21 Shield Forest: Part 1

I didn't go back to sleep.

I was afraid that if I sleep again, I will go to that hellish scene, and I don't want that. That gruesome part where I had to see the future me, in that state like a butchered animal was something that I couldn't take.

Somehow, I didn't notice that the sun was already doing its job and gracing the whole place it's warm shine.

"I should prepare myself before Sheila got here..."

I walked into the bathroom and soaked myself in a warm bath. It was the only treatment that was good enough to consider as a reward.

"Ahh. Thank god! That even if this is a medieval genre story, the necessity is here... Ahh especially this bath. This is the only good thing in this household, of course, Sheila is part of it."

After that relieving bath, I walk into my walk-in-closet and found myself standing in the vanity mirror. A screamed escape through my mouth.

"Ahh! This is not good... I look like a walking zombie!"

The dark circles under my eyes were so obvious that I look like a panda.

"Shit! My youthful skin. My babyface. Oh no!" I keep on touching my beautiful lolita face that will become a gorgeous lady soon.

While agonizing my damaged skin, Sheila knocked on the door and I belatedly let her in.

She was having the same reaction as me when I saw my face. It was the look of shock.

"Lady Evelyn... Oh no! what happen?" She came running towards me while her jiggly balloons are bouncing everywhere.

I looked down at myself and saw nothing.

"Ah... I miss my jiggly melons..." I mumbled to myself. I have many build-up frustrations, one of them is this undeveloped body!

"Lady Evelyn... what happened? Why do you have those eye bags? You sleep early and you still got black circles... Oh no!"

"Don't worry... I just had a nightmare."

"Is it so bad that you got those pair of dark circles under your eyes?"

"Hmn..."

"Should I brew you your favorite tea?" Sheila who was looking so worried tried to do everything that can help me relax, after all not long before I had an awful accident.

"Relax, Sheila... just help me pack-up."

"Pack-up? What for...?" Sheila was helping me brush my hair and tying it into a ponytail.

"I didn't tell you...?'

"What is it, Lady Evelyn?" Sheila right now was looking intrigued.

"I had to go to the Shield Forest... to hunt..."

"Oh... another excursion with your teachers?"

"Ah..."

I wasn't sure if I should tell Sheila, that I would go there myself as per the request of my shitty Father.

I choose to not make her worry after all Sheila is one of the few who worry about me.

'I'll just change the subject.'

"Sheila, can you just get my breakfast..."

"Oh! You're right... I'm sorry, I'll get it right away." Sheila hurriedly went through the door and -tuk... the sound of the wooden door being closed.

"Sigh... I should pack the necessities. I will pack for about a day of rations, that would be enough I guess..."

A few minutes pass by and everything was now ready to put inside my small bag.

"Knife, water bottle, rope, beef jerky, and some bread. Did I miss anything? I guess this is enough... I'm not going to spend days in the Shield Forest, anyway."

I checked the goods that I will bring and load the stuff in my grey bag that has a string attached to it - it was like the drawstring bag back in my old world.

Sheila went back and I eat my breakfast before I go and greet my teachers.

Mr. Shiek and Sir Ivo were waiting in the garden. I didn't know that they knew the deal that I, and the Duke had, and was waiting to give me some advice.

For the past two months, they were the ones who guided me and let me learn a lot of new things. That's why I considered them one of the few people that I trust the most.

I stood and greeted the two of them who were hanging around.

"Lady Evelyn... We heard about your little promise with the Duke and we are here to give you support." A warm smile was fixed in the face of the nerd teacher with a nest-like grey hair.

"You're bold... to promised to the Duke of Emsworth to bring back a dead wolf all by yourself." Said the cheeky Mr. Shiek, who's face scream of handsomeness.

I pouted and retorted back.

"Ha... so what should I do? Sit there and just be mocked? And besides, If I didn't make a deal with the Duke, he'll stop my training and classes and that would be bad for me."

"So, you didn't want to part with us? Aww... that's so sweet Lady Evelyn."

That gave me goosebumps. So, I immediately stop the fantasy of my magician mentor.

"Stop..." I raised both my hands to signal him to cease his thoughts.

"I'll puke if you say anything more!"

"Aww... You're so mean!"

'Ew...' I inwardly want to puke, him acting cute was too much!

"Stop! You're giving me the creeps." said my swordsmanship teacher.

"Fine...!" Ivo pouted like some child whose candy was snatched away.

"Anyway, jokes aside... Did you bring the things that will help you when you get there?" Sir Ivo asked seriously.

I open my bag to let them take a peek of what's inside.

"I packed everything that I think will help me in the Shield Forest. Well, I just bring all the necessity that I could think of."

"Hmmm... I think that would be enough. By the way here..." Shiek tossed an object and I catch it unexpectedly.

"What's this...?"

"Can't you see it's a whistle...!?"

"This...?" It was a small wooden tube with a little hole in the middle and the other tip was open. It was the old version of a whistle.

"Blow that if you get into trouble... more like if it's an emergency, I'll try to get there when I hear that."

"Ha... What's this your worried?"

-smack... a knuckle touches the top of my head.

"Ouch! What was that for?" I asked with an irritated look.

"That's for being stupid...!" Shiek said with a smug on his face.

"I'm serious…" said the man with dark hair and black slit eyes, Mr.Shiek.

"Now… now… Lady Evelyn should go on her way or else she will be late to her hunt." Abruptly said by Sir Ivo.

I realize that I stayed longer in chatting with my teachers.

"I should go now… Bye!" I bid my farewell and made my way to the Shield Forest.