"…Stop being frightening like this." Roze said coldly to the acting-like-a-stalker-blonde.
A week since they found the archer had arrived Land of Renaissance, though they didn't get to find her swordsman partner, it's enough to make the blonde freaked out like hell.
Everyday since then whenever they went out, she would like a frightened rabbit.
"Of course I'm frightening! She almost got me killed!" It's such a soul-string memory to recall. He wouldn't know, he would never know! What's the right there he said such thing!?
Ignored her agitated and harsh tone, Roze only gave her an irritated glance. "I'm here to protect you. Can't you trust me a little?"
Because of that, he had to accompany her everyday she came out to buy her so-called stuff. If wasn't her, he could spend his time freely without being bind by a chick!
"…I trust you, this is for sure! But she's an archer. She can give me a shoot god knows where it comes from!" She pointed her chest, telling him the arrow would aim at there, and there's no point she would survive!
Roze rolled his eyes. "Then what do you want?"
Her eyes came and forth, frowned in frustration. "…I don't know." She cried, buried her face into her palm.
Roze let out a sigh after took a glance at her depressing feature. He pulled her closer as a shelter for her.
"I have promised you I'll do anything for your safety. Just be sure do not leave my side without inform me."
Ulrika lifted her head in astounded. Did she mistake him? Or he's having fever? Or it's just her imagination?
She jaw dropped, mouth opened like a hole, looked much like an idiot. She grabbed his sleeve, touched his forehead with her palm.
"…What are you doing?"
"I'm testing if you're having fever or something wrong with you!" He's acting weird! "It's normal…are you sure you're…alright?" She asked with her winking eyes.
"…" Roze groaned speechless. How much this chick was trying to provoke him? He found himself easily got into emotion whenever they talked. "…Just treat it never happen." This used to convince himself.
When they passed through the clinic, Vayne suddenly called them from inside. The two of them got back to the clinic where Vayne opened the door for them.
"What is it?" Roze asked; found the doctor looked somewhat depressed.
"…Do you have time? I need to talk to you." Vayne gestured Roze to come in, but hesitated when he saw Ulrika was behind him.
Roze caught his serious expression, knowing it's going to be a serious talk. However, it's unsafe to let the chick went back by herself, and he doubted she would.
"…Sorry Vayne, I have to bring her along. Mind it?"
Vayne shrugged, raising a bitter smile. "…I guess it's fine. She probably has known it."
What was he meant by that? Ulrika tilted her head, frowned while throwing Roze a question look.
"Please have a seat." Vayne offered.
There's no patient inside the clinic. Vayne hanged the 'Rest' board at the door before he got inside, so no one would interrupt their discussion.
After Vayne had his seat, Roze waited for him to open up the topic.
"…Roze, I think you should know this…the rumor that spreading recently."
"You mean the one that tell the king will be assassinated?"
"Exactly." Vayne leaned against the chair, hesitated in telling his true feeling. "…Roze, I'm worrying my father."
Roze could totally understand that. Though their current king Bernard was not the most talented and capable king, he's well known in having good temper and a merciful king. That's why he was loved by his people, and Vayne was proud of him.
The rumor caused the people worried and sank in great terror. To avoid any commotion, Bernard had once assembled everyone at the square hall to calm down his people, and telling them everything will be alright at the same time.
"…You don't have to worry. Flay Gunnar is there for His Majesty." Comforting the others was not his specialty. Roze hoped he was able to do something for his friend.
"I know I can trust Flay. He is our famous Flay after all." But it didn't ease his worry. He felt extremely fidget after the rumor was spread. It just like it kept telling him something bad was going to happen.
"Vay-"
"I have questions!" Ulrika suddenly rose up her hand, got herself into the middle of the men talk.
"What is it?" Vayne slightly chuckled. Seeing that, Roze let the blonde handle the gloomy situation.
"Question one! The king is your father?" Vayne nodded. "Then you're a prince!? That Fancy Pants is your sister!?" Vayne nodded again, scratching his head in embarrassment.
Oh my god! Ulrika gasped, screamed in her mind. No wonder Fancy Pants called him 'onii-sama'! Damn Jerktown never tell her about this!
"…Why are you looking at me?" Raising his brow, Roze asked listlessly.
"…I know you're intentionally."
Vayne relaxed his feature, waiting for her next question.
"Then, what's your next question?"
"The rumor told the king will be assassinated right? If so, why let the rumor spread? Wouldn't this will be even difficult to get the king 'assassinated'? There's no point at all!"
"…I've think about this before…" Vayne looked at Roze who was pondering at the moment. "Roze, what do you think?"
