We landed into an alley way Jeanette kept holding my and Ara's hands as she looked around with wide eyes.
"We are really outside!"
"Good work." Ara patted my head as it was me who had teleported us. I was glad that I didn't leave a hand or leg behind.
Ara had been teaching me how to use magic since these past few days and had praised me because I was a quick learner.
"Eh? It was Princess Athanasia who used that spell?" Jeanette asked and I smiled shyly.
"Wow, so, even Princess Athanasia can use magic now!" She looked at me with wide twinkling eyes.
Even though she was in a disguise yet, she was quite beautiful. The power of the female lead.
"Just address each other casually." Ara said and we looked up at her or him.
"From now, for the whole day, you are Jennie." Ara pointed at Jeanette and then turned to me.
"You're Rose." Was it because I loved roses?
"That's a pretty name." Jeanette smiled.
"Yours sounds like a nickname."
She nodded with a smile, "I always wanted somebody to give me a nickname."
Figures, she had lived in isolation for so long with only Ijekiel and Roger Alpheus looking after her. No wonder she wanted to experience something like this.
"What about you, Princess Amara?" Jeanette turned to Ara and she looked a bit confused.
"Just address me as Ara." She said and I sighed.
"First of all, why are you disguised as a boy?" I asked and she looked at me.
"Three girls roaming around without anyone to protect them, is like a finding a mine for the criminals. They're likely to stay away seeing a boy or a man with them. Besides, it'll attract less attention than when a girl ends up in a fight." She said and I rolled my eyes.
"The-Then can we call you big brother instead?" Jeanette said and Ara looked at her.
"That'll suit you well, Big brother." I said and she sighed.
"Fine, call me whatever you'd like." She said and we started heading out.
Jeanette seemed really excited as she kept holding my hand taking me with her as she looked around with bright eyes. Ara walked behind us looking around as well, but I knew most of her attention was on us.
"Don't run around too far, okay?" She spoke in a boy's voice and Jeanette looked at him/her with a smile.
"Yes, big brother!" She was really enjoying this.
We went over to various stalls and got snacks to eat while Ara paid for us following us everywhere.
"A-Big brother, here taste this." I fed Ara some cotton candy. She didn't like sweet things yet, I had this habit of feeding her some from time to time.
"How is it?" I asked.
"Too sweet." She replied making me laugh.
"Then, how about you taste this?" Jeanette gave her a small piece too which she reluctantly ate from Jeanette's hand with a blank face.
"Too sweet." She replied making Jeanette laugh as well.
How could it be that I was finding this so fun? If only Jeanette, I and Ara were in a different circumstances than we would have been great friends.
"Ah, let's go there!" We pulled Ara everywhere as we looked at the stalls while she kept looking around as if searching for something.
"Is something wrong, Big Brother?" I asked and she looked at me.
"No, just enjoy yourself." She said as she placed her hand over my head.
As we were walking I could see men staring at Jeanette, well, she was really beautiful but I also saw them shiver as they saw Ara right behind us.
Even though she was in a disguise her aura didn't hide itself. Regardless, since she herself was in a handsome boy's disguise she was making the ladies look at her and swoon.
"Ah, my big brother is a lady killer." I commented as I looked at Ara and Jeanette looked at me with slight confusion.
"Lady killer?"
"Someone who can easily charm ladies." I said and Jeanette smiled.
"Lady killer!"
Ara looked at us blankly before placing her hands at our backs.
"If you're done staring then move it!" I and Jeanette giggled as it seemed like we were a normal family's siblings who were having fun out together.
"Big brother, are you shy?" I asked making her roll her eyes.
"Stop teasing me, Rose." I heard her and Jeanette and I giggled.
"Wait a minute, you haven't called me by that name yet." I said as I looked at Jeanette.
We had been going around but she would end up calling me Princess.
"Eh? But how could I possibly..."
"You called Ara, big brother very easily. It's not even my real name, just say it." I said and Jeanette still looked shy.
"You can just try to say it, Jennie." Ara said and Jeanette blushed slightly.
"O-Okay, then."
"Yes, Jennie!"
"Ro-Rose." She called and I grinned.
"That's it, just call me that for the rest of the day now."
Suddenly I felt Ara stiffen before she whirled around looking as if she sensed something.
