Chapter 15: The fairy that came out to play

I laid groaning in bed. My finger was in a horrible condition. I bit my lip as I looked at the clumsily wrapped bandage filled with the paste of the remedy leaves on my wound.

No wonder Risor looked so angry...

It didn't hurt as much, because the leaves had somehow dried and numbed the pain but it felt so, so uncomfortable. I sighed and stared up at the lavender lace canopy of my bed. I was hoping I could go to sleep to avoid the pain but... I felt even more energized for some reason. My mind was too awake.

"Really..." I groaned to myself again. "Of all times to have a sleepless night..."

"Why don't you do something to distract yourself?"

My eyes met the yellow carnations at their helpful suggestion, and I looked around my room for things to do.

...But there was nothing I wanted to do.

"No actually," I sat up as a thought grazed my mind. "There is something I want to do!"

I thought back to my past life. On nights like this, there was something I usually did.

"And what is that?" Yellow asked me with a curious voice.

"Well, my friends and I... we used to go out together. Sometimes to hang out, other times to party. If not that, I'd call them and we'd have long talks."

How can you explain these sudden random urges? For some reason, all I could think of suddenly were the nights and memories I spent with my college friends as we went out to revel together.

I slumped with a sad pout. "I always knew I'd miss those times..."

"Then why don't you go out to town to clear your head?" The ivy from outside my open window chimed in. I raised my eyebrows at this idea and looked at my finger. I already knew it was going to be a long night. It'd be better to go out and try to forget about the pain rather than stay and rot in this room with my thoughts of longing.

I made up my mind and walked towards my drawer and removed the circular stones I'd seen before, but had not known the purpose of until I saw Caeles use them. A smirk twisted its way on the corner of my lips.

Nora's teleportation beads.

There were only a few, so I took them all and stuffed them into a little pouch.

"I'm just going to go around the town. The sun is setting soon, but I'll be back not too long after it gets dark." I'd heard the town was lively at night, so I'll be fine even if I stay out late, but I didn't want to take any chances on my first solo outing in this world.

I put on a grape coloured cloak and imagining the market I went to before, threw the bead onto the floor.

"Take me to the market!" I said out loud, hoping with all my might that this was the correct way to use them.

I blinked, as a surge of sounds suddenly flowed into my ears; a stark contrast to the silence of my empty room that only had my flowers.

I looked around me and realized I was in an alley between two buildings, and ahead of me was where the path connected to the main street of the market; it bustled with people and orange lamps, glowing brightly and full of vivid colours even as the sun was setting.

I took a few steps forward, a grin forming on my lips as the sounds got louder and as more people came into my view and I blended into the crowd. I'd read in the book that the throngs in the capital actually get bigger at night and it also happened to be a weekend! I gave a sigh of relief when I saw that I wasn't the only woman out solo. So a girl going around alone wasn't all too rare.

How perfect!

I happily walked around the place, looking at the various stalls and fashions the people were wearing. There were some extravagant traditional clothing from cultures all around the world and I wished I could see this sight back in my world as well. Actually, I really want to wear some of these!

I moved closer to a stall that was selling some magical toys and watched with wonder as the little things moved on their own and created sparkles. "Pfft." I gave a small laugh. We at earth weren't too bad huh? We had robot toys too, but we made them work even without magic. However, the stall owner, as well as the customer next to me interpreted my laugh as something else.

"Miss, this one is the latest edition! I paid a highly powerful stone-handler to put high quality mana into this! It's not something of just anyone can make!" The stall-owner frowned at me.

At the same time, the customer next to me glared at me and said "Are you looking down on me for being at a toy stall when I'm apparently too old to be playing with toys? Well, I'm collecting! I'm a collector, okay, lady?"

I looked at both of them in disbelief. No, mister, did I say anything about your age at all? I was about to open my mouth to retort when a realization hit me.

The face I see everyday in the mirror... the countless times I had to practice move my face muscles... all because...

Nora's laugh always looks so condescending!

Ah, whatever! These people misunderstood on their own. What's the point in dealing with them? Let them just think whatever.

I crossed my arms across my chest and tilted my head up.

"Mister..." I wanted to be sincere as I said what I did next but I didn't realize that this pose in Nora's body makes people think she was looking down at them.

