Chapter Four: Fated

Chapter Four: Fated

“Do something to hide her identity.” 

“Ha! The Dragonslayer finally seeks help from a witch!" Migara, the town witch uttered with a smirk on her lips.

Surely, the dragonslayer doesn't seek help from anyone. He works alone hence it's a big thrill that he asks for help to hide someone's identity.

”Name your price, witch,“ Archer mumbled, ignoring the witch's remarks.

Vivienne, being caught in the middle of the conversation stayed silent. She doesn't want to talk or even move for she fear what would happen next. They barged into the town of Missouri, the western part of Geopiterra and she's afraid people might notice her. Archer is with her, yes, but it won't calm her heart from pounding faster than usual.

”I want nothing else but a single strand of the princess' hair. I will keep it as a treasure,“ Migara replied with her eyes fixed on the young princess' ginger hair.

It is no surprise that the witch wants to get her hands on Vivienne's hair. Everyone wanted to but no one except her parents touched her hair. Vivienne's ginger hair is unique and she's the only one who has that hair color among the four kingdoms.

”No. Certainly not. You can't have any fucking strand of....“ Vivienne cut Archer's sentence before he could even finish it. ”If I say yes, will you conceal my identity? Can you really make the people won't recognize me?“

Migara flashed a playful grin. ”Absolutely, your highness.“

Vivienne paused for a moment. She have to take a risk and attend the ball tonight at the castle. Archer had told her the reason why they must attend the ball, Archer has to meet lord Stanley and ask for more allies. The Dragonslayer is looking for allies. He needs an army to fight with him. Vivienne forced herself not to lay a single question about Archer's plan of rebellion.

”Take it then,“ the young princess mumbled with her hazel eyes full of unraveling determination. She plucked one strand of her stunning ginger hair as she waved it in front of the town witch.

Vivienne's long and curly red hair glistened as the sunlight hit it. Migara gasped in awe and extended her hand as she carefully grab the strand as if it's the most precious thing she'd ever seen.

”This is just what I need.“ Migara stared at the strand of hair for seconds before placing it inside a small transparent jar. She sealed it by chanting a set of spell and finally setting it aside.

”Now what?“ Archer's impatient tone echoed all over the spacious room filled with erbs and bones. Certainly, one can tell that the room belongs to a witch for it's nothing like a usual chamber.

”Now, please give me your hand, Princess of Grilux.“ When Migara mentioned the fallen kingdom of Grilux, it nearly brought the princess in tears. She never once forgot her home and how it was lit in fire as she watched from miles away.

Vivienne willingly offered her hand but the witch didn't do anything yet. Migara just stared at Archer who, at the moment massaging his temple.

”What?“ Archer asked, finally noticed the stares from both Migara and Vivienne.

”I shall be needing a drop of your blood too,“ Migara stated with a flat tone.

Archer's brow formed a thin line. ”And what makes you think I will submit into your demand, witch?“

”You will. Both of us know that you will do it. Don't let me spoil the fun and spill what is needed to be spilled,“ Migara, with her grin and mysterious stares muttered.

”Damn it,“ Archer cussed as he lend his hand to Migara. ”Make it fast. The time won't stop for your stupid little spell,“ he added.

"Can you not rush everything?" Vivienne didn't stop herself from launching her comment. She had enough of Archer's rudeness. 

"We don't have enough time, kid," Archer eyed the princess and replied. Surely, their time is running for they have to travel four villages to get into the capital of Geopiterra. 

"Hush! My spell would be done in a minute," Migara butt in to cut their conversation which is about to turn into an argument as it always have been.

Archer folded his arms in his chest and Vivienne looked away. Migara didn't help but hide a grin, she knows fate would always find its way and unfold itself. Time is running out for the Huntsman who chose to reject his fate and everything will soon be unveiled to the naive princess to knows nothing about herself.

Migara did her part. She completed her spell and let Vivienne drank the possion she created. One more minute and she found her visitors on their way to the palace to attend the annual ball.

”Fate will chase both hearts that were tied together. It never ceases to stop unless one chooses to die,“ Migara whispered as both of her recent visitors disappear from her sight.

The busy main road greeted Vivienne when they arrived at the capital. Everyone seems to be running some errands and no one recognizes her. She was skeptical about Migara's cloaking spell but found it effective when the people didn't recognize her on their way to the capital.

”Stop looking around. We're running out of time, kid.“ Archer's impatient tone wiped Vivienne's smile from her lips. She was quite entertained watching the children messing around until she was told to stop looking round.

”Can you stop being impatient? We still have time and I need that remaining time to buy a new dress suited for tonight's ball. I can't show up at the palace looking like a peasant,“ Vivienne voiced out, pointing at the hem of her worn out dress.

Surely, a princess shouldn't present herself in front of a bunch of royalties looking like a mere peasant. Though they won't recognize her but her pride won't let her look lesser than the merchants who would attend.

”And..... I have to bathe myself,“ she added.

The glare from Archer's pitch black orbs didn't escape from Vivienne's sight but she chose to ignore it.

