"Sir Gaston, could you please call Elsa? I need her to do my hair. Also, ask Ariel to check on Seanna, to see if she's ready." I ordered the knight outside my door. He nodded and went to do what I told him.

I was invited to attend a relief programme by Raashid. Due to the incident near the orphanage, a lot of distrust and anxiety grew within the society and a few houses just beside the orphanage also got burned.

So Raashid himself is providing food, clothes and stuff like that to the people around the area. I was the only one (among the nobles) invited since I played a major role in saving the kids.

Originally, there was no such programme. The kidnappers had already passed the East portals by the time he realised that it was a distraction. The fire was handled properly since there were a proper number of guards, so there wasn't much damage. However, due to the death of the children in the carriage that got crushed, the Prince had to pay a visit to the burial of all their dead bodies as a sign of...uhhh....... something (I don't remember everything in detail).

So after the mini tea party I had with Seanna (which was so fun), I got a royal letter from Raashid.

In a very unroyal way.

Like a huge Eagle just suddenly barged into my room from the window and I freaked out so bad I started screaming and ran out like a madwoman in my evening gown.

The knights outside my door were ready to kill the bird but they saw a letter attached to its leg and stopped.

It was an invitation asking me if I would like to join him for his visit to the commoners the next weekend.

I thought it would be a nice way to make friends with Raashid. Plus, I decide to invite Seanna with me so I could see some plot development between the two main characters (if something nice happened by chance).

I replied a yes and added a PS telling him to not send a bird next time.

"I'm ready, Lad- uh Adailia," Seanna said, coming into my room (not without knocking first).

"I'm almost ready. I just need Elsa to do my hair." I said as I motioned her to sit on my bed.

My relationship with Seanna improved drastically after the tea party.

She was very reluctant to talk at first but after half an hour she finally opened up and we had a nice long conversation which ended up with me inviting her over for a tea the very next day.

I would also invite Choco over, who was currently staying in Seanna's room (she took a liking to the small girl and insisted they share a room). Actually, on Choco's first night in the mansion, she was allotted a guest room. However, she couldn't sleep alone so she came over to my room. But since I was away that night (drinking away my tensions) she went over to Seanna's room instead.

All the kids of the orphanage were shifted to Aiden's mansion two days later, who obviously allowed when I asked. Choco still continued living in the mansion with us.

So after our fifth mini tea party (in the same week), I told Seanna to call me by my name which she did very hesitantly.

The maids and the guards were very happy at our progress and eventually loosened up to me as well. We would often make some jokes and share more words than some mere greetings.

After Elsa did my hair, Seanna and I departed for the Orphanage. We talked about what kind of magic powers exist, which turned out to be a pretty interesting topic.

After we reached the building (which was now roofless and roasted) we both got out. A huge mass of people stood in front of us and there was a temporary tent kind of thing in which I suppose food, clothes and other essentials must be stored.

Caiden was managing things with Mari by his aid.

I greeted them both and soon Raashid arrived with guards surrounding him. He was wearing a very 'emperor' like attire with a cape and all.

"Blessings and glory upon the future sun of Obelia." Everyone said in the chorus (this thing is so fun to say!).

Raashid nodded in acknowledgement.

When his eyes met mine, he looked a bit shocked.

"You're dressed plainly, huh?" He commented.

I shrugged, "Can't risk giving these old men a heart attack now, can I?" I was rather very plainly dressed today since I didn't want to stand.

He chuckled and then left.

After he was positioned upon a special stage which was a bit higher than the rest of the land, he started a speech.

Which was like any other speech.

Boring.

But I have to say, the kid will make a nice emperor and a nice leader (if he let his personal life and problems be personal).

Even though I zoned out throughout the speech, other people seemed to be enchanted by him. And nobody fainted since they were mostly adult people in the crowd. I also think he mentioned me somewhere in the middle cause at some point, everyone had turned to look at me and I just stood there frozen not knowing what was going on.

Then they started distributing things, Seanna voluntarily went to help while I just stood there talking with common people in Korean telling them some fun things to keep the mood cheerful.

Most of them told me that I was so unlike the rumours.

Well, as I was busy conversing with some old ladies I noticed something suspicious.

Someone in a hood was making his way towards the area where Raashid was distributing clothes.

I mean he was so obviously suspicious.

But no one seemed to notice this.

I silently watched him approaching the crowd as I contemplated whether to tell on him or not.

Well, not all people in a hood are suspicious.

But this is a novel world.

So yes, people in a hood other than the main characters are definitely suspicious.

I silently followed the guy and when I was close enough, I saw a knife in his hand.

Oh.my.God.

He is going to kill Raashid.

Why? Was there any scene like this??

Well, this entire event was not supposed to happen.

Shit.

Don't say it. Don't say it. DON'T SAY ITTTTT!!!!!

"Hey! The guy in the hood!" I shouted making all the guards and people looking in my direction as I pointed at the hooded guy, "What are you carrying in your hand?" I shouted again.

