Chapter 7 - He noticed my secret

I looked at Yuuki... and he could see in my eyes that I was about to cry.

I quickly found a restroom, and I couldn't stop crying over what I'd just seen and heard.

— "How is that even possible, Yuuki? I was complaining about my life, but compared to what I just saw, it's nothing. I don't even have the right to complain about my own life."

I'd seen a stand selling pet slaves, apparently, in this city, trading pets like slaves was allowed.

I was so shocked I couldn't control my emotions when I saw those animals in cages, chained, deprived of their freedom.

It was so frustrating, not being able to do anything for them.

— "Yuuki, you know those animals we just saw? Maybe we can do something about it. I could hear them, the parrot in the cage was calling for its mother. And the red fox looked hurt."

— "What do you want to do, Amaria?"

— "Let's save them. I don't know how yet, but let's come up with a plan. I can't just walk away after seeing that, I won't be able to sleep otherwise."

Yuuki and I worked out a plan together. Once we had one, we went back.

Yuuki discreetly approached the animals and spoke with them. He explained our rescue plan and asked if they could run.

The red fox told him he was hurt in his right leg and couldn't run, unfortunately.

Yuuki explained that we planned to free them in an hour, and went over the details so each of them would have time to understand the plan and get ready.

There was a large forest about a three-minute walk from the market. The plan was to help them escape and reach it.

Once the time came, we put our plan into action. I hid myself and created a large burst of light to divert attention. It worked, everyone started wondering what the light was.

At the same time, I healed the red fox. Yuuki unchained the animals and opened the cages. All of them rushed toward the forest.

The owner shouted, but no one wanted to help a man running a business like his.

We left the city and headed to the forest to join the others.

The animals were overjoyed to be free. There were two birds, a baby parrot and a falcon, a red fox, and a small wolf.

Suddenly, the wolf's appearance changed, and he grew larger. Within a minute, he'd gone from a puppy to full adult size.

His power reminded me of Yuuki's.

I heard the sound of footsteps approaching.

When I turned around, I saw a tall, striking man with red hair and blue eyes.

He was clearly fit, well-built.

— "As I can see, you beat me to it, with your plan," the man said.

— "I don't know what you're talking about."

— "By the way, I'm Ricardo, but everyone calls me Rick. I saw your magic, it's very impressive. I've never seen a type of magic and light quite like that. What kind of magic is it?"

I didn't want to reveal my real magic. I was scared he might take advantage of me.

— "Don't worry, I know what you're thinking, I won't tell anyone about your magic. And that brown wolf you see there, that's my companion, Roco. He has the power to change his size. He'd actually slipped in among the animal group. But I have to say, your plan was brilliant."

As he spoke, I could sense his sincerity. I decided to be honest with him as well.

I just wasn't ready to reveal my true identity yet.

— "I'm Yuli, and he's Yuuki. When I saw the pet slaves, I couldn't just stand by and do nothing, that's why Yuuki and I came up with a rescue plan. As for my magic, it's healing magic. Could you please keep that between us?"

— "Oh, well done, Yuli. And healing magic, wow, I could tell it was something rare just from the color of it. I can also tell you're hiding your true appearance. Roco and I can sense when someone isn't showing their natural form."

Since he'd guessed correctly, I asked Yuuki to change me back.

My black hair slowly faded, giving way to my brown hair and brown eyes again.

Rick looked at me with obvious astonishment. It was embarrassing.

Maybe he was disappointed by my real appearance, and thought it was plain.

I didn't know what to say, after revealing my true self.

— "Oh, this is what you actually look like. I prefer this."

I was embarrassed by his words. I wasn't used to hearing things like that. I didn't know how to respond.

I didn't know what to do with words like that. Compliments always felt like they were meant for someone else, someone braver, someone more interesting than the girl standing in front of him.

Yuuki whispered for me to just say thank you, sensing my embarrassment.

— "Thank you."

— "What are your plans after this? Are you from Calgara, by the way? I don't think I've seen you around here before."

Rick had so many questions, and I found myself feeling like he could probably help me.

So I decided to tell him my whole story, the marriage proposal, the fact that I'd run away, my relationship with my family.

He listened carefully and said:

— "This feels like fate, Yuli, meeting under these circumstances. I'll help you. Do you plan to stay in Calgara?"

— "My final destination is Olbi."

— "Very good choice, that's where I live. I'm planning to head back to Olbi in three days. Do you want to come with me?"

— "Can I think about it first, please?"

— "Of course. I'm staying at the Lodge residence right now. You won't have any trouble finding it, Calgara's a very small city. Just ask for Rick at the front desk, and I'll come down."

— "Thank you, Rick. I should get going. I'll let you know about your offer tonight."