"A-Ara?" I called but she didn't look at me. Her eyes ran over through the crowd as if looking for something, her eyes were wide and scary.
"B-Big brother? Are you okay?" Jeanette asked and Ara looked at both of us.
"I need to go for a moment."
"What?!"
"But, where are you going?"
"I sense him, he's around somewhere. If he's here we could be in danger." She said making me go stiff and look at Jeanette.
"Don't worry, I have put the spells on you, if he tries to do something then he'll ripped to pieces." Jeanette slightly flinched as she heard that.
"He seems to be close, I need to go look for him." Ara said.
"You two, stick to each other. Don't talk to any strangers and don't go anywhere near the alleys, I'll come find you in a few minutes." Ara shot the instructions before looked down at us.
We wanted to spend some time we her!
Her gaze softened and she rested her hands on our heads before she looked up her gaze turning hard.
"I'll be back soon, be careful." Ara said before she started running in the direction of the crowd.
"Who was she talking about?"
"... The one who was responsible for that incident." I answered in a low voice making Jeanette gasp.
"Y-You mean, they followed you here? But you're in disguise how could they-"
"It's okay, Ara will take care of it and she'll come find us soon. So, let's look around by ourselves for a bit." I said taking her hand and she looked a little worried before she agreed.
"O-Okay."
"Excuse me." Jeanette turned and I turned to look at the tall man who stood behind us.
"Are you the lady I met at the ribbon store?" He asked with his hand over his chest and a kind smile on his face.
For a moment, I was stunned as I thought he was Dad.
"Ah! Hello, thank you for your help back then?" Jeanette said and I frowned slightly.
Jeanette and him seem to be acquainted with each other. But Jeanette wasn't normally allowed to leave the house. Maybe she happened to meet him on the streets...?
He had black hair and black eyes, he seemed like a nobleman and his looks somehow gave an overwhelming presence.
"Is she one of your little sisters?" He asked gesturing at me and I looked at Jeanette. One of her little sister?
Jeanette's face turned red as she looked at me, "Ah! Not at all! Not at all! She's not my li-"
"Ah, I guess not. Then that ribbon isn't..."
Jeanette seemed like she was panicking and it was kind of cute to see her like that. Did she really see me and Ara as her little sisters? Wait, seeing me as a little sister seemed fine enough but even Ara? I couldn't imagine Ara to be in the little sister's role.
"It was for someone like the little sisters not the actual little sisters. She isn't like the little sister...! Ah- no!"
"S-So, I'm like a year older so..." She really seemed quite cute as she panicked like that. She must have got those gifts for us thinking of us as her sisters.
"Ah, so, this person is like the little sister." He said and then looked around us.
"Are you two the only ones then? What about the third sister?"
"Ah! I did tell you they're like sisters not actual sisters..."
"Okay, okay." He chuckled slightly before bowing slightly.
"I caused a misunderstanding with my incomplete words, please forgive me."
I turned to Jeanette, "Do you think of us as your little sisters?"
She flinched looking shy, "Whaaat! N-No, how could I possibly..."
"Actually, if we had another sister I think it would feel something like this." I said and I knew Ara would agree.
Jeanette's face started turning red when I heard a commotion behind and suddenly some girl bumped into me. I staggered a bit nearly about to bump into the man who stood before us but he simple side-stepped. Wait, he just dodge me?
"Wha-What was that? Ro-Rose are you alright?" Jeanette asked me while I was busy giving the man a look. How could he dodge me when I was about to fall? Ara would have kicked his ass if she'd have seen this.
"Ah, if it's that direction. It's probably because of the handicrafts shop." He said as he looked away completely ignoring what happened. The gall he had!
"I heard a Siodonna artisan opened his crafting studio in preparing for the festival." He added and my eyebrows jumped as I heard the word Siodonna.
It was mom's homeplace.
"Siodonna..."
"Do you want to go? The streets are crowded so I'll stand in the front." He offered.
"No, there's no need to..." I spoke up but Jeanette's reply was quite strong.
"Yes! If you would be so kind."
I held her hand and she looked at me, "Did you forget A- Big brother warned us about strangers?" I said.
"Big brother?" The man questioned.
"Ah, yes, but Mister isn't a stranger. He's helped me before, he's a really kind person." Jeanette said with bright eyes and I looked once at the man.
