It was dark, and a few people were standing in front of her, surrounded by women and man.
"What do you think you mother can do?" Speak the woman, who is around 30—year—old. Hiding half of her face behind the fan.
Another person talked after the woman with high voice. "Of course she can't do anything without the help of your father!"
No. It's not true.
The girl is aware of the reality of her own family. She had to talk right away. But why is it difficult to begin?
"Your father is the only reason your mother and you are still alive today."
"As we all know, all your mother does is spend money. I'm really sorry for your father."
Shut up.
Her fist clenched. She find this absurdity intolerable. However, the girl has no place to say anything at all.
"How cunning she is! Using a disguise to trick us!"
"You should believe us. Because we are your father's close relative."
"You're my nephew, which means it's only make sense we should help each other, right?"
Some people turned their attentions to the girl, expressed their sorrow to the girl. At that moment, the girl knew that no matter how much she tried to explain it to them, they would not hear it.
The way they're looking at her, speaking irrationally, insulting her mother, made her think—is that how they've treated the girl's mother all this time? At that moment, she felt hopeless. Her legs become too heavy to hold her body, making her fall into an abyss.
Her body jolted, surprised by the sudden sensation. Shakila opened her eyes widely; she still breathed unsteadily, and some parts of her body felt numb. That was the first time Shakila felt the side effect of her power.
"Urgh…"
Even thought it was still difficult see, Shakila saw some parts were unfamiliar from what she remembered before.
Where am I?
Shakila forced herself to stand and try to walk. However, she was unable to take more than five steps before falling. At that point, Shakila vows to herself to never use her power again.
She uses whatever object she can hold to help her stand up for a moment. When her vision cleared up, she could see without a doubt that the place in which she was now standing wasn't a hospital. The decorations, the furniture , and even the space itself seem too luxurious for a hospital room.
"Oh my god! Why are you standing like that, miss? You're still under treatment!"
The unexpected arrival of the maid confused Shakila. The maid, a middle-aged woman in her fifties, walks hurriedly to her.
"Miss, look at you. You're still pale and should rest right away."
Shakila was uneasy by the maid's kind approach, and not long after, the maid assistance her to prevent from falling.
"No. I'm fine, Madam." Shakila said in soft voice. "Madam, I'm sorry for bother you, but would it be okay if I had a bath? My body is sweaty and sticky."
The maid giggled as she saw Shakila's blushing in embarrassment. "Of course. I'll helped you."
"No—no! I'm all right I can do it on my own!"
However, Shakila had already entered a heated bath within a second. No matter how much Shakila tried to resist, the maid didn't even let her make a single movement, helping her brush head to toe.
"Does the water suit your liking, Miss?"
"Yes…"
When the maid prepared to brush Shakila's back, she noticed some bruises on her shoulders and some wounds on her arms. The maid was afraid to brush it for fear of hurting the girl.
"…Miss, please tell me if there's hurt, yes?"
Shakila nodded in understanding, and while the maid was doing her job, pain started to appear. Knowing the girl didn't say anything other than a slight movement from her, the maid tried to finish her job quickly.
"Miss, do you mind if I trim your hair?"
"It's fine."
The maid combed Shakila's hair gently and, one by one, trimmed her light brown hair. The maid's smooth movement almost made the girl sleepy, and before it could, the maid had finished the trim.
"You look very cute, Miss" said the maid who was exasperated by her own work.
"…?"
Shakila saw her own reflection in the mirror in front of her. She didn't expect to have bangs covering her forehead. Even so, from this appearance, Shakila admits that she looks like around 15—16 years old.
Wow, it's been a while I didn't look like this…but, do I even not growing up?
Even so, Shakila's new appearance can made everyone believe that she's just middle adolescent.
"Miss, I'm truly sorry. We don't have any women's clothes here that fits for you."
Shakila smiled. "Don't worry about it. It's more comfortable to wear, Madam. I'm very like it."
"Glad to hear that."
Whatever it was, Shakila didn't expect to borrow a man's clothes. Even though, there's no big difference from what she wore before.
Wait…
"Madam, do you know who's brought me here? Does the person have a beard and mustache covering his face? And his hair is long around the nape…"
The way Shakila described the man's features made the maid, who put the blue ribbon around the collar of Shakila's shirt, giggle as if she know the answer.
"Don't worry, Your Grac—I mean, the Uncle—will soon comeback. He said he had to do something urgently."
"Is that true? Then, once he's back I'll say my gratitude and leave."
As Shakila said that, the maid stopped for a moment. Then, with a big smile on her face, she said, "H—how about thinking about it later? We don't know when he'll back. So, Miss, are you hungry?"
"Huh…?"
Once again, without her realizing it, Shakila had sat on one of the chairs in the large, luxurious dining room, but looked lonely. Even so, some of the food that was served in front of her awakened her hunger. On the other hand, the maid felt relieved after seeing the girl she served look much healthier than the first time she met her.
"Does the food suit your taste, Miss?"
"Yes! It's like I haven't eaten for several days."
"…Well, actually, you've slept for three days."
Shakila coughed hard. "T—three days? Not one but three?"
The maid nodded. "That's why we all worry. Miss, you really are like half dead."
Shakila was silent. She really didn't know what to say. Everything is new for her. After that, she then walked into the hall, which had glass windows that were much bigger than her. From this point of view, Shakila can see the blue sky very clearly.
It's pretty…
The fire in the fireplace made Shakila remember the hut where they had stopped before. From where she helped the man, everything had gone beyond her plan. She didn't know what would happen in the future if she continued to be stuck here.
Mercenaries, hunters, this big and luxurious place, even the maid she had meet. She didn't know where she was right now, even she forgot to ask about it. However, there's only one place she can think of.
Don't tell me, am I on guild right now?!
In a second, Shakila immediately denied it and changed her mind. From where she was sitting, she looked at the window and opened it. The cold wind that came inside blew her light brown hair back. The scenery from higher places is magnificent. Every land is white and some trees are covered by snow. She was mesmerized by the landscape.
This is where she is now, in the eternal winter of the north.