Chapter Seven - An encounter with an adorable little bunny

I left the house in the middle of the night. No, I didn't climb out of the window, I used the backdoor. I only took the bare necessities with me like my sword and some money. I was sneaking out I couldn't bring a suitcase or something. I had money so I could buy clothes if I needed them. No, I wasn't planning to flaunt it, I am not stupid. I hid it in several pouches and put them in different places in my clothes.

Yes, I was and still wearing man clothes but I never intended to crossdress. I mean, I thought about it, but in the end, I don't think it would have worked out anyway. No one would have thought I was a boy even if I tried my best. No, I am not bragging about my looks, it's a fact. I am my mother's daughter, of course, I inherited her beauty.

So yeah, I left at night hoping no one would notice me. My attempt was successful but after standing outside our mansion, in the forest another problem greeted me. Where to go? I studied geography so I knew what was in which direction but still. Our kingdom was the Hestaroth Empire and we had two neighboring countries. Aracia was one of them and the other was Bermilian. Eventually, I was prepared to go with either of them, but which one?

Bermilillian was the country that colluded with the previous princess and sent troops to invade us so they were not too sympathetic. They had wizards so the probability that they could help was higher still... My feelings told me to go towards Aracia.

Yeah. I had nothing but a hunch. I am not saying they are always right, but even when I was wrong it turned out fine so I wasn't afraid. And I had nothing to rely on anyway so I just went south.

Was I scared? Yes, of course. I led a regular life before my reincarnation but I was a sheltered, precious young lady of a wealthy family so I wasn't used to being alone, especially not at night, in a dark forest. Every little noise made me terrified and I saw monsters and wild animals behind every tree. My nerves were frayed when I reached the first little town and I was close to passing out because of exhaustion.

Thankfully they had a little inn with clean rooms. I was used to receiving attention and respect just because I was my parent's daughter but no one really cared about me there. At first it was weird too. I never misused it but took advantage of people's goodwill towards me in small ways so it was a bit of a new feeling that no one knew who I was. It was a certain kind of freedom as well. I didn't have to act like a proper lady all the time, I could be just a young girl. I didn't have to be afraid that with a wrong move or word, I could hurt my family's reputation. My parents didn't care about it much but I was proud of it and would never want to cause any harm.

After I got a good night's sleep, I asked around a bit in the town, if they knew any good doctor in the territory. They couldn't give me any useful information but told me to try my luck in the biggest city where the lord resided. His daughter was often sick so he employed a lot of doctors.

I didn't feel like walking so I waited a day for the mail coach. I wanted to hurry as much as possible but even if I went on foot I would get there later than by carriage, I wanted to preserve my strength because I never know when something unexpected would happen.

The journey was uneventful, my travel companion weren't interested in each other, and everyone minded their own business. I arrived safely and got a room in another inn. But I had no idea how to get close to the lord. I could reveal my identity and get an audience but then I have to explain why I am interested in doctors and I don't want that. And I am sure my mother sent out our knight for me so it would be easier to find me. I needed to find another way.

I could try to be employed but then it would be a little suspicious if I quit too suddenly. I walked aimlessly into the city thinking what to do when I bumped into someone.

The impact made me recoil and she couldn't keep her balance either, so I tried to catch her but didn't manage so she ended on her backside. I reached out to her.

„Are you okay? Did you hurt yourself?"

„I am sorry." She looked up at me and took my hand. She had a beautiful angelic face surrounded by wavy, white hair and a striking pair of red eyes. She looked like a lost, scared rabbit.

„There is that brat!" A short, but muscular bad-faced man appeared around the corner pointing a finger at the girl. A similar-looking guy followed him. My new acquaintance trembled beside me so I stood before her. They both had a sword but didn't look that skilled based on my experience.

„Do you have some business with this child?" I took a firm stand against them. She looked around 11-12 years old but she seemed so defenseless that I felt a bigger age gap, especially if we consider my previous life.

„We just want to escort her home." They sneered at me. I looked them up and down slowly and gave them a nasty grin.

