In Search

Chapter 3

Neighing of horses can be heard as they travel towards the south.

Kesseki Village. It is a small village but rich in gold. This information has been kept in secret for centuries but it looks like the royal family aren't the only ones with this knowledge.

Greed can really eat people and that is why they are headed there right now. Mining got out of hand and is now affecting the townspeople.

The townspeople don't even have the idea of the silent riches in their land that is why they are troubled with the scene happening in their village right now. Although what they know are just conjectures. There is no smoke when there is no fire.

"Your highness, we've arrived."

The horse's pace slowed down, indicating that they've arrived.

The prince went out of the carriage with a frown. He wanted to travel through horse but his servants won't let him. If he did, they would have arrived earlier.

"Situation."

Rios then told the prince the situation from top to bottom. While Kai was just leaning on a bookshelf inside the room where they are right now.

The emperor has a residence in the village yet, it is hidden for it's purpose is just for follow ups, inspections, and times like this.

"Kai, I know you found out something. Spill it."

Kai looked at the prince and took a paper from inside her sleeves and threw it at the prince's table.

As much as possible, Kai refrains from speaking in order to hide her identity well. It is not bad for other people to know but, explaining it, is. She's also avoiding the fact that they might recognize who she is. Those people went for her family. Surely, they're after her too.

"I want you to read it."

She looked at the prince coldly. He knows why she doesn't speak and he's always doing this.

The prince's face was smiling, more like grinning. He then blinked his eyes multiple times to show that he is eager to listen.

"Xiereu!"

The prince went to a stop and leaned on Rios beside him. He covered his mouth and aimed to whisper to Rios or can you call that a whisper when she can hear him clearly.

"He's angry isn't he?"

The annoying part is when he acts innocent when obviously, he's not!

Rios glanced at Kai and continuously nodded his head at Xiereu.

"Yeah. I think he is."

Both of them then turned their heads away from each other and pretended watching something from afar while whistling a tune.

Damn these people! Can't they stop the teasing for even just a moment!

Kai breathed deeply and glared at the people in front of her before opening the damn report she wrote.

"First small Sterling's minions."

She read out loud.

The prince grinned wickedly. Looks like he got what the message was pertaining.

Kai received that message by the time they arrived. A man dressed as a beggar bumped into her and slowly slipped the message in her robe.

Xiereu's men always work secretly and uses words that are hard to guess. What a drag.

"Anymore report?" Xiereu asked.

"That is all."

"Well, let's get to work."

When he said that, Kai immediately went out of the room and ran away as fast as she could. She does not want to come with them.

That prince will only make her join the people mining and won't let me in on the fun. If things go that way, it's better if she won't go with them. But that's only half of the reason, the truth is she saw a weird looking candy on the street and she wants to have a taste. It looks yummy. Better than coming with that kid of a prince.

"That girl!"

Xiereu looked at the door where Kai slipped through. It's the first time she went out when they're on hunt. She would always come even though he doesn't allow her to make a move. Well, she's stubborn so stopping her would be useless. So now, he's wondering what changed her mind, specially when this hunt is related to the tragedy of her family fell into.

"Are we going to let her be?"

Rios asked looking at the door too. He knows about Kai's secret. That he's a she and that her family died in that tragedy but he didn't want her to know.

It looks like she doesn't want other people to know so he won't tell her that he knows.

"Let's go." Is all what Xiereu said. That girl is hard-headed so there's no use in stopping her.

'This candy is good!' Kai thought as she walked around with the candy in her hand. It's a feathery candy, more like a cotton stuck in a stick. It's unusual. It's her first time seeing this kind of things.

After strolling around the village, she then walked towards Shukaku. The place where mining of gold takes place. That is where his highness is going.

As she comes closer, she heard noises like rocks falling down. Smoke can also be seen from where she is now.

Kai quickly ran. If something bad happens she will really blame herself.

The tunnel is locked and the tools for mining exploded and burned. Explosives were planted. It looks like they know they're coming.

"Take those rats underground. You know what to do."

Xiereu's dark expression made his comrades flinch in fear. Their master may be easy go lucky most of the time, but it doesn't mean that he can't get angry.

Rios looked at his prince with awe. It's rare to see him like this so everytime the prince does he would always savor the moment.

"Thought something bad happened."

A heaving Kai stood beside him.

"How's it going? How's his highness?"

"He's–" before Rios could answer, he was cut off by a crazy man.

"Kai! I was so scared! These assassins came, and..and.. they attacked me! I was so scared!" Xiereu was rubbing his face on Kai's dress, wiping his tears.

His knights stared at him blankly.

Is this prince ever gonna change!