Chapter 3

When the soldiers are finally satisfied with the number of people they have accumulated, the man in the front started to read the message that was written on the scroll. 

"Greetings lovely people of Argania. I am here to announce that his highness King Natan is looking for help to cure the illness he had acquired a few days ago."

Lady Molly whispered to herself some several questions. "The king is sick? was it connected to that old man sneaking on our home targeting one of the albino sister?" No one heard her voice whispering as the people that was with her listening to the soldiers are talking as well.

 "His sickness gets worse day by day, so if anyone would like to volunteer them selves to find the cure for the king will be rewarded handsomely," the soldier said loudly and sternly to make sure that the people heard him loud and clear.

The crowd suddenly burst into a group of discussion gossiping about what just happened. The soldiers ordered the crowd to make way for they are going to depart the plaza and will be returning to the palace.

After the declaration of the king being sick, some people beside lady Molly already taught of some things on how to find someone to help them cure his highness. They wanted to help not because they want the king's recognition, they were only looking forward for that handsome reward mentioned earlier. When the people continued on doing their business, Lady Molly prepared to leave the capital and will be returning to the woods. 

Before she could even finally enter the dark forest, her sharp hearing was alarmed by a crisp sound of dried leaves behind her which made her halt from her walking. She turned around slowly seeing nothing but an empty place.

Though she didn't let her guard down that fast because she can still sense that something's about to go down any minute now. She continued to walk on the small trail inside the forest without showing an obvious sign that she's aware that someone is certainly following her.

As she walk further and further away, the louder the footsteps behind her is. For her own safety, she slowly took her own personal dagger that she bought many years ago and she  kept it by hiding inside her  cloak and quickly pointing it out to the one who was following her.  

"What do you want?" she said firmly as lady Molly steadied the aim of her dagger on the person who's following her. Going back to her senses, she saw a young lad in front of her that looks dirty and hair are already disheveled.

Lady Molly also smelled the uninviting odor that this young lad emits. There she thought that he was a beggar somewhere near the forest's entrance and followed her to plead for some food. Molly immediately withdraw her dagger inside the cloak again.

"Do you want some food?" she gently ask him as she reach for the items inside the basket. Seeing that the young boy slowly nodded his head, she grabbed one of the mushroom and the apple lady Molly got on Bridgette's kitchen secretly.

"T-thank you, M-madam," the poor boy accepted the food that was offered to him within his little dirty hands. She almost regret pointing her weapon on his neck. After that incident, Molly instructed him to return to where he came from before she continue her way to the other side of the forest because she is planning to  get some flowers on that place. 

Feeling exhausted by her journey, lady Molly took a rest at the foot of one of the tallest tree she had ever seen in the forest. She stretched both of her legs out to ease the numbness it gave off from the long walking she made for the day.

Because she had been travelling ever since the sun has risen, she felt that her stomach rumbles from the hunger she'd been ignoring since earlier because it would only delay herself on reaching her destination immediately.

Knowing that she have some food inside her wooden basket, Molly didn't hesitate to grab a bite from it not minding about having no water to drink to push down the things I've been eating.

"Wow, who knew that the combination of cheese and mushroom is weirdly delicious?" she mumble to herself while savoring both of the food on her hands. Taking three last bites before finishing all of it, She decided to finally stand up from where she was sitting to continue travelling.

Lady Molly thought that she might not be able to return home today at this rate because the flowery side of the woods is still far, She is hoping to see a place to rest for the night along the way. She can't endure any long walks anymore at this rate, her body is getting weaker because of exhaustion.

Lady Molly has been away from the cottage for many hours. The family is currently helping each other on Levi's garden because he was planning on growing a new plant today. Luna was the one who's going to help him dig the soil from the ground while Yve are only watching them do their work.

Earlier in the morning, Yve and her father was out to hunt some wild animals that can be eaten by them. Their stock of meat are almost out and both of the twins can't bear to eat vegetables only because they say that it taste like soil that has been wet for several months. Luckily, her father was able to hunt a Wild Boar. Both of them was happily jumping in joy when they caught the animal and bought it home. It will be served as their dinner later. 

"Father, why would you want to grow this flower? It looks poisonous," Luna said with a bored face. 

"No, it's not. Beautiful flowers are the ones that are really poisonous. This looks really beautiful and mesmerising, don't you agree?"

"Whatever you say father. All of your flowers are ugly, they look dead!" 

Levi patted her daughter's hair because of her statement. It is true that his plants looks dead, but that's just the way they look like. It may look poisonous to other people but it is totally harmless.

After a few minutes of digging on to the soil, Levi finally planted it and put some water on it. They both stand up from squatting down the ground and their father patted his hands on his pants to clean off the dirt that has been transferred from it. Luna was in utter happiness that finally the boring gardening session of her father was finally done. 

