The sky is bright. The small and quiet village started to feel a bit lively during the morning. The wind blowing through the trees and the birds were chirping cheerfully. Everyone doing their activities just like every other day. Despite what just happened the other night. No one seemed to really care about it. As though the family never been a part of the village.

"Yuu!!" Elly came over me as she ran. The swelling on her ankle seemed to have got better, although still bluish, at least she walked less funny than how she did last night. I was in the backyard, standing by the well and just wiped my face clean from the water droplets. Elly now stood in front of me while spinning around. Then, she stopped and looked at me eagerly.

"What is it?" I casually asked and wondered what caused her excitement in the early morning. Elly puffed her cheek and grunted. She stomped closer and lightly punched her fist onto my chest. Then, she raised her hands up and tugged on her twin-tailed hair. That's the moment I realized what she meant.

"My haaiiirrrrrrrr" She complained, the earlier excitement has ceased from her expression. Now, she stared at me as though I owe her a big sum of loans. I do see the change on her hairstyle but I don’t think that it’s something worth mentioning.

"Elly, you didn't say about where we came from, did you?" I solemnly asked. Elly pursed her lips, "No" She answered but looking displeased.

"What did you two talked about last night?" I asked again. But, then I got a scrutinizing stare from her.

"It's a secrreeeeetttt" She teased and then quickly run away, leaving me confused.

Well, if she didn't expose us... then, that's good...

I walked out the backyard, following where Elly headed to. In front of the house, there is a horse carriage with a coachman sitting in front of it. Rhoselyn and Erol were standing beside it while facing the chief. Rhoselyn was talking to the village chief while Erol stood beside her as quiet and as uptight as usual. I walked toward them and my eyes met Erol's. He's still giving me the same cold stare. But, I think he does that to everyone.

"Yuu!! Here!!" Elly popped out from the carriage's window and cheerfully waved her hand at me, thus broke the eye contact I made with Erol. Rhoselyn noticed me from Elly's loud calling. All of their eyes now on me except Erol who's walking to the coachman.

"Good morning" Rhoselyn greeted me with a refreshing smile. Seem like she had a good rest last night.

"Good morning" I replied to her humble greeting. I stood beside the village chief. But, my eyes watched at Erol. He is now talking with the coachman.

Last night, he walked out the room for a while. I wonder where he went...

"Are you ready?" Rhoselyn interrupted my thought and I nodded “Yes” as an answer. Erol had done talking with the coachman and now came to her side. We parted with the chief village and rode into the carriage. Elly and I sat in the same row while Rhoselyn and Erol were opposite of us. The seats were made that we have to sit face to face. To be honest, it was a bit awkward as Elly and Erol constantly glaring at each other. I looked through the window. The village is now far behind us. The horse carriage went faster than I’ve expected. But, Rhoselyn said that it will still take almost half a day to Easton.

“By the way, Erol, what are you going to do with the kidnapper?” Rhoselyn asked out of curiosity. She looked at Erol waiting for an answer. Erol has the same calm expression as he thought for an answer.

“I’ve told the chief to transport him to the city as soon as he got another carriage available. He will then be punished according to the law of Tesoviel” Erol explained.

“I see… I wonder why they targeted me…” Rhoselyn smiled but with a hint of dejection.

“…they?” I curiously asked.

“Yes… It was originally a group of three people. Erol and I were on the way visiting a place and suddenly, two gentleman looking persons and their coachman halted our carriage in the middle of the forest. Their carriage had broken and they hoped to hitch our ride…” Rhoselyn started explaining the situation as she glanced at Erol who’s now wordlessly looking at her. Rhoselyn awkwardly smiled.

“…Erol told me to ignore the strangers but I insisted on helping them. It was when Erol and our coachman helping to move their heavy-looking suitcase into our carriage. They killed the coachman but missed Erol. By that time, I was already put under the spell.” Rhoselyn looked at me and Elly as she spoke.

