A Bloody Rose

Chapter 04

She had slipped out of the mansion, hugging herself since the wind was cold and it obviously chilled her.

"Bread, bread, loaf of bread," she repeated over and over again for a reminder. Then a thought struck her. 'When was the last time I ate?' And just by thinking of hunger, hunger struck her. She shook her head. No; this money was for an upper-class man.

When she spotted a bakery shop, she silently thanked God. She would go back soon. Not necessarily to 'home', however. When she went up to the shopkeeper, a pang of relief struck her; it was owned by a human.

"One loaf of bread, please," She requested. The man at the wooden counter nodded and handed her a paper bag filled with delicious, soft, bread that she was tempted to eat. In exchange, She handed him the right amount of money for the bread.

"You better go home soon, girl," the man warned her. "Don't you know its feeding time?" She nodded and then she was off.

She was walking back to the mansion but suddenly stopped when she heard a melodic tune that sounded as if it was being played by a musical prodigy. It swooned her in; she hadn't heard music – except hers – like this one in a year or two.

She, unknowingly, walked slowly to where the music was being heard from. She moved as if her body wasn't in control of her own possession.

Winry ended up in a park and could faintly see a young man covered in the moonlight play the violin. She walked closer and closer. As she did, the music opened up to her. It was a heavenly piece, but it sounded as if it was a sad plea; something for a funeral.

She walked closer and closer to the figure until she stopped and as did her heart, skipping its own beat. Blonde hair, amethyst eyes that trap you in them, a lean body; this man playing the violin wasn't just any man. He was Frederick Gregory, the Prince she 'lives' with. She bit her lip, holding back a gasp. She did not want to get caught; who in their right mind would?

Winry started retreating backwards, even though she actually liked his choice of music.

Crack.

Terrified, she looked at the floor where the breaking noise came from. A twig. She had stepped on a single twig that made a loud noise. The melodic tune stopped abruptly and she heard her heart pound in her ears. He began to look around until he spotted red. He angrily placed the violin back into the case, around his shoulder, and then walked in a furious motion over to her, who was panicking.

'I'm caught; I'm dead!' was all that rang through Winry’s head as he finally reached her.

When he stood in front of her, he asked, "Why are you here?" He was obviously trying to control his temper. She remembered her whole reason for coming out here and used it as an excuse.

"I-I," Winry stammered, "was out buying some bread." She hoped that the reason she gave him would be a good reason. After all, it was true.

"Why?" He questioned her again. Only this time his tone was a bit harsher. She thought the obvious and responded with another truthful answer.

"F-For Master Henry," she answered. Her hands started to get sweaty and she began to feel as if she had a fever from the number of questions she was receiving. He simply grimaced at the word "Master."

"Where is it?" He demanded.

"Right here," she quickly responded. She pushed the bread towards him.

"I see," He narrowed his eyes. "And why did you follow me?" He suddenly asked. She felt like she was repeating herself over and over again.

"I-I didn't! I just heard this beautiful tune and followed it. It was really a-amazing," Winry justified herself. And again, she told the truth. "I just wanted to hear m-more."