"I never expected it to go so well. I apologize for the dangers that these circumstances caused you." Chopper felt regretful for putting them in danger due to the decisions he fatally chose. One false choice will mean a demise for them.
"You don't have to feel such guilt, Chopper. Rather, we should be the ones apologizing for putting you in a dangerous situation." Sab answered. They arrived in Chopper's hut in the hillside. They did not dare go to Chopper's main manor in the Central Raftel. They still have to be careful about how to proceed.
As they are engaged in a serious conversation, Chopper noticed many audiences not far from his house – whispering curiosity towards the humans residing inside. He sensed no serious malicious intent from these creatures, but rather they are filled with curiosity to see the humans who dared to show themselves in front of the authorities in Raftel.
Luffia noticed the surge presence of different creatures outside which is why she opened the door with no qualms and revealed herself to everyone's view.
All of a sudden, every creature in front of Chopper's hut went silent as they stared at the figure in front of them. Luffia can only stare back with her eyes full of curiosity towards the creatures as if she is processing the fact that she is now faced with creatures she has never seen before.
As the thought sink in, she smiled widely at the creatures in front of her and exclaimed: "Chopper, you have so many visitors!"
This stole the twins' attention, rushing towards the front door and the sight in front of them shocked them. Dozens of creatures stood in front of them, some hiding behind the boulders and trees present in front of the hut.
"Eh?" As Chopper took a closer look, some of them are familiar. They all looked towards Chopper with such deep curiosity. The crowd is filled with creatures living nearby and some of them are also children whom Chopper treated before.
All of them stared at each other for quite a while until one approached them – a small little girl with brown bird wings, feet that resembled the claws of a bird and pointy ears. She could have looked like a harpy, but her appearance is somewhat different.
"Healer, is it true that they are humans?" The small girl asked bravely. Despite stepping out of the crowd, she still kept her distance fairly.
"Yes, Kisla. They are humans." Chopper smiled at the girl. (Kisla was derived from the word: Kis lᾴny – Hungarian word means Small girl).
The girl nodded as she looked warily towards humans.
"Kisla, get away from there this instant!" One adult creature, which resembles the small girl shouted from the crowd but this woman did not dare get closer to the hut.
Ann stared at the girl named Kisla in front of them. Her innocence vaguely reminds her of how Luffia was when she was a child. Ann crouched a little to level her eyes with Kisla. She showed a little wariness and fear towards Ann, after all, humans' reputation in Raftel is not favorable.
"Hello there, little girl. Your name is Kisla? I am Ann. It is good to meet a brave girl such as yourself." Ann smiled towards the girl. It is fascinating how they can now see creatures such as them. Stories were nothing comparable towards the creatures in front of them and despite being worried about the whole situation, it will not prevent all curiosity they held towards the Raftel.
"Will you eat us? Will you slaughter us?" Kisla bravely asked with a frightened expression. As soon as the question was asked, silence engulfed them. The three sisters are all shocked. Were they thinking that they have come to slaughter them? The humans have done damages they could not erase and those damages cannot be erased for generations.
Sab pondered for a moment as she sadly smiled towards the girl.
"No, we are not. We are only taking shelter here for the time being." Sab answered to Kisla. The girl looked at them with less hesitation.
Then, Luffia decided to join the conversation as she smiled towards the little girl.
"Hello, Kisla! I'm Luffia! Your wings looked amazing! I wish I could have amazing wings such as yours!"
Kisla looked at them with a stunned expression. Upon hearing their words, more curious little kids started running towards their direction, surrounding them, and started asking dozens of questions. Not one from the adults was able to stop the kids to approach the humans.
"We heard that the population of humans is so vast that it cannot be compared to Raftel, is that true?"
"Are Humans like you three?"
"What places does the Human Realm has? Can you please tell us?"
The sisters are quite surprised upon seeing how the children started to swarm around them. It must be the first time where they had the chance to meet humans.
"Shishishi!" Luffia laughed heartily as kids started swarming them.
"Please take it easy. They are injured." Chopper warned the children. The situation turned quite uncontrollable and he has to think of ways to ward them off even a little. Even with Chopper's warnings, the children kept swarming like a water dam that broke away from the constrictions.
"We will answer questions one at a time, okay?" Sab chuckled how these children are all so eager. It reminded them of the children in Cresta. Thinking about how those children's lives are affected due to the war, it pained their hearts. They were so powerless during the invasion that they could not do anything.
"Children! Get away from the humans this instant!" One creature from the crowd shouted. This startled them. The children went silent as they started to back away from the humans.
This is to be expected. They are, after all, trespassers to their homeland. Their kind tried countless of times to invade these lands. Their hostility is understandable.
"We need to rest due to our injuries. You can come tomorrow to ask questions. Once our injuries are healed, maybe we could play." Luffia smiled at the children. They stared at her, almost believing her words but there is still a hint of hesitance.
"Listen to your elders and back away for now." Ann said as she started to stand up and back away as well.
The adult creatures started to call out to the children that all of them need to go. As soon as all of them were gone, the three sisters and Chopper inside the hut.
