[Next day]
Marika woke up bright and early; she went down stairs to the kitchen. Derick was preparing breakfast.
'Let me help you.'
"Good morning Marika!"
Marika was still stuck in a body of her 16 year old self but she didn't mind it at all. As she remembered she felt the most alive at that age. While helping preparing breakfast she had a nice conversation with Derick.
"I hope you don't have a fear of water after you're ordeal 3 weeks ago."
'No I don't, actually it was a nice little adventure' she said with a smile.
"That's good, today you're going on a boat ride to a town nearby, I'll bring and pick you two up.
'That sound's nice.'
'Mommy! mommy!, can I come too?'
Marika shook her head 'you can't come with us, because mommy ….'
"Stop being selfish little twerp."
'Noir that's not nice'
"Well what am I suppose call her? She doesn't have a name"
The little wolf look sad, and Marika picked her up and soothed her.
'Well if she doesn't have a name then I give her one, she looked at the cub. What do you think of Luna? Your eyes look like the moon up in the sky.'
The little wolf was overjoyed, 'Thank you mommy, then Luna won't be selfish and wait here for you.'
Richard who was standing in the door way of the kitchen smiled.
"Is the breakfast ready? There are hungry people in the dining room waiting."
'Well I'm not making there breakfast, I'm only making yours.' she smiled and winked at Derick.
Derick smiled at Marika and was almost done with preparing
'Daddy! daddy! I have a name now.'
Richard crouched down. "ohh and what is your name?"
'It's Luna, and mommy gave it to me. She said my eyes look like the moon in the sky.'
"Well she is indeed right and it suits you."
While Derick, Luna and Noir had left the kitchen, Marika was also almost done.
"Can I help you?" Richard asked.
'Could you set the table?'
After Richard was done setting the table, Marika was putting on the breakfast on the table. She had toasted some bread in a pan baked some eggs and bacon, and made a little fruit salad.
'I know it looks very simple, but it's very nutritious.'
"It looks and smells good."
While they were eating Marika was writing down a few thing.
"What are you writing?"
'Some homework for Dante and Kevin.'
Richard looked at what was written on the papers "you're a strict teacher"
'Well this is preparation for more advance training they will get in a few days.'
"Well I do see that your training has changed them for the better, they are more confident than they were before."
'Well I just thought them three basic rules in boosting their confidences.'
"Ohh? And what are those"
1. What you fear today, you can fight tomorrow, if not alone then together.
2. Being loud is being predictable, being silent is being deadly.
3. What doesn't kill you does make you stronger.
"Is it your life philosophy?"
'Yes as a matter of fact, and it works for me.'
After they were done eating they cleaned up the dishes and went out to the dining room, there they saw everybody eating and talking. Marika walked over to Kevin and Dante and gave them their homework. She added 'Luna you go with my little brother later today, you can help him and it will also help you get stronger.'
'Yes mommy.' as she wagged her tail.
'Dante you have a sparring match with Derick after he return's'
Derick and Dante looked at Marika, was she serious?
'Derick you told me you are well versed in sword skills and Dante need's the experience. And at the moment he only knows a fraction of my skill. And it is good for him to experience a different sword fighting skill. And you get a glimpse of mine. I promised you that in two day's I'll spare with you, but you need to get used to hold a sword again because I won't go easy on you.'
'Your only allow to use training equipment.'
Derick smiled, she really took in account that he hadn't hold a sword in years so she wanted him to get used to it again and have a warm up.
"It's time leave." Richard then said.
'Oké, see you guy's in the evening.'
During her boat ride the scenery looked like something out of a fairytale. She saw creatures who she thought only existed in legend and myths. She was exited during the whole boat ride.
Richard then asked "is it less frustrating that you're in a 16 year old body?"
'To be honest, I could turn back whenever I want, but I felt the most alive when I was 16 year's old.'
'So I stay this way a little longer, plus I was very fast runner at that age and way more agile.'
'Hey Richard the town that were heading to, does it have an herb shop and a book store?'
"Yes it has, are you looking for something particular?"
'Well there are a few herbs I need and my new favorite past time is reading lately so….'
