"Anastasia-chan!" This was when my uncle hushed from inside secretly while we were still shifting the luggages.
I quickly ran to his side skipping steps.
"What? D-don't tell me you are gonna ban me from going to my new school because you would miss me too much!? I teased him. "Cause. I. Cannot. Do. That."
Uncle John chuckled. "No, kiddo. I just wanted to give you this..here.. " He stated holding a small freshly bought cardboard box decorated with a bright pink bow.
My eyes literally glistened with curiosity. "A Gift! For me! Thanks!!!" I chirped excitedly examining it and tapped the box trying to find what might be inside it.
"Why don't you find out? " He smiled as my sister peeked into the box.
I hurriedly unwrapped the wrappers and literally squealed at the surprise.
"I-Its t-the Orion's arrow, ?! The most best archery kit that is yet to reach the market! One of the three that has ever been made in Fairytale!!!!" I screamed in excitement and abruptly hugged my uncle.
"Ahhhhhh! Thank you uncle Thankyou sooo much! "
My uncle hugged me back.
"Haha, you like it? I am fortunate I am friends with the original weapon maker, one of my client who loves my perfume products. I cannot present you the rose perfume as both you and your mother were my regular clients and it isn't that cool to get the same for free.
I tried to buy a few flowers for you. But, Maria said you wouldn't really like them just like the fluffy gowns, the expensive jewelries, decorative shoes, extravagant cushions, pretty pouches, makeup kits, the rarest floral seeds.. -"
He listed many more stuff women usually adore as both Drizzella and I smiled sheepishly..
Looks like he had, had a hard time choosing the gift..
"And, finally remembered you mentioning the weapon in one of your letters.. " he said as I smiled.
"And, ended up getting the best thing ever."
Looking at this, Drizzella abruptly ran into the house and soon showed me a giant white teddy bear he had gifted her.
"And, this is the gift he had given to me! Isn't it cute big sister! " she exclaimed cheerfully when I felt the shundders..
Ah.. A bear.. Again..
I petted her hair and bend my knees to hug my little sister.
"I will miss so much, Drizzy-chan. I promise to return once in a while. " I kissed her cheeks.
"You will wait for me right?"
"Always, big sister." She returned my hug and I said my temporary goodbyes to the rest of my new family members, including cousin Johnny and the maids.
Johnny kept complaining about every single thing he hated on this mansion but, still snuck in a chocolate bar as my farewell gift in secret. He swore that he had bought the chocolate bar only for me, but with his obvious brimming confidence I am sure there were already plenty of chocolates inside his pockets.
Few maids shed tears even though I promised them I would be back fast.. And .. that's how I spend the rest of my time on the last day at my mansion.
Comforting people and receiving gifts.
I can be back home once in a while but, I cannot stay here for long as I had to be reported inside the school's dorm by night.
And, that was why I had actually put up with all this extravagant drama.
Not like I would really miss them or anyways.. Ya, I will definitely not miss them..
I think..?
A-Ah.. I mean!
I do not need anyone to take care of me. And, besides it's not like I even like these people..
I thought, but even I know how hard I was trying to fight back the tears back into my eyes.
I looked back at my mansion and the people in it for one last time.
"Mina(everyone).. Take care! " I told them as every one repeated the same words and directed them to me in chorus.
Zeno looked at this epical moment around the enthusiastic mansion where the maids grinned their widest, thrilled that their mistress finally gets the legendary opportunity to take her place in the society like a normal girl, and then he stretched his hand towards her.
"Are you ready, Anastasia-chan.? " he grinned.
"Hmn! " I nodded excitedly.
Ready as I'll ever be!
And, then we walked towards the carriage arranged for us.
________
Kuro, Zeno's bodyguard who was still standing beside the cart was elated when he finally saw us walking towards him.
"Boss! You are here.. The sun is too scorching and I was getting worried about you..!" He exclaimed frustratedly and quickly walked closer to him ignoring my presence.
