The rest of the day passed in a whirl of activity. I spent hours cleaning the house and sorting out supplies, then took some time to play with Zeus. Later, I met up with Julius and Banyu for a few rounds of hide-and-seek. Our games didn't end there—we played an exhausting round of tag with Zeus, Noodles, Luna Mirah, and Julius. The game was chaotic, exhilarating, and terrifying. It's hard to outrun creatures that fast. I teamed up with Zeus, Banyu paired with Noodles, and Luna Mirah partnered with Julius. Since Julius couldn't fly, we created a massive water bubble to serve as the arena's boundary. Getting chased by mythical creatures at top speed is both thrilling and terrifying. By the end, my lungs burned, and my limbs ached, but I couldn't stop smiling.
After a long, tiring day, I showered, but I still had energy left. An odd restlessness gnawed at me, compelling me to go out. I had no specific destination in mind—I just wanted to walk through the town. After preparing dinner, I changed into fresh clothes and stepped out into the cool evening air. Also, have I told you that Estevao came here again to visit and stayed with us for some time? He said we have a nice place to practice bending.
"Ryu, I'm heading out. See you later. Estevao, do you want to come?" I asked, glancing over my shoulder.
Alas gave me a nod. "Yeah, see you."
Estevao shook his head, already focused on his ice bending. "No, thanks. I'm staying to practice."
"Alright," I replied, adjusting my cloak.
Banyu had left earlier for a family trip outside the kingdom, so tonight, I ventured out alone. The sky was painted in soft hues of orange and pink as the sun dipped lower. I crossed the small stone bridge connecting Aisling Village to the town. The water below shimmered with the colors of the sky, and small fish darted between rocks, their scales catching the fading light.
The town was alive with the hum of life. Children chased one another across the cobblestone streets while their mothers gathered in a nearby gazebo, sipping tea and chatting. One of the mothers, Luly, noticed me and waved.
"Val, come join us!" she called warmly.
"Hey, Luly! Maybe later—I'm in the mood to walk around," I replied, waving back with a smile.
"Alright, have fun, dear!" she said, returning to her conversation.
The streets grew livelier as I approached the town's center. Vendors called out their wares, and the scent of fresh bread and roasted chestnuts filled the air. I watched as a young man presented a bouquet of flowers to a woman, her face lighting up with joy as she kissed him on the cheek. Nearby, a child clung to his mother's hand, hopping with excitement.
Suddenly, a panicked cry shattered the tranquility. "Thief! Thief!" a woman's voice rang out, desperate and frantic.
Two men sprinted toward me, their faces twisted in panic and determination. My heart raced, and I froze, unsure of what to do. They were the thieves. I couldn't use my bending—not here, not in front of everyone. Just as they drew closer, I stepped to the side, but one of them grabbed my wrist while the other pressed a cold blade to my neck.
Panic surged through me. I struggled, but they were too strong. Bloodbending wasn't an option—I couldn't risk revealing myself, and harming them was unthinkable. My mind raced for a solution, but fear held me captive.
"Let her go!" a voice commanded, cutting through the chaos. One of the thieves turned, but the voice wasn't from the crowd.
It was him. The man who had bumped into me days ago. He held a knife to the thief's throat, his expression deadly serious. "Surrender, or your friend dies," he said evenly.
The thief holding me hesitated, then slowly released his grip, but not before his blade sliced across my arm. A sharp, burning pain followed, and I instinctively cradled my injured arm. The crowd erupted in murmurs as the other men—his friends—quickly cuffed the thieves.
"Well done, boys," the man said, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. The crowd erupted in cheers before dispersing, returning to their business as if nothing had happened.
"We'll take these two to the king," one of his friends said, dragging the thieves away.
The man who had saved me turned to me, his expression softening. "Are you alright?"
"Yes, thank you," I replied, still holding my arm.
He frowned, stepping closer. "You're bleeding. Come with me to the physician."
"No, it's fine," I protested, stepping back. I didn't even know who he was. "I can take care of it myself."
He shook his head. "Just come," he insisted, his voice gentle but firm.
Before I could refuse again, he grasped my uninjured arm and led me down a side street to a small, humble cottage. He knocked, and an elderly man with kind eyes and a humped back opened the door.
"Well, look who it is," the old man said, his face lighting up with recognition.
"Hey, Elo," the man said, shaking the old man's hand. "This girl was attacked. Can you help?"
"Of course, of course. Come in," Elo said, ushering us inside.
The room smelled of herbs and medicine. Pillows lined the floor, and a few patients sat or lay nearby, receiving care. Elo led us to a quieter corner and gestured for me to sit.
"Please," he asked us to sit.