"You shouldn't live like this." I looked at the toy collector solemnly in the eyes. His mouth fell open with my words, his glare filled with rage. I continued my sincere speech.

"You shouldn't let others' opinions of you affect the way you live. Just do what you like without hiding it. Be proud of yourself, okay? Or you'll really be treating yourself like a good-for-nothing loser." It's something I struggle with myself so I wanted to advice them. I gave him and the toy collector a nod and turned to walk away.

"Was she... looking down on us...?"

"I think she told us to be proud of ourselves...?"

"But didn't she look very condescending just now? I'm confused... did she call me a loser?"

I didn't hear what they had to say about me as I was too busy trying to calm down my heartbeat and lessen my excitement at this new type of behaviour from me.

Wow, did I do it? Did I seem really confident? Should I have said something else?

A smirk made its way onto my lips and I felt the breeze refreshingly across my face as I moved quickly through the street.

Hmm? Hey, that curly blonde mess...

"Ah." Even though I was quite far from him and surrounded by the crowd, at the sound of my voice, the boy I was looking at turned my way.

No...!

I quickly pulled over the hood of my cloak in a panic. Not him, please! I turned around in a hurry only to bump into the very person I was trying to avoid.

"If it isn't our little storyteller!"

It was the boy with the devil's grin.

"Literally running into you like this, isn't it fate?"

You teleported right behind me, how is this fate?!

He narrowed his eyes as he smirked at me. "But I'm hurt. Did you just pretend not to see me?

He leaned down closer and I moved back; I noticed he did this a lot to intimidate me because I wasn't used to people being in my personal space, and he found joy in my discomfort. Truly a sadistic devil. Just as I was about to deny it, he said something shocking.

"Were you following Risor?"

With wide eyes, I shook my head and frantically looked around.

"Shit! Is Risor here?!"

He straightened himself with a shrug. "No, he left a while ago." His answer made me let out a relieved sigh and he raised an eyebrow as he asked, "Then what are you doing here, storyteller?"

He keeps calling me storyteller... these aren't even my stories that I tell him. For some reason it makes me feel like a criminal stealing movies.

I subconsciously touched my hand. "I just... felt like going out."

"Without an escort?"

I snorted. Do you think anyone wants to escort me? I'd rather walk alone than force any of those servants. "Did you forget who I am?"

He scoffed, looking amused. "Listening to you, one would think that you're someone extremely powerful, completely capable of protecting yourself."

Hah! At this, I smiled proudly and showed him my wounded finger; my battle scar symbolizing my toughness. "I am! From today, I am capable of growing Ruila Leaves!" So if you ever get on my bad side... I held back my useless threat as I remembered which lunatic I was talking to.

His raised his eyebrows, and this was the most shocked I'd seen him since I told him Darth Vader was Luke's father. "Why would you touch that on purpose? Aren't you just a masochist at this point?"

I clicked my tongue at him and decided to ignore his little jab. "To be able to grow it, of course. Who'll protect me, if not myself?" It's not like I have a male lead who'll always arrive conveniently in time to save me from any danger. Especially from the Emperor of Sorin himself.

After a silence of disbelief, Rezel shook his head and suddenly threw something my way. With my surprise, I barely managed to catch the yellow little rock. I frowned, confused at this and he sighed at me.

"What are you looking at? Use that to heal yourself."

I tilted my head. Is he giving me a healing stone? ...No way. For free?!

"Ehhh, I didn't know you were capable of being kind, Rezel?" I finally saw a chance to tease him but then he surprised me as he gave me an amused smile with narrowed eyes.

"Oh? Isn't it cute how you think I'm doing this for you..." He leaned in closer with his arms crossed, and the glint in his eyes made me gulp. "You can think that if you want, dear storyteller, but now that I'm healing you, you shall have no excuse to miss our next story meeting."

He stood back up straight and added cheekily, "Oh, and I'm expecting a great story in exchange of this healing stone. Alright?"

Grouchily, I nodded and unwrapped the clumsily placed bandage on my finger. It actually worked out well that I ran into Rezel, I guess. Now I don't have to think of an excuse to give Risor about any suspicious injury on my finger.

I brought the stone near my finger and watched in wonder as the yellow stone emitted a faint glow, as if it was alive. My finger tickled and the wounds slowly disappeared, vanishing into clear skin; as if they never existed. My lips parted as I realized something.

