The small village was perturbed at the sudden crowd before their eyes.
A lot of leaders and elders from different regions and clans sweep all throughout the region of Ikarai. They have surely heard the news so they went to see the old herald who was situated in a lone mountain just a few distant away from the region.
''Do you have any idea of what was happening?'' Asher went and stood beside the man who was watching from a far.
''No idea.'' He obviously doesn't care.
''Aren't you curious?'' Asher asks but did not receive an answer so he choose to watch the people on the road instead.
''The old herald!'' Asher suddenly voiced when he recalls something. ''They must have come to consult her!"
Liam raise his brow questioningly. He heard about the old herald but he never met nor saw her in person yet. He doesn't even believe in deities so why bother dealing with stupid prophesies! Tsk. He scowled.
''Tsk! Crown prince, my ass." He snorted. He definitely heard about the news. "If he is alive then why show up just now? What is it for the kingdom if he's alive or not? Is he going to save this country from its impending doom?'' Liam grunted then walk away.
''hey, where are you going?'' Asher calls out.
''Somewhere peaceful.'' He answered then went on his way.
'' Tsk! Didn't he hear about the prophesy?'' the guy raise his upper lip before averting his eyes on the crowd before him.
*****
It's totally frustrating!
I can't go out right now to find a repair shop in town because of the that three-days rule. I don't know who created it but Grace and the others warn me about those guys who were chasing me the other day.
So here I am, trying to open my camera and repair it myself. It got soaked in the river and now...tsk! I regret going with the twins that time. However, whenever I recall that moment I had with Liam, it brings joy in my heart and it literally flutters me.
That time, I think I saw the real Liam. Gentleman, kind and ... caring. I think? Then I suddenly smiled out of the blue. Yes, that is Liam. I just don't understand why he changed all of a sudden. Why? Why is he chasing me away?
I unknowingly touch my chest… Why am I feeling sad right now? Tsk! Get a hold of yourself Yana! I scolded myself. Now is not the time for your hopeless romantic case. I must fix my cam so I could start my undercover job. He-he.
I tried turning it on but fudge! It's not working so I went to see Jacky downstairs. I need to go out by hook or by crook.
''Jacky, can I borrow some of your dress?'' I could sense the shock in her face.
'' E-eh?'' She unbelievingly raises her brow in suspicions. ''Why? What are you going to do with my dress?'' She bends glaring at me so I pulled her in a corner and told her my reason in a whisper.
'' What? Are you crazy?!'' She yelps.
'' Shhhh!'' I immediately covered her mouth with my hand. ''Don't be too loud.'' I softly admonish her. '' If I am going to wear the dress like you do, then I'm sure no one will be able to recognize me outside.'' I explained.
She held her jaw while thinking and I leered when I saw a small chance. I just need to convince her a little more.
''Promise, I will be careful. And if you want then you can go with me as well.'' I added. Then I saw the excitement in her eyes.
''Fine! But just this once, okay?'' She warned.
I smile. ''Yes, just this day.'' I sneered triumphantly.
After making sure that no one is watching us, we stride to where her room is. Then she rummages through her cabinet. After a few more minutes, she came back to me holding a long dress with a flowery design. I twitch my upper lip upon seeing it and I definitely protested. It's against my will to wear such a womanly design. -_-
''Don't you have any plain dress?'' I request.
''Eh? You don't like this? But I'm sure this looks good on you.'' Jacky response.
''Well, the dress is beautiful but I don't like it.'' I force a smile. I just hope that my statement did not insult her.
She went silent all of a sudden but her eyes were transfixed on me. What could she be thinking?
''Unfortunately, I don't have any decent dress aside from this.'' She finally speaks up.
Well, looks like I don't have any choice so I took the dress in her hands and fake a smile. ''I'll use this.''
I can see her smiling from ear to ear as soon as I'm done fixing myself. It's just a flowery, cream dress but I feel a bit light... and weird as well. Dang! I feel like I am not wearing anything right now!
''I told you! You are beautiful in that dress!'' She gave her widest smile.
''Thank you.'' I voice while checking myself from head to toe. I don't feel like wearing this dress but I got to get out. ''Can we go now?'' I ask.
''Yes! But you need to wear this hat first.'' Then she places a beautiful cream hat on my head. Am I going to the beach? Ha-ha! Just kidding' tho. -__-
It's time to search for a repair shop. I just hope that somebody in this town can fix my cam so I can start doing my job. But while searching for a nearby shop, our attention suddenly fell on the crowd trekking in one direction. What is happening? My curiosity spikes out so we followed them silently.
After a few minutes, we saw the crowd surrounded a small house. Then one of the elders shouted something.
''Old herald! Come out and tell us the truth!'' I heard him while standing under a fig tree. and I'm sure Jacky is watching the scene behind me quietly.
''Old herald! Please, come out and give us the assurance that our beloved crown prince is alive.'' Another man shouted among the crowds. Then murmurs started to fill the place.
After a few minutes, a young girl came out. Eh? Is he the old herald? Isn't she too young to be called an old person? I thought.
''Everyone, please go back because the herald is not around.'' The young girl shouted then went back inside.
But what's with these crowd? Why do they need the confirmation of the herald? What does a herald do? Who is that person? And what's with the crown prince? Why is he a big deal? I have a lot of questions in mind that I didn't know I voiced out.
Then I suddenly jerked when I felt a hand that touches my arm. ''Don't give up on him.'' I heard an old lady spoke but when I turn around, no one is there.
Did I just hear a ghost?! My eyes widen in dread as I look around. Is this place hunted? I suddenly felt a cold breeze. Goosebumps! But where is Jacky?! I raise my brow when I couldn't see her around. Oh no! I swiftly went down in search of her.
*****
Jacky where are you?! I was about to yell when I saw some familiar faces searching for who knows who!
The big fat guys! Fear suddenly wraps around me so I staggered backwards. They were a few distant from where I was standing but I think someone saw me but he's a bit unsure. So I spun around and walk in another direction.
As soon as I can't see them, I retreated away from the crowds. But then I bump into something hard---- no! I landed on a man's chest.
L-Liam?! My eyes widened.