14 You're not so bad after all.

Partially destroyed, the culinary market was a mess.

The cobblestone streets were cracked, ripped apart as the layer of earth underneath was revealed. Buildings around the epicenter were missing walls, their roofs caving in with scattered tile all along the streets. Even the strong towering center piece of the market, that sprawling redwood fence hadn't been spared. Barely standing as it drooped twistedly, with just a small storm, none would be surprised if it'd collapse indefinitely.

Those of the market, business owners mainly, couldn't bear to look any longer. Long had their heads fallen to their hands in dismay.

So much for the heightened profit margins. Not only had the competition been ruined, but the money made would swiftly run dry simply to fix this mess.

The next few months was to be hard for most. Luckily Pete and Kelly weren't that affected. Simply a few damaged furniture and wasted food was nothing to them.

Sitting to the side, rubbing her shoulders to warm, Kelly's concern huffed into the chilling air. "I hope she's fine. I couldn't bear it if she were hurt."

Putting down the broom, Pete took a seat. Placing his hand on her shoulder, his touch soothed Kelly's nerves.

"I'm sure she's okay. Perhaps more then okay and is enjoying herself." Pete laughed heartily, moving his hands animatedly as he continued. "Alicia's not like a normal kid, after all. Remember how she talked down that gator, five times her size?"

Kelly's lips opened into a toothy grin, nodding while suppressing a gut busting laugh. Back way before Alicia had begun helping them judge, Kelly and Pete had taken a wrong step into the wilderness.

On second thought, wrong doesn't fit the description at all. Weird would take its place. Proudly they might add as truly, the following situation could only be described, as particularly weird.

Curiosity was a fire, as like moths, Pete and Kelly looked at each strangely at the sounds of a child. Beyond the travelers path, into the woods and near a body of running water, was where the sound led to.

Coming into view, this was their first encounter with the child, Lady Alicia Cadarvic. Of course they hadn't a clue of her status at the time, staring wide eyed ahead in shock.

"Just because you are bigger than I, does not give you the grounds to dare eat my food. I laid claim way before your scaly butt slithered your way here." Alicia irritably argued. In her line of sight was a huge crocodile. 609 cm in length. A massive size of 20 feet.

"Hey, don't snort at me! You know fully well what I say is true you shameless reptile!" Almost ignorant of how much larger this beast was to her, she spoke domineeringly with glaring eyes.

Heart freezing growls left the beast's throat, shifting its massive head to the water, which half its body was submerged in. It glanced back with squinted eyes, snarling low and threateningly.

"What do you mean this lake is yours? This isn't even a lake, it's a darn stream." She laughed amusingly.

"What's your name?"

Alicia looked strangely at the beast, baffled she asked. "Bilbert? What kinda a name is that? Who names themselves Bilbert?"

Ignoring the crocodile's heated glares, she fisted her side and pointed out. "Well Bilbert, I don't see that name written anywhere. Nor do I see it on my food. Dare you still say this is yours?"

Kelly and Pete swears they saw the gator smirk as it growled, lifting its massive head once more in contempt. Falling back down it roared at Alicia, prompting her hair to fan out.

"Ah!" Alicia herself growled. Finally she'd had enough. "Shut up you darn reptile, your saliva is tainting my delicacies! This is no longer up for discussion, you hear me? If you don't want to become a grilled treat for a wolf, then move that scaly butt back into that stream."

Finally Pete and Kelly could watch no longer. That giant beast pounded its front legs upon the ground. Even from where they were, they could feel the pure bloodthirst, wrapping itself around their hearts in thorny vines of poison.

They just about stepped out as the air cracked. Tension which they could not identify fuzzed their hair, sticking to their cheeks as it fizzled out of place.

Before they knew what happened, lightning fell from out of thin air. Unhesitantly it landed upon the massive crocodile, twitching the beast into roars of pain and anguish.

"I warned you." Alicia coldly stated, watching the finally sparks of life fade from its eyes. "You only have yourself to blame."

