Chapter 68 - STARTED JOURNEY

"Ayana!"

The girl was shocked to hear her name called at the time.  She was busy here and there, wanted to prepare the fruits she had picked up in the vicinity of the palace to be brought by Jieun shortly.  The fruit garden there is indeed much larger and there is more variety of fruits than in their house in Hilleo Village.

While she was struggling to walk with a large basket of fruits that she had collected at the west castle path to the residence of Jieun and Prince Eun-Woo, suddenly a voice that she knew very well rebuked her. 

Ayana now in all smiles looking at the man who was now running slowly towards her.

"Woah!  Why do you get so many of it?  That must be heavy. "  Haru said as he got closer and just noticed the full basket.

"Ah."  Ayana laughed shyly as she scratched her non-itchy head.

"I was just too carry out on picking fruit so I didn't notice that I already taken much."

Haru then while shook his head took the basket without even talking.

"I… I can manage…"  Ayana didn't want to bother the man.

"What did you say?  From a distance I see you swaying here and there.  Clearly it because this is too heavy for you.  Let me help then. "

Since Ayana lived there, they never communicated.  Only a stealthy looks and smiles that they exchange all this time. 

Ayana is actually scared, because the man is a prince.  If she's too friendly to him in this palace, she's worried if something bad happens or she'll bother Prince Eun-Woo and Jieun later.  So even though she wants to spend time with Haru, her childhood friend, she knows it's better to keep her distance.

Ayana looked here and there observing their surroundings.  Worry about if someone might see they are being together like this.  Haru, who was aware of the girl's behavior sighed a little.  He knows well what is inside her mind right away.

"There's no one else here.  West Castle is only for royal that already married means that only Ethan and Mia also Eun-Woo and Jieun are here for now.  Also, Ethan and Mia helpers are not that many and probably doing their chores now.  While, only you serve Eun-Woo and Jieun. "

Ayana's face was a little relieved then.  But, she was also a bit uncomfortable when her action is caught by the man.

"Are you that nervous if people saw us closer together?  I can see that you are being too careful now.  Or are you actually not comfortable talking to me anymore? "  Haru's face is a bit serious there.  Looking at the girl.

Ayana widened her eyes after listening to the question. 

"Ah," She raised both her hands to make an X mark there.  Deny the accusation.

"It's not that…" Ayana tried to find the right sentence to say.

"If not, what is it?  You look so nervous just now. "  Haru corner her there.

Flustered.  Ayana bit her finger instantly.  Haru now laughs a little.

"You still have that habit did you."

Ayana that realizing what she is doing also laugh a little when the man looked quite calm now.  Only then did she feel comfortable explaining what she was thinking at the time.

"Well, I cannot deny that I care about what people might think.  You're the prince and this is a castle.  Its different than Hilleo Village where I can be free a little with my words and actions.  But it doesn't mean that I avoid you. "

"Don't be." Haru said calmly.

"Huh?" Ayana does not understand.

Haru walked towards the girl slowly, then lowered his face slightly so that he was the same height as the girl.

"Don't restrict yourself because of that. Just ignore  what people think or might think.  Your life, your world.  Why would we try to satisfy other people than our own life?  If something getting out of control I will protect you.  Understand? Shortie. "  Haru smirks then.

"Hey!"  Ayana laughs a little after hearing the nickname.  The memories that they was sharing together years ago suddenly began to appear in her eyes.

Haru started walking forward while holding the fruit basket.

"Hey, I'm going to a journey today."

Ayana is smiling hearing that. It was funny because the man said something that she already knew.

"I already know that.  Lady Jieun already told me that all of the prince, princess Mia and she will be leaving soon. "

"And that make me think that..." 

If her eyes playing tricks to her, Ayana could say that she saw a faint blush on Haru face right now.

"I'm going to buy souvenirs for you when I'm about to going back."

"You don't have t..."

"No!" Haru interrupted the girl's words and he stood in front of the girl now.  He wanted the girl to listen to his words first.  Walking backwards slowly, while looking at the girl, Haru speaks again.

"I want to buy you something. I just realize that I will never give you anything even we are 'friends' for so long now. " Haru watch Ayana there that still smiling towards him sweetly.

"So I wanted to do something that will be memorable and you can save it forever.  Erm… when I get back, I will give that to you, in our date okay? "  With that Haru now ran to leave the girl towards level four, which is the residence of Eun-Woo and Jieun. 

Ayana then stopped on her track.  Her mind and body seems cannot be working right now.  Did she hear that correctly?  Did Haru just say 'our date'?

"Don't forget!"  Haru's voice echoed back. 

Ayana now awoke from her reverie and saw that the sixth prince had long since left her there.  She brought her hand to her chest, trying to soothe the feeling of her heart that was now beating fast at that moment.

