Back On Track

'I have been on this bed for quite some time.' Anasthasia, eyes closed, finally squirmed on her bed. She noticed how her body ready on the right track.

'I could've won it so easily despite most of my powers turned limited before I came to this kingdom. I thought it would stop only with that, but who knew someone could be so petty to tamper the mana ceaselessly—No! A loss is a loss.'

Anasthasia heaved a deep sigh, reorganizing the chaotic thoughts that swirled in her mind. 'So much for that, I must be careful from now on.'

Anasthasia opened her eyes, she shifted to the side and saw how the golden beam of light graced the room with a solemn ambiance. The breeze heralded a lullaby to her ears by the window, embracing her skin with a sense of comfort.

'I never thought it's afternoon already.' She clutched her heart and smiled.

"You're awake." Michael's voice caused her to shift to the other side, noticing how he leaned against the walls with arms crossed.

'He looks pretty casual on cotton outfits—white steampunk long sleeves with ruffled collar tucked in gray trousers.'

Michael tilted his head, eyes darting into her, snapping from her habit of checking out fashion and clothing material.

Anasthasia cleared her throat. "Yes, I took my time recovering. Where are the others?"

"The twins? They already went home hours ago."

"Why are you here?"

"I am done with my duties as royalty."

"I mean, why are you here?" Her eyebrows arched up, crossing her arm.

"I was the one who brought you here; it's my responsibility to take the utmost care of you."

"So valiant—"

"Don't forget how you broke that pin."

Like the cold winds that flowed out of a desolate ravine, Anasthasia shuddered from his voice. She could feel her muscles tensed, and the air turned humid.

"Oh, that is—"

"Whatever that is, I don't mind. All is good that you've met Lucy, to say the least."

She nodded and raked her hair to its ends. She leaned forward and looked around, hands rummaging near her things as though she searched for something important, seeing this had Michael asked her out of concern.

"What are you looking for?"

"I noticed that I'm not on my short flared skirt. Where are the—Oh! They're here!"

Anasthasia's eyes lit up with passion burn. She grinned wide, hands reaching out to 'Seraphine' and the pristine stone laid on top of the wooden nightstand. Within her grasp, she pressed her lips to a thin line as she suppressed her urge for happiness.

'I'm glad they are still here.'

"They mean a lot to you."

Anasthasia giggled in response. Her eyes surveyed the room once more, and it was surprisingly plain—It wasn't a high ceiling. Still, she could discern the proper ventilation and ample lighting, the area, was wide with an array of the same bedspace as hers separated with algae-colored curtains.

"Where is Daniel?"

"The doctors have confirmed his condition; thus, he was allowed to leave the infirmary after treatment."

"I see." Anasthasia rubbed her hands against the shaft of 'Seraphine' as her voice tone down to a whisper, "Will I be discharged soon?"

"Tasha, you're already in perfect condition, but if you want to rest, you may take for as long as you like."

"I can't do that, though."

"I thought so too." Michael chuckled. He broke free from his position and moved towards the nightstand, where he retrieved two different colors of folded rayon fabric and gave one to her.

Looking bewildered, she queried, "What is this?"

"See for yourself." Michael quipped.

Anasthasia spread out the cloth, and it turned out it was a beautiful blue cloak of the same quality and shape. This time, her thumb slowly caressed the insignia and special letters embroidered on it.

'Ana…' The corners of her lips curled up to a smile. Adding in her thoughts, she marveled at the colorful wreath of flowers in it. This is incredibly beautiful.'

"Do you like it?"

"No, I love it." She embraced the cloak in her arms. "When did she even do this?"

"She did all of that today as she wanted to give it to you."

'That little girl, she didn't have to do this." Anasthasia gave a hearty laugh. 'I'll make sure to make her one when we get home.'

Anasthasia intertwined her fingers and pushed forth as it resounded several cracks. She stretched her arms and neck, waving off the lingering weight that dragged her down.