“What happened to the rest of the people?” Elly asked in my stead. Exactly what I wanted to ask. Everyone is now looking at Erol, the sole person who’s conscious during that time. Erol had the seriousness plastered over his face.

“I killed them” Erol confessed as he now glanced at Rhoselyn who’s solemnly processing what he said.

“I understand… You need to do whatever it takes to protect me... But…” Rhoselyn looked disappointed and she mumbled. “…I wish you didn’t kill…” Erol heard her whispers but he stayed quiet. After that, they stopped talking about the incident. Silence struck down for a while until I asked about the city where we are heading and thus the topic changed. I tried my best to not discussing our identity. But, it eventually led to what I’ve fear.

“What are you doing in the forest wearing a guard uniform.” Erol straight up asked. Although not saying, Rhoselyn seems to be interested in this question too.

"…"

I don't even know why am I here in the first place... How should I answer...?

“We came to visit our friend at ‘The Hell Gate’… and then… We stole his uniform. It was just a prank hehehe” Elly suddenly answered. Erol glanced at me but I kept my cool as though what Elly said was the truth.

"…" Erol stayed quiet.

“He didn’t know that we took his uniforms out… I bet he’s now getting mad over it hahahaha” Elly added. Erol now looked at her, clearly not believing her words.

“Oh really… what’s his name?” Erol interrogated as he arched his thick brow up.

“Ray… Do you know him? He’s enforced in the patrol troop” Elly answered without any slight pause nor hesitation, as though the person she mentioned is real. Erol quietly received the answer. He thought for a while.

“No, I don't” He shortly answered. He seemed to be convinced, at least for now.

“Where do you come from?” Rhoselyn joined in. But her tone of voice is much friendlier than Erol. Although the question poised the same trouble to us.

“We came from the North” Elly fluently answered.

"Ahh... I see. It is quite a long journey from the north to here. He must be a very good friend of yours" Rhoselyn spoke as she gently smiled toward us. She didn't find anything weird with Elly's statements at all. At least from her expression. I don’t find any doubt in her eyes.

["Yuu... Just went along with me, okay? I also told Rhoselyn that we are sibling from a different mother"] Elly suddenly barged into my head. But, she's still facing Rhoselyn.

Sibling from a different mother? Well... As long as they are convinced then...

I took a glance at Erol. He's just chilling at his seat with his usual cold gaze, added with a hint of doubt. I guess Elly's lies only barely accepted, but Erol didn't pursue the matter for now. After that, they talked about the city of Easton and the surrounding villages. It seemed like Easton is not just any normal city. It is in the heart of the East region. It is well known as one of the bustling merchant city of their kingdom which they called ‘Tesoviel’.

Some hours passed and the sun now had risen up above us. Along the way, I've seen blankets of lush mountains from afar as we constantly moved in and out from some of the forests, but we still followed the road. I've spotted some strange wildlife. When we were on a road surrounded by flowers field at both side. I saw blue rabbits hopping, nearly transparent butterflies hovering, and a flock of rainbow colored tiny birds flying over the flowers field. It felt almost unreal to me. Not long after the flower fields, the sight of the city started entering the horizon.

The road is now crowded with carriages and carts as we get closer to the city. Other than horses, the carts were also pulled by wolves. But, not the normal kind of wolves. They were bigger, almost as tall as the horse and they have muscular legs. The wolves had silky smooth grey fur that's flying elegantly as they were sprinting along the road. Faster than the horses. I couldn't take my eyes off the gorgeous looking creature. Until I saw long queue in front of the city entrance. Dozens of carriages lined up before entering the big stone gate of the city. Couple of guards seemingly inspecting each of the carts.

“Hmm? What’s going on there?” Rhoselyn spoke, her question further adds the possibility of what I was thinking.

So, that is not a normal sight huh? Seems like trouble is approaching...

I looked at Elly. She understand what I was hinting. But, our carriage didn't stop behind the queue. Instead of queuing, our carriage rode to aside and a guard came stopping us before the gate. The guard approached us as Erol descended from the carriage.