For the first time since the fall of Cresta, the sisters were able to sleep well. No one expected things to turn out as it is today. Feelings of grief and mistrust linger around the hearts of the twins but they set it aside in exchange for Luffia's word that these creatures will keep their word.
Morning easily came. Ann noticed how their wounds are starting to heal rather quickly compared to when they were in the Human Realm. Normally, their injuries should have taken at least half a month before they are healed yet it only took them a couple of days.
It must be Chopper's medicine. His medicine is quite effective. Ann tried to stretch her arms and she felt no pain at all. She tried stretching her body a little and she found out she can move quite well compared to when they were in the Dark Forest.
"Ann, can you help me set up the table?" Sab's voice echoed from the kitchen. She woke up early and started to cook for breakfast. It is one of the most peaceful mornings they had and they wished they could have mornings as peaceful as this.
Ann began walking to the kitchen where Sab is and help in setting up the table. Luffia is still pestering Sab to give her food even though it is still not finished.
Among the three of them, Sab can decently cook meals while Ann tends to burn the whole kitchen whenever she tries to cook. She can only prepare meals that do not involve fire such as a sandwich, salad, and basic meals. Luffia was beyond hopeless when it comes to cooking food as before it even touched the utensils, she will devour all of it.
Chopper also woke up early. He seems to be in a good spirit as well when he greeted all of them. As soon as the food was set in the table, all of them started devouring it.
"We will go to Central Raftel. It would be best to stay in Central Raftel rather than in this secluded place. The High Princes and the Peacekeeper might have announced all of you as guests, but not all creatures in Raftel will easily accept it. Grudges are expected and hostility might be even more intense." Chopper broke the silence through his words. All of them stopped as they looked at Chopper.
"We already expected as much. It would be a surprise if there will be no hostility towards us." Ann answered with a serious tone.
"Do you think someone will come here to slaughter us?" Sab boldly asked. Assassination attempts are highly possible. They cannot rely on the words of the authorities as they know themselves that the leaders do not control everything within his domain. There will always be small holes and details that they cannot control.
"It will be best to stay in my manor in Central Raftel. That is our best option for now." Chopper spoke. He also thinks that he can accommodate patients well if he were to stay in his manor. At the same time, he can rest well that the princesses can be as safe as possible.
"Let's go! I want to explore the place!" Luffia shouted excitedly. She is not the least bothered with their situation and instead wanted to explore the place despite the knowledge that someone might try to kill them.
Why would she? She does not think of the words of the old man and the three Princes are petty. Even if there will be someone to send an assassin, she will try to protect herself. A little danger is always expected when exploring new places – at least that is what is in her mind.
"I will be asking Robin to give you a couple of insights about Raftel. There are a lot of places you can see."
All three of them nodded. Luffia can't help but feel excited at the prospect of an adventure.
As soon as they finished their meal, Chopper continued to formulate medicines needed by his patients. Ann continued to do a couple of stretching. There are slight pains, but it is not as bad as she thought it would be. They never know when the situation will ask for their strength. Sab is also doing the same. They are allowed to exert muscle efforts with the restrictions of not overexerting their joints and reopening their wounds.
While they are busy doing so, Luffia wandered around Chopper's backyard. She started walking farther away from his backyard without any regard to where she is. She walked in a random direction, trusting her instincts and that tingling feeling at her back. As she walked farther away, the more her back feels that little fire. She paid no attention to it nor did she ever check it, she just followed her instincts.
She stopped on her tracks once she saw the green-haired man lying on the ground, sound asleep – carefree like she is.
She remembered him. He is the High Prince of Vaelon. As she slowly approaches the man, she can't help smile a little. She is a step away from him, yet he did not open his eyes. She felt curiosity filled her mind. Her back is feeling hotter for some reason but she did not pay attention to it.
Ignoring that feeling, she decided to sit crossed legs in front of the man.
His hands are tucked beneath his head. His eyes are closed, sleeping peacefully. Luffia stared with more intensity, frowning a little from time to time. He looked so much like a human. There are no distinguishing features about him that can separate him from a human.
At one glance, he can pass as a human. If he were to mingle with her kind, people will not doubt it. She further observed him. He wore a green long open coat that is closed on his waist and is held by a red sash. It is paired with black trousers and boots. The coat exposes his chest which reveals a green haramaki around his waist and it also exposes the deep slash across his chest.
"Are you done observing?" Luffia almost jumped as Zoro spoke with a deep and calm voice. As Luffia looked at his face, his eyes are still close as if he is still sleeping.
"You're not asleep?" she innocently asked.
"Do you think I could sleep with a person next to me, staring so intently?" This time, Zoro opened his eye as the other one deemed to be permanently closed due to the gash across it.
They stared at each other's eyes. Black ones locked with Green ones.
At the instant that their eyes met, Luffia's back suddenly grew hotter as if burning her with deep feelings she never knew she can feel. The intensity shocked her, but she only frowned and kept herself calm. She is the type of person who does not pay attention to anything she deemed not interesting.
She assumed that the hot feeling at her back is due to the fact that she is in a different realm, therefore, there is no use to continue to ponder at it.
"Why are you sleeping here, Zoro? Are you lazy?" Her mouth does the thinking before her mind does.
