Both Noelle and James got out of the house. James made sure to get both of them far away from the house, so that Silvia wouldn't eveasedrop on their conversation. And that was when Noelle could see the outer view of the house. She hadn't seen it properly yesterday due to it being dark. And she must say, it's not quite bad looking. It's just a typical middle-class family house.
Turns out the house was built just some mere distance away from the sea. As she could still see the sea from where she was, and could also hear the sounds coming from it also.
"Noelle. I think Silvia might start suspecting something if you continue calling me James. At least please put Sir at the beginning. I know I'm probably asking for too much. But I don't want her to find out. She's really not good at keeping secrets. That's why I didn't tell her much about you yet," James elaborated.
"My apologies. I'll surely apply the Sir next time. And anyways you don't have to worry too much I'll definitely leave in two days time, I assure you. But before then James, I need to ask you some few questions. May I?"
"Sure Noelle. As long as I have the answers then I'll definitely render them to you," he stated.
"Alright… It might take a while. So I think we should probably find a shade and sit down to discuss it," Noelle suggested.
"Why not."
James led her to a huge mango tree in his farm, which was at his backyard. Its shade was enough to block the harsh sun away from their fragile skin. Additionally there was two chairs and a short table present under the mango tree.
James sat down first. Then followed by Noelle. They both assumed a sitting position. Noelle stared away at the enormous, deep blue sea which apparently seemed to be calling out to her. She could hear its sounds from where she was, and its temptuous whistlings and whispers. It was really quite tempting but she wouldn't fall for it of course.
She glanced away from it. Then stared down at her bracelet, and caressed it affectionately. Seeing it Noelle smiled slightly.
Promptly shifting her gaze upon James who appeared to be serving her some steaming fresh hot tea from the petite teapot into a short teacup.
"James if I may ask? How did you know that I was a mermaid and that I was present in the sea? And that I would even be able to save your dying daughter from the verge of death?" Noelle asked curiously.
James smiled. "Have some tea first," he offered, and Noelle accepted but wasn't drinking it yet, as she was still patiently awaiting James' reply to her questions.
"I'm a fisherman Noelle. I've spent almost half of my entire lifetime on the sea surface, and also at the seashore. As you can see I even built my house close to the sea. I've seen you once before when I came to the seashore to recover my boat from there. At dusk, you were singing marvellously to my fellow fisherman whose body was laying aimlessly on the seashore, and whom we thought had long died on the sea. And suddenly he began waking up. I hid myself so you couldn't see me."
"Do you remember?" James asked.
Thinking about it trivially, "Yes I do remember. That was long ago. I had no idea someone was watching me that night," Noelle confessed apprehensively.
Slightly worried that she had endangered herself like that on that day. What if James had been a bad person with malicious motive? Then he might have decided to search for her in the waters and attempted to captured her back them. But thank goodness he wasn't.
Noelle continued. "Since I was a mermaid who had special abilities. What else could I do than help those in need? This past years I've devoted my life into saving sailors and fishermen from drowning to death. Besides I don't see it as a fair thing that they should drown to death simply because they're looking forward to making a living, and earning."
Noelle sighed tiredly. Blowing the hot tea.
"That is very kind of you Noelle. You're extremely kind-hearted. The sea was absolutely blessed to have someone like you in it. And now the earth would also be blessed to have someone like you walk on it," James appreciated. He smiled slightly, "Thank you Noelle on behalf of those innocent souls you saved. Thank you very much."
"It's okay James. You don't have to thank me so much. We're all people with emotions and conscience. What else could we do than help eachother out, eh?" Noelle disregarded James appreciation. Returning James slight smile.
Noelle sipped her tea.
"By the way James. I wish to know how many years it had been since the kingdom of Sunria had fallen, and dethroned by the dragon lord that waged war against them. Tell me."
"Oh you know about that? It has been ten years already, Noelle," James justified. He didn't know that Noelle was aware of what had happened in the human world back then. He sipped his tea.
Trying to remain calm as ever. So that James wouldn't suspect anything about her curiosity. Noelle asked further;
"Tell me. What has happened since then? Is the continent of Sunria still a peaceful kingdom? Has the dragon king been ruling the people fairly?"
"You mean King Axel Lincoln? Yes of course he has been ruling peacefully ever since he had defeated our previous King. He has been treating the people fairly. He hasn't been causing Sunria any more trouble since the very first day he ascended the throne." James assured.
"Oh is that so…?"
"Yes. King Axel had even managed to lure the people into liking him in just a short period of time. He had managed to gain the best interest of his subjects, and treated them exceptionally well," James added.
