The World Of Sally

Chapter Forty-Three: To Go With the Flow

TROUBLE has always been part of her life since then. It is not a surprise that the princess of the Draria Kingdom feels hostile towards her. Not to mention that it’s related to her relation to the crown prince. Somehow, the situation feels déjà vu. She smiled brightly at her.

“Greetings, your highness the third princess of the Draria Kingdom. What can I help you?” She asked politely.

“Hah. Don’t play dumb. I asked what your relationship with the crown prince Helios is.” She repeated in irritation.

“I am the crown prince’s secretary, your highness.” She answered.

“Secretary?”

“That is right. Now, if everybody’s here, please follow me.”

Sally looked at everyone behind the third princess. When she guaranteed that everyone’s already there, she turned her back and started walking. Her black hair flowing gently as she took a step looked like black shiny threads under the sunlight.

“For now, please remember the path towards your dorm. The campus is wide and the chances of being lost are high, however, do not fret. Tomorrow, I will tour you around the institution.” She uttered without glancing at them.

“Ms. Esther, right?” Someone asked behind her. She looked at the person and saw a man with ash-gray hair and purple eyes. He had a mocking smirk on his face while looking at her.

“Yes. What is it, Sir?”

“What is your ability? Can you fight?” He asked with an insulting tone. Sally halted and faced him with a smile on her face.

“I am not a judge of my own, therefore, I cannot give you a firm answer.”

“So YOU are weak?”

“That depends on your judgment if I look fragile or intimidating, I won’t argue with it.”

“You’re quite a dull person.”

She smiled at him yet that didn’t reach her eyes. The way she looked at them was apathetically cold.

“Andrei, stop it. Learn to shut your mouth.” The crown prince of the Draria Kingdom scolded. “I apologize, he’s always like that, an immature person.” He added.

“I don’t mind, your highness. Well then, let’s continue. The time is running.” She uttered as if nothing happened.

The third princess, Adeline, watched at Sally’s back. Despite her knowing Sally for the first time, she despised her already. She doesn’t like how Sally talked and stared at them, and how she’s so close with the crown prince Helios and to Adrian, the next king of Draria. A wicked smirk formed her lips as she wriggled her fingers. A flash of small lightning crawled in Sally’s arm and electrocuted her.

Sally stopped and her eyes tremble pathetically. She resists herself from screaming in pain by biting her lower-inner lip. She can also feel everyone stopped behind her and held their breaths. Adeline was shocked as she saw the blood dripping from her arm continuously. It was horrible!

“M-Ms. Esther!” She heard Adrian uttered in worry and approached her, however, before he can reach her she stepped forward immediately.

“Don’t mind it. I’ll go to the infirmary soon anyway. Let’s continue.”

“But!”

“Ignore it, your highness, the crown prince.” She insisted and resumed walking. All of them followed Sally quietly. Finally, they arrived in their respective rooms where they will be staying.

“It’s alright for you to leave now, Ms. Esther,” Adrian muttered in concern while looking at her bleeding arm. “I’ll accompany you in the infirmary.”

“There’s no need. I can go on my own.” She refused.

“You’re pale and it’s bleeding!”

“You don’t have to, your highness.”

“No. Please don’t refuse my help any longer.”

She sighed and felt troubled.

“I still refuse, your highness. Thank you for your concern, but I do not need it.”

“Please consider my pride, Ms. Esther. I am sure you are aware how Drarians valued their pride.”

“… If you insist, your highness.”

“Thank you!”

The two went to the infirmary and approached Dr. Ashton.

“Ms. Esther! What the hell happened!?” He frets and dashed towards her. Sally smiled awkwardly as she sat on the bed. She removed her black blazer and her arm wrapped in bandages appeared before Adrian’s eyes.

“Oh, your highness can now go back to your dorm.” Dr. Ashton said.

“No. I want to make sure that she will be alright.” Adrian refuses.

“… If that is what your highness wants.”

The doctor continued and removed the bandage in her arm. A deep, unsightly wound was visible in his eyes. It was a horrifying injury for someone who had a small build like her!

“T-That wound, where did you get it from?” He asked. His voice quivering. Sally looked at him and gave a reassuring smile.

“From an accident, your highness.” She lied naturally. The doctor glanced at her for a moment before continuing what he’s doing.

