WEREWOLF CINDERELLA

Kenzo and Flora

Mia's POV

I still felt lightheaded when I opened my eyes. Thankfully, the curtains were used, otherwise the sunlight would have greeted me instantly. I sat up, realizing I have a minor headache. I was on a very soft bed in a properly decorated bedroom. It reeked of luxury. The owner must have such a high taste. I could still remember that I was saved by a masked man but right before I passed out, I clearly saw Waldo cut the masked man with a sword. Waldo’s sword must have slashed his back.

The door opened without caution and I literally froze as a young lady entered. She looked quite beautiful. She dressed simply but her aura gave her away. She couldn’t be an ordinary lady.

“You are finally up,” she told me maliciously. She did not look too happy.

“How long was I unconscious?” I ignored her facial expression and asked.

“Five days…” she replied. “You worried everyone here and four different doctors came here all because of you. I haven’t been so stressed in a long time. By the way, what is your name? I deserve to know the name of a strange woman who I saved, don’t I?”

She saved me! I found this hard to believe. That masked person was certainly a man.

“My name is Mia,” I replied regardless of what I was thinking about at the moment. “Are you really the person who saved me?”

“That’s a foolish question!” she flared up. “I will get the doctor so you better shut up your mouth and focus on recovering. Don’t try to overstay your welcome as well. By the way, my name is Flora.”

Flora didn’t wait for my response before she left the room. I had noted that she had a lousy temper and I promised myself to be careful while I remained here with her. I still had several questions on how she saved me.

Anyway, a doctor arrived and checked me. I ate as well and in the evening, I could finally walk around. That was when I met a man. Seeing him felt strange. It was as if I had known him all my life.

“Kenzo!” I called.

“Oh, you know my name already,” he replied with a smile on his face. “I was coming to see you actually.”

I tried to breathe. If my memories were right, no one had ever told me about Kenzo. It was strange for me to have guessed his name correctly on the first try when it wasn’t even a common name.

But I only smiled. I couldn’t let him notice.

“Did Flora explain things to you? You were unconscious when we picked you up so you wouldn’t have remembered,” Kenzo told me calmly.

“She told me nothing. I have been quite curious as well,” I replied desperately. “The person that saved me got slashed. Was it you?”

“No,” Kenzo answered. “I know nothing about you or the man who got slashed. Flora and I were on our way back from seeing a friend when we saw a man carrying you. He was bleeding profusely and guards were after both of you.”

“Did he have a mask on?” I asked hurriedly.

“He did,” Kenzo replied. “He was wounded so he begged us to save you. I carried you on my back and ran away. The masked man took another path to lure the guards.”

“What happened to him?” I asked him. Now, I was almost dying of curiosity.

“Well…” Kenzo sighed before continuing. “I don’t know. Since he had a mask on, I have no way of confirming his identity. He was injured severely so I doubt he was able to get away from those agile guards who were after him.”

My legs felt weak right now. I felt so scared and guilty at the same time. My savior could have been killed. If he had died for me, I might never know who he is. Kenzo saw my shaken countenance and led me to a chair so I could sit right away.

“Calm down…” Kenzo muttered.

“He shouldn’t die,” I held Kenzo’s hands desperately. “I need to find him. He saved me from death.”

“I am aware,” Kenzo replied. “I will send my men out instantly to find out what happened to him.”

“That shouldn’t happen,” I heard Flora say. I raised my head and found her near us. She continued, “Brothers, gather around!”

“What are you doing?” Kenzo asked her firmly.

“Reminding you of our rules,” Flora responded. “The only people we can help are our allies. Mia is simply a girl we saved. She is fine now and the next step is to let her go her own way. We owe her nothing more.”

“You might have forgotten…” Kenzo stepped forward. “… that I call the shots here!”

“I know, Kenzo. I will respect your orders any day, anytime and you know that very well. If you push things, I’ll let it happen as you wish. However, remember our rules. Everyone is watching you,” Flora said and stepped back. I could see that Kenzo seemed a bit lost and this made me step forward.

“You were talking about how you only render help to your allies…” I turned towards Flora.

“That is how our organization survives. You can’t blame me,” she replied carelessly. In my mind, I knew she simply did not like me.

“Then I will be your ally,” I replied plainly. Flora looked at me again and then began to laugh. Kenzo simply watched and I wondered what he was thinking about right now.

“Our allies are usually useful people. You can’t be useful to us,” Flora replied.

“I will be useful. Ask and I will do whatever is required,” I offered boldly.

“You don’t need to…” Kenzo made a move.

“You could help us resolve the bandits' matters!” Flora interrupted. “An organized group has been attacking our merchants and we have been looking for a solution, you know.”

“Stop this!” Kenzo shouted at Flora angrily.

“Really? You will abandon me for her,” Flora told Kenzo with tears in her ears. I could not watch them fight because of me.

“I will deal with the issue,” I said confidently.

“Don’t bother yourself. These are deadly bandits,” Kenzo replied in a bid to discourage me.

Right then, I knelt down.

“Let me fix the issue for you!” I told them. “In exchange, acknowledge me as your ally.”

I could see Flora smiling. That was enough for me to know the dangers in front of me.