It's about time you come, Crown Prince.
'Aaah, over here!' I called back. 'Help!'
He ran over to me, and as he approached, I could see his features. Tall and buff, with blonde hair and an arrow quiver flung on his back, bow in his hand.
I think I drooled for a moment there. I was so captivated by him that when he knelt beside me, I was still gazing at his face.
'Your shoulder…' he trailed off then realization hit. 'I apologise, milady. I must've shot you instead of the deer.'
Instead of the deer? You were about to kill the innocent, cute little deer? Murderer.
'Milady?' He spoke again and waved a hand in front of my face. I closed my mouth and snapped back to reality and realized what I was doing earlier.
My hand immediately travelled to the arrow I had embedded into my shoulder. It was actually already numb from the pain but I needed to appear like a damsel in distress so I pushed it in a bit.
'Aahh!' I groaned and purposely hunched over to him. He held me in his arms.
'That is quite a deep injury,' he said and touched the area around my wounded shoulder. 'We shouldn't take this out yet. I'll bring you back to my basecamp for treatment. Can you walk?'
***
Of course I didn't let him let me walk. I pretended that I was so shocked over the whole thing and I couldn't stand properly. Also, I acted like I felt "faint" from the blood loss, so he had to carry me in his arms to walk back to his basecamp.
He lifted me like I was a piece of paper; so effortlessly but I had to thank the original Luna for that because she was really thin. If it were me from the modern world, Leonhardt would've had to use a wheelbarrow.
His basecamp was about a 5-minute walk from the location where I was (supposedly) shot. It didn't take long for us to reach there.
Since I pretended I felt faint, I acted like I had fainted as well, so Leonhardt placed me on a soft surface, like a bed, quietly and went outside.
But who would've thought a bed could be this comfortable?
***
Hayes Fergal began his Faux Magicians' apprenticeship when he was 16 years old. There was a commotion; an escaped beast from the Sealed Island that arrived in the middle of the city of Sirius and the official magician at that time, Luna Eir Seraphinus handled it very well.
She appeared like a saviour of mankind, teleporting to the scene and restraining the beast with minimal damage; just standing there doing the most. When she was done, she disappeared along with the beast while her assistant, Elias Seraphinus took care of the civilians, checking if there were any who got injured.
He was heavily inspired by the two and signed up for an apprenticeship at the Magus Turrim. Having been accepted, he was also told that his body was rather weak for him to fully activate and utilise his magic mana.
Luna told him that she couldn't give some of hers, as the mana of a Seraphinus is sometimes too strong for ordinary people and it could corrupt one's mind, soul and body and eventually die.
So he practiced. Everyday. As if his life depended on it.
He wanted to help other people, he wanted to be able to brag to his little sisters and impress them. He wanted to appear like a hero like the magicians did that day, and save people.
Being a Faux magician wasn't well-accepted by his parents. It was stated in the contract that it would be dangerous; he must join and complete tasks that could endanger his life, or worse, take his life away. But it was what Hayes wanted. He finally found his passion.
Apprentices began their training under Luna; he was within the first batch of apprenticeship. She wasn't exactly harsh but her aura was giving people the scare. She would demonstrate something and let them do it on their own. She never taught how.
Sometimes, Elias would come to help her and everyone liked it with him. But he would always remind that Luna just lacked communication skills and she didn't know how to teach (but was asked to teach). It didn't amuse everyone though. Some left, some stayed.
Elias was a good teacher. He would explain step-by-step on how to concentrate and use one's mana, but he wasn't there all the time. He needed to take care of a lot of things in other areas so it was only Luna who got stuck teaching them.
Knowing that, Hayes worked harder than ever. But luck was only on his fellow apprentice, Edsel Erskine. One of the oldest, smartest, and strongest of all seven who remained. He could easily concentrate and do magic at will even when he first started.
So when Elias summoned Hayes to help with a task, he was both surprised and excited. If anyone were to help with anything, it would be Edsel that should be chosen.