Zoro was slightly surprised that she even remembered his name. Deep down, it struck a feeling of happiness to him.
"It is peaceful here, no one usually comes here and I can relax. What are you doing here? Are you not afraid?" Zoro continued to lay on the ground even during their conversation. The more he stares, the more his feelings started to grow. She is far more beautiful up close. The more he stares at her, the more he finds her beautiful, like a goddess.
"Oh, I felt bored inside Chopper's hut so I decided to walk around. There must be interesting places around Raftel! I would love to see those!" She smiled sweetly at him. Staying close to him made her feel secure, happy, and satisfied.
"Be careful not to run into trouble." Zoro warned.
"Hahaha. You speak like my sisters. They always warned me to stay out of trouble. I wonder why?" Luffia tilted her head innocently and ponder at her sisters' warnings to stay out of trouble. She could not remember when she ever put herself into serious trouble. Light troubles always come, but dangerous ones, it has never happened – that is what she thought.
Zoro raised a brow at her, recalling what happened yesterday during their first meeting. With the way she acts, no wonder her sisters will always give her warnings to stay out of trouble. She seems to be a person who attracts trouble wherever she goes.
"Anyways, can you tell me about Raftel? There are so many things I haven't heard about this realm and I wanted to know more! I wanted to explore it!" Luffia excitedly asked as she imagined how vast this world is, how she could have so many adventures at once.
"Hmph! Go away! Let me sleep!" Zoro turned his back at her and closed his eye to sleep.
"No! Tell me!" Instead of leaving, Luffia demanded him to tell her more about Raftel. He did not answer her and continued to close his eye. Luffia can only see his back. She huffed with annoyance. He is ignoring her!
"Zoro! Zoro! No sleeping!" Luffia continued to shake his shoulders roughly to prevent him from sleeping.
"Ugh, go away! Stop pestering me!" In truth, Zoro is starting to feel intense feeling growing stronger from her light touch. Her presence itself is disturbing enough for him and right now, she is casually touching his shoulder like nothing. Such acts of rudeness can earn negative impressions to the Raftelians as Zoro held a high position.
"Zoro! Zoro!" Luffia continued to pester her. She finds it quite an entertainment how his face is frowning in annoyance at her constant bothering. "I will not let you sleep not until you tell me!" She stubbornly said.
Zoro is starting to have a headache from her attitude. She is acting like a spoiled princess – a trait he does not adhere to as a good impression but towards her, he finds it endearing.
"Fine! Stop pestering me afterwards!"
Luffia immediately retracted her hands and behaved well in front of Zoro – excitement building in her eyes as she stared expectantly at him while carrying that big and innocent smile of hers.
"What do you want to know?" Zoro moved to a sitting position and is now facing this human. It is quite surprising how he can handle her presence when he is strict when it comes to his sleep. No sane creature will dare disrupt a sleeping dragon - except for this human, that is.
"Anything!" Luffia smiled.
Zoro can only sigh. He does not have anything in mind right now. His mind is clouded with confusion towards this woman. She is such a storming mystery. He felt deep connections towards her yet she does not show any signs of the same reactions at all.
"Raftel has four main parts. One, Ipraecia, the other, Beogia, and lastly, my own kingdom, 's all."
"Eeeh? Tell me more!"
Zoro felt his headache growing intensely at her demands. He is not a man who would often start long conversations unless he is directly interested.
"There are many creatures that you can encounter within Raftel. You will normally see Dragons, dwarves, unicorns, wolves, berserkers."
Zoro did not further continue as he deemed it sufficient enough but the way Luffia looks at him, he knew that she is asking for more.
"You're a dragon, right? Can you transform? I want to see it!" Luffia is not asking, but rather demanding him to turn into his dragon form.
It is easy to do so, but if he did, he will attract so much attention all at once since the size of a dragon is enormous. As soon as he transforms, his entire aura will surround the area. It is impossible for anyone not to notice it.
"It is troublesome to transform into a full dragon form." He answered.
"But why?"
Zoro fought the will to groan. This woman is beginning to annoy him.
"It will attract everyone's attention." He simply answered. Luffia stared at him with a small frown.
"So?" she asked with a confused expression. In her mind, she asks if there is anything wrong with attracting attention. She sees nothing wrong with such a thing and she could not understand why Zoro will not transform for that reason.
Zoro, on the other hand, can't help but groan. This woman seriously does not understand his position.
"Alright, I will transform but only a portion." Luffia wanted to protest but since he will heed her request, she did not utter any complaints.
Zoro then stood up and removed his coat and left it hanging on his waist which now fully exposes his upper body. There are traces of scars all over his muscular body. Luffia blushes a little upon seeing his entire upper body. His muscles are perfect. She had never seen such a body as his.
Zoro noticed how she blushed a little and a smirk inevitably landed on his lips. He turned his back fully exposing the mark of a green dragon's body wrapped around the woman in red.
His back faced Luffia. Zoro wanted to pull his clothes back and hide that mark on his back but it is too late now. She has seen it but even if she did, was there any significance to it? The mark symbolizes that Zoro already has a mate but there is no guarantee that she knows of such information.
