The Princess With The Jet Black Hair - Chapter 31 Chapter 30

[Present time, inn]

“So, yeah. That’s what happened that night.” Zack said as he looked down.

That was so much worse than what Beck imagined, Zack saw his parents died before his eyes. As for Beck, at least he did not have the need to see his parents died before him, thankfully. He was just an infant when that happened. Beck felt sympathetic towards Zack, who was younger than himself, yet he went through so much.

“Sorry.”

Zack was surprised by his apology, “Sorry? It’s not like it’s your fault or anything.” Forcing out a sad smile, he went on, “Besides, it’s been five years. I’m sure I’ll get over it soon… Or maybe someday.”

Beck questioned him further, to just satisfy his own curiosity, “So, what happened afterwards? How did you end up on the streets? If this stirs up more bad memories, you can choose to not tell me.”

“It’s fine. I can tell you.” He took a deep breath and continued, “After running for a little while, I bumped into my Uncle. I told him what happened and he took both of us in. Everything was fine for the first three years, my Uncle treated us as if we’re his kids. We even lived with his stepson too, Erik, also known as our step-cousin. He will often play with us when he’s free. But, one day, everything just changed. My Uncle became an alcoholic, Erik disappeared and things just went out of hand.”

A sorrowful sigh escaped his lips in the middle of his story and Beck could tell that it stirred up a whole lot of memories for this twelve year old, “Someone placed a bounty on both Kate’s and my head. Since both of us are the only members left, excluding my Uncle. He was born as a full human for some reason. Just a few weeks ago, my Uncle came back home with the intention of killing us to get money. We escaped, because Erik appeared, wearing a black cloak and a white mask, just like those sickening people who killed my parents and the entire clan. I couldn’t see his face but I could already tell by his voice, it was definitely Erik.” He gritted his teeth in anger.

He then cursed under his breath, which surprisingly helped him to stay composed, “Just as we were about to die, he came and killed his own Father. Well, indirectly he saved us. But, he did it so that he could kill us himself. That was apparently his mission for some sort of organisation. Fortunately, we escaped and now we’re here.”

Beck felt even more solicitous towards him, the siblings had witnessed another murder, just a few weeks ago. That’s just insane. Also, the feeling of being betrayed by your family members must absolutely painful. “Poor kid.”

[Inn, Emily’s room]

Emily looked of the window, waiting for the rain to stop. “It’s still pouring. I wonder when will it stop?” She was really bored and for the first time in her life, she wished her phone could work. At least then, she could use the internet to kill some time.

“No…” Kate said in her sleep, which caught Emily’s attention, “No?” Emily repeated as she approached the girl slowly.

“Don’t kill them!” She screamed as she jolted up. That scared Emily so much that she fell onto the ground. Kate was sweating profusely and her face went pale. Emily scurried to her feet and went beside her, “Kate, are you alright?”

“…Yeah, I’m okay. Sorry.” She flushed embarrassingly. Emily went to get a glass of water for her and she passed it to her, “Here.”

Bowing slightly, she said the words, “Thank you”, but it sounded more like a whisper.

Her hands were shaking as she attempted to hold the glass. Emily noticed and asked for the second time, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

She paused for a moment, before nodding repeatedly, “…Just bad dreams.”

That was not convincing.

She placed the glass on the side table, and hung her head lowly. Emily sat on the bed, next to Kate, “You want to talk about it? It might make you you feel better.”

“Erm…” Kate hesitated, she curled herself into a ball, burying her face in her knees. “Blood… There was blood everywhere…”

She then placed her hands over her head, “It was everywhere… The floor… the walls… My hands…”

This time, Kate was visibly shaking. Emily had no idea what she was talking about, but it definitely sounded like a murder of some sort. She had no knowledge of what the poor girl had been through and she did not want to ask. It would be just too much to ask for, especially since she was just a nine-year-old.

She unconsciously pulled Kate in for a hug, “…You don’t have to remember if you don’t want to.”

Kate grabbed hold on to Emily tightly, this girl was obviously terrified.

When she hugged Kate, she realised she was much thinner than she looked and her body was also much smaller. She released her after a good whole minute.

Kate got a little more rest and she seemed to be much more comfortable. Emily was glad that she was better, that girl was in a terrible state just now.

Well, looking at the bright side, the rain was about to stop. However, there was still a drizzle. So, she decided to go to the room next to hers, to ask for Beck.

She knocked on the door once and it was immediately swung open, it was Zack. His eyes widened when he saw her. She noticed and asked, “Hey Zack. Is there something on my face?”

“Oh, don’t tell me… Does he recognised? Is my hood not up?” She touched the top of her head, but she was relieved when she felt the piece of cloth was still over her head, “Nope, it’s on.”

“Erm… Zack? Hey? It’s me, Rachel.” Emily called out. There was silence for a few seconds before Zack gave her an apologetic bow, “I’m very sorry, Princess. Look, I didn’t know you were the Princess. If I knew, I would not want you to get hurt because of me. So–”

“Woah. Calm down.” She tried to sound composed, even though she was very confused as on how did he knew about her identity, “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about. I’m Rachel.”

“There’s no need to hide, I already know.”

Raising an eyebrow, she looked at him in surprise, “You do?”

“Yes, I do. You’re Fiore’s Princess.” He answered almost instantaneously.

“How?” She questioned.

“I told him.” Beck admitted as he came up behind him, “I hope you don’t mind.”

She entered their room and shook her head, “No, it’s fine. I’m just surprised.”

Shutting the door behind her, she noticed the dent on the door and pointed at it, “You know, I don’t remember that being there.”

Beck and Zack laughed nervously at the same time. Emily eyed at the two suspiciously, but her expression was hard to read with the hood over her head. “So… What happened?”

“Erm… Just a little clash. Right, Beck?” Zack turned rigidly to look at the guy behind him.

“Yeah.” Beck nodded quickly.

“Wow, look at those two, they are already getting along.”

Emily decided to leave that topic for a moment and sighed as she removed the cloak, “I guess I don’t have to wear this already, right?”

Her black hair flowed down as she removed it. She then combed her hair down a little to fix it. Once she was done, she looked at the two of them, “Seriously, what happened when you two were alone?”

Zack scratched his head, “Well, we got to know each other… Pretty well.”

“Yeah, we did actually.” Beck followed up with a sheepish smile.

Emily darted between the two of them with suspicion, “Those two are hiding something.”

However, she gave up pursuing their secret, if it was a secret then she should not force them to say it. “Fine, I won’t ask anything else. I came here to inform you that the rain is about to stop. Should we start preparing?” She asked as she looked over Zack’s shoulder to lock eyes with Beck.

“Yeah, we should. We can leave at evening if you want.” Beck suggested with a smile.

Cocking his head to the side, he questioned, “Where are you two going?”

“We’re going to some forests around here for a mission.” Emily answered with a hint of excitement.

Zack raised both his eyebrows with surprise, “A Princess going on a mission? Is that mission something really important?”

Emily shook her head as she spoke, “We’re just picking herbs.”

Throwing her a droll look, he doubted, “Seriously? Yo–”

He paused when the presence of an uninvited guest appeared in the room with them.

“Picking up herbs? Sounds great, maybe I can join?”

A chill went down her spine, upon hearing that voice… She recognised this voice.

She froze, when she turned and saw their familiar faces.

They had come for her again.

“Not this crap again.”
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