Hello everyone! I'm sorry for my late post . I hope you still want to read this story.
Finally I graduated from a college (Yeaaay! \^0^/ ) because of the preparation I didn't have enough free time to write new chapter. But don't worry, I'll post another chapter ASAP :D
Your review will surely needed but no flames please. Thank you for your love and attention! :D
It's been a week since Catalina worked in the library. She became accustomed to the job. She delivered the flowers first, and then she would be in the library for almost a day. Sometimes she tags along with Noctis to various places, as his bodyguard. They were trying to solve the gargoyles case. They only found out that someone summoned them intentionally, but he was not in the city. They thought he must be after the crystal, so Noctis tightened the security around the town especially around the crystal.
With the gargoyles incident and rumors about invasion to the city made people in the city becoming anxiety. They worried that they would be in danger. The tension became higher as there was a new rumor about a small group of rebels. Noctis wanted to get rid of them but he had to go to another city for an important meeting. So he asked her instead.
"Say, do you want to do it? Prompto and Gladioulus will accompany you," He asked her. They were sitting in his room. Catalina looked down, somehow worried about him.
"I'm okay with this job actually, but will you be alright to be out of city? Your kingdom is in a bad shape because of the crystal. I 'm worried something bad will happen," She confessed. Noctis sighed.
"Didn't you see when I was defeating monsters? Are you in doubt with my power?" He pushed her. Catalina shook her head.
"Of course I'm not! But I –" He stood up and walked to the door before she could finish her words. He turned to see her with his expressionless face.
"If you're not then you should think another logic reason to make you worry. They are waiting for you in front of the castle," He told her, and then walked out of the room. She pouted a little.
"Sometimes you're too stubborn. I guess I don't have any other choice," She said and walked to the outside. On the way to the outside she saw a winter spirit was skating with its feet on a frozen fountain. She approached it.
"Hello there. What are you doing here?" She asked. It stopped skating and looked at her.
"I'm bored. It will be the end of winter but I didn't find anything fun to do. My friends are busily preparing for a deep sleep. Are you going to go with His Highness?"
"No. I'm helping Prompto and Gladioulus to check on a rebellion group. Prince Noctis is on the way to another city."
Suddenly it flew fast to her. It's eyes blinked many times, it lips formed into a grin.
"Then let me help you. I can help you finding traps and spells. By the way you can call me Isaz." It told her. She smiled and then nodded energetically.
"Sounds good to me. Let's go. I'll introduce you to Prompto and Gladioulus."
"Unfotunately ordinary human can not see me so you don't have to do it," It said.
"Yeah, I forgot about it," She sighed in disappointment. Isaz sat on her right shoulder, feet swinging lightly.
"Then let's go. I'm feeling nauseated with this place right now," It grumbled. Catalina laughed a little and went to the outside.
When she was outside of the castle she saw Prompto and a tall and large build man. He has along scar over his left eye, He has amber eyes, and his hair was straightened to the back and shaved partially along the sides. He wore an open black shirt, a black t-shirt underneath it, black leather trousers, and black shoes. He must be Gladioulus, she thought. Prompto wore a black vest, white t-shirt underneath it, and black boots. Prompto saw Catalina and waved cheerfully. She walked to them, smiling softly. Gladioulus smiled brightly.
"Hello Catalina. It's a beautiful day to walk around with a pretty lady. Then, shall we go now?" Prompto oustretched his hand to her, smiling with full of charms. Gladioulus slapped his hand.
"It's still in the morning and you already flirt a woman, especially her. She's Noctis' woman. Lay a finger to her and Noctis will slice you slightly," He scolded Prompto. Catalina blushed madly in front of them.
"Too bad it's not only the two of us who will go. He will go with us as well. He is Gladioulus. I , Noctis, Gladioulus and Ignis are best friends from a long time ago," He introduced Gladioulus.
"Nice to meet you. You are indeed very beautiful. This big mouth man told me about you many times until my ears are itch so much," He complimented her, smirking.
"Nice to meet you too. Thank you for your compliment," She said shyly.
"Let's get in the car first. I'll tell you about the mission on the way there," He told her and went in the car. Prompto opened the door for her.
"Ladies first," He said gently. Catalina smiled at him.
"Thank you, Prompto."
"So where are we going to?" She asked. Gladioulus, who was driving the car, glanced at her through the rear-view mirror. Prompto was looked out of the window, thinking about something.
"There's a rumor that a small rebellion group is doing some secret meetings in a small town called Barathier. They didn't cause anything bad yet but it seems that they are going to recruit teens to train them to be their armies. We don't know when it will be so we have to move faster."
"Barathier is a perfect place to do something like that. It's a small town with low security. Once we arrive we have to check on bars in the town first," Prompto commented. he leaned on his palm, his face was so serious. It's the first time she looked him focusing on something. She nodded lightly.
"Alright," She agreed. Suddenly Prompto looked at behind to see her and smiled widely.
