The shop was known for its lovely trinkets and delightful candies, and Cindy often found herself enchanted by its charm.
As she entered the shop, her eyes sparkled with excitement. But when she spotted Mech at the corner, her heart skipped a beat. Mech! she called, her voice sweet and melodic. He looked up, surprised but pleased to see her. What are you doing here? she asked cheerfully.
"I am gathering supplies for the next festival," he replied, a twinkle in his eye. Assorted colorful items filled the shop, and they chatted about everything—the weather, the festival, and the joke he was planning to tell. After a few minutes, Cindy felt a burst of courage. "Mech, can you come with me for a minute?" she asked.
"Of course, my lady," he answered, following her outside. The sun hung high in the sky, casting golden rays around them. They walked a little distance until they reached a quiet little spot under a giant oak tree.
Cindy turned to him, curiosity shining in her eyes. "Mech, I have a question," she stammered. "Could you show me your face? I want to see the real you."
Mech chuckled softly, tapping the colorful mask covering his face. "I could show you my face," he said playfully, "but I want to keep it a secret. I would only show it to someone I love."
Cindy's heart sank. Did this mean he didn't love her? She nodded slowly, hiding her disappointment. "Okay, then," she said, forcing a smile. They walked back to the castle, but inside, she felt heavy and sad.
As Mech wandered back to his little home in the village, his thoughts kept drifting back to Cindy. She was so full of joy, fun, and beauty. Maybe I want to show her my face, he thought. Maybe I do want to be with her.
Suddenly, a piercing scream shattered his thoughts. Alarmed, he quickly rushed toward the sound, his heart pounding. As he turned the corner, his eyes widened in horror. A group of shadowy figures, killers throwing glinting knives, surrounded Cindy.
Stay behind me! he shouted, positioning himself in front of her. The killers, surprised at his sudden appearance, hurled more knives. With agility and grace, Mech caught the knives in mid-air, tossing them aside like mere feathers.
"Come on, party games!" he yelled, pulling out his enchanted cards. With a swift flick of his wrist, the cards spun through the air, sparkling with magic. They hit the attackers one by one, rendering them unconscious and sending them crumpling to the ground.
As the last blade fell harmlessly away, Mech turned to Cindy. Her eyes were wide with terror, but relief flooded in when she saw he was unharmed. "Are you okay?" he asked, gently checking her arms for any signs of injury.
"I am now," she breathed, her voice shaking. "Thank you, Mech. You saved me!"
He smiled, feeling a warm glow in his heart. "I won't let anyone hurt you," he assured her. Just then, the weight of the day settled around them. "It's getting late. Shall I escort you to your room?"
"Yes, please," she replied, still trembling from the scare.
With Mech by her side, they made their way through the castle, the moonlight making everything shimmer like magic. When they reached her room, Cindy turned to him. "You really are brave, Mech," she said softly. "And I… I appreciate you so much."
"Goodnight, Princess Cindy," Mech said, feeling a mixture of happiness and longing.
"Goodnight, Mech." She smiled, her expression brightening.
After saying their goodbyes, Mech walked back to his home, the thrill of adventure still tingling in his veins. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, thoughts swirling in his mind. "Maybe..." he whispered to himself. "Maybe tomorrow, I will show her my face."