The World Of Sally

Chapter Eight (Part One): The Request

They rode a carriage back to the academy. Athena felt very excited while staring at the view outside the window. Her golden hair is shinier when sunlight hits it and her face is a complete contrast to their black uniform. She’s always so bright in front of him that he can’t take his eyes off. They arrived in the academy and he was dragged by her again, however, he didn’t care anymore. Her hand is soft that he wants to hold it for a long time.

Students who saw them started to whisper. He’s not fond of unwanted attention as much as he hates stressful events. He decided to ignore them and focused on Athena who’s in front of him. They met Helios along the way. He seems to head to the same place they’re going.

“Your highness!” Athena called. Ethan frowned and coldly looked at the prince. Helios halted and turn to face her. His ember eyes went to Athena then to him then back to her again.

“What is it?” He asked in a frigid voice. His deep voice is the exact opposite of his burning hair and sparkling gold eyes.

“I have the solution for Sally’s situation, Sire.” She reported proudly as she pulled Ethan beside her. Helios stared at him.

“You possessed a skill to help her?” He asked.

“If I have, what will I gain?” He questioned him instead of answering. Athena’s eyes widen at his boldness while Helios grinned wickedly at his bravery.

“It seems that you have that kind of talent? Well then, what do you want in return?”

Athena’s eyes bulged even more. Her expression went dark yet no one noticed it.

‘He cared for her? Since when?’ She wondered. ‘How can the prince cared for someone other than himself and his goals?’ She added.

“I’ll ask my reward later. For now, let’s proceed to Ms. Esther. I need to see her first.” He answered. Helios closed his mouth for a while before he turned his back and started walking. The two followed him quietly and they arrived in front of the infirmary.

---

Felix’s eyes slowly opened and the first image he saw was a little girl staring at him while smiling. He straightened his posture and looked at her.

“Did I wake you up, mister? You seemed sleeping well so I didn’t wake you up.” She stated cheerfully. He felt relieved hearing her lively tone of speaking.

“Is that so? Thank you. Are you alright now?”  He asked her.

“I’m fine, Sir. When I woke up I was shocked when I saw you. I thought my guardian angel descended and came personally to watch me.” Her face brightened and her silver eyes are sparkling while gazing at him.

“A-Angel?” Felix muttered shyly.

“Yeah! You’re handsome like an angel.” She smiled widely. She reached his hair and gently touch it. He felt his heart fluttered. “I bet Sir has a girlfriend now.” She guessed. Felix chuckled and stared at her with his smiling blue eyes.

“Why do you say so?”

“Huh? The Sir’s question seems like he doesn’t have one.”

“I don’t have a girlfriend.”

“You don’t!? Why?” She asked with too much curiosity written on her face. Felix can’t stop smiling while looking at her. She looked so adorable while her eyebrows furrowed.

“I have a woman I’m interested in.” He stated and put his chin on his palm.

“Oh! I thought you don’t have one! Is the lady pretty?” She asked excitedly.

“Yes. But she’s not here right now. She had an accident and she’s still recovering.” Her silver eyes became gloomy as she heard what happened to her. Felix remained smiling while keeping his eyes focused on her. She didn’t know that he’s talking about her.

“What’s the color of her hair and her eyes? Is she blonde like you, sir?”

“No.” He touches her long hair, “She had pretty long black hair and her eyes were sparkling silver. She looked like the goddess of the moon and her smiles can light the night.” He said.

“A goddess? Oh my! I want to meet her too! I hope she recovers soon. Do you think I’ll meet her, Sir?”

“You’ll meet her soon.” He answered. Sally was about to talk when the door opened and three people entered. Her eyes went directly to the familiar person in the center. His red hair was slicked backward showing his forehead and his gold eyes fixed only to her. “Sire.” Felix stood up and bows down his head. “You’re here.”

“How is she?”

“She had a fever but she’s fine now,” Felix answered.

“I see.” Helios stared at her and she suddenly floated towards him. Sally’s eyes widen and laughed at the process. She stopped floating in front of him and smiled as she greeted him,

“It’s you again, good Sir. Oh, can you please raise me higher? Please, please? Pretty please?” She asked clasping both of her hands and looked at him with pleading eyes.

“… No.” Helios refused and put her down. Little Sally pouted and sighed. Felix chuckled at her reaction and patted her head. Sally’s eyes went to Athena who was staring at her for a while, then to Ethan who’s indifferent at her. Both of them possessed different beauty, but Athena’s face is what she liked the most.

