New World, New Life: I Became A Bigshot In The Ancient World
Chapter 69: STALKER

Chapter 69: STALKER

"What’s wrong?" Beatrix asked.

"There’s one more." Aristia said, holding up one meat skewer. She counted the meat skewers, "There’s one more." She repeated, as she held the extra meat skewer.

It looked like Fiona had given them extra.

"Does anyone want more?" She asked.

Three heads nodded.

"Okay," Aristia nodded. "We’ll all get a share."

"But there’s only one left." Alicia said, confused.

"We’ll share it. There are four pieces of meat," Aristia said. She ate one of the meat in the skewer. Then she turned to Beatrix. "I’ve eaten one, you eat the next, then you pass it on."

"Alright." Beatrix nodded. She took a bite, then passed it to Serina.

Serina took a bite and passed it to Alicia.

Alicia was hesitating, but she took the meat skewer from Serina.

"This is really delicious," Serina and Alicia said at the same time, then giggled to themselves as they continued to explore the streets lit with lanterns.

Joyful laughter filled the air and cheerful voices were heard in the distance. There was even a bonfire not far away. That was where the cheerful voices were coming from.

"Come, let’s go over there." Serina said excitedly.

"Well, it’s a good thing the cloak covers your dress," Aristia told Alicia.

They were wearing commoner clothes, and because of Alicia’s sudden involvement, she hadn’t been included in the plan and therefore had no clothing to change into, but Aristia’s cloak covered her just fine.

All around, children were playing about freely, like birds let loose in the wild. There was joy and laughter at every turn.

"Haha!"

All of a sudden, Aristia took off with laughter.

Serina and Beatrix were stunned for only a few seconds before they started to run about too, following behind Aristia. And soon, all the girls were giggling and playing.

This brought back memories to Aristia. She remembered that her family would surprise her with bonfires, then she would laugh the same way and start to run. Her brother would join her and most times, her parents too. She had fun, to say the least.

She didn’t know what came over her now, but the happy air was infectious.

They now lay sprawled on the ground, just like the other children lying around the bonfire, pointing at the stars and trying to count them. It was a silly game but they were all having fun.

[That’s all that matters.] She told herself.

Aristia got up and dusted her clothes. They had been out for a while now. Quite a considerable amount of time had passed since they snuck out of the palace. It was time to return.

"It is time for us to return," she said to the three of them.

"Ugh!" Serina groaned reluctantly. "Do we have to leave yet? Can’t we stay a bit longer?"

"Yes. We do. If we don’t want to be caught, and that’s if they’ve not found out and started searching for us." Aristia deadpanned.

No matter how much more she wanted to stay, they had to return.

"Oh." Alicia reacted, getting up and dusting her clothes. "Let’s go, then." She stretched out her hand and Serina took it.

They all turned to leave. Just then, a voice rang out.

"Aris! Is that you?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Aristia turned with a smile to the young man waving and walking towards her. "Finn. You’re not old all of a sudden?"

"Haha, I see you came to join the festival." Finn laughed, looking down at her. "Are these your friends? You’re always with Owen whenever I see you," he said.

"My sisters." Aristia nodded. "These are Trix, Rina and Alice."

"Why, hello there, Trix, Rina and Alice." Finn nodded with a friendly smile, then he turned back to Aristia. "I don’t see Owen?"

"Owen’s busy at home." Aristia said simply.

Finn nodded in understanding. "Too bad he’s not here for the festival, eh? I was just on the way to the stall. It’s time for Fiona to enjoy the festival." He chuckled.

"We are on our way home. Our parents will be worried if they don’t see us for a long time." Aristia said.

Finn was oblivious to the fact that the mentioned ’parents’ were different people. He just nodded.

"Let’s go, then. I can take you all home. Show me the way. Fiona will understand," he suggested.

"Thank you, but our house is not far from here." Aristia politely declined.

She knew that Finn just wanted to make sure they got home safely, but there was no way he’d do that without figuring out that their ’home’ was the royal palace. How would he react if he did? And the palace really wasn’t that far.

"If you say so," Finn said. "You can walk with me to the stall since it’s in the same direction."

"Alright," Aristia nodded, finally obliging. "We can also say our goodbyes to Fiona."

Together, they walked back to the twins’ stall in silence.

"And Miss Adeline? She couldn’t make it?" Finn suddenly broke the silence.

Aristia shook her head. "She couldn’t."

Finn just hummed, muttering something about how unfortunate it was.

Fiona smiled when she saw them approach.

"Anything else you want?" She asked.