"Excuse me," he put on his gloves and unrolled my left sleeves until my wound.
oOuh it looked pretty deep. yES OF coURse It HurtS. It was still bleeding. He took a cloth and poured some of the liquid in the water to the cloth. After it is damped with the liquid, he patted the liquid onto my wound. oH SPiritS! IT HURTS SO BAD. WHy can't i just bloodbend oh spirits. I tried my best to hold the pain. My wound felt burning. The blood stopped flowing outside and he cleaned it. Then he mixed some leaves with a mortar and pestle. Onced its mixed well, he put it on top of my wound and he wrapped my arm with a roll of gauze. It does still feel hurt. Well can I blood bend now? But what if someone accidently opened it and saw my wound suddenly dissapearing. uH well I'll leave it like this until I got home.
"There you go. All done," he said, patting my hand gently.
"Uh thank you so much Elo," I bowed.
"Thank you Elo," the guy bowed too and we stood up.
We left the cottage, and as we reached the main road, I turned to my rescuer. "Thank you for everything."
He smiled. "You're welcome. Go home and rest."
"I will-" I said. Before I could ask what his name is he dashed away. I walked home, still bewildered by the day's events.
After healing my wound with blood bending at home, I showered and collapsed into bed, exhausted. Now I have a new routine: every Monday and Thursday, I accompany Prince Eugene to practice archery. Every couple of weeks, we head to the lake for fishing. Prince Eugene is charming—kind and unexpectedly funny. Sometimes, he surprises me with small gifts, which always leaves me feeling guilty. To make up for it, I bake him cookies or prepare lunch, and thankfully, he seems to enjoy them. Phew.
Recently, a new café opened in town. Teens flocked there, eager to apply for jobs, and I decided to try my luck too. After a week of training, I got in. Tomorrow is my first official day, and I'm both nervous and excited. I'll be working from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day except Monday, with a late start on Thursdays and Wednesdays due to other commitments. Mrs. Peona, the café's owner, is incredibly warm and welcoming. She insists on handling the cashier duties herself because she loves talking to customers.
The café itself is quaint, its soft light-blue aprons dotted with delicate patterns. We specialize in cookies, coffee, bread, and a variety of drinks. The café closes at 6, but we stay an extra hour to prep for the next day.
When I walked in for my shift, I tied the apron around my waist, feeling both anticipation and nervousness knot in my stomach. I stepped into the kitchen, and there—oh spirits—the guy who had saved me before was standing by the sink, washing his hands. As the door creaked open, he glanced up and smiled, calm and unfazed.
I froze for a moment, unsure whether to speak or flee. He didn't look surprised—unlike me. My mind spiraled into suspicion. Was this some elaborate game? It was unsettling how often he appeared, almost as if he were following me. I'm not paranoid, just cautious.
"Hey," he greeted casually.
"Uh, hi, thank you for last time," I said quickly, moving to wash my hands before cleaning the kitchen counter with more enthusiasm than necessary.
"Yeah don't mention it."
The door swung open again, and Mrs. Peona walked in, her voice bright and full of cheer. "Good morning, you two!" She leaned against the doorway, apron already tied in place. She loved being the cashier, and since she refused to hire anyone for the role, she handled it herself.
"Good morning, Mrs. Peona," we said in unison, my voice slightly strained.
"Lela and Tira are running late," she said, scanning the room. "Can one of you cover for them? We've got a customer waiting."
"I'll do it!" I answered quickly, eager for an excuse to leave the kitchen.
Out on the café floor, I approached the lone customer with a practiced smile. "Good morning! Would you like to order now or wait?"
He smiled and asked for a coffee and a sandwich. Simple enough. I returned to the kitchen to prepare the order, hoping to avoid more awkward interactions.
"Need a hand?" the guy asked, his voice closer than I expected.
"No, I'm fine," I replied, focusing on my task.
"You sure?"
"Yeah, thanks."
I brewed the coffee first, ensuring it wouldn't be too hot when served. Then, I prepared the sandwich: a fluffy omelet, freshly sliced bread, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and a generous layer of cheese. I plated everything neatly and carried the tray back to the customer.
"Would you like anything else?" I asked as I set the tray down. He shook his head, so I returned to the waiting area near the cashier.
By mid-morning, the café buzzed with life. Thankfully, Lela and Tira had arrived, helping to manage the growing crowd. Our team consisted of five people: Peter and me in the kitchen, Lela and Tira as waitresses, and the mystery guy who—probably—worked as a bartender.
As the day wore on, the café grew even busier. Word about our melting cookies had spread, and curious customers lined up outside, eager to try them. I scrambled to make another batch of dough, my hands moving on autopilot as orders poured in.
The chaos was exhilarating, the kind of busy that left you breathless but satisfied. Just when I thought things couldn't get more hectic, the café door swung open with a loud creak. A hush fell over the room. Heads turned, and whispers rippled through the crowd.
Someone cut the line, striding confidently past the waiting customers. My heart skipped a beat.
Prince Eugene?!
No way. He's here?