„You aren't too intelligent, huh?" I was rude on purpose. People who chase around children on the streets don't deserve any courtesy. „She is obviously a young lady of a wealthy family so if you were her servants you wouldn't act so disrespectfully and call her a brat. You should learn to lie better." She looked well taken care of, wearing tidy, nice clothes and even some jewellery. She didn't seem like a neglected child who was mistreated by her maids and knights. And their clothes were poor quality, they weren't dressed like they were serving any rich family.

„You're being too brave for your own good just because you have a sword." That was exactly my thought too.

„Just hand over the kid and we let you walk away." Offered the other one. He seemed a bit smarter but not enough if they thought they could beat me. I wasn't superhuman and I could never defeat my father or brother, only my mother. But she started learning swordsmanship after she married my father and she was much better with a bow. However, I pestered my father at the tender age of 6 to teach me because I was bored and he eventually caved in. So I have learned so far for almost 10 years from the best. Naturally, some unskilled ruffian can't defeat me in a proper fight.

„I don't think so." I put my hand on my scabbard. They took a step forward and pulled out their shabby swords. They charged at me at the same time so I avoided them and kicked one of them in the stomach while I blocked the other. In physical strength I didn't stand a chance so I had to be creative and flexible but I was used to it.

I ducked and I swept his legs out from under him, so he landed on his back with a loud thud. It might hurt, the bigger you are the bigger you fall.

 It was harder than I expected because before I never had to protect anyone but myself during a fight. But now I had to keep this girl safe too. And it wasn't like anyone wanted to help us. People either hurried away to not get involved at all or they watched passively. I didn't blame them, they could get hurt if they intervened carelessly but still... I am losing faith in humanity.

One of them collected themselves and approached me slower this time. They only knew how to use brute force, they didn't actually know how to fight and I don't think they had much experience. Despite their rough faces that were probably the result of a hard life, they weren't old. I wonder were they orphans who turned to a life of crime after they became adults because they didn't have other opportunities? But even if it's true, I can't forgive them. No matter how desperate your situation kids the one thing you should not use or try to take advantage of. It was despicable.

He tried to engage me in a fight and maybe he wanted to draw it out to exhaust me but I got behind him and hit his head with the back of my sword so he lost consciousness. The other glared at me grumpily as his partner crumbled to the ground.

„You will regret this."

„I don't do things I regret. Not in this life." I prepared myself for the next attack and he didn't disappoint me. He ran at me, swinging his sword wildly and recklessly. I parried him, jumped back and then forward to hit him in his solar plexus and when he fell on his knees I hit his head as well. It was over.

I grabbed the girl's hand and ran away. I drew more attention than I wanted. Mother definitely will know about this so I have to disappear from this town as fast as possible. I only stopped when we reached an abandoned little street and faced her.

„Where do you live? I will escort you home." I didn't really want to get involved I just wanted to see her safety.

„Uhm... I can't go home yet." Yes, you can.

„Why?" I was impatient but I tried not to show it.

„I heard my maid talk about a fruit that can heal any disease if it's made in a specific way." She leaned closer to my ear. „But this is a secret." Oh, my sweet naive child. Just because I saved you it doesn't mean I am a good person. That whole thing could have been a ploy to make you lower your defence and use you. Yes, yes I read too many novels. „Thank you for helping me." She straightened her clothes and bowed a little to me. She shouldn't have done that considering I looked like a commoner. „I am sure my family will reward you for it." Okay, she was a bit arrogant, but not at an annoying level.

„I didn't do it for it, it's fine."

„Then thank you again." She curtseyed and wanted to walk away so I grabbed her collar.

„Where do you think you are going?"

„To the Silver Lake where are the fruit trees." She answered honestly and I sighed. What a stubborn kid. Even if I force her to go home she will sneak out again and get in some trouble. I can't really blame her. I don't know whom she wants to heal but we are in a similar situation.

No way the story she heard is true but she believes it and until she sees it with her own eyes she won't be satisfied.

„What's your name?"

„Persiana. Persiana La...."

„I don't want to know." I interrupted her. „You can call me Liri. We don't have to know more about each other." I don't want to get involved with anyone. „Show me the way to this lake."