"And big brother said he'll come find us in a while." Jeanette added and I couldn't just deny her.
"So, you were actually out with a brother?" The man asked.
"Ah, yes. But he left because he had something urgent to do." Jeanette answered.
How could she be so comfortable around this man?! Didn't Mr. White teach you to not interact with strangers?!
"F-Fine then." I gave up. I hoped Ara would come back soon. If that person Athernitas was somewhere around then... wouldn't Jeanette be in danger too?
The man started walking and we followed.
How was it that he even walked like Dad?!
We entered the tent and my eyes immediately were drawn to the shiny golden lanterns that washed the place with the golden light giving it an almost exotic appearance. I looked around at the different styles of clothing before I spotted the one.
I walked closer to it. This was like the outfit that Mom had worn in my dreams.
I wondered how she would look in those days when Dad saw her for the first time. She must be really beautiful, right? I couldn't help but smile as I recalled Mom's enchanting smile.
I turned my head hoping to see Jeanette somewhere beside me but she was standing at a distance with that man. I frowned as I noticed the cold expression on his face.
I walked over to them, Jeanette looked like she was deep in thought so I put my face close to her.
"Jennie, what are you doing?" I asked and she flinched as if breaking out of whatever thoughts she was having.
"Let's look around together." I said as I pointed at the other stuff and she walked with me.
I turned my head to look at the man who was looking at something else now. Did Jeanette not see? For a second, that man, had a really cold expression.
It was already nearing dusk but Ara hadn't returned yet, I was worried that she might have run into some trouble. Did she collapse again or something?
I sighed as I looked at Jeanette who seemed to be happy and enjoying. The lamps were lit everywhere making it look a lot more like a festival now.
I spotted a wristband and bought it, "Here, a gift for you." I said as I handed it to Jeanette.
"This is...?"
"They say your wish will come true if it wear it on your arm." I told her what the stallkeeper told me.
It's not much but I and Ara had received a gift from her, even if it was tampered with but it held her sincere feelings. Maybe Jeanette wasn't interested in all such things...
Jeanette smiled brightly as she looked at me.
"Thank you, thank you so much!" She held the bracelet to her chest.
Maybe she did like such things.
And it really wasn't much but, I really feel sorry for her. She was completely oblivious to everything that was going around her. I at least had Ara with me but Jeanette had no one.
"Shall we head back now?" I asked.
"Yes, but..." Jeanette looked a bit concerned as she looked around. Ara hadn't returned yet.
"Thank you for showing us the way, Sir." I said to the man who was still tagging along.
"Thank you." Jeanette spoke with a bright smile.
"No problem at all." He said with a small smile and I couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy.
"But, it seems your brother hasn't returned yet." He said as he looked around and then at us.
Jeanette and I exchanged a look, Ara was late, it's been hours since she was gone. Was she in danger?
"I'm sure, he'll find us." Jeanette said with a smile.
"Then, I'll see you some other time." The man said as he walked away while I and Jeanette slowly made our way out of the festival.
Maybe it was because his hair was black that's why he looked a little like Lucas.
"What's taking her so long?" I mumbled.
Jeanette suddenly gasped, "C-Could she be in some sort of danger?"
My eyes widened as I recalled the time when she would get breathless and clutch her heart as if she was having a heart attack. If she was in such condition again then she must be helpless.
"I need to go find her!" I said and just as I turned I bumped into someone nearly falling back but the person wrapped their arm around me holding me up.
I looked up at the tall boy who had red hair and dark ashy eyes, Ara!
"Ara?!" I hugged her and she patted my back.
"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry." She said and I pulled back. She looked fine, not out of breath or in pain or anything.
"Did you find him?" I asked and she shook her head.
"No, I was running around the place trying to locate that bas-" she looked once at Jeanette before sighing loudly.
"At the end I lost him." She ran her hand through her hair.
Well, both Ara and Athelinda had the similar habits, both of them ran their hand through their hair when they were frustrated.
"It's okay." I said and she looked at both of us.
"Are you two okay? Were you able to have some fun?" She asked and I and Jeanette nodded.
"We were fine, and since Mister was also there so he helped us out."
Ara's eyes turned hard as she heard that, "Mister?"
"Ah, it's someone who Jeanette knew don't worry. He wasn't a bad guy." I said quickly and Ara looked at both of us as if assessing our expressions before she sighed.