"…She is right, and I've too, consider this as a joke, but thing seems go pretty bad now." It's no more some malicious joke, Roze concluded at the end. "But what's the purpose of spreading rumor like this?"
Vayne furrowed his brows, pondering at his question and also the only question they were confusing at.
"Or the assassin is trying to sneak into the soldiers and kill the king when he finds the opportunity?" Ulrika threw out her opinion, but negated by the men.
"Flay is the one protecting my father now, he will never let this kind of thing happen among his soldiers." Vayne pointed out for her, and he trusted Flay for that. After all, Flay was not some ordinary guy that would get tricked.
"…I agree. Still, there's chance." Roze added.
"I'll talk to Flay according to this." Looks like they couldn't come up with a conclusion however, Vayne felt his worry was lifted a bit. It's nice to have someone to share the problem to. "Anyway, thanks for your opinion, Roze, Ulrika."
Three days after the discussion with Vayne, Roze again being summoned by Bernard. Though Bernard didn't point out what's the meeting was for, Roze could only think of the case of the rumor.
Greeted by the soldiers and maids along the way, Roze finally came to the King Chamber. Roze couldn't deny how much the rumor caused the city sank in confusing and great terror. It's clear to see the king was too, vexing the current situation due to the fact he was summoned to King Chamber, not to the Chamber Hall.
Upon arrived the King Chamber, Roze found the captain was there as if she was waiting for someone.
"You're here, Roze." Anna said.
"You're being summoned too?" Roze asked and the captain nodded in respond.
"Flay too. But he's not here yet." Anna looked around, sounded displeased.
"…Are we going to wait for him?"
"…Five minutes. I'll only wait him for five minutes." Anna straightened her posture, ignored the general for now, she turned to Roze. "What do you think about the rumor?"
"…Probably it's true. Someone is trying to kill the king." He honestly told the captain. Guessed he didn't need to hide it. She seemed agreed with that as well.
"Indeed. The king is thinking the same as us, so he summons the three of us." Anna grasped her katana tightly, furious written in her clear justice eyes.
"…Vayne had discussed with me, but we couldn't get any information from it."
Anna softened her expression immediately Roze talked about Vayne. Her voice softened too.
"Yes…he had talked to me too…" Shook, she again straightened her posture, and grasped her katana. "…Come out Flay, or I'll slash down!"
Roze sighed looked at the bold red haired man apprised like a magic trick from the wall in front. He used that trick again…how was he able to do that?
Flay Gunnar, the bold general of imperial soldiers frowned, akimbo at the same time.
"How the hell this trick never works on you Anna? What have you done!?"
"…I have done nothing. Don't do that in front of me again." She let out a winner-like smile, turned to the chamber instead of answered his stupid question. "Your Majesty, we're coming in."
After getting the short respond from the person behind the door, Anna entered the chamber along with the men.
"Good afternoon Your Majesty." Anna greeted politely.
"Yo Bernard! What's up?" Unlike Anna, Flay greeted playfully like he's talking with an old friend.
"Flay, how you dare call His Majesty by name!? Where's your formality and manner!?" Anna almost had her katana slashed down at the bold man.
"What's the matter? There are only the four of us here."
"Flay-"
"I-It's alright Anna…please put down your katana…" Bernard sweat dropped.
Anna put her katana back to the sheath, cough to clear the embarrassment as she bowed in apologize.
"I-I'm sorry Your Majesty. Please forgive my rudeness."
Bernard smile dryly. "L-Let's get to the topic." He cleared his throat. "As you all see, I'm summoning the three of you is because of the rumor. No matter the rumor it's true or fake; we can't deny how much lash it has put on us. For the moment, we have to ensure the safety of the citizen. I'll leave this to Flay and Anna."
"As for you Roze." Bernard dropped his face, sighed before continuing. "If I'm truly get assassinated, please help Vayne with what you can. You know…he may be a good doctor, but he knows nothing in political. That's what I worry the most."
"Please don't say that, Your Majesty!" Anna stepped forward. "We'll do everything to protect you!"
"I know…I mean if…" Bernard rubbed her head, thanked for her protective words. "You too Anna, please lends your strength to Vayne, and stand by him."
Roze felt the weight on his shoulder. Even the one like Flay stopped making any joke. They all had seen what might come up already.
Meanwhile in baron house…
"…Why the Jerktown asked a ghost to accompany me?" Ulrika grumbled as she watching the ghost kept rummaging the great baron's things.