"Shall we go?" She carefully wore the beautiful gift that Lucy gave to her.

"Where to?" His forehead formed recurring waves from her question.

"Where else? They're waiting!" She removed the blanket and grabbed his hand. The breeze of wind turned strong as it enveloped them. Seeing how Anasthasia bent her knees as she faced the window, his eyes squinted.

"We are not going out that way." He slowly donned the black cloak.

"Oh, indeed, we will." Anasthasia burst forth a gust of wind, leaving them out of the window with a swift. Moving out, she noticed how they're currently on the fourth floor of the building.

'I never thought it was this high.' She contemplated her thoughts. That said, they swoop rapidly.

Anasthasia stopped her chortles when she noticed his stoic face despite the fall, and as they drew closer to the ground, she snapped her fingers, and the wind started to cushion them.

"I guess you're not surprised anymore."

"I've seen far worse." Michael sighed.

She frantically looked around, no signs of people in sight. She shifted to the side, glancing her way to Michael, who dusted off the dust on his outfit.

"May you lead the way?" Anasthasia asked, and Michael said nothing but trudged forward.

Anasthasia took a glimpse of how the streets sound abuzz with so many people of the day. She could even discern the different smoky smells that hovered the air, eventually wafted in her nose. This time, it was full of barbecues and whatnot on skewers.

She gulped dryly and so audibly that Michael heard her. Realization dawned into him, he moved forward, which had her turn so curious.

"Where are you going?"

"I'll buy you something to eat. Would you like that?"

"Ahh!" Anasthasia sucked in a cold breath as her eyes lit up. "Please don't mind this, I'm just taking my time here with—" She stopped her utterance when her stomach grumbled.

"Seemed like it wasn't the case."

Anasthasia caught him with a smirk on his face as he turned back, shuffling near the food stall. She scrunched her nose, scratching her head for such an embarrassment to occur at this very moment.

'That happened in a very timely manner.' She clicked her hand and thought, dripping with sarcasm. 'I don't even have a single penny on me.'

At the moment, Anasthasia never declined and went along with it. Her hunger turned evident and insatiable. Moreover, she noticed it late that her cheeks flushed with crimson shade when Michael kept coming back and forth with different food and drinks.

After it was all said and done, they finally moved on. Anasthasia felt her soul churned from her bizarreness and nonchalance. The whole time, she thought of how he would say after what he witnessed, but no words muttered.

Michael noticed her stares from time to time, which had him drew in a long breath before he responded, "I know what you're thinking. Please don't be too conscious."

Anasthasia's lips drew them, bobbing her head. For quite some time, she noticed a familiar stall, and she couldn't forget the first time it made her feel that way.

No hesitations, her sashays turned to a sprint. Reaching the stall, the woman glanced and cringed in horror.

"It's you…" The woman's voice trailed off.

"I'm back."

"How did you—"

"I know you're in cahoots with those nasty mercenaries." Anasthasia's eyes glinted cold, and she ignored Michael, who slowly approached her side.

"I—I knew nothing—" Her eyes rattled, then looked up only to see Michael's grey eyes that indirectly clawed to her soul. Her body began to convulse, and she immediately prostrated herself as she pleaded her case.

"We will be in a negotiation sooner or later, but for now, I'd like to ask one thing." Anasthasia's leaned forward, musing, "Do you have a map or similar to that?"

"I beg your pardon, esteemed guests, but what do you mean a map?"

"Like a world map?"

The woman's face brimmed with life as she rummaged under the stall; it didn't take long for him to retrieve her hand's parchment and gave it to her without a word.

"Anything else, esteemed guests?"

'She's still offering more, and I'd take this opportunity.' She smirked in silence.

"Do you have books?"

"Books…" She rubbed her chin as she murmured, "I do have some, but which ones do you need?"

Anasthasia's eyes gleamed. "I need books regarding 'World Information,' can you do that?"