A Stranger

I had been wandering the street of the capital aimlessly after Kather told Gabriel and me to leave her alone.

My thoughts were clouded with a lot of questions about Kather's past… and here I thought my date with Kather gonna be memorable as we were having a good time.

I never expected this to happen, like things going so well until the point where Kather mention Ellyn. And with the arrival of Gabriel all of a sudden, it all went downhill.

Making me have a second thoughts that whether Kather really love me or not just like she said she was. I have no idea what should I do right now… like should I back out of the marriage?

There are a lot of things on my mind right now and I do not think I should be making any decision as surely it's gonna be influenced by my emotions.

So I need to make my emotions and everything in order first… thus the only place or thing that I could do was to get a drink. As that probably could help things out.

…

As I walk around, I realize one thing I have no idea where that place is. The tavern or the inn nearby… Because this was the first time I visited the capital. I was too lazy to ask for people's directions so I would just wander until I could find one myself.

For sure it wouldn't be that far…

While walking down the streets of the city, trying to find an inn or a tavern nearby. I suddenly bump into someone as my mind was preoccupied with all of the things that have been going on at the moment.

And when I turn my head to the person who bumped into me, I wanted to apologize because it was my mistake for bumping into that person. It was a random unknown person which look kinda suspicious in my opinion as that person cover himself with a mask and a cowl while the outfit is a long raggedy robe.

I quickly bow my head politely. "Sorry for hitting your shoulder," I said while bowing my head to show my apology. Because I don't think I wanted to mess with this person as he does give me some dangerous vibe being dressed all like that.

The stranger looked at me curiously for a moment and then replied, "Don't worry about it…" He said as his voice sounded familiar to me.

Because for a moment there, well the stranger's voice sounded a little bit feminine but I quickly dismissed that thought as for sure the mask just interfere with how the stranger supposes to sound.

But since the stranger said not to worry about it, I guess I should take my leave as I do want to resume my search for a drink… so that I could ease my mind.

But as soon as I turned away from the stranger, he called out to me once more.

"Wait! Don't run off!" His voice rang out clearly in my ears.

I stopped for a brief moment to listen carefully to the stranger's words. At the same time, I was thinking to myself. Is there a possibility that the stranger is someone I know? Or maybe someone who knows me?

I am confused about that, but I am still curious enough to turn around and see why that stranger is calling me out. Does he change his mind and do not wanted to forgive me for bumping into him? There are a lot of questions in my mind regarding why I was being called out by him.

When I finally decided to face him, I saw the stranger looking at me curiously and asked, "Did I hurt you?"

Then I realized that I shouldn't have answered him. For I have no idea what might happen next if I keep talking with this person.

After all, he was wearing that weird mask and robes that gives him a mysterious aura. Although I am not quite sure why he was dressed like that.

"No, you didn't hurt me but I'm curious about something. Do you know me?" The stranger asks as he continues staring at me intently.

His eyes were filled with curiosity as he stares straight at me.

I am starting to feel uncomfortable under this man's gaze as I was unsure what to do. I am wondering if he is someone whom I know or perhaps he is a friend of mine who wants to catch up with me.

But if that's the case, then he should already know who I am instead of asking me if he knew me.

But I am guessing that he is not friendly toward me. Which is why I am having trouble deciding whether or not I should trust him or even open up to him.

"Who are you?"

Though instead of having the answer of who the stranger was. The stranger instead says something rather unexpected...

"To think that my disguises work and-a works on you too!" That is what the stranger exclaimed loudly. The stranger then stopped being excited and try to maintain his cool as if he just remember that I do still standing right in front of him. "Ah, sorry. You can go now..." He continued muttering as he tried to avoid eye contact with me as much as possible.

Well, that was certainly strange behavior from him as he seemed to be hiding something from me. Something important. I doubt he would be acting all shy and awkward toward me unless he was trying to hide something.

"Uh, okay," I reply as I nod my head respectfully.

Even if I am feeling a little weird about the stranger's actions. It's not my concern to care about it. So I decide to leave him be, as I don't want to cause any more problems between us.

As I turn away from the stranger, I start heading down another street to look for an inn or a tavern. As I am trying to put those strange events behind me.

"Hey wait! Wait!"

That's what the stranger yelled out loud as he tries to stop me from leaving.

This made me turn back around and look at the stranger, as I wondered why he is doing that.

"Why did you call out to me like that? Is there something else?" I inquired.