"Master, Marika we have almost arrived" Derick then said.
Marika was looking towards the direction Derick was pointing. She was completely stunned by what she saw. The town looked like something out of a history book, too be more precise it looked like France and Italia mix together from the 1800. She felt like she was visiting the past of the human world.
'It's so beautiful.'
Richard smiled at her reaction; she had a very lively expression on her face. But he also started to worry. Consider her character she could easily vanish from his eye sight.
As Derick had docked the boat, Richard helped Marika to get of the boat.
She was so excited, she almost ran off as soon as she stepped on the dock. But Richard grabs her by the arm.
"I should have brought a leash" Richard sighted.
Derick started to laugh wile Marika looked not amused by his remark.
Derick then started to explain." Don't stray from Master; although the town isn't big there are still a lot of people."
"And above all else listen to Master."
'Yes father' she said jokingly
"I'll come and pick you up in the evening. Have fun today daughter"
When Richard and Marika enter the town, Richard took Marika's hand.
Marika looked around and took in the scenery, the shops and house had bright colors and there were surprisingly a lot of green plants, brushes and flowers.
"So where do you wane go fist?"
'Let's go to the bookshop first'
As they entered the bookshop the shop keeper welcomed them. The old looking man at the counter looked very friendly.
"Can I help you look for something?"
'Well I'm looking for three specific books. A book about herbs, a book about medicine and a book about magic.'
Richard looked at Marika "are you going to study these 3 subjects?"
'Well you know where I'm from medicine is different. And I'm curious about the medicine that is practice here. Plus it's always good for one to expend their skills, or learn new ones.'
The shop keeper came back with the three books Marika asked for.
"Miss here is the books, but since you asked for an herb book and a medicine book, I made sure the magic book is about healing magic, or did you wish for a different type of magic book?"
'No healing magic is just fine; I think it's more beneficial for me.'
Richard was thinking, she could ask Genus Niveus to teach her.
'I know what you're thinking, but there is no chance in hell I would ask that white coat to teach me. You know I don't like him and can't stand him.'
As Marika was flipping through the pages of the herb book she was surprised that the most of the herbs looked the same as that of the human world and even their names were similar.
As Marika was skimming through the other 2 books, Richard payed for the book.
The old man than said to Richard "she will be a great healer someday, maybe just a great as the brother of the late king's father."
Then suddenly Niveus word came to Richard mind
"This girl is special existent's to us beings of the night."
The old man asked Marika "are these books of any help to you?"
'There very interesting'
The man gave Marika a leather bag to put the books in.
"Then study hard and if you ever need other books please do come again."
Marika smiled at the old man 'if you ever need medicine let me know, and I'll will make it for you and bring it over.'
"So you are going to change your current fate?" Richard asked with a smile.
Marika also smiled 'If I can beat a vampire I sure can beat fate.'
Marika took Richard hand and pulled him along 'now next stop is the herb shop.'
Richard smiled and they went to the herb shop. When they entered the shop they were welcomed by a middle age lady.
'Hello what are you looking for?'
'I need herbs for making medicine like pain killers, also for herbs to make ointments for cuts and bruises oh and for mussel fatigue. And some herbs to make a relaxing incense .'
'You came to the right place young lady, we got them herb just delivered the other day.'
Marika then said 'well I'm originally not from around here but are herb expensive?'
The lady then answered Marika 'Well there cheap from spring till early fall since they grow in abounded during these times, but I do recommend you start to stock up at the end of summer.'
'Thank you for the advice ma'am.'
'Ohh don't be so formal with me you can call me aunty Lia.'
'Alright aunty Lia.'
As aunty Lia was packing up the herb's she also put in some tools and empty bottles.
As Richard paid aunty Lia and they were ready to leave, Marika gave aunty Lia a hug.
'Aunty Lia is the best, I'll come by again soon.'
When they were outside Marika asked 'So are there any shop's you want to visit?'
Richard then said "there are actually 2 shops I want to visit and 1 I need to visit."
'Alright, let's go then!'
The fist shop they went to was a black smith shop; Marika was admiring the swords and dagger.
