Touch

"Can you tell me where the blue-eyed girl is?"

"He's staying with his aunt."

That's how Amely responded to questions from customers at her store or neighbors who hadn't seen Dysabella in a while. Dysabella was alone, crouching in the corner or the back of the room. Amely and Jonathan encouraged their daughter not to go out and show herself to strangers because she was still afraid. That occurrence continues to worry Dysabella, occupy her thoughts, and frighten her parents.

Dysabella locked her gaze on the setting sun. She hadn't entered the front room in nearly three days. She spent much of her time in her room or going to the kitchen to eat and drink. She was still contemplative, aware of who she was. The last Rain Clan without a home, friends, or people with whom he may identify. Her home, her family, and her love are all right here.

"You are the answer to everything. The world has been waiting for this moment.

Jonathan's voice, as well as the voices of the woman in the blue robe and the large fish—the blue whale—persisted in penetrating her. Really? Is it true that she is the solution to all of the country's and world's problems? The Rain Clan is supposed to have the ability to control water, summoning it from both the ground and the sky. Dysabella on the other hand could only create bread and could not control or summon water.

"Dyasbella."

Jonathan's voice could be heard from outside the room, and his footsteps approached the open door. "Are you all right?"

Dysabella gave a kind smile. Knowing Jonathan and Amely weren't his family made it awkward. They were just random individuals who had been sent to guard the last Rain Clan by fate. "Always and forever."

Jonathan moved over to his daughter and sat beside her with a happy smile. "The situation appears to be secure to me. There's no trace of those nefarious soldiers on the lookout for you or the Rain Clan."

Dysabella made a 180-degree turn. "Really?"

Jonathan gave a nod of approval. "The Merapi, in reality, communicating with us. Residents who require wood for construction or other purposes may pick branches from fallen trees in the forest."

Dysabella took a breath and exhaled deeply. "I've cut down the forest."

"Right." Jonathan laughed and touched his daughter's ebony tresses. "This is quite encouraging. Is it anything you sense? Doli will benefit from your presence. Making tools no longer necessitates the purchase of wood. They're allowed to take whatever forest goods you've cut down."

"Rarely. It's uncommon. It's not often that the Merapi soldiers be so generous."

"I don't know."

Dysabella moved her gaze to the window, the dusk light illuminating her face. "Can I assist you in cleaning up the shop, Baba?"

Jonathan smiled as he rocked and then nodded. "Yes, you certainly can. Let's get this over with."

They exited the room, proceeded forward, and Dysabella screamed enthusiastically.

"Hi, Ma! Need some help?"

Dysabella was tired of being in her room all day, even though she was lost in her thoughts, terrified, and restless. She yearned to knead bread and cakes, put them on shelves, and tidy them up. Amely was observed wiping the empty bread shelves when they came to the entrance. The woman was taken aback when she saw her.

"Jonathan...." Amely was terrified as she glanced at Jonathan. "What exactly are you up to? Dysabella must still be deported. I'm afraid, the Dzkarda soldiers recognize her."

"What are you afraid of?" Jonathan says. Jonathan shrugged sarcastically. "Those damn soldiers wouldn't dare to harm our kid since she is so powerful. After all, two of them perished, and one suffered severe trauma. Dysabella is secure, especially now that the sun has set."

"I'm fine, Ma," she says. Dysabella approached her mother and took the cloth from her. "Let me assist you."

Amely expressed her skepticism by looking at Jonathan, who simply smiled and nodded. Amely also permitted her daughter to assist clean the business with a forced sigh. The small family likewise cleaned the tavern in silence but spoke now and then. Fear is undoubtedly still present in the household.

The sound of horse footsteps surprised Dysabella, Jonathan, and Amely just as they were about to finish. It got closer and closer until three horsemen drew to a halt directly in front of their tavern. Two of them were dressed in white maid uniforms, while the third wore a scarlet robe with glitter embroidered on it. When Jonathan and Amely saw who it was, their eyes widened.

Jonathan and Amely knelt in dread, saying, "Y-Your Majesty." Their bodies trembled in unison.

Amely burst into tears and lifted her tear-streaked face. "Please accept my sincere apologies. Please don't take my child—forgive me a thousand times—"

"How did you end up here?" says Mattias. Mattias couldn't hide his amazement as he looked at his two maids, who appeared to be equally perplexed. "Raise your body. What's the reason for your sobs? Do you think I'm your angel death?"

Amely and Jonathan exchanged glances. They were overcome by a sense of befuddlement. They initially assumed Mattias had arrived to apprehend Dysabella, but it appears they were mistaken. Mattias didn't have any bodyguards with him, only two maids who looked alike. They thought Mattias was unique among the Fire Clans. The guy was friendly and seemed to be a lovely guy. But it could have been a ruse to gain sympathy from the Doli people.

"Am I running late?" Mattias' eyes searched the entire room, even the empty shelves.

"Sorry?"

Mattias fixed his gaze on Jonathan. "I'd heard this business makes the nicest bread and cake that are frequently seen at large gatherings, so I decided to give it a try. But, uh, you guys seem to be closed, huh?"

"If you wish, we can make it for you," Amely frightened state. She pictured himself being consumed by the flames.

Mattias gestured with his hand. "There's no need. Maybe I'll be here early tomorrow."

"I can acquire it for you if you want," Dysabella said something that drew everyone's attention to her. "I'm pretty sure there's still some bread in the back, and—"

"You shouldn't have spoken that to Your Highness, Dysabella." Jonathan gives his daughter a stern reprimand. "Giving leftovers to His Majesty is impolite. You may face repercussions."

"I think it'll be fine." Mattias approached Dysabella in the room's far corner. The two of them exchanged glances, sending a signal within. "Get it for me, Dysabella."

Dysabella lowered her head in dread, nodded, and humbly bowed. "My pleasure, Your Majesty."

Dysabella took a step back as well to the kitchen. She unlocked a closet that was used to store unfinished bread and pastries from the previous day. She got some bread and placed it in a wicker-woven rattan box. The young lady took a rapid step forward.

"Your Majesty, this is where you will find me."

Dysabella's box caught Mattias' attention. He's is take it. "AWWW!!"

"AWWW!!"

Mattias and Dysabella were both groaning at the same time, which astonished Jonathan, Amely, Namar, and Namir. Some of the bread within the wicker box had spilled out due to the fall. Namar, Namir, Jonathan, and Amely came up behind the king's son and the blue-eyed girl and approached them. Dysabella and Mattias have been seen rubbing their hands together.

"Can you tell me, what that was?" Dysabella continued stroking her hands as Mattias asked. "Do you get the same feeling?"

"Your Majesty, I'm not sure." Dysabella knelt before her. "I apologize for whatever inconvenience this has caused you, Your Majesty. Please accept a thousand my apologies."

Mattias remained speechless, perplexed. What was it just now? He wondered in his heart. Their hands accidentally touched as they were going to take the bread box. After then, Mattias felt a small bee sting on his hand, and Dysabella felt a bee sting on her hand as well. Resulting in a searing sensation between the two of them.

"I think I am in desperate need of a break."