"If not enemy then?" Edel questioned him as he refused to let her go. Edel knew it was futile; if she struggled, she would stop moving.
"Good girl,.... I like your attitude." The old man smiled at Edel's actions, and his lips touched her neck.
Shivering at the touch of his lips, she felt numb in that place. A disgusting feeling emerged, and she moved her hand to hit his hand.
As if knowing all, he dodged the hit and held her with more pressure than before. It was impossible to win with this man. Just as this thought crossed her mind, she felt afraid.
"HUHH," sniffing her neck next, he smirked. A sudden frustration can be seen in his eyes, and he gritted his teeth.
"I still have to wait a few more years, darling." Still holding Edel close, he whispered into her ear. "But, I will wait for you and your rebellious moves." He said, and as if sensing something, he looked ahead.
"Time to go.... For now.", whispering into her ears, he let her hands go.
Edel, who was thinking of escaping, in a panic, looked behind and saw nothing but a gust of wind. Just like that, he disappeared without a trace. Not expecting that, she felt surprised and worried about the future.
Thinking of the powers of the old man, a strong motivation and determination grew in her heart. Turning back and looking at the unconscious and tied man, she walked up to him.
"Perg!" She called out, but no one responded. "Perg!" A ping of anger made its way into Edel's voice.
"He....here." The white bird's hesitant voice came from the top of a tree, where she was standing.
"Come here," observing the man, she told the bird, and it flew back, landing beside the man.
Edel knew how cowardly her pet was, so she ignored it and untied the man. Seeing that he was unconscious because of fear. She held her head. Thinking of how every trusted one she has around is a coward. She was sure that the journey ahead would be very difficult.
After splashing water on his face and seeing that he was regaining his consciousness, he looked at the morning sky.
"Missy," a man called out in a timid voice.
"Hmmm," she responded and turned to leave, so the bird also flew and sat on her shoulder.
"Do. What I told you." The man nodded and saw that Edel walked away without hearing his response.
Looking at the back of his missy, he thought of the life she was living just to find her parents at this small age, and a feeling of respect overflowed in his heart. Standing on his legs, he walked, but after a few steps, he also disappeared from his place.
Edel planned to leave the forest before morning, but now, she was late. So she was running fast. When she heard a familiar voice again. She stopped, frustrated, and looked behind, where the voice came.
" What n....?" Seeing the face of the man, a guilt and longing flashed in her eyes, and her legs failed to take a step. She touched the necklace, and warmth welcomed her from it. Thinking about the time when that old man sensed something, and understanding what it was. She
"Where are you running now, Edel?" the man who looked like in his forties called her out again.
"Are you not satisfied enough after running for two whole years?" the man looked at Edel, questioning her.
"Grandfather, I..." No reply came out of her mouth, and she just stood there rooted, looking at the man. She was facing the man, from whom she was hiding. So, it was normal for her to become speechless and stunned.
The man and Edel were looking at each other, both were immersed in their own feelings. Edel, who met her grandfather after two years, felt guilty and frustrated. While her grandfather was feeling anger, care, as well as love for his silly granddaughter.
"Come here," her grandfather motioned her with his hand.
Resigning to her fate, she stepped forward to him, with the white bird on her shoulder. Edel knew now it was time for her return. Because her grandfather would not leave without her, and she could not escape in this situation.
"Let's go home. Your grandmother was sick for days, worrying about you." Taking her hands, her grandfather made her touch the pearl he took out. In an instant, they vanished.
..............
Watching the familiar white palace, surrounded by the water, she sighed and then followed the path her grandfather took. The palace was made of pure white marble, and huge statues of sea horses were placed on both sides of the massive gate of the palace. It has thirty rooms, big and small. Twelve big for members and eighteen for servants and guards.
It was not easy to enter or exit the palace, because it was a place built to live underground for specific people, and not everyone can enter. So, when they entered through the big gate, the palace submerged into the water. Not leaving a single trace.
Entering the palace, her grandfather first took her to his wife's room. He dismissed the maid standing outside the room and walked in. Edel followed him and saw her grandmother quietly sleeping. She felt worried as the lady was very chatty when it came to Edel.
"NEP?" Sensing her husband's footsteps, the lady called out and looked towards the door.
"Edel, is it you?" Not believing her eyes, she looked straight at Edel without blinking.
"It's me, Grandma." Acknowledging her, she ran up to her. Embracing her in her arms, the grandmother's tears flowed out of her eyes. She was happy, as can be seen in her tears.
Neptune's eyes also started to sting. His wife was silent and sad since Edel left, but finally she was happy made him smile too.
"Oh my child, why did you run away?" she asked, holding Edel's palm.
"I am sorry, Grandma. I would not leave again." Edel promised herself too. Looking at her sick grandmother, she swore to cure her before leaving.
"Hmmmm, Child, you have lost weight and you have become more beautiful and ladylike now." She observed Edel from head to toe and
"Okay, Sarina. You rest first. Edel just came and needs some rest, too." Neptune called out from the side as it was very hard for him to see his wife cry for so long. And it was time for her to rest.
"OH, shut up, Nep. I want to chat with Edel other than resting." Sarina reprimanded her husband and gave him an eye before looking again at Edel.
Not wanting to make his wife angry, Neptune shut his mouth and went outside the room. He knew that Edel could take good care of Sarina. So, smiling at his innocent and loving wife's tantrum, he made his way outside, but not before closing the door. Finally hearing his wife's laugh and sweet voice, he also felt cheerful.
"Don't go inside if not asked," Neptune instructed the maid standing outside and walked away.
Inside the room, Sarina was asking about the life Edel spent outside, the danger, the thrill, and many more. Edel told her everything except the hard life she lived.
"My child, has anyone told you that now you are looking like your mother very much?" Suddenly, Sarina said, touching Edel's face lovingly.
Edel's smile dropped, and she lowered her head, hiding her emotions.
"I know you went to find your mother. But Edel, I want you to live better and become strong before that." Sarina patted Edel's hands and looked at the roof.
"My daughter would be sad if she saw you weak and in pain." Sarina then touched Edel's head.
"You should go and take a bath now, child. You stink." Sarina teased Edel, and she looked up, stunned. Sniffing her arms and clothes, she realized that it was not wrong.
Sarina, who just wanted to draw Edel's attention elsewhere, laughed at her actions.
Coming out of her grandmother's room, Edel was still not sure if Sarina was joking or telling the truth. Although she was very mature for someone of her age but she is still just thirteen. A little childishness and naughtiness are still alive in her heart.
While she was immersed in her thoughts, walking through the corridor, she heard some whispering.
"What?"
"Again."
"Really."
Three people responded at the same time at the end of the corridor.
"Yes. I saw her entering grandmother's chamber," someone replied, "and please keep your voice down."
"I don't want her to think that I am against her." A fear can be heard in the voice.
"You shut up. You were the first to celebrate her leaving the palace."
"Yes. But why is she back?"
" Let's not cross her path. I don't want to get beaten by her again," the same fearful voice sounded.
"I have trained for two years brutally, I don't think she can win me now?" A voice full of ego and evil sounded.