“Hello, mister and miss! My name is Sally.” She introduced. Her silver eyes fixed at her. “Miss is very pretty! Can I call you a fairy? Please?” She asked. Athena forced a smile and nodded.

“Of course.” She answered.

“Great! Thank you, Miss Fairy! Oh, this is such a lovely day!” She exclaimed in joy.

“I’ve seen her enough. Despite her behavior, her body won’t last long. The effects will become worse every half an hour so we better hurry.” Ethan muttered in a serious tone.

‘She’s smiling but the pain is evident in her eyes.’ He thought as he observed Sally.

“Let’s meet Sir Bolton and asked for a leaf of the silver tree.” He added.

“Silver tree? What’s that?” Athena asked.

“It’s a magical tree that can nullify the effects of the potion that entered her body.” He answered.

“Then, let’s go now. We’re wasting too much time.” Helios muttered.

“Sally, come, I’ll carry you.” Felix offered, however, Sally shook her head and went to Helios. She pulls his sleeve slightly and stared at him with a smiling face.

“Good Sir, please make me float again.” She requested. “Please? Just one time then I won’t ask every again.” She added.

“Hah. Fine.” Helios sighed. He snapped his fingers again and then she started floating. She giggled as she turns around and flapped her arms like wings.

“Wee, I’m flying.” She said happily. Helios shook his head as he went out first from the room followed by the rest.

---

There’s a large glass greenhouse located in the western part of the institution. In there, different and rare magical plants were kept and the person who took care of everything in there is a man called Mr. John Andrew Bolton. He’s a tall, lean man with chocolate brown hair and black eyes. His cheekbones were high, his eyes were sharp and his lips were always tightly closed giving a grumpy look. He frowned, even more, when Dr. Ashton entered the greenhouse with his bright smiling face.

“Hello, Sir Bolton. You seemed, grumpy as ever.”

“What do you want?” He asked sharply and not even hiding his displeasure towards him, however, this made the man smile even more. His long cinnamon-colored hair was tied in a ponytail but there are still a few strands left untied. His light-blue eyes were gentle and kind yet his smile was sly. He pulled his white coat and sits on the side of his work desk.

“That lady who turned into a child, she was brought in my clinic with Mr. Robia.” He said.

“Oh? And?”

“When will the cure arrive?” He asked.

“It was delayed due to goblins attack. They said they’ll deliver it next week.”

“Next week? Do you think my patient will last that long? Her fever is so high and I’m sure it will get worse. It’s been twenty-four hours since she became like that. You know me, I don’t like it when my patients die in my care.” He smiled darkly.

“Do you think I’m stupid? Get out, you’re bothering me.” He scowled at him. Dr. Ashton laughed and stood up when the door opened again. Mr. Bolton shuts his eyes in annoyance and looked at the people who entered his working place. His eyes caught a familiar person.

“Mr. Lionel, what the hell are you doing right now? You know how I hate unwanted visits…”

“Hello, Mr. Grumpy!” A floating child said behind all of them. “Mr. Grumpy is still grumpy as ever! You shouldn’t be like that or else fairies will be scared of you.” Dr. Ashton laughed loudly while Mr. Bolton hit the back of his head.

“Shut up, you old dog.” He said as he sighed and looked at them. “What are you doing here?” He asked.

“Sir, we want to have the leaves of the silver tree” Ethan answered.

“I don’t have a silver tree in my greenhouse. The last one died three months ago.”

“Then?”

“Therefore, you may go back to your dorms and leave that child here.” Mr. Bolton said as he points to Sally who was upside down and staring at them. “Mr. Grandalia, please put her down.” He added. Helios put her down on the ground while Sally walked towards Mr. Bolton, however, she stopped in the middle and suddenly fell on her knees. She vomited blood then raise her head to Mr. Bolton who was looking at her with wide eyes.

“Ms. Esther!” Dr. Ashton called and dashed towards her. “Oh no, it’s happening now.” He added. Helios who was standing before them had an astonished expression. Her weak gaze fell to him as she muttered softly,

“It hurts.” Her eyes closed tightly as the blood flowed to the side of her mouth. Helios clenches his fist and gravely looked at Mr. Bolton’s eyes.

“Sir, where can we find the silver tree?”