"No. Thank you for the extra," Aristia thanked her for the extra skewer.

"Consider it a festive gift." Fiona winked.

"We’re returning home." Aristia informed. "We came to say goodbye."

"Aww, so soon?" Fiona asked.

"That’s what I said," Serina muttered.

"Yes, Miss Fiona." Beatrix replied with a smile. "We have to, lest our parents become worried."

"Oh, such good children, caring for their parents. They didn’t come out for the festival?" Fiona asked.

"No. They are busy. They will hold a little celebration at home." Beatrix lied smoothly.

[If that celebration can be considered little.] Aristia thought.

"If that is the case, then run along. I don’t want you missing that celebration with your family. Finn can help you get home." Fiona said.

"Our home is not far from here." Alicia said.

"Oh, nonsense. Just to make sure you reach safe." Fiona put her hands on her hip, as if to say that she wouldn’t be convinced.

"There’s really no need, Fiona. Really." Aristia pressed on.

"Fine, then. But before you leave, I have something for all of you." Fiona said, she went inside and came out with wrapped meat skewers.

"My gift to you." She said, handing them to Aristia.

"Oh no, we possibly couldn’t—" Aristia started when Fiona interrupted.

"I insist. It’s either this or Finn will be taking you home." Fiona gave no chance. "There’s meat in there for all of you. There’s also some for Owen. Since he couldn’t make it to the festival."

Aristia collected it with a sigh and put it into her skin bag. "Thank you Fiona. We’ll get going now. Goodbye."

"Goodbye Fiona, Goodbye Finn." Beatrix, Serina and Alicia waved.

"Goodbye children. Have a safe return." Fiona and Finn both waved back as the children turned to leave in the direction of the palace.

***

The streets leading to the palace had only few people. This side had fewer stalls. There would occasionally be one or two persons passing by, and it was even harder to find a passing carriage. This was because most of the people were in the location of the festival.

The music was distant now and seemed far away.

"It’s getting lonely." Serina said in a voice that was barely above a whisper.

"Yes, there’s almost no one here." Alicia spoke up. They hadn’t been out long but there seemed to be fewer people on the street and it had become deserted.

Suddenly, Aristia darted her eyes to the side.

"We’re being followed," she whispered softly. Her senses had heightened during her training and she was able to sense that someone was following them.

The girls with her tensed up.

"What?" Beatrix asked in a low voice.

"No, don’t look behind you." Aristia warned them. "Keep walking. Don’t alert the person that we know, " she had to observe the threat.

Her senses were on high alert as she observed the sound of footsteps walking towards them.

They didn’t have to wait long before the stalker revealed himself.

"Hey, little girls. What are you doing here alone?" A voice asked.

They turned to see a sleazy man approaching. "Hehe. Where are your parents, eh? Are you lost? Come, let me take care of you."

[Eww. So disgusting. I didn’t know there were pervs in the medieval times too. Who am I kidding? When is there not a perv? This could be even worse than in the modern world.] Aristia thought in disgust.

She started to step back, the others following her. "We cannot run," she whispered to Beatrix in her right.

"Why are you moving away? Are you scared? I will not hurt you." The man smiled disgustingly.

"We are little and he is a grown man. If we run, we will be at a disadvantage because he can catch us from behind. We can’t outrun him," Aristia whispered.

"But if we face him, we can injure him and then escape." Beatrix finished, even though it sounded absurd and impossible to her.

"Exactly." Aristia smiled, despite the situation.

"What?" Alicia whispered in disbelief.

"It’s risky and not full proof, but it’s the only solution we have now. We can’t be completely helpless." Aristia explained.

"I am beginning to wish we never snuck out of the palace." Serina said frightfully and Alicia nodded in agreement.

"Stay calm. All of you." Aristia said with gritted teeth. She had planned the sneak out and she had to take responsibility.

"Look around for something that can hurt someone," she instructed. There were dim lights in the street, allowing them to make out objects on the ground.

By then, the man was about ten steps away from them.

"Follow my lead. I will distract him. You should then attack him with any object. Target wherever will hurt the most. Be careful." Aristia said.

She had no choice. They were little children, but they were alone and had to save themselves. They couldn’t be utterly vulnerable and defenseless.

She too was starting to wish they hadn’t snuck out. [This little body has been undergoing training, but could it really help in defeating this perv? I know! I could use this to my advantage.]

The man took a step closer and stopped. The children didn’t move, so he thought they were too scared to move.

Suddenly, Aristia crouched down, surprising the man.

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