A/N: I'm sorry for being slow. I always seem to produce about 2,000 words per month. I feel like that's too little. Still thank you all for at least showing interest! It makes me feel more motivated! And happy! This chapter isn't the most exciting but it introduces a new character and gives more information about the world they live in.

Joy's Unhappiness

Chapter 6

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I was very concerned about Darwin, but I couldn't do anything but watch. Still, I couldn't even do that because Darwin shut the door on me.

The only thing I was able to do was sit and wait anxiously. I didn't look out the window because that would probably upset Darwin. I mean, he must have closed the door for some reason right?

He said that he was strong and it appears that he has beaten them before. I should have faith in his words. But how can he fight off that many enemies? All by himself?

There was no way I could jump in the fight myself. I'm too weak so I would only get in the way. Like being held hostage or something.

For what felt like hours, I heard yells. Clashes of metal against metal. Screams. And the faint sound of bodies hitting the ground. Then nothing.

I couldn't take the pressure anymore and rushed to the door. Only to find it being opened by Darwin himself.

"Are you unharmed?" he immediately asked.

I wanted to shout: "I'm the one who should be asking that question!" But I didn't. Instead, I nodded at him. I noticed the colour red on him stared intently at the huge bloodstain on his shirt sleeve.

He noticed me staring and looked at his sleeve. "Oh, I didn't notice that. You don't have to worry about it. It's not my blood. It's somebody else's." he said casually. Far too casually.

My eyes widened in horror and I then wondered if he killed somebody. Or all of them. I was disgusted at the thought.

I brushed past Darwin to look at the scene outside. He made an attempt to stop me but I saw it anyway.

So far as I could see, nobody had any fatal injuries. All of the bandits were beat-up, tired or out cold. Those who still had energy left, were dragging their fellow unconscious bandits away to wherever their base was. I breathed a sigh of relief.

Darwin stood next to me. "What? Did you think I killed somebody?" he asked, chuckling.

I lowered my head in guilt. It was terrible to think of Darwin so horribly like I did.

"Don't look so ashamed." he said, patting my head. "I would never kill anybody. Because nobody would ever want to see their prince ending somebody else's life with his own hands. Especially my step-mother." Darwin suddenly shuddered as if imagining the consequences of doing that.

One of Darwin's soldiers came up to us. He seemed to be the captain of the group since he had this aura of authority around him that I've seen on all the high-ranked soldiers.

"Darwin, we've freed all our comrades so now we are ready to set off again."

"Good job Synal. Let's get back on the road then."

I got confused. What does he mean by 'freed'? People were held captive? And why does this Synal address Darwin so normally?

Synal noticed my presence. He frowned at me. "Who's this you've got with you?"

"Ah, yes. Before I forget." Darwin put a hand on my shoulder. "Synal, meet Cat-skin. Cat-skin meet Synal, the leader of my kingdom's knights and a good friend of mine. Cat-skin is going to stay for a while so get along okay?"

I nodded meekly and Synal stared at me with his dark eyes as if trying to look right into my soul. It was... very unnerving. I might have squeaked in terror if I didn't know any better.

"Where did you come from? Did you also come to steal valuables from the prince?" he questioned too quickly for me answer. "And what kind of name is Cat-skin? It probably isn't even your real name."

Oh, how right he is on the latter. I cowered under his suspicious glare. He was such a tall man with such huge armour. They were probably hiding muscles that could tear me apart if he wanted to.

He seemed to be in his twenties but he had such a menacing appearance. But really, he wasn't nearly as terrifying as Father could be.

Still, as weak as I was, I trembled like a rabbit.

"Synal." Darwin said with a warning tone to his voice. "Quit scaring the poor girl. She's had a hard time, so don't make it harder for her."

The captain stepped back but maintained his glare. "...There's nothing wrong with being cautious..."

"Oh, lay off will you?" Darwin scolded.

"...All right, Your Highness." Synal walked away.

He was scary and stern but he cared very much for Darwin's well-being, so he must be a good person... Unless he's just caring for his kingdom's heir...

Oh, no. I should stop thinking like that. He's Darwin's friend so I'll have to trust his judgement...

"Let's get back to the carriage shall we, Cat-skin?" Darwin went inside and held out a hand to me.

I reluctantly took it and he helped me inside although it wasn't necessary at all. I suppose he hasn't forgotten his duties as a gentleman... even if Cat-skin is just a mere 'peasant'.

Darwin put his suit jacket back on. I sat down and waited for the carriage to start moving again.

Seeing Darwin and Synal made made me think of Father. Synal was overprotective of Darwin like Father was overprotective of me. I thought back to the old days when me, Mother and Father were having fun in the gardens. I remember once, a much older knight came along and then talked to me weirdly in a way that Father really disliked. I was kept far away from that knight as much as possible after that.

Now that I think of it, that knight was probably flirting with me to get on my good side. For several reasons perhaps. I scoffed inwardly. Kind of a cowardly way to climb up the ladder for a higher rank...

I stared out the window. The scenery started moving. Or rather the carriage was moving. None of what was outside was familiar to me at all. I wonder how far away from Deofia I am now?

Clarence and Lilah must be worried about me by now. A guilty feeling stabbed at my heart. I would have liked to say goodbye to them... But this departing was pretty sudden wasn't it?

There were so many things I wanted to do in Deofia. Try to help Father get over Mother. Get a divorce. Rebuild our alliances with the other kingdoms. Find homes for the lonely orphans in Mirabel's village. Now it seems that I cannot do those things anymore. How long may I have to stay in Fairadore?

