The carriage jolted along the road softly, with the people inside shaking gently. Dydra's eyes were fixed on the view outside. She was in deep thought. The man—she still doesn't know his name, had insisted for her to accept the gift, but she refused. Lucky for her, Oryen was tired from the arguement between she and the cabbage man, and said to her it was time to leave. She wondered if the old woman had even noticed the elite man. The three maids left the market just in time to meet with the others, and they all journeyed back to the royal castle in the carriage that brought them.
Leonard stayed behind, as he came there for something very important. His mood had already been ruined, as the girl didn't accept the gift he bought her. He tucked the jewellery box into his coat pocket and went over to the vendor he was to see, before he got distracted.
The vendor—a man, already knew who he was. Upon noticing him, he bowed deeply and muttered. "Prince Leonard, how am I to be of service for you today?"
Leonard's eyes narrowed at him, as he listened closely to his heartbeat—it beats faster than usual, which only meant he is hiding something. Could he be involved with the incident of his father? As he was a werewolf.
"I need a medicine," the crown prince's voice was calm, but beneath it was a dangerous knowing that was subtle to the vendor's ears. His was quick to pick up the slight change in the rhythm of the vendor's heartbeat—fear. He was right. The vendor broke into a cold sweat, and his fingers shivered, even though there was no sign of chill.
"M-m-medicine? For what? I-I don't sell medicine."
The prince's lips pulled up in an eerie way, causing a chill to run down the vendor's spine. He leaned on a wooden plank, with his hands tucked deep in his coat's pockets. "A cure for a wolf's bite. Do you happen to have any in hand?"
A werewolf's bite antidote is as rare as a lion in a frozen lake. There have been rumours flying around about there being a single bottle, but no one has found it, or come across a way to obtain it.
The vendor's eyes widened, and his whole body stiffened. Could the prince have found out? No, it wasn't possible! Was it? Leonard leaned off the plank he rested on, one of his hands left his pocket and he suddenly snapped his fingers. Out of nowhere, two huge guards came from within the crowd and seized the vendor. Fear and panic course through his whole body and he yelled on top his lungs.
"No! Wait! Please, I can explain! I wasn't involved! I swear, I had nothing to do with it." His loud cries drew the attention of the people and everywhere quieted down. All pairs of eyes were fixed on the man, who was being taken away by the guards.
"I have a family! My wife is pregnant, please spare me!" He cried in agony, desperately seeking some kind of warmth in the prince's eyes, but all he met were the cold stare from his midnight eyes. He was soon thrown in a square cage, made of thick bamboos. A heavy lock kept his inside. Hot tears ran from his eyes, as he was being moved away, but two horses, with the two guards on them.
Leonard mounted his horse, and went in the opposite direction, he had other things to take care off.
The sun gradually set, taking it's bright clouds along with it. The five maids had arrived at the royal castle a while ago, and had been extremely busy. They cleaned the kitchen, and washed the dishes used by both them and the royal family. Oryen and Dydra were soon done with their works. They sat at a corner, and the old witch seemed to have recalled something.
"There is someone you have to see today, as it's your first day here and officially you're not a maid here. If people found out, both our heads will go for it. " She stated, as Dydra nodded at her head in response. She saw the old lady pull out a small circular wooden plate from her dress pocket, with an image of a hummingbird carved on it.
"This thing is what every person that works here, own. It is a sign you are an official worker of the royal family. Anyone who doesn't have this and works here, will be interrogated, before being beheaded in the town square." She informed, putting the wood work back in her dress' pocket.
A chill ran down the young witch's spine when she heard this. She doesn't want to be beheaded.
"Shall we leave now? I do not want to be beheaded." Her eyes shot pleas to the old witch. The raven haired woman nodded her head and they both stood up from where they sat. She led Dydra through many corridors, with many maids round, doing a thing or two, until they stopped at a deserted one. It was a long dark passage corridor with a single door at the far end. Dydra was a bit skeptical and Oryen took notice of this.
"Don't be scared Dydra. He's a friend of mine, he wouldn't hurt you. We have to do it here, so no one would know of it." She reassured and she saw the young witch nod her head. They soon reached the door and Oryen twisted the knob opened. Their ocean blue eyes met and the old witch gave a reassuring nod.
"It's okay. I'll wait right outside."
Taking a deep breath, the young witch stepped in, and she heard the door gently close behind her.
The room was pitch black, and a frown settled on her face.
"Oryen, are you sure this is the place?" She questioned, her voice loud enough to be heard by the person at the other side.
"Yeah, don't worry." She roughly heard Oryen's voice through the door. One again, her heart was set at ease, but not for long as she heard the voice that haunted her dreams.
"Hello, there beautiful."