If Things Were Different

Chapter 3

Risette could not believe her eyes. This poor girl had been thrown into this barrel for no reason. Risette untied her and took her gag out. "Are you alright?" she asked the girl.

"T-thank you," the girl said quietly, looking down at the floor.

"How did you get in there?" asked Risette.

"I was put in there," the girl said. "They said that I was being sent to my new owner."

Risette's face fell open. "I ordered farming supplies, not a slave!" she exclaimed. As she looked over the girl, she said, "You are cute though."

The girl meekly stood quietly, blushing. "Please don't tie me up again. I'll-I'll do anything!"

"Oh, sweetie," Risette said. "I wouldn't do that to you. I'm not making you my slave. You are free to go."

"R-really?" the girl stammered. Tears of joy began to trickle down her cheek.

"Are you hungry? It's getting close to lunchtime," Risette asked.

"I haven't eaten for some time," the girl said meekly.

"Well then, let's get you some food before we get you home," Risette replied.

The girl's face sagged. She looked very sad. "I-I don't think I have a home anymore," she said. "The only family I have left paid for me to be kidnapped."

"That's awful!" Risette exclaimed. She gave the poor girl a hug. "In the meantime, you can stay with me and help in the shop."

The girl smiled a bit. "I don't know anything about running a shop," she replied.

"Sweetie, you can learn how to do most things here at the shop. I'll help you," Risette explained as she wiped the girl's tears away. "I'm Risette."

"I'm Suki," the girl replied, smiling even wider.

"Your name is the same as our former princess!" Risette exclaimed.

"T-that's because I am," Suki replied.

"So you're not dead, your highness?" asked Risette, immediately dropping to her knees.

"That's not necessary," Suki said quietly. "I don't think I'm a princess anymore. At least, not since I was kidnapped."

"Why don't you just go back to the castle?" Risette asked as she rose up.

"My best friend, Cherisa, is now queen," Suki replied. "She was the one who hired the kidnappers to take me. I want to find out why she did it." Another set of tears welled up. "S-she was my best friend! We grew up together! And she paid for me to be carted off."

"I know what it's like to lose a friend," Risette replied as Suki buried her head into her shoulder. Suki sobbed for a few moments

"I broke out of my cell and fought my way past some of the guards," Suki finally said. "They asked me to take part in their business of kidnapping people, and offered me a chance to find the truth."

"Did you take it?" asked Risette.

"I couldn't. I would have to get up for the rest of my life knowing that I spent some of my life imprisoning people for profit," Suki sighed. "I had to do the right thing. So, they locked me back up and shipped me off to a woman who kept me locked up. She made me wear this embarrassing outfit." She motioned to the rabbit outfit.

"Awe. It's not that bad," Risette said, "It certainly makes you look cute. I might even get one myself someday."

"Y-you think it's cute?" Suki blushed.

"But if you're not comfortable with it, I have a few outfits in my closet that might fit you," Risette replied.

"If that's okay, I might," Suki said, still blushing. "This outfit is embarrassing." She took the ears off.

"But before we do that," Risette said, "let's get some food."

Risette took Suki to her home and began to prepare a meal while Suki changed and bathed. As she prepared a bowl of soup, someone grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth with their hand. Risette bit down on the hand, prompting the figure to let go. Risette whirled around to see two women. One wearing loose black clothes that match her braided black hair and light skin. The other wore oversized pink clothes and had light brown hair with reddish-brown tips. "This the girl they want?" asked the first one. "I think so. Gotta say she's a keeper," the second one grinned. The black-haired girl quickly tackled Risette to the floor. The brown-haired girl attempted to land a punch, but she missed completely. Risette managed to break free of the first girl's pin. "Leroy didn't tell us that she'd be a fighter," the black-haired girl said, growling. "All the more fun to break her," the brown-haired girl smiled. The black-haired girl swung a punch at Risette's stomach, but Risette avoided it. The brown-haired girl tripped on a rug, and landed on her face. Risette landed a punch on the black-haired girl's chest with her left hand.