"Eh~? Where are the panties I found out before?" Pamela threw out a lot of personal things up to diary to shirt from the drawer and cupboard. Ulrika only rolled her eyes at that.
She could imagine what would happen once Jerktown got back.
By the way, why was he asking the ghost here? Could she protect her in case the archer attacked her? Ulrika insisted to go with him at first, but the Jerktown ended up bringing the ghost here. Now see? Great job Jerktown.
"…He deserved this."
"Oh my Ulrika, look at this!" Pamela suddenly yelled excitedly, shoved one thing in Ulrika's hand.
"…What is this?" A fabric? And it's dirty! Ulrika twisted her face.
"Oh…it's so memorable!" Pamela giggled as she floated beside Ulrika. "This fabric was used to wrap Roze when he was found by Eugene."
"Huh?" Tilted her head, Ulrika was confusing with her words.
"Actually, Roze is an abandon child. Eugene, the late baron found him in front of the house, and this fabric was used to wrap the little Roze." Pamela closed her eyes in reminiscence with smile hanged on her face. "There are only this fabric and a ring with him. I still remember the fabric was glowing in some golden particle…and he got the name 'Child of Light' from there."
"A ring? The fabric's glowing?" Why sounded like some story from the book?
"You know the ring Roze is wearing on his right hand? That's it!"
Now Ulrika did remember the Jerktown having a ring. But what that's for? She once thought that the ring was from Fancy Pants…looks like she was wrong.
"…" Pamela suddenly fell silent. It's rare for the noisy ghost became this odd. Ulrika shook her body. "Huh?"
"Are you alright, Pamela?" She was so scary when she was silent…Ulrika gulped.
"…It's nothing…I just remember something in my past…my brother…" It added loneliness on her face.
"Your brother?" She got brother!?"
"His name is Rozeluxe too!" Pamela chuckled. "Roze reminds me a lot of my brother…oh yeah, now I remember that's a girl named Ulrika too…"
"Eh!?" Ulrika widened her eyes.
Pamela could only remember the girl's long golden hair glowing beautifully under the sunlight when she was having a dance with her brother at the garden, but…
"I can't recall her face anymore…" Pamela tooted her mouth, making her even adorable. "She must be as cute as Ulrika!"
The ghost suddenly gave the blonde a hug, pounded on her and both of them fell on Roze's bed.
"P-Pamela!"
"You're so cute, Ulrika!"
The ghost laughed happily. Though she was laughing, Ulrika still caught a hint of bitterness in her tone. It didn't sound like the usual cheerful ghost.
They both didn't notice the figure that leaned on the door. He looked like he was going to kill the girls in the room.
"W.H.A.T A.R.E. Y.O.U. T.W.O. D.O.I.N.G. I.N. M.Y. R.O.O.M!?"
Two weeks had passed since then. Nothing happened to Bernard and the citizen finally felt relieve. Flay still kept their guard up, Anna still kept patrolling as usual. Though it's been two weeks, it didn't mean it was safe. The rumor still spreading and the people had got used to it. They just treat it as some kind of malicious joke now.
Vayne seemed better than before. He would go back to castle to handle some of the paperwork once in a while, and accompany Bernard at the same time. So the clinic was usually closed since Jess was not around as well.
There's only one person didn't feel the same like the others.
It's almost midnight now. All the citizen had went back to meet their sweet dreams. However, that's not our Ulrika.
Unlike the others, Ulrika felt even fidget the in the past few days. Since the rumor had spread, she kept haunting by a bad feeling. This became stronger after she thought of the archer. It felt like something bad was under planning.
Furrowed her brows, she heard an impatient knock from downstairs. She took a quick pace to the door however, Roze was faster than her.
Outside was a soldier covered his face with silver armor. He sounded in anxious yet he didn't forget his manner.
"I apologize for interrupt your rest, but His Majesty is in great danger! Please hurry and save the king!"
It hit Roze as his face twisted, immediately he grabbed his dagger and ran out.
Ulrika managed to stop him before he getting out of the house by grabbing his left arm. She saw his face covered with anxious, as well as a hint of furious.
She bit her lips, found the soldier taking a step back for certain reason at the same time. Just by this time, Ulrika noticed the soldier's hair color.
It's light blue hair! Ulrika screamed in her mind, and she even confirmed she couldn't let the jerk went with the soldier.
"What is it? I'm in hurry!" Roze shouted, caught her mind back. She shook her head.
"No, you can't go!"
"The king is in danger. He needs my help." Roze struggled to pull his arm, but Ulrika refused.
Roze gritted his teeth. What's the chick trying to do? Why stopping him? The depressed look of Bernard when he talked about Vayne was still something fresh in his mind. He couldn't wipe it off!