The mark itself is beautiful. Luffia's focus was diverted to that symbol on his back. Why does it feel so familiar to her? Why does her back seem to be responding at the sight of that mark? She could not point out her exact connection to that mark, but her instincts are telling her that there is a link.
She ignored those thoughts for a moment and focused on the transformation Zoro is doing. His back slightly twitched, green scales started to form, his bones are starting to protrude his skin as if itching to tear it apart.
The transformation should be scary, but for some reason, Luffia finds it amazing and enchanting.
Before long, two green-scaled wings formed at Zoro's back. The wings are quite large and sturdy. She suddenly had the urge to touch it.
Zoro flapped his wings a little and turn around to see her reactions. As soon as he turned around, he saw how amazed and happy Luffia is. Her eyes shined so brightly as she stares at Zoro.
"It's incredible! I love it!" She expressed such words with no hesitation at all. Her eyes are shining like stars as she looked at Zoro in a new light. Zoro kept his silence, realizing his actions. As a High Prince, he shouldn't be compelled to her wishes this easily.
"You can fly, can you?" Luffia's smile cannot be any wider. The sight in front of her simply cannot be fathomed. It is beautiful and majestic. Who knew, that in her lifetime she will witness such magnificence?
"Luffia! Luffia!" A voice resonated not far from where they are. It was Sab's voice. Luffia looked towards where the voice came from. It seems that they all realized Luffia's absence.
"You should go." Zoro's deep voice penetrated her ears.
Luffia frowned a little, unwilling to go. Her heart desires to stay here but Zoro himself is instructing her to go.
Zoro did not wait for a reply as he started to go in the opposite direction.
"Will you be here often?" Luffia suddenly asked.
"Why?" Zoro looked back at her with a serious question. He could not think of any reason why she would ask such a question.
"I still wanted to talk to you some more. I hope we can be friends." Zoro did not reply and instead slowly walk away in the opposite direction. "I'll expect you tomorrow. I still have questions I want you to answer." Luffia shouted for him to hear, yet no answer was given but Luffia still smiled, as if his silence indicates a yes.
"Luffia! Where are you?!" Sab called out.
"I'm coming!" With a wide smile, Luffia runs to where Sab is.
As soon as Sab laid her eyes at her, she frowned. Her angelic face shows disagreement with Luffia's actions.
"Where have you been?" Sab immediately questioned. They cannot afford to be separated. It is dangerous for them to do so and Luffia must not have realized it – or rather, she does not care about the danger. She must be born without any sense of danger at all.
"I was just out for a walk. Is something wrong?" She innocently asked. For Luffia, her actions are not wrong. No one specifically prohibited her to walk nearby – especially in the small cliff nearby where she saw Zoro sleeping.
Sab can only sigh. There will be no use speaking of the dangers and explain their situation to Luffia. She will never heed to it and rather than avoiding the dangers, she might think of facing it head-on.
"Come on, we should help Chopper. His patients might start coming. Helping him is the least thing we could do."
Luffia nodded excitedly as they started to walk towards the house. Inside, they found Ann and Chopper merrily conversing while Ann helps Chopper arrange his medicines as per his instructions.
As soon as they announced their arrival, Ann immediately frowned towards Luffia.
"Luffia, you must not go anywhere without us knowing! We are worried that you were gone even for a couple of minutes!" Ann scolded. She has been worried that this will happen, and she is right. Luffia constantly asks for trouble.
"I was just out for a walk!" Luffia frowned a little at her sister. She could never understand why walking for a couple of meters away from the house seem to be a big issue. It is not like she is walking towards her death!
Ann wanted to retaliate and say more but the look in Sab's eyes warns her to heed and put a stop to this conversation. There will be no point in explaining it further as Luffia might take their concern the wrong way - and this happens often even when they are still in Cresta.
Ann just sighed and did not say any words.
"Come on Luffia, help up a bit." Sab encouraged Luffia to move a couple of medicine to a shelf. Chopper just smiled as he watched them store the herbs properly. He lives alone and therefore does not have anyone do these arrangements for him.
A knock on the door almost startled them. Ann was the first one to react as she said: "I'll check who it is." She muttered.
She put aside her chore and opened the door. She expected a patient, but instead what she saw in front of her is the person she does not want to see as of the moment.
She looked up to the tall blond man in front of her. His eyes held a little surprised reaction upon facing Ann.
"What do you want?" Ann asked with a hint of animosity as she furrowed her brows while looking at him.
Marco bit back a smile as he kept his calm while facing this woman. She is as beautiful as he recalls from yesterday – even if she is frowning towards him.
"I am looking for Chopper. There is medicine I would like to ask from him, yoi." Marco answered in a calm manner. He showed a simple smile toward Ann.
Ann did not answer but continue to glare at him. Sab noticed that Ann is taking so long in front of the door so she took the initiative to look at the cause. Upon seeing Marco, Sab can only guess that Ann is frowning towards him while her arms are crossed in front of her chest.
"Ann, why are you not inviting Prince Marco inside?" Sab voiced out.
Upon the mention of Marco's name, Luffia's face immediately lit up. She could remember Marco from yesterday. She left whatever she is doing and dashed forward towards Ann and Marco's direction.