“Ahh… Sir Wynford, it’s you… I apologize for not recognizing the carriage as it seemed like the ride is changed?” The guard recognized Erol. I assumed that’s his last name, Erol Wynford.

“Something happened and we lost our carriage. By the way, what’s happening here? The line is longer than usual” Erol asked as he looked at the long line of carriages and carts.

"This morning, we've received a report about two criminals roaming around this area. So, we will have to thoroughly check the inside of every carriage or person that's entering the city" The guard explained as he now scanned at the line.

Two criminals? It couldn't be a coincidence, could it be...

I continued eavesdropping at them. Elly also heard their talk and she spoke into my head, ["Is he talking about us??"] Elly seemed to be nervous. But, then I focused on my hearing again.

"Who are they and what they did?" Erol asked.

"The informations weren't clear, but I was told that one of them is a woman with silver hair and another one is a very short person with unknown gender... Ah, here's a drawing of the woman according to the witness" The guard explained as he pulled out a paper out of his pocket. He showed it to Erol. "The pictured woman is around 5 feet tall and the short person is around 3 feet tall. The reason is classified and it is a direct order from the King himself. We were ordered to catch them alive" The guard added as Erol picked up the picture.

I am now sure that he was talking about us. But, what's with the silver hair 'woman'...

["Hahahaha... I think they mistook you for a woman, Yuu!"] Elly busted a laugh in my mind but I ignored.

"I will take this. Excuse me" Erol stated as he folded the picture and slip it into his white suit.

"Sure, Sir Wynford. Have a good day" The guard humbly accepted and then he bowed to Erol as Erol now climbed into the carriage. The carriage started moving in and moved through the gate without having to queue at the long line nor getting searched.

I've thought that Rhoselyn could be a daughter of a rich family but I guess it is more than that... Even the guard recognized Erol... I’ve got a bad feeling about this....

"What is it Erol?" Rhoselyn curiously asked the question I hope they don't discuss. Erol pulled out a paper from his suit and unfolded it. He showed it to Rhoselyn.

"Hmm... who is she and what happened?" Rhoselyn questioned.

"She is a wanted criminal. These guards didn't know why but I guess the Lord should know" Erol answered.

"My father?" Rhoselyn questioned again.

"Yes, the actual order was from the King himself, but I think the Lord should've known the detail" Erol explained. Rhoselyn took the picture from his hand for a closer look. I wanted to peek but I couldn't get any sight from my position. She stared at it for a few seconds, after that she turned and looked at me. Back and forth to the held picture.

No way...

"Don't you think this woman looks like Yuu?" Rhoselyn held the picture up with its back facing me and comparing it to me, side by side.

"Let me see!!" Elly bobbed her hands up requesting to take over the picture. Rhoselyn moved it to Elly. The picture is now on Elly's hand thus I leaned to her side to get a look. It is a hand painted picture with 'my face' but adorned with a long and silver colored hair. The facial features were quite detailed to my shock.

"Ahahaha!" Elly suddenly busted a laugh at the picture, needlessly drew attention from both Rhoselyn and Erol. I lightly nudged her and she finally calmed down.

"hah...ha... I can almost picture Yuu as a woman..." Elly awkwardly ended her laugh. Erol now staring at Elly from the corner of his eyes.

"Yes indeed. The woman in the picture really resembled to Yuu. I would have thought that they are the same person if not for the gender" Rhoselyn agreed with Elly and spoke her mind out.

Good thing that the guard misunderstood me as a woman... sigh...

"The information they got was not clear..." Erol cut in and stated the fact as he now looking straight at me. "...The witness could be wrong" as though trying to see through me, Erol didn't move his prickly cold stare from me. The atmosphere turned tense after those words. I stared back at him.

"Yeah... It could be... I hope they find the criminals soon" I went along with his words and ended with a smile. Erol remained silence as he now snatched the picture from Elly. He folded it back into his suit.

