Alita's pov
Tears traced paths down my cheeks. I had retreated to the forest's edge, seeking peace among the trees and the wind. My heritage, the relentless expectations, and now the stupid marriage my father wanted for me had become too much to bear. But as my tears flowed, I felt a sudden shift in the air around me. I felt watched.
Yet, the sensation did not carry the chill of menace. Instead, it was a curious warmth, a gentle curiosity. Wiping my eyes, I stood up and scanned the area, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and intrigue.
"Who is there?" I called out, my voice trembling slightly.
The response was almost immediate. emerging from the dappled shadows, a figure materialized. A creature of ethereal beauty and grace. A male fairy. His presence was almost overwhelming, he had the same aura as the stranger I met at the square.
"Hello," he said, His eyes, deep, bore into mine, expectant, waiting for something.
I hesitated, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Who was this being? What did he want? And why did I feel such a strong pull towards him? Finally, I managed to speak, my voice barely above a whisper.
"My name is Azuka."
The name slipped from my lips with surprising ease. It was my middle name, one I seldom used, but at that moment, it felt right. Perhaps it was a desire to be seen as something other than the princess, to be normal, even if just for a moment.
The fairy cocked an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Azuka," he repeated, testing the name on his tongue. "A beautiful name for a beautiful soul." He stepped closer, and it was then that I noticed the object in his hands. My tiara.
"That is not mine," I said, forcing as much indifference into my voice as I could muster. What was one tiara compared to my safety? If he knew I was a princess, would he kidnap me and demand a ransom from my father? My nerves frayed at the thought. This was the first time I was alone with a male without my handmaids and the guards. I didn't know how to react. I couldn't even look at him directly in the face. He could be a woman mishandler or a murderer—who knows.
'Telling lies are we? That makes the two of us'
He chuckled. "I come in peace, princess. Are you new to the capital?"
I frowned, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. Does he already know that I am the princess? I need to tread carefully with this one. "Do you think I am the princess?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
He shrugged a casual gesture that belied the intensity of his gaze. "You are beautiful, and you have an elegance about you that makes me want to call you a princess. I hope you don't mind?"
His words, though flattering, made me uneasy. I relaxed a bit, but only just. "Are you a trader?"
What is wrong with me? I should have been sending this guy away for violating my peace, but I was still talking to him like a common idiot.
He shook his head. "I came to the capital to earn a living. I was scouting for labor when I stumbled upon a beautiful damsel crying."
I felt my cheeks warm. There was a playful glint in his eyes, a spark of mischief. It was rare for a fairy to have red eyes; it was unique. Most fairies had green, orange, purple, and gold but hardly red. Apart from his eyes, everything about him screamed differently. He was handsome but not as handsome as my stranger.
Wait! Why am I addressing a stranger as mine when I only saw him for a few moments before he disappeared?
I felt a strange kinship with him. He looked so young and out of place, like me. I felt sorry for him.
"So, can you recommend a good place for me to work?" he asked, that playful smile still on his face.
"The palace," I blurted out without thinking. I closed my eyes, chastising myself.
'Please ignore me,' I pleaded inside my head.
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Alita's POV continues...
He smiled, an easy, disarming smile. "Will I see you in this place again?"
"No, this is just a coincidence that I am here," I replied quickly. "I am not from this part. I am also a visitor like you, but unlike you, I am not going to dwell here for long."
He nodded, looking thoughtful. "The palace would be a wonderful place to work. Do you know anyone who works there?"
I shook my head, trying to maintain my composure. "I do not know the area. Like I told you, I am new. You can fly up north; you will see the castle. Ask around. Perhaps someone might employ you."
He flashed me a grin. "Why does it feel like you are trying to evade me?"
"Haha, very funny," I laughed awkwardly. "I assure you it is not like that."
"Please, can you help this gentleman?" he implored, his tone sincere now. "I am the only son of my family, and I am the one bearing the burdens. If you can introduce me to the palace, I would appreciate it, and I promise to repay your kind gesture."
I almost rolled my eyes, feeling a pang of pity for him. But I couldn't take him to the palace. He could not know I was the princess. A princess never tells lies.
He looked at me with those pleading eyes, a shift so quick from playful to earnest that it took my breath away. How did his expression go from smiling to pleading in a split second He doesn't belong in the palace; he belongs in the theater. Probably, he is telling the truth, but I can't help him.
"I am sorry," I said softly. "I cannot help you with that."
'You can't get rid of me easily, ' the side of Bowen's lips curled which Alita did not see.
Before I knew it, the male fairy knelt, one knee on the ground and the other raised high. His face held a pleading expression, and his eyes shimmered with desperation. "Please help me, pretty damsel," he said, gripping my hand tightly and refusing to let go.
The absurdity of the situation struck me. This man was a lunatic! What did he think he was doing? If anyone saw me with him like this, it could spell disaster. He might be slain on my account.
"I won't get up until you tell me that you have agreed to my petition," he insisted.
It was becoming increasingly uncomfortable for both of us. An idea sparked in my mind, I could take him to the palace gates and leave him there. Once he grew tired of waiting, he would leave, and I would not be humiliated. It was a perfect plan.
I smiled, feigning a friendliness I did not feel. "Get up, my friend. I have heard you, but I cannot guarantee that you will get work."
He stood up, his expression one of hopeful relief. "I know, but at least I will be reassured that you did your best."
I smiled to myself, feeling a surge of satisfaction. Who knew I was this brilliant? He was a fine young man, but I could not afford to lose the last shreds of my pride for him.
I mounted my mare and looked down at him. "You will fly while I ride."
'It takes two to waltz, Princess'
He nodded eagerly. "Of course, my lady. But what about the tiara? Won't you take it with you?"
I shook my head. "It is not mine. You can keep it. I don't think anyone needs it anymore."
To my surprise, he took the tiara and carefully placed it in the pouch hanging from his trousers. I had thought he would leave it on the ground, and I could send Nadir to retrieve it for me later. This male was a thief!
He looked at me with a solemn expression. "No one will need it. I will sell it and send the proceeds to my mother to buy medicine for my sister's sickness."
My heart melted a little at his words. He had a sister who was sick. This was going to be harder than I thought. He might not find work in the palace, but I could help him find work elsewhere.
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