Albion Grimm

Grimm town

“It’s been so long since I’ve been outside!”

I stretched as soon as I stepped down from the carriage, finally feeling free with the sky stretching overhead.

“You’re not under confinement now, but if I were you, I wouldn’t try to escape.”

No sooner had I felt relief when the King dismounted and issued his warning. I turned around slowly and annoyance clean on my face.

“I don’t need you to tell me that. Even if I were to try to escape, I know I wouldn’t be able to outrun the horses or the carriage.” I shrugged as I let out an exasperated sigh.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

The King then turned to speak to one of the soldiers.

“Wow! Ayla, when did you two become so close?” Hansel’s voice was filled with surprise.

I tilted my head, puzzled as to how that could be deemed ‘close’.

“It’s King Grimm!”

“Welcome, Your Majesty. Please, make yourself at home.”

People were calling out to the king as they walked by. Apparently, they were not surprised to see the King. Another thing I sensed was that they welcomed the Kings presence. The king spared them a glance, giving them a small nod.

“Red.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You’re responsible for taking care of her.”

I huffed and stomped my foot, he could have used my name. He then walked away, his cloak fluttering behind him.

“I’d better get going too. I hope you have time to look around.” Hansel whispered to me and waved before he took off after the King.

“I wonder where they’re going.”

“King Grimm is scheduled to meet with a duke.”

“Oh! Thanks for letting me know Red.”

As we set off down the road Red pointed out all the different shops.

“There are so many different shops.”

There was a marketplace, sweet shop, and a street lined with boutiques and general stores. The town was beneath the castle, and it seemed much larger than I had imagined.

“Let me know if you see anything you want.” Red spoke as he saw me looking back and forth between the shops.

“Oh, are you sure? I don’t have any money on me though.”

“It’s all right. That’s what King Grimm meant when he told me to take care of you.”

“In that case, I might take you up on your offer. Thanks.”

“It’s no problem.” He cast his golden eyes on me. “Ayla, I must admit, I’m surprised to see you speaking so openly with the King. It’s unusual for him to open up to strangers.”

 I tilted me head when I took in his look of surprise and admiration.

“Hansel said something similar earlier, but I think you’re making much more out of it than it is. I wouldn’t say he’s opening up to me, it’s more like he’s no longer holding back.”

“I see.” Red’s eyes narrowed as he considered this and a smile stretch across his face.

“Ayla, you can see it as him ‘not holding back’, but I’ll see it as him ‘opening up’. Let’s just say, there’s a difference in our perceptions.”

“All right, so we see things differently.”

If Hansel is saying the same thing, it means they both see it that way.

“Then let’s start with that shop over there.” I pointed to shop that had a display of chocolates in the window.

“It smells so good.” I sighed and Red let out a chuckle

A blood curdling scream ripped through the air, stopping Reds chuckle short. There was a man screaming. The sound coming from down the alley. Red immediately ran towards the sound, I ran after him not wanting to be left alone in the open with something that could make a man scream like that. When I caught up to Red and there was a man writing in pain, his back covered in blood that was slowly starting to pool around him. His shirt lay in confetti like tatters on the ground.

“Stand back. It’s still here.” Reds and reached out and wrapped around my wist stopping me from moving.

“Tsk, why’d you have to go and spoil the fun? Two steeps closer and I could’ve reached her, too” A deep growl echoed around the ally.

I instinctively looked up at the sound of an unfamiliar voice. A man was standing on the roof. His golden eyes glared cruelly. His eyes were so cold and filled with hate that they made the Kings look warm and inviting. His eyes locked onto mine causing a shiver to move down my spine. This was no man, his wolf like ears stuck out and blood dripped from his claws.

“I take it you’re Alice of Wonderland. I’m Douglas.” He gave a cruel smile, showing pearly white pointed teeth.

“This is no time for introductions.” Red glared at the beast before us, slowly withdrawing the gun from behind back.

“Speak for yourself. I’m not here to deal with you today.” Red took aim. “I just want to wreak some havoc…“ Before Douglas had finished speaking, Red pulled the trigger.