While Richard was talking to the owner Marika's eyes saw a sword it looked like a Japanese Katana.
Because Marika looked like a weak 16 year old the shop keeper reacted.
"Miss that sword is heavy!"
But Marika ignored the man's words and she picked up the sword, but to her the sword felt like it was a light as a feather. She unsheathes the sword and looked at the craftsmanship
'You say it's heavy but it's not.'
The man looked surprised at the girl "do you train in swordsmanship?"
'Yes, is there something wrong with that?' she asked in surprise.
"No but girls normally don't practice swordsmanship."
'That probably because I'm not your standard girl.' She smiled as she said that.
Richard walked up to Marika "Do you like this sword?"
'Yehh, it's made by a fine craft's man, I feel like I could feel his feelings inside this sword.'
'Mister Do you also have wooden sword of this type?'
"As a matter of face I do, I have four of them."
'Richard can you buy all four of them?'
"Why do you need all four of them?"
'Ohh that's because I need a pair and a spare pair. Did I forget to mention I'm a master of dual wielding this sword type' she said proudly.
Both man jaws dropped. They couldn't believe this young girl was a dual wielding sword master.
"Apparently you're full of surprises" Richard said.
Marika looked very happy with her new training swords
'So where do we go next?'
"Let's have a quick stop and get something to eat or drink."
They then walked over the marked and have something eat and drink. After that they went to a clothing shop and Richard pick out a few sets for Marika.
'Does it really have to be dresses?'
"You can't keep wearing man's cloth."
'Why not there? There more comfortable' as wined a little.
"You're a girl and to have one or two dresses won't kill you" Richard said firmly.
Then the shop assistant saw Marika expression, and she thought of something.
'Miss I may have a few pieces you may like, please fallow me' she said calmly.
She was wearing a black legging with a short dark brown leather skirt a white blouse and a jacked of the same color and material as the skirt. Marika absolutely loved it.
She went out and showed it to Richard 'now this is what I can accept to wear.'
"It's a good compromise", then he asked the shop assistant if they has similar design with different fabric.
The shop assistant nodded and Marika tried on 3 more sets.
Richard saw that Marika wasn't bothered by the different fabric and slight different designs; it looked like she liked them all.
Then Marika's eyes fell on a gown it looked like it had the color of the night sky when the moon was shining bright. As they went back to the changing rook Marika whispered to the shop assistant if she could bring the gown. The shop assistant brought over the gown and Marika put it on. The shop assistant was totally aw struck. It looked perfect on her.
Marika walked out and said 'just so you know but this is the only dress I will ever wear.'
Richard looked up to Marika and was he was completely speechless and was blushing.
'Well does it look good on me?'
"You look so beautiful in it that I don't want anybody else to see you like this"
Marika started to blush a little 'Don't think about locking me up' she said teasingly.
"Well I can't make you any promises on that" Richard said teasingly back.
As Marika went back to change, Richard bought all the clothing set's including the dress.
'Alright I'm done changing.'
After everything was packed up they went outside.
'Do we still have time to visit the last shop?'
"While you were changing I got a message from Derick that he just had left the mansion so we have some time before he gets to the docks."
'Seriously how do you message etch other?'
"It's a telepathy spell."
"I will teach you some basic magic tomorrow"
As they were nearing the Magic stone shop Richard asked her to wait outside since it wouldn't take long. Marika nodded. But as they arrived they heard a commotion coming from the shop.
There was an argument inside and after that they could hear stuff break.
'What's going on?'
"No worries just wait here."
Marika nodded 'ohh just so you know if any scumbag tries to attack or hurt me I will fight them.'
Richard nodded; he knew she would do that even if she didn't tell him.
Marika was sitting at the side walk and started to read her book on healing magic. Just after 2 minutes that Richard had entered the shop 2 man came flying out. She looked up and though don't pay attention, I promised not to draw attention so she kept reading her book.
The man that came out flying saw Marika reading and started to talk to her but she did her best to ignore them.
But because she ignored them they got agitated, the other man took the book from Marika.