From the corner I could hear Kuro whisper on Zeno's ears. "You have got your medicines, right..? It's problematic for you too stay out for a long-"
"Hello, Mr Kuro!" I greeted interuppting his incoherent mumbles and walked closer to the two.
Kuro, who had finally noticed my presence, had got startled by my sudden greeting but, he then chuckled and said.
"Ms Rottenstein.. Haha, I see you are high spirited as always.. And, You don't need to call me like that.. I am just the majesty's aide. So Just Kuro is enough." He said smiling and opened the carriage for me to get in.
"Then you can call me as Anastasia..! " I agreed with him.
"Anastasia..? " Kuro had a small sort of glimmer on his eyes and looked a bit hesitated whether it was alright and turned a bit to check his boss.
And, when he saw Zeno's usual smiling face smiling more brightly than usual he shunddered abruptly and added.. "I mean.. -samma.. Anastasia-samma.."
I smiled sheepishly. Apparently Zeno doesn't allow Kuro to call me informaly. And, I kinda understand that.
Being bought as nobel people, both Zeno and I had been bought up to call each other formal though we had been best friends for a long time.
Personally on a world where I am nicknamed as the ugly witch, I don't care what other people call me as. But, apparently Zeno did care, I guess. And, that was the reason why it had only been few months since the two of us started calling each other by our first names.
The carriage soon stopped before the crowded market streets and I took out the list of items I had to buy today.
1)A magic wand (even though, the item is for beginners with no magic. And, being a magic wealder who uses her raw hands for producing spells, I don't use them at all)
2)A Magic spell book. (The Lord Merlin, the third edition. Pretty outdated if you ask me.)
3)A Broom stick. (Please.. Am I a witch! Don't answer that.)
4) Medicinal pills. (Ah, Now that's something I can use)
5)A bag (hmm.. )
And, many other trivial items were listed down.
Soon, the three of us got out of the carriage and walked straight into the market. Kuro forced himself in though I said it wasn't necessary.
I was initially very touched by his guesture as I thought he did to protect his master. But, the young lad soon disappointed me as I figured out he only wanted to make pit stops of different shops that had beautiful shopkeepers and flirted with thim.
Zeno was no good too. And, with his exceptionally good god-kissed looks and reputation as the player prince, he was like a chick magnet.
And, that was the reason many girls were fawning over him where ever we went just like that date night! - I-I mean, Spring Festival 'appointment' even if Zeno actually made no effort to talk to them.
"Ah, it's Z-Z-Zeno-kun!! "
"And, he's so handsome like usual.. Can we go and talk to him..? "
"Yes, but it seems like he has company.."
"Ah.. Ya.. W-What the hell!!? That guy is fu**ing cute too!!?! I just have to talk to him! "
"Zeno-kun!! Zeno! "
"Zeno! Prince Zeno! "
"Yohoo! Prince Zeno!? "
In a matter of minutes there was a great rally forming behind this beautiful prince chanting his name and giggling at us.
I turned my face and massaged my head.
Okay, Now, This is starting to get on my nerves.. again..
"Zeno.. Why don't you go and talk to these women for a while? " I asked him hesitatedly.
"Why? I was with you first, so why should I care about the other girls, now? I mean, not that they matter at all in the first place.." He chuckled and looked at me sincerely.
"Zeno! Zeno! Please respond us! "
"Zeno-kuuuun! I miss yuuu! Play with us! "
"Zeno! Zenonnn! "
The girls were still squealing his names and this ignorant surprisingly pure dumb headed jerk just couldn't get a clue. I quickly turned his body.
"Don't talk more and just control them, okay! I have more things to buy anyways. I can do them alone! " I pushed him towards them.
"But, why? I want to be with you.. " he protested with an ideal puppy dog look that didn't do any help but made me get flustered by it.
"Just go..! Zeno.. "
"But.. A-Anastasia.. "
"I'll wait.. Umm.. Right beside this unused carriage.. Is that okay for you..?" I suggested.
