Fated Encounter

"My King are you tired?" Hamengku Suro suddenly called.

"No, it is fine. Let's continue the journey. We can't waste any more time. If I soften myself now I might put everyone into danger." The King replied.

So, we continued our journey to the southern part of the city until the night comes.

Hamengku Suro takes the initiatives to find another inn for us to stay. I must admit his outstanding calmness and communication ability are top notch. He literally can extract useful and trusted informations.

As the dusk hit the day. We finally manage to find ourself a new place to stay. The inn was so small that it barely fits 2 people. So we decided to divide the room each for two people. King will stay with Hamengku Suro meanwhile I will stay with Sri Puspa. This is only a coincidence, I promise myself. Nothing will happen between us, right?

Meanwhile in another place a shadow figure slowly emerge from the seemingly empty alley. The figure emits a creepy bloodlust which frighten living beings. The shadow just continue to walk and try to look for something, perhaps someone.

"It should be around this place somewhere. Where do you hide, little vermins?"

The location of the inn is just about three block from the alley which the shadow figure came. But since the Hamengku Suro predicted that another attempt of assasination could happen, he decided to choose an infamous inn in order to hide our presence. No matter how many times the assasins try to find this place, it will be a difficult task for them to uncover this hideout.

Later in the morning, Sri Puspa decided to go and find something for us to eat. Everybody were disagree with her plan. But Sri Puspa begged as if she is just a spoiled kid. Thus, King granted her the chance to go out but she must be followed by someone. The King pointed me to accompany her as if he was thinking about trying to persuade me to date her daughter. What a cunning and sly King!

"Gen, quickly come here! We must use this time well." As she looked at me with brimming smile.

"Wait up, I can't catch up with your pace, miss." I called her.

"Oh come on, don't be a lazy old man, we don't have all day." She replied

Honestly, she was not like that all high princess at all. She is so quick to adapt in a new environment. What a feat comes from this princess. It is all as if she is so worry free even during this emergency situations.

As we hit the market place it was so crowded that we barely able to see the shop. Sri Puspa quickly slip her way all into the crowd and blend with them. I tried to reach out for her but she is already way beyond the crowd. I shouted her name many times but to no avail, she didn't reply.

"Sri, Sri, Sriiii!!!!!" I shouted so loud. But she just went missing. The fear instill me and thus I tried to run for her as well in the crowds.

*

As Sri Puspa dive into the crowd she find herself unable to find her exit ways. She is way to deep into the crowds. She had no other option but to continue to push her ways deeper in hope she will find the exit from the crowds.

As she continue her pace, she ended up at empty alley.

There is someone with a white hooded cloth. As their eyes met the figure just stood still. As if he was absorbed into endless train of thought.

"Who is he?" Sri Puspa deeply think about many possibility. However the man just continue to stand still in front of her.

Drip, drip. Suddenly the figure start crying for no reason. He suddenly wipe out his own tears. who really knows whether he was crying happily or not.

"Who are you...? Have we ever met before?" Sri Puspa builds up the courage to talk to him. She knew that somehow this man is docile and won't do any misdeed.

"I am sorry, I don't know why but your face seems familiar in my memory. Let me introduce myself. I am known as Grid." As the figure called Grid extend his hand to the princess.

"Uh, nice to meet you I guess. Just call me Hana." The princess introduced herself with fake name.

The figure slowly take a deep breath, as if he is dissapointed with my introduction.

"I see, nice to know you." As Grid smiles sourly.

"Sure do, nice knowing you as well." As the princess awkwardly replied him.

What else to do, in this lonely alley, the two of them did meet in unfavorable and awkward conditions. Grid especially, looked like a freak to her since he was suddenly cried like that.

"Ehm... maybe I should leave first, since someone might looking out for me." The princess asked to break this awkwardness.

"Oh okay, no worries. Be safe, there are a lot of bandits here and there when I was here. You are so lucky to meet me first. Just be careful next time." He replied with such sincere smile.

The princess then walk away and try to reunite with her companion. Little did she know that the man literally told her the truth. As Grid also turned his back and walked away he passed a lot of corpses. The people that he killed by himself the "bandit" that he was reffering to.

"It is just not your lucky day, fellas." As he looked the corpses with pitiful sight.

"Let's just wrap this up and leave this place, better burn them first." He talked to himself as he light the fire in that small alley. Unexpectedly, the flames didn't spread everywhere as if it is contained by something. Just a few minutes later, nothing seems left behind. It just looks like there was nothing happened earlier.

The man named Grid suddenly jumps and hops like cheetah along the roof of the houses. His agility seems unparalled by common sense. Luckily he left the location quietly and peacefully.

*

"Sri! Finally I found you! Where have you been?" As Gen's hand extended and grabbed the princess hand.

"...." The Princess suddenly panicked with her red face as she pulls her hand.

"Oh! I am sorry I didn't mean to...." Gen tried to explain his action.

"It is okay, let's go back to inn." She smiled gently to him.

"Damn, she is too cute!!! What is that with her reaction? It is just too lovely!" As Gen mumbles to himself.

Both of them then returned back to the inn later.

However far from their sight, Grid sharply looked at them.

-writer's note-

Hello there! thank you very much for your time reading this novel. I really am grateful for you.

With so much thanks, Bangboncom