"After that let's have a date. I'll show you around the town. We can eat at a good cafe and.." Gladioulus smacked him in the head fast. Catalina winced at the sound.
"Ouch! Can't you just be happy for your friend." He groaned, stroking his head.
"Then can't you focus on the mission first. You're being more and more agressive these days. Another flirting and I'll tell Noctis about this," Gladioulus threatened him.
"Fine, geez," Prompto sighed deeply. Catalina laughed at them.
"You two sure are good friends," She commented. Gladioulus laughed too.
"Of course we are." He said before focusing on driving the car.
Two hours later they arrived in Barathier. She looked around the town. The town was indeed a small place. There weren't any tall buildings and many trees decorated it. Too bad it was winter so the trees weren't in a perfect form. The town was also quiet because there weren't many people seen walking around it. Catalina opened the window, inhaling the fresh air deeply. Looking at this view made her missing her hometown so much. The trees weren't as many as in her hometown, but it was still good to be there. She closed her eyes, smiling softly. Isaz wiggled around her, happy with the atmosphere.
"Do you like the air in here?" Gladioulus asked her. Slowly she opened her eyes.
"Yes, I do. It's alike to my hometown. I love places with many trees," She answered.
"If you love this kind of place why do you live in the capital?" Prompto asked. Her expression changed into a little sad face.
"It's a long story. I'll tell you when the time is right." She promised. Gladioulus was curious about her, but she would tell them later so he just kept quite.
Finally they stopped in front of a small inn. After parking the car they get into the inn. Gladioulus reserved two rooms for them and then got out of it. They were planning to be in separate way for each other.
"I'll go to bars around south and east side. Prompto will go to bars around north and west side. Catalina, please look around the market and downtown. Lets meet up again at 4pm in here." Gladioulus told them.
"Alright. See you guys," Catalina answered.
"Don't miss me, Catalina," Prompto flirted her again. Gladioulus pulled him from Catalina and blabbered something about not to flirt her to Prompto. Catalina just smiled at the scenery, and then went to find a market.
It was not difficult to find the market because it was near the inn. When she was in the market she was surprised to see it. It was very quite. There weren't many opened shops and there were few people in it. She walked to a grocery. She greeted the owner politely. The owner looked friendly so she asked few questions.
"Why does this market look quiet? I see many shops closed too," She asked.
"Don't you know a rumor about a rebellion group?" The owner asked back.
"I heard about it. People said that they were going to recruit teens around the town."
"Because of the rumor many people scared that their children will be in danger. So some of them stop working and stay in their house for a while. Even some of them decided to move out of the town." He explained.
"Did you really happen to see one of them?" Catalina asked again.
"I didn't know if it really was one of them but I saw men went to Lord Edgar's mansion in the midnight these days," He whispered to Catalina.
"Lord Edgar? Who is he?"
"You're new here, aren't you? He's one of the richest people in this town. He owns a sugar company. The company is really famous these 30 years," He informed her.
"I see. Thank you for the information," She thanked the owner. She looked around his goods. She was surprised to see pineapples. She really wanted to buy it. Cannot resist the urge to buy it, she asked the owner happily.
"How much does this pineapple cost?"
"Wow you have a good eye in there. I just got these from a farm. It's cost more than normal but its quality is perfect. Because you're beautiful I'll give you a special discount," He offered. Catalina smiled brightly. Isaz grumbled at her behavior but it let her be.
After buying pinapples Catalina went to the downtown. There weren't many activities even in downtown. She didn't get much information so she went to narrow alley to look around for more. On halfway she saw a 14-year-old poor boy was beaten by an old man. A brunette girl was trying to save the boy, but the old man pushed her until she fell down.
"How dare you steal my food! You deserve this!" The old man cried at him and punched him. Catalina ran to them, pulling the boy out from the old man.
"Why are you so cruel? They look very hungry. Can't you just give them for free?" She asked the oldman.
"Who are you? If I give them for free, another poor kids will come to me. I don't have enough money for caring someone like them," He spat. Catalina looked at the boy, but the boy turned away from her. She sighed deeply, then looked back at the old man.
"How much money do you need? I'll buy it," She said.
Catalina gave the old man money and bought some bread from him. She offered them the bread, so the girl invited Catalina to their small apartment. When they were in the room Catalina treated the boy. She also casted a spell to relieve the pain. The boy was still quite, no words came through his mouth. The girl made tea for Catalina.
"Thank you so much," She finally said something. Catalina smiled at her.
"You're welcome. By the way why did you steal food? Where are your parents?" She asked. The girl bent her head, she looked very sad.
"Our parents are dead two years ago. Usually we worked in a grocery store, but the store closed recently because of the rumor. We are short on cash and became hungry because we couldn't buy anything to eat. My big brother suddenly stole food and the owner caught him stealing the food," She explained. Catalina felt sorry for them. She took her money pouch from her pocket and took some money. She handed the girl the money.