'Hayes, you need to come with me. It's urgent,' Elias had said right after he teleported in his room.
'Master Elias!' he exclaimed and stood upright immediately.
'I'll brief you when we're there, let's go,' Elias held out his hand. Hesitantly, Hayes reached for it, and they were gone from the room in a split second.
***
Hayes looked around. It was very dark until Elias lit up a fire with his magic on a torch and waved it around to see. They were in a cave or some sort, then he saw the stones embedded in the wall and scattered on the floor.
His eyes widened. 'Are these not…' he trailed off then neared the wall to see clearly. 'Magus Obice?'
'Exactly,' said Elias. He gestured at the surroundings with his hand. 'A mine. But right now they are slowly being stolen by the Alshain.'
'What?'
'Under the border that separates Alshain and Sirius, this mine is right below it,' said Elias. 'These are not theirs.'
Hayes understood. 'Okay, what are we going to do now?'
'A taste of their own medicine,' said Elias and knelt, grabbing one stone. 'Use the Confining Magic. Take as many as you can.'
'Confining Magic? B-but…' he trailed off, confused. 'But my magic is not that strong yet.'
Elias threw the stone at him and the apprentice caught it. 'You are. It's one of the reasons I chose you.'
Hayes blinked, gripping the stone tight in his palm. But I really can't, maybe if it's Edsel, he could… he wanted to argue but he kept it in.
Elias saw him standing there, contemplating and unconvinced. 'Sure Edsel is the best apprentice we've ever had, but you're special in your own way–in a way Edsel could never match. We've gotta move these in 3 days. If you're going to stand there all night, so be it.'
'No, Master Elias!' Hayes denied quickly. 'I'm honoured to perform this task with you, I'm just… nevermind. Thank you.'
'Don't keep telling yourself you can't do it,' said Elias with a smile. As he stood, around 50 stones floated behind him and faded into thin air slowly. 'Your brain gets wired the way you want it.'
Hayes stood in awe at Elias' Confining Magic. He knew his master could confine more of the stones but because he needed to teleport his apprentice and himself, he needed to reduce the amount in order to save the usage of his magic mana.
He got a hold of himself, stretching his arms. 'Where are we transporting these, Master Elias?' he asked.
'You don't have to know, just place it where I bring you,' Elias replied. 'Also, I will place a spell over your eyes so you wouldn't see.'
Hayes wasn't surprised but he was still creeped out over the secrecy.
***
I must have fallen asleep when I was lying down on his bed. When I came to, I could hear birds chirping. Despite the tent, the sunlight pierced through, waking me up to a blinding light. Above me was a beige-colored keder frame tent.
A marquee for his hunting spot.
'Milady, you're awake.'
I turned my head to see Leonhardt at the entrance of his tent with a food tray in his hand. I wanted to smile but my lips were so dry that it hurt. He approached me and put down the tray on the small table next to the bed.
'How are you feeling?' he asked.
I merely nodded as a reply.
'I brought you some food. You must be starving, sleeping for the whole day and night. It's almost night time again,' he said.
I slept for the whole day? Nice. I held him back for two nights already.
I tried to sit up but a sharp pain on my left shoulder made me gasp and my other hand reflexively touched the part that was painful. Leonhardt immediately supported my back and helped me up to sit.
'Be careful with the wound, it's not healed yet,' Leonhardt said.
Right, I got shot.
I almost forgot the whole reason I was there.
'I couldn't call a physician here but I know the basics in treating a wounded person. It would probably heal a little slower than it usually would though,' added Leonhardt.
Suddenly, my shoulder wasn't throbbing in pain anymore. I could almost feel the wound closing up like mimosa.
Oh shit.
I quickly retracted my hand from the injured area.
I'm not supposed to have it healed yet… When it's time to change the dressing, he surely would take a look at the wound.
The blonde handed me a bowl of water. 'Here, you should drink first,' he said.