”Fine. Off we go, your highness,“ Archer mumbled, full of sarcasm.

Vivienne let out a smile for she made the huntsman obey her for the first time. Though the sarcasm on Archer's tone is visible, atleast he agreed to her request.

The huntsman led the way to the tailor's house and as they arrived there, he signed the princess to get off from her horse. ”Make it fast because I certainly hate to waste my time,“ Archer marveled, looking at the palace guard lingering around as if they're searching for someone.

Vivienne stared at the stone and tried to read the word carved on it. Madame Mimosa Latuere was uniquely inscribed on the marble stone. ”That Madame Mimosa must be the owner,“ Vivienne thought.

”Just wait for me, alright? You don't have to rush everything,“ Vivienne replied before making her way inside the tailor's house.

Tons of royal gowns in different shades welcomed Vivienne. The place almost looked like a part of the palace because of the golden walls and the huge chandelier hung about ten feet above her. She gasped in awe as she kept scanning every corner of the room.

”This place is awesome!“ she complimented without knowing that the owner is standing behind her, observing her as soon as she entered.

”Thank you, my lady.“ Vivienne gasped when she heard a voice from behind. She turned her back only to find a woman on her extravagant gown smiling at her. ”You must be looking for a gown else you won't be in here,“ the woman added.

Vivienne cleared her throat. ”Aye, madame. But can I bathe in here? Have to wash myself after a very long journey from the west.“

The woman, which turned out to be Madame Mimosa scanned her from head to toe. ”Of course you can, my lady! Such beautiful flower deserves to have the most luxurious bath after her long journey. I shall ask my attendees to guide you as you bathe yourself.“ For a moment, the woman clapped her hands and in an instant, a bunch of ladies appeared and formed a straight line in front of her.

”Ladies, we have Lady....“

”Eloise of Gaedrillon, Madame Mimosa,“ she introduced herself without revealing who she really is.

”Lady Eloise of Gaedrillon wishes to bathe herself hence, you are to escort her to the bathing chamber and give her a luxurious bath. Bring her to the main hall as she finishes her bath and we shall dress her up. Alright, proceed to the bathing chamber,“ Madame Mimosa resounded.

The attendees rushed towards Vivienne as they escorted her to the bathing chamber. Vivienne would really spend some time bathing. She needs to spare time for herself without Archer glaring at her everytime for the reasons that she herself couldn't decipher.

As soon as they arrived at the chamber, the attendees started taking her gown off. After being completely naked, Vivienne made her way to the pool of warm water filled with rose petals.

”Hmmm,“ she hummed when her body felt the warmth of the water. The nostalgic smell of the roses reminded her of the time she was treated like a princess.

”Let us help you out, Lady Eloise,“ one of the attendees spoke and the others soon started washing her hair while gently brushing her back.

Vivienne closed her eyes to savor the moment. She misses the feeling of being treated like a royalty and of course, being with the late king and queen of Grilux. She often wonder why would her mother want her to find the huntsman who visibly doesn't have any intention of helping her. For days since they met, they just kept on traveling without talking. She once tried to talk about Grilux but Archer cut her off.

A deep sigh escaped from Vivienne's lungs. She remember the huntsman waiting for her just outside and clearly, he isn't pleased right now because she was taking too much time.

”Good lord! I thought you would spend one season at the chamber! Here, I have the perfect gown for you. You will look fabulous than the other ladies from other land,“ Madame Mimosa uttered as she was taking small steps around Vivienne, inspecting her physique. ”You look young, Lady Eloise,“ she added.

”Because I am, Madame Mimosa,“ Vivienne replied shortly.

”Alright! Let's get you dress up, time is running!“ Once again, Madame Mimosa clapped and her attendees started dressing Vivienne.

Time flew fast and it was already evening but Vivienne had just finished dressing up. She was dressed in a gold-colored ball gown with lots of luxurious ornaments. The gown weights more than what she was expecting, it's heavy but it does make her look like a princess once again. Her hair was done beautifully but Madame Mimosa wasn't so satisfied with the result so, she added some beads and small flowers to add more details. Vivienne badly wanted to wear her crown but she would bring death by just putting it on her head.

”Never did I see someone as beautiful as you, Lady Eloise! If only you own a royal crown then you will fit in as a real princess on one of the four kingdoms!“ Vivienne flushed a faint smile for the madame's compliment.

She can't tell her she's indeed a real princess of the fallen Grilux. She wouldn't and will never tell her her anyone.

”Your compliment is very well appreciated, Madame Mimosa,“ Vivienne offered her gratitude and bowed.

”Now now now. You must get going or you will miss the ball,“ Madame Mimosa reminded her. Vivienne gasped when Archer crossed her mind.

She knew Archer is horn-mad for making him wait for almost like eternity. ”Let me pay you first before leaving, Madame Mimosa. Here please take.....“ Vivienne didn't finish her sentence when an angered tone interrupted. ”Take this.“

It was Archer and he's outraged. ”Let's get going,“ he uttered as he started dragging Vivienne outside the house.