"Hi, Marco!" She shouted as she jumped towards Ann's back – towards Marco's direction. Her actions made Ann lose her balance and thus stumbling forward.
Marco saw how Ann lost her balance and thus instinctively extended his arms to catch her.
Soon, Ann found herself in Marco's arms, wrapped around her with sheer protectiveness that she never felt from anyone. Her face turned red upon feeling the bare muscled chest of this man. His scent is so enchanting and mesmerizing to a point that Ann almost forgot herself and her situation.
The scenario made Sab looked intently at them. Ann and Marco embracing each other like lovers. Although she knew why they are in that situation, it is still surreal to see her sister's face flushed red.
"Why are you embracing each other?" Luffia innocently asked as she looked confused at Ann and Marco. The question served like cold water, waking them from the warmth of their dreams.
Ann instantly, like a lightning, pushed Marco away and stepped back.
"We're not embracing each other!" She shouted in fury. She then walked away to hide the redness due to embarrassment.
Her actions made Marco felt disappointed. Her warmth felt wonderful and the slight touch made him want to embrace her more. Her scent engulfed his essence and Marco could swear, he wished he can stay close to her for every second.
It might be disappointing yet the simple touch still made him happy. Her red cheeks looked adorable and quite amusing. Marco faintly smiled.
"Hey, Marco! Are you here to visit Chopper? Are you sick?"
As Marco directed his focus to Luffia, he can't help but smile back.
"Hello to you, Luffia. You seem to be full of energy, yoi. You are quite right. I came to visit Chopper, but not because I am sick."
"Oh." Luffia could only answer as such.
Sab intervened to let Marco in.
"Prince Marco, please come in."
"Just call me Marco, unless you want me to call you by your titles as well?"
Sab can only smile faintly towards this man. She does not sense any hostility from him, rather she can feel that he does not mean any harm at all – rather he is welcoming them.
"If you insist, then Marco, it is."
As Marco walked inside, he saw Chopper deeply concentrating on mixing herbs, refining it to perfection. In all truth, Marco does not have to be here, fetching the medicine for their Peacekeeper. Whitebeard can ask anyone to fetch the medicine itself and it does not have to be Marco, yet this High Prince insists to do this errand - in order to have a valid reason to see her.
"Hello, Chopper." Marco greeted.
"Ah, Your Highness! I-I did not know you will grace us with your presence." Chopper panicked for a moment upon seeing Marco. He does not often see Marco visit him and fetch medicine for the Peacekeeper.
"Please be at ease. I came here to fetch the medicine for the Peacekeeper, yoi." Marco smiled calmly towards Chopper.
"Yes. I am almost done. I am thinking of delivering it myself after refining the herbs."
Marco only nodded and his eyes diverted towards the woman standing in the corner, glaring at him. Her treatment puzzles Marco. Does she have a reason to treat him badly?
"Ann, don't be rude!" Sab reprimanded. She noticed how Ann glares at Marco, clearly showing her mistrust and animosity.
"Tch!" Ann snorted as she diverted her glare somewhere, refusing to gaze at Marco any longer.
"Marco! Marco!" A voice took Marco's focus. He looked towards the source of the voice and she saw Luffia's smiling face, directing at him.
"Yes, Luffia?" This is the first time for Marco to interact with humans such as them. In the last decades, he had never met humans aside from them. It quite surprised him to such extent that Luffia does not act guarded against him, unlike her sisters.
Sab might be accommodating but Marco can still feel that she does not fully trust Marco and that is to be expected given his status and what he is while the eldest of them – Ann – does not have any welcoming gestures towards him. Her actions made Marco feel sad.
"You're not human, are you?" She questioned with excitement that makes Marco taken aback. The question should pose as an inquiry with wariness, instead, she asked with full of excitement as if the fact that he is not human is something to look forward to.
"Yes, I am not. Why do you ask, yoi?"
"Then can you transform? Can you fly too?"
"Yes, I can." Marco lightly laughed at Luffia's question. She acts like a child.
"Amazing! I want to fly too, but I can't." She acted dejected upon saying those words.
"Then how about flying on a Pegasus? That could count as flying, yoi." Marco suggested. For creatures who can't fly they often ride on a pegasus, hence, the same applies to humans such as them.
"Really? I can ride one?" Luffia became excited upon hearing those words.
"Yes. I can arrange a pegasi for you and your sisters." As those words were uttered, Luffia's face lit up in excitement only to diminish as the next words were truly heartbreaking for her.
"No thank you! We don't need it!" Ann's words were firm and there is no hesitation as rejected Marco's offer.
"I know you do not need it, but your younger sister wished for it, yoi." Marco reasoned out to Ann. They locked eyes. His words heed a good reason yet his motives are to question her about why she is so against him.
"Regardless! We don't want it!" She firmly said as she glared at Marco who seems to be unaffected by her tirade. It puzzles Marco how she mistrusts him. For now, he can only sigh and heed to her wishes.
"Ann! But I want to!" Luffia whined at Ann.
"Even if you want it, you might be falling for a trap!" Ann is still resolute about rejecting Marco's offer even though he acted like he does not want to bring them harm. She will not trust him so easily no matter what.
"But he is a good man!" She pointed out.
