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The young boy slowly bent down to pick up the mud soaked fliers. While the shop owner gritted his teeth, irritation burned through his face at the boy's words.
His grip tightened around the broom stick as he lifted it again, ready to strike.
Then suddenly, a firm hand clamped tightly on the handle. "Are you insane?" Ray snapped, disbelief flickered across her face.
"That's assault."
A look of confusion flashed through the man's face. Both from her words, and interference before she yanked the broom from his grip and tossed it to the side.
The young man stiffened, confusion swept across his face, then realization settled..his gaze darkened as he turned slowly toward the shop owner.
"Were you trying to hit me from behind?" He demanded, his fist clenched at his sides.
Slowly, he let out a bitter scoff. "I'll take that back." He said, his gaze burning with disgust. "We are not the same. You have been contaminated." He said.
"Contaminated by the same fungus that crawl in the head of those nobles you worship." He added.
The people around slowed, their murmurs rippled through as heads turned. All eyes settled on the flushed face man, whose gaze darted around in panic before locking onto a pair of local guards patrolling.
"Guards! Guards!" he called. Ray's gaze and the young man's followed, meeting the guards eyes as they began to approach.
The guards halted when they reached them. Their gazes swept over the young boy first— his hands stained with mud, his clothes worn out—then shifting towards Ray at his side, her figure draped in a dark green velvet cloak.
Both guards then turned to the shop owner. "What seems to be the problem?" One of them asked.
The other remained silent, his eyes lingering on ray as he studied her carefully.
"Well, you see," the man began pointing. "This young man here is disturbing my business." Their gazes fell back on the boy, who stood his ground, his brow arching. "I didn't do anything. I was just handing out fliers."
One of the guards didn't even wait for him to finish. He grabbed the boy by the collar. "Come on kid. Learn your place."
The young boy held the guards arms. As he struggled to release from his strong grip. "Hold on." A voice cut through the air, which caused the guard to pause and turn.
"That man is lying," Ray said as she stepped forward. The man's face flushed in shock, and the guards briefly glanced at him.
"This boy didn't do anything," Ray continued. "He was only standing here handing out fliers. How is that disturbing anyone?
"He…" the man cut in quickly. "He stood in front of my shop!"
"A lot of people stand in front of your shop. As well as others." Ray shot back. "Besides, he was on the walkway. Or does that belong to you too?"
Silence fell.
"If anyone should be taken into custody," she said firmly, "it should be this man." The guards frowned.
"He attempted to assault a minor." Their gazes turned confused. The man let out a nervous laugh. "Guards, from the way this woman speaks, she must be mad," he said. "Using words no one understands."
The two guards exchanged a quick glance.
Then one of them reached out and grabbed Ray by the arm.
Her jaw dropped. Why is he grabbing me? I am only trying to help.
"Let's go madam." The guards said. "People like you, shouldn't be wandering all over the street. We will find whatever care center you escaped from.
"Care center?" Ray was shocked.
Do they really think I am crazy?
Her eyes shifted to the shop owner. His lips slowly curved into a smug smirk.
Her eyes narrowed. How dare he? She held her ground as she struggled to free herself from the guard's grip. Then Gaia arrived. Her expression darkened instantly. "Get away from my lady!" She shouted, shoving the guard back.
Annoyed, the man raised his hand prepared to hit her. "How dare you…"
He stopped, as Gaia shot him a sharp glare.
"Try it," she said coldly, "and your hands will be cut off."
He froze. His mind wandered. Who were these people to have such audacity?
Ray's eyes widened in shock. Was Gaia always this terrifying?
Gaia slipped a hand into her coat and pulled out a seal. The guards saw it and immediately exchanged looks.
The shop owner leaned forward, confused, trying to get a glimpse of what had stunned them so badly. But failed.
At once, both guards bowed, cold sweat dripping down their forehead. "My lady, forgive us," one of them said. Hands shaking.
"We had no idea you were the Marquis's daughter."
The world seemed to had stopped.
The Shop owner. The onlookers who had gathered to watch and even the young boy, all went pale.
The old shop owner dropped to his knees, bowing repeatedly. "My…my lady, I didn't know…"
Ray stared at them, stunned. So this was the power of nepotism?. Her lips curved into a small grin.
"Yes," she said calmly. "I am indeed the daughter of the marquis. And I order you to unhand this boy."
She said, as the guards immediately released the young boy from their grip.
The shop owner glanced at the young boy, and hissed under his breath. Ray caught onto that act, as she tilted her head. "And also," she added. "Punish this Shop owner…. For trying to assault this minor."
The guards exchanged confused glances.
"Assault means to inflict harm." She explained. As they nodded their heads in understanding. Quickly they grabbed the man by both hands dragging him away.
While he yelled pleading for him to be spared.
Ray watched him as he was being dragged off. A smug smirk curled on her lips.
"Who's the one with the power now?" She mumbled under her breath. Gaia leaned closer, her voice filled with worry as she whispered.
"My lady… you could have shown them your crest."
"I forgot", she said back. Her gaze soon followed the young boy, as he walked away silent.
Not even offering appreciation. And continued passing his fliers.
Ray followed after him, calling out to get his attention but he didn't respond.
"Hey, kid. I am talking to you," she said as she drew closer to him. Still, he remained silent, as though she didn't exist.
Gaia grabbed him by the shoulder, and spun him around. "Didn't you hear?" She snapped. "My lady was speaking to you."
He turned around, his gaze indifferent. "What do you want me to do, grovel at your feet?" He said flatly. "I never asked for your help. So don't expect me to thank you."
Ray stared at him in silence. "Ungrateful brat," Gaia hissed under her breath, voicing exactly what Ray had been thinking.
The boy turned away and continued handing out fliers. Then, suddenly, a passerby who had just taken one crumpled it and tossed it aside without even looking through.
Ray stepped forward and picked it up. The moment her gaze landed on the drawing, her expression instantly darkened.
She froze.
The young boy who had been watching the discarded flier, moved to take it from her. But then he stopped when he noticed her expression.
….is she okay?
Gaia leaned closer, trying to see what had stunned her lady, but her expression, too drained of color.
"Isn't that….?"
"It is," Ray said quietly, her voice low and deep. "The boy we met the other day. Kale. And his mother."
Gaia's hand flew to her mouth. "Then that means…"
"They're missing."
The boy said. He stared at them, his brows drawn closer. "How do you know them?" He asked slowly.
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The ambient sounds of water softly splashed against the stone basin, echoed across the cathedral.
A young girl, dressed in a pristine white gown, and a golden threaded veil which covered her golden hair, knelt at the cathedral's altar, whispering a quiet prayer at the well of life.
Sliver blue light shimmered across the water from every word she spoke, reflecting in her eyes.
Suddenly, a door by her side creaked open, but yet she continued to pray.
Undistracted.
A young man stepped in, his presence commanding but yet gentle. "I have news," he said, voice low but clear.
"You were right, her body was right where you said it would be."
She paused in her prayers, as her eyes snapped open. A bright gold shimmered in them, then slowly calmed into a light green. Her gaze met the young man by her side. As he gave her a quick nod.
She turned her head back to the well, then continued to mutter prayers softly. Her lips curved into a smile as she completed the prayers.
"Finally, it is time."