He gave me such a high-quality healing stone...

I truly was surprised that this annoying and terrifyingly twisted brat actually did something nice for me. Feeling a little awkward, and having a very slight warmth spread through my chest, I muttered a little 'thank you' to him with averted eyes. From my peripheral vision, I watched as he tilted his head at me.

...What now? I have nothing else to say to him.

"Anyway, I'll be on my way now. It was nice to see you today, Rezel." I bid him a quick goodbye and he nodded silently at me. I turned around and began to walk away. However...

"Why are you following me?" I hissed, turning back as I continued to walk briskly through the crowd, trying to get him off my tail; however, he was walking leisurely as he still managed to keep up with my pace. I growled inwardly at how fast his legs had grown in just a few weeks. What has it been, two months since I first met him? Or was it three?

"Our storyteller's quite the daredevil; you're the one who made me promise not to ever kill you, so how troublesome would it be if you went and got yourself killed all on your own as you walk bravely, but quite stupidly through town on your lonesome."

I glared at him at his thorny words. It was true; I had made him promise not to kill me and somehow he'd agreed to my condition, so we'd continued to meet as I shared stories with him through these months; this had made my fear of him lessen quite considerably. However, I still wasn't friendly enough with him and it was mainly due to his personality! He just liked to do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted; and especially if it annoyed me!

At seeing my glare, he just shrugged. "Shouldn't the lady call an escort?"

"Don't wanna." I muttered, giving up on him and continuing on my way. For some reason, he took this as a sign of me accepting him as my escort and moved to walk right beside me.

I bit my lip and then let out a sigh. He looked at me curiously and finally asked the big question. "What are you doing out here anyway?"

I shrugged my shoulders as I stopped by a trinket stall and examined the little antique looking objects on display, trying my best not to look at my new partner. I touched a tiny little stopwatch that had mini grain-sized goldfish swimming in it.

...How the fuck do you feed them? Are they alive...? Let's just put it back for now...

"I suddenly felt like I wanted to party."

Rezel tilted his head. "Don't you get more than enough party invitations as such a high noble?"

I shook my head. "Not that time of party. Goodness, what a nightmare." Then I gave him an example only he and I would understand in this world. "You remember when I told you the story of Titanic?"

He nodded lightly. "The star-crossed lovers that met their demise due to the foolishness of the ship's staff; the boy who sacrificed himself for his lover."

Wow, that was nicely put, Rezel! I knew he'd like Titanic due to the tragedy it in and I was right. He did enjoy it a lot; almost eerily so.

"Yeah... that Titanic! How tragic. Anyway, remember the part when he takes the noble woman to a party where they drink and dance and just let loose and have fun?"

"...A commoner's party?" Rezel looked at me in disbelief. "You want to go to a commoner's party?"

I nodded a bit hesitantly but then asked hopefully. "...Do you know if the town has such a place to have fun in?"

After gazing at me intently for a moment, I felt my heart remember fear as I watched a grin make its way slowly across Rezel's lips again. And for a moment, I regretted ever talking to him in this market.

"I knew you wouldn't disappoint, storyteller!" He swiftly extended his hand out to me. "I'm glad I decided to follow you, after all!"

...Didn't you say you were following me so that I wouldn't get killed? My stories weren't enough, so have I myself become your source of entertainment?

I watched him with a worried face and then sighed. "Alright, but before we go off to party, there's a place I need to visit."

A few minutes later, I stood in front of Rezel with a grin. "Shall we go?"

I had sold off a gem of mine so that I could afford the commoner's dress I was wearing right now, and I felt pretty cute in new clothes! Rezel, too, somehow was wearing clothes that were more common today. He reminded me of a younger Leonardo DiCaprio with his loose poet shirt and black pants; only, his hair was a lot curlier and blonde.

"You didn't have to sell your gems, you know. I could have given you this outfit with a snap of my fingers." He extended his hand out to me and I gaped at him incredulously.

"What! Couldn't you have told me that before I sold my stuff?!"

I could see his teasing grin returning and realized once again that he just liked to mess with me however he could. I shook my head, reaching out to him, but before I could put my hand in his, he grabbed my hand and pulled me towards him. I stumbled forward and he leaned down. I heard him speak me to me at the same time as he snapped his fingers.

"What bad luck you have; for some reason, I just really like it when you get annoyed."

