"My, she's so pretty!"
"Aww I ship! They look so cute together!"
My eyes widen. What? They're not judging me for being a red eye? They're not spitting hate at me?
King swings me over his shoulder and jumps down from the tree.
"King! Put me down…" I plead.
He shakes his head, "You'll just run away."
I stop fighting. True, I don't like the public. Especially like this. The villagers set many tables in a row across the big road.
"Come on! We're having a feast to celebrate Justin and his friends' return. And of course, their girlfriends!"
"Hey! I already said-"Justin starts to complain.
His sister shuts him up, "Stop being so shy…"
Well, technically they really aren't in a relationship. I look over at Veronica. She's surprisingly blushing?! What's going on? I look over at Justin and he's blushing too! What's been going on?
King carries me around with one hand and helps with the other.
"Thank you so much, Kyle. Your strength really helps," the village women thank gratefully.
"Hey! You cheating bastard! You're only using one hand!" a village man playfully remarks.
King speaks, "Well if I don't then she'll run away again."
"Alright, alright, fair enough," they laugh.
I smile. This village is really nice. If only the entire kingdom would accept us like they do.
"Hey, Kyle's girlfriend!" a young girl speaks to me, "What's your name?"
"Uh, Aurora," I hesitantly speak.
"Wow! What a pretty name! I'm Lavender, nice to meet you!"
The pure little girl stares up at me with a smile.
"Heyoo!! We're here!"
It was Justin and Trisha. King probably sent the message for them to come.
That night, we had a very festive time. We burned a bonfire and ate happily. Although it wasn't as luxurious as the palace, it was amazing and very fun. At some point, they had a drinking contest… that didn't go too well since all three knights were very drunk. Ryan ran around like a crazy person as Trisha laughed. King, well, he still didn't let me go and I literally had to sit right between his legs like a little child. He was so drunk that he gave me a hickey and of course I knocked him out.
The villagers were laughing as Justin climbed on the ground as slow as a turtle. Veronica even dumped an ice cold bucket of water to wake him.
We slept comfortably in the village that night. The next morning was amazing as the pleasant sun shone down on us. King and I lived life as it was before we became mutated: As ourselves without fear.
"Can you guys help me carry this?"
"Oh, can you help with that? I can't seem to figure it out…"
"Can you teach me how to do this?"
We happily help out around the village.
However, the next morning, there was quite a downturn.
"Open up! We are here from the Royal guards! We were reported that there were red eyed people in this village."
"What nonsense are you spouting!" the village chief fired back while gesturing for us to escape behind her back.
We silently thank her and leave.
I leave some herbs behind as thanks and head off too.
We went even further away from the capital this time. The Beguile Forest covers nearly half the nation and there are villages here and there.
We gather berries and food along the way however, the deeper we get, the harder it is to find water.
Finally, we arrive at a village.
"Veronica and I will go and get water," Trisha says.
"I'll come with you guys too," Ryan volunteers.
"No, they'll recognize you guys!" Trisha says quickly, worried.
"Okay, stay safe," Ryan says worried.