"Yve! Let's play outside the fence, I missed running already," Luna energetically invited her twin sister to play with her. But before Yve could even answer, a loud sound of thunder was heard which frightened the both of them. Then, it started to rain heavily so they ran inside to avoid the raindrops. 

"I'm totally disappointed. I also wanted to play! This stupid rain started to pour on perfect timing!" Yve said angrily but she screamed when a loud thunder was heard again after she said that. 

"Looks like the rain is mad at you dear," Lucia said while hiding her laugh within her words. She was right on the kitchen cutting up ingredients for dinner and was amused to see both of her daughter angrily looked at the window because the rain interrupted their supposed to be playtime for the day. 

As the heavy rain pours, Lady Molly on the other side of the forest didn't mind on getting soaked by the raindrops. The big tree and it's tree leaves are blocking some of the rain from pouring heavily from where she was standing.

The soil gradually became wet which feel irritating when someone stepped on it. While Lady Molly was walking, she passed by a small cottage that looks similar to hers but without the fences.

She can see that the insides of the place are lighted so she approached it hoping she could take shelter in here while it's raining. Knocking three times on wooden door, an old woman opened it and greeted her. 

"Oh my, what are you doing in the middle of the forest young lady?" The old woman asked her with worry on its eyes. She didn't answer right away as she want to feel the aura of this old woman. Seeing that this person in front of her is with pure heart and intention, she smiled on her.

"I was going to pick some flowers in here but the rain already poured. Maybe I can take shelter for a while Madam?" the old lady widely opened the door and wholeheartedly accepted Lady Molly's presence on her house. This is the first time that a person was able to pass by this old woman's cottage.

"Do you want something to drink young lady?" the old woman said.

"No thank you. Don't bother, I only want to seek shelter for a while," Molly said with a smile on her face to comfort the old lady's feeling. Scanning the place, it looks really inviting. It is also warm inside seeing that the fireplace beside them are lit with fire. The couch was also made of straw but still it is very comforting to sit on.

The rain eventually became more tense and the sound of big raindrops of water are heard on the roof of the cottage. It seems that Lady Molly can't continue her journey to the flowery side of the woods and have no other choice but to stay the night here. 

"Where do you live Lady? The rain is pouring buckets. Are you going to go home for this day?" The old woman asked her as it sips on the cup she was holding on its frail hands. 

"I was wondering if I could spend the night here? My home is far from here."

As she say this, the old woman nod gently authorizing her request to stay the night. She then thanked the old woman and leaned on the wall behind from where she was seating. She will be going on her destination tomorrow morning. 

Levi and the Family are peacefully eating their dinner while it was raining outside. Lucia can't help but ask Levi where is Lady Molly that she didn't return home. This is the first time that the lady wasn't able to return from her travels which worry her so much.

"Don't worry too much Lucia. We know Lady Molly's capabilities. She's way ahead of our strength so continue eating your stew," Levi comforted his wife gently. It is true that Lady Molly is strong. Her mind and capabilities are different from normal humans like them. Even if Lady Molly is stranded somewhere in Argania, she will be able to find a way out of it. 

Finishing the dinner that the family had for the night, Luna volunteered to be the on to wash the dishes that they used for eating. Yve will be cleaning the counters as their parents withdraw the kitchen and go upstairs to rest.

The water they use for washing the dishes is limited only so Luna did her best to use it wisely. She is too scared to go outside at this hour just to get water from the river. It feels eerie on the forest at night. While the twin sisters are busy cleaning the kitchen, they heard a knock from the door which took both of their attention away from what they were doing. 

"Would you mind answering that Yve?" 

"No! Why would I? Look outside it's already dark. Who would knock on our door in the middle of the forest Luna?" 

Both of them doesn't know what to do and heard the knock again but it was louder now. Both of them felt nervous about the situation so Yve called for her father upstairs and informed him about the knocking. Once Levi was downstairs, he opened the door without hesitating but saw nothing on it.

"Okay. Are you fooling your father right now Yve?" Levi asked her daughter. "No father! Both of us heard it with our own ears, why would we lie to you?" Yve responded to her father immediately. Levi believing the twins told them to finish up and go to their room right after. When the twins disappeared in front of him, he grabbed the letter that is lying on the floor right in front of the door. He hid it on his clothes and closed the door once again and go upstairs.

"That must be a ghost Yve," Luna said after she finished washing the dishes. "Stop saying that. You're only scaring both of us," Yve responded on Luna's statement before they go to their room taking big steps because on their mind, they believe that it was really a ghost that is out to hunt them. When they arrived, they layed their body on their bed and let the sleepiness succumb their whole senses as it guide them towards the dreamland.