CHAPTER 6

"You don't have to answer my question. I'm just merely curious about you, that's all." Ramira explained before letting out a sigh. "By the way, I only want to loosen the chain on your wrists. It feels painful, right?"

When she didn't receive a reply, Ramira continued talking to him.

"I will not do anything suspicious. I just want to release you from those chains. Will you allow me to do it?"

Ramira is patiently waiting for his reply. The young man did not move the wooden stick away from her neck for a moment. But soon, he slowly moves away from Ramira and throws the stick he's holding on the side.

The princess may look calm and collected, but she is really nervous deep inside. This is the first time she experienced someone attacking her for real. Although she sometimes tries to have swordplay with Geradine, it is all just for fun and no one takes it seriously. But this young man attacked her with the intention to kill her.

Ramira just managed to stay calm because their father taught her and Geraldine about it. He said that the member of a royal family should not show any weakness in front of everyone. They should always stay calm and reasonable no matter what happens. Since then, Ramira and Geradine learn how to stay collected in every tight and dire situation they might experience.

The young man remained standing in front of her. After throwing the stick he was holding on the side, he did not try to make any movements again. Letting out a soft sigh, Ramira slowly approaches the young man and touches his arms. The young man's shoulders flinch when he feels the princess's cool hands touching the chains around his wrists.

"I will just remove it for you. Stay still." Ramira instructed as she inspects the chains.

The chains around his wrists are thick as her fingers and they all reach up to his forearms. Ramira wonders how long does he carry those chains with him. His hands are starting to turn purple because his blood cannot circulate properly in them. She carefully traces the chains with her fingers until it reaches the huge padlock that locks each end of those chains.

"I will start now."

Ramira takes a deep breathe first before she opens her mouth to sing another song.

"Pulling all the chains,

Removing your restrains,

Taking your hand in mine,

Putting a white little flower

that blooms just once in years

May this revive your hopes and dreams

And let yourself free from the darkness within your heart."

After singing the last lyric of her song, the tip of her fingers suddenly emit a glowing yellow light. When she touches the chains around the young man's wrists, it also glows like a strong light in that dark and damp place. When Ramira rubs her thumb on it, the chains release a blinding light until they all turned into specks of dust before vanishing into thin air.

The young man cannot hide the surprise on his face. He stares at his hands that are now free from any binds. He tries to open and close his hands. He also rolls his wrists to help the blood flow back to his hands.

While the young man is busy massaging his hands and wrists, Ramira is trying to catch her breath. She didn't do any physical movements, but using mana that is already too much from the usual consumption she releases makes her feel tired and lethargic. The princess closed her eyes and put a hand on her chest. She is now considering going back to her palace now to take a long sleep.

When she opens her eyes, Ramira is surprised to see that his face is only a few inches away from her face. Her feet quickly step backward to put a few distances between them. But the young man carefully wrap his left arm around her waist to prevent her from moving away.

"What are you—"

"Who are you?"

"...Ah?"

"Tell me your name."

Ramira tilts her head as she stares at the young man holding her waist. Now that their distance is close to each other, she can finally see his face. The first thing Ramira noticed about him is his red eyes. It is redder than the rubies she often sees in her jewelry and probably darker than the blood in someone's body. He also has smooth and fair skin for someone who is dressed like a slave.

Wait.

"Are you a slave?" Ramira suddenly asked.

The young man did not say anything. Instead, the princess can feel his arm tightening on her waist. When she feels his fingers slow digging on her skin, Ramira slaps him on his chest before pushing him away.

"Is this how you want to thank the person who saved you?" queried Ramira.

"I never asked you to save me." The young man replied.

"But I still did. So do me a favor and stop harassing me now."

The young man stares at her for a moment. Although he didn't say anything, the young man still followed her words. He carefully stands her up and slowly lets go of her waist. After that, Ramira fixes her robe before looking at him.

"What's your name?" inquired Ramira.

"Didn't I ask you that question first?"

"Oh. Good point."

The princess looks around first to check again whether the merchant is still nearby. Seeing that the coast is clear, Ramira pulls her pouch of money and gives it to the young man beside her. He stares at Ramira with a questioning look so she graces him with an explanation.

"I still have seven gold coins inside that pouch. You can use it to buy food and clothes for yourself. If you don't want to see the man who was chasing you earlier, then I suggest for you to go to the seaport and ride a boat that can bring you to another kingdom."

When Ramira still hasn't received a reply from him, she just shrugs her shoulders and ready herself to leave. The princess can only estimate that she has already spent a lot of time with this young man. If she stays longer in here, someone from the palace will definitely notice her disappearance. Ramira has to go back now before the king or Geradine can discover what she did today. She is about to leave when the young man gently holds her wrist this time.

"Is there any more problem?" Ramira asked.

"...What's your name?"

"..."

The princess can see the seriousness in his face. Is it really important for him to know her name? Ramira only helped him because she feels like being in the right place at the right time earlier. And besides, she's still in her disguise so giving her name to this young man will only complicate things for her.

"If we meet again in the future, I promise to give you my name. And of course, you also have to give your name to me as a deal. Okay?"

Before the young man can open his mouth to speak, Ramira has already removed his hand from her wrist and starts running away from him. The princess moves her legs as fast as she could until she reaches the corner that can bring her back to the plaza. Seeing the sky that is slowly turning into blue and purple, Ramira did not waste more time and rushed towards her secret passage. Ramira just promises herself to play around the plaza again when she sees another opportunity to escape from her palace.

The young man keeps his intrigued and questioning look at the young lady who saved him until she disappears from his sight. Without blinking, he pursed his lips before looking at the pouch in his hand. He looks around and sees a damp corner filled with green mosses behind the pile of trashes. Without opening it, the young man puts the pouch of money there and covered it with soil and trash. When he is very sure that no one can notice that something important is hidden under the garbage, he leaves the dark alley and goes to the opposite way where that young lady had gone to.