...I know that by now, you cheeky bastard.

When I opened my eyes again, a whole different set of sounds flowed into my ears. We were by the entrance of an area behind a building, where men and women with similar commoner clothes like me were crowding towards. The sun having set, the place was now illuminated beautifully by multiple lamps, providing a picturesque French street atmosphere.

...Café Terrace at Night, was it? That painting by Van Gogh.

Though this area was not a street, but the backyard of a building. There was a wooden stage at the corner, as well as a bar to the side.

I looked at Rezel being his normal indifferent self and let out a little relieved breath. Even though I'm the one who asked for it, it was strange and scary to be in a new place so suddenly, so I felt better to have this sense of familiarity. Ah, to think I'd feel better to see him... Anyway, I'm going to have to stick right next to him, no matter what.

Suddenly, Rezel turned towards me. "You; go and sit there. I'll be right back."

...Just now! I just now told myself to stay with you so what are you saying now?!

"I'll come with you!" I tried to hide my worried expression and he tilted his head.

"What's this? You look like a frightened dog that's getting abandoned by its owner."

...I'm not happy with that oddly accurate description.

Seeing my dissatisfaction, he smirked and assured me in his own way. "Didn't I promise not to kill you? I won't abandon you, little puppy, so listen to me."

I clicked my tongue at him as he turned around and headed to the tables, where he pulled out a seat for me. I sat down and glared at him. "If you don't return in five minutes, I'm teleporting myself back home."

At this, he laughed. "Five minutes? Storyteller, how many fingers do you have?"

What's he talking about now? I silently stared at him and he grinned down at me.

"Ten seconds is all I need. Begin your countdown."

And he disappeared. After recovering from his weirdness, I looked around to see if anybody had seen this boy just randomly vanish into thin air but nobody seemed to be paying any attention. I shrugged. Maybe it's a common thing...?

Right in ten seconds, Rezel was seated next to me and he put down a few bottles on our table. My mouth fell open.

"R-Rezel! What's this?!" I exclaimed.

He popped open a bottle and took a huge gulp and I reached out to grab it away from him.

"We're too young to be drinking!" He let me take the bottle from his fingers and then gave me a look.

"Are we?"

His question made me realize an important point. This wasn't my world. People become independent a lot younger here and there weren't any laws about drinking; which meant technically, no one was gonna arrest us for drinking.

I frowned. Does that really make it okay? Of course not, right? But then...

It's not like people back in my world followed these laws seriously either.

Rezel just took another bottle and began to gulp it down casually, as if he was used to alcohol. Right, this was also the boy who smokes at this age.

"Hey, stop... I think we're too young to be drinking." I continued to protest, but it was obvious that I was becoming uncertain. Rezel smirked lazily at me.

"I'm here to revel; you can't stop me, but you can join me, storyteller."

After a moment, I clicked my tongue and made up my mind. Ah, whatever. I really needed a drink anyway. It's not like I'm going to get in trouble, and besides, I'm actually 21. Rezel still concerned me, but knowing his character, there wasn't much I could do about him. I can just enjoy this moment before I have to get back to that hell house called home and continue my suffering.

I brought the bottle to my lips and tilted it, the liquid flowing down my throat and burning my insides.

"...Shit!" I gulped it down and stuck my tongue out, my eyes watering. "That's bloody strong!"

Rezel laughed at me. He had been watching me, waiting to see my reaction and I seemed to have satisfied him. I looked at him in disbelief. "How the hell did you just drink it down like water?"

He gave me a shrug and I took another sip with fear, trying to get used to that taste. At that moment, a sound could be heard all around as a man got onto the stage and introduced the next musical act.

Suddenly, a voice filled the place we were in. It was a voice that brought out gasps from the lips of people.

I felt a shudder rise from the tips of my toes to the top of my head. My eyes snapped to the stage.

A boy pulled down his hood to reveal brown hair as he sat on a stool with his guitar. A magical device was used to amplify his voice, so with just one word of his, I knew who he was.

Because there existed no one else in the book that could bring this reaction out of the people.

The boy with the voice that could charm even the most stoic of hearts. The male lead that would in the future make this empire fall in love with him.

That boy was Iveren Valdia.

And here he was in front of me on a stage with a guitar as he hid his light blue teal coloured hair under a wig.