It’s a wonderful day, a nice day to have an outing, picnic, even go on adventure with your friends. People are enjoying themselves, kids are playing, but one individual is sitting with a gloomy atmosphere around him by the fountain.

That gloomy, sad looking guy is me. Why am I like that? To know that, we have to go back few days.

5 DAYS AGO

“Alright! Today’s a wonderful day.”

Standing by the window, looking outside, I said so to myself. In the small house of mine, only the sound of nature. It was so good, I felt very energetic for some reason.

“Let’s go and look for her.”

Just as I said that, a loud growl echoed through the silence. I looked down, at my stomach.

“First, let’s have some breakfast.”

After having my breakfast, I went straight to town.

“Okay, let’s start the search!”

Fully confident, I stepped into the town. I knew every part of the town, so it was only natural that I would be this confident in myself. But I never expected that this search wasn’t going to be easy.

I searched the whole day but found nothing.

“…maybe she lives towards the way of capital city. I will search that area tomorrow.”

At least that’s what I said to myself. The next day, I went towards that area and started my search. After the whole day went by,

“…maybe she lives across the river side?”

That’s what I said to myself, and headed back my home. The next day I went that way and found nothing. Yet again.

The next day went same and the days that came later.

Present day.

Five days had passed since I found the pendant. Five days of relentless searching, of hope and disappointment.

"I thought I knew this town," I muttered to myself, staring at the map of the city Infront of me.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"But it seems there are still secrets hidden from me."

I had searched everywhere, every nook and cranny of Wellspring, except for one place - the Baron's family house. I had dismissed the idea initially, thinking there was no way she could be there. But as the days passed and my search proved fruitless, I decided it was better to check than to assume.

“I will check the Baron’s house tomorrow.”

The whole town is leading a peaceful life, even after being different from each other, they are themselves able to lead a happy life. But the Baron’s family in the town is not such.

The head of the family, Lord Edmund Criss. Lord Blackwood is a ruthless person. He is known for his manipulative tactics and lack of empathy. His rule has been marked by tyranny and oppression, causing fear and unrest among his subjects.

He values power and control above all else is what puts him and the people of the town in two different sides and doesn’t get along.

“She shouldn’t be there…

Yeah… she’s not there…”

“For sure…”

The next morning, I found myself standing in front of the imposing gates of the Baron's house.

“This should be easy.”

I slipped past the guards unnoticed and entered the building. I moved stealthily, avoiding the servants and guards patrolling the corridors.

“And safe...”

I entered the garden and was hiding in the bush.

I found Lady Elara and Princess Seraphina in the garden, sipping tea and laughing at some private joke. Lady Elara Criss, wife of Lord Edmund Criss, and their daughter, Seraphina Criss. As the head of the family, both of them also not liked by the people of the town.

"Seraphina, you really must learn to hold your tongue at the council meetings."

Lady Elara was saying, a stern looks on her face.

Princess Seraphina just laughed,

"And miss the look on Lord Aiden's face? Never!"

I grimaced,

"Not the sight I wanted to see first thing in the morning," I mumbled to myself.

After saying so I looked around some more.

“Alright, she’s not here."

I sighed. I was relieved that she wasn't here.

"I don’t want to waste my time looking at those two.”

I was about to turn back when I heard a sharp voice.

“Hmm?”

Lady Elara was shouting at someone.

"You're useless! Trash! Can't do anything right!" she yelled.

I peeked around the corner and my heart skipped a beat. It was her, the girl I had saved six days ago. For a moment, everything else faded away. All I saw was her.

But the moment was short-lived. Lady Elara slapped her, and she fell to the ground, her face swollen from the impact. Seraphina laughed, a cruel, heartless sound.

"Mother, we shouldn't waste our time on such useless pests. Let's go back to our mansion and clean your hand as well. It must be dirty now from touching her," she said.

Lady Elara replied with a dismissive "Hmph, you're right, my sweet daughter," and they turned to leave.

As they disappeared from view, I saw Seraphina look back at the girl, an evil grin on her face. I heard a soft whimper. The other maids followed after them, sneering at her. No one of them came to help her.

I looked back at her, she was on her knees, her hands clasped together.

"I'm sorry, Lady Elara... Please forgive me..." she pleaded, her voice barely a whisper.

Anger surged within me. I raised my hand, pointing towards Lady Elara and Princess Seraphina, ready to cast my magic. But I stopped myself.

"No," I whispered.

"I can't risk exposing myself. I need a plan."

As they disappeared from view, I looked at the her lying on the ground. I clenched my fist, the pendant digging into my palm.

"I will save you," I vowed.

"No matter what it takes."