"Healing magic, so useless. Why not come with us and have some fun?"
Marika was still silent, and mumbling a few word's under her breath.
'Your useless piece of trash.'
"What did you say?"
Marika stood up and snatched her book back. As she planned to sit back down she was stopped.
Now the one who was getting agitated was Marika. She promised to behave but how can she if she was being harassed.
The man who snatched her book before grabbed her by the arm. "How dare you ignore us?"
'Trashed like you don't deserve my attention.' She said calmly and didn't even look at them.
"You little b*tch!"
Marika just took the slap that was given to her, she thought just endure it Richard will be out soon.
But there was one thing she could not really hide anymore and that was her murderess intent.
Richard was inside helping the shop owner, when he suddenly felt a very strong murder intend coming from outside. He knew it very well, it was Marika.
"Owner I need to check on my companion who is waiting outside."
"I'm fine, you go check on your companion!"
As Richard look outside he saw that there was a red mark on Marika's face and some blood in the corner of her mouth. As he saw Marika stood there silently her murders intend kept building up.
Then suddenly her words came to mind 'Being loud is being predictable, being silent is being deadly.'
Richard ran over to Marika and took a good look at her but her eyes had already changed.
The shop keeper, who saw Richard bolting, went to the door to look outside what was going on, but he got hit by a chill, like someone was going to murder him.
Richard then said "it's better that you guys leave now."
"And who are you... huh?"
"If you don't leave now she will hurt you."
"Hurt us with what? Her healing magic!?"
"Marika you did well on enduring it, I'm here now."
But just as he said that one of the two men grabbed Richard.
"Butt out buddy, this b*tch need to be taught a lesson."
But as soon as the man said these words there was a snapping sound and a loud scream of pain fallowed.
'It's true healing magic can't hurt you, but I can. I can break every bone in your body and then heal you. And do this over and over again. Until you wish you have never crossed me or better you redder would like to be dead.' she said viciously.
The second man that was standing watching his friend get his arm broke took a knife from his poked and charged at Marika. "Die you b*tch!!"
And then there was another cry of pain. Marika had swung her wooden training sword at the man and aimed for the hand that was holding the dagger; the sheer force of the blow broke his hand.
She than looked at the man with a death glares 'scram and don't let me see you cause trouble again.'
She looked around, but it seemed that she didn't attract any unnecessary attention.
As she sighted a big sight of relieve and turned around and picket up her book. As she was about to walk to the place where she was sitting before she bumped in to Richard.
"Are you alright?" he looked concerned "look at your face it's a mess and your even bleeding."
'Oh... well it will be gone soon anyway.'
"Why did you just endure all of that?"
'Well I didn't want to cause a commotion and attracted unnecessary attention.'
"I can't argue with you because you did well on upholding your promises, but your murder intent is something you need to work on."
Marika looked behind Richard and saw a young man standing in the doorway of the shop he looked as pale a sheet.
'Marika than whispered 'was it that bad?'
Richard nodded, "look he is scared stiff"
Marika walked up to the young man and waved her hand in front of his face, but he didn't even blink.
'Your right, luckily he is still breathing.'
She than apologized to the young man 'I'm sorry I scared the crap out of you!'
Than Richard asked "but how and when did you get your practice sword? I didn't see you grab it"
The young man who looked scared to death suddenly started to talk in an enthusiastic voice.
"What's your name? where are you from?, who taught you?, how old are you? Please marry me!"
Marika yelped in surprise 'Bruh do you want to me to die from a heart attack?'
'My name is Marika, not gonna tell you, I'm self-thought, I'm 16, and who the hell wants to marry a weak man like you!'
Richard started to laugh out loud by the way Marika answers all his question.
The young man than said "I can wait till you're an adult, I'm confident I can make you fall for me."
Marika had a speechless look on her face and asked Richard 'did I scare him to the point he became stupid?'
Richard laughed and shook his head "He is just like that."
"Let me introduce myself, my name is Saxeus Molaris, and I'm the owner of the magic stone shop."
As they went inside Marika saw a variety of stones and color and asked 'Saxeus do you have any stones that can enhance or channel inner energy?'
