Chapter 3 - Red Queen

At the moment, Kei was wearing dirty, tattered clothing with hair full of leaves, and there were dirt marks all over her body.

"Ew!! Bleh!!" the boy spat with disgust while wiping his mouth with the fabric of his shirt. He was trying to clean his lips because he had just been in contact with dirt.

Getting a response like this, Kei was speechless. She knew her body at the moment was very dirty. But that child didn't need to overreact like that! Her appearance was just an average kid in this hometown. There was worse than her, and other kids didn't react like this rude boy.

No matter what, she still has feelings. She felt hurt receiving such treatment.

What an ungrateful boy!!

"Young master."

A strange voice sounded, making Kei alert. Kei turned her head and saw that the man she suspected of wanting bad intentions to the boy, showed up out of nowhere. Her brain was now trying to find a way to escape, hoping her Umbra was nearby.

"Karel! This child dares to attack me. Ugh! My mouth is full of bacteria!"

"Is young master all right?"

The person called Karel immediately ran over to the child Kei had helped. Assessing the conversation between the man and the child made Kei understood one thing.

This child must be from a wealthy family, and this man might be his driver or bodyguard. Kei felt guilty for having attacked Karel. Not to mention, she kicked the man.

That person must have felt hurt remembering this man had groaned before when Kei kicked his leg.

"Uhm .. Sorry. I thought you were trying to kidnap this child. So I... I'm sorry for hitting you." said Kei while bending her body to show her sincere attitude.

"Oh, I see, it's an only misunderstanding, it's fine then. I didn't expect a child like you would have the extraordinary courage to save an unknown child." Karel said, admiringly the bravery of Kei, making the girl straighten up and smile happily. "What is your name?"

Kei had not had time to answer when the ungrateful child interrupted her first.

"Karel! I have to go to the hospital right now! What if this kid's bacterial enters my body, and I leave Daddy alone. Let's hurry up!"

Kei's smile vanished at that. She felt outraged and struck by a naughty idea to pay back his attitude towards her.

Kei walked towards the child, who was grumbling with wide steps. Kei was satisfied to see that her body was a little TALLER than the boy.

"What do you want?" snapped the brat.

Kei pulled his collar then...

MUACH!!

The sound of 'Plop!' was heard loudly. Kei gave a long, long kiss on the boy's chubby cheeks. She made sure her saliva wetted his cheeks.

"Let the bacteria penetrate your skin. Bleh!" not to forget Kei stuck out her tongue to add to her naughty actions.

Then she ran out of the cave, laughing aloud when she heard hysterical screams from inside the cave.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"

***

Kei jumped up and down while muttering cheerfully for successfully fooling the arrogant young master. She sang a melody that appeared in her mind with a happy heart. Her body danced to the rhythm of the tune. Occasionally she spun around to enjoy the surrounding scenery.

Hearing her sweet voice, several birds flew down. They sang along with her while flying above Kei's head cheerfully. Without her realizing, there was a group of flowers that had withered, now stand up straight, and open the petals beautifully. All flowers bloomed miraculously even though it's not the time to bloom yet.

Umbra, who witnessed all that, was amazed. This was the ability of the real 'Red King.' Her singing voice could influence the birds in the air to sing along. Not only birds, but even flowers also bloom beautifully whenever the girl was happy. A breeze was dancing around Kei's little feet as it enjoyed the girl's companion.

Of course, Kei did not know the capabilities she had.

Yet.

It was not the time to let the little one know. Thought Umbra.

Umbra still enjoyed Kei's joyousness when he accidentally saw that something strange had left an impression on the skin of the girl's wrist. He immediately descended from the tree branch facing Kei.

Instantly, Kei stopped her activities as the birds flew away from them.