Imdiately I spot the wagon— I run toward it as fast as I can. I don’t want to waste another second in this place.
My pace quickens with each step. And now, as I’m about five steps away from the wagon— I leap.
Thump!
"Neigggghhh" the horse’s cry echoes throughout the dark street as I land on it.
It’s a one-horse-drawn wagon.
From untop the horse, I take off the bag hanging on my shoulder, and without looking back— I throw it inside the wagon.
"Hyaa!" I yell as I fling the rope connected to the mouth of the horse.
But the horse.. it isn’t moving. It’s just standing still.
What the?
Again, I fling the rope.. but it’s still standing there.
A deep sigh escapes my lips.
"I should have learned how to ride a horse. Now how the hell am I supposed to get out of here?" I keep flinging but the horse still isn’t moving.
I’m gonna go by foot.
As I twist my waist— preparing to step down from the horse, I hear—
"So you do need soone to help you after all."
That voice...
"Jennette? What the hell?"
My neck moves before my thoughts, and my eyes focus on Jennette’s figure— crouched inside the wagon, smiling at , while holding the bag i threw in earlier, and a red robe.
Her broad smile widens as she nods.
"Yes?" Her voice is hushed— barely above a whisper.. but it still contains writhing excitent.
"What are y—... No, that can wait until I’m out of here.. do you know how to ride a horse?"
I don’t know why she’s smiling so hard but.. she’s smiling hard. And then she nods, "I used to ride horses all the ti before I beca a rc— a maid."
Huh? But, isn’t she a commoner? Where would a commoner get a ho–
I shake my head, I don’t care about that, all I care about is now. "Then, please, help ."
"Alright." She bends her head— slowly making her way out of the wagon, and she sits on the horse; flicking her fingers for to go into the wagon, and I do so.
I thought there’d be hay or sothing in here but it’s just a hard wooden plank.
"Ah, it’s been a while." She exclaims— her tone reminiscent.
I ignore her, looking for a soft spot on the wagon where I sit down.
"Let’s start going already."
"Yes, yes. But where to?"
I don’t answer, intentionally dragging the silence, then I say, "Ludia."
A soft chuckle leaves her mouth, "the city of beginnings, huh... Hyaa!"
"Neigggghhh!"
As soon as she flings the rein on the horse— the horse starts running.
Life is unfair.
In the wagon, my gaze falls at the robe lying gently beside my bag.
Nice, it’s exactly what I wanted. A hooded robe. Although I’d have loved it if it was black, I’ll still take it.
My eyes scan the red robe. And I rember the creepy smile on Alexander’s face when I asked him why the Flaworths are obsessed with the color red. He just said that red signifies strength.
A chuckle escapes my throat.
That madman.
The movent has been smooth so far. But the question still lingering in my mind is—
How the hell did Jennette get here? And why?
I didn’t tell anyone my plans. Well, apart from Alexa–
Oh no. That maniac!
A soft sigh breaks out as I rub my forehead, in a ager effort to lt away the rising headache.
"Guess I won’t be needing that map anyti soon since she knows the place," I mutter under my breath as I tuck the map deep inside my bag.
The red robe on my hand— I squeeze it, the soft fabric dancing in my palms, and then I outline the golden veins on it.
It’s beautiful.
And then I put it on.
It’s a bit.. heavy.
I adjust the robe on my body— making it fit well. And I draw in a warm breath. And then I breathe it out.
Peace.
"I’m going to take a little nap Jennette, and when I wake up.. you’re gonna have to explain yourself." My voice is blunt and stern, but soft with fatigue as I speak.
I think she replies yes, but I don’t hear it. The sleep is clawing at . And I rest my head on my bag, to answer the call of this sweet sleep.
And Jennette’s view in front of slowly fades as I shut my eyes.
***
My eyes slowly open— taking in the blinding light of the sun, seeping in from outside— through the wagon.
It’s morning huh? I really slept.
The bumpy movent of the wagon causes my body to shake slightly— mostly when we pass through galloping roads.
Jennette is still awake and riding.
"Ah, you finally woke up young master." Her voice— calm and soothing, greets .
But I don’t respond, I just sit down on the wooden floor of the wagon. In a lotus position— to begin my daily mana gathering.
"A diligent mage." I hear her chuckling as she steals glances at , watching ditate and gather mana.
"You have so explaining to do Jennette." I speak curtly, my tone leaving no room for jokes.
She sighs, "you know, I used to live in Ludia." her low voice is mixed with splinters of nostalgia. "Back then, I was still a young, first-circle air mage. I had big dreams. Dreams to one day beco an Archmage— an eight circle air mage.
But my dreams got shattered by reality. That’s how unfair life is— it shatters your hope and it makes you realize that the world outside your ho isn’t gonna bend to your will.
All drears have to wake up soday."
My brows furrow, and a frown forms on my forehead.
Why is she suddenly telling her life story? It’s not gonna make forget that she snuck in here.
"You’re not gonna make —"
"I was rebellious."
A resigned sigh leaves my lips.
Why the hell is she giving a speech?
"I ran away from my family back in the north. It was discovered that I had no talent, and they wanted to beco a scholar. I ran far away from my family, and I ended up in Ludia. My stupid, childish dream of becoming an archmage made do it.
But when I went to Ludia, I decided to beco a rcenary, and cultivate my strength slowly— to maybe one day beco an archmage.
But.. I just couldn’t get pass the damn second circle!" the pain in her voice.. it’s palpable. Her voice is strained, and shaky. I think she’s shedding tears, but I can’t see her, I only see the back of her maid uniform as she rides the horse.
Stories like this make rember that.. I’m not the only one with a sob story. Neither am I the only one who fate decided to play around with.
"And after I tried all I could— I gave up. I couldn’t even keep up with the heavy tasks that ca with being a rcenary.
So I quit, or more like ran away. Again. But I couldn’t go back ho.. that’s when I decided to go west. Here, I got a job as a shoe cleaner, and I was barely making about ten bronze coins a week, just scraping by.
But that’s when I t her. When I t your mother, Alice.
She was and still is the best friend I’ve ever had. She pulled out of the darkness and depression I was trapped in."
Oh.. it’s getting to the climax?
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