"Why do you need it? Your inner energy pool not little, it's almost at the same level Richard" Saxeus said.
'Something that is big may not necessary be stable, and ones it stabilize it could easily turn smaller.'
"Let's take a measurement of your inner energy and what color it is" Saxeus then said.
'Oké'
They went to the back of the shop where there was a glass sphere, "just place your hand on it and close your eyes and concentrate on your inner energy."
As she did what she was told the sphere stated to glow an Azure greenish color.
Both men were shocked. How is that possible, and then suddenly a shape stated to appear in sphere.
It looked like a dragon. Both man just couldn't believe what they just witnessed.
"You better keep this to yourself."
'Richard???' Marika then said with a slight annoyed voice.
"I didn't mean that he needs to keep anything from you, but to the rest of the world."
'That good then. So what color do I have?'
Saxues started to explain to Marika "Your color is Azure greenish what is almost unheard of, but what makes you special is that your color also took a shape, only royals have that ability."
'A shape?' Marika looked confused.
Well normally when somebody touches the sphere it light up like this." Marika looked at it and it looked like a light bulb was turned on.
Then Sexeus took Richard hand and placed it on the sphere, the sphere stated to light up even brighter and there was a shape to be seen. It was that of an Azure Dragon.
'Ohh I understand now, so what was my shape than?' she asked innocently.
Sexeus looked at Richard, and Richard then said "It looked the same as mine."
'So you're from the royal family and I'm also a descendant of a royal family?'
Richard felt a bit nervous now that she found out he was from the royal family, He was afraid that Marika would treat him differently now she knows.
'So how many different color dragons do exist?'
Saxeus then told her "Red, Azure, Green, Yellow and Black, there are 5 in total but not all of them reside in this world."
"But fist I'll give you a few inner energy channeling stone's, your inner energy is indeed currently unstable, and if you do nothing about it you'll end up dead in a small matter of time."
'You don't have to tell me what I already know.'
As they had left the shop, and walked to the dock where Derick was waiting for them Richard asked Marika "now you know I'm from the royal family are you going to treat me different from before?"
'I wasn't planning on that, because you are you and a Title doesn't define the person's personality. Personally in my point of few I think a Title has no meaning. But if you want me to treat you different from now on, I'll try to adjust.'
Richard pulled Marika in his embrace "Please don't treat me different from how you do now."
'Back at you!'
As they continued their walk they were talking and laughing, they were very close to the dock when Marika suddenly stopped.
'Richard I feel dizzy, I just want to sleep now.'
Richard looked concerned "I told Derick to come our way, you take nap now."
Derick arrived, "What happened? Did she exerted herself again?"
Richard shook his head, "I'll tell you on the boat"
As Richard was filling in Derick on their day, suddenly Derick realized something.
"Master is it possible that Marika is sleeping as a backlash from her healing ability?"
Richard thought it was not unthinkable, so they started to calculate. Her wound healed up in less than 3 minutes, then she was walking and talking like nothing was going on for over 45 minutes.
As they were half way through their journey back Marika started to wake up after half an hour.
"Hey there sleeping beauty did you had a nice nap?" Richard asked teasingly.
Marika was still half a sleep 'where are we?'
"Were half way on our way home" Richard said.
She then turned around and hugged Richard, 'let me stay like this for a little until I'm fully awake'
Richard than wanted to tease her, but he never expected that his own words would turn him to blush a bit "Do you like me that much, that you can't bear to let me go for a second."
Marika nodded, 'I like Richard the most.'
He now was really taken aback by Marika's words. How could someone like her even like a monster like him?
"How could you like me the most? You haven't seen my true appearing yet! "Richard was getting slightly agitate. "What you like is a fake appearance!"
Marika was now fully awake and hugged Richard firmer 'Then show me, show me wat you really look like. Because no matter the look, it won't change my perspective of you.'
'Even if you think you're ugly or a monster, I can tell you're none of those. You are a beautiful person on the inside and that what count's to me the most.'
She tightened her grip around Richard waist. As if she was saying no matter what she wouldn't let go of him.
