Chapter Seven

Chapter Four: Bloody Ball

“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.