I felt my heart beating loudly in the nervousness of what may happen if we were seen, but my fear was pouring for the Princess Tellusia.
I can't believe that those old men are hurting a young girl. She's so small to receive such slaps. No one deserves to be hurt like that. She's still a child!
"We have to do something," I tugged Regin's sleeves as I whisper.
He looked at me, then he took another glance at what was happening, "We'll go back and tell the guards this location. We can't act on our own, especially that you're with me."
I shook my head with my creased brows, "No! We can't leave her, what if they suddenly hurt her? We can't leave her, Regin."
Regin sighed disapprovingly, then he held my arms, "No, Miss. Your safety is as important as the Princess. Go on and tell the guards that we heard the Princess while we were passing by the forest and I went to check, they'll come immediately."
"Your knight left you, Princess. Even that wimp got scared of us," a man laughed.
Regin and I got quiet when we heard the Princess speak.
Her voice doesn't show a hint of fear, instead, it was as confident and strong as usual.
She clicked her tongue and snorted, "I was just a kid back then. It was not my intention to put you into that situation."
"You cursed us and you blamed it on our tribe!"
"No! First of all, I got scared when I saw what happened after the maid from your family got sick. But I can't tell who spread the gossip that your tribe brings sickness due to a curse!"
"Then, suffer, you wench!"
A loud thud echoed around the forest, Regin immediately checked what happened, but he didn't tell me what he saw, that's why I decided to peek behind the tree.
The woods around the Princess scattered around, while she closed her eyes in fear. One man kicked the woods around while pointing the fire to the Princess.
"You think we'll believe you? After you experimented on your powers and made my sister drink that damned potion, our world started to collapse! My sister who loved you not as a master, but as a sister was betrayed when your kingdom cast us out!"
I saw the Princess lower her head, then her shoulders began to shake.
"I didn't intend to hurt my maid... your sister... she was the kindest person I knew," she cried.
"And you killed her!"
"I know!" Princess Tellusia raised her head, with her tears streaming down her eyes, and her brows furrowed in guilt. "I know... I killed her. It was my fault that she died. I was just a kid, I got scared. But I promise you, I didn't start the gossip about the curse."
Her voice began to break as her cries began to grow louder.
The man who claimed the Princess' maid as his sister shook his head, "You're reeking with lies and betrayal, Your Highness. You cast out your own people. And now, no kingdom accepts us as residents because of that gossip! We are not cursed!"
"Yeah! We are perfectly normal!"
"Only your maid got sick after you made her take your potion."
"You'll need to pay!"
Everyone around the Princess yelled their own ideas, as they fix the woods around her.
I felt Regin flinch in fear, then loud waves of laughter were let out by the men.
"Do you know what happens when people with Earth powers get too close to the fire?" The man holding the fire said as he slowly put the fire down to the woods.
And as it nears, after hearing the continuation to his words, shiver covered my skin.
"... we burn like paper. We embrace the fire as if it is a part of us. Every spark and flicker takes our life away."
Regin looked back at me with panic on his eyes, but I saw a familiar woman walking away from the scene where the Princess was about to get burned.
I was about to call her, but the castle's guards suddenly appeared on the other side of the forest.
They rushed to the Princess with swords on their hands, and luckily, the fire didn't land on the woods around her, or else, she'll definitely burn to ash in no time.
"Let's go, Miss. They can't see you here," Regin whispered as he pulls me away.
"Your knight told us the way," a guard told the Princess as he unties her.
The ex-residencias weren't able to run away, but the woman who healed me was able to hide.
Regin was running fast, afraid that someone might see me.
He was just telling me earlier that he won't keep my sneaking in the woods a secret, but now, he's more scared for my safety and dignity than I am.
The moment we were able to get out of the forest, he immediately brushed my cloak. There were twigs and leaves hanging by its strand, but I was just standing stiff.
I didn't see the Prince earlier. He wasn't with the guards.
Then, what is he doing? Where is he?
"Miss, let's head back to the mansion," he said as he pulls a leaf off my hair.
I nodded, then I drifted off to what I heard about the Princess earlier.
Regin was walking slower, to keep up with my pace.
"What was happening earlier? Who are these ex-residencia? What curse?" I ask as we walk towards the castle.