I nodded and received the bowl before gulping down the water. It wasn't enough but I didn't dare to say it out loud. Afterwards, he handed me some food and I ate it all like a hungry boar.
'Thank you for the food,' I finally spoke.
Leonhardt nodded. 'Don't worry about it.'
I glanced around. There was nothing much in the covered marquee; just the bed I was sitting on, the small table by the bed, and at the opposite side was a large dining table with some chairs.
'So, Milady,' began Leonhardt after putting away all the bowls and utensils on the tray. 'How did you arrive at the Lorcan Forest?'
I rehearsed this script over and over if he ever asked.
I sniffed my non-existent snot, ready to put on a show.
Frowning in disappointment, I touched my forehead and shook my head. 'I was on my way back from seeing my friend–' I had to think of a name quickly. '–Luci… nda… But our carriage was attacked by a group of bandits and I ran, ran endlessly until I realized I was in a thick and deep forest.'
'So you were wandering searching for a way out when you got shot?'
I nodded sadly. 'I was so terrified being alone in that dark place.'
Leonhardt thought for a moment. 'Lucinda, your friend. Where is her place?' he asked.
What.
I don't know any names of places in Alshain.
I avoided his gaze and stared at my blanketed feet.
Leonhardt exhaled sharply. 'I understand if you wish not to disclose any information about her, but I'm just curious how you managed to run to Lorcan Forest. The nearest residence here is the Lorcan Village, and they certainly don't get a lot of visitors, as they are a big family of their own.'
'It's…'
Ah shit, you have to think of something!!
I sighed.
Okay, here goes. I hope he buys it.
'Actually, I…' I hesitated to speak but Leonhardt was staring at me, patiently waiting. 'My parents wouldn't let me meet him.'
'Him?' Leonhardt echoed.
I wiped the inner corner of my eye with my middle finger. 'Lu…' Uhh what should I name this scandal of mine…
'Lucifer… Valentino.'
'Lucifer Valentino,' he repeated.
'Yes, my parents didn't like me seeing him,' I said. 'They said he's not suited to be with our family, but I love him!'
Leonhardt slightly frowned.
'It's a forbidden love I'm involved in. We agreed to meet secretly, and Lorcan Forest is the furthest from my place,' I continued. 'My parents or my bodyguard won't ever find me there.'
'You met him in the forest?'
'Yes, but when we split to go home, I got lost.'
'Why didn't he accompany you back home?' Leonhardt asked with a deeper frown.
'People will find out then!'
'At least out of the forest? Is he not concerned about your safety at all?'
I fell silent.
Okay, why is my non-existent scandal the bad guy now?
'Haven't he heard of how dangerous the forest is? And for a young girl like you to wander around at night–there are wild animals out there.'
'Well, he…' I tilted my head. 'I told him it's okay to not walk me back.'
'He should have insisted.'
'Th-that's not the point here.'
Leonhardt hummed. 'It is the point. You should dump that guy.'
'What? Why? I love him.'
'But he's not good for you. He even left you in the middle of the forest and went home by himself.'
'He didn't technically leave me–'
'I'm afraid I have to agree with your parents on this. You shouldn't see him anymore.'
'You judged him based on that?' I raised a brow.
'A killer who does charity is still a killer. Sometimes one bad trait could overshadow their whole credibility.'
I didn't know how to rebuke. What he said was right.
Leonhardt shifted in his seat. 'Your parents must be worried. I'll get someone to send you home,' he said and stood.
At that, I quickly grabbed his hand. 'No, don't!' I almost yelled. 'I-I cannot go home yet!'
Leonhardt sat back down. 'Why?'
But before I could answer, there were the footsteps of someone approaching. 'Your Highness, I'm here to report,' a male voice said, sounding rather muffled.
Leonhardt removed my hand and gave a short smile before going out. I sighed in relief. Okay, the next problem to solve is the wound.