The Search.

It has been days since that night. Days had passed, but it was still fresh in her mind. The blood and the woman who was killing its subordinate quickly and hideously. It was a memory to be left unknown. I always wake up at night feeling that someone is looking at me. The red woman's wicked eyes were deeply leering at me, mocking to kill me. If it weren't a dream, I might be dead by now. I couldn't sleep well these past few days.

Hear ye! Hear ye! A deep voice thundered. The people around our area have started to stop at what they are currently doing. I, on the other hand, was cleaning and wrapping up the mess on the tables customer used. We were inside our workplace when everyone started to panic at the commotion and immediately stood up from their seats. We went outside. The curiosities in their eyes were visible, including mine, too, perhaps. It was a loud voice that indeed caught our attention.

As we went outside, an instant blast of thick frigid air slammed on the people's faces with shocking force. The thick dust can be seen circulating around the area. Damn. The arrival of the horses must be blamed for this.

"What do they need?"

"It is rare that royal guards roam around here."

"What is this about?"

"This is the first time they are here in our area."

"It must be something urgent!" Many murmurings were heard as people abided by the gathering without any hesitations.

I was distracted by the loud neighing of the horses behind the man who had just shouted. There were more than ten of them that lined up behind the man.

"We are here to relay the kingdom's message!" the frontman said. Judging from its form and his stance of authority, this must be their general. Its old age was visible, although hidden by his massive armor; I could tell by its deep voice and aging skin even though it was adding up to all the murmurs circulating. Some armed man has gathered nearby the cafe I work. People were continuously murmuring about the newcomer people. As I have heard, the people who have disturbed the working hours of the workers are all royal guards. They are from the Kingdom of Anirov; although this place is Anirov too, the kingdom itself can cater to thousands of hundreds of people due to its massive property.

It makes sense; their clothes are all covered by metallic armors protecting all of their body heavily. The horses and swords they had been using were also a sign too. But what is their plan here?

"Silence!" the man who was in the front loudly shouted, and that earned the attention of all the people silencing all of their commentaries. He slowly brought himself down, getting out of the big black horse. The steels around his body were clanking as he moved.

"To all of the beloved Anivorians, we are here to inform you that our kingdom is not safe anymore. We are doing every possible way to find all the evidence that may tell us who the culprit is. By providing a lot of workforces, yet this is a disappointment for us. There was a dead Anivorian that had been found. Its body was unrecognizable, but as the kingdom has incredibly made efforts to identify it, we discovered it was one of the kingdom's loyal soldiers. Therefore we have taken precautions and will search the nearby areas of the dead man's body." the soldier then scrolled down its scroll in his hands.

My hands turn cold. Is the man they are talking about the same man I witnessed being killed? I was sweating bullets. Will I be arrested if I will take a stand of being a witness to the said murder? I need to calm down! Damn it. I will be involved in the things I never even wished to witness that gruesome happening in the first place! She might as well pretend not to know anything about it. Nervousness bubbled through her.

"As all of you heard, we will search the premises. Comply to all of our commands, and we will have no complications." the general then waved his hands, and the soldiers commenced their searching.

"Be calm. Be calm," her thoughts were echoing inside her mind. Solid cold hands got hold of her petit arms. The lingering thoughts were interrupted as anonymous hands were holding her. Keeping her gaze locked on her feet, she pulled from the hold and looked to see who was making her feel nervous.

"What will I help you?" she then turned around to see who was holding her and asked naturally. Although her body movements were not that natural, she needed to fake her knowledge about the murder. She never knows what will happen if she stands in; she might be blamed for this or, even worse, get to be the suspect.

"We need to evacuate you, miss. You standing here are a nuisance. Make way!" The soldier's baritone voice answered. He immediately dragged me by the relocation area. Most people were standing there, mainly spreading their thoughts and feelings about this sudden search.

"I need to get out of here," I said. Searching for familiar faces, I found none. Where are they? I silently took a few steps to start my plan — escape. Wandering my eyes and observing, I can't be seen by anyone acting suspiciously.

"God, help me out here." I silently prayed out loud. My heart was beating fast.

Rovina understood that the situation she was in was challenging. Indeed, her statement and first-hand witnessing of the murder are a great help to find the suspect, which she has seen. The shadow of the thrill was felt in the air. And as hard as it had been to walk away from all of that opportunity to give justice to the dead man's body but her safety and security are at stake too! She can't be complacent because she is just a nobody here! Having her adoptive family here worrying about her is not correct. She also needs to look after herself.

She walked over the dozen people blocking her way, slouching eagerly and almost out of body balance.

"You!" said an anonymous voice. "What are you doing, young lady?" Rovina turned around. She saw the familiar boots the soldiers were wearing. Those metals that were shining but with a speck of dust were seen as how they were in a place that obviously they didn't belong. She had found the general in front of her dressed mightily in its soldier uniform. Like earlier, its face and emotions are still the same. The furrowed, thick gray brows were almost connecting because it was close to each other.

"I u-uhm uh looking for something!" Rovina immediately reasoned out. She then chuckled nervously while fidgeting relentlessly.

As Rovina looked at the general, its face was scowling. The evident irritation is visible in its eyes. She bowed down to avoid it, and those eyes were extremely raging. "So, have you found the thing you are looking for?"

Rovina's hands stilled as she turned only her head to look at his eyes with a mixture of anxiousness and agitation. "W-well, I have been searching for it, but it seems that it was not here. She said humorlessly, no more, no less.

On the other hand, Rovina's response seems to amuse the general. He then flashed a quick grin. "You civilians are so pretentious." He lifted a brow as he walked, circling my standpoint location. "So, do you really think I will fall from the petty explanation of yours, young lady?

The general's words were being nosy. Rovina was slowly be gone to feel irritated. "Who is this man to question what I will do? No, ever man has made a decision, commentaries, or any suggestion on what a Lockhart heiress does. She thought to herself.

She shot him a cold leering stare and blew an exaggerated breath. " I am not a royalty for you to be heard, general, but I must assure you I meant no harm here. I am only a worker in that said store." as she pointed out her nearby workplace.

"Tell me, how can I avoid suspecting you if you are so adamant about leaving this place. I was able to watch you from afar, young lady. And it seems that you have something to hide." Crap. What is this man doing!? He was indeed pushing too far from integrating me openly. Our heated throwing of words had gathered attention. The people who were supposed to talk and gossip were now in silence. Yet, this general has no plans to stop this! As the realization hit me, I looked like the suspect here being targeted by the soldiers! She was never tested like this!

"I-I am telling the truth!" Rovina eagerly defended.

"G-general, forgive us, but this young lady is my worker. We have heard your judgment, and I will testify that everything she said was true. Indeed, she is innocent of all of this interrogation." Ms. Risa has come to the front and defended me. She grabbed my hands and put me behind her. Surprised, I didn't expect her presence in this kind of situation. She was being suspected, and she sure knew no one would expect to interfere. Rovina's eyes were almost tearing. It was an excellent way of telling how her newfound acquaintances do care about her that deeply.

The general glanced at her. Again its eyes were still suspecting. "We'll see time discovers the truth." his mocking toned reflects his anger. He then raised his hand and moved its index finger. It was signaling something.

"Take them away in front of me. Now!" He stepped around without another word as his heavy steps echoed. He was riding back on his enormous black horse. Before leaving, he once found my eyes and leered at me, and said something silently that I clearly didn't understand. I stood statue-still like the general was ready to go.