I felt a wave of homesickness come over me. I tried to suppress it but I couldn't avoid it. Oh how I wish I could turn back now. Although I'm watching it get further away in front of me and Fairadore is getting closer behind me.

"I'm regretting this. I want to go back to Deofia!"

...is what I would have wanted to say to Darwin... But I don't feel confident enough as Cat-skin. Her status just isn't high enough to demand things from royalty... I wish I was a princess again. But then again... That would make things a whole lot more complicated...

xxxxx Darwin's POV xxxxx

She was looking so mournfully out the window that I couldn't help but get a little worried. She was trying to hide it - I could tell - but she stole glances out there from time to time.

What could be troubling her, I wonder? The bandits wouldn't come and bother us anytime soon, Synal and I made sure of that (they had somehow managed to kidnap the soldiers outside, guarding the carriage and tie them to a tree). Could it be that she's really not that happy about being taken to some foreign kingdom? How could I have not thought of that? To take an innocent girl away from her beloved home... That's so cruel of me.

I thought back to our meeting...

~~~~~ Flashback ~~~~~

"Do you have anywhere to go?" Again, she shook her head.

"Hmm, I think it's best if you come with me to my kingdom." I felt the girl freeze up. "Don't worry, you won't be a bother to me." I reassured her.

I led the girl away from the tree and to my carriage.

~~~~~ End of flashback ~~~~~

...Cat-skin didn't even agree to it before I took her away! I thought, maybe she could be safest if I took her with me but... Why didn't I consider her feelings more? I wanted to shake my head furiously for my own stupidity. But I held myself back.

But then, why didn't Cat-skin just object to it?

...Oh, of course. I'm a prince now... She is intimidated by my status isn't she? It's only natural. She seems like the timid kind of girl who cannot go against any sort of noble. Even I know how that feels.

I mentally gave a sigh. It's at times like these that I wish I was a commoner again... Ah, but then I wouldn't have come to the kingdom of Deofia and meet Joy...

Aw, why did my thoughts lead to her? That will end up making me feel depressed. I must focus on the current situation right now.

I gave Cat-skin a gentle look, afraid that I may break her I do not choose my words carefully. She saw me and shied away by staring at her hands again...

"Cat-skin..." I began. Even though Cat-skin was a strange name, it wasn't very difficult to call her that since those feline ears on the top of the hood covering her eyes, made it much more easier. "Please be honest with me now. How do you feel about coming to Fairadore with me? Do you dislike it?"

Straight away, she shook her head. Slowly she parted her lips to speak. "It's a new experience... but... I chose to trust you... so I'll go."

This caught me by surprise. I was never relied on so much by somebody before - much less somebody who I had only met a few hours ago. "You chose to trust... me?" I asked to be sure.

She gave me one definite nod. I smiled happily. It felt... good to know that. "Okay, I believe you." I said, relaxing in my seat.

However the problem was not solved. Cat-skin continued to give signs that she was unsatisfied about something.

Oh well. I feel that it may be out of line for me to prod any further than this. The least I can do is keep her mind off of whatever is troubling her.

"Would you like to know more about Fairadore?" I asked.

Cat-skin seemed to have been caught off guard from the question. Then she gave a nod. Was it just me or did I detect a hint of eagerness in her nod?

Nah, I must have imagined it.

"Well in Fairadore, there are all sorts of different types of people because it is situated in the centre of the continent. You can learn a lot of things from these people." I tried to think of something that she might not have known about. "Did you know that there is a kingdom located deep in the ocean?"

She looked completely baffled at the possibility. "The ocean?"

"Yes. The people living there are called merfolk. They have the upper body of a human and the lower body of a fish." She looked sceptical. I chuckled. "It's true because I have seen one myself. She was definitely genuine." I didn't add that the mermaid was being sold at a slave market.

Cat-skin was very fascinated by this. I made a mental note to myself that I should research for more interesting things to tell her later.

xxxxx Cat-skin's POV xxxxx

I remained quiet while Darwin told me about his kingdom, silently marvelling at all the new things I'm learning from him in my thoughts.

I learned of a temple high in the mountains who worship a goddess all their lives. Another huge mountain that spews fire out of the top called a 'volcano'. A kingdom where giants lived peacefully alongside the humans. A large bird which had all the colours of the rainbow within each feather.

He told me about rumours of a faraway land up in the sky that the fairies lived in. I was instantly reminded of Arryn. I wondered how she was doing now in her forest. Helping another troubled person attain happiness no doubt. I smiled discreetly. She was such a nice fairy...

It seems that some time had passed since Darwin began enlightening me about the vast world, because I heard sounds of a town. I tore my eyes away from Darwin and looked out the window.

I had never been in a settlement any bigger than seventy people. Because I had never been anywhere beyond the village. Seeing this bustling, busy town was like being sprayed in the face with ice cold water.

I saw many young people (much more compared with the village at home). Most of the clothing they wore were colourful. None had even a speck of dirt on them, so far as I could see. I then wondered how much more prosperous Darwin's kingdom was than mine.

The crowd of people parted ways to make a clear path for the carriage. I almost caught one person's eye and I ducked to avoid it. It would only cause unwanted rumours if I were to be seen.

After a while, I felt the carriage come to a smooth stop, much better than the last one. I realised that we have reached Darwin's castle.

Darwin got up and brushed the invisible dust off his clothes. "I'm sorry, I'm going to have to ask you to stay in here for a bit. I'll send Synal to come and fetch you later."

I nodded and he opened the door to go outside. I heard fanfare and somebody called out: "Prince Darwin has come back!"

The door closed after that and the carriage moved on. I sat patiently. But as much as I tried to stay awake, I ended up falling asleep.