As soon as Anna said those words, Sitri who is currently residing inside of me asked me to stop the carriage. “Aaria, stop the carriage Right now. Please listen, stop it. That person, he is definitely connected with Anna somehow.

“Richard, stop the van, right now” I said.

“My lady. You don't need to step out of the carriage. We will deal with this situation by ourselves. Richard was talking about the old man who is causing ruckus and isn't allowing us to move forward but I threatened Richard by saying this, “If you don't let me out, then I will tell the Duke’s men that you actually ran away instead of protecting. I actually heard the story of your bravery from Sir Garfield Gray’s mount.”

“Fi-fine. But don't curse at me if something again goes wrong.” Richard unlocks the door from the outside. I got off from the carriage and heads towards the old man who seemed to be reluctant in stopping our path.

“Excuse me Sir! You can't block the road here!” one of the Duke's men said.

“Please ….please let me find my ….. I know she is her..here please.” It seems he ran for a very long distance, he cas drenched in sweat. “Look here Sir! We don't know anything about your daughter. If you still won't let us go. Don't expect anything good out of it.” He threatened the poor guy and gave him a push. He went on crashing on the ground twisting his ankle in process. “STOP!” I shouted.

“My lady! What are you doing here? You should return to your Carriage for now. It's for your security concerns.” One of the guards spoke but I replied saying, “I thank you for escorting me to my state with safety but let me talk to this person once.” I bowed down which made the guards a little uneasy but at the end they let me talk to him. “Fine my lady. But you will stay behind me so that he won't sneak attack you.”The guard said. “Thank you,” I replied.

We walk towards the old man. He looked exactly the same when I saw her at the festival Except now he has a twisted Ankle. “Please treat him” I requested the guard in front of me to bandage him. “Um…. What's your name? May I ask?” I started the conversation with this question. “Please, my daughter. Ple..please fi..find my daughter!” But he kept on ranting the same sentences over and over again. So I asked, “What's your daughter's name? Her appearance, anything of importance, will help me to find out about her easily.”. As soon as I said about helping him. He answered and the answers were truly shocking for me.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“Anna… Her name is Anna. She was 22 when she disappeared, now maybe she is 25. She also has black long hair. Yeah. Um…and and Ah yes a black mark on her right side of bum cheeks. Yes. Also also also no she ummm ....”

“Did she work in Marquis Jaden's household?” I asked this question because I know he is telling the truth. I changed Anna’s clothing last night and she had a black mark on her right ass Cheek. But still……

As Aaria was thinking about this, the old man replied with a confident “Yes. Yes she did for five years. She worked there for five years and then she Left. Did you know about my daughter? I heard she was seen last in this town. Ple….please tell me about her.” The man ignored his ankle pain and bowed down at my feets. But I didn't let him do it and asked the guards, “Prepare a room in a nearby hotel. Make sure this guy is Dressed nicely and Do a makeover of him. He will be my guest.”

“But my lady you can't just.”

“You can report to the Duke however you want to say. Just write that I forced it upon you.” I was firm in my resolve.

“How you wish my Lady. Come with me old man”. The guard picked up the hold man and walked towards the nearby inn.

“Sitri. I did the right thing. Right?” I asked Sitri for the confirmation. But her reply was even unsettling.

“Well I did expect it cause Anna was able to speak for the first time when He got near her surroundings but I didn't expect this thing.” What is Sitri talking about?

“Do you remember when I said, my wooden golem was subjugated easily by someone.” “Yes, I remember.”

“Well that someone seems to be this guy. I can still feel the core of my golem from his body.”

Wait, what are you even saying? I wanted to say that but words didn't come out. What will our future hold? There are still a lot of answers I want to ask him about but let's ask those later. I also decided to stay in the same inn with that mysterious old man. I changed and cleaned Anna's body with a wet towel. Put her a new set of clothes. After a while, a fresh looking guy who has now completely shaved his Beard and mustache and with a bald head. He still has Wrinkles all over his face as a sign of his old age. As soon as he entered our room and his eyes landed on Anna, He started to cry. I decided to leave the room to give the old man some privacy. I stood right outside the door with all three Duke's men standing guards there.

After some time I entered the room and sat right across from the old man whose tears seemed to be soaked up and I asked this question again.

“What is your name

and your profession?”.