We let the animals return to their original homes, and Yuuki and I headed back to the hotel where we were staying.

While walking back, I thought about the people I'd met so far.

The blond man I'd helped in the forest, and now Rick, two remarkably handsome men, of all things.

When I got back to my hotel room, I thought about my family.

By now, they'd probably noticed I was gone.

I felt sorry for my sisters. But I couldn't sacrifice my freedom for their sake.

Anyway, let's think about the present now. Thinking too much about the past would only bring me regrets.

I had to think about Rick's proposal.

With his offer, I could save money on transportation.

But at the same time, I didn't really know him. Was it safe to travel with him?

— "Yuuki, what do you think about Rick's proposal?"

— "Well, he seemed honest, a bit pushy, but sincere. I'd go, if I were you."

I wanted to feel sure. I didn't. But agreeing was easier than admitting I still had doubts.

— "Alright, let's go with him. I'll extend one more night at the front desk."

Once that was settled, I stepped outside the hotel for a bit and sat on the bench near the entrance.

For the first time, I felt free. I could finally breathe without stress.

I was lost in my thoughts when suddenly I saw Rick. Our eyes met.

— "Oh, so this is where you're staying. Great! May I sit next to you? I'm actually just at the hotel behind yours, right over there. So, have you decided about my proposal?"

— "Yes, actually, I was just about to let you know. I'll come with you. Thank you again."

— "My pleasure. And we're headed to the same destination anyway, so it doesn't change anything for me. You seemed lost in your thoughts before, what were you thinking about so intensely?"

— "I was thinking about my family. Since I've left, I won't have to marry Count Berry, but one of my sisters might have to instead. I can't help feeling a little sorry for them."

— "Don't. From what you've told me, they were awful to you. Serves them right. You know, Yuli, I truly believe that when someone treats others badly, it comes back to them eventually. Nothing goes unpunished forever."

— "Thank you for your words."

Rick was gazing intently at the sky. I looked at him discreetly, unable to stop myself from staring at his face.

He had strikingly beautiful eyes, the kind that made you think of deep sapphire.

Rick suddenly turned toward me. Since we were sitting so close together, his face ended up right next to mine, and our eyes met again.

I could feel the intensity of his stare. I felt incredibly embarrassed. Our faces both turned red.

— "Yuli, did you know there's a festival tonight, with all sorts of stands? Come with me, we could go together. What do you think?"

— "I don't know. I'd have to check with Yuuki."

— "Eh? Don't tell me you can talk to animals?!"

I realized, all at once, the huge mistake I'd just made. Rick made me feel so at ease that I'd spoken without thinking, without any caution at all.

— "Please don't tell anyone. You're the only one who knows."

— "Wow, that's incredible! Can you talk to all animals, or just yours?"

— "All of them."

— "That's unbelievable. I wish I could talk to Roco. I'm sure he'd complain about me, ha ha."

— "So, do you want to come with me tonight, to the festival? Don't worry, you'll be safe with me, Yuli."

— "Alright."

— "Awesome. I'll pick you up right there at 8:00 PM. See you later, Yuli."

— "See you later, Rick."

I came back to my room, and Yuuki pointed out that I'd taken a while to return.

I explained that I'd run into Rick downstairs and told Yuuki about our conversation.

Then Yuuki said:

— "So, you have three hours before your date with Rick."

— "Eh? Date? He just asked me to visit the festival with him, that's it."

— "Sure. It's a date."

— "Eeeeeh... I didn't know it was a date. I'm not used to going on dates, what should I do? This would actually be my first time. What should I wear? What should I even talk about?"

— "Don't panic, Amaria. Just act like yourself."

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.

— "Front desk, we have a package for you."

I opened the door, took the package, thanked the employee, and closed the door.

I wondered what was inside the box. I opened it and found a note:

"It's a tradition to wear these during a festival, we call it a yukata. — Rick"

I lifted out the clothes and saw a gorgeous red dress, with beautiful black patterns woven through it.

He'd also thought of a hair accessory, a stunning black hairpin shaped like a rose, studded with small crystals.

The red dress made me think of his red hair. Had he picked that color on purpose, so I'd think of him?

And the black pattern, along with the black accessory, made me think of my own dark hair.

Maybe I was overthinking it again, but it was hard not to, when kindness this deliberate was still so unfamiliar to me.

I turned to show Yuuki the dress, and stopped. He wasn't looking at the fabric at all. His ears were flat against his head, his tail rigid, every muscle in his small body coiled tight.

—"Yuuki? What's wrong?"

He didn't answer right away. When he finally spoke, his voice was low, careful, like he was choosing every word.

—"Amaria... that wolf. Roco. I don't think he's what Rick says he is."

***