The Crown and The Rose
Chapter 28: The First Day (Part Two)

Chapter 28: The First Day (Part Two)

The Crown

"Do I look blind to you?" I arch an eyebrow, not at all pleased with the ’revelations.’ "You are a flower-like monster. Nothing like a flower."

The flower-like monster’s ’face’ twitches, "Human, keep calling me that and you will never get out of this forest for the rest of your life."

My heart skips a beat at its words, "Wait, do you know how to get out of this place?"

"Certainly." The flower’s core jerks up and down, "But it appears that you do not wish to get out of here."

My heart clenches at his words and my stomach drops, "Hey! Don’t be like this! Get me out of here, please!" Desperation is clear in my voice as I plead.

The flower-like creature eyes me for a beat before replying, "Fine then. But never call me a monster again. I will help you out of here." Its tone is pitying as it sighs and shakes its ’head’ again. "Humans certainly are pathetic."

I scrunch up my nose in dismay but keep my mouth shut. Can’t let it to be the reason behind my doom. "So how do we get out of here?" I ask, scanning the area around me.

"You need to find a lake in this withered forest." The ’flower’ speaks up, "It is located on west side of the forest."

I raise an eyebrow, "Lake, you say? But what does a lake have to do with me getting out of here?"

"Well, you are currently at the depth of the lake and when you dive into the lake, you will find the real surface of the lake in the depth." The ’flower’ explains.

"I don’t get what you are saying at all." I frown, not believing what the ’flower’ is telling me. It makes no sense... how can they make something like this...?

"This place is made of magic and the only way out of is magic too. But this place blocks out every kind of magic that is cast by a demon." The ’flower’ elaborates on the details carefully.

And something clicks inside my head.

So this is why this place didn’t block out my magic at all. Because duh! I am a human!

"This place was solely made for the students to be navigated by us, the magical flowers." The ’flower’ continues in his easy voice, "I don’t know how but somehow human you got blended between these demons and now here. You got lucky because this place didn’t block out your magic. But you won’t be lucky forever."

The last part of its statement catches my attention. I raise an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

"You will know once you reach the lake." The ’flower’ refuses to say anything further.

An unsettling feeling sinks deep inside my chest but I manage to swallow it down for now, "So how do we get there?"

"Do you see any carriage or horse around here?" The ’flower’ moves its ’head’ around, scrutinizing the area.

I glance around once more and shake my head, "No?"

"Are you an idiot?" The ’flower’ barks, "Do you expect someone to arrange a grand procession to get to the lake? You have to walk there obviously!"

I cringe at his abuse and understand that the question was so very stupid itself, "I am sorry. I am sorry."

I pull out the map and point out the west then start to walk toward it with a weird flower-like creature in my hands. I can’t believe what has become of the crown prince of the Blade Empire. I was supposed to be investigating a kidnapping case now I am running around a demonic forest to save myself from the predators lurking in there.

Whose fault is this? Who is to blame for what has become of me? Whenever I think about it I go around the same circle and come back to square one. My fate.

I have got no one but it to blame for the misery it has brought to me. I don’t even have the time and leisure to cry about it

What a divine fate you have got here huh Lush?

"So... do you do this job every year, Mr. Flower?" After a while of silent walking, I finally decided to break the silence.

"No." The ’flower’ answers, "The trials change every year. And I am made of solely magic. After my job is done here, I will be consumed by the demonic mages."

The conversation turns out to be darker than anticipated but anyway, "I see. So you don’t really mind it?"

"We were made to be consumed, so no." The ’flower’ replies nonchalantly as he shrugs, "What about you human? How did you end up in a deathly place such as this."

"Well, this is a long story." I chuckle nervously and scratch my cheek as I look away, "Just know that I was sent out here on a mission issued by the lord."

"So you somehow managed to get your ass to the demon lord Vermilion’s feet?" The ’flower’ looks at me as if he can’t help but pity my bad luck as well, "Well, your fate is way more miserable than mine, you know that brat?"

"I know right?" I tilt my head a little as I pout and a nonexistent tear falls from my eye.

"Don’t cry, brat." The ’flower’ pats my arm with his ’hand’ which is a long leaf.

Suddenly there is a harsh sound of dry brunches snapping and footfalls. I am on my guard again immediately and instinctively duck behind a tree trunk. I perk my ear, trying to listen more closely to the sounds of someone approaching this way. The ’flower’ takes the hint and quiets down as well, it is looking like it is trying to listen to the footsteps as well.

"I am sure I heard someone talking this way." A familiar voice makes my breath catch on my throat.

Seraphina!

I peek out through the gap in the branches of the tree and spot Seraphina standing right in front of the tree trunk. My heart stops completely at the sight of her standing there and scanning the area with those sharp eyes.

Sweat starts to form on my hairline and I struggle to keep my breathing even. Who knows if this demon girl has god-like hearing skills. She might hear me if anything is out of place.

"I think I heard wrong." Seraphina blurts out and then starts to walk away.

After I make sure that she is gone, I let a heavy breath out. I shift the flower tub a little as I feel that I am losing my grip on it because of my clammy hands.

"You looked like you were scared out of your wits after seeing that girl." The ’flower’ speaks up with a wary tone. "Do you know her?"

"Know her?" I let out a dry chuckle as I take my time to calm myself down, "She is after my sorry life."

"Certainly, Lush. I am indeed after your miserable life." The low, alarming voice speaks right behind me.

The beating of my heart stalls for a solid second and I forget to breathe as every muscle in my body screams at me to run. But I don’t run. I straighten my spine and turn around to face her, forcing a smile as I spot Seraphina’s pretty yet deathly face. Her forever poison-laced smile is unfaltering on her face.

"What a misfortune I have to encounter you here Seraphina." Now that I am facing possibly the death of me, I am feeling unbelievably calm and collected, fear has calmed my nerves and stilled my resolve to face this demonic girl fear and square.

"A misfortune indeed, Lush." Seraphina scoffs, "Your sorry life doesn’t want to spare you any moment anymore it appears, Lush."

"Well... we will see about that," I smirk.

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