"Take this. Search another job while using this money for the time being. I'll also try to get a job for you. This money is enough for buying food for two weeks. I'm sorry if it's not much for you," She offered. The girls hesitated at first but finally she took it. But the boy caught her hand.
"Thank you for your help, but we don't think that we need this money," He told her.
"I know that you don't want me to have pity on you, but you and your sister will be suffering. She will be sad if you steal something again. I'm sorry but you don't have any other choice," She explained to him. He sighed deeply, and then took the money.
"Thank you so much. My name is Imeruat, and he is Gin, my big broth," She introduced to Catalina.
"My name is Catalina. Actually I don't live here. I just have a matter to do in this town. If you need any help you can come to an inn near the market," Catalina said. Imeruat smiled thankfully at her. Catalina patted her head softly. She looked at her watch. It was almost at 4pm. So she said goodbye to them and rushed to the inn.
Catalina, Gladioulus, and Prompto was having dinner in the room at that time. They shared what they got before. They spoke slowly because they were afraid that there would be a spy near them. Catalina also asked Isaz to watched if anyone suspicious was around the room.
"It seems that Lord Edgar have something with rebels, but we don't know it is in a good way or not. Actually I want us to spy on his mansion tonight, but they said that he wasn't at home until tomorrow. So we can visit his mansion tomorrow first," Gladioulus told them.
"Yeah, yeah," Prompto waved. "This topic is boring. Why don't we talk about something else," He suggested. Gladioulus looked at her.
"By the way, I saw you bringing pineapples in the room. Did you buy them?" He asked. Catalina smiled brightly.
"Yes, I did. I love pineapple so much, but they are so expensive in capital, so I bought them to bring to capital," She exclaimed happily. Prompto and Gladioulus gawked at her.
"Wow. It's the first time I hear that a woman like pineapple so much," Prompto commented sarcastically. Catalina glared at him.
"What? Do you think I'm weird?" She was annoyed. Prompto smirked at her.
"Of course not. Why would I think that someone beautiful like you is a weird person. I just think that you're unique," He winked at her. Gladioulus and Catalina sighed deeply at the same time.
"Here we go again," He grumbled.
"Can I ask you a question?" Catalina asked.
"Of course you can. Go on," Gladioulus answered happily. Catalina sat closer to them.
"What kind of man Noctis is?"
Prompto swung his chair back and forth while spinning an apple. "He's the calmest person that I ever met. Sometimes you can't just tell what's in his mind on his face at that time. But he's pretty stubborn sometimes because he cares the people he loves so much," He bit the apple.
"Maybe he looked rude but he does it because he's trying not to trust people fully. Being a prince is a tough job, you know." Gladioulus took a sip of tea and then continued. "From what I saw I think he's starting to care for you." Catalina's heart beat faster. She looked away from them.
"Oh~Our princess heart is thumping really hard right now," Prompto teased her. Her face became as red as tomato.
"Wh-what? No. Of course not," She didn't admit it. Suddenly her hand phone rang. She checked it. It was from Noctis. Gladioulus could read her expression at that time and smiled.
"What a good timing," He commented. Catalina smiled at them before going out of the room. Slowly she answered the phone.
"Hello?"
"Hey, how are you doing?" He asked.
"I'm fine here. We just got some information, but we still have to find more," She answered. "Where are you?"
"I'm still in another city. If I'm still not in the capital when you are done with the mission you can go home and wait," He asked.
"Okay," She said. Then there was a long silence. She tried to break the ice.
"Guess what? I bought pineapple at market. I'm so happy that I got them in a good price. I can't wait to go home and cook them," She said happily.
"Figured," He commented. "But what will you make?"
"I'm going to make pineapple pie and pineapple jam."
"Then.." He asked "Can you make one for me?" Catalina was surprised to hear that. She felt something stopped her hear from beating. She silenced for a while.
"Catalina?" He asked her. She blinked many times before answering it.
"Yes, of course I'll make some for you." Her voice was shaking a little.
"Then I hope it won't burnt," He joked with a serious tone. She wanted to complain at him but he said something first.
"Then see you."
"Bye." She closed the call. She looked out at the window. She had a serene expression in her face.
"Is this a right thing for me?" She whispered slowly.
Imeruat was on the way to home from shopping for lunch when she saw Gin was dragged by some men. She dropped her bags and ran to them.
"What are you doing? Let go of my brother!" She cried. Gin saw her shockingly.
"Imeruat?! Go away! I'll be fine," He told her. But She pulled his hand strongly. The men didn't say anything, but one of them slapped her. She fell down and groaned in pain as she touched her cheek.
"Don't hurt her! I'll do what you want but please leave her be," He begged. They looked at him, and then dragged him away. She saw him and wanted to chase him, but he shook slowly. She left alone. She cried and ran to someone she needed to meet.