Ann and Luffia stared at each other with fierce glares, unwilling to submit to each other. Chopper can only stare in confusion towards them. He could never understand the deep cause of such arguments. Sab, on the other hand, can only shake her head while witnessing this. She understands well why Ann is acting this way.
Marco kept his calm and further observed Ann. Though in his heart – he desires to be close to her, to know her well, and for her to accept who he is, he still cannot rush everything and tell her that she is his mate. That alone will be a shock and it needs time before she can accept it.
The scenario where she will accept Marco is far off. They are still in the starting point and Ann does not trust him at all.
"I understand, if that is your wish, I will command it, yoi. However, if in time you might want the offer, don't hesitate to voice it out. One word, and it shall be done." Every word was uttered like an enchantment – a spell. It bequeaths heavy meaning that did not escape Ann's intuition, as if Marco is telling her something. His words are deeper than she expected and she cannot comprehend the meaning behind it.
Sab and Lu just fell silent upon the exchange. They did not utter any words.
"Chopper, since you are still in the process of refining it, I shall leave you to it. If you can please deliver it to the Peacekeeper, that I will appreciate, yoi. "
"Yes, Your Highness. I shall deliver it as soon as I can." Chopper answered.
Satisfied, Marco smiled and directs his gaze towards Sab and Luffia then it ended towards Ann.
"Then I shall take my leave. I don't want to overstay my welcome."
"You're already leaving?" Luffia asked. She meant Marco to stay so she could ask a couple of questions.
"Yes. I will see all of you soon." Marco decided to leave the house.
"Bye Marco! Visit us soon!" As soon as those words are said, Marco nodded and left the house.
Several minutes have passed since Marco left, Sab decided to confront Ann.
"You are so rude. What's wrong with you?" Sab asked with a disappointed tone.
"Nothing." Ann answered while avoiding her gaze.
"You do know that we cannot afford to offend him. He is a High Prince and he has a vast authority in Raftel. One word and all of us will find ourselves knocking at Death's door! Do you know the possible consequences of your actions?"
Ann did not say anything. She knew full well about the matter Sab is so concerned about yet her heart's focus is directed at something unexplainable. Seeing him made her feel conflicted. She does not trust him – she keeps telling herself that over and over again but deep inside her, she felt like she should trust him.
"Ann, he does not mean any harm and he does not hate you." Luffia said while eating bread with cheese.
"And how do you know he won't? How do you know that he does not see us as vile humans and is trying to trap us to death? What if he is a creature that will be the death of us?" The invasion and the fall of Cresta deeply penetrate Ann's mind and even before their circumstance happened, she had been overprotective. The overprotectiveness she felt grew intensely after a few nobles from Cresta sold information to the invaders.
Those nobles swore loyalty to their family. They swore an oath, yet they chose to betray the kingdom. The kingdom is in this situation because of their betrayal. Had their father not trusted them, the kingdom would have been saved. There wouldn't have been deaths. Betrayals that led to deaths. Ann will avoid that no matter what, especially now. She will never trust these creatures.
"You are overthinking it." Luffia uttered with a shrug of shoulders. In her mind, she knew Marco will never do that.
All of them fell silent, choosing to end this conversation. They continued their chores and at the same time, they started to prepare to leave this house and go to Central Raftel.
Sab was in deep thought. She has been thinking of ways to get back their parents or even know if they are alive. She also thought of how they can take back their kingdom from those invaders. Asking an army from Raftel is out of the question. They could never ask of it regardless of their father's relationship with the Peacekeeper.
Cresta is their kingdom and asking for an army to fight for them is the same as asking them to expose themselves and if several neighboring kingdoms were to know of the existence of Raftel, even if they were to defeat the invaders and take back Cresta, more will be coming.
Sab – as a princess whom they depended on when it comes to complicated decision making - found her way in a dead end. One way she could think of is to ask their parents what to do next but they can't as their parents are still in captive. Then, an idea came to her mind.
"Chopper…" She called out.
"Yes? Is there something wrong?"
"Do you think there is a way for us to know of a person's location? And possibly talk to them?" Sab asked in a hopeful manner. This is Raftel, this is a land full of magic itself and if that way of communication is possible, then that is the only way they can find out what happened to their parents.
"Yes, it is possible. Why?"
"Really? Then, who can we ask to do it? I just need to find out the whereabouts of my parents. Maybe get a chance to talk to them."
"We could ask the Peacekeeper. He met your father and with such a connection, I believe he can do it." Sab's smile cannot be compared. Her heart holds a slight hope for what Chopper answered.
"Then can we ask for an audience?"
"Yes. Are you thinking of communicating with your parents?"
"Yes. We need to think of a way to get back our kingdom. If there is a slight chance of communicating with our parents, then we can ask them of which way we should go." Sab answered. Upon hearing this, Ann who was originally in the kitchen immediately announced her presence.
"Communicating with our parents?!" She exclaimed in disbelief.
"Yes." Sab looked at her with a slight hope in her eyes. "There is a way for us to locate them. We have to ask the Peacekeeper."
Ann nodded and felt a little nostalgia in her heart. It has been several days since they escaped Cresta – that is also the last day they saw them. Ann hopes that the invaders and will spare their lives. If there is a way to communicate with them, then they can start planning how to get them back.
