Chapter 26: Florida

The journey finally came to an abrupt end as the coachman settled down at the end of the road. While the princess and her bodyguard were to climb up the rocky hill to the eerie-looking hut at the top.

Ah! Blair alighted from the carriage and breathed in the fresh air. She was thankful that the ride had stopped, as she was insanely tired of bouncing every time.

She glanced at Zephyr from the corner of her eyes. She could see a subtle frown settling on his face as he looked at the old hut in front of him.

"Witch?" He sensed.

"Hmmm, let's go quickly so we could return to the castle in time" She suggested and started walking up the slanted hill.

Zephyr followed suit, ensuring to create a distance between them as he didn't want her falling on him down the rocky hill.

He was certain that she would slip because she was walking in such haste.

Blair stilled her shoe on the rock particles on the hills, not wanting to fall. She walked hastily so she could get done with the business she had here, however it looks like the pace she was covering wasn't decreasing at all.

She detested climbing hills, especially this one because it never failed to exhaust her.

Successfully getting to the middle of the hill, she opted to relax for a while before continuing, she could feel her legs screaming in pain inwardly.

Blair wondered how her bodyguard was doing, she noted that he was quite far from her so she couldn't glance at him from the side.

Stupidly, she spun on her heels to end up losing her balance. She slipped in the direction of Zephyr that was still climbing up.

The latter frowned his face when he saw her heading in his direction. Normally, he would have let her fall and roll down the hill but she was still useful to him. In terms of gathering his information for him.

He reached for her waist and grabbed it towards him. Since she was approaching him with speed, his feet slides on the rock.

Nevertheless, he managed to control himself and he didn't slip. Instead, rocks fell down the hill to the ground.

Blair sighed, "I'm sorry... Th-" she wanted to thank him for his kindness.

"Shut up" He cut her short and continued their former course of climbing the hill. He had his arms wrapped around her waist as he pulled her along with him.

Blair could hear the annoyance and anger in his voice. she knew that she could have virtually caused both of them pain by bouncing them off the hill.

She was apologetic and wanted him to know, but he just shut her up like she was irritating him.

Zephyr let go of her once they reached the top, "In" he ordered.

"Hmm" She nodded, and her small figure was walking towards the brown wooded door. She gave it a gentle knock, thrice and stopped to allow the person to show up.

Shortly, Blair faced Zephyr with worry in her eyes. "I don't think anyone is here, I guess I'll have to check on her some other time"

He gave her a slight nod. They both turned around to leave the area when the door creaked open and a small girl- the age of six appeared.

"Who are you looking for?" She inquired, her small hands holding the door next to her to shut it in case these people meant to harm her.

Her mother had warned her severally not to open the door for anyone but the girl's inquisitiveness got the best of her. Every time.

"Agnes, is she home?"

"No. She went to the market not quite long, she would soon be back" The little girl answered honestly.

Her violet eyes looked curiously at the two elderly people in front of her.

"Mind if we come in, I'm princess Blair by the way" she introduced herself quickly because she noticed that the girl was contemplating whether to ignore them or allow them to come in.

"You mean the third princess?" she asked.

Blair nodded.

The girl realized her impoliteness and bowed her head subtly, then she ran to Blair and grabbed hold of her hand. "Wow," she uttered with awe in her violet eyes.

"I never thought that I would see you in person. You are gorgeous. And so is your tiara. Do you mind letting me have a look at it?" She questioned nonstop.

'Talkative' Zephyr noted with a scowl.

Chuckling, Blair lifted her golden crown and placed it on the girl's head. "Let's go in now and wait for mommy," The girl said and walked ahead of them. Happiness radiated in her eyes as she touched the tiara on her head.

Blair and Zephyr walked into the old hut.

The place was indeed very strange and dark, with wall cracks everywhere. There wasn't much furniture in the house, just an old table and two chairs facing each other.

Other than that, there was nothing.

Zephyr sat in front of the princess who was occupied with the little girl in front of her.

"What's your name?" Blair had asked.

"Florida" she replied.

"Nice" The princess commented, raising her hand to caress the girl's dark hair. Earning a sweet giggle from the girl.

Florida looked around till her gaze landed on the man sitting across them, he had his legs parted in front of him and his head tilted. His right hand was supporting it.

Curiously, she asked, "Is this your husband?"

Blair's eyes went wide. Her hands stilled on the girl's head and she took a quick glance to see him, irritated.

"No, he is-" She meant to clarify but as usual, he shut her up.

"Didn't mommy tell you not to open the door for strangers, what if we are here to kill you?" He glared at her, asking the question he had been meaning to ask since she opened the door.

The little girl whimpered and ran to Blair's back.

"I don't think you should be scaring her, besides we are not bad people, are we?"

Blair questioned as she gave the girl a tight smile, but the little one hid again. She didn't want to see the big man.

Zephyr scoffed, like she knew him?.

Just then he felt someone clutching his pants with their tiny hands, he looked down to see a scrawny little thing with disheveled hair and ragged clothing.

"What is this?" He frowned at the little boy with violet eyes. The boy only blinked at him, still holding unto zephyr's legs.