Noelle began pondering deeply about what she just heard as she fell silent suddenly. 'How arrogant of him to think that he could rebuild what my dear father, mother and brothers had spent many years in building and ruling?! How dare he! Such a good-for-nothing scoundrel like him!' Noelle thought in annoyance. Almost wanting to spit down to the ground out of disgust from what she just heard.
Getting herself under control. She listened to what James had to say.
"Noelle. King Axel had even gotten engaged. His wedding would happen in three weeks time. So the whole of Sunria are presently preparing for the special occasion. I'm saying this incase, you've left and went into the city, you wouldn't have to spend money to buy information. Those information sellers can be quite annoying sometimes. Always demanding fortunes just for a single piece of information."
"Getting married? To whom?" Noelle asked curiously. Widening her adorable eyes elegantly.
"He's getting married to a Princess from one of the small neighbouring kingdom. Princess Cassandra Hudson. You must've heard about her, haven't you?'
"Oh… indeed…. Of course I have. Who wouldn't know her?"
Noelle scoffed aggravatedly. 'Those unloyal bastards! My father had treated them with nothing but fairness during his ruling era. Now instead of fighting alongside him in the war, they ended up surrendering to the enemy, and hiding away. Now they're even planning on marrying their daughter to the enemy.'
Noelle had seen Princess Cassandra once before during an event in the castle. Simply because Princess Cassandra's father was actually one of her own father's royal and loyal subordinate back when their kingdom was still flourishing and in good shape.
'Loyal subordinate my feet! They're nothing but cowards!' she exclaimed furiously inwards.
Noelle sipped her tea to calm herself down as she was clearly annoyed. She took in a deep breath, then exhaled.
"Are you okay, Noelle? Your face seem quite red, and unwell. Is something wrong?" James asked worriedly as he stared closely at Noelle.
"It is…? I mean… I'm fine. Perhaps I'm just not use to living away from the waters yet. It's natural for me to feel like so. I've lived in the waters for so long. Maybe I'm just finding it quite hard to adapt. But don't worry I'll be fine," Noelle lied. Knowing fully that the anger boiling up in her was what caused her cheeks to burn red like that of Tinkerbell's.
"You say you're going to leave in two days time? If I may ask Noelle. Where are you planning to go?"
Noelle smirked sinisterly after hearing James question.
"The world is so big James. I'll go anywhere my feet takes me."
James could only wonder what could be going on in this mysteriously beautiful lady's mind. And what's with the creepy smirk on her lips?
"Alright. Since you haven't ever been involved in this world before. I just want you to know that as much as this world might appear beautiful. It can also be quite dangerous. So please stay safe, and keep away from trouble?"
Noelle nodded trivially.
"Just know you can come back here at anytime, alright my dear?" James said.
"Alright sure. Thank you very much James. I'll have that in mind," she assured, "I hope nothing weird has been happening lately that I need to be cautious of, so I wouldn't put myself in any danger by feigning ignorance about them?" Noelle asked.
"Yes Noelle. I forgot to mention it to you. This days, several young ladies have been missing a lot lately. People say that perhaps they're been abducted by some unknown forces. Noelle, all the more reason for you to be more careful out there. And don't trust anyone easily."
"Oh… alright… and is King Axel aware of this situation at hand?" Noelle asked. Finding it unspeakably ridiculous that although King Axel knew of some of his people being missing, and in spite of that he intended to get married instead of working on the case.
"Of course he's aware. You see… the people trust the King so much, that they knew he was already working on it. And he has gave us his word that he would bring back the lost people. Since no one dared confront him, the people could only agree to whatever he says."
"Additionally Noelle. Have you ever heard of Daphne Giovanni?" James asked.
Racking her brain for answers, "No I haven't."
"Well Daphne is a seer. She is an old woman. And also one of King Axel's royal subordinates. She has the abilities to see some part of the future. Daphne has been of great help to King Axel, he trust the old woman a lot. Even more than himself."
"Daphne…?" Noelle repeated. "You say she has the ability to witness the future before it happens?"
"Yes Noelle. And with her help, King Axel had always gained victory over his enemies. Simply because Daphne would've gotten the vision of what was going to happen, and would instantly inform King Axel. Making them have the upper hands upon all their foes."
"So we could just say that with this, he is a very reliable King. Making the people less worried about the tragedy of the missing people. They trust that he would surely bring the people back safely. Perhaps after his wedding," James added.
Noelle shooked her head in displeasure. Though not making it obvious to James.
'No wonder he was able to conquer our beloved kingdom so easily. Just wait and see how I ruin you King Axel. Such a scoundrel! He deserves to burn in his own dragon flames,' Noelle said inwardly.