pulled Lizzy who was trying to chase Aurora from behind. She sobbed as she struggled from Woozy and Berlin's arms, yet she was able to do nothing and just watch Aurora pass away.

"No! She's going to die! Berlin, Mino, stop her!"

Before Mino wanted to get out of the door, Woozy locked it and looked at his brother as he said.

"If you do that, I will report to the palace where Aurora is. If you want Aurora safe, don't you dare to stop her."

That was the last word Aurora heard from them and it made Aurora feel very angry. Aurora isn't afraid of the palace guards or the princes, she just wants to protect Zalora and Benson because she doesn't want to lose them.

Now, she is outside and walking inside a dangerous kingdom. People looked at her strangely but fortunately she was wearing a mask to protect her face from being recognized by the guards who were on duty there.

They walked away by passing people passing by. Now where do they want to start? It was impossible for Aurora to find Zalora throughout this vast city.

"Tonight, I suggest we sleep in the woods for safety."

Benson said as he followed Aurora to the side.

"It's a good suggestion. By the way. It's late, and you still haven't eaten."

Benson added, looking worriedly at her.

"How can I eat, Benson? First, the missing mother, now Zalora is gone. I must find them no matter what happens."

"But, if you don't have the energy... how do you want to find them?"

Aurora just blinked as she looked at Benson when she found what the dog was saying made sense as well.

"Okay, fine... I'll eat now. Let's find a shop, I have some more money where i get it from mom's bag."

Benson followed Aurora to the market and entered a diner selling side dishes. Aurora bought sausage bread for herself, and a piece of meat for Benson.

"Hey... didn't you go to the ceremony?"

An old man greeted Aurora who was eating at a nearby table, as he approached Aurora.

"What ceremony?"

She said while chewing the bread.

"Look at that paper..."

The old man pointed to the wall, and she spotted a piece of paper taped to the wall. Aurora walked over to it while carrying food and reading it.

"Prince Oliver's Birthday Party and Royal Inauguration at the Diamond Kingdom Palace. You are all invited to attend. King Jae Min."

Aurora expanded her nose as she read the name she hated.

"Actually, he didn't invite us. He forced us to come, didn't he? I didn't think to attend the ceremony ..."

Aurora took off her mask as she chewed her bread again until it ran out, and the old man looked at the young girl worriedly.

"Kid... you must go there. Or else..."

"Or what?"

"They will punish you. You are too young to accept all of that."

He whispered to Aurora as there were many soldiers passing by, checking on the situation.

"As I expected, they weren't inviting, they were forcing everyone to attend the ceremony."

She whispered back as she stared at the soldiers outside the store. They did not see her because the situation inside the shop was a little dark and only light from outside illuminated the shop.

"Come on. We can go together if you want ... what do you think?"

He offered as he held out his hand towards Aurora while his other hand held the stick to balance his body. Aurora took his hand in honor of not wanting him to wait and put her mask back on.

"I'm sorry, kid. I'm walking slow because I'm old."

He laughed as he smiled at the young girl who helped him by clasping his arms to walk.

"It's okay, grandpa..."

She smiled sweetly and the old man looked at her with a sad look.

"You're so cute... what's your name? And what kingdom are you from?"

"I'm Aurora. And this is my dog, Benson..."

"Woof woof!"

Benson responded by wagging his tail, making the old man laugh.

"A long time ago, I had one like you, Benson. But now, he's gone. And I have a grandson like you, Aurora. Sweet and caring like you."

"Ouh... a girl?"

"He's a boy... and his name is Daewin."

He took something out of his pocket and showed a chain of pendants to Aurora. He opened it and they could see there was a small picture inside.

Aurora smiled happily when she saw a picture of a light -skinned boy, with a charming hairstyle and a face that caught her attention.

"Wow... he's cute. Where is he? Why doesn't he follow you?"

Aurora asked excitedly. But she asked a question she herself had not expected when she saw the old man's face become sad. Still, he kept giving her a smile so that the young girl would not worry about him.

"W-why? I'm sorry, grandpa. If I did something wrong... Maybe I shouldn't-"

"No, my sweetheart. You didn't do anything wrong, don't worry. It's just... he's gone."

"He's gone? You mean?"

"He died 3 months ago."

He smiled as he looked at the picture of him grandson. Aurora could read the ripples of his sad smiling face, and his eyes trying to hold back the tears that were almost flowing.

"If you don't mind, can I know what happened to him?"

Aurora asked when curiosity appeared, making her feel guilty about the old man.

The man looked towards the palace that not far from them, as they walked towards it clenching his hands, indicating that he felt very angry when a very bitter incident appeared in his mind.

An incident that he cannot forget until forever, so much so that it makes him sick if he thinks about it.

"He was killed... by Prince Rafael."