“It’s dangerous to go there---“

“We don’t have much time, Sir. She’ll die if we don’t act now.” He said not letting him finished his words. Mr, Bolton removed his spectacles and cursed in a low tone. He stared at the unconscious little girl in Dr. Ashton’s arms and cursed again.

“Bullshit. Alright, I’ll tell you. However, that area was attacked recently by goblins so all of you must be careful. The silver tree was in the Elves forest in the north. Meet the elderly elf named Noris and mention my name. He’ll give you what you need.” He instructed.

“We will come with you, Sire. I’ll ask for a carriage immediate…”

“No need Felix.” He muttered as he turns his back from them. “Silly goblins will not win against me.” A magic circle appeared beneath him and he disappeared suddenly.

Helios arrived beside a place miles away from the capital. All he could see are tall trees and grasses. The road was made of red bricks and there’s no carriage approaching his way. He looked at the other side and decided to walk further when someone called him. It was Felix with Ethan and Athena.

“Sire! Please wait for us.” Felix yelled behind. Helios looked at him with furrowed eyebrows and frowned at him.

“Don’t yell, Felix. I’m not deaf.” He growled.

“I apologize, Sire. Please allow us to accompany you on this journey.” He said as he stared at his eyes. Helios stared back at his blue eyes. He knew the man in front of him can be stubborn sometimes so he sighed in defeat.

“Do what you want. Just don’t be a burden.” He turned his back from them.

---

Mr. Bolton and Dr. Ashton are in the infirmary while watching Sally. Her white dress was changed into a modest navy blue dress. Her fever came back a few minutes ago and Dr. Ashton helped her drink her medicine.

“Excuse me for a while, Mr. Bolton.” He said and went out carrying the basin and the wet towels. Mr. Bolton stared at her with eyes full of sympathy.

‘It must’ve been hurt so much, yet she didn’t tell a single soul about her situation…’

“I’m such a fool.” He murmured. He sighed feeling so frustrated with the situation he’s into. He covered his eyes with his hand while the other one rested on his right leg. All of a sudden, someone touches his hand. It’s a delicate and warm touch. He looked at the child in front of him and caught her staring at him. A faint smile formed her lips as she asked,

“Mr. Grumpy, why do you look so sad?” She tried her best not to look weak in front of him and force herself to brighten her expression, but Mr. Bolton knew what she’s doing right now.

“Don’t force yourself. I am aware of your condition.” He said. His expression is soft which was different from his grumpy looked before. Sally’s eyes widen slightly and she smiled warmly.

“Mr. Grumpy is not grumpy anymore. Don’t worry mister, this is just a simple fever. I’ll recover soon, but, where are the others?” She asked as she roamed her eyes around.

“They went out to get the leaves of the silver tree.” He answered.

“Huh? But why?  Why did they leave me? I want to go with them too.” She said with a sad tone.

“Silly girl, you’re sick.”

“I hate being sick…” She muttered and sighed heavily. Mr. Bolton patted her head.

“Then, you should rest well and recover immediately.” He stated softly. Sally only nodded but did not answer. Mr. Bolton noticed her crestfallen expression and asked her,

“What’s wrong?” She remained silent for a while before she answered his question. Her trembling silver eyes held his.

“But what if something bad will happen to them? What will I do? I don’t want that, mister.” Her voice was quivering. She lowered her gaze staring at her quivering hands.

“That’s not going to happen. Those people, they can defend themselves.”

“I don’t trust that…”

“Then?” Mr. Bolton inquired further.

“Please, follow them, mister.”

“No.”

“Mister, please. I’ll make sure to rest well until all of you arrive. I, I trust that, that all of them are strong but, bad things do happen sometimes. Please, mister. I beg you.” She reached his hand and held it. She stared at his eyes and her grip became tighter. Mr. Bolton sighed.

“Alright, but you have to promise me. Promise me that you have to rest well in here and don’t hesitate to tell the doctor if you want something.” He stated gravely.

“Alright. I promise. Take care, Mr. Grumpy. I’ll be waiting here.” She nodded and smiled at him.

“Alright. I’ll come back soon.” He removed her hand that was holding him and walk outside the infirmary. He met Dr. Ashton who was leaning beside the door and was listening to them all the time.

“You’re so soft. I wonder when you will act politely like that to me.” He joked. Mr. Bolton frowned at him.

“Stop it and do your job well.” A magic circle formed beneath him then he disappeared. Dr. Ashton smiled and nodded.

“I know…” He murmured and entered the infirmary with a bright expression.

***