Derick saw her every move and heard her every word. He had suspected it for a while now but he was certain, his adoptive daughter was already in love with his Master.
She then continued. ' Didn't we make a promise today, even though I found out you're from a royal family, and I'm a descendant from a royal family we wouldn't treat each other from how we did up until now.'
As she got up she pulled Richard in her embrace this time, she wanted him to feel that he could trust her and open up to her, because to her he was the most important person in her new life.
Then she leaned over to him and whispered a few word in his ears.
Richard eyes turned big of disbelieve and his face turned red, while Marika was smiling.
Then Richard buried his head in her chest and said "Please let me stay like this for a little while."
'Sure, as you wish.' She said with a loving voice.
The rest of the boat ride they both didn't spoke a word. But Derick also notice that his Master was starting to have feelings for Marika.
Then Derick asked Marika a question he could confirm his theory concerning her healing ability and the reason she slept a lot after.
"Marika before you came her did you experience similar health issues, like when you got wounded and healed fast did you ever feel tired?
Marika was in a deep thought and then she remembered something.
'Well there was a time when I was ten years old and playing in the mountain near my grandmother's house I fell down a cliff and was so badly hurt that a normal person would die but I was completely healed in hours. I made it back to my grandmother's house and told her what happened and shortly after that I collapsed and slept for 5 days. I didn't think much of it, but the majority of my life small cuts and bruises would make me drowsy but I always thought I was sleep deprived sometimes or just stressed.'
'Why do you ask father?'
"Well I was wondering why my daughter is such a sleepy head." Derick smiled.
When they arrived Marika noticed Richard was sound asleep in her arms. She told Derick to go and head inside. She carefully tries to wake up Richard.
"5 more minutes."
'Well how about you wake up and sleep on a bed for 5 more hours?'
"Only if you join me."
'You really like to act like a spoiled little child.' Marika sighted.
'Fine but I want to have dinner fist and a nice hot bath.'
When the both came in side Luna came running up 'Mommy, Daddy your back!'
Kevin also came over "Welcome home sister, did you enjoy your trip to town?
'I did, I met some interesting people there and got to know a little more about myself and Master. And did you finish your assignment I gave you?'
"Yes we did and Luna did not cause any trouble, she was very good and listened well to."
'Little bro is there any food? I'm starving'
"Dinner is ready so wash up and come to the dining room when you're done sister."
When Marika was done washing up she went to the dining room. She could smell the food in the hallway. She took in the smell and thought, ahhh its smells like he had finally understood the essence of cooking. You can recreate an existent recipe, but a recipe is only a base line, a real cook will give it his own touch to it.
She than set down at the table and asked 'Dante how did your sparring match with Derick go?'
"I hate to admit it but I lost."
"To be fair young master Dante did put up a good fight" Derick then said.
'Are you up for the sparring match with me in in two days' time?' Marika then asked Derick.
"Well if young master Dante don't mind sparring with me up to that day?"
"I'm fine with that."
'Great I want you all to come and watch us.'
Then Richard thought of what she had told him at the black smith shop.
"Are you going to show them what you told me earlier today?"
'Ssstt don't ruin the surprise' Marika than said.
"My condolence Derick but I witnessed 1 defensive move, and that was enough to take out her opponent."
'Well yehh… that's because they were very, very weak. I mean he couldn't even hold the knife properly while charging me and he was full of openings. I bet that Derick is way more skilled and better adjusted to combat.'
After hearing Marika, Kevin and Dante got there curiously pitch up by 2 notches.
After dinner Marika when upstairs and took a nice long bath.
Derick told Richard about their conversation on the boat "So my suspicion got confirmed, a few small cuts and bruises would make her drowsy but the more severe the wound the more she sleeps.
"Let's use today's injuries as a guideline. It took 3 minutes to completely heal and she then slept for 30 minutes. So each minute is equal to 10 minutes of sleep. But we need to record bigger injuries and the time it took to heal so we can calculate the time she will be sleeping."
Richard then asked "where is Marika?"
"She is taking a bath master."
"Alright, you may leave now."
