"I have no choice"

Ann muttered, pacing like a maniac.

Somehow all the people, who might have knowledge about the socialites of Orion are either unreachable or unreliable.

'Am I being paranoid because of returning to Orion?'

As far as the world was concerned, Duchess Angelica Frost was dead.

D.E.A.D.

And the one currently residing in Velven was a commoner named Ann.

Considering that it has been three years since her disappearance the people of Orion would have gradually forgotten about her. Because people tend to forget things. Otherwise, politicians will not be able to make a living.

Even the heroine, Helen, did not care much about Edward's dead wife backstory. Except that he used it as a way to gain her attention by creating sympathy.

"An absolute douchebag" Ann muttered.

Besides, there can't be someone crazy enough to issue a nationwide manhunt for a dead person. Especially when the male leads don't have enough time on their hands to swoon head over heels for the heroine.

In conclusion, the possibility of them investing time in a cannon fodder character was nonexistent.

However, nothing was certain.

Suddenly Ann remembered the hands that locked her and unconsciously touched her neck. All it took was one messed up dream, no not a dream but a nightmare to shatter the peace she had for three years.

"Arghh!"

Ann grunted holding her head while pacing like a maniac.

And before she had realized it, she was standing in front of the stables.

*neigh*

*THUD*

A fierce cry was heard from inside the stables followed by a loud thud.

Without any need for checking, Ann was able to identify the horse in the middle of a rampage inside the stables.

The stunning black mane, brilliant black eyes, and overall arrogant handsomeness could belong to only one horse.

It was 'Beauty'.

True to his name. He was beautiful. And he knew it. Which in turn created a superiority complex that made the people around him except his owner miserable. Since he did not acknowledge them.

*neigh*

Beauty charged over Sam.

"Stop! Don't!"

Lying on the floor, Sam had an empty bucket covering his head as a helmet and a broom in his hand to protect himself. He was using it as a shield to protect himself.

"What is going on here?"

Ann stood by the entrance and looked at the scene in dismay. The scene was enough to cleanse her mind off the uncertain thoughts.

When Beauty noticed Ann by the door, he stopped his rampage and snorted before going back to his corner.

"Ann wherever you go, take your crazy horse with you! I cannot handle him when you are not around"

"Yeah. I can see that"

She gave Sam a hand and helped him stand up as he continued to complain.

"This is not the first time that I almost died because of your crazy horse. I have been working in the stables since I was eight. And I have never encountered a wild horse like this one!"

Sam exclaimed from a safe distance, hiding behind Ann. He glared at the horse looking down on him.

"Just take him!"

*neigh*

Beauty stomped his feet and stared down on Sam for being annoying in his owner's presence. The only person he had acknowledged so far.

"You've been through a lot Sam"

Shaking her head, Ann patted Sam on the back. She felt sorry for all the trouble he had been through.

Sam was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilbert, the owners of the tavern the Nero mercenaries frequent. He was the sole person responsible for taking care of the horses in the stable. He was a sweet and gentle guy by nature. So to make such a guy angry, she could only imagine what Beauty could have done.

"Why were you on the floor?"

Sam removed the bucket from his head and dusted off his clothes.

"Oliver came by with one of the men from Tullus. We were talking and after they took the saddles and left. Your horse, for reasons I don't know why suddenly became violent and started attacking me!"

"Why are you being fussy first thing in the morning?"

Ann walked to Beauty and stroked his mane.

Sam felt cheated since he was the one taking care of the crazy horse while Ann was away and he was being treated like a slave. There was always a one-eighty in Beauty's attitude whenever Ann was present.

'He must have thought we are leaving him behind'

"Grab the saddle we are going to Orion" said Ann and took a step away from beauty.

*neigh*

Beauty whined excitedly about going out after a long time. He had been cooped up for a while since the Nero mercenaries had been taking local jobs that do not require long travel for the past few months.

Now was the time to let loose.

"Are you happy?" Ann chuckled.

Beauty whined and nudged his face on her hand before resting his head on her neck. He glared at Sam behind Ann's back to 'not say a word' about him.

Although the horse was basically a wild beast, he was the most well-paid customer Sam had ever had. His owner made sure to compensate for all of the trouble caused by his rampage.

Hence with Beauty away, it was vacation time for Sam.

"I don't know about him. But I'm happy" Sam wiped the tears of joy on his face.

Ann put the saddle on Beauty's back and climbed on top of him.

"You're being ridiculous. We'll be back in about two months. So enjoy while it lasts"

"Just go"

Tearstricken, Sam waved them goodbye.

Ann smiled and raised her hand without turning back, before going out to meet with the others.









"What are your thoughts on this arrangement, Chief Gallahan?" Raeden asked, looking up from the map.

"Hmmm" Gallanhan pondered with his eyes on the map.

Raeden, Jade, and Gallahan were talking regarding the escort arrangement to Orion. As per the plan, the Tullus mercenaries would be the rear guard and surrounding the back half of the merchant group with the Nero mercenaries in the vanguard.

Ann and Eugene would be guarding the central carriage carrying the relic with others at the forefront of the group.

"This area" Gallahan tapped on the map.

"There is rumored to be a fairy forest hidden here"

The place that Gallahan pointed out was the Eldom forest along the borders of Orion.

"Ogres frequent this forest. They are attracted to fairy dust"

"Fairy forest?"

Jade asked, skeptically.

Being the practical person he was, he could not believe in the existence of a now-extinct species.

After the reign of the First Emperor, Emperor Arthur, the fairies in Elan ceased to exist as a whole. Although there have been sightings in other continents, the fairy species native to Elan were no more.

It was a well-known tale throughout the continent that the Fairies helped the First Emperor to build what is now the current capital of Orion, Volos.

And after he destroyed the remnants of evil across the continent, he lived the last of his days in the fairy forest hidden within Eldom. Or so the legend goes.

"You believe that?"

"Don't tell me you haven't heard about the story of Orion's first emperor?"

"You mean the myth about the emperor, the hero, and the great evil? It is just some made-up stuff by people with a lot of time and not enough ways to spend it"

"Haha..." Gallahah heartily laughed,

"Myths are driven from our forgotten history. They are not just bedtime stories told to children"

Gallahan stroked his beard.

"Not everything is fiction"

****

We hit the 100th chapter!

Yaay!

Just another 100+ more chapters to go!

Hope everyone enjoys the story as much as I do!

- Akane