"Well, I will be looking through the case later" He stated and the stare ended.

Well, I hope you will never find who

The carriage now moved into the city. The adjacent houses in the city were built with timber, stone and bricks with architecture resembled to old English buildings. The streets are crowded and lively. A lot of stalls adorning the stone paved road. A lot of people casually strolling and browsing at the stalls. The merchants are lively and constantly shouting to promote their merchandise, further adding the liveliness of the city.

After a few turns and a period of time. The carriage has brought us further into the secluded part of the city which is far from the bustling city center. The road here filled with sparse trees and flowers instead of the crowded houses from the streets. No one seemingly take this route after us. Because, it is a route leaded to a sole building in the area. I peeked from the window. At the end of the route, there's a luxury looking Victorian mansion built majestically with a scenic mountain view behind it. The carriage brought us near to the mansion and now stopped in front of the main entrance to the building.

This is... way more than what I have expected

In front of the entrance, rows of servant in semi frilly black and white maid uniforms stood after the tall wooden door, which is carved with a phoenix like creature on the upper corner, seemed like a family crest. The maids stood there as though they had expected our arrival. Erol descended and stood beside the carriage door waiting as Rhoselyn followed out. He raised his hand to assist Rhoselyn climbing down the carriage.

The moment Rhoselyn stepped out from the carriage. The maid stepped forward and bowed in sync at her arrival. Elly and I also came down the carriage now following them. After the bow, the maids moved backward and opened the tall wooden door with a loud 'creak' sound thus exposed what's inside.

"Welcome home Miss Rhoselyn" Dozen of voice greeted in sync as she stepped into the grand hall room. All of the servants standing left and right bowed at her as we moved in. There is one particular gray haired aged man in black suit standing straight at the middle of the hall. He came over and personally greeted Rhoselyn.

“Welcome home, Miss Rhoselyn... ” He spoke and then he glanced at Elly and I who’s awkwardly standing in the middle of this luxurious hall. Probably just me. Elly looks fine and undisturbed by the sparkling furniture placed all over the hall.

“Hello Mr. Pierr, it’s good to see you” Rhoselyn greeted him back and now she turned around facing us. “You see… I have two guests today. Mister Yuu and his little sister, Miss Elly…” Rhoselyn introduced us to the black suit elder called ‘Mr.Pierr’. Elly and I both nodded at Mr. Pierr “…Please prepare rooms for them” She added.

“Yes, Miss Rhoselyn” Mr. Pierr humbly accepted the request and he turned to the maids beside him. He instructed them to do some chores and the maids left. “Is there anything else I could help with, Miss Rhoselyn?” He politely asked.

“Is my father in his study?” Rhoselyn asked.

"No, he's not... The Lord is now in the city" Mr. Pierr steadily answered.

“I see..." Rhoselyn lightly sighed and then she continues, "I will take them to the guest hall. Please bring me my staff Mr. Pierr” Rhoselyn requested. Thus Mr. Pierr answered to her request and parted after a bow. All of the servants were dismissed except for one ginger haired maid. She stayed and followed behind Miss Rhoselyn as we moved along. Rhoselyn took us to the east hall and we walked into a spacious tall ceiling room with comfortable looking couches placed in the middle. Rhoselyn instructed us to sit down while Erol and the ginger maid stood behind her.

"Yuu and Elly, welcome to the Easton Residence. Please, feel free to be yourself here. If there's anything you need. You can ask the earlier man, Mr. Pierr. He is our butler here" Rhoselyn welcomed us in a friendly manner.

"Easton Residence?" I repeated the part which caught my interest.

Does it mean...

"I apologize for not properly introducing myself. I am Rhoselyn roy Easton, the daughter of the Lord Crubert roy Easton who govern the East region of Tesoviel Kingdom” Rhoselyn explained. Elly and I glanced at each other.

Great... we have just escaped from the royal guards but now we are sitting in the residence of a royalty... Could it be any better than this...?