Ugh.. This brat is really so clingy!
"Really? " His eyes immediately brightened.
"Y-yes.. " I felt like hitting a wall at his excited expression.
"I trust you. Okay..? " He stated and ran off to the girls.
I huffed my breath and leaned on the unused carriage that I had just pointed him now. This was the only area that was a bit less crowded.
And, at this peace, I pulled my hat down covering my eyes, chewed a gum and placed my leg wrapped with a black leather boot on the cart in deep thoughts.
It's really frustrating Zeno had to be soo popular. One of the reasons why I hadn't been able to accept his confession might be this.
Just imagine, what might happen if a girl who's also extremely popular but, for a completely contridicting reason (being ugly) becomes his girlfriend..
Nuclear bomb blast.. That's what would happen..
And, the other reason might be..
I looked at Zeno flirting with those girls like a professional. The girls were happy just by being by his side. He was.. making them happy.. Just like he always does to me.
There almost no difference to how he acts with me and them at all.
And, even if there was, I would say they was extremely thin lined and transparent..
"Hahaha you are so funny, Zeno! Will you go on a date with me please..? You are not spending time with us nowadays..sob* sob*! "
"Haha.. " Zeno laughed sheepishly. "My mind has been occupied with certain things lately.. But, I promise we'll catch up soon, Lia.."
"It's Jennifer. Ah, Zeno-chan is being careless again.. So, cute! "
"Zeno, you'll meet me this Friday right? On the brothel. I'll give you special service.. " Another girl probbed.
"No.. I am a bit busy. That day.. " He rejected her with the same words like the other girl but, when she looked sad, he immediately lifted her chin flirtatiously looking more charming than before and said.
"Sadness is the last thing that should come from a girl's heart. We can catch up another time.. Una.. "
"Oh really? It's Luna but, Thanks. Yeh!"
Yup, I think you can get what I mean.. Though he claimed he loves me and seems to be very serious about it too..superficially...
But, He was still playing with other girls right under my nose..
So, I can't tell whether he's being serious about his love confession that day or not, at all!
And, the thing is.. I don't even know whether Zeno thinks about these things.. He's just so dense to my thoughts and I.. On the other hand..
I pulled the hat more closer to my face and sank in misery.
'..do not have a right to.. tell these things to him.. as being loved is already a luxury for a lowly villaness like me.. '
I looked at the time again.
It's really getting late. I can't slack like this. I must buy the things and get inside the school before the opening ceremony.
And, besides.. It looks like Zeno would be busy for a while and..
...I can't bear watching this sight..
I thought and walked towards Zeno's group to excuse myself.
"Zeno, it's getting late. I better go now."
"What..? Oh Ya.. I'll come with you.. "
He said quickly and walked towards me as the girls started whining.
"No-No no.. "
"Zeno.. Don't go.."
" Don't.. "
I threw him his satchel with an expressionless face.
"No, you stay here. You don't want to make these pretty flowers cry do you?" I asked him casually still chewing my gum as I noticed few girls immediately flush their cheeks like luscious red apples.
"Because.. Sadness is the last thing that could come inside a girl's heart.. And, do you want to be the reason for it?.. " I imitated his flirty lines and couldn't help feeling bitter as I said these.
This was when.. I noticed a girl pull Zeno's ear and whisper.
"Hey,.. Zeno.. Who is that handsome friend of yours?.. Can you introduce me to him..? "
"Ah.. " Zeno hesitated a bit, not clear who she was calling as handsome just, like me.
Another girl immediately squealed. "Ahhh, No fair! I was the
one who noticed him first! You can't outwit me! "
"Tell me. Tell me Zeno.. Is he single like you?"
"Just how did you befriend such an handsome guy! Introduce him to us.. "
"Yes introduce us! Gosh look at his fair skin.. He's sooo cute! I want to be aquainted to him.. "
And soon the rest of the girls wanted to know what was the identity of this mysterious Zeno's friend they were taking about and introduce them.