Regin glanced over me, "Ex-residencias are those people who were labeled to be carrying a curse. They said they bring sickness to the kingdom they stay in. That's why they became bandits that sneak in kingdoms illegally."
I noticed more guards walking around the village. They looked on like they're on high-alert. Their eyes were glancing on everyone's faces, listening to different loud conversations.
"I didn't know about the connection of the Princess to this matter. But I did hear about her maid, they said she was the first one to be cursed, and if their kingdom didn't banish her whole tribe, they would've affected the Princess and everyone else."
I turned to Regin, he also seemed to notice the guards as he speaks. His furrowed brows and confused expression shows that he doesn't know what is happening.
When he saw a familiar person, he called the guard's name and he went to us.
"What is happening? Is this about the kidnapping of the Princess Tellusia?" Regin asked the guard.
"No," the guard replied then he turned to me, "Miss, please stay in the mansion for a while."
Regin looked at me with curiosity, "Why? Is there something that I should know to keep the lady safe?"
"Yes, for the past days, the castle has been receiving threats from untraceable people," the guard said.
"I know about that, isn't the ex-residencia behind those threats?"
I turned to Regin when he replied to the guard.
Is that why they were carefully warning us about not going to the forest yesterday?
"No, the Prince found out a pattern on the threats, but he didn't disclose the information. He just told us to keep an eye on the village, and report any new suspicious person walking around."
"Is that why the Prince is busy?" My mouth suddenly spoke my mind.
I just thought that maybe the Prince didn't attend our meeting because of these threats, not because of the Princess' kidnapping.
"Yes, Miss. He's working on strengthening the safety of the kingdom. He said he can't handle another assassination if that happens, that's why please remain in the mansion for a while."
I looked at Regin who was looking around, searching along with the guards of any suspicious person. Then, he looked at me, "Let's go back."
We hurriedly went back to the mansion, as he held my arms tightly.
I can feel through his skin that he was nervous. He was afraid of the news about the threats.
"Serve the Miss her breakfast, and don't leave her side," Regin ordered the maids the moment we arrived in my room.
He took Granny outside the room, while the maids prepare me breakfast.
"We heard about the news, Miss. We are scared for your safety, that's why please listen to Regin," Lili worriedly looked at me as she gives me a glass of water.
My hunger earlier vanished, and even though there's delicious food in front of me, my concern is focused on this threat issue and the Prince.
I ate my breakfast fast. It's still morning, maybe I can meet the Prince? Can I go to this office?
Where is it even located? In the mansion or the castle?
If it's in the castle, I have to bring someone with me, and also I should have permission to enter.
"Miss, is something bothering you?" Lala turned to me after she cleaned the table.
"Can I go to the Prince?" I asked.
She shook her head, "No, Miss. He is working, and we can't enter the castle unless the Prince or the King told us to."
I knew it.
I looked outside. This threat is not only for the castle, right? It's a threat to the whole kingdom, that's why the Prince is working diligently.
But, if it's not the ex-residencia's work, then who will threaten the kingdom?
Who has the nerve to go against the most powerful people?
I was woken up the next morning, not by bells, but by noises outside.
I saw the sun was already high in the sky, but the maids were just preparing my food and clothes quietly as if they don't have any plans of waking me up.
"Good morning, Miss!" Lili greeted as she opens the window.
"What is happening? Why didn't you wake me up?" I asked as I wipe my eyes.
"The Prince won't be coming to your meeting once again, that's why he ordered us not to wake you up early," Lala answered while choosing a ribbon for my dress.
My body froze when I heard that I won't be meeting the Prince once again.
Another day not started good, but I'm sure he's doing this for the safety of everyone.
"Don't worry, Miss, he's also not meeting other brides. He's focused on keeping the security of the kingdom until the threat subsides," Lulu smiled to me as she pours me a hot tea.
My chest felt lighter after hearing those words, but I am worried about him. Ever since I left, tons of things happened that makes the Prince busy. I wish I can lessen his works.
I wonder, if after all this, when he's already the king and has a queen by his side, will he finally get to share the weight of his responsibility?
He can't continue taking all these problems alone.
I wish I can help him. I wish I can do something.