Hidden Paths

I began to ride the horse slowly, trying to figure out where the map would lead me because I felt so clueless. I get out of the capital and go into a green field.

After walking the horse for more than an hour, I still didn't find anything. I refocused on the map and realized I had to go left, although technically, it was a right turn.

I changed the direction of my horse and walked him again. During this time, I saw my back and got the book, reading while praising the horse. Slowly, I began reading the book, and it was interesting, describing the harsh conditions of the Kingdom of the Red Rose and how everything begins from a citizen's perspective. I wondered about the true culture of this Kingdom but closed the book as it was too complicated.

Looking around, I finally found a town. I entered, and it was half empty, which seemed suspicious. However, I knew that many people from towns and villages go to the capital for work, making smaller places seem deserted.

I asked some villagers, "Hello, can I find the chief of this town?" They kindly directed me, and I found an old man with a welcoming smile. He provided information about the town and where I could sleep or eat.

Something popped into my head. "Can I ask something? Do you have any type of guild in this town?" He scratched his bald head, thinking, and then cheered up. "Oh, good! We have one. Most teenagers love to train there, and even the guild master helps the town in various ways."

I thanked him and let the chief lead me to the guild. The bar was impressive, bigger than a normal house, and had everything for the villagers to enjoy.

After saying goodbye to the chief, I took my bag from the horse and made sure it was secure. Entering the bar with all my stuff, I saw adventurers, villagers, and even children, creating a beautiful atmosphere.

Approaching the bartender, I asked, "Hello, can I see the guild master? I have some business to finish." He opened the door with a cheerful tone and smirked, "We have everything you need, but you have to enter from this door."

Entering the door, I saw a person with purple hair and a white and blue mask, guarding their identity. I sat down, and the guild master offered me wine. I didn't drink, suspecting poison, and introduced myself as Mia. I asked about my friends, Ethan and Sylvia.

The guild master proposed a deal, asking for payment for their protection. I renegotiated, offering assistance in his business. We shook hands, and he agreed. Before leaving, he revealed his name, Eric.

In-room A3, I found Sylvia on the bed, exhausted. Ethan explained that he had saved her from a perilous situation, and she needed time to heal. Feeling guilty, I held Sylvia's hand, praying for her recovery, while Ethan reassured me that we had accepted our fate.

Ethan reminded me of my qualities, saying I had the heart of a true queen. I looked at him, contemplating my future – finding my mother and determining if I could be the queen the Kingdom needed.

Because in this place, you can't find manners, so I don't have to act like I have manners. I can act in my own way naturally. He walked me to different rooms until we found room A3. The worker left me alone, so I knocked on the door the first time and answered the second time. No one answered. I remember it was the middle of the night, so they weren't asleep.

I opened the door, hoping nothing bad had happened. The good news was nothing bad happened. I was sleeping on the floor of the room, and Sylvia was sleeping on the bed. I didn't forget that the room was a little bit small. I tried to wake up Ethan to find out what happened to him because I was glad he had run away with Sylvia. I got closer to Ethan, but when I got too close, Ethan opened his eyes suddenly.

I was so terrified and stepped back. "Princess! You arrived. Sorry, I was in a deep sleep. It was a long journey." At first, my hand was on my heart because I was terrified, but I slowly took my breath and petted his head because he was still on the ground.

"It's okay. I understand. But can you tell me the condition of Sylvia because she looks so exhausted on the bed?" He was so nervous, but at the same time, he expressed his emotions easily by looking at his face. It's making me a little bit worried and scared that something bad happened. I know how they torture the maid if they do anything wrong and if they do anything suspicious, the torture will get harder and harder. So, my eyes get so worried waiting for answers.

"Princess Mia, when I got to save Sylvia, a person tried to do something nasty with her by force. I stopped him and killed him. I saved her before anything bad happened to her, but the injuries were so severe. I think that the doctor in this town told me that the torture caused her too much bleeding on her back, hand, and feet, so she couldn't walk anymore. I tried my best to help her with magical things because I can heal injuries, but she needs at least three days of rest because that prince gave her the cruelest torture in my life."

I look down to feel guilt in my veins. She gets tortured because of me, because of my selfish needs, but now I feel I can do better and not put Sylvia in this situation. So, before I did anything, I held Sylvia's hand and prayed that she would get better and stronger and someday she would be better than me. But suddenly, Ethan put his hand on my back.

"Princess Mia, don't put everything as if it is wrong. You asked Sylvia so many times if she wanted to be with you, and she said yes. The same goes for me. If you want to do something, then we already accepted. It's not your fault anymore because we accept everything. You have the heart of a real Queen that this Kingdom needs." I look at him, thinking that I can't always live in hiding. I will first find my mother, and then I will see if I can make out. I can't be the queen now, and I don't want to.