The two of us were still very confused when a girl leaned to me with fluttering eyelids.
"Excuse me, Mister? Can you tell me your name..?" she asked and that when it finally hit my dense skull..
Ah.. She had mistook me for a guy?!
It was common on these tomboyish clothes and the girls usually find my gender when I take off my hood or hat revealing my long hair. But.. With my new hair cut.. I guess, I can be pretty confusing..
I scratched my head awkwardly.
Truthfully, I admit.. this is the line that had become extremely familer to me these days..
"Er.. Actually.. I am a girl.. " I coughed a bit and cleared the misunderstanding meekly.
Silence..
Silence..
...There was complete silence for a moment and after that strong gasps abruptly exited the girls lips and the familer look of disgust came over them.
"A-Ahw.. My goodness.. a girl..? " A girl blew her decorative handfan. "My.. today must be a bad day.. I keep running to strange things.."
"Hold it in Riley, I know how you feel.. "
"But.. To think she would be with Zeno.. Zeno-kun.." She turned to Zeno who had strangely been quiet all along as though he was in deep thought. "Please don't tell me she is your new girlfriend.. "
The other girls panicked at the simple thought like I had expected.
"G-Girl f-friend?.. I can't.. T-This.. Is.. Sob* sob*"
(More Wailings)
" Zenoooo have you gone dumb on the skullllsssss!?! "
"Zeno-kun.. Oh.. Zeno..! "
The rest encored the gesture as I solemnly declared. "No! No!! W-We are not d-dating at all!!! So, d-don't worry guys.. I won't steal him from you.. " I promised the girls and then looked at Zeno again.
Honestly.. I noticed, he didn't look all that well when he heard that..
He had that familiar yet peculiar look again.. as, though the world has been shattered and the human race has been eradicated..Just like he had on the Spring festival many times that day..
I shook my head.. No.. It can't be.. He can't be frustrated because I said this.. Right..?..
The girls are being too nosy.. So, I am just trying to send them away.. Being Fairytale's most smartest general who controls the entire military power of the country along with his secret and special Squad group single-handedly.., he should get this simple logic.. right..?
I reasoned quietly.
And, with that in my mind..I touched his hand gently and asked him.
"Right..? Zeno..? Now, Tell these girls that we are not dating.. "
The girls looked a bit hopeful and everyone looked at the Zeno's lips for a conformation as he told them what they needed.
"Yes... We are not dating.. "He admitted.
I gave them a triumphant sign.
I told you so.
"Yet, I mean.." He then added without putting up any other expression other than his infamous fake smile, causing the two of us to panic again.
Kuro noticed the crowd gathering around us and tried getting our attention but failed frantically as the atmosphere was literally boiling with tension.
"W-What do y-y-you mean, y-y-yet..! Stop joking around Ze-" I tried feinging ignorance and pulled his hand away to take him out of here before he says more misleading words when he did exactly that.
Speaking misleading words, I mean.
A strange sense of coldness that immediately made both Kuro and me, (the people who know of him well) feel our skin goosebumped overcame his smiling face. His dark aura-ed form was brimming with a creepy confidence as he looked at the girls.
And, with a spine chilling tone that almost made us feel like the ground had shook and had released the underlord to overthrow the world, he responded smiling again..
"She is not my girlfriend. She's my fiancee.. So, girls.. Stop hitting on her. She's mine!"
said the irritated Yandere prince emotionlessly as the cold ice of the atmosphere broke.
And,.. At that moment.. I finally knew, there was no refuge to me from this moment.
(A/N: Source, webtoon Inso's law)
"......."
Damn.
Damn.
Damn.
Damn. Damn. Damn. Damn!
He really cannot get a clue at all Can..he..!!?
I looked at the angry growls of his fans and past girlfriends and made a painful facepalm.
Umm.. So.. Now...I smiled at the girls sheepishly.
How am I gonna clear this mess!?
***