"Just…listen to me! My instinct always works at the time like this!" Ulrika shouted back. She found the soldier had gone.
No, that's not soldier! That's…!
However, Roze didn't listen at all. He swung away her hand and ran, leaving the blonde shouted behind him.
Ulrika stamped her foot. "You're stupid Jerktown!"
Since the baron was gone, Ulrika couldn't help but got back to the house.
"I'm sure that was not imperial soldier…she is…wait…" When she was about to close the door, she suddenly realized… "I'm all alone…!" She gasped in terror, feeling weak at her legs.
And almost at the same time, an arrow shot through the window and stabbed into her left shoulder. The sound of shattering glass echoed in the house while Ulrika still having no idea what had happened until her hand touched her own blood.
The smell of ironic stimulated her sense. The ache of the injured shoulder reminded the experience she almost got killed in her village.
She panted, quickly hid beneath the window.
The archer was here! The soldier was her! Just exactly like what she thought! She knew that when she saw her light blue hair…urgh! She should tell Jerktown about this!
"…Then the king is safe…?" Was it just a trick so she could kill her? If so…she got many chance to do that…why? Or… "…A trap!"
Now, Ulrika sure the king was truly in danger and the Jerktown too! She had to tell him this!
"…I better get out of here…" Muttered softly, she moved to the door and grabbed the knob. She took a deep breath before opening it. "One…two…three…go!"
She slammed opened the door, ran as fast as she could towards the castle. Her action caught the archer of guard. She stunned for a while, quickly caught back her pace and chased after the blonde.
"What's up with that!?" The archer cursed, tried to aim at the blonde but failed. "That bitch!"
The stalker woman wouldn't be able to shoot her in such a race. Ulrika kept running. She believed she would be safe after she reached the castle.
"It's enough, Sasalina."
The archer immediately stopped after hearing the voice. Ulrika too.
"What now? Don't interfere with my business." The archer-Sasalina spoke to the person behind her.
"I'm not interfering. I'm just here to make sure our deal is completed."
Sasalina frowned, unsatisfied with the person's words.
"Of course. Who do you think my honey is?"
"Is it? Then, I believe we should take our leave now."
"But…!"
Ulrika couldn't see the person since she hid when the person stepped in. She listened carefully to their conversation. As she listening, she found even frightened.
That voice…was not other than Vayne's! She recognized his magnetism-like voice!
Covered her mouth in terrified, her mind went blank. Why Vayne was here? And what was he doing with the stalker woman? Deal? What the deal was?
"Don't worry Sasalina. You will have your chance, and I need to talk to 'him' as well. Now…oh here he comes." Another figure appeared. Ulrika only heard the sound of the footstep. "Don't cause unnecessary thing for now, will you?"
The castle seemed getting noisy and tense as the soldiers running around on the street. Sasalina took a glance around, knowing they were left no time, finally compromised.
"You're right." Turned around, she walked to the figure and grabbed his arm. "Let's go honey~"
The figure just ignored her.
After their footsteps had fainted, Ulrika again ran to the castle. However, the imperial soldiers blocked her way in.
"Let me through! Jerktown…Baron Roze is in danger!" She struggled.
"I'm sorry, but you can't enter without permission!"
"But…!" Damn these stubborn heads! Ulrika stamped her foot like a lost child.
Who could help her to get in? You're great now, damn Jerktown!
"…Ulrika?" A voice called her as the person getting nearby.
"Captain Anna!" Just the perfect timing!
"What are you doing here?" Anna asked, found the wound on her shoulder. "What happened!?"
"Later! Let's get inside! The king and Jerktown are in danger!"
A frown formed on the captain's face. Roze was inside?
She was just informed by the soldiers there's an intruder in the castle, but why he was here early than her? And more of that, he seemed much earlier…
"…Okay, come with me."
Anna brought Ulrika to the King Chamber. Everyone in the castle was confusing with the situation. The whole castle was more like a chaos.
When they arrived in King Chamber, Anna found Flay was already there, gazing inside with a serious expression Anna never seen before.
"Flay…?"
"Take a look yourself."
It sounded scary from him. They both slowly turned their head to the King Chamber.
Bernard was lying dead on the floor, and Roze was holding the Sword of Light while his body was stained by blood.
Opps…something bad had happened now. Who is the murderer? Vayne? Roze? Or the stalkers? Hmm... things still under panning. I'm not very sure for now. Wish me good luck now. Next chapter they will come up an escape plan. For who? You know that.
Then, see you!