Richard was tire and decided to take a bathe, as he entered the bathroom he thought why it is steamy inside. As he walked over he saw Marika had her eyes closed. He thought was this girl seriously sleeping in the bath…
But then she suddenly spoke, 'care to join me?'
Richard jolted in surprise. "Don't you have or feel any shame?"
'Uhm let me think….. '
"You really are a shameless little girl" he said with a chuckle.
'Well I don't see the problem, you hugged me, I hugged you, I slept on your lap, you slept on my chest, and you invite me to your bed, I invite you to a bath.' She said teasingly.
After she spoke she turned herself in a 5 year old child and then said 'treat it as having a bath with your little sister.'
Seeing Marika in her 5 year old form, he felt like he got hit by an arrow because she looked so cute.
"Alright then little sister"
After they were done bathing Marika turned back in her old self again, her 23 year old self again.
Richard walked out of the bathroom he saw the adult Marika, "I see you got the hang of changing your size and age freely, are you able to wear the cloth we bought?"
'I have a solution for that' she took of the broach on Kevin's old cloth, but the cloths didn't revered to their original size.
'It seems the cloth stay in their last state so as long as I where this and change my age the cloth will change with me and stay in the last shape it was in.'
Marika then yawned "let's go to sleep, I promised to teach you tomorrow, so you'll have good rest."
Marika half asleep pulled Richard in her embrace.
"What are you doing?" Richard asked in surprise.
With a sleeping voice she said 'picking up where we left of… goodnight'
"You really are a bolt and shameless girl" he whispered as he closed his eyes he also fell asleep.
The next morning Marika woke up but was met with a concerned look on Richard face.
"Are you alright?"
'Huh?'
She didn't understand what was going one, 'Did I do something strange in my sleep?'
"Did you have a bad dream? You were crying in your sleep."
Marika was trying to recall but couldn't 'I didn't have any bad dreams.'
'Now let's wash up and get dressed.'
When Marika was in the bath room she looked in the mirror and saw she was still crying.
She closed her eyes 'Were fine, we are going to be oké.'
Richard who was worried and peaked in to the bathroom and heard her every word. But that didn't help him at all because he thought she was running out of time quicker than they both have thought.
After breakfast they went to the library, the Richard thought Marika telepathy magic and other general subjects that could be handy.
Marika was looking through the shelves and asked 'Richard is there a map around here? I would like to learn a bit about the layout of land.'
"Your curiosity knows no bound" As he took a book from the top shelve.
As she was skimming through the book she saw a map of what looked like the current area she was in, and saw a few interesting places her would love to go.
'Richard is this map of our current surrounding?'
Richard looked at the map, and could also tell she wanted to visit the caves that were drawn on the map.
"So you want to go to the caves."
'Can we?'
"Well we can visit on because it will take 4 to 5 hours to reach it. Then we leave early in the morning."
Marika looked very happy, like a child who was told they would go to the amusement park next day.
As she kept looking through the book she found a lot of places she would like to visit in the future
She then stopped flipping page's Lunae Lumen 'Is this your country?'
Richard looked at the map and nodded.
'Could you bring me there someday?'
"Sure, any place in particular?'
Marika pointed at the map, it was a small forest completely surrounded by water and it had the shape of a crescent moon.
"Alright, but we go there after your completely recovered."
At the same time Derick came walking in with lunch. "After lunch I'm at the training feel with young master Dante."
Marika nodded 'don't go easy on him, loos and learn is the best method, it will show if a person is determent or not.'
Richard then said "you're not only strict but also a very cold teacher."
'What? Live isn't easy, you better learn it the hard way. If you want something you need to be ready to fight for it. Nothing comes handed to you in life; you need to work for it, earn it, or fight for it.'
"You're sure you 23 year old?" Richard asked Marika with a slight tease in his voice.
'I am what about it?'
"You sound more like an elder." Derick said then.
Marika sighted 'Well what can I do about that… My life was harsh.'
And she started to laugh, both man smiled, she looked cheerful and enjoyed every moment of every day. She was not a person who would be looking back constantly or was hung up about the bad thing that happened to her.