_______________

:: Eun-Woo and Jieun residence::

"Mia?  Why are you here? "

Haru who is now entering the living room of the house is surprised to see Princess Mia who is now complete with her red warrior outfit with weapons on the left and right of her waist, is now casually sitting on the sofa there.

"What?  Can't I be here? "  Mia replied lazily.

"It's not that, but I always saw you here and there now like you never in your resident anymore.  Do you and Ethan have a fight or what? "  Haru straightforwardly asked while placing the basket of fruit he was carrying on the table.

Meanwhile, Eun-Woo, who had been sitting there silently, just watched.  He also feels it weird when Princess Mia is now always hanging with Jieun.  Not to his liking anyway.  As he also wants to spend some time with his wife too, without her around.

"I just wanted to help Jieun packing.  As this is her first time.  Also give some suitable clothes for her."  Mia did not answer about her personal matters and just said that.  Right at the time Jieun came out of the room wearing a black and blue warrior outfit, which Mia had given her. 

It's a bit fit, showing her body curves, the slightly long shirt covering her back, and at her waist, she wears a belt there making it as if she is wearing a short skirt but it's not, in her hands there is a forearm guard.  This is comfortable enough to move, especially when worn with pants.  Jieun like that part a lot.  Her hair is now also fully tied back only left her bangs on her forehead. 

'She is pretty. '  Eun-Woo, who had never seen Jieun like that swallowed his saliva a little.  Approve of the new look.  Even she probably not fight in the field if anything occurs, she needs to be prepared for it.  No one knows what will happen on the way.

"Its this okay?"  Jieun asking everyone there, but her eyes clearly look at her husband.

"You're looking gorgeous sister in law!"  As usual Haru beat them all there.

Jieun feel a little embarrassed to hear it.

"You're perfect." Eun-Woo finally said with a bit smile.

Mia that was looking at the couple chuckled a little.  Jealous while happy to see that.  If only her relationship with Ethan was like that.

"But, are we really walking to get there?"  Jieun asking as she curious about that.  She thought that they will at least using a horse.

"We never use any transport or horses in our journey.  As we need to follow a path that sometimes cannot be passed by all that.  Or if needed, we will walk inside the forest so that no one notices our movement especially enemy.  We cannot stand out too much. "  Eun-Woo explains.

Just like a backpackers, Jieun said in her mind.

"That's must be exciting!" 

Those words made Mia smile. "You are too positive Jieun."

"But, how can we transport all this stuff." Jieun now looks at the luggage, clothes and other equipment that is there.

"That's my job." Mia said then got up from her seat. She pulled something out of her pocket as if it were a small pouch.  After that, she threw the bag over all the items belonging to Jieun.  All of a sudden white smoke appeared and disappeared all over the stuff. All that remains is the pouch.

Jieun is surprised to see that.  Mia then picks up the pouch and throws it back to the floor.  The white smoke came back with all of the items.

"This is my bloodline specialty. In addition to knowledge of war as well as weapons, we are known as this secret of storage.  Useful during war and travel.  But don't lost the bag.  As it is small.  Or you will be losing everything."  Mia explained to Jieun and gave her more than one bag.

"Better separate things and save in each of this.  Who knows if you lost one. " Mia advised.

Jieun nodded, understanding that.

"Here."  At the time Eun-Woo is also giving her something.  A knife.  A beautiful one at that.

"Put that around your waist.  It can be good for self -defense. "

"It's beautiful."

"I custom made that for you."  Eun-Woo shyly said.

"If so, it's a gift then.  Thank you. " Jieun said while smiling happily there. 

"Aww my eyes…"  Haru deliberately joked.  He actually couldn't stand to see such a romantic atmosphere. 

Only Mia can understand Haru then.  Until she said, 

"Lets go now.  We need to start moving. "

After 15 minutes, all of them after telling the King and Queen, gathered at the entrance gate that connects the outside world with Dream Land.

"I'm going to be missing you."  Jieun said while hugging Ayana there.

"Me too.  Please be careful.  I will wait for your return. "  Ayana said in a tearful voice.

"Give my greeting to Granny Susan when you get there okay?"  Jieun release the hug there. 

Ayana will be heading back to the Hilleo Village for now as Jieun is not inside the castle for her to take care of.  She is there for Jieun only anyway.

"I will."

Jieun then starts walking away next to Eun-Woo while waving her hand towards Ayana.  Ayana also responded, waving back, but her eyes glanced at Haru's face there who also looked at her.

"I look forward to our date." His mouth moving, without voice, said that. 

Ayana can catch the words that he utters, then making her face blush a little.  But, she just maintain her smiling there.  Hoping that, all of them will be coming back safe and sound.

"I'm looking forward for that too.." Slowly Ayana said that after her eyes cannot see them anymore.