“From an accident? What kind of accident?”

“That is none of your business, crown prince of Draria.” He looked behind and saw the red-headed prince looking at him with a serious look on his handsome face.

“Your highness.”

“You can return now, the crown prince.” He muttered and walked towards Sally.

“I refuse. I want to make sure she’s fine after this.”

“She will be fine because she has me,” Helios argued. His golden irises fixed at his mint eyes.

“It is also my responsibility to look for her. I have my pride and my dignity, crown prince Helios. Do not stain mine by yours.” He talked back.

“Do you fancy my secretary, your highness?” He asked directly.

“What if I say I am?”

Sally can feel the tension between them. The doctor stopped what he’s doing and turned around to face the two princes.

“Please, your highnesses, calm yourselves down. The patient needs to recover, not to feel fear.” He calmly stated. The thankfully calmed down.

“Ms. Esther, I advise you to take a rest and eat food rich in iron. I’ll give you painkillers and medicine to avoid infection.” He stood up and went to the cabinet to get medicines. Sally remained silent and glanced at the window.

‘It will be sunset soon.’ She thought.

“Sally, what happened? Why are you bleeding?” Helios asked her.

“It seems that the wound re-opened, your highness.” She answered.

Helios stared at her then at the wound. Sally looked at Adrian who was also staring at her.

“I’m fine now, your highness. You can now go back to your dorm.” She said.

“… Alright. I hope you will recover soon, Ms. Esther.” He muttered with a forced smile on his face.

“I’ll be fine. Thank you, your highness.”

He nodded. Adrian looked at Helios who was staring at him.

“I’ll be leaving now.” He said unemotionally. He didn’t wait for his response and left the infirmary. Helios laughed wickedly and glared at the door.

‘Pathetic bastard…’

“Here are the medicines, Ms. Esther. Make sure to eat your meals well.” Dr. Ashton reminded her.

“Yes. Thank you, doctor.” She smiled and stood up, however, she stumbled due to sudden dizziness. Fortunately, the crown prince managed to hold her before she fell to the floor.

“Be careful…” His voice was deep and surprisingly gentle.

“Thank you, your highness…”

She can feel her heart thumping so fast and loud. After bidding goodbye to Dr. Ashton, they went out of the clinic and walked into the hallway silently.

“You’re very pale. I’ll ask for food rich with iron.”

“You don’t have to, your highness.”

“You’re calling me ‘your highness’ again. Why?”

She didn’t answer and looked away from him. Her pace increased. The crown prince effortlessly catches her speed and is now walking beside her.

“What is wrong with you?” He asked her.

“There’s nothing wrong, your highness.”

“Call me by my name, Sally.”

“I refuse, your highness.”

The crown prince became frustrated. He grabbed her wrist and forced her to stop walking. Sally looked at him with confusion and exhaustion.

“What is it, your highness? Please let me go.” She muttered calmly while looking into his eyes.

“What’s your problem?”

“I answered that question already,”

“Tell me honestly!” He fumed.

“Why?” She asked, still calm and composed in front of him.

“… What?”

“Your highness is over concern to me… Why?” She asked seriously while staring directly at his eyes. The crown prince's anger subsided and changed into hesitation and confusion. Sally sighed and took her wrist from his grip. “I apologize, your highness. I acted out of the line. This will not happen again.” She apologized.

“… It’s because I’m interested in you.” He confessed. Sally’s forehead wrinkled.

“What? What are you?”

“That’s what it is…” He touched her cheek and stared at her silver eyes. The sun is already setting. Sally stared at him with quivering eyes. The orange hue the sun was illuminating hits the crown prince’s face. His golden irises twinkled like the stars in the sky and his hair swayed with the wind.

‘Ah, this color suits him... The color of sunset and the breaking of dawn…’ She blinked and tried to bury the image in her head and heart. She held his hand on her cheek and removed it gently.

“… Alright. Your highness can be curious, but I hope you don’t fall too deep on that feeling… Because I cannot catch you and you are aware, that when something is falling, it’s destined to break.” She uttered, warning him about the possibility of the pain he might encounter. She turned her back from him but he pulled her again and embraced him. Her eyes widen and her eyes trembled again like there’s an earthquake in both of her irises.

“Y-Your highness!”

