The Curse of the Gift

Part 4

I woke up quite early again in the morning, and it was because Hana had rushed into my room and started helping me get ready. I didn't even have time to open my eyes before I was dragged off the bed by my legs, pushed toward the washroom, and then quickly dressed. I tried to refuse, assuring her that I was perfectly capable of dressing myself, but the girl, as if on purpose, ignored my requests, and continued to struggle with me. When I realized that it was useless to resist, I gave up and let her take care of my clothes. Thank goodness she didn't put me in her favorite ruffled dress and let me wear a simple cream shirt and dark pants.

Hana quickly murmured something to the effect that I shouldn't be too late and quickly went downstairs for breakfast, since I had to get ready to leave the house, and then she left the room. Once I was alone, I got a little scared going downstairs. But I had come too far and now it was too late to back out. And there's nowhere to go. No one is waiting for me, I have no one.

With determination, I finally left the room.

***

Breakfast passed in silence and solitude. So I quickly finished my meal and headed for the exit. A well-dressed Mr. Blanche is already standing by the door, Alana and Hana are smiling kindly, and I feel warmer because of their (I hope) sincerity.

"When you arrive in the capital, you will be met at the port. Follow all instructions, and don't show your temper. My man will accompany you all the way. " The old man's tone made me think I was being lectured by father.

"Thank you. " I tried to put as much sincerity into that words as I could. Because this man really helped me, because if it hadn't been for the accident at the auction (which I'm somehow sure he was responsible for) I would be rotting somewhere, or even dead.

The old man nodded silently and quickly turned around, disappearing from sight. I said goodbye to Hana and Alana, whom I had grown attached to, and straightened my shoulders and picked up my bags and headed for the exit.

There was a small carriage waiting for me outside, and when I saw who would be accompanying me, I wished I had brought some weapons with me.

The main carrier — Kyler, I think his name was. Though I didn't get a good look at him on the ship, I'm pretty sure it's him.

"What the..." Just as I want to ask what this bandit is doing here, my bag is abruptly snatched out of my hands, and I am interrupted by a rude, low voice.

"Get in the carriage, or we will be late. "

I swear quietly, remembering the old man's words, and follow him anyway.

I tried not to look in his direction the whole way, because I'm sure it's written all over my face right now in big letters how badly I want to get at that bastard's throat. I should have realized from the beginning that he and the old man were working together. Still, I was a little curious, so I glanced furtively in his direction when he wasn't looking at me. The man was very tan, his hair as dark as coal, and a little stubble on his cheeks. He had a rather exotic appearance - slanted eyes, sharp cheekbones. The man was muscular and a head or two taller than me. And his eyes were cruel and cold.

"I know you don't like me. I'm not going to be your friend. " The man suddenly spoke, which frightened me a little. So I slowly turned my head in his direction. "Demish did you a great favor by getting you into the palace. Be grateful. "

I sit for a minute without uttering a word. Then a smirk appears on my face.

"Do you think I don't like you? " Now I start laughing. "You got it wrong. I despise you. " The man frowned; he obviously didn't expect me to answer him, and not in that tone. "Thank you? I didn't ask for his help, or yours. You're the one who thought you could decide for me. To decide whether or not I should live. "