"Fine, I just wasted my time, but it's okay since you two had some fun." She said.
"It's disappointing that you weren't with us though." Jeanette said.
"And that we have to go back so soon." I added.
"Well, we need to head back before dinner so that this could be a perfect sneak out. That way we can go out again next time." Ara said.
"Next time!" Jeanette perked up quickly.
"We'll go see fireworks together then!" I said to Ara who simply shrugged her shoulders and I looked at Jeanette
"Jennie, would you like to come with us?" I asked with a smile and she blushed slightly.
"Of course, I'll be so happy." She said with a smile.
We started walking to find a secluded enough place so that, Ara could teleport us back.
"Just a while ago, I felt like I was living in Hell. But after meeting you two, Princesses, I feel like I'm living in Heaven." Jeanette said.
"Thank you so much for today, Princess Athanasia and Princess Amara, I really had a lot of fun thanks to you." She smiled as she looked at me and Ara.
We found a small corner which was a little dark and Ara teleported us to Jeanette's room. The replica Jeanette greeted us and Ara waved her hand making the replica disappear.
She further changed Jeanette's appearance to her earlier one and Jeanette thanked her again.
But just as we were heading back to palace Ara seemed like she remembered something.
"Ah, right, just a minute." Ara said before she put her hand in her pants pocket and pulled out two cute hairpins. One of them had a pink butterfly and other had a blue one.
"Take anyone you'd like." She said as she presented her hand to us.
Jeanette picked up the pink one and I took the blue one.
"I was running around when I saw these and thought of you two so I bought them." She said and I and Jeanette exchanged a look before I pulled at Ara's long arm making her bow slightly as I and Jeanette kissed on her either cheeks.
Ara stared at us with wide eyes which looked identical to how Dad looked when I'd kissed his cheek for the first time.
"Thank you, big brother!" I and Jeanette spoke in unison and Ara ran a hand through her hair with her cheeks were slightly pink.
So cute!
"Geez, you didn't need to do that." She mumbled before she looked at Jeanette and placed her hand over her head.
"Don't trust strangers easily, child. No one knows for what reason they approach you." She said before she stepped back and I smiled once at Jeanette before she was gone or rather we disappeared from her room.
Ara and I reached in her room and she changed our appearances back to normal and she pulled out a few small trinkets.
"Wow, you got more!" I grinned as I saw around seven to eight of them.
"Yeah, the lady at the stall insisted that I take more." I giggled as I could understand why she would do that.
"Having a good-looking face has its own advantages." I said as I looked at the trinkets.
"Hm? But you are cuter though." I looked up at Ara as she said that and my eyes slightly widened.
She sounded just like Ara when she used to praise me.
I smiled as she said that and threw my arms around her.
"But you're way more cooler, Ara!"
***
THIRD PERSON POV.
The burn marks on the World Tree seemed to be the result of a vicious battle, and the culprit seemed quite happy with his haul.
"Idiot, you should have just obediently handed it over instead of rebelling." Lucas said as he stood on the white glowing ground with a large shiny tree branch in his hand.
"All you've done is waste my time." He sighed as he clenched his fingers around the branch and then had a look at it.
"Hm? Will this much do?" He wondered.
The branch seemed satisfying enough for a smile to make his lips curl up.
"Now I need to go all the way back." He said as he walked towards the portal.
"My Princess is waiting for me... Huh?" He suddenly stopped as he heard a voice in his head.
"I hope you get beaten up for this!"
It was the World Tree who was agitated.
Lucas smirked as he looked back at the gigantic tree.
"Hah? Beat me? Who would dare to do that?"
"You'll see soon!"
Lucas didn't give it much thought as he started making his way back. He had to return quickly, he had already wasted a lot of time and God knows what would have happened behind him. He just hoped that she kept her promise of not doing anything stupid.
"Hah... That girl seriously makes me feel like I'm growing older." He sighed but then a small smile appeared on his lips as he imagined how she'd welcome him.
Would she hug him? He couldn't wait.
***
Hello, everyone!
How are you guys? I'm good just lazy as always.
Anyways, how did you find this chapter?
Since everyone was missing Lucas so, I decided to put him here, though there's still some time for him to get back to Athy and everyone.
Still, I hope you like it!
Have a great day everyone!