CHAPTER 12
Old Friends in New Company IV
Fawn was silent for one pensive moment, before she spoke: "Of course, you know that is because of your new look. Even I could scarcely tell that it was you, save your eyes. You've gained a bit of weight, and you look far healthier, quite like a true princess. And your golden hair is now orange."
Fiore sniffed, "Yes, I know that practically, it makes no sense to feel the prick for something so immaterial. But after all the fire I'm going through, stuck in a foreign land, bearing the yoke of people I scarcely know or care for, feeling trapped, all I wanted was to see a familiar face. And I have nobody, save you and he. And for a second, when he looked at me like I was just anyone else, it felt a bit hurtful, although it shouldn't." Fiore shook her head. "Maybe I'm just feeling oddly emotional for being in this place today."
"Did you talk to him for long?" Fawn asked, rather interested with the details of the encounter.
"No no, I was rushing because I was late, and I ran into him and nearly lost footing. And he saved me from the fall", there was a hot blush on her face, and she couldn't meet her friend's eyes.
"Well!" Fawn laughed and clapped her hands together gleefully.
"Anyways, the fact that he felt foreign for a second made me feel suffocated and I pushed him away and rushed here, knowing I would find you", Fiore shrugged.
"'Maybe there was more to why something so simple offended you?" the healer tried to reason.
The damsel of now orange hair nodded. "I think, over time, I have sort of fallen in love with him in some way, and now realizing that he was a vigilante who has probably saved many such women or people in general and I probably don't personally mean anything in his life save the fact that I was part of his nightly job, that thought gives me a deep ache" Fiore said, her lips twitching, like she could cry.
"Aw, dearie, don't be that way. He probably had a special eye for you, you never know", Fawn comforted her friend, even though she could scarcely feel her own words sounding any but viable. Then, her curiosity got the better of her. "But how did you know it was him? Without mask?"
A shy smile tugged at the side of Fiore's lips as her eyes glazed, like she was taken back by memories to a warm time in her life. "He would visit very frequently. He'd sometimes stay from late night until dawn, till shortly when you would come by. And one such time, when he was sleeping, his mask had slid off. And I saw who he truly was behind the mysterious gear. At night, when he assumed I was fast asleep, he'd be there, seated on the window's sill and I'd see his face glowing from moonlight when he took his mask off. And he hasn't changed a single bit since then."
"He must have been quite upset then to find you gone. Imagine a vigilante whose business is at night, staying with a damsel to keep her safe instead of being up and about to save the rest of the Kingdom", Fawn pointed out.
"I don't know if he was there for me or as part of his watch", Fiore said. "The thing is, I was saved from a Brothel. The owner took off as soon as the vigilantes struck the place and the whole building was destroyed. Most of them fled the sight and since I was new there, I was pretty much naïve. I had only been kidnapped that very evening and taken there to the brothel. The owner had sent me threats a few days later, saying I had brought the vigilantes upon us, and he would get his revenge. I suspect the vigilante stayed by my side night after night, waiting to trap the man if he ever showed up."
Fawn nodded. It made sense to her. "Is that why you decided to start a new life in a new kingdom?"
Fiore gave her a sad smile, "Yes. I was also scared, apart from the guilt of living off the vigilante's money and kindness, that I'd be completely defenceless, should he ever leave."
"I see", Fawn nodded. "But why do you think he is here? At the Royal Academy?"
"Since he is from the Kingdom of Antaria, the only chance is as Prince Dan's escort. But that sounds far too prestigious and far fetched. Perhaps he came in company as a porter? Maybe he will leave today? I don't even know, Fawn", Fiore sighed, seeming like she had best decided not to feed herself high hopes.
"Why do you feel so low about it? Perhaps he really is the Prince's steward? Out of some odd luck! And maybe you might spark good company with him? Possibly even a romance?" Fawn gave her friend a wink.
"But come on, my dear, how could I possibly? My mission here is to find a mate for the princess I am representing. I should best try not to fall in love. I'd be so far from blessed if this vigilante finds love in me that I so deeply want. I would be rid before a wedding can even be decided. And it would hardly be mine!" Fiore said, and Fawn understood why the damsel's hopes were so battered.
"I am guessing the assassin will be paying close watch on your every move as well. So unless this vigilante is a prince with the option of coming to your new kingdom, there's no scope for his courting you?" Fawn asked.
"It is precisely so. And since only Prince Dan is the sole heir to Antaria's throne, I am certain this vigilante has no means of being a prospect to this new princess that I am", Fiore sighed.
"So what is the name you go by?" Fawn asked.
"You may need to call me Meylinn henceforth", said Fiore, giving her friend a tight smile.
"Princess Meylinn. That is her name?" the healer confirmed.
"Yes."