“If falling for you is pain and heartbreaking, then so be it…” He whispered in her ear sending shivers to her skin and spine. She tightly closes her eyes and tried to push him with her quivering hands but she can’t. Her hands fell weakly beside her and let him hugged her.

‘Let’s stay like this, for a while…’

---

Sally woke up and her eyes went to get the flowers on her desk. She forgot to give it to the crown prince yesterday. She stood up from bed and took a bath and changed into comfortable clothes. The classes will start tomorrow and according to the headmaster, they will receive special classes as the chosen students to participate in the Magic Tournament. She wore a long-sleeve green dress with a bib white neckline. The edges of the sleeves had white ruffles including the skirt. She braided her hair and went to pick the flowers. She went out of her room and headed downstairs. She is walking in the hallway when someone called her.

“Ms. Esther!”

She stopped and looked back. It was the crown prince of the Draria kingdom, Adrian Vanz Draria. He smiled and run towards her. She was surprised she saw him early in the morning.

“Good morning, your highness.” She greeted.

“Please, you can just call me by my name. Is it not great? You will become my first friend here in the Lavrielle Academy?” He muttered with confidence. She chuckled.

“How dare I do that, your highness? It would be rude.”

“What’s that?” He asked, ignoring her words. He pointed at the flowers she’s holding. “Ah! It’s the flower in the brooch! What’s the name of that, again?” He tried to recall.

“Heaven’s tears, your highness.”

“Ah, right. What are you going to do with it? Are you going to plant it here?”

“No, your highness. You cannot plant this without the roots and thorough treatment.” She answered.

“I see. It’s a shame that that plant doesn’t grow in my kingdom.”

“I’ll be going now, your highness. Goodbye.”

“Wait. Where are you going this early?” He asked her again.

“I am going to meet his highness the crown prince.” She answered.

“The crown prince Helios… Why would you meet him?”

“That, I cannot tell, your highness.”

“Why wouldn’t you tell me? I am your friend.”

She was annoyed by his persistence. She kept smiling at him and shook her head.

“I believe this is not his highness’s business.” She answered directly.

“… That hurts. You’re quite harsh to your friend.” He said while acting in pain. Sally looked at her with dull eyes.

‘What’s wrong with this person?’ She wondered.

“Goodbye, your highness.” She said and turned her back. She started walking away, however, she felt him following her. She stopped again and looked at him. “Ah, your highness, if you’re worried about the tour later, you don’t have to. Rest assured that I will do my best.” She muttered then started to walk again, however, he’s still following her.

She stopped in annoyance. She forced herself to keep smiling as she looked at him again.

“Pardon me, your highness, but why are you following me?”

“Why? I can do whatever I want.”

Her shoulders drooped and she stared at him with tired eyes.

‘What a childish answer!’

“I am sorry but your highness must refrain from following me.” She uttered sternly. He grinned arrogantly and crossed his arms on his chest.

“You cannot stop me.” He shook his head. Sally’s lips were tightly pressed. She sighed and was about to speak when someone held her shoulder. She looked behind her and saw Felix.

“Hello, Sally.” He greeted.

“Good morning, Felix.” She greeted back.

“Good morning to you too, your highness. May I ask why are you following Sally?” Felix asked directly.

“… That is none of your business.” He answered.

“Is that so? Then please excuse us since the crown prince is already waiting for her.” Both of them turned their backs to Adrian and started to walk away. Adrian didn’t like it since he thought it was discourteous, a disrespect towards royalty. He raised his hand mid-air and slashes of wind aimed towards Felix, however, Felix was called one of the geniuses for nothing.

He easily blocked it with a barrier. Adrian stepped back and was surprised that he blocked his magic. Felix glared at him. His blue eyes glowing coldly and dangerously.

“Your highness the crown prince, have you forgotten about the rules?” He threatened. Blue mana danced wildly around him. “Do not fret, your highness, for I will keep my mouth shut since I don’t want to lose a formidable opponent. Then, we will be going now, and this time, I hope you will respect our leave.” He uttered with a deep, frigid voice.

Adrian trembled slightly but what caught his attention, other than Felix’s mana, is Sally’s sharp glares at him, like sharp knives ready to stab him. It was far different from her smiling and calm demeanor.

“Hah… A wolf in a sheep’s clothing… What a frightening girl…” He mumbled and raked his hair.

***