"Are you thinking of going out to the Human Realm once you find their location?" Chopper asked with a frown, his face full of worries. He is happy that the sisters are doing well and there is hope lingering for them yet he worries that going out in their condition will get them killed. Yes, they are more or less healed, but that is not enough to fight thousands of armies.
The look they gave him tells Chopper that they indeed had been planning to go back to the Human Realm.
"We need to keep this from Luffia." Sab muttered.
"Why? If she were to know we have a way to communicate with our parents, she will be happy." Ann argued. Sab felt even more troubled as explaining her thoughts to Ann is complicated, yet she has to do it.
"IF we were to find them, we can't guarantee one thing." She muttered once more.
"What is it?" Ann does not have a good feeling about how Sab is reacting. She knew her sister so well and she realized there is a depth meaning to her actions.
"We cannot guarantee that we will find them a-alive."
Her voice started to quiver and the mere thought of this makes her feel ashamed for thinking of the possibility that their parents are dead. Just the mere thought itself is unbearable but what choice does she have? She has to think of every possibility in every angle – and that includes the death of their parents.
Ann shivered at what Sab mentioned. She looked towards her sister with a look of disdain and utter shock. How could Sab ever think of such a thing?
"They can't be dead. Why are you thinking of such blasphemy?!"
"Our enemies are cruel, Ann. Do you think they will not try to harm our parents? They are the rulers of Cresta. The possibility of them being harmed is high. If Luffia were to see that, what do you think she will do?" Sab cannot openly say the word dead because if she were, she will just feel more grief towards their parents.
Ann was enlightened by her words. She has a point. Above all, Luffia will be hurt. She might start running back to their palace if something were to happen to their parents, and that smile of hers will be gone.
"Okay, I understand." Ann can only solemnly nod.
Before the end of the day, Chopper informed them that they are to go to his manor. They used a new carriage for their travel. As all of them travel to Chopper's manor, many creatures have been curious at them but no one dared to do anything to them. They hear quite a lot of disagreements towards them, actions and gestures of hostility were evident.
"That is Chopper, the Healer who brought humans with him!"
"I heard that the Peacekeeper and the High Princes all agreed to shelter them here."
"Absurdity! To shelter humans!"
Various comments have been said and they all can stay inside and ignore it. Luffia wanted to take a look outside but was stopped by her sisters.
The travel did not take long and before they knew it, they are already inside the manor's backyard.
"We are here." Chopper announced. Luffia was the first to get out of the carriage, followed by the twins. What they saw in front of them is not a small manor they expected but rather, almost resembles a huge mansion.
"Chopper, is this your manor?" Sab asked in disbelief.
"Yes. This was given to me by the Peacekeeper in exchange for the medicines. I have been granted the title of Royal Healer and thus should reside in this manor. Come, I will guide you through inside." As soon as they enter the manor, they are greeted with elegance.
The interior designs are incredible. After giving them guidance about the manor, they are given rooms for themselves to rest.
"Robin will arrive anytime now." As soon as Chopper said that, a sound of a soft knock was heard from the main door and as soon as it was swung open, it revealed an elegant and beautiful woman. "Robin!"
Chopper exclaimed and without a warning, he greeted Robin with a hug.
"Hello, Chopper. I am glad all of you are doing quite well, especially our esteemed guests." She smiled towards the princesses. "You've caused quite a spectacle that shook the entire Raftel. The first humans to ever stay in Raftel after hundreds of years."
The princesses did not say anything but, only nod towards Robin.
Chopper ushered Robin to the receiving area and was now followed by the three princesses.
"Quite bold of you to appear in front of everyone and save Chopper. This only shows how good-natured you are." Robin said with a warm smile. She is a Halfborn like Chopper and received quite a bad treatment from several creatures in Raftel. To have humans who are willing to die for a stranger and go as far as choosing a mere stranger's safety over hers and her sisters is truly admirable.
No wonder the Peacekeeper and the Three High Princes were moved.
"Chopper saved our lives it is only natural that we save his." Luffia answered with no qualms. Robin warmly smiled at her.
"Tomorrow, I will be bringing you around Raftel to sightsee. There are far more places you are yet to venture upon and I am quite sure you will love them. Would you like to go to Ipraecia tomorrow as well?"
Upon the mention of that name, Ann felt alarmed a little. Her mind suddenly thought of the blond High Prince that she recently almost offended.
"Yes, yes! We'll go! Can we visit Marco?" Luffia casually threw his name as if they are familiar with each other.
"Of course, we can. I am sure he will not mind your presence."
Luffia felt so excited in tomorrow's activities while Ann felt conflicted. Sab can only smile at her elder twin. As much as Sab wanted to accompany Luffia all throughout the day, they have matters that need to attend to and that is to seek an audience from Whitebeard himself.
"How about going to Ipraecia first and afterward, Robin can guide Luffia to various places? There are some things we need to attend to and we cannot accompany her." Sab said. Ann immediately understood what she meant but also, she realized that Sab meant to go to Ipraecia first which means Ann has to accompany them to Ipraecia.