Some guards started making way towards us but the hooded guy started running.

Towards me.

DUMB DUMB DUMB!!! I told you to not say it!!! Now run bitch!

And so I did.

But he was faster.

Duh.

He pulled me back and placed a knife close to my neck.

Ahhhhh!!!

I was more frustrated than scared at this point.

Why?? Why do I have to endanger my life like that for no good reason???

"Nobody moves or I kill her!!" He shouted.

Ahh, goodbye people. I'm off.

Now the reaper can come and collect my soul.

Wait.....reaper................... AJHUSSI!!!!!!

I touched the ring on my finger.

Now... How am I supposed to say 'handsome reaper please appear' without him gutting me like a fish?

I tried saying it in my brain.

Didn't work.

'Handsome Reaper please appear' I said barely moving my lips and in a very very slow voice.

"Shut up!!" The man hissed at me as he drew the knife closer.

The knife now touched my neck but I was relieved, cause I saw a white-haired man floating in the air.

Ajhussi did say he would save me when I'm going to die.

Now he's gonna snap his fingers, just like how your neck will snap soon afterwards and I won't feel any remorse. Hehehehe.

Ajhussi looked at me for a second before he burst out laughing.

The fuck? Do you think it's funny?

"Stay like this. I'm gonna get my popcorn." he said, still laughing.

I glared at him the best I could but he just rolled his eyes and said, "You'll get out of it. On your own. You're definitely not going to die today. Trust me."

Well, it's because of you that I have trust issues, you asshole.

Seeing that I don't believe him he said, "See, you won't die, okay. All that talk was just to scare you. And if you would, I would definitely know because of the ring and I will save you when you actually are about to die. But this is definitely not how you will die."

I silently sighed.

"But you can get hurt though." He added before disappearing.

I glared at the spot where he previously was. Useless prick.

I dropped my glare when I noticed that Raashid was moving.

I know you don't like me very much but why do you want to get me killed publicly like that?

He was trying to get behind the killer.

And the killer saw it.

Fuck! Why is this killer person smarter than the main character? Ughh!

"I said not to move! Didn't I?" He seethed and moved me back into his chest.

"Now, she will die." He said before and I think he was grinning meticulously.

Raashid's eyes widened.

And I felt a sharp pain in my neck.

I'm pretty sure it drew some blood.

"STOP STOP!! Leave her alone! It's me who you came for, right?" Raashid said and the killer replied something but I was too busy thinking.

My survival instincts were kicking in as my brain searched for something- anything I could use to protect myself.

And somewhere came a particular memory of my past life. The one where I joined a self-defence class.

"If a person is holding a knife against your neck, first distract them." The trainer said, demonstrating to all the teenagers, "Then hold his wrist which is holding a knife and move it to your chest so your neck is safe. Then move down to get your head down to get out of the headlock while twisting his arm back and then get him on the ground by using your weight." He demonstrated the entire thing.

"And do this fast so you don't die."

And before I knew it, I was on the top of that killer, pinning him down, my hand twisted his hand against his back with a firm grip.

It took me some time to process things as I stayed still.

And so was everybody.

Shocked.

"WHY ARE YOU JUST STANDING THERE?! HELP ME, YOU DUMBASS!!", I yelled at Raashid who then snapped out of his trance and quickly got hold of the killer below me while the guards pulled out their swords.

I plopped back on the ground and sighed.

How many times has it been now? Three? Seriously, what am I doing with my life?

"Are you okay?" A voice came from behind as I looked up to meet a pair of indigo-red eyes.

Before I could reply, he again spoke, "You're hurt." Then he bent down to my level and tore a piece of his white cape.

Wha......?

"Your highness, ", I said and winced a bit as he gently dabbed the cloth on my wound, "do you not have a handkerchief?"

He looked at me for a second with a questioning look before again looking at my wound, "Yes I do, but what does that have to do with.....oh."

Seriously, this guy is becoming more and more like Caiden every passing day.

"Exactly. We can use a handkerchief instead of -ahh!" I let out a yelp when he dabbed on the point where the cut was a bit deeper.

"What's done is done." Raashid said and before I could say anything more about 'how he ruined a perfectly fine cape' Seanna came running towards me, so I was forced to brush off the topic as 'Male Lead Instincts'.

"Adailia!! Oh my god! Does that hurt a lot?" She asked as she bent down to check the wounds.

"Let me heal you." She said and brought her hands close to my neck before I stopped her, "No, I'm okay. It doesn't even hurt that much."

"What are you talking about? Look at how much it's bleeding! I'll be quick, I promise." Seanna countered.

"No. Don't. You'll get something worse than detention this time."

"Heal her. I'll send a letter to the Archmage's secretary regarding it." Raashid said with finality leaving no room for further discussion.

Seanna started working on my wound with her mana and Raashid gave instructions to a guard regarding the killer before turning to me and saying, "You can take a leave from the Academy as long as you want. I'll notify the in-charge about your absence."

I snorted, "Geez. I'm not that weak."

And I think I fainted after that.