A life saver

"That's not true. The money I gave to him—"

"Was used to gamble. He confessed to his crimes, and I had him thrown into prison.

When we return, I will release him to you. You can do anything you wish with him, and I won't care at all."

"I have no purpose for him." I folded my arms and glared at the prince. "Why did you arrest him?"

He shrugged. "I thought I can use it as a bribe. Come on, let's move." He started for the other part of the forest, and I followed him, lowly grumbling.

"We have a long way to go. Don't you think we need to know each other?"

"I don't think so. It's unnecessary." I hastened my steps.

If we can get to the mountain as early as we could, then it means I can get rid of him faster.

"Mmm." He jumped over a fallen tree. "I'm the prince like you know. However, you can call me Tryn(pronounced as Train)"

"That's good to know." I nodded my head as I followed him.

"What's your name? I've told you mine, I think you need to—"

"I didn't ask you to tell me yours, did I?" I frown at him.

"But I did. Now, tell me yours."

"No, will do. I'm not telling you shit." I folded my arms and glanced around the place. "Do you even know where we are going to?"

All around us are tall trees. And it seemed the more we walked, the more complicated the place became.

It felt like we were walking around a circle.

"Trust me on this, not a peasant, I know the way."

"My name is 'not a peasant'" I frown at him.

"I don't care. Since you would rather not tell me your name, I can call you whatever I choose to call you."

"Dynma."

"Wow. You said it at last." He smiled as if he hit a jackpot. "Now, it wasn't too hard for you to say it, was it?"

I didn't reply to his words. Instead, I continued walking.

"We need to hasten up. The earlier we reach there, the better for us. We—"

The prince's laugh caused me to pause.

"What's wrong?" I frown at him.

"We are not even halfway there, Dynma. There are many villages to cross before we get to the mountains of the witches."

"So?"

"You don't have to rush." He jumped over another fallen tree. "We will get there, eventually."

*********

We walked for a long time after that. I can't tell how long it was, but I know it was protracted.

"Let's rest here for tonight." He pointed to a place where three trees stood close to each other.

"Okay."

I was too tired from the walk earlier to argue about anything.

Since the prince seemed to know most things, I figured I will allow him to lead.

"Stay here, I'm coming." He took his bow and arrow.

"Where are you going to?" I furrow my brows in question.

"Scared of being here all alone?" He smirked. "Don't worry, I won't be long." He smiled before he went further into the forest until the bush swallowed him.

"If you like, get eaten by wild animals. I won't care about that at all." I leaned on the tree and closed my eyes to rest.

It has been long since I came to this place, yet I've not seen how I can return to my world.

It's as if I was trapped in here by a strange force.

I peeked an eye open and glanced up.

"Please, if there's an unknown force out there, can you please take me back home?"

I shouted but got no reply.

"Maybe, I need to find the way myself?"

That's it!

There's certainly a way for me to return to my planet.

All I have to do is seek the Witches. Possibly, they can tell me how to go back home.

Yes!

I smirked.

I'm going to follow the prince throughout this journey. This way, I get to meet the Witches in the mountains and ask them how I can return.

With the decision made, I decided to rest a little and wait for the prince to return.

*******

"Huh?" I sniffed the air.

The smell of something delicious caused me to Open my eyes. And when I did, I saw a scene I never thought I will ever see, all my life.

The prince was roosting a rabbit over a fire he probably made himself.

"Oh, you are awake? Did I wake you?" He smiled.

"Where did you get those?" I rose from where I was sitting and walked towards him.

"I went hunting, of course. Unlike someone else, I know we need to eat." He glanced at my stomach that has rumbled at the sight of the roasted rabbit.

"You caught it by yourself?" I sat next to him.

Right now, I'm seeing the prince in a new light. He's no longer the spoiled and arrogant prince I thought he was when I met him for the First time.

"Of course. With my bow." He cleaned the rabbit. "There is a stream not too far from here. We can go over there after this. This way, you can drink some water."

"Ah, Mercì." I join both hands in thanks.

"What did you say?" The prince laughed. "Did you call me names?"

"Oh, that? It's thank you. I'm thanking you for being a lifesaver.

Left to me, I will probably starve before I get to the next village, and that's saying something."

The prince laughed as he watched me, "you are indeed a peculiar fellow. You amuse me with the things you do."

I shrugged, "you can laugh all you want, but what I said is the truth."

Unlike the prince who had the wisdom to seek food, I will probably remain here until I either starve to death or see fruits to eat.

"And that's what I like about you."