"Is that so? Then so be it. I would love to accompany Luffia to one of my favorite places." Sab is glad Robin understood her meaning and she is even happier that Luffia did not bother to ask anything at all.
Luffia continued to ask Robin various questions which she happily answered. It looks like Lu and Robin get along so well. Afterward, they shared dinner together with Robin. The historian witnessed how the sisters could eat and instead of being shocked, she looked amused.
All throughout the dinner, they all shared laughter that can be heard nearby… Only if their laugh can last for more.
Somewhere near the manor…
"Hmph! Do you think you can still laugh for long? Wretched humans! You will soon die!"
A sinister smile appeared in the man's lips accompanied by a couple of agreements from three other creatures.
An impending danger is coming towards the human princesses…
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
Kidd tried to reach Achilles' consciousness and call him to show himself before Kidd, but he could never reach him for some reason as if he is trying to hide from Kidd.
This rarely happens. It only happens when Achilles decided to train his powers but in those times, he would be letting Kidd know of his plan.
After a couple of trials, he did not pursue any longer. There will be no use to reach out to someone who is hiding.
The reason why he wanted to see Achilles now is to ask him a couple of questions that have been lingering in his mind. He had no way to ask Achilles if he is gone and Kidd could never voice this out to Killer.
He sighed to himself. As he looked towards the forest not far from the Center of Raftel, he thought of seeking Achilles there. He could not find him in Beogia's forest grounds, then he might be near the Center of Raftel. Although Achilles does not like to be surrounded by other creatures, Kidd has this vague feeling that he might be there.
Without any hesitation, he jumped from his chamber's veranda down to the ground and started running towards the forest near the Center of Raftel.
Meanwhile…
Sab had this vague feeling of someone watching from the forest nearby.
Chopper's manor might be situated in the Central of Raftel but he opted to choose a manor which is near a forest because there are herbs he will have to grow and thus have to rely on the enrichment of the forest itself.
It is night and dark. As Sab looked towards the forest, she saw a silhouette of a certain creature, almost like a beast, a wolf, perhaps? Sab could not see his entire body but she can only see the pair of glowing red eyes. Instead of feeling scared and hide from it, she chose to start walking to its direction.
Unlike any other creatures they faced, she does not feel any animosity towards whatever creature this is. It's as if it is willing her to move forward, and she did.
She started to walk towards the forest, failing to notice how far she had gone. She just followed that pair of eyes that aroused her curiosity.
Waling further, she realized that the pair of eyes are long gone. She tried to search for it by walking further but instead of the eyes of that unknown creature, she instead found an unexpected man she never imagined meeting him here.
He must have detected her presence. He looked at her direction and he looked surprised seeing her in this place.
The moment their eyes met, Sab's heart began beating erratically as if she has been chased for miles. His eyes held deep meaning she could not fully understand.
She first thought of going back to the manor yet that gaze he has is like preventing her from going anywhere.
"What are you doing here, human?" He asked in a raspy tone. Almost benevolent towards her, almost sinister and almost as if he is bearing with her presence.
"I – I am here for a walk." She said. That is not entirely true as she is trying to search for that creature she saw earlier.
"Hmph! Go back now human, before you regret being here." Kidd growled at her, his eyes glare like a monster forcing himself to bear with her presence. He is a beast ready to burst at any moment.
Instead of backing off, Sab frowned at him.
"Why would I regret it?" She boldly asked.
Kidd's intense glare signifies that he did not appreciate her question. He started to face his direction and in a blink of an eye, he crossed about 20 steps of distance and stood before her, a step away.
Sab couldn't help but feel shocked. He is so fast. She did not even see him move a muscle! She looked up to him and instinctively took a step back. Every step she took, he also took one forward. One by one until she found herself cornered in a big tree. Her back is now firmly laid in the huge tree.
Sab felt alarmed. Before she can realize it, Kidd is already in front of her, his sturdy hands that began to transform into claws are leaned beside her shoulders, caging her.
Sab looked wide-eyed at him. He looked at her with the eyes of a beast almost ready to devour her.
"Are you going to kill me?" She asked curiously.
The question and her manner of asking shocked Kidd a little but he did not dare show it.
"Do you want me to?" He asked with a deep growl.
Sab frowned at him even more.
"Would you dare to do so?" She challenged him, almost daring him to lift a finger. If he decided to lift a finger and kill her right there and then, she will not savor life for seconds. She will immediately die. Any other sane human will not dare a beast like him to do so because it is an action inviting for demise, yet here she is, daring him to go further.
"Hmph! I hate humans!" He growled dangerously. Sab only closed her as if waiting for the inevitable. Instead of hitting her, he ripped the trunk of the tree and instantly vanished.
When Sab opened her eyes, he was gone and what was left as a trace of his presence was the ripped trunk behind her.
"Hah. Hah!" Sab gasped for air. She now realized the extent of her words and actions.
She dared the High Prince to kill her! How reckless could that be?
After regaining her breath, she decided to go back to the manor and reflect on her actions which can be deemed reckless, stupid, and unbelievable.
As she walked away, she failed to notice a certain gaze not far away. The creature slightly smiles as he disappeared in the shadows of the forest.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
