I Ignored the Protagonists, Now They're After Me

Ch 7

Miss Nimme and Mother didn't stop pestering me about the palette of my new wardrobe until I had picked out at least four colors. Because of my pale, cool complexion, they had decided that light colors would be best. A silver white, the pale lavender I eyed earlier, a baby blue, and a light, rosy pink cloth roll had been chosen.

After picking out my colors, Miss Nimme dragged me over to the dressing room. She thoroughly took my measurements in a quick but efficient pace before colluding with my Mother in what designs what suit me best. I had only one request for them.

"I don't want elaborate, thick dresses. I think simple things look best on me."

My Mother gave me a begrudging look. "Get at least one dress that's layered."

"Mother," I said, frowning a bit.

Mother bit her lip, nervous at pushing the issue. Before, with my temper unpredictable, she would have agreed. However, with my recent docile behavior, she's seemed to remember that she was the parent and I was her daughter.

Therefore, she steeled herself before firmly replying, "At least one."

I hesitated, wanting to continue arguing. However, I held myself back, unwilling to cause my Mother any humiliation in front of others.

Especially Aunt Wynn and Miss Nimme.

So I sighed but gave her a smile that showed I understood. She immediately regained her excitement and started talking with Miss Nimme again. I could only groan inwardly while I lingered around, patiently waiting for them to finish.

•••

"We'll come again, Miss Nimme!" Called Mother, dragging me and Aunt Wynn out of the shop.

"Thank you for shopping!" Miss Nimme grinned, waving at us before retreating back into her shop.

I followed behind Mother and Aunt Wynn as we browsed more shops, recognizing and feeling apologetic to each owner that we visited. Mother and I talked as we picked out accessories. Aunt Wynn helped us with color coordinating with the newly purchased outfits that would be delivered within the next few weeks.

Departing from the shops, we ended up going down the alleys that consisted of the farmer's market and other miscellaneous stalls. Mother and Aunt Wynn enjoyed themselves with the snacks and produce. I, on the other hand, found myself wandering among the miscellaneous stalls.

I passed merchants who had seemingly priceless jewelry with suspicious origins and stalls with all kinds of exotic animals. In my outfit, I didn't blend well with the type of customers this area attracted. I felt eyes from passing people and merchants trained on me, wondering and even daring me to come close to their merchandise.

As I felt increasingly nervous, I quickly looked back to try and find the path I had just took. However the masses of the people passed by each other quickly, blocking off any hopes of my short self to get a glimpse of an exit. Even though my anxiety was rapidly rising, I took a breath and fought to keep calm. I turned forward and continued down the path, making sure to keep my pace the same as before.

My eyes were mostly trained on the ground, with a quick glance up every now and then. Unlike the sunny day we started with earlier, the area around me got increasingly darker the further I walked in. I didn't stop moving, though, winding in and out to try to get a glimmer of an escape.

[Little Maerie, you look a little lost.]

My body froze at the mention of my name. Cautiously, I looked left and right, confusion settling in when I only hear the noisy bustling of market goers.

[Kukuku... do humans only seem to look with their eyes?]

What else am I suppose to look with...? I was slightly annoyed by the mockery. I only heard another chortle in response.

[Let your body guide you, dear Maerie.]

Immediately, I felt my legs moving. They made their way through the crowd as if they knew exactly where the voice was. The surroundings were simply a blur, and it only halted when I ended up in front of a hooded figure.

This figure had no official stand like the others. Upon a worn-out piece of cloth, there were items ranging from small to large. Each piece was unique and had its own appeal. Slump over in a loose attempt of sitting, the hooded figure raised a hand.

"Here stands before me, a child who was touched by a God," said the figure, angling their head up.

A dash of light illuminated their face for a split second before fleeting away. I was only able to make out a white peerless, marble-like mask. It took me a few moments to process their words.

"A child touched by a God?" I repeated.

The figure chuckled. "Do you think every noble child experiences a lightning shock on their tenth birthday?"

I was stunned, at the very least, that a random stranger knew of what happened on my birthday. Before I could question them, their laughter increase into a coughing fit.

"Maerie, do not wonder who I am. Rather, shouldn't you wonder who you are? Who are you, someone who is deemed worthy of a second chance? By a picky God, no less." The figured patted their chest lightly.

"A picky God? Who?"

The figure continued to laugh at me, this time treating me as if I was stupid. "Who, this child says! Who else can turn back time? Who else can manipulate the flow of never ending of a thing like time?"

The figure lifted their head up, their eyes suddenly flashing ablaze.

"Kronos!"

They suddenly acted as if they had deflated, their body slouching backwards. "Time is fickle and stops for no one. Dear Maerie, do you think that because you've been given a second chance, it is a good thing? Do you feel like your wish has been granted?"

Their eyes met mine, a disguised emotion hidden within. I was still and unsure, wondering what this fool before me was blabbering.

Kronos?

Gods?

Time?

What did that have to do with me? Why was this stranger telling me this?

The figure sighed, as if they couldn't put up with my ignorance any longer.

"Here I am, undoubtedly trying to give you a warning to the best of my... weak abilities. Either you are far too young, or far too stupid to understand." The figured moves to stand up, and my eyes widen as I find them towering over me.

They grab ahold of my shoulder, and before I could scream, my mouth clamps shut from an unknown force. I am pushed from behind, the figure leading me to somewhere unknown.

"The Gods don't like anyone interfering in their plans. By doing this, I'm practically wishing for death." The figure spoke as they continued to weave me through the crowd. "Well, I've been longing for death for a long time. Perhaps that's why I helped you."

With a final shove, they pushed me out into the plaza, where normal people stood around chatting happily. The sun was still high, albeit a bit lower than the last time I saw it. I could only face forward, unable to turn even when the figure crouched down to whisper in my ear.

"Remember, Little Maerie," they murmured, "the meddling of a God is never a good thing."

With those words, I felt them turn around and walk back into the alleys from whence they came.