Really. Kelly still can't believe what she saw was true. Even now, when she'd look at that fragile, small child, she looked kindly upon as her own granddaughter, her mind can't fully accept how strong she is.

Children, by nature should be protected by the elder generation. Yet, Alicia's strength was one that straightforwardly told, it needed none of that.

Stubbornness strengthened Kelly's backbone, her inner voice spoke of tender protection, and she was never one to ignore that voice. Folding her aged hands tight, closing her eyes she prayed. God Lumen, please protect her well.

Pete smiled at the sight as he too closed his eyes in prayer.

"Excuse me. Pete and Kelly I presume?" Stable and stoic, a strong broud shoulder man, snapped them out of their prayers.

"Yes?"

"Please come this way, Duke Cadarvic would like a word." His dirt blond hair shined in the falling sunlight. Wrapping his arms behind his back, Roy directed the two towards a carriage.

Walking out from the carriage, dressed in light armor draped over his cobalt silver robe, was Von.

* * *

Back inside the alley, still dumbfounded by Mother Mary, Lady Libbyie Vemen's words, Alicia hadn't a clue her father was currently right where she had been.

"What made you think such a thing?" Dumbfoundedly, Alicia subconsciously asked. Rhetorical was the question. Therefore she hadn't expected, nor wished for a reply.

"The big bad kitty was going to eat the baby, right? It had the poor dear in it's mouth as it walked away." Tears clinging to her eyes, Libbyie shook her head.

Her words were less sure now. Honestly, this revelation greatly hurt the girl. She was still just a child, still too young to know much better, yet old enough to understand once given an explanation. If Alicia's words were true, then she- perhaps she is cruel.

"Felines often hold their young, their children by the scruff of the neck. The loss skin on their necks, when taut enough," Alicia changed her wording as she remembered the girl's age. "Well, when the skin is held tight it restrains the cub from moving. This helps the adult stop the child from being naughty, so to speak."

Awkwardly Alicia looked away. Strangely she felt bad looking at those curious eyes, full of childish innocents and a thirst for knowledge.

How could she not feel bad? As cruel as she claimed herself to be, she wasn't heartless. Looking over her actions and thought process, she reprimanded herself.

Nothing had been done to Alicia, the child hadn't caused nor shown any ill will. Was it right of her to treat this child the way she has? Heck, she'd even inwardly questioned why she existed.

Though one can not blame Alicia's initial response. Was quite the normal reaction given the circumstances. How would you feel if you'd found out one day you'd been reborn into a novel you'd once read?

Yes, a novel. Libbyie Vemen was the supposive heroine of a fantasy romance novel, one which Alicia had read in her modern past life.

That god complex of a friend had bought her the novel and corresponding game. Alicia had no choice but to read and play it as she had lost a bet.

The bet? Surprisingly it had to deal with food. The world's nastiest food to be more specific.

Anyways, it shouldn't have been that bad, rebirth into a fantasy world of magic and dragons. There was no doubt in her mind, many would kill to be in her position. Even more undoubtedly, she'd let them suffer and not give up her spot.

Why? Since she loved her family here, why else? Of course magic and otherworldly fluffy beast was a nicely added bonus.

Despite not wishing to lose her spot with her loving family, the karma which swam around the heroine is a storm all its own. Drama is enjoyable, she can't deny this. Yet, this is only if she is watching, not living the drama.

Since the story is a pot of fantastical romantic drama, it goes without saying those around the heroine, would no doubt be drowning without a safety vest.

To be perfectly honest, now that she had calmed her mind and fully thought about it, a mischievous smile lifted her lips. Inwardly she ponders to herself, does this mean I can add a new station to my live television?

Giggling sweetly, Alicia stroked the heroine's head with reassurance in her gaze. You're not so bad after all.

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Author's note: In case of theft. This is an original -English- novel done by yours truly [MyKataren]. This author will state here and now, oh ye thief of old, thanks for